Latest / Of Mice and Main Street Men / Zen Attractions at Walt Disney World (Episode 232)
Transcript
- 0:00SPEAKER_01: There's a great, big, beautiful tomorrow.
- 0:04SPEAKER_01: Shining at the end of every day.
- 0:08SPEAKER_01: There's a great, big, beautiful tomorrow.
- 0:12SPEAKER_01: Just the dream.
- 0:14SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the mice and Main Street men.
- 0:17SPEAKER_00: I am Tristan.
- 0:18SPEAKER_00: And I am Sean.
- 0:20SPEAKER_00: And uh I think I usually start that out by saying hello and you're listening to maybe.
- 0:25SPEAKER_00: Did I do I do I just say welcome to?
- 0:28SPEAKER_00: Now I'm you can say welcome.
- 0:30SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
- 0:31SPEAKER_00: Fix it up a bit.
- 0:32SPEAKER_01: We never want to be too predictable.
- 0:34SPEAKER_01: No, no, we don't want to be predictable at all, but but how in the heck are you?
- 0:38SPEAKER_01: I'm I'm I'm how the heck good am I?
- 0:41SPEAKER_01: I that came out as an odd word salad, but uh yeah, I'm good.
- 0:47SPEAKER_01: I meant more along the lines of, yeah, I'm how the heck am I doing good?
- 0:52SPEAKER_01: It's still a bad word salad.
- 0:54SPEAKER_00: You know what though?
- 0:55SPEAKER_00: I liked it.
- 0:55SPEAKER_00: I have no notes.
- 0:58SPEAKER_00: Um I'm glad you're doing good.
- 1:00SPEAKER_00: You're you're still out in the New Mexico area, right?
- 1:03SPEAKER_01: I am, where I gather it's a little cooler than it is in the Midwest the last couple of weeks, but who thought that'd be a thing, being in the desert?
- 1:11SPEAKER_01: Honestly, this is the the most temperate summer we've had at the outdoor theater.
- 1:16SPEAKER_01: It's usually like 105 during the day, 108, and cools down to 95 for shows.
- 1:21SPEAKER_01: We had a show last week that was actually chilly.
- 1:24SPEAKER_00: Wow.
- 1:25SPEAKER_00: Okay.
- 1:26SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
- 1:26SPEAKER_01: That's good news.
- 1:27SPEAKER_01: Yeah, and especially since I don't do much in this show.
- 1:32SPEAKER_00: Well, you you play those princess tracks, you know.
- 1:35SPEAKER_01: I do.
- 1:36SPEAKER_01: I'm the princess of New Mexico.
- 1:38SPEAKER_00: Princess of New Mexico.
- 1:42SPEAKER_00: I'm gonna start putting that on my business cards.
- 1:44SPEAKER_00: Honestly, do it, put it on that resume.
- 1:48SPEAKER_00: Um, well, that's lovely.
- 1:51SPEAKER_00: I'm I'm glad that you're you're having a good time out there.
- 1:53SPEAKER_01: And uh and uh you you just got back recently from the Florida.
- 1:59SPEAKER_00: I did.
- 1:59SPEAKER_00: I went to the Disney World and we had a good time.
- 2:02SPEAKER_00: Good.
- 2:03SPEAKER_00: Um, and we'll eventually record something on that.
- 2:06SPEAKER_00: We the three of us haven't been in the same place terribly long time because they've been spending time at um my in-law's lake house, and Savannah's been out of town for weddings, and we had weddings, and Harper's, it's just been crazy.
- 2:18SPEAKER_00: So eventually we will get there.
- 2:20SPEAKER_00: We did have a lovely time.
- 2:21SPEAKER_01: Well, you met up at Disney World, and that's that's what counts.
- 2:25SPEAKER_00: Exactly.
- 2:25SPEAKER_00: So that was exciting.
- 2:27SPEAKER_00: Um, but today we're gonna kick off our show, first of all, before we get to the the main topic at hand, but we want to talk a little bit about this Pirates of the Caribbean animatronic that debuted uh at Disneyland.
- 2:40SPEAKER_00: And oh Lord, and it was it's a very polarizing topic.
- 2:44SPEAKER_01: So I think this is like our new hot topic section, except we don't want to steal from the ladies of the view.
- 2:51SPEAKER_01: We'll have to decide what we're gonna call this.
- 2:54SPEAKER_01: I think, yeah, I mean, I love the view, so we can call it a hot topic.
- 2:57SPEAKER_01: I do too, but I we just don't want to get sued, really, is what I'm saying.
- 3:01SPEAKER_01: No, that's fair.
- 3:01SPEAKER_00: Well, I'll tell Whoopi, she's a Disney fan.
- 3:03SPEAKER_00: We'll see what we can do.
- 3:04SPEAKER_01: Um, that's right.
- 3:05SPEAKER_01: Oh my god, when we saw her once at D23, she had these amazing mini mouse shoes.
- 3:11SPEAKER_01: They were, they were, they were of course she did not.
- 3:14SPEAKER_00: I love I love Whoopi.
- 3:17SPEAKER_00: I wonder what she thinks about the gingerbread house saga, too.
- 3:20SPEAKER_00: That's a good hot topic that we shouldn't discuss at one time.
- 3:22SPEAKER_01: I bet, yeah, we'll we'll keep that one for yet another day.
- 3:26SPEAKER_00: But I mean, like you, I have been watching the videos of the new pirate animatronic.
- 3:31SPEAKER_01: Well, I would I would don't say like me.
- 3:33SPEAKER_01: You know I don't watch videos.
- 3:34SPEAKER_00: Oh, that's true.
- 3:35SPEAKER_00: I you don't, but you've heard the you've heard the tell.
- 3:38SPEAKER_01: Uh I heard the tell.
- 3:40SPEAKER_01: It actually, the story behind it actually was a positive thing for me because I was I was reading that day, I like got my one of my emails or whatever, and it was like controversial, you know, Pirates reopens with uh with a new audio animatronic figure.
- 3:56SPEAKER_01: And I was like, oh my god, Pirates has reopened because we're gonna be there in a few weeks for DJ.
