Podcast
Retro Disney World Podcast
Hosted by Lake Buena Vista Historical Society · EN
A monthly trip back in time to Walt Disney World - From pre-opening to 25 years ago; your four retro hosts discuss now closed, but not forgotten attractions, designs, architecture and more! Come experience the Vacation Kingdom of the World...the way it was...and the way it is in your memories!
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
101 - Downtown Disney West Side
Apr 2002:19:05Tap to summarizeTake a walk around Downtown Disney West Side as it was on opening day in 1997. The Virgin Megastore dominated the corner block, but there were fun smaller stores too like Magnetron and Starbillias. West Side was a ‘90s diners‘ paradise with themed restaurants like Bongos, Forty Thirst Street and Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe. We go into detail about each location, including when they closed, what they became, and where they were in relation to today's West Side. We also discuss the state of retail shopping in the 1990s and 2000s, the demographics that made Disney shopping boom, and how West Side's strategy of having tenants instead of Disney-run stores set up what Disney Springs would become.
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103 Archive, Events and More! Oh My!
Apr 400:52:52Tap to summarizeNo description available
Transcribe →102 - The Bicentennial at WDW
Feb 401:47:18Tap to summarizeStep back with us to Walt Disney World during America’s 1976 birthday celebration, when the parks were dressed to the nines for the United States Bicentennial. We relive the sights and sounds of the era—patriotic parades and float details, nighttime fireworks, and the red-white-and-blue bunting and decorations that transformed Main Street and beyond. Expect lots of vivid nostalgia, deep-cut observations, and the little design choices that made the Bicentennial feel uniquely Disney.
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100 - RetroMagic 10 Recap
Nov 3001:39:50Tap to summarizeNo description available
Transcribe →99 - Orlandoland
Sep 2201:07:15Tap to summarizeThis month How leads a discussion about the selection process that brought Walt Disney World to Orlando, the different sites in the area that were considered for purchase, and some of the alternate locations that were considered. He also talks about when Walt Disney World almost helped build a city of the future and theme park in Palm Beach Gardens in 1959!
Transcribe →98.5 RetroMagic June Update
Jul 300:35:12Tap to summarizeThis episode of the RetroWDW Podcast is somewhat unique and calls for a different type of introduction. Our team has been hard at work planning for RetroMagic, which will take place from September 26th to September 28th, 2025. For this show, we thought we would give you a little behind-the-scenes update, some sneak peeks of upcoming panels, and even some new things that have not been announced yet. This is going to be our biggest event yet and we look forward to seeing all of you again very soon. All the information is in the 35 minute episode, but as you listen, be sure to check out the following, as we have a few places you can look for information: www.RetroMagic.net – Main source for information & tickets RetroWDW Info Page – Has some extra tidbits about the event LBVHS Donations – Support our mission and get some amazing gifts TeePublic Store – Grab some gear for the upcoming event RetroMagic on YouTube – Relive some of our past events and see how fun they are for attendees
Transcribe →98 - The Disney Difference
Jun 1802:31:11Tap to summarizeThis one has been in the works for quite some time, and we are excited to bring it to you. Years ago, Disney was just a different type of place to vacation, and we all have our memories of things we have lost over the years, the little touches we remember, and more. While we are going to be cautious to not turn this into a gripe session/complaint episode, we are going to hit on some things that are both dissapointly gone and other things that maybe nobody misses. Either way, we hope you enjoy this look back at things that no longer exist. As you listen to this episode, we invite you to take a stroll down memory lane with us. Jot down anything we mention that sparks a forgotten moment or brings back a wave of Disney nostalgia. Maybe it’s something we overlooked—an old perk, a beloved resort amenity, or a little detail that meant the world to you. Whatever it is, we want to hear about it. Share with us the one feature, service, or special touch from the past that you miss the most. These stories are what keep the magic alive, and we’d love to include your memories in future episodes or discussions. Let’s keep the conversation—and the memories—flowing.
