Parks & Pages

We all know the name Walt Disney World, but today our hosts are joined by Cathy Salustri, magazine copy editor and writer — and a true Florida historian — to discuss the project’s first publicly recognized name: The Florida Project. What was Central Florida like before Walt set his sights on the area? What was public perception of the move like? For more on Cathy and her knowledge of Florida and theme park history, check out her website: https://greatfloridaroadtrip.com.Big News! You could WIN a Walt Disney World® vacation from WDW Magazine! Visit wdw-magazine.com/coolestsummerever for more details. Mail call features several topics, including a write-in preference for a listener’s Survive Your Stay scenario, tips for WDW travel with large parties, and a voicemail left live from a Disney park! Tim and Steph join us for the mid-round segments: Steph brings her second of three visits to the Logistics Lab, and Tim takes us back in time with an interview excerpt from Walt Disney World’s first Ambassador, Debby Dane Browne. It’s a packed show with a ton of information for both the Disney planner and the Disney historian!Thank you for joining Parks & Pages every Tuesday, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. You never know when we may drop a bonus episode on you! Loved what you heard? Consider leaving a 5-star review — it really helps others find our community and join in the conversation. Would you like to ask a question or drop a comment that could be used for a future episode? Head to parksandpages.com to join the conversation. We would love to hear from you and may even use your contribution on a future episode!Parks & Pages is brought to you by the award-winning team behind WDW Magazine, DLR Magazine, and DCL Magazine. Becoming a member is the best way to support the podcast so we can keep long-form storytelling alive in print, online, and on the pod. Use code PARKSPOD and save 20% on new memberships at wdw-magazine.com. Follow us on social @wdwmagazine for your daily Disney fix.Thank you to our sponsors:* David’s Vacation Club Rentals is the largest and most trusted source of Disney Vacation Club Rentals in the world. With David’s, many Disney fans have saved thousands of dollars on their Disney vacations, and you can, too. See how much you can save. * The Circa 1955 collection by Lux Illume will transport you to your happy place with scents inspired by Disney’s most iconic parks and resorts. Save 10% with code PARKSPOD at luxillume.com and get free shipping on all US orders!* Make your next Disney trip easier with crowd prediction, wait time alerts, and more. Download Rope Drop Guide on the App Store or Google Play, or visit ropedropguide.com. 

On today’s episode, our friend Tim joins hosts CJ and Danny to “enter a world of danger, survival, and intrigue, here on the Parks and Pages podcast” in their own Disney Parks survivalist scenarios. Each host gets dropped in a land to inhabit in a unique apocalyptic scenario. Where do they eat? What keeps them entertained? Do our ragtag survivalists join forces or hunker down in their own fortresses? Listen to see who ends up with “small world” dolls as minions and who TRULY had to Survive Their Stay: Magic Kingdom Edition. Want to THRIVE instead of SURVIVE? You could WIN a Walt Disney World® vacation from WDW Magazine! Visit wdw-magazine.com/coolestsummerever for more details.Also in this episode, Steph presents her first edition of Disney Logistics Lab, where she helps you take the first steps of planning a Disney World vacation. Return the next two weeks for this recurring segment and learn how you can plan a perfect trip!The show also includes listener questions, including one about crowd levels. What do our hosts have to say about the crowds increasing at Walt Disney World? What hacks do they have for your next trip? They also discuss top-tier date options for a night with your loved ones! Anniversaries, birthdays, or just a nice night out, they round up some incredible options. Thank you for joining Parks & Pages every Tuesday, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. You never know when we may drop a bonus episode on you! Loved what you heard? Consider leaving a 5-star review — it really helps others find our community and join in the conversation. Would you like to ask a question or drop a comment that could be used for a future episode? Head to parksandpages.com to join the conversation. We would love to hear from you and may even use your contribution on a future episode!Parks & Pages is brought to you by the award-winning team behind WDW Magazine, DLR Magazine, and DCL Magazine. Becoming a member is the best way to support the podcast so we can keep long-form storytelling alive in print, online, and on the pod. Use code PARKSPOD and save 20% on new memberships at wdw-magazine.com. Follow us on social @wdwmagazine for your daily Disney fix.Thank you to our sponsors:* David’s Vacation Club Rentals is the largest and most trusted source of Disney Vacation Club Rentals in the world. With David’s, many Disney fans have saved thousands of dollars on their Disney vacations, and you can, too. See how much you can save. * The Circa 1955 collection by Lux Illume will transport you to your happy place with scents inspired by Disney’s most iconic parks and resorts. Save 10% with code PARKSPOD at luxillume.com and get free shipping on all US orders!* Make your next Disney trip easier with crowd prediction, wait time alerts, and more. Download Rope Drop Guide on the App Store or Google Play, or visit ropedropguide.com. 