- 4:01SPEAKER_01: That's I mean, that's exciting, yes.
- 4:02SPEAKER_01: And they had not announced an opening, and I had in fact part of the reason I knew it was down at all was because I went to reserve the blue bayou and was like, I could have had any day I wanted.
- 4:14SPEAKER_01: And I was like, What is going on that the blue bayou has all these reservations?
- 4:19SPEAKER_01: And then I was like, Oh, pirates is down, but savvy travel planner that I am, I'm like, I'm still gonna get a reservation there uh just in case it opens back up.
- 4:33SPEAKER_01: And the day that I got the reservation for is actually D23 Day and Disneyland.
- 4:38SPEAKER_01: So I was like, I I'm taking this just in case.
- 4:43SPEAKER_01: And then when it came back, I I texted Kimberly right away and was like, guess what?
- 4:48SPEAKER_01: We have a we have a reservation and it's back up.
- 4:51SPEAKER_01: But the reason I knew this controversial pirate.
- 4:57unknown: Yeah.
- 4:57SPEAKER_01: Well, so when I first read, I don't think it said it was controversial.
- 5:01SPEAKER_01: It took a couple of days for the Disney fandom internet presence to blow its collective top.
- 5:08SPEAKER_00: Well, okay, so I have some thoughts on it because I have watched the videos because I watched so many things, and and I didn't mean to watch it necessarily, but I was like, what is this happening?
- 5:19SPEAKER_00: It sounds like a lot of people regret watching it after the game.
- 5:22SPEAKER_00: Look, listen, I can two things can be true at once, okay?
- 5:26SPEAKER_00: I can recognize it as an impressive piece of technology, but I just can't shake this one concern.
- 5:33SPEAKER_00: And I think what it is, and I've watched some videos now, like of the close-up that you know what the Disney released, and then from a distance, though, it does look better, but I think the close-up videos, it seems that seems to be what sells the audio animatronics of late.
- 5:50SPEAKER_01: I hear Walt looks better at distance too.
- 5:53SPEAKER_00: Yeah, it just seems to fall into a weird, like uncanny valley where it almost looks lifelike.
- 6:00SPEAKER_00: Something about it just seems a little bit off.
- 6:03SPEAKER_00: And from what I hear, it it seems to play better in person than it does on video, and that's probably the point, you know.
- 6:13SPEAKER_01: It's how it was, that's how it was meant to be experienced.
- 6:15SPEAKER_01: So let's be clear there.
- 6:17SPEAKER_01: It was not meant to be captured on your phone and played on the internet ad nauseum.
- 6:22SPEAKER_00: Well, and I also don't think it was supposed to be that ever filmed that close, and I think that's where Disney made a mistake.
- 6:28SPEAKER_01: Well, I just go, I'm looking forward to experiencing it for myself.
- 6:34unknown: Yeah.
- 6:34SPEAKER_01: I knowing what I know, I go, was this really the best choice?
- 6:40SPEAKER_01: Because I read, you know, the day that it released, and there was a lot of like press and stuff, they had said, you know, well, the Imagineers had this technology and they were looking for a place to utilize it, and this just seemed like the perfect opportunity.
- 6:54SPEAKER_01: And I go, really?
- 6:56SPEAKER_01: Because you've got an entire attraction that has the traditional audio animatronics.
- 7:04SPEAKER_01: We all know that.
- 7:05SPEAKER_01: It's like my my theory that I developed today is that you know, with all the AI in the world, I think that the like the projected animatronics have now formed their own union and it's very powerful.
- 7:21SPEAKER_01: And because they lost all those jobs at Frozen Ever After, they were like, You're gonna give us something.
- 7:30SPEAKER_01: And Disney was like, Okay, AI, audio animatronic union, we're gonna give you uh one figure in pirates.
- 7:38SPEAKER_01: Let's see how that goes.
- 7:40SPEAKER_01: So I mean that's a very I like to change equity and and British equity exchange people.
- 7:47SPEAKER_00: I I enjoy that theory a lot.
- 7:50SPEAKER_00: I I what I have decided was I think it's supposed to be seen from a distance, like it is on the attraction, and showing it close up, I think may not have been the best thing.
- 8:02SPEAKER_01: Because Disney, Disney took the footage and showed it up close, or some Yahoo in a boat.
- 8:07SPEAKER_00: No, Disney did.
- 8:08SPEAKER_00: Disney was like, look at this thing, and everyone was like, uh yeah, that probably looks better.
- 8:12SPEAKER_00: And then when people started seeing it on the attraction, they're like, Oh, it looks better from far away.
- 8:18SPEAKER_01: Just like the Star Cruiser.
- 8:20SPEAKER_01: Disney Disney went, hey, look at this.
- 8:23SPEAKER_01: It's like, not no, not the way you're showing it.
- 8:27SPEAKER_00: Yeah, no.
- 8:28SPEAKER_00: Oh dear.
- 8:30SPEAKER_00: So I have a bigger concern though that that it raised a red flag for me is that you did mention this to me.
- 8:36SPEAKER_00: Yeah, so I'm worried a little bit that this technology could what it could mean for carousel of progress, because no, no, no.
- 8:45SPEAKER_01: Well, I want your opinion, and then I will explain to you why it isn't unfounded.
- 8:49SPEAKER_00: Well, and it probably is, but I carousel, I'm also there's a lot of feelings about it because it's finally closed and you know, all those things.
- 8:59SPEAKER_00: So you you have to let me mourn, but I'm excited for the future.
- 9:03SPEAKER_01: But my bigger concern Well, uh I don't know, are you in grief or anger?
- 9:08SPEAKER_01: What's what's the the first one's grief, right?
- 9:10SPEAKER_01: That's the first stage, right?
- 9:12SPEAKER_00: I don't know, I've never had anger about it because I am excited for it.
- 9:15SPEAKER_00: I just will miss what it is, you know.
- 9:17SPEAKER_00: But I'm not like upset that they're changing it.
- 9:20SPEAKER_00: I'm not in that like camp.
