The Castle Collective - A podcast for Disney Parks fans

Join us for some amazing Disney Trivia, questions for the hardcore Disneyland Fan. Our panelists on this episode are Joel Skellington, Main Street Michelle, Sea Shelley, Skipper Rob and hosted by Nick and Night.This episode also brings back a fan favorite segment, Dear Disney. Let us know how you do on the trivia questions, play along!

On this episode we will go around the panel and ask some of these questions to just have a hang out and talk about fun park things we may not know about each other. Join Nick at Night, Sea Shelley, Skipper Rob, Sean Solo and Main Street Michelle as we discuss the following:If you could have total control of a ride or attraction for 1 hour, you could get out of the ride vehicle, walk around, ask questions of an imagineer about the workings of a given ride:Which ride/attraction would you choose?How much would you be willing to pay for that experience? Would that help or hurt your future enjoyment of the ride/attraction?What have you stolen from the park and when was it? Most expensive thing you have purchased in the park (besides the entry)?What is your favorite smell from the parks? If you smell this, you know you are in Disneyland. Is there something in the Disneyland that has been in the park over 2 years that you still haven’t done at least once? 

To all who have come to this happy podcast, welcome. On our podcast tonight are Castle Collective Members, Shawn Legacy, Sea Shelley, Main Street Michelle, Joel Skellington, Sea Shelley, Skipper Rob and I am Nick and Night. This episode would be a great way to spend your time in line at the parks with your family and friends. We are going to play Disneyland Resort “would you rather.” Warm up choices:Would you take a lifetime of free park entry if you couldn’t ride your favorite ride forever? (From MiceChat social media)Would rather have free travel and admission to Disneyland the rest of your life vs. lose your sense of tasteCould only keep one attraction: Disneyland:Autopia vs Mr Toads Wild RideSpace Mountain vs Big Thunder MountainCalifornia Adventure:Goofy’s Sky School or Golden ZephyrGuardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout or Soarin’Could bring back one attraction: PeopleMover or Skyway (or Sky-buckets as we used to call them)Splash Mountain overlay or Captain EOCalifornia Adventure:Tower of Terror vs California ScreamingKeep one restaurant:Cafe Orleans vs Jolly HolidayFlo’s V8 or Lamplight LoungeKeep one food item:Churros vs. Dole WhipTurkey leg vs. Monte CristoBring back one Parade:Main Street Electrical Parade vs Paint the NightKeep one land:Adventure Land or Fantasy LandKeep one nighttime spectacular:Fantasmic or World of Color?If this one thing/element was gone from Disneyland it would cease to be Disneyland for you (or California Adventure if we have time):Castle?Characters?Music/audio/soundtrack?Mickey Mouse?The opening tunnel?What if Disneyland closed at 6:00 pm, there was no nighttime Disney?

To all who have come to this happy podcast, welcome. On our podcast tonight are Castle Collective Members, Sea Shelley, Main Street Michelle, and I am Nick and Night. On January 22, 2026 a new documentary on the construction of Disneyland was released on Disney+ and curiously on YouTube. It showcases some rare or previously unreleased about the park that is at the heart of this podcast. We felt inspired to watch the show and to share some of our thoughts and reflections on the documentary, but how it releases to our happiest place on Earth. Questions we explore in this episode:What did you learn?What surprised you?What new questions about the park do you have after watching?How will the documentary change your experience of going to Disneyland?

With the new CEO of The Walt Disney Companies starting on March 18th, 2026, we thought it would be our place to offer unsolicited advice to the incoming CEO. Segment 1: Make a case for where you would like to see a new Disney Park/ExperienceSegment 2: If Disney were to acquire a new IP (similar to the whole Star Wars, Fox, etc.) what would you want it to be and how would you first implement that in A Disney Park (doesn’t matter which park)Segment 3: Top 3 Park Priorities (ways to update, improve, add more magic to any or all of the Disney parks.)Join Nick at Night, Sea Shelley, Munchie Michelle (we are trying it out), and Skipper Rob, for this idea filled episode of The Castle Collective Podcast.