We are aware of audio issues in this episode that occureed suring distribution and are working on a fix or re release. Thank you for your patience and please take the time to enjoy our more recent shows.Disney invited our team to attend the Coolest Summer Ever Media Showcase and interview Disney Parks pros about all the exciting things coming to Walt Disney World for Cool KIDS’ SUMMER. From new character interactions and merchandise to updated attractions and water park perks, we cover a whole world of summer fun. Bluey and Bingo are headed to Animal Kingdom, Toy Story pals entertain at Diamond Horseshoe, and Imagineers have delivered major enhancements to Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster — and so much more! This is a mega-packed episode full of the kind of summer fun only Disney can do!Even better? You could WIN a Walt Disney World® vacation from WDW Magazine! Visit wdw-magazine.com/coolestsummerever for more details.For this episode, we start with listener ideas for new shows in the future. Y’all really bring some great ideas, and some are already in the brainstorming stage! Keep those questions and ideas coming! We love it!The show has a special guest making her Parks & Pages debut: Riley, CJ’s daughter. She appears in her first “Core Memory Corner,” remembering some highlights from last year’s Cool KIDS’ SUMMER.Thank you for joining Parks & Pages every Tuesday, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. You never know when we may drop a bonus episode on you! Loved what you heard? Consider leaving a 5-star review — it really helps others find our community and join in the conversation. Would you like to ask a question or drop a comment that could be used for a future episode? Head to parksandpages.com to join the conversation. We would love to hear from you and may even use your contribution on a future episode!Parks & Pages is brought to you by the award-winning team behind WDW Magazine, DLR Magazine, and DCL Magazine. Becoming a member is the best way to support the podcast so we can keep long-form storytelling alive in print, online, and on the pod. Use code PARKSPOD and save at wdw-magazine.com. Follow us on social @wdwmagazine for your daily Disney fix.Thank you to our sponsors:* David’s Vacation Club Rentals is the largest and most trusted source of Disney Vacation Club Rentals in the world. With David’s, many Disney fans have saved thousands of dollars on their Disney vacations, and you can, too. See how much you can save. * The Circa 1955 collection by Lux Illume will transport you to your happy place with scents inspired by Disney’s most iconic parks and resorts. Save 10% with code PARKSPOD at luxillume.com and get free shipping on all US orders!* Make your next Disney trip easier with crowd prediction, wait time alerts, and more. Download Rope Drop Guide on the App Store or Google Play, or visit ropedropguide.com. 

