Latest / Ear Scouts Podcast / 5th Anniversary Special: Top 5 Reasons We Still Love Going to Disney World After All These Years
Transcript
- Rob: In this very special episode of the Ear Scouts podcast, we're celebrating five years of Ear Scouts and 55 years of Walt Disney World. We're talking about why we all still love going to the most magical place on earth. We got a lot to talk about, so let's get to it. Hi ho everybody, this is Rob with Ear Scouts coming to you from our makeshift studio here in Celebration, Florida. Also with me as always here in Celebration is the other half of Ear Scouts, Eric. Hi ho, Eric. Erick: Hi ho everyone. Rob: Eric is going to be keeping up with the live chat over on Patreon. If you'd like to join us live as we record each and every episode of the Ear Scouts podcast, head on over to patreon.com forward slash Ear Scouts. Also joining us from the great state of Indiana is our resident Disney trivia guru, Quizmaster Craig. Hi ho, Craig. QMCraig: Hi ho everybody. I'm excited about this episode. Rob: Me too. It's a it's a celebratory episode. And also joining us from the lovely state of Connecticut is the host of Jessica Scraps on YouTube and our dear friend Jessica. Hi, ho, Jessica. Jessica: Hi everyone, I'm also excited, it'll be a good one. Rob: So we're all excited to talk about this. This is kind of one of those episodes where we just get to talk about what we love the most about Disney World. And so it's gonna be a fun one for all of us. And we hope a fun one for all of you. We do hope that our friends who are joining us from Patreon will share the reasons that they still love going to Disney World after all these years. Quick programming note: we will be away for a week because we are having our Ear Scouts Jamboree here at Walt Disney World, and we've got all kinds of fun activities planned for that. but we will be back with another episode very soon. We're also going to be skipping questions this week because we've got so many. We're we're gonna be giving our top five reasons that we still love coming to Disney World. So doing the math here. That's at least at least 20 things that we got to cover. So we are going to cover questions when we come back with a special QA episode. If you have a question you'd like us to answer in that episode, just leave it as a comment either on one of our YouTube videos at earscouts.com forward slash podcast. Or over on Patreon, patreon.com forward slash Earscouts, and hopefully we'll be able to include your question in that episode. But for right now, let's start counting down the top five reasons that we still love going to Walt Disney World after all these years. And I'm gonna start us off. This is a really easy one for me. Disney World is my happy place. For some people, The beach is their happy place, or maybe it's a cabin in the mountains, or maybe it's a big city that they love. and for them, going to that place is kind of what what recharges them, what what makes them feel at peace and happy and and ready to do the next big thing in their lives that they've got to do when they get back from that break from the real world. And Disney World is that for me. Even though I live here, I'm in the parks at least a couple days a week, you know, and and still every single time I go, I have a smile on my face because it's just it's the place I love to be. and the last thing I want to say on that, because this is a question, if you go to Disney World a lot, you've probably heard this question. People are like, Why are you going to Disney World again? And my answer to them is, well, wait a second, don't you go to the same beach? Like Every year, like to the same hotel at the same beach every year. If that's your happy place, go do it. You know, do that every year if that's the thing that makes you happy. And I think for a lot of us, this is our happy place. This is the thing that we love doing again and again. so Jessica, why don't you share what is your first reason that you love coming back to Walt Disney World? Jessica: So I'm typically the controversy on the show. I'm the I'm the one that's usually the the most most interesting comments on the show. So I'm gonna start with one that may get a little bit of comments on QMCraig: Ha ha ha. Jessica: on on the Facebooks or on the YouTubes or on the it the the WWWs, as my grandmother used to call them. Honey, go check your WWs. but it's a value. And and I know even today they've raised prices, but it is a value. If you look at you know, and we live close to New York. And Broadway shows are one of my favorite things to do. For the cost of a of a full day at Disney World, I get two and a half hours of a Broadway show in an uncomfortable seat with the drinks that are there way more expensive than the drinks at Disney World. I haven't included any sort of if I want a high-end restaurant, it costs more money in New York than it does at Disney World. And the hotels are, believe it or not, more expensive. than they are at Disney World. And and it's it ends up that if you want sometimes if you really think about what you're getting for the value. And it it does make sense if if that's what you want for a vacation. I get a full day at Disney World for the cost of a sports ball game or a Broadway show or a concert ticket. Now that's not saying that that's what you love and it goes back to what Rob's saying My happy place is also Disney World. And I would rather spend that $200 instead of on a seat. And I go back to an uncomfortable seat at a Broadway show, that Rob: Ha ha ha. Jessica: it's a lot. It's a lot. for two and a half hours, I would rather spend it in the tiki room. I would much rather spend that that time in the tiki room. So for me, when I look at how I'm spending my vacation dollars, I really do find that for my money. I get more for the same amount of vacation at Disney World than I would in some other places. So I know for some other people that's controversial, but we're doers on vacation. I'm not a sit at the beach person. I can't sit on vacation. I have to have activities to do. So for one ticket, I get a lot of activities at Disney World versus that one activity at other places. So that that's kind of my first reason. Rob: Yeah. And I think, you know, one thing that you can learn is how to do Disney without spending an outrageous fortune. I mean, you see Jessica: yeah. Rob: all these posts online where people are like, my gosh, I was spending five thousand dollars a day. Well, you can do that. You can do that on almost any vacation. If you want to spend five thousand dollars a day, you Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: can find a way to do that almost anywhere, but you can, it is possible to have a Disney vacation. That isn't significantly more expensive than the things that you were just mentioning, Jessica. I agree. Craig, what is your first reason that you love coming back after all these years? QMCraig: Hmm. Okay, well well, this is kind of building on what we've already talked about, and that is familiarity. So I I'm one of those people who can be a creature of habit. I like to know what I can expect at any given moment. And I like surprises as well, but like I still like to know when a surprise is coming. Like Jessica: Mm-hmm. QMCraig: if I'm gonna ride a new ride, I know I'm gonna be surprised. I don't do spoilers. I love that. But in general, I like to know what to expect. And like when I check into a Disney resort, I I know I can expect a friendly welcome, a