- 9:21SPEAKER_00: There is that camp of people.
- 9:23SPEAKER_00: I'm not in that camp.
- 9:25SPEAKER_00: But my issue is carousel's like, it's an intimate experience and an intimate attraction, and you're seated so close to it, and you're spending several minutes with those characters in that scene.
- 9:36SPEAKER_00: And I have a feeling if they do something like the pirate stuff, uh I just you have more time in carousel to like dissect what it is.
- 9:46SPEAKER_00: Whereas the animal the animatronics that are there, the old school ones, we just accept what they are and it's all good.
- 9:53SPEAKER_00: But I think I don't know, technology sometimes just doesn't look right with this projection thing that they're doing.
- 10:01SPEAKER_01: They will they are not, Tristan.
- 10:03SPEAKER_01: They're not.
- 10:04SPEAKER_01: They won't.
- 10:05SPEAKER_01: I hope not.
- 10:06SPEAKER_01: It's it's it it would diverge too far from the original.
- 10:13SPEAKER_01: It would look weird in that setting.
- 10:16SPEAKER_01: It would you know I agree with everything.
- 10:19SPEAKER_01: Let's face it, they if if they just went away from the projected back to the 3D figures for for uh frozen ever after, they are.
- 10:30SPEAKER_02: And they look great, by the way.
- 10:32SPEAKER_01: Yeah, and and yeah they listen, they listen to the fans.
- 10:37SPEAKER_01: I mean, they don't always listen before they do something, but I they I think they've got I think they've gotten the message that people don't seem to think this new pirate is a good idea.
- 10:50SPEAKER_00: I I just I hope that whatever Disney has planned for my beloved carousel progress, it just preserves, you know, it just doesn't they don't go in that route because they're like, oh, this is fun new tech, let's play with it.
- 11:03SPEAKER_00: No, don't play with it, just don't do it.
- 11:06SPEAKER_00: Like, and here's the thing, I will say this I may be wrong, and the new technology might feel completely natural in that setting, and I'll happily admit that when it happens, but when you're dealing with something as iconic as pirates, obviously they're learning it's you know it's gonna take a minute, but especially with carousel, I'd rather Disney prior prioritize like the heart and the character over chasing like some technical advancement in realism.
- 11:34SPEAKER_00: Do you know what I mean?
- 11:34SPEAKER_00: That's that's that those are my that's all I'm gonna say.
- 11:38SPEAKER_01: I do, and I think because I I mean, I guess I will reserve judgment to see this thing before I go, oh, this is really cool and approaches realism.
- 11:47SPEAKER_01: Because when I first saw the still photo that I saw, I was like, it just looks cartoony.
- 11:53SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
- 11:54SPEAKER_01: And I was and I was like, that's that doesn't feel right with all of those other 3D figures.
- 12:02SPEAKER_01: But now maybe they will figure out something really cool to do with the technology in Villains Land, where you're dealing with animated villains anyway, and maybe something along the lines of a villain animatronic that morphs in in ways.
- 12:20SPEAKER_01: You can you can send the check to to Tristan.
- 12:22SPEAKER_01: He'll pass it on to me, Disney, when when you use this idea.
- 12:26SPEAKER_01: But you know, something yeah, I I think they'll maybe find a way to use it elsewhere, but but I don't think it will show up in carousel.
- 12:40SPEAKER_01: I I unless unless they really want to do something, you know, groundbreaking and Rover will morph into Disney at some point in each scene.
- 12:51SPEAKER_01: And and and the dog will speak with Disney's face because fans are gonna love that.
- 12:57SPEAKER_01: I I think we can get behind the idea that every Disney fan is gonna love it when the dog's animated face morphs into Walt Disney within each scene of the new carousel.
- 13:10SPEAKER_00: And we discover Disney's been a dog the whole time.
- 13:14SPEAKER_00: And um, well, and I uh somebody made this point online recently that they're like, I think maybe what Disney's doing is they have developed this for uh villains land or the avatar, you know, or the various things that they're working on, and they're just testing it out and they're seeing how it goes.
- 13:33SPEAKER_00: And I was like, that's a weird way to do that, but I can see Disney doing it.
- 13:37SPEAKER_01: Don't don't don't you have like studios to do that in?
- 13:41SPEAKER_01: Do you have to put it out in front of the public and risk the ire of now you can't uh it's just when people get so bent out of shape, they have not ruined Pirates of the Caribbean.
- 13:55SPEAKER_01: No, an audio animatronic figure in that you didn't like.
- 13:59SPEAKER_01: So close your eyes and sail on by.
- 14:02SPEAKER_00: And also, all's gonna be fine.
- 14:05SPEAKER_00: It is all gonna be fine.
- 14:06SPEAKER_00: And you know what?
- 14:07SPEAKER_00: We we got our blood pressure up, and I think perhaps we need to have a zen moment.
- 14:14SPEAKER_01: And I think we do.
- 14:16SPEAKER_01: Although I do think close your eyes and sail on by should be our next t-shirt.
- 14:20SPEAKER_00: Close your eyes and sail on by is actually pretty good.
- 14:22SPEAKER_00: I do like that.
- 14:23SPEAKER_00: That's the that's the name of our our single once we uh enter the rap world.
- 14:29SPEAKER_00: It's a very zen philosophy.
- 14:31SPEAKER_00: It is, and I dig it, and so that kind of ties into what we're talking about today, which is our favorite Zen attribution.
- 14:39SPEAKER_00: That you know, that wasn't a good segue, but like I feel like it was.
- 14:43SPEAKER_01: Yeah, you've had better, but you've had worse.
- 14:45SPEAKER_00: I have, and that's so have we all.
- 14:47SPEAKER_00: That's that's what people say about my work.
- 14:49SPEAKER_00: Um you're solidly in the middle.
- 14:53SPEAKER_00: I'm solidly in the middle.
- 14:54SPEAKER_00: You know what?
- 14:55SPEAKER_00: All character actors are, let's be honest.
- 14:57SPEAKER_00: Um, so I'm excited to dig into this uh topic because I love a good zen ride.