Hosted by Sea Shelley, with Skipper Rob and Nick at Night. Join us for this Valentines (love) episode where we share our Disney loves.Segment 1 — “3 Disney Things We LOVE” Each panelist shares three top Disney things they genuinely love.A) Park-focused lovesB) Broader Disney lovesSegment 2 — “Favorite Disney Movie… and How Should the Parks Showcase It Better?”Panelists pick one favorite Disney movie and answer:How would you implement this IP in the parks?Segment 3 — “Love" songsPanelists pick:    •    Favorite  Disney "Love" song and why (what memories does it tie to? We could totally end this episode in sentimental Disney tears) 

Join Skipper Rob, Sea Shelley, Joel Skellington, Magical Michelle, and host Nick and Night for what we are looking forward to at Disney Parks in 2026. Segment 1: Update on Rob’s travels and any other fun Holiday Season Disney stuff.Segment 2: Rank what you are most excited about what’s coming to Disneyland and California Adventure in 2026:New Attractions:Bluey’s Best Day Ever: A Live show at Fantasyland Theater with Bluey, Bingo, Music and games, Starting March 22, 2026The Mandalorian & Grogu Mission for Smugglers Run arriving May 22, 2026 (why not May the 4th, hello?)Soarin’ Across America: July 2, 2026New Foods in 2026:Mickey Hat Cookie: Sweet dough cookie dipped in black chocolate with chocolate decoration (Jolly Holiday and Market House on Mainstreet)Sweet Heat Beignet Chicken Sandwich: Fried chicken, Buffalo sauce, and creamy slaw on fresh beignets served with collard greens and house-made pickles (Tianas in New Orleans Square)Pink Milk in Galaxy’s Edge (came out a couple of days ago.) Early reviews saying it tastes like candy banana? One person said it tasted like bubble gum?Segment 3: What are your Disney Parks goals this year?For those wanting to follow along with our food discussion, here is a link to the new foods coming to Disneyland in 2026.

Join host Nick and Night, SeaShelley, Skipper Rob, and Mr. Fast Pass (and Castle Collective founder) Shawn! On this episode we share some of our favorite Disney Parks memories from the Christmas Holiday season, our favorite holiday foods from the parks, as well as what's on our Disney holiday wish list.We end the episode with a fun game of Disney Trivia - Holiday edition led by Skipper Rob. For reference of the 2025 holiday menu items around the Anaheim Resorts, go to this link: https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/disney-eats-foodie-guide-to-holidays-at-disneyland-resort-2025/

It's that time of year, to experience the parks during the Holiday season. Join Nick at Night, Sea Shelley, Skipper Rob, and introducing our guest Michelle McCullough who is a master of Disney Parks foods. Together we discuss the following:Segment 1: Three things you are grateful for with Disney Parks, and what they have meant to you. Segment 2:If you were to have Thanksgiving Dinner at Disneyland or California Adventure, where would you have it, and what food from the parks would you have at the table? This is Fantasy picks here, this is if you could shut down Disneyland and have it to yourself, where would you have your Thanksgiving spread? Two rules, 21 Royal, and Club 33 are off limits as locations.Segment 3:My wish to make the parks even more magical at Thanksgiving would be  _______________.Feel free to share your responses to these things on our Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/castlepod/

In this episode of The Castle Collective Podcast, the crew takes flight on a coast-to-coast adventure through the newly announced attraction of Soarin’ Over America. From the historic skyline of Boston to the golden sunsets of Hawaii, we glide scene by scene through the ride’s 13 stunning locations — uncovering the details, design choices, and storytelling magic that make each transition unforgettable.We start in the East, flying over Fenway Park and the Statue of Liberty, then drift through the monuments of Washington D.C. and the smoky haze of Tennessee’s mountains. The Collective unpacks the music, transitions, and emotional beats that connect each landmark — from Mardi Gras in New Orleans to the cowboy energy of San Antonio, the grandeur of Mount Rushmore, and the serene sweep through Utah’s red rock arches.As the journey continues west, we explore how Soarin’ captures the soul of America — from the electric glow of Las Vegas to the misty skies of Seattle — before ending in the warm, aloha embrace of Hawaii.Along the way, we debate our favorite transitions, share behind-the-scenes tidbits about Imagineering’s filming process, and discuss which moments best embody the “feel” of flying across the American dreamscape.So buckle up, hang on to your flip-flops, and get ready to Soar Across America with Skipper Rob, Nick at Night and Sea Shelly!

Some of our collective have been cast members at Disney Parks and cruise lines, but they may not have always been able to attain their dream jobs. In this episode we will all weigh in on what our Disney dream job would be, real or made up. We will all choose a front line job, a middle management job, and an "uppity" corporate or director job. And to end the episode we are going to have another Castle Collective Trivia Challenge led by Skipper Rob. This week it is all about the people who have worked at Disney.Join Sea Shelley, Skipper Rob, and Nick and Night for a great time on the Castle Collective Podcast where we pontificate on the wonders of the Disney Universe.

How would you design your perfect Disneyland?Here are the rules: 1) You can bring back a removed attraction (like the PeopleMover)2) You can add one feature or ride from each Disney park around the world (caveat: if you prefer, you can swap existing rides with versions from other parks (e.g., Florida’s Space Mountain vs. Anaheim’s) but you can only have one version of the ride (ie. only one haunted mansion)3) Pick one thing to remove.We also share our favorite memories of being in the parks during the fall season. To end the show we have a fun game of two truths and a lie with our game show host, Skipper Rob Ferre! Collective members on this episode are Joel Skellington, Skipper Rob, and Sea Shelley. This episode is hosted by Nick and night.

