The BOB & TOM Show Free Podcast

Episode: BT Extra: Disneyworld Ride & Cracker Barrel

Date: September 24, 2025
Host: The BOB & TOM Show (Tom Griswold, Bob Kevoian, "Tommy"/Co-host, Christy Lee, plus additional panelists)

Episode Overview

This episode of Bob and Tom Extra zeroes in on nostalgia and change, zooming in on two icons of American leisure: Disney World and Cracker Barrel. The hosts share a lively, humorous back-and-forth about shifts happening at these beloved institutions—Disney's reimagining of its Aerosmith roller coaster into a Muppets-themed ride, and Cracker Barrel's new minimalist logo and remodeling. The team also riffs on restaurant culture, branding, and the emotional reactions that come with change, all delivered with classic Bob and Tom wit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Disney World Updates

• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Transformation

  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM) to swap out the Aerosmith-themed Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster for a new Muppets "Electric Mayhem" experience.
  • Tom Griswold is excited for the change:

    "Say goodbye to Aerosmith. Hello, Muppets. I’ll take the Muppets band." (02:44)

  • The new version is set to debut in 2026—hosts express both excitement and nostalgia.

• Muppet 3D Movie Memories

  • Bob Kevoian wishes the now-closed Muppet 3D theater attraction could coexist with the new ride.

    "I may forgive them for shutting down one of my favorite things at Disney World, the Muppet 3D movie." (03:14)

  • Fond recollections of Statler and Waldorf perched in the balcony and the unique immersive effects.

• The Hall of Presidents Debate

  • Bob Kevoian praises the Hall of Presidents for its animatronics and air conditioning, recalling the way audiences would cheer or boo certain presidents.

    "Certain people would clap for John F. Kennedy. Certain people would boo for Nixon." (04:00)

  • The hosts joke about creating a less-popular Hall of Vice Presidents.

• Classic Rides and Changes

  • Discussions about getting stuck on “It’s a Small World,” and updates to the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction—specifically, changing scenes that once had pirates chasing “maidens,” now replaced with pirates chasing a pig.

    "They inadvertently made it way worse." (06:17, Tommy)

2. Cracker Barrel Rebranding & Restaurant Nostalgia

• Logo Change and Public Outcry

  • Cracker Barrel ditches the man-on-a-barrel icon and “Old Country Store" text for a cleaner, modern look.
  • Social media outrage discussed humorously:

    "If you’re furious about this, well…maybe listen to the news for a while. Maybe be furious about something real in the world." (07:35, Bob)

• Interior Remodeling

  • Cracker Barrel restaurants are removing their recognizable, cluttered Americana décor for a minimalist “agreeable gray” environment.
  • Mixed opinions on the sterile change—some call it “soulless.”

    "They've rebranded and remodeled restaurants and some call it soulless and sterile. 100%." (08:01, Tom)

• Emotional Attachment to Nostalgia

  • Tommy reflects on why people get upset at changes to comfort brands:

    “They want a break from [the news] with something familiar and unchanged. And now when the familiar changes…” (08:37)

  • Sentiments about comfort food and the challenge for traveling comedians to see a favorite go.

• What Happens to All the Old Stuff?

  • The hosts ponder where old memorabilia goes after remodels—third-party buyers or eBay resellers.
  • Parallel drawn to other chains like Fridays and their unique décor being sold off.

• Favorite Dishes & First Time Experiences

  • The hosts run through Cracker Barrel menu favorites: hash brown casserole, grilled chicken tenders, meatloaf, and Charles Chips.
  • Bob: “You’re going to find this hard to believe. I’ve never been in one.”
    (10:55)
  • Debate about what Bob should order if he ever goes.

3. Wider Conversations on Chain Restaurants & Modernization

• Chain Restaurant Closures & Repurposing

  • Lighthearted talk about restaurants repurposed into unrelated businesses, e.g., a Dairy Queen becoming a taekwondo studio.

• The Shift to Self-Checkout

  • Observations about the decline of human interaction in stores and the potential for AI to simulate it:

    “Is AI gonna start doing that? Is the machine gonna recognize you and go oh, hi, Florence. How are you today?” (14:15, Bob)

• Food and Service Jokes

  • Bob and others reminisce about Ruby Tuesday’s salad bar—with Tommy channeling a classic “two old ladies in line” routine.

    “Gladys, what does spinach taste?” (13:29, Guest)

• Modernization Backlash

  • Tommy jokes, “Did they learn nothing from Bud Light?” in reference to brands making changes that upset loyalists.
    (09:57)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Cracker Barrel’s Logo Change

  “This is because people are morons.” (07:02, Bob)

• On Restaurant Nostalgia

  "As a guy who’s lived on the road most of my life, [the Cracker Barrel logo] was like a call from mom…a very comforting thing." (08:57, Tommy)

• On Redecorated Interiors

  “Soulless and sterile. 100%.” (08:01, Tom)

• On the Peg Game

  “Do they still have the egg game on the table?” (15:59, Tommy) “They do.” (16:02, Tom)

• On AI Replacing Cashiers

  “[Will the machine say:] Hey, like the haircut…What happened to your ear?” (14:36, Bob)

• On the Hall of Presidents

  “They're giant robot dummies, whatever you call them.” (05:00, Bob) “Animatronics. Yeah.” (05:03, Tom) “I like robot dummies better.” (05:05, Tommy)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Disney World Muppets Ride Announcement: 02:34–03:14
• Muppet 3D & Hall of Presidents Memories: 03:14–05:41
• Pirates of the Caribbean Scene Change Discussion: 05:44–06:19
• Cracker Barrel Logo & Interior Overhaul: 06:49–08:51
• Chain Restaurant Décor & Repurposing: 09:23–10:03
• Favorite Cracker Barrel Menu Items: 10:48–12:03
• The Fate of Old Restaurant Décor: 12:25–13:07
• Self-Checkout, AI, and Social Interaction: 13:59–14:44
• Cracker Barrel Fireplace & The Peg Game: 15:42–16:16

Tone and Style

True to form, the hosts use irreverence, banter, and plenty of affectionate teasing about generational habits, regional quirks, and the deeper reasons why we get cranky over modifications to chain eateries and theme park attractions.

Final Takeaway

This episode highlights how even seemingly small cultural updates—like a ride’s theme or a restaurant’s logo—strike deep emotional chords, prompting both good-natured nostalgia and comedic disbelief. For listeners, it’s a relatable, lighthearted lesson on why embracing or resisting change is a national pastime in itself.

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