- 15:04SPEAKER_00: That is something I did realize about myself uh on our trip recently.
- 15:09SPEAKER_01: As I went through what I thought would be on your list and what was going on mine, I was like, oh, Tristan really loves the Zen rides.
- 15:15SPEAKER_00: I really do.
- 15:16SPEAKER_00: There was also one I put on here, and we'll get to it, that I was surprised was a Zen ride for me, but I was like, no, it is because it is one of the things that I will watch a ride-through or listen to a ride-through like while I'm at work.
- 15:27SPEAKER_00: So I I I'm excited.
- 15:30SPEAKER_01: I uh with the there were several things I kind of tossed out because they weren't zen enough for me and my list.
- 15:38SPEAKER_01: Well, I'm excited.
- 15:39SPEAKER_01: I think there will be over overlaps.
- 15:42SPEAKER_01: I'd say call your bookie.
- 15:43SPEAKER_01: I I think we will have at least three that are the same on each list, but I don't know.
- 15:48SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I'm gonna go three out of five.
- 15:50SPEAKER_00: I'm gonna go three out of five.
- 15:51SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
- 15:51SPEAKER_01: All right.
- 15:52SPEAKER_01: Well, well, let's see if we can win that because I haven't won the Powerball or the Mega Millions lately.
- 15:57SPEAKER_00: I haven't either.
- 15:58SPEAKER_00: My God, I'll just end up owing them money.
- 16:01SPEAKER_00: Um, all right.
- 16:02SPEAKER_00: Well, kick us off what you got on your what's on your list here.
- 16:06SPEAKER_01: All right, so my number five for Zen attractions is Spaceship Earth.
- 16:11SPEAKER_00: Oh, that's a good one.
- 16:12SPEAKER_00: That is a good one.
- 16:14SPEAKER_01: I I just and yes, it's yes, it needs some love.
- 16:20SPEAKER_01: Yes, it needs an update.
- 16:21SPEAKER_01: Yes, maybe it needs a new narrator.
- 16:23SPEAKER_01: We they've been teasing that for a while, but just in terms of a good, comfortable, let me get in this little cart, and I'm still upset that they took away the Greek theater aspect and turned it into you know philosophy.
- 16:40SPEAKER_01: It's like they should still be performing Oedipus, and they're not, but they are not, no.
- 16:47SPEAKER_01: That aside, I can close my eyes and float on by.
- 16:51SPEAKER_01: What did I say?
- 16:52SPEAKER_00: Uh close your eyes and and I think it's float.
- 16:56SPEAKER_00: I think you did say float on by.
- 16:57SPEAKER_01: Oh, well, good for me.
- 16:59SPEAKER_01: But anyway, so spaceship earth, you know, it's just it's a very it's very calming.
- 17:04SPEAKER_01: Some might even say sleep-inducing when you get the narration going and it's been hot outside and you had a big lunch.
- 17:11SPEAKER_01: But I mean, especially, especially when you get to the top and you see that view of Earth.
- 17:17SPEAKER_01: I I sort of consider that a very zen kind of moment, you know, to to reflect on the planet and the distance and how we are all one traveling on this great spaceship Earth.
- 17:31SPEAKER_01: And and then it turns you around and you get to gently go down backwards, uh, and and see your half of your face in a little video.
- 17:41SPEAKER_00: Sometimes half of your face.
- 17:43SPEAKER_00: Yeah, sometimes a quarter, sometimes sometimes nothing.
- 17:47SPEAKER_00: Sometimes I'm headless.
- 17:48SPEAKER_00: Um, no, you know what?
- 17:50SPEAKER_00: That is a really good one that I almost put on my list because I I I felt the same way.
- 17:56SPEAKER_00: Um, but it did not make it, but I'm glad it made it on your okay.
- 18:01SPEAKER_00: All right, so my number five.
- 18:03SPEAKER_00: Um, we just talked about it, and I have to mention it.
- 18:05SPEAKER_00: It's Walt Disney's Carousella Progress.
- 18:07SPEAKER_00: Um I wasn't sure you could include that.
- 18:10SPEAKER_01: I I know because it's now closed, sir.
- 18:14SPEAKER_01: I know, and I almost didn't I hate to break it to you, but it's closed.
- 18:18SPEAKER_00: I don't know if you know I did hear, but I also did listen to it in a stressful moment at work today, listen to a ride-through, and I was like, okay, I'm good now.
- 18:28SPEAKER_00: And I do think it is the ultimate Zena experience.
- 18:31SPEAKER_00: And if you ask my wife and my daughter, it is a good nap spot.
- 18:35SPEAKER_00: So obviously it relaxes people.
- 18:37SPEAKER_00: Um, but you know, you it's it's AC, you're sit, you're you're seated, the the lights are dim, and the world rotates, you know, like uh, it's just it's so great, and it has the familiar music and the gentle humor and the steady narration, and it it's like safety and nostalgia for me.
- 18:56SPEAKER_00: And uh, I just love it so much, and I could go on and on, but anyway, my number five is Walt Disney's Carousella Progress, even though it is closed until next year.
- 19:05SPEAKER_01: All right.
- 19:06SPEAKER_01: Then I shall progress to my number four.
- 19:08SPEAKER_01: And number four was one I toyed with because it has a little bit of excitement to it.
- 19:14SPEAKER_01: Okay.
- 19:15SPEAKER_01: But I still went with it because overall I feel it is very zen, and that is the Kilimanjaro Safaris.
- 19:23SPEAKER_00: Oh, that's a good one too.
- 19:26SPEAKER_01: Because, you know, I know that it lurches a little, that rickety old bridge that's gonna kill us all.
- 19:33SPEAKER_01: Um, you know, and there are times we spit, but just to sit there and see the animals and take in the savannah.
- 19:41SPEAKER_01: You get to see the savannah with savannah.
- 19:44SPEAKER_01: I've never thought about that.
- 19:45SPEAKER_01: Good for you.
