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Back in 2015 when I started The Tomorrow Society, I didn’t expect to start a podcast alongside the blog. I planned to write regularly about Disney and theme parks and maybe do some interviews for the site. During that summer, I started co-hosting a podcast about the Amazing Race Canada for Rob Has a Podcast. Jessica Liese asked me to join her as a host of the recaps, and that request led indirectly to the start of The Tomorrow Society Podcast. Doing a regular show sparked my interest in creating a theme park podcast.
Along with being an accomplished podcaster, Liese is also a big theme park fan. On this episode, she describes her background with Disney and Universal and gives a surprising take on which is the best for kids. Universal Orlando doesn’t have a great reputation as being a prime destination for young children, but Liese believes it outshines Disney. She presents the reasons for this hot take during our fun conversation.
We also cover possible reasons for why Walt Disney World has become challenging to navigate today for parents. The growing crowds and complex planning can be difficult. Liese also covers some of her favorite Disney attractions, including the Carousel of Progress. We close the podcast with rapid-fire questions on hard-hitting topics about turkey legs, the E.T. Adventure, and who we want to win Survivor this season.
Please Note: This episode was recorded on March 4th, and we do briefly discuss the possibility of the parks closing due to the coronavirus. Since this situation has changed dramatically in the past week, I just wanted to mention the earlier recording date.
Show Notes: Jessica Liese
Check out Jessica Liese’s work for Rob Has a Podcast plus her current podcasts on Star Trek: Picard and The Walking Dead on Post Show Recaps.
Follow Jessica Liese on Twitter at @haymakerhattie.
Listen to Jessica Liese and Dan Heaton podcast about The Amazing Race Canada at the Rob Has a Podcast network.
I think you and Jessica missed one of the best play areas at WDW: the boneyard at Animal Kingdom. It can be a mess, but is a great spot to let little ones run around. Also, the biggest play area at WDW: Tom Sawyer’s Island! My kids are old enough that we play hide and seek with them there. Epcot also has a full-time playground to the east of innoventions, in addition to the flower and garden pop-up playground that was next to the Honey Beestro. My kids are 12 & 9, but still really enjoy all of those play areas.
Those are great examples, Jim! The Boneyard is a really cool area, and I’m sad to admit that I haven’t spent as much time there as I should with my girls. Tom Sawyer Island is also a perfect one too. I know it’s pirate-themed now in California, but I was planning to make sure we spent a good amount of time there on our upcoming trip to Disneyland since we’d have four park days. That trip is likely getting delayed, but it will definitely happen at some point down the road.
This was a fun conversation to listen to, but I was disappointed too that no one brought up Tom Sawyer’s Island. If we’re going to debate about whether Universal or Magic Kingdom is more entertaining for little ones, this was THE key area to talk about. I realize that Jessica is not as huge a Disney nerd as many of us here though. I liked the questions at the end and the discussion of the ET ride. I too would get rid of Nemo. It never fails to baffle me that the only thing the Imagineers can think to do with Nemo is that he’s MISSING and we have to FIND him. Both “The Living Seas” and the re-do of “20,000 Leagues” resort to fish calling out “NEEEE MOOOOO!!!” because he’s lost again. It makes me wonder if the ride designers tried to do something different and management said, “Naaahh, he’s gotta be missing, that’s what people love.” It lacks any emotional punch at the end (did anyone think he WASN’T going to be found??) and shows a total lack of creativity with this diverse group of characters. I too miss the Sea Cabs and just taking in the gorgeous scenery that cannot be improved on with characters.
Great points about Nemo, Melanie. Finding Nemo is great, but I never thought it was good just because Nemo was lost. Book report attractions rarely work, especially when it’s such a thin plot! The fact that the dark ride is blocking views of the aquarium is what makes it rougher for me too.