whole group of cast members who are ready to assist you with whatever you need. even in restaurants, like there are certain dishes that I have to have every time. Like I have to have those thigh-high chicken biscuits at homecoming every time I go there because I know what to expect. I love that. I know I love it. So I'm not going to be disappointed if I get something that I'm familiar with. So I I guess you could call it like it's familiarity and also consistency. I mean, I'm sure there are in you're you're going to find inconsistencies, of course, anywhere. But I think Disney really does an excellent job of keeping things consistent in that. Jessica: Excellent point. Excellent point. Rob: Eric, I'd love to hear not just from our friends on Patreon, but also if you have anything that that you'd like to contribute that that the reasons that you love going back to Disney World. but what what are we hearing from our friends on on Patreon? Erick: So Jessica P and Jamie R are agreeing with Jessica. they said that well the they wrote I actually I actually tot totally agree with you, Jessica W. It's amazing what you get and how much time slash care slash service goes into it. Amazing value per day, honestly. for Jamie, it's the one place in the world that I can get out of my own head and just leave the moment. Which agrees with Craig's and and Jessica. Rob: Yeah. So you see there, Jessica, you're you're it was not as controversial as you thought. Jessica: It's not as controversial as maybe one thought. QMCraig: No. You're absolutely right. Jessica: I got four more. Rob: And Eric, did you if you would like to add anything at any point, jump in. I also know that as a cast member it's it's a it's a it's a fine line. So we'll we we we will cut that. QMCraig: Ha ha ha. Erick: I mean but still I I'm just going to say it, like I mean I like my first my first visit was so amazing that I I wanted to make my for everyone, you know? So I I became part of of the team because it was it was Jessica: That's a great point. Erick: so so good that I knew that I wanted to to do this for other people. Rob: Yeah. And that's a perspective Jessica: And now I cry. Rob: that none of the rest of us QMCraig: Ha ha ha. Rob: is able to have. my next one is another misconception that I think people have about Disney World. and and my reason is I love going back to Disney World because there is something for everyone. And the misconception that is out there is that Disney World is a park for kids. And I I'm not saying it isn't a park for kids. It is a park for kids, but guess what? It's also a park for adults. It's also a park for teenagers. It's also a park for people from, you know, two years old all the way up to 102 years old. There is something for everyone. And that is by design. At the very beginning, when Walt Disney was envisioning the first Disney park, which was Disneyland. His goal was to build a park that everyone in the family could enjoy. Because at that point in time, you either had parks that were made for little kids, or you had parks where there's a lot of drinking and rough housing, and you wouldn't want to bring your kids there. and there wasn't this thing that was something where everyone could enjoy this space, no matter how old they were or Or, you know, what their interests were. He wanted to make magic for literally everyone. And let me say, there is no place I have been to in the world that has the breadth of offerings that Walt Disney World has. If you are, if you if you're one of those people who's like, you know, I don't know that I don't think I would want to ride rides. That just doesn't seem like something I'd want to do. Guess what? There's Fort Wilderness where you've got horseback riding and you've got kayaking and canoes and you can go camping. And, you know, maybe your some members of your family do want to ride rides. And guess what? That's going to be there for them. Or maybe you're more of just a resorts person where you're going to go and stay at the Polynesian and kind of sip on Mai Ties by a really beautiful pool and go. dine at Wailulu. I mean, there's just there's a million different things to do at Walt Disney World. I've lived here for over five years now and we go to Disney World Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: constantly. I have not, I don't I don't think I'm close to doing everything that there is to do at Walt Disney World. It's truly the sky is the limit. So that's one of the reasons that I love going back again and again. Jessica, what is your next reason for returning to Walt Disney World? Jessica: So my next one's a little bit simple and it's a very personal thing, but it's fireworks and parades. I was a marching band person. My my aunt was a marching band person, my grandmother was a cheerleader in the marching band. my children were all in the marching band. I love a parade. QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Jessica: I love a parade. I love a parade. And I think Craig has experienced me loving the parade. I love QMCraig: Mm. Hey, I hey, Rob: Ha ha ha. QMCraig: I used to be a drum mate. I was the drum major in high school, so yeah. Jessica: there you go. Exactly. I love a parade. You know where you can see parades every day in the real world? Nowhere. There's nowhere you you you and you can't find parades. And you know what you can see every day? Every day, multiple times a day. I know you guys make fun of me for the cavalcade, but I l I c tw two or three times a day I can see a parade at Magic Kingdom. It's so exciting. And then the other thing I love, fireworks. July 4th used to be my favorite holiday because I got to see fireworks. I love fireworks. I love them so much. Guess what you see every day in Disney World? This is why I don't like Disneyland as much. That's a different topic. But Disney World QMCraig: Ha Jessica: every day. Fireworks at two different parks. Used to be you could time it and you could see Luminous or Epcot and Magic Kingdom. They don't do that as much anymore. But you could see them at least once a day. At least once a day. So parades and fireworks, man, it's I could go and just watch parades and fireworks. Not ride a ride, not see a show, not eat a thing, and be a happy person. Parades and fireworks. Rob: Fun fact, the number one purchaser of explosives in the world is the United States military government. Unsurprising. Second in second place, the Walt Disney Company purchases more ex per I Jessica: As it should be. Mm-hmm. QMCraig: Ha ha ha. Rob: I'd love to see a day when when Disney's number one. Let let's let's let Disney QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: buy the most explosives in the world and just create fireworks magic. Jessica: And isn't it a fact though that the sale of popcorn every day covers the fireworks? They sell enough popcorn every day to cover the fireworks every day. I believe I saw that as a fact. Rob: I I I you mean that they sell enough popcorn that that pays for the fireworks every day? That I think I've heard that as well. I don't know if it's a fact or Jessica: Yeah, that pays for their fireworks every day. Yeah. QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Well Rob: an urban myth, but I have heard that, yes. QMCraig: Yeah. I Jessica: Mm-hmm. QMCraig: mean when when you're talking profit margin, popcorn is is a big one, so I wouldn't be surprised at all. Jessica: Mm, mm hmm. That's true. Rob: Craig, what is your next reason that you love going back