We are back! This week, Shawn, Sea Shelley, Nick At Night, Joel Skellington, and Skipper Rob have to choose a wildest dream opportunity at the parks...that comes with a nightmare twist. PLUS: My Disney Life and Dear Disney! 

This week, Nick at Night joins Shawn and Sean Solo to discuss their recent trip to Disneyworld. A long time Disneyland superfan, this was Sean's first time to the Orlando parks. 

Skipper Rob, Joel Skellington, and Nick at Night sit down with Shawn this week to talk about what NEW IP attractions we could have at Disneyland. Each of us get one great IP AND one...well...not as great.

This week, the Collective is back! In this episode, we try to guess what the Inside The Magic story is about based solely on the headline. It is tougher than you think!

This week, Shawn is joined by Joel Skellington, and Nick at Night to talk about what rides could use a holiday overlay. We also get a call-in from Skipper Rob. If you love Disneyland and the holidays, this is your episode!

In this episode, Shawn is joined by Sea Shelley, Queen of Daimonds, and Skipper Rob to rank all the holidays at Disneyland. 

We are BACK! This week we discuss what attractions and experiences we do not feel the need to do at Disneyland. Whether it is due to wait time, cost, or just a general lack of excitement, this is what we are done with at Disneyland.

This is our final segment on the best and worst of the lands at Disneyland. You may be surprised at what the collective thinks on a few of these!

This week we continue our discussion on the best and worst things in each of the lands. There are some real surprises as well as a few obvious ones. As is now standard with our podcasts, we break the rules we set out in the beginning. 

This week, Nick at Night, Joel Skellington, Sea Shelley, Skipper Rob and Sean Solo join Shawn to talk about the best and worst thing from each land. Spoiler alert: it gets a bit heated!

This week, Shawn is joined by Sea Shelley, Nick at Night, Skipper Rob, and Sean Solo to discuss things they are grateful for at the Disneyland Resort. 

This week, Shawn is joined by Sean Solo, Sea Shelley, Joel Skellington, plus a bonus cameo from Skipper Rob to play Disneyland trivia. Play along! 

This week, Shawn is joined by Nick At Night, Sea Shelley, Joel Skellington and Sean Solo to talk about what it means to be a Disney Adult. We also share experiences from our younger years that shaped our love for the Happiest Place On Earth!

This week, Shawn is joined by Nick and Night, Heather Poppins, Sea Shelley, Joel Skellington, with a last minute appearance from Skipper Rob to discuss being a guest at Disneyland. We talk about good behaviors, bad behaviors and truly ugly behaviors at the Happiest Place On Earth. 

This week, Shawn is joined by Nick At Night, Sea Shelley, Sean Solo and Skipper Rob to do a round robin draft of a perfect day Disneyland's California Adventure. 

I hope you have a good phone case because you may want to throw your phone at a wall when you hear our unpopular opinions about the Disneyland Resort. Shawn is joined by Skipper Rob, Sea Shelley, Joel Skellington and Nick At Night. Remember, these are specifically UNPOPULAR opinions. Get ready for a spirited and really fun discussion!!

This week, Sea Shelley, Nick At Night and Skipper Rob join Shawn to talk about where Disney could open new parks or "gates". Where would we put them? What would the theming be? Could villains take over? Can all the national parks be in one park? Can the frontier be in the Lone Star State? Can Disney do cold? Spoiler: We do talk about having new gates in some cold places but...we don't talk about Juneau. 

This week Joel Skellington, Sea Shelley, and Nick At Night join Shawn to discuss Disneyland transportation. We talk about the train, tram, Monorail and more. As a bonus, Skipper Rob calls in live from the park! 

This week, Skipper Rob, Heather Poppins, Joel Skellington and Nick at Night join Shawn for a year end celebration. We talk about what Disney things we got for Christmas. We then talk Disneyland resolutions. First, we share our own resolutions for how we will better enjoy Disneyland in 2022. We then give what we think Disneyland should resolve to do to make 2022 that much more magical. 

This week, Shawn is joined by Joel Skellington, Sea Shelley and Skipper Rob to discuss what ONE attraction is best for each age range. Is Haunted Mansion too scary for a five year old? Is Indiana Jones too jerky for a 65 year old? Is Matterhorn too jerky for all ages??? We give our picks for the best attraction for every age range. Disagree? Let us know on social media!