Money is no object in today’s dream dining scenario as Danny and CJ are joined by Tim to discuss their bucket list bites in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Where do they eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner and grab their snacks in a perfect scenario? Some of the answers may surprise you as we celebrate the opening week of Walt Disney World's youngest park. Animal Kingdom has so many great dining options, but do our hosts end up at one of your favorites? Listen to find out!We start things off with another round of listener questions, including a special call from a voice many of you already know! Our voiceover specialist, Matt from New Jersey, calls in to say hello and give his thoughts on the community we’re building. We also discuss a follow-up to a recent “This or That,” debate what Disney could do about getting AP magnets delivered to out-of-town passholders, and help a listener get into pin trading. Tim also brings us a special “This Week in Disney History” segment where he highlights the opening day of Animal Kingdom. It’s a loaded show with a ton of fun facts and hacks — don’t miss out!Thanks for joining Parks & Pages every Tuesday. Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Love what you heard? Leave us a 5-star review — it helps others find our community and join in the conversation. Want to ask a question or drop a comment that could be used for a future episode? Head to parksandpages.com!. We’d love to hear from you and may even use your contribution.Parks & Pages is brought to you by the award-winning team behind WDW Magazine, DLR Magazine, and DCL Magazine. Becoming a magazine member is the best way to support the podcast so we can keep long-form storytelling alive. Use code PARKSPOD and save at wdw-magazine.com.Thank you to our sponsors*David’s Vacation Club Rentals is the largest and most trusted source of Disney Vacation Club Rentals in the world. With David’s, Disney fans can save thousands of dollars on Disney vacations, and you can, too. See how much you can save. *The Circa 1955 collection by Lux Illume transports you to your happy place with scents inspired by Disney’s most iconic parks and resorts. Save 10% with code PARKSPOD at luxillume.com and get free shipping on all US orders!*Make your next Disney trip easier with crowd prediction, wait time alerts, and more. Download Rope Drop Guide on the App Store or Google Play, or visitropedropguide.com.

For this first show in the regular Parks & Pages schedule, join CJ, Danny, and special guest host Tatjana for a deep dive into inclement weather plans for your Walt Disney World vacation. Visiting during hurricane season or those summer months that lead to afternoon thunderstorms? Our professionals have you covered, from arrival to departure and for each theme park in between. Curious where our team hides out in EPCOT during a storm? What’s the best restaurant to grab a bite to eat in Magic Kingdom during a rainy afternoon? Tune in now to be ready for those April showers.To kick things off, our hosts get to answer your first round of questions from around the globe! How would three of our least horticulturally inclined Disney specialists plan a garden to mimic EPCOT during Flower & Garden? What about a fellow listener’s blue-sky idea for Tropical Americas, or a brief historical deep dive into Living With The Land? Don't miss our first Mail Call! For your chance to get involved, head to www.parksandpages.com — we just may use your message or email on the show.  Tim and Stephanie come in with some fun updates in our special segments. Get a look ahead at an upcoming issue of WDW Magazine in “Between The Lines,” where Tim focuses on our June 2026 issue, Let The Storm Rage On. This coming edition focuses on all things weather. Next, Steph hops in with a “Wonderful World Of Disney News Report” with some updates on Disneyland Paris and its latest transformation: Disney Adventure World! From the newest attractions to the highly anticipated opening of Frozen World, drop a listen for a quick synopsis of what to expect from the newest addition to Disney Parks!Thank you for joining Parks & Pages every Tuesday, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. Loved what you heard? Consider leaving a 5-star review — it really helps others find our community and join in the conversation. Would you like to ask a question or drop a comment that could be used for a future episode? Head to parksandpages.com to join the conversation. We would love to hear from you and may even use your contribution!Parks & Pages is brought to you by the award-winning team behind WDW Magazine, DLR Magazine, and DCL Magazine. Becoming a member is the best way to support the podcast so we can keep long-form storytelling alive in print, online, and on the pod. Use code PARKSPOD and save at wdw-magazine.com.Thank you to our sponsors:* David’s Vacation Club Rentals is the largest and most trusted source of Disney Vacation Club Rentals in the world. With David’s, many Disney fans have saved thousands of dollars on their Disney vacations, and you can, too. See how much you can save. * The Circa 1955 collection by Lux Illume will transport you to your happy place with scents inspired by Disney’s most iconic parks and resorts. Save 10% with code PARKSPOD at luxillume.com and get free shipping on all US orders!* Make your next Disney trip easier with crowd prediction, wait time alerts, and more. Download Rope Drop Guide on the App Store or Google Play, or visit ropedropguide.com. 