to Disney World again and again? QMCraig: that is the people. And I'm talking about cast members, also talking about friends that I have down there that I've made down there, from old friends that live there now. So yeah, I have made a lot of new friends over the years at d Walt Disney World, a lot of cast members just that I got to know and kept like servers that I've seen before and then we actually exchanged numbers. Again, I've been going there for how did I say like forty seven years now. So I do have yeah, a lot of years behind me going and these friends have just been the a a big reason I like to go back. and I'm someone who's introverted most of the time. I feel awkward around strangers, but I find I can chat with cast members about virtually anything. And one of my favorite things to do is to somehow make cast members' day better. maybe because I work for in customer service for so long, but I I just feel like I automatically want to return the graciousness that I receive. And Eric, I've seen you do that as like all the time. You always make sure you thank a cast member who's helped you call them by name and making them feel valued. And that's something I also have great joy in doing. and yeah, I also I have friends from college who Have been working in entertainment at Disney and Universal. unfortunately, I don't get to see them as often as I'd like to. And now, of course, there's Rob and Eric and Jessica and John. We always seem to come at the same Jessica: Mm-hmm. QMCraig: time. We don't even plan it ahead Rob: Mm-hmm. QMCraig: of time. It's just like when you go, we're gonna be at the same time. So, and now even with the Patreon family, I mean, there's always somebody from Patreon that's gonna be down there. So even if I go down by myself, again, I'm never alone. So Rob: Yep. Very well said. Eric, what are we hearing from our Patreon family? Erick: So this is from Heather. she said that I can sit still for long. I love going back to Disney to experience the magic through my kids' eyes. It fills my cup so Jessica: yeah. Erick: much to watch to watch them meet characters, rides, etc. I also go back for myself because I genuinely love the rides. Rob: Yeah. I'm I'm saving one for last. That's gonna be my last one, but it it definitely ties in with what with what you're saying there. I completely agree. All right. Well, my next reason, this is more specifically, this is this is as a local. although really anyone who comes can experience the parks this way. and and that is that for me as a local, I think Disney World is the ultimate third place. So people talk about, you know, the third place you have your work and then you have your home. And there are these third places where we all, you know, go and and Enjoy recreational activities together. And that may sound if you don't live here, that may sound crazy because gosh, it's so expensive to go to Disney World as a third place. But there's also a bowling alley at Disney World. There's mini golf at Disney World. There's a really amazing movie theater. One of my favorite movie theaters in the country is at Walt Disney World. obviously there's Disney Springs, which is free to visit and tons of shopping and restaurants and things to do. So yeah, even if you're planning a a longer trip and you don't want to budget so many days in the parks, Disney World is an amazing third place to just go and hang out without burning through a ton of money, just the same way you would in your hometown, but in a really, really cool way. Because let me tell you, the mini golf and the the the bowling at Disney World are yeah. Th there are places that that are that are comparable, but not many. it's it's a really cool place to go and just hang out with your family and your friends and enjoy an afternoon together. Jessica, what is your next reason you love going Jessica: So Rob: back? Jessica: I'm actually gonna piggyback off of Craig. And Rob: Mm-hmm. Jessica: this was gonna be my last one, but because Craig just did it, I'm gonna go ahead and just kind of piggyback it in there. and I called it my found family. Rob: Mm-hmm. Jessica: I think from the Ear Scouts group to Disney Day Drinkers, which I'm a part of, to the people that I have found at work in my life that are also Disney adults. what we found is a common language. We found a common language. We found things that bring us together. I found the people that found a joy in meeting characters, going to the Beauty and the Beast and singing along, even though it's kind of so bad it's good. you find the people that want to sit in Rose and Crown and listen to music. I have people that we sit every time we're there, we see them in Rose and Crown. I'm not even sure I know their name, but we've bought each other drinks. You know, it's it's that kind of thing. You found the people that are your family, my found family. And it's as adults, it's hard to make friends sometimes. And this is a way to make friends, but also as a woman, I would not go to a Irish pub in New York City by myself and make friends with the people around me. In Rosen Crown, I can meet everybody there and have fun. And it's it's a and I hate the term safe space, but I'm gonna use the term safe space. It's Rob: Mm-hmm. Jessica: a safe space for adults to to make new friends and to to really find those people that feel the same way as you. And that's a big reason to keep coming back. Whether you're on a singles trip, a girls trip with your partners, with your families, it's just it's just a good reason to keep coming back. Rob: Yeah, I completely agree. That's a great point. Craig, what is your next sorry. Jessica: Or my mom. I forgot to say my mom. My mom just made a comment. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I also it's QMCraig: Yeah. Jessica: a great place to come with your mom. We will get that in the podcast. Sorry, mom. Rob: Mm-hmm. QMCraig: It's yeah. I've done that. I agree. Rob: So Craig, what is your next reason that you love coming back? QMCraig: Okay, so I already talked about familiarity, but my other thing is all the new things. So even if I only if I come down every few months, there's always something new. There's a new attraction, a new area, a new restaurant, a new food, a new cocktail. And like even though I've been going to Disney World for like 47 years now, there's still a huge list of things that I've never done. And I like make it a game where every day I try to do something new, something I've never done. It could be as simple as, you know, a snack I've never tried, or something big like hoop-de-doo that's been there for ages. And it took me over 40 years to Jessica: Mm-hmm. QMCraig: finally experience. and now with Ear Scouts and the podcast, well, I it's it's it's my duty it to come down often in the name of research, just so Jessica: Research. Rob: Course. QMCraig: I can talk about it. And that's it's true, it is true. And I've made several solo trips basically just to get information and try things. And I love that. I mean, I finally stayed at Pop Century. I finally stayed at French Quarter this year. even stayed off property for the experience. So yeah, and I'm looking forward to I again, there's a list of things that have been there forever that I've never done, and there's always going to be something new. Rob: Yep, completely. And and that really kind of ties in with what I was saying before. I've lived here for over five years. I mean, I could make a long list right now of things that I have yet