On this episode, Shawn is joined by Nick at Night and awesome NEW COLLECTIVE MEMBER Sea Shelley to discuss the little things that make Disneyland so magical. We go over sights, sounds, tastes, places, and all the special touches that make Disneyland the Happiest Place On Earth. This episode is the next best thing to being at the parks! 

This week, Shawn is joined by Nick At Night, Skipper Rob, Heather Poppins, Sean Solo, Joel Skellington and Captain California Bryce to discuss what attractions from other Disney parks around the world we would bring to the Disneyland Resort in California. Our Collective members got really creative with this one. Not only did they have to say what attraction would be put in, but also where would it go and what would be taken out. There are a few that just seem obvious and some that are really creative. While many came from Florida, we had attractions suggested from all the Disney parks around the world!Also we are GIVING AWAY a $25 Disney gift card!! Listen to the episode for details!

This week, Sean Solo, Heather Poppins, Joel Skellington and Skipper Rob join Shawn to talk about the other side of Fantasyland. Is Peter Pan worth the wait? Are the best bathrooms in Disneyland found in Fantasyland? Is the Matterhorn really a Fantasyland attraction? Is It's A Small World hiding a much darker backstory??? We answer all this and more PLUS your chance to win custom art from our very own Heather Poppins! 

This week, Skipper Rob, Nick at Night and Sean Solo join Shawn to talk about Fantasyland. We talk about castles, princesses, swords in stones, Pinocchio, Snow White, Dumbo and more! 

While Nick at Night spent a ridiculous number of days at Disneyland in his teenage years during the 90's, he had never made his way to California Adventure. UNTIL NOW! Nick and Shawn talk about his trip. What did he love? What surprised him? Will he go back? All of these and so many more questions will be answered! 

This week, Nick at Night, Joel Skellington, and Skipper Rob join Shawn to talk about what attractions could be overlaid, remade, or removed to make way for attractions with Disney IP. Some are just big dreams but some could really add some character to the happiest place on earth!

This week Sean Solo, Skipper Rob, Joel Skellington, Heather Poppins and Nick at Night join Shawn to rank the Disneyland mountains. Where do Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain and The Matterhorn all place? 

In this episode, Shawn is joined by Heather Poppins, Skipper Rob, Joel Skellington and Captain California Bryce. The Collective goes all the way back to 1972 and is given a ticket book. Each member of the Collective has to choose one attraction from each ticket, A-E. This episode is guaranteed to be an E ticket attraction!

This week, Shawn is joined by Sean Solo, King B Bryan, Heather Poppins, Joel Skellington, Nick at Night and Skipper Rob to discuss music they love from the Disneyland Resort. Some of these picks will really surprise you! 

On this episode, Heather Poppins, Skipper Rob, Sean Solo, and Nick At Night join Shawn to talk about past attractions they never got to experience or that they did enjoy but are now gone. There are a few obvious ones, and a few big surprises.

This week, Joel Skellington and Sean Solo join Shawn to do some ride pairings with park food. This was inspired by Nick at Night and his food / ride pairings in the last episode. There were some that were obvious, some that were really creative and one that we thought was creative but maybe not. There are so many great options!

This week, Skipper Rob, Sean Solo, Heather Poppins, and Nick at Night join Shawn to talk about going back to Disneyland when it reopens. What five things do you look forward to most? The Collective breaks down what we would each do!

On this episode, Sean Solo, King Bee Bryan and Skipper Rob all join Shawn as we discuss what we should do to fix Tomorrowland. We all love this very special place but agree that it needs some help. We talk about what attractions to keep, which ones to scrap, what theming there should be, Star Wars' role in Tomorrowland now that we have Galaxy's Edge and so much more! 

This week Skipper Rob joins Shawn to talk all things Haunted Mansion Holiday. The Castle Collective is hosted by Shawn Rapier.

This week Shawn Rapier is joined by Sean and Bryan Lords of Word On The Main Street Podcast as well as avid Disneyland superfan Nick Galieti. The hosts do a round robin draft of attractions, restaurants, characters and more to create the perfect day at Disneyland. 

With Disneyland closed for Halloween Shawn and Sean talk about spooky elements at the Disneyland resort year-round.

Collective member Joel Wallin joins me this week as we count down our ten favorite places to eat in the Disneyland Resort. Some are in the top 10 because of the food, others the ambiance, while some are just the memories of Disneyland visits past. This is a GREAT time to plan a dining strategy for your next trip when Disneyland reopens! Do you agree with our choices? Did we get some wrong? Did we miss your favorite? Join the conversation on social media and let us know!!

This week, Disney Television Editor Bryce Randle joins me to discuss Pixar Pier. We go through the history of the area as Paradise Pier, discuss the transition to Pixar Pier and even talk through Paradise Garden.