- 19:47SPEAKER_01: Um, but you know, just to and it's different every time, and you're just there to appreciate nature and to see the hippos and the lions, and I just I because it's very nature-y, and so it got number four on my list, even though that jeep can lurch and bump a couple of times.
- 20:11SPEAKER_00: I I'm now kicking myself for not even putting that on my list.
- 20:16SPEAKER_01: Uh so far, it sounds like those two are not on your list, which means at best our bookie could pay us at the three on now if the next three coincide.
- 20:26SPEAKER_00: So, what's what's your number?
- 20:28SPEAKER_00: Okay.
- 20:28SPEAKER_00: So, my number four is Pirates of the Caribbean.
- 20:32SPEAKER_00: Um, and I was not expecting this to be on this list.
- 20:35SPEAKER_01: And well, frankly, me neither.
- 20:38SPEAKER_00: But as I got yeah, as I got to thinking about it, I love a boat ride.
- 20:42SPEAKER_00: I love the the sounds of the water, I love the dim lighting, the the score, uh, the this the scents in there.
- 20:50SPEAKER_00: It's dark, it's cool.
- 20:52SPEAKER_00: Um, even the cannon fire and like the pace and it it's the most zen cannon fire you'll find.
- 20:58SPEAKER_00: It is the most zen cannon fire, and I don't know what this is about my nervous system, but the uh the idea I really dig the I think it says it's shot, really.
- 21:09SPEAKER_00: Maybe.
- 21:09SPEAKER_00: I mean, maybe I don't know, but I love that it's like immersive without being super intense.
- 21:14SPEAKER_00: I mean, there's the one uh you know drop, but other than that, you're just floating through like this storybook that you already know by heart, and there's something really comforting about that.
- 21:24SPEAKER_01: That's the weirdest phrase I've ever used to describe pirates to each their own, and and if you can find pirates shooting at you with explosions around you, a Zen experience, then maybe maybe you know more than the rest of us.
- 21:40SPEAKER_00: And maybe I need to call my therapist again.
- 21:43SPEAKER_00: Um, but other than that, um, but that's my number four is pirates.
- 21:47SPEAKER_01: Wow, all right.
- 21:49SPEAKER_01: Well, uh here's my number three, but I guarantee it's on your list and it's gotta be higher.
- 21:56SPEAKER_01: But I had to I had to include, albeit at number three.
- 22:00SPEAKER_01: Living with the land.
- 22:02SPEAKER_00: Ah it is on my list, but yes, it is much higher.
- 22:06SPEAKER_01: Good.
- 22:06SPEAKER_01: I couldn't tell.
- 22:08SPEAKER_01: Because the ah sounded a little like maybe you forgot it and I I was concerned for your happiness and your health.
- 22:15SPEAKER_01: So so yeah, we I mean we'll I will so we'll talk about it more, I think, when yours comes up.
- 22:21SPEAKER_01: But you know, for me, it really there, you know, there's just nothing really more zen.
- 22:30SPEAKER_01: Well, I guess I thought there were two things more zen than than the than the floating through of the I will say I would I might have given the original Listen to the Land a little more zen because of the tune.
- 22:44SPEAKER_01: It might have gone higher on my list if we hadn't updated it and and taken away our charming 70s tune.
- 22:52SPEAKER_01: That uh did Brett and I hum that and on a recent episode?
- 22:55SPEAKER_01: I think we did.
- 22:56SPEAKER_01: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- 22:57SPEAKER_01: You guys did, yeah.
- 22:58SPEAKER_01: I think we might have.
- 22:59SPEAKER_01: Anyway, uh but yeah, and then floating through the greenhouse, seeing what's growing, you know, what's gonna be on somebody's Disney salad plate later tonight.
- 23:10SPEAKER_01: I yeah, I can I can absolutely acquiesce to that being a Zen attraction.
- 23:17SPEAKER_01: So we can talk about it a little more when it pops up on your list.
- 23:23SPEAKER_00: Well, I'm proud of you for putting that on your list.
- 23:25SPEAKER_01: Um I I could I could not deny you, and nor is it anything but true.
- 23:30SPEAKER_00: That's true.
- 23:31SPEAKER_00: It is a very zen ride.
- 23:32SPEAKER_00: I I have at least gotten my wife and daughter to appreciate that aspect.
- 23:37SPEAKER_00: Um, so my number three is the TTA people mover.
- 23:42SPEAKER_01: Um it's my number two, so we might as well discuss it in tandem.
- 23:47SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I I like that there's really no like real story to follow, there's no screen to watch, it's just nope movement, breeze, and observation.
- 23:55SPEAKER_00: And I do love that um, you know, you're above the crowds and you're gliding through Tomorrowland, and nothing's really being asked of you other than just to enjoy the ride.
- 24:06SPEAKER_00: And it's one of the few attractions where doing absolutely nothing and watching absolutely nothing is kind of the point, and I think that's why it works.
- 24:17SPEAKER_01: Yeah, yeah.
- 24:18SPEAKER_01: And it's got some beautiful views, it does, and and it is whispersoft technology.
- 24:26SPEAKER_01: You know, we're just gliding on magnets.
- 24:31SPEAKER_00: It's lovely, it really is.
- 24:33SPEAKER_01: Right.
- 24:34SPEAKER_00: So we are gliding on magnets, right?
- 24:36SPEAKER_00: I didn't make that up.
- 24:38SPEAKER_00: I don't know what we're gliding on, but we're gliding on something and it's fine, and I love it, and I have no notes.
- 24:44SPEAKER_01: And it's very zenny.
- 24:47SPEAKER_00: It is very zenny.
- 24:48SPEAKER_00: So that is your number two?
- 24:50SPEAKER_01: Well, that was yeah, that was your three, my two.
- 24:52SPEAKER_01: So what's your two?
- 24:53SPEAKER_00: Okay, so my number two is the haunted mansion.
- 24:57SPEAKER_00: Um strangely that blew it for the bookies, actually.
- 25:02SPEAKER_00: I had a feeling, but it's strangely soothing to me, and it doesn't rush you.
- 25:09SPEAKER_00: The narration is measured again and familiar.