to do that are on my mind that I've been wanting to do for a long time. It's just there's so much. There's so much it's hard to do at all. Eric, what are we hearing on Patreon? Erick: Rachel was agreeing with you, Craig, where this Marly keeps everything evolving so you get the hook with all of the new things to come. And Lauren and Lisa are with you as well, Jessica. Lisa said I Jessica: good. Erick: keep going I keep going back because as as a woman, it's one of the few places I feel safe all the time. And Lauren, so agree Jessica: A hundred percent. Erick: with you, Jessica. Disney feels so safe to me. I don't know if there's any anywhere else I will consider travelling to alone. QMCraig: Excellent point. Jessica: A hundred percent. Rob: so my next reason that I love going back is because of the artistry of Walt Disney World. And it's if you're someone who loves film, which I went to school for film and theater. So I I used to feel like film and theater were the ultimate art forms because they combined all of the other art forms into this one magical thing that that Played the strengths of all of them. You had the visual arts, you have music, you have dance, you have performance, you know, it all comes together, photography. And that was why I wanted to make films or to direct theater. That was my passion because I just I loved the artistry of it and and bringing people, you know, these emotions and and taking people on these journeys that film and theater does. And then it occurred to me when I came to Disney World for the first time as an adult. Because I think when you come as a kid or even as a teenager, I don't know that your mind is in the right place yet, usually, to comprehend the artistry of what you're experiencing. And it really, if I could go back in time and and do it all over again, I would go to school to be an imagineer because. It it is all of those things that I loved about film and theater, but it takes it to the next level because you live it. You you you know, you have agency in these places and you make choices and you explore these worlds and these adventures. And it really is in my mind one of the most, you know, it's a it's it's not. I'm not saying it's high art. I'm not trying to say that it's like, you know, Van Gogh or, you know, Puccini, but it's popular art. And it's it's in it's one of my favorite forms. It is my favorite form of popular art now. The the art of experience and creating these worlds and these journeys that people can experience. It it's it's incredible. And next time you come to Walt Disney World, if you've never done this before as an adult. Pay attention to the details. You're going to be in cues. I mean, that's the reality of Disney. There's going to be some cues. You're going to be Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: in some lines. Pay attention to the little details that you see around you. And it starts to become addictive because you're going to find so many little things, like, wow, that was really clever. Or it it maybe unlocks a piece of that story that you hadn't thought about before. But because you saw this little moment in the cue or on the attraction itself. so I I think the artistry of Walt Disney World, there there is no other theme park company in the world that does what Disney does at the level that Disney does it. And it it's it's why I keep coming back again and again. Erick: Ron is a ring with you, Rob, like the immersion of the in the immersion is amazing at Disney parks. QMCraig: Yeah, and I like what you said about that, you know, the younger people aren't don't maybe don't appreciate it yet. And I've just noticed personally that as I'm getting older, my money is going to experiences now. It's not Jessica: Mm-hmm. QMCraig: going to things. So again, that's probably another reason, and though I was a teenager when I first went, but that does keep me coming back because it's the experience. Rob: And and I want to clarify what I was saying there. I think when you're a kid, you are it's not that you're not appreciating it, but you're you're you're in the experience entirely, right? I mean it's it's it's and I think it's not until you've done it a couple of times and you're older that you start to think about, you know, what went into making this. And then you start to notice the the work of the many hands that made this amazing thing. And I just think that, you know, i it it's not that, you know, kids aren't gonna appreciate Disney World. They absolutely are. It's just gonna be in a different, you know, mindset usually. yeah. Jessica, what is what is your next reason for coming back? Jessica: So my next reason is very similar to yours and yet a little bit different. I am and I will always be a women engineer. I have a undergraduate in nuclear engineering, I have a master's degree in fire protection engineering, I do engineering for a living. I love engineering. There are not a lot of places that celebrate women engineers and Walt Disney celebrated women in imagineers or engineers before almost anybody else did. one of the reasons the tiki room is my favorite, my favorite attraction in in not my favorite ride, my favorite attraction, is because of Harriet QMCraig: Ha ha Jessica: Burns. if you go back and listen to the story of what happened with Harriet Burns, this is what diversity and inclusion is all about. he was trying to figure out how to make the tiki birds breathe. And she walked in the room and she said, I have an idea. And she walked out of the room, she took off her pantyhose. She put those nylons over the bird and she let it breathe because she had a fabric that they hadn't heard of and they hadn't thought to use in a way that the technology then allowed the feathers to move because of that nylon. That's about letting everyone in the room bring their capabilities and their knowledge to the table to make technology work. Walt Disney did that before almost any Fortune 500 company would do it. He He let the people bring their talents to the room. There's a lot of other stories about women, about people of color, about other things that he did that were first of his kind. But the technology at Disney World and the innovations they've done in engineering and making engineering tell a story. you've talked about the art of telling a story, engineering to tell a story, letting the technology be used as part of storytelling and not just for technology. It's bar none the best, the best you'll ever see it. So if you haven't looked at the history of the tiki room, if you have a of a young girl who wants to go into engineering, it's it's about why women should be in STEM. And it's because we bring something to the table that sometimes other people can't think of. And it's a great story of diversity. And it's one of the reasons I keep going back is those kinds of stories and that kind of technology doesn't exist other places. QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Yeah, and Rob: Yeah. QMCraig: you should be celebrated. You really should. Rob: I mean it's it's a who's who from that. I mean, i I I don't think there was any other industry where you would have had I mean, Mary Blair, you know, Jessica: exactly. Rob: Har Harriet Burns, you've got Leota Tombs, you've got yeah, QMCraig: Le the outer tombs. Rob: I mean there Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: th there was it it really was groundbreaking in all the best ways. So yeah. Craig, what is your next reason that you love going