Join us for a special edition of the podcast to discuss some blue-sky ideas for Disney Cruise Line’s newly named Wish-class ship, the Believe. Stephanie and Tatjana pirate the airwaves to discuss details from their “wishes” for future dining destinations and stateroom theming to what class-specific amenities they expect to return. Curious what two of WDW Magazine’s biggest DCL fans dream to find on the Disney Believe? Drop a listen now to find out!CJ and Danny will return with the regular Parks & Pages podcast format (episode 104) on Tuesday, so tune back in then for some listener questions, special segments, and a brand-new show topic! See you next time we turn the page!Thank you for joining Parks & Pages every Tuesday, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. You never know when we may drop a bonus episode on you! Loved what you heard? Consider leaving a 5-star review — it really helps others find our community and join in the conversation. Would you like to ask a question or drop a comment that could be used for a future episode? Head to parksandpages.com to join the conversation. We would love to hear from you and may even use your contribution on a future episode!Parks & Pages is brought to you by the award-winning team behind WDW Magazine, DLR Magazine, and DCL Magazine. Becoming a member is the best way to support the podcast so we can keep long-form storytelling alive in print, online, and on the pod. Use code PARKSPOD and save at wdw-magazine.com. Follow us on social @wdwmagazine for your daily Disney fix.Thank you to our sponsors:* David’s Vacation Club Rentals is the largest and most trusted source of Disney Vacation Club Rentals in the world. With David’s, many Disney fans have saved thousands of dollars on their Disney vacations, and you can, too. See how much you can save. * The Circa 1955 collection by Lux Illume will transport you to your happy place with scents inspired by Disney’s most iconic parks and resorts. Save 10% with code PARKSPOD at luxillume.com and get free shipping on all US orders!* Make your next Disney trip easier with crowd prediction, wait time alerts, and more. Download Rope Drop Guide on the App Store or Google Play, or visit ropedropguide.com. 

The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is a fan-favorite time of year in the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, and our special guest today falls in with the crowd for sure. Join CJ, Danny, and WDW Magazine reporter, Maria (@disneyworldlocal on Instagram) as they dive into the offerings of this year’s festival. Maria was there on opening day, so she brings some insight to what’s new for the festival. What are we excited to see return? What are we most hyped to try? Tune in to find out!Want more Flower & Garden? Check out Maria’s video from opening day of Flower & Garden 2026, or read our complete guide to the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival on the blog.Plus, Editorial Director Tim brings a special Flower & Garden-centric segment with his Behind the Magic series. Learn more about topiary design, including a behind-the-scenes interview with Debbie Mola Mickler, an Area Manager of Horticulture at Walt Disney World. Thank you for joining Parks & Pages every Tuesday, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. You never know when we may drop a bonus episode on you! Loved what you heard? Consider leaving a 5-star review — it really helps others find our community and join in the conversation. Would you like to ask a question or drop a comment that could be used for a future episode? Head to parksandpages.com to join the conversation. We would love to hear from you and may even use your contribution on a future episode!Parks & Pages is brought to you by the award-winning team behind WDW Magazine, DLR Magazine, and DCL Magazine. Becoming a member is the best way to support the podcast so we can keep long-form storytelling alive in print, online, and on the pod. Use code PARKSPOD and save at wdw-magazine.com. Follow us on social @wdwmagazine for your daily Disney fix.Thank you to our sponsors:* David’s Vacation Club Rentals is the largest and most trusted source of Disney Vacation Club Rentals in the world. With David’s, many Disney fans have saved thousands of dollars on their Disney vacations, and you can, too. See how much you can save. * The Circa 1955 collection by Lux Illume will transport you to your happy place with scents inspired by Disney’s most iconic parks and resorts. Save 10% with code PARKSPOD at luxillume.com and get free shipping on all US orders!* Make your next Disney trip easier with crowd prediction, wait time alerts, and more. Download Rope Drop Guide on the App Store or Google Play, or visitropedropguide.com.