- 25:12SPEAKER_00: What did I say about uh the it's a story about pirates?
- 25:16SPEAKER_00: It's a storybook you already know by heart.
- 25:18SPEAKER_00: Uh I it was poetic.
- 25:20SPEAKER_00: I'll have to go back and listen to this.
- 25:22SPEAKER_00: It was poetic, I'll have to listen to it too.
- 25:24SPEAKER_00: Um, but there's comfort in its consistency.
- 25:27SPEAKER_00: It's every scene unfolds exactly how you remember, and even the graveyard chaos has like a musical like zen quality that I really dig.
- 25:37SPEAKER_00: And like, I don't know, there's some there's something about it that brings me so much joy that again it's one of those things that can like calm my nervous system down.
- 25:47SPEAKER_00: And so I don't know what that says about me either.
- 25:50SPEAKER_00: That a haunted mansion uh calms me.
- 25:54SPEAKER_01: Uh well I will admit, but I will admit I considered it, but again, for me, it wasn't quite zen enough because you know part of part of the whole thing is to creep you out a little bit.
- 26:08SPEAKER_01: And there are moments that that are slightly, I mean, let's face it, with monsters like trying to burst through doors and door knockers knocking by themselves and ominous clock chimes, I I just couldn't I couldn't bring myself to call it Zen.
- 26:26SPEAKER_01: Now, I will grant you that it is more Zen than having cannons shot at you.
- 26:32SPEAKER_00: Okay, so I'm closer to Zen.
- 26:34SPEAKER_00: So I feel this is a closer choice to Zen.
- 26:37unknown: Okay.
- 26:39SPEAKER_01: But if it's Zen for you, more power to you.
- 26:42SPEAKER_01: I also kind of thought that the pipe organ was a little too peppy for Zen.
- 26:46SPEAKER_01: Okay, that you know that's that's fair.
- 26:48SPEAKER_01: That's fair.
- 26:49SPEAKER_01: And and again, there are a couple of gunshots as the portraits shoot themselves.
- 26:54SPEAKER_01: So um Zen for anyone with PTSD.
- 27:00SPEAKER_00: But we've developed that I have some problems, and I think we're getting to it.
- 27:04SPEAKER_00: So that's exciting.
- 27:06SPEAKER_00: Did you did you grow up in a really bad neighborhood, Tristan, where those sounds are soothing?
- 27:11SPEAKER_00: No, I didn't.
- 27:11SPEAKER_00: You know, I grew up out in the country.
- 27:13SPEAKER_00: Um all right, but I don't know.
- 27:16SPEAKER_00: I don't know.
- 27:17SPEAKER_00: I I do have a grandmother that like comes to me in my dreams and kind of haunts me now, so I don't know.
- 27:22SPEAKER_00: I remember her.
- 27:23SPEAKER_00: We've learned a lot about her this season.
- 27:26SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
- 27:26SPEAKER_00: So so okay.
- 27:29SPEAKER_00: I don't know.
- 27:31SPEAKER_01: All right.
- 27:31SPEAKER_01: Well, okay.
- 27:33SPEAKER_00: So what's your number one then?
- 27:35SPEAKER_01: So my number one, and I can't believe because we now know what your number one is.
- 27:39SPEAKER_01: And it's oh, I guess we overlapped on two.
- 27:43SPEAKER_01: We both had the people mover and we both had your number one.
- 27:46SPEAKER_01: Um, I I don't understand when you compile a list of Zen attractions.
- 27:54SPEAKER_01: Oh, before we get before I before I reveal, before I reveal my number one choice, I will say in in going through these, and I don't think you did either, I included three of the four parks, but one park apparently has no Zen attractions in my book.
- 28:12SPEAKER_01: Um and I I will I will disclose that for me that is the studios.
- 28:17SPEAKER_01: I couldn't really come up with one Zen attraction for the studio, at least it's in my definition.
- 28:23SPEAKER_00: I couldn't either.
- 28:24SPEAKER_01: However, just it just goes to show that uh some attraction can top any positive list because I absolutely feel that the most Zen attraction on Disney property in Florida is the Seinfeld of Attractions, the Navi River Journey.
- 28:46SPEAKER_00: You know, I before you I let you wax poetic, that did cross my mind.
- 28:52SPEAKER_01: It crossed your mind, it is so calming.
- 28:55SPEAKER_00: It is so calming, but I don't do it often because it always has an hour-long wait.
- 29:01SPEAKER_01: And for me, it's and I had to like weigh the option, you know.
- 29:06SPEAKER_01: I did realize I needed to put the caveat on it, which I think is fair.
- 29:10SPEAKER_01: We're talking about the attraction now, not the wait time.
- 29:17SPEAKER_01: No, and you're not you're not wrong.
- 29:19SPEAKER_01: It's it's beautiful.
- 29:21SPEAKER_01: Because I don't feel like you can get more zen than just floating in that dark, beautifully bioluminescent attraction where nothing important happens.
- 29:35SPEAKER_01: We just hear calming music, feel some cool air conditioning, watch really cool animals slowly go on their way, and we all gather for a spiritual celebration.
- 29:51SPEAKER_01: And that in my book is why something I normally speak of with a little derision and and you know, maybe, maybe not always most respectfully, but in a list of Zen attractions, the Navi River Journey is my number one.
- 30:08SPEAKER_01: You know what?
- 30:09SPEAKER_00: That is really great, and you're probably correct because it is the the few times I've done it, it has really cannon fire, Tristan, so I'm sure it's why you left it off.
- 30:20SPEAKER_00: It's probably why I left it off.
- 30:21SPEAKER_00: Um, but that's you know, that's a worthy number one, I think.
- 30:24SPEAKER_00: And it doesn't get enough love because it is very pretty.
- 30:28SPEAKER_00: Um and it usually has a ridiculously out of proportion line for what it is.
- 30:34SPEAKER_00: Dude, there was a day I was down at Disney where that had a longer wait by about 45 minutes than flight of passage.
- 30:42SPEAKER_00: Well, I'm not kidding.