back to Disney World? QMCraig: And so this shouldn't be too much of a surprise knowing that I'm a big old foodie, but it's the restaurants, the lounges, and also the resorts. so there are just so many one-of-a-kind dining experiences at Disney Worlds. It's it's kind of mind-blowing. I mean, you you can dine on Mediterranean-inspired food on this fifteenth floor terrace with incredible views. you can have breakfast in a castle while princesses come up and talk to you. You can have an enormous African buffet. I mean, the choices are incredible. and we just don't get those in northern Indiana. I'm just saying that. So Jessica: Not in Connecticut either. QMCraig: no, but we and but this is the same thing with the resorts. Like I can stay at a seaside New England beach resort one night and then spend the nest next in the northwestern wilderness. So it's just that kind of choice you don't get at very many vacation. destinations. and along with I need I want to add this is one that Eric came up with, my Eric. he loves the smells. Like the smells just Jessica: Mm. QMCraig: really get to him because he's only been there a few t handful of times, but like he recognizes those smells and that just makes him feel happy and at home. So Jessica: There's nothing like Rob: Well there's Jessica: the Pirates of the Caribbean. There's just nothing like it. Erick: Yes. Rob: D Disney dil Jessica: Go into that boat. Rob: Disney did invent the smelletizer. Jessica: Yeah. Rob: which yeah, it's Erick: Wendy Wendy agrees with your with Eric, Craig. She said, I love all the triggering scents throughout the parks and resorts. Get me deep down in the soul every time. Rob: Yeah. Yeah, I think for me the the the the most the one that whenever I smell it, I know exactly where I am is flight of passage. The smell when you walk into flight of passage is one of the most distinctive smells in all the Walt Disney World. And yeah. I I will say this. I you know, I don't talk a lot about my day job, but I I work for a culinary company. and We work with a lot of chefs and I've had the privilege of eating at a lot of amazing restaurants as a result of that job. And I gotta say, to this day, the best meal I've ever had in my entire life was Victorian Alberts at Walt Disney World. you know, it's also by a very large margin, QMCraig: Yeah. Rob: the most expensive Erick: Ha ha. Rob: meal I've ever had in my life. I'm not saying, but but it was QMCraig: Mm-hmm. gosh. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: the best. You know, there's there's a there's some really amazing food to be had at Walt Disney World and you don't have to go to Victorian Alberts to get it, but I'm just saying, it's amazing. QMCraig: Yeah. I think I I think for what I paid for Victoria and Alberts is probably what you're paying for Ohana right now. So there's inflation. Yeah. I wouldn't be surprised. I'll to look. I think it was like a hundred I think Jessica: wow Wow. See that's crazy. QMCraig: it was a hundred and ninety five for the whole seven course meal. Rob: I think it was when it came back from the pandemic, was when it it was like the price was like bleep, bleep, bleep, bleep, bleep, and then it was just poom. It went just crazy through the roof. A af after the poom. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Jessica: When they get their star. When they get their Michelin star. Yeah. After the boom. That's what I was thinking. Erick: Ha ha ha. Rob: I mean, I think that that was their I think they decided at that point that they wanted to be a a a serious contender in the culinary, you know, sphere. And You know, if you're gonna have Disney's margins and you're gonna bring in ingredients from around the world, you know, fly them in regularly, that's not gonna be cheap. Yeah. QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Yeah. But I I concur, I having been there, it's like it is easily the best. Well, I've been there twice, but two of the best meals I've ever had. Rob: Yeah. Jessica: See and I was gonna say Ronto wraps. Breakfast vegetarian breakfast Ronto wrap. One of the best Rob: Also QMCraig: Ha ha Jessica: breakfasts I've ever had. QMCraig: That's true. Rob: Also really good. Jessica: Eight ninety nine or something. I don't even know how much it is. Rob: Eric, what are we hearing on Patreon before we move into our final round of reasons? Erick: It so this is from This is from Gen. Walt Disney World is the place where I can feel like I'm flying, soaring, flight of passage without risking bodily harm actually flying. Rob: Yeah. QMCraig: Yeah. Erick: I love how I feel on those attractions. QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: Yeah. QMCraig: Well that that's Guardians for me. I know it's not for a lot of people, but that's that's my just release. I'm I'm flying. So Rob: For those Erick: And Rob: who who have dreams of flying and those are their favorite dreams, well, those dreams come true QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: every single day at Walt Disney World. Erick: And some people are sharing with us also that they have candles like that smell like the attractions. Laura Rob: Mm-hmm. QMCraig: yeah. Erick: Laura Art said I have a pirate's candle. And for Lauren, she wrote, I think pirates is the most distinctive smell in Disney since I was a kid and I have known that and since was since I was a kid I have known that smell. Rob: Mm-hmm. Yeah, I my favorite smell of pirates though, they don't they don't turn it into a candle or bottle it. It's that, you know, when you first get on, it's that mix of the chlorine from the water with the other smells that are wafting in from the rest of the attraction. You know what I'm talking about, Jessica? I love I love that smell. I wait, Jessica: No, I know what you're talking about. That's not my favorite smell though. QMCraig: Ha ha Rob: but I I love it because I associate it, right? QMCraig: Mm. Rob: Like I that smell is it's like Flight of Passage. It's QMCraig: Yeah. Rob: distinctive. And when I smell Jessica: No. Rob: it, I know I'm about to ride Pirates of the Caribbean. And I just yeah, it's a sense memory. QMCraig: Mm bromide. Jessica: Hmm. Erick: Laura is suggest yeah. Laura is suggesting for you to Jessica: Yeah. Rob: Ha ha ha. Erick: go to YMCA more, Rob. Rob: Well, for for my final reason, and I s I held this one for last because it's it's an emotional reason for me. so you know in the movie Inside Out, when those little colored balls drop and they're like the core memories that happen at these these important moments in people's lives. Well, Disney World is like someone took a a marble bag of core memories and they're just dropping them constantly. And one of the things that I hope I never take for granted is the privilege of being present when people are having the most amazing Jessica: Mm. Rob: moments of their lives that they're going QMCraig: Mm. Rob: to remember forever. Especially Jessica, when you're talking about the fireworks and the parades, those are two really key moments. You know, if you're seeing a fireworks for the first time, by all means get lost in those fireworks. But if you're seeing it for the second time, take a moment to just look around you and experience what everyone else is experiencing. Experience the joy. we did a video once where I was talking about how much I love enchantment, which was not a very popular fireworks show at Magic Kingdom. Not Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: a lot of people loved