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97.5 - RetroMagic 2025 - Sept. 26-28, 2025
May 2500:27:22Tap to summarizeIn this mini-episode (or is it an infomercial?), we discuss our upcoming RetroMagic 2025 event, coming to the Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World the weekend of September 26-28, 2025. Tickets are available at https://retromagic.net How much would you pay to see Imagineer Tony Baxter? $700?! $900?! How about $185!!! BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!!!! How about the creative and technical leads responsible for The Living Seas pavilion, Tim Delaney and Kym Murphy? BUT THAT'S NOT ALL!!! · A charming feature of Main Street USA, we’ll take a deep dive into Walt Disney World’s Penny Arcade. Arcade expert Todd Tuckey of TNT Amusements will join a panel transporting you to the cool, dark haven of novelty games of yesteryear with rare photographs of the arcade, a look at some of the vintage games that resided in the space and where some of them live on today · Historian Hastin Zylstra will tell you more than you ever wanted to know about the Lake Buena Vista townhomes and their California origins including their connection to Disneyland. This oddball slice of Walt Disney World history is one you won’t want to miss. · Author and historian Foxx Nolte will revisit Lake Buena Vista shopping village. Before Disney Springs, Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island this quaint shopping and dining oasis was a charming beacon for locals and tourists alike. You’ll learn about its diverse offerings and its real-life counterpart its design was based on. · Disney Legend Tom Nabbe will reunite with members of the opening day monorail crew from October 1971. You’ll hear tales and travails of the early years of the Highway In The Sky. Panelists to be announced. · A panel of “opening crew” and executives for Walt Disney World in 1971 and EPCOT Center in 1982 will join us to reveal behind-the-scenes stories from their storied careers. Steve Baker, whose 23 year career with Disney began opening the parking lots and bus transportation in October 1971 and concluded as EPCOT Center’s Development Director will join us. Jim McCaskill was on the opening day crew in 1971 and his final role saw him overseeing relationships with corporate sponsors like MetLife and Siemens. Steve and Jim are confirmed guests for this event. More panelists to come. · It’s Time To Get Things Started: The Muppets at Walt Disney World. Some of the men and women behind Muppetvision 3D and the Here Comes The Muppets stage show at Disney-MGM Studios will join us to remember the early Muppets-Disney partnership in Florida. Guest panelists to be announced. · Showtime! – From the LBVHistory Archives: We’ve been putting aside photographic, film and video clips that left us so gobsmacked they had to be saved to share with a live audience. Historians will join us as we look at some lesser remembered bits of Walt Disney World completely forgotten or never before seen on film. · The Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village returns for guests to peruse our archive of artifacts, set pieces, souvenirs and memorabilia from Walt Disney World’s past. Authors, artists, historians and VIP’s will meet and greet attendees during the scheduled breaks · More panels, guests and experiences to be announced. DON'T DELAY, ORDER TODAY!!! OPERATORS ARE STANDING BY!!!
Transcribe →97 Music of EPCOT Center
Apr 16, 202502:15:12Tap to summarizeTake a deep dive into the music of the original EPCOT Center, including: How the Epcot entrance loop ripped off music from rock bands Alan Parsons Project and Trickster Hear the original, longer version of "Closer to You," the song from AT&T's "Age of Information" exhibit that predicted the future with incredible accuracy Composer George Wilkins' favorite piece of music that he wrote for Epcot The arranger who worked on Bob Moline's Epcot songs, including "Canada (You're a Lifetime Journey)." Hint: he went on to compose the music for a Spaceship Earth rehab Join us as Todd, Brian, JT, How and our listeners reveal their favorite songs from the many eras of Epcot and we reveal behind-the-scenes details about each of them and the beloved attractions they came from.
Transcribe →96 - Banking at Walt Disney World
Mar 19, 202502:29:40Tap to summarizeThis month Brian leads a discussion about banking at Walt Disney World and everything guests had to do to pay for their transactions at the parks and resorts before debit card terminals and Magic Bands became ubiquitous. Cash was king, but Traveler’s Checks and personal checks were also common before Walt Disney World began allowing credit cards. We’ll reveal how they worked, their benefits, and their frustrations. We also dive into the history of Disney’s relationship with its original banking partner, Sun Bank. Find about their full-service branches located in each of the parks and near Disney Springs, including the beautiful late-1880s-styled bank on Main Street which is now the Chamber of Commerce, and why we think the bank vault is still there. If you’re a cast member who can confirm or deny our hunch, send us an email! Todd also takes us into the many advancements in banking technologies that make paying for things in the park easier and more worry-free today.
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