Are you excited for Tropical Americas coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Our hosts are, too, and today, they’re joined by Tim, WDW Magazine’s Editorial Director, to “blue-sky design” their own versions of the land. Armchair Imagineer is a series where we get to control the landscape for a day and shape our own version of a land, attraction, restaurant, hotel, show, or project at Walt Disney World. While we’re excited to see the Family Madrigal come to Animal Kingdom, this is our fun and imaginative time to design. What Disney IPs do we use? What animals do we want to see represent Tropical Americas in Animal Kingdom? What restaurants and shows do we want to see? Listen now to find out! Plus, before the main show topic, Steph drops in to discuss the variety in the Jungle Cruise attractions around the world. What makes Tokyo Disneyland different from Disneyland in California? Steph has you covered in her segment, Theme Park Throwdown!Thank you for joining Parks & Pages every Tuesday, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. You never know when we may drop a bonus episode on you! Loved what you heard? Consider leaving a 5-star review — it really helps others find our community and join in the conversation. Would you like to ask a question or drop a comment that could be used for a future episode? Head to parksandpages.com to join the conversation. We would love to hear from you and may even use your contribution on a future episode!Parks & Pages is brought to you by the award-winning team behind WDW Magazine, DLR Magazine, and DCL Magazine. Becoming a member is the best way to support the podcast so we can keep long-form storytelling alive in print, online, and on the pod. Use code PARKSPOD and save at wdw-magazine.com. Follow us on social @wdwmagazine for your daily Disney fix.Thank you to our sponsors:* David’s Vacation Club Rentals is the largest and most trusted source of Disney Vacation Club Rentals in the world. With David’s, many Disney fans have saved thousands of dollars on their Disney vacations, and you can, too. See how much you can save. * The Circa 1955 collection by Lux Illume will transport you to your happy place with scents inspired by Disney’s most iconic parks and resorts. Save 10% with code PARKSPOD at luxillume.com and get free shipping on all US orders!* Make your next Disney trip easier with crowd prediction, wait time alerts, and more. Download Rope Drop Guide on the App Store or Google Play, or visit ropedropguide.com. 

Thank you for joining us, day one, on our newest adventure, Parks & Pages: A WDW Magazine Podcast. In this episode, you’ll meet your hosts, CJ and Danny, to learn more about their Disney fandom, theme park experiences, and future plans for the podcast. From featured segments with Disney experts from WDW Magazine to listener involvement from the community (including you!), Parks & Pages will bring a myriad of voices and POVs to highlight all the different ways you do Disney. Tune in today for our origin story, get charged with a nearly impossible “this or that” decision, and hear all we have in store when we turn the page!Thank you for joining Parks & Pages every Tuesday, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. You never know when we may drop a bonus episode on you! Loved what you heard? Consider leaving a 5-star review — it really helps others find our community and join in the conversation. Would you like to ask a question or drop a comment that could be used for a future episode? Head to parksandpages.com to join the conversation. We would love to hear from you and may even use your contribution on a future episode!Parks & Pages is brought to you by the award-winning team behind WDW Magazine, DLR Magazine, and DCL Magazine. Becoming a member is the best way to support the podcast so we can keep long-form storytelling alive in print, online, and on the pod. Use code PARKSPOD and save at wdw-magazine.com. Follow us on social @wdwmagazine for your daily Disney fix.Thank you to our sponsors:* David’s Vacation Club Rentals is the largest and most trusted source of Disney Vacation Club Rentals in the world. With David’s, many Disney fans have saved thousands of dollars on their Disney vacations, and you can, too. See how much you can save. * The Circa 1955 collection by Lux Illume will transport you to your happy place with scents inspired by Disney’s most iconic parks and resorts. Save 10% with code PARKSPOD at luxillume.com and get free shipping on all US orders!* Make your next Disney trip easier with crowd prediction, wait time alerts, and more. Download Rope Drop Guide on the App Store or Google Play, or visit ropedropguide.com.