enchantment. I did, however. And I was I was there watching enchantment and and more importantly, I was watching a family experiencing enchantment. And the mom had tears in her eyes, and you know, the the kids were just wide-eyed and just immersed in this experience. And I don't care what kind of a bad day you're having or you know how. y you miss the bus from the resort and it's hot and it's rainy and your socks are wet. When you have that moment where you're there experiencing that moment with other people, it's magic in in a way that, you know, an imagineer can't create. You know, it I mean they did create the inspiration for that moment, but it was the people. It was the people experiencing it. And, you know, I I think that that is one of the most magical things, if not the most magical thing about Disney World, is the collective experience of beauty and wonder and and magic and memories and all of that coming together. and it's a privilege QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: to be there and to to be a part of those moments. So that's the reason, QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: more than any other reason, that's why I love going again and again. QMCraig: that Jessica: I don't think I'll ever get tired of watching people see Tinkerbell fly for the first time. Rob: Yeah. Yeah. QMCraig: Amen. Yeah. And I I totally agree with that, but and I just kind of want to add so many personal experiences I've had where I just had this emotional upheaval or or whatever that just kind of came out of nowhere. And it was Disney that made it happen. I remember when I went for my 60th birthday, I had just had to put my beloved Pez, my my kitty down. And world celebration had just opened up. And I just found a little niche, like a little spot that I could sit. There was no one around me. And I just had a breakdown in Epcot over losing my cat. And it was just such a cathartic thing. And every time I go by there, I think of my boy. and for the from all ears, Breed Love, whose name is also Craig, he told basically the exact same story. And it was almost the exact same spot when I read I was Jessica: Mm. Mm-hmm. QMCraig: I was watching like, wait a minute, were you watching me? but yeah, it's that's Excellent point, Rob. It's it's the emotions and the people. Rob: Yeah. Jessica, what is your final reason that you love coming back again and again to Walt Disney World? Jessica: So the other thing that I am is I am one of those people that you've heard of that have decorations for every holiday. And they have, in fact, right now in my house, we are organizing decorations and putting them into c color-coded bins with labels so I know where the decorations Rob: Ha ha ha. Jessica: are. And I have, kid you not, eight Halloween bins, 16 Christmas bins, and then bins for St. Patrick's Day, Easter. July 4th, Memorial Day. I have it all. I love it all. But you know who has more bins than me? Do you know who has more bins than Rob: Ha ha ha. Jessica: me? It's Disney. And Rob: yeah. Jessica: I love, and I'm gonna lump in the festivals, the Epcot festivals with this too, because I think they're kind of the same way and they're the over-the-top decorations. I love the over-the-top. I love the over-the-top decorations. I love the photo pass, the special photo magic shots. I love all of the things they do for the holidays and the special occasions that make those days seem even better than than than they already are. you know, my kids joke because if they know I'm not in a great mood or having a great time, if the decorations haven't changed by a certain time. So like if the Halloween decorations QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Jessica: aren't out by October first, they know it's been a rough work week kind of a thing. But Disney's the same way. Like you go to Disney in October and you're like, this is what Halloween's supposed to be. This is it. Everybody cares. And there's a treat at every hotel and everybody has something special. I love that. I love that. Disney just gets it. They get they get the holidays, they do the holidays, they do the festivals right. And you know, they they don't have to. Let's be real. We would all show up. They don't have to, but they do it and it's special and I love it. And so that's kind of my big reason. And that you guys both said something about something like there's always something new. To me, the holidays keep me coming multiple times because I I wanna be there on July 4th. I wanna be there for Halloween. I wanna be there for Christmas. You know, my ultimate goal is to be there for Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve. We've not done that yet. That those are on my bucket list. That's a trip I want to take. Easter was one I'd never done. So we did it last year. I want to be at all the holidays. I think it's super fun. So that's one of the things that that keeps me coming back. Rob: I'll share a a a tidbit that something that we clearly have in common, Jessica. many years ago when I I had moved out of the country, so I had to put all of my stuff into storage. And when I came back, the person who was helping me to unload all the stuff from storage pointed out that I had more boxes of holiday decorations than I had normal possessions. so yeah, Erick: Yes. Rob: I I get that in in a in yeah, yeah. I'm I'm also a holiday junkie and Jessica: I have more scrapbooks than holiday, but I have more scrapbooks and holiday than anything else. QMCraig: Okay, so I'm gonna be the controversial one because I did decorate for Halloween over the last couple days. I have a spider behind me, and Rob: Mm-hmm. QMCraig: I have a witch's hat on Millicent, and I'm done. Rob: Ha ha ha. Jessica: my gosh. It took me a full day and eight bins. I brought out eight bins. I have to remove things, put them away. My poor children. Rob: Yeah. But I I do tell people, a lot of people will say, gosh, I would never go to Disney World at Christmas because I hear it's so crazy and so busy and so expensive and blah, blah. All those things are true. And it is still my absolute favorite time to be Jessica: Mm-hmm. Erick: Ha ha ha. Rob: at Disney World. There's a reason it's the busiest time because it's the best time to be there. And even with all the people and you know, the higher prices, it's it's magic. It's amazing. Jessica: It's so magic. Rob: Yep. QMCraig: I mean, and as someone who is not a big holiday, especially Christmas person, I was pleasantly surprised and totally converted to spending the holidays down there. So it was lovely. Erick: I am also like the green like the Grinch Craig related to Christmas. And QMCraig: Yeah. Erick: I mean lately like I I love it, you know, like and I can't wait to just for it to happen, for us to go to Wilderness Lodge and just enjoy QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Erick: s enjoy some hot cocoa and and be Jessica: Mm-hmm. Erick: there, you know? QMCraig: Yeah, I'm I'm trying to see if I can make it just it'd probably just be me for a weekend, Jessica: Mom and dad are coming to Disney for Christmas Rob: Wow. Jessica: for the first time QMCraig: Nice. Erick: That's amazing. Jessica: in December. And not for Christmas, but during December for the first time. Rob: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Jessica: And QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Jessica: I am so overwhelmed thinking about having my dad see the candlelight procession. He will, it will be a moment