- 30:44SPEAKER_00: You just had a lot of people who needed Zen that day.
- 30:47SPEAKER_00: I know, and they did, and they got it.
- 30:49SPEAKER_00: Um, and more people are gonna you've mentioned it, so now the wait times are gonna skyrocket.
- 30:55SPEAKER_01: So that's right.
- 30:56SPEAKER_01: They're getting the mice in Main Street bump, is what they're getting.
- 30:59SPEAKER_01: That's right.
- 31:00SPEAKER_00: Well, that's uh that's something you get when you get bit by a mouse.
- 31:03SPEAKER_00: Uh or something you've got in a disco tech in the 70s.
- 31:10SPEAKER_01: Um I do have the disco mouse album.
- 31:13SPEAKER_01: I have the disco Mickey Mouse album.
- 31:16SPEAKER_01: See, there you go.
- 31:17SPEAKER_01: This is a random fact.
- 31:18SPEAKER_01: Now let's move on to what we all know is your number one.
- 31:22SPEAKER_00: Yes, of course.
- 31:23SPEAKER_00: Oh, listen, living with the land, of course.
- 31:26SPEAKER_00: It's as my daughter calls it, just a slow boat ride.
- 31:29SPEAKER_00: No, it's more than that.
- 31:30SPEAKER_00: It is a deep, it's a deep breath, is what it is.
- 31:33SPEAKER_00: It's a gentle glide.
- 31:35SPEAKER_00: Um, and you know, the narration and the greenhouses, and the oh, there's just the scenes before you get into the greenhouse are just lovely, and it just makes my heart so happy.
- 31:47SPEAKER_00: And it's it's quiet.
- 31:49SPEAKER_01: You did not want to close your eyes and float on by.
- 31:51SPEAKER_01: You just want to open your eyes and no, you need to open those.
- 31:54SPEAKER_00: Um it here's the thing.
- 31:55SPEAKER_00: I I was talking with a friend about this recently.
- 31:58SPEAKER_00: It was like it's quiet without being boring, and educational without like demanding like your attention.
- 32:05SPEAKER_00: You know what I mean by that?
- 32:06SPEAKER_00: Like, I do can you can listen closely, or you can let your mind drift and just float on by.
- 32:11SPEAKER_00: But either way, I do think you leave a little lighter than when you entered.
- 32:15SPEAKER_00: And I know for me, it is a total zen moment.
- 32:18SPEAKER_00: It is like the number one thing, even above Carousella Progress, that I do put on when I'm needing like a Zen moment.
- 32:25SPEAKER_00: So for me, living with the land is just number one.
- 32:28SPEAKER_01: Well, and especially, especially what greenhouses of glee?
- 32:32SPEAKER_01: No, what's what's glimmering greenhouses?
- 32:35SPEAKER_01: Glimmering.
- 32:36SPEAKER_01: I knew there were a couple of G's in there.
- 32:38SPEAKER_01: I didn't think it was glee.
- 32:39SPEAKER_01: But yeah, yeah, I mean, that is just so it's so pretty and oh my god, yeah, very tranquil.
- 32:47SPEAKER_01: Only thing that could make it better, just a couple of cannons firing at you as you as you pass the banana leaves.
- 32:54SPEAKER_00: Yeah, for me, I mean, I just need some trauma in there, and I think I'm good, you know?
- 32:59SPEAKER_00: And uh and maybe that's why I like it because it does have a violent storm.
- 33:05SPEAKER_00: And you know, while it might seem violent to others, it's great for me.
- 33:09SPEAKER_01: So it's well, we all uh that that's the dichotomy of a rainstorm or a thunderstorm.
- 33:14SPEAKER_00: Sometimes as long as you feel safe and protected in your cozy little bed, that can be very can be very calming, maybe not as calming as cannon fire to you, but no, no, I prefer the cannon fire um in my life and in my heart, but uh uh but I would be curious because it a Zen ride, like um, like if I were to ask Harper what a Zen ride is to her, she'd be like, I don't know, Muppets, rock and roller coaster.
- 33:43SPEAKER_00: Because she you know what I mean?
- 33:45SPEAKER_00: Like no, so Zen rides are just uh I it's such a fascinating thing because I bet it's a different thing to everybody.
- 33:51SPEAKER_00: Because like you and I only overlapped on what?
- 33:54SPEAKER_01: One thing, two, two, two, two, right, two, people mover and people mover, yeah, and living with the land.
- 34:00SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
- 34:01SPEAKER_01: Um, but yeah, well, I don't know.
- 34:04SPEAKER_01: Maybe as Harper matures, she will understand that Zen actually does have an actual definition.
- 34:11SPEAKER_01: And well, yes, I I do not think that you can put rock and roller coaster on a list of Zen attractions.
- 34:18SPEAKER_01: No, but unless it's beating you sense unless your head gets knocked back and forth relentlessly and puts you in some sort of like you know, passed out state.
- 34:29unknown: Sure.
- 34:30SPEAKER_01: But no, I I get what you're saying.
- 34:32SPEAKER_01: Zen can be different things to different people.
- 34:35SPEAKER_01: And and if she feels Zen zooming through LA with the Muppets, I do not I do not wish her ill.
- 34:45SPEAKER_00: No, and I um I will say that attraction is a definite upgrade for sure.
- 34:51SPEAKER_00: Um, and we'll talk about that at some point, I'm sure.
- 34:53SPEAKER_00: But Mr.
- 34:54SPEAKER_00: McCall, if somebody wanted to go experience one of these Zen attractions, now is the time to get those those uh plans made for the fall and winter.
- 35:03SPEAKER_01: Now is the time, now is the best time.
- 35:05SPEAKER_01: Now is the best time.
- 35:06SPEAKER_01: As the carousel of progress taught us in what the 70s, 80s.
- 35:10SPEAKER_01: Not until 92, right?
- 35:12SPEAKER_00: Or no.
- 35:12SPEAKER_00: Wow.