that I will remember the rest of my life. So I'm I'm super excited about getting to have that opportunity. Rob: Yeah. And and that's the thing. It's from folks who, you know, are for for folks who have a very religious connection to Christmas, there is absolutely like, you know, things there that are gonna they're gonna touch you deeply. For folks who, you know, love the joy of seeing their kids, you know, like experience the magical things of Christmas, that's all there. I mean, it's just The festival of the holidays brings in holiday traditions from all around the world. I mean, it's just Disney does the holiday season better than anywhere I've ever been in my entire life. QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: And it's not close. It's not close. Yeah. Craig, what is your final reason that you love coming to Walt Disney World again and again? QMCraig: Mm-hmm. well, it's not so much the one I love, it's the reason I keep coming back, and that is D V C Disney Vacation Club. so Jessica: wow, yeah. QMCraig: back in it was nineteen ninety nine, it was around my forty sixth birthday. My ex husband and I looked into D V C and we pretty quickly decided it was gonna be a good fit for us. sadly we ended up selling those contracts in the divorce, but I have been able to get in back in. So since twenty twenty, I am a DVC member again. And it's the best decision I've ever made. there's no way I could afford to stay at the contemporary or the floor rating or the Polynesian without DVC. and they make a big deal about it being home. Like they say welcome home. when I joined their tagline was when you remember you're home. And that really is just genius marketing because It brings up some of the things I've already talked about, like familiarity, family, friends. and y honestly without D V C I I wouldn't be on this podcast. So it I had taken a long break and it was a f mostly financial reasons and I had some emotional reasons going on too at the time, but getting back in was was a very good decision for me. Rob: Yeah. And the thing is with DVC, it's always like five years from now when the prices inevitably the prices only go in one direction at Disney. They never go down, they always go up. And you're basically buying in those folks who bought into DVC at the beginning. It's it's crazy. It's crazy how you know inexpensive their stays are you QMCraig: Uh-huh. Rob: know, in terms of what The the the value for what they spent. The other thing I love this a lot of people don't realize this. When if you bought in at Old Key West, the original DVC resort, you had an option to buy a lifetime annual pass to Walt Disney World that was at the time very expensive, less expensive than the top-tier annual pass for one year today. And you could have QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Rob: bought it for life. So Yes, D V C is expensive, but it becomes, you know, the sooner you get if you're thinking about doing it, the sooner you get into it, you're locked in at that level of of prices for, you know, years to come. So QMCraig: Mm. Rob: I'm I'm saying this to talk myself into it because I'm I haven't made the flunge. I haven't taken the flunge yet, but I'm I'm QMCraig: Ha ha ha. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: I've taken enough D V C tours to know it's something that I want to do. QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: Eric, what is what what are the final reasons we're hearing from our friends on Patreon or anything that you'd like to share about what we all love about Walt Disney World? Erick: Okay, this comes from Christina. we went our first time in December 2024 because My wife told me how she always wanted to go, but it wasn't feasible for her family. We decided on a whim to take our kids for a one and done trip. Fast forward to now we have been annul pass holders for the past two years, have been fourteen Jessica: Mm-hmm. Erick: times and are in the process of moving to be within thirty minutes of the parks from New England. Rob: Wow. Jessica: Wow. Congratulations. Rob: Wow. Erick: This is from Laura. Our one and done three eight years ago was because I couldn't think of any any other place I could survive traveling alone as a single parent with a four year old. I didn't just Jessica: Yeah. Erick: I didn't just survive, I thrived. And have and have now lost count of how many trips I have taken. QMCraig: Uh-huh. Erick: From Jasonville. Jessica: That's a good point. For single parents, there's so much built-in help at Disney World and so much built-in for the kids. That's a great point, Laura. The single parents, man, it's more than just the solo trips. Single parents, this is a great place for you. Rob: Yeah. And I would say also, you know, if it's if it's in your budget or something you're considering, consider a a a Disney cruise as well. I think is a great experience QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: for I think a a a single a single parent as well. Jessica: And now we have Chevy. Erick: this is from Jess and Bill Becker. I was telling a coworker the other day that while Disney World is a place, the only one I can think of that if you want to disconnect from the rest of of life and really escape to pure joy and magic and leave the daily green behind, you can do that at Disney. It's a safe place to just be you and laugh and cry. and enjoy wonder. The planning has provided such amazing moments of connection in our family and the memories after have after have continued to keep us connected. Shared experience drives a lot of the best things in this life and Disney provides the best. Jessica: Yeah. QMCraig: I said. Rob: Yeah. Erick: Also, this comes back from Christina. I will say that as a parent, you sometimes lose who you are as an individual and have to give up some of your individual hobbies or interests. With Disney, I have found my hobby. Of course, the most expensive one. I love plan I love planning out Jessica: Mm-hmm. QMCraig: Ha ha. Rob: Ha ha ha. Erick: our trips and being a part of making that magic happen for my family. I love that each time we got we go with my kids are a little older. And are trying new things and I love that I can share a part of who I was before I was a a mom with my kids. So just the last part with with all these last comments that we have, for me, as some people already mentioned, it's just how many new memories you can create. I I'm from Mexico, as some of you know already. I thought that I was like coming to Disney World. was going to be a a dream and that was everything. thankfully we make it happen. And I thought same thing, it was going to be once and done. sometimes I forget like how lucky I I have been able to work for the company. the fact that I'm able to bring some friends and some family and seeing Disney again through their eyes. It's just it has been fantastic. And QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Erick: I'm getting a little bit emotional for just like this this last time when I have my parents over here and seeing my mom and especially my dad like being being a kid and and being so happy and like still hearing from other people who I've talked from home that they still talk about it. You know, like it just it just fills my heart. so I I I really hope like at least everyone once in their life are able to come to visit. Like it just it it just brings like magic in in in your life, you know? QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Jessica: Excellent. Rob: I really thought I thought Eric's father would maybe, maybe ride a couple things. I figure he'd probably ride Kilimanjaro Safaris. He'd probably ride, you know, like It's a Small World. I just didn't envision him. Eric's father rode everything. QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: Expedition Everest. And it was just the the thrill rides, QMCraig: I Rob: all of it, and it was just had the time of his life and it was so much joy to watch him. experience and his his mother as well. His mother, I kind of felt like his mother would, you know, she's a little bit more adventurous in that department. I thought she would probably ride most everything, but it w his father really surprised me. But go ahead. QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Yeah, I I had the pleasure of riding Space Mountain with Eric's family. And it I g aga when you're talking about the memories, that's just that's a core memory. I will never forget getting to ride that with your family and watching them enjoy it or not. Or watching them let's just say watching them experiencing it. But no, they they d they loved it. Jessica: Ha ha ha. Erick: They love it. They love it. Yeah. Rob: All right. Well, I feel like this entire episode has kind of been one big happy thought, but we always end each episode with some happy thoughts. And this one should be no exception. Jessica, why don't you start us off this week? what is your happy thought? Jessica: Well, one of the things we haven't talked about is one of the reasons I go back to Disney is I have to buy a lot of ears. I mean, you just have to. Rob: Ha ha ha. Jessica: but QMCraig: Yeah. Jessica: this weekend I got an opportunity to wear one of my Disney ears out in the wild. we had a Oktoberfest party for the release of the new Oktoberfest beer at Mercine Ale Company, our local brewery. And I wore my pretzel Mickey ears, my Oktoberfest ears, and we got we got matching German. Mickey and mini shirts to wear. So we were representing Disney while we were there, but had a great time. The owners of of Mercine are great people. So if you're in the Connecticut area, please stop at Mercine Ale. Rob: Awesome. I love it. QMCraig: They're nice. Rob: Craig, what is your happy thought this week? QMCraig: Well, I think my happy thought is a thought that a lot of us are having right now, and that is that the Jamboree, the in-person jamboree is is coming up very soon. I'm still not ready. I need to Rob: Ha ha ha. QMCraig: pack, but I had a lot of stuff to get together before then. But yeah, I I I am just so excited for for this coming weekend and week, 'cause at least the last half of the week is going to be vacation for me and Eric. But No, really excited to meet everybody that I haven't met already, spend time with the folks I already know, and just experiencing Disney World with a bunch of people who love it. Rob: Yeah, Jessica: Woohoo. Rob: so looking forward to it as well. And also not Jessica: And so packing still. Rob: not close to ready. I don't have to pack. I just have to, you know, like host everything. So yeah. QMCraig: Organize everything. Jessica: But you don't have to pack. Organized. Good luck with that. Erick: Hehehe Rob: Eric, what is your happy thought this week? Erick: So when we were doing the when we were making the video for with a challenge from Lost Lost in a Wonderland, at the end I won a prize that actually make my night and it's has made my week as well. A Rob actually was able to find lanyard from Brotherberry. that are like cast exclusive. So I I've been wearing it and at work and everyone is has been pointing it out and I it has become like one of my favorite things right now. So I it it really made me very happy. so thank you so much, Rob. Like you didn't have to and I really appreciate going above a million. Thank you. Rob: Well, absolutely Disney sells these lanyards that have, you know, different characters or things on them that are tied to usually like whatever's new and popular at that moment. And cast members a lot of them will wear it to sh to hold their ID, you know, for for work. And I thought when I saw this I found it and I was like, if Eric had been working for Disney, there's no question he would have this he would own this. So he should own this and Got it. So I'm glad you like it. so my happy thought this week is that Disney has answered one of my requests from a recent episode. Now, to be clear, this had nothing to do with my request because this was being planned by Disney QMCraig: Yeah. Rob: long before I suggested it. But in a recent episode, I said that Disney should start making holiday overlays available. All day and they should, you know, be be more frequent. We needed more holiday overlays because at Disneyland they have really great holiday overlays, especially for Halloween. you they've got the overlay of of Guardians Mission Breakout, and you don't have to pay for a special party ticket to experience it. If you're just there during that time of year, you get to experience that overlay. And Disney has delivered because there are some a whole bevy of brand new holiday overlays this year. there's gonna be holiday soundtracks on Alien Swirling Saucers, that is now being DJ'd by Lillipad. So I guess Lilipad's gonna be decked out for the holidays and do a holiday playlist. the one I am most excited about, an overlay for Rock and roller coaster starring the Muppets. They didn't give a whole lot of detail. There's definitely going to be holiday music when you ride the attraction, but they said there were going to be some other surprises. And I am really hoping, fingers crossed, that there's something in the pre-show that maybe we get a special holiday pre-show Jessica: Mm. Rob: of some kind. QMCraig: Mm. Rob: Not saying that's gonna happen. I'm just saying that's what I'm hoping will happen. And QMCraig: Well. Rob: a holiday overlay is coming back. to Guardians of the Galaxy, which Guardians used to have, it was a r what was it? It was Run Run Rocket. Yep. No, it was Run Run Rocket. I think it was like Jessica: Run run reindeer? Run down reindeer? Rocket or something? QMCraig: Run run reindeer? Rob: run it was like a it was a play on Run Run Reindeer, but it was with Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: Rocket. I I think that was what it was. Jessica: Over the raccoon. Rob: Yeah, the Raccoon. Rocket the Raccoon. Yeah. But it was just that one song that they played during that time of year, which kind of took the fun out of Guardians because part of the fun of Guardians is you don't know what song you're gonna get, right? and so this year, from what I understand from what I was reading, there's gonna be multiple holiday soundtracks. And if you've ever ridden Guardians, you know the soundtrack really changes that ride a lot. Like the the the feel of the music changes how you experience that ride. So I'm super pumped. We're hopefully going to have some different vibes at Guardians for the holidays. I'm looking forward to that. But yeah, so I'm super pumped about those announcements. and I can't wait to go back for the holidays and experience all those new overlays. And of course, once we do, we will tell you all about it here on the Ear Scouts podcast. That's all the time we have for this week. We got to head to our Patreon exclusive after party. But we hope to see you all again in two weeks. with our episode of the Ear Scouts podcast. Until then, don't forget to think happy thoughts, everybody.