- 35:13SPEAKER_01: That I think I think it was a minute before it changed, but um, but yes, like uh they Disney has just announced all of the festival of the holiday dates and and excitement and the parties, and you know, it's it's gonna be a great time to visit.
- 35:33SPEAKER_01: And you know, it's still not too late to catch Mickey's not so scary, or you know, even dare I mention down the street those Hollywood horror nights at Universal.
- 35:43SPEAKER_01: There's you know, the Universal at at Halloween.
- 35:47SPEAKER_01: If you're looking for spooky, man, that really fits the bill.
- 35:52SPEAKER_01: So and I I I do I do send friends to Universal as well.
- 35:57SPEAKER_01: So uh Universal or Disney, you know, check out our website.
- 36:02SPEAKER_01: There's a link to the agency's webpage where you can uh start a you know start telling me what you'd like and choose me as your travel advisor, or you know, just just shoot me an email, Sean at Briarandmain.com or check me out on Facebook and leave me a message because I'm planning some great trips right now, and I'm excited for for for people who are traveling.
- 36:24SPEAKER_01: And you you have a big trip coming up here in Austin.
- 36:27SPEAKER_01: I do, I do, honestly.
- 36:29SPEAKER_01: My badge said it was supposed to be delivered today, but it's the tracking is off and it has not arrived yet.
- 36:35SPEAKER_01: But D23 in just a few weeks, Jackie and Kimberly and I shall be reporting live from the trenches.
- 36:42SPEAKER_01: Well, probably not wait.
- 36:44SPEAKER_01: We'll be recording live from the trenches, maybe.
- 36:47SPEAKER_00: And uh I'm excited to hear it.
- 36:49SPEAKER_00: I'm uh I have a little FOMO because I I wanted to go out with you guys, but I could not because of the project I'm doing.
- 36:56SPEAKER_00: But I I'm so excited to hear about it, and I cannot wait.
- 37:00SPEAKER_00: And then you have you're going out to Disneyland this fall as well.
- 37:05SPEAKER_01: Yes, I have not been to Oogie Boogie's Bash, and in discussing, you know, I I do find that I I'm a bit infectious towards people.
- 37:14SPEAKER_01: Um maybe I should see a doctor and get an ointment for that.
- 37:17SPEAKER_00: But uh mice in Main, that's the the the mice and main street bump.
- 37:21SPEAKER_01: Bump, yeah, you're right.
- 37:23SPEAKER_01: Uh but no, we were talking, we were talking a few weeks ago, and I mentioned Oogie Boogies and that I hadn't been before, and tickets were going on sale.
- 37:31SPEAKER_01: And we now have a group of 14 people from from 14 people from Jekyll and Hyde this October who uh all have tickets to the bash because the the week between week one and two, we get Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday off.
- 37:47SPEAKER_01: And so we go we're driving out on Monday, we're going to Oogie Boogies on Tuesday, and I we are we are some excited folks.
- 37:57SPEAKER_00: Oh, that's so exciting.
- 37:59SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I and like you always say, it's always good to have your next Disney trip planned.
- 38:04SPEAKER_00: And uh I currently don't have any Disney trips planned.
- 38:10SPEAKER_00: However, you've done an awful lot this year.
- 38:13SPEAKER_00: I know I have, I really have.
- 38:14SPEAKER_00: I've gone so many times just since this calendar year began, and which is I'm very lucky for.
- 38:21SPEAKER_00: And I have one that might happen in the offing that I'm I won't mention on air.
- 38:27SPEAKER_00: Uh but then uh one we're hoping maybe for Disneyland Paris next spring break, and then I'm going on the adventure for a couple weeks next summer.
- 38:35SPEAKER_00: So that's exactly well, you should.
- 38:37SPEAKER_01: I know it's been a while since it's been a while since you visited your lady and that lady, and you will yeah, I'll be anxious to hear what you think of it now that it's finished.
- 38:50SPEAKER_00: I know, I know.
- 38:51SPEAKER_00: I was hoping to get back there because Savannah's back on the ship September through January, and I was trying to find a time to go out, but I just it's such it takes a minute to get to Singapore, but also it costs a lot to get to Singapore.
- 39:06SPEAKER_00: It does, and so Harper and I are just gonna go out for a couple weeks instead of just for like you know four days.
- 39:12SPEAKER_01: And I told you does she have sorry, go ahead.
- 39:15SPEAKER_00: Oh no, I I told Savannah the next ship has to be in Florida so I can get there easier, easier.
- 39:20SPEAKER_01: Well, because does she does she have one more tour of duty after January?
- 39:25SPEAKER_00: Yeah, so she'll come home for a couple months and then she'll go back out May through September.
- 39:30SPEAKER_00: So we're gonna hope to go see her in the summer.
- 39:32SPEAKER_01: So that would be awesome.
- 39:35SPEAKER_00: I know I can't wait to see it all finished, too.
- 39:38SPEAKER_00: It's a cool ship, it really is.
- 39:40SPEAKER_00: Um, but yeah, I you know it's it's good to have your next trip planned, and you can use Mr.
- 39:46SPEAKER_00: McCall to do it, and a lot of our friends do it.
- 39:48SPEAKER_00: He's the guy, so um give me a call, give him a buzz, he'd love to help you out.
- 39:56SPEAKER_00: But Mr.
- 39:56SPEAKER_00: McCall, it is always a pleasure, you know.
- 39:59SPEAKER_01: It was fun, it was fun to get a little zen.
- 40:01SPEAKER_01: I felt a little challenged sometimes.
- 40:04SPEAKER_01: I there were a couple of things that I immediately thought of that are Disneyland.
- 40:08SPEAKER_01: So I don't know, maybe we'll have to do Zen at land at some point.
- 40:11SPEAKER_01: But I would love that.
- 40:13SPEAKER_01: But I'm looking forward to some other categories for Florida too.
- 40:19SPEAKER_00: Yeah, well, we're gonna keep this little series going, so you have to tune in next week if you like this one.
- 40:23SPEAKER_00: But uh, Mr.
- 40:24SPEAKER_00: McCullough, always a pleasure to chat with you and uh we say every week, and we will see you.