Episode 021: Bayou Adventures: Tales of Disneyland’s Enchanting Corner

Episode 021: Bayou Adventures: Tales of Disneyland’s Enchanting Corner

Gini returns to the Once Upon a Castle podcast after an unexpected month-long hiatus and begins a new series on Disneyland’s Bayou Country, formerly Bear Country and Critter Country, outlining upcoming episodes on attractions, entertainment, food, and a guest conversation. The episode traces the land’s footprint from Frontierland’s Indian Village (1955–1971) and the Indian War Canoes (1956) through Bear Country’s 1972 opening built around the Country Bear Jamboree, then Critter Country’s 1988 rename ahead of Splash Mountain (1989), and finally the November 2024 transformation into Bayou Country with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Key attractions and details include the guest-powered Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes, retail rethemes from Indian Trading Post to Briar Patch to Ray’s Berets, the 2003 debut of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh replacing Country Bear Jamboree, and the creative development and Louisiana research behind Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which Gini personally rode once and found too soaking wet.   Instagram: Once_Upon_a_Castle_Podcast_ TikTok: @virginiakwest  Email: magic@onceuponacastlepodcast.com [magic@onceuponacastlepodcast.com]

Episode 020: A Disney Historian’s Tale with Michael Holland

The Once Upon a Castle podcast welcomes Disney historian and storyteller Michael Holland, author of The Year Before Disneyland and host of From Out of the Past at Holland Imaginarium. Holland shares how growing up immersed in classic Hollywood shaped his approach to Disney history, including focusing on “facts versus truths” and highlighting Roy Disney’s crucial role alongside Walt, whose TV presence made him the public face as “Uncle Walt.” He recounts early family trips to Disneyland, his love of the Jungle Cruise (including favorite jokes and its evolving live-skipper format), and how curiosity and research deepen park visits. Holland explains how his book and podcast examine July 1954–July 1955 as a period when Disneyland was built alongside major studio milestones like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Lady and the Tramp, the first TV series, the Davy Crockett phenomenon, distribution changes, and hotel plans, emphasizing Disney’s perseverance. The episode closes with where to find Holland’s work and a teaser for the podcast’s next Bayou Country series. Instagram: Once_Upon_a_Castle_Podcast_ TikTok: @virginiakwest  Patreon: Once Upon a Castle Podcast (Gini) Email: magic@onceuponacastlepodcast.com [magic@onceuponacastlepodcast.com]   holland_imaginarium [https://www.instagram.com/] linktr.ee/hollandimaginarium [https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee%2Fhollandimaginarium%3Futm_source%3Dig%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_content%3Dlink_in_bio%26fbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn1uMYr0OHHkOyHLuy-3JPsQ9g7UhPk3BNNMvm3AMbryPOuBAZ1VMhQ97Nngg_aem_a7RPAGIQrE2YpFcfGWIhSA&e=AT5VOElfv34l2Jsdex1xv5TxiaYmDXrL8AoHIzu7D7AfseUNP6WLOjqc2O3cNAEucKzYSz6w3V4OxK4zhffojJ4g4ptVf8cs1J86PF5zPg] BUY HERE: “The Year Before Disneyland” https://themeparkpress.com/products/the-year-before-disneyland?_pos=1&_psq=the+year&_ss=e&_v=1.0 [https://themeparkpress.com/products/the-year-before-disneyland?_pos=1&_psq=the+year&_ss=e&_v=1.0]  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-out-of-the-past/id1709872451 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-out-of-the-past/id1709872451]

Episode 019: Unveiling Disney Magic: A Couple’s Guide to The Happiest Place on Earth

Host Gini brings on her husband, Jason West, to recap a packed two-day Disneyland Resort trip after discussing his limited Disney background, first impressions, and preference for atmosphere and exploration over long lines.  At Disneyland they rope-dropped Fantasyland rides, ate at Red Rose Tavern, rode a Main Street firetruck, took the “Women Who Make the Magic” guided tour (with reserved viewing and treats), did Star Tours, Cafe Orleans, enjoyed Bootstrappers with Jack Sparrow, hit Pirates and Haunted Mansion, and used tour viewing for Paint the Night and castle projections (fireworks canceled). At DCA they rope-dropped Guardians, endured a long Web Slingers delay, bought Lightning Lane and a Cars single pass, rode Radiator Springs Racers, ate at Lamplight Lounge, sampled Food & Wine items and live music, and ended with the World of Color dessert party. They conclude the tour/dessert party and Lightning Lane felt worth the cost, and Gini teases an upcoming interview with author/podcaster Michael Holland.   Instagram: Once_Upon_a_Castle_Podcast_ TikTok: @virginiakwest  Patreon: Once Upon a Castle Podcast (Gini) Email: magic@onceuponacastlepodcast.com [magic@onceuponacastlepodcast.com]

Episode 018: Exploring the Magic of New Orleans Square with Teresa

In the finale of a four-part Once Upon a Castle series on Disneyland’s New Orleans Square, the host Gini recaps prior episodes on attractions, entertainment, and dining, then interviews Teresa Urban, host of the DL Weekly podcast and a travel planner with Concierge Travel. Teresa shares her Disney story, including being terrified of Haunted Mansion on her first Walt Disney World trip in 2000 before it became her favorite attraction, and explains how podcasting since 2017 deepened her Disneyland connections and community. They discuss the “wonder” and layered details of New Orleans Square, Walt Disney’s presence there and on Main Street, exploration tips beyond the main path, favorite entertainment like the Bootstrappers and Fantasmic, and strategy for a perfect park day. Teresa recommends Fantasmic dining packages, especially Rancho del Zocalo, and says she hopes Disneyland’s castle never changes. Gini closes by teasing an upcoming trip report, a New Orleans Square food crawl, the Women Who Make the Magic tour, and a World of Color dessert party.   Instagram: Once_Upon_a_Castle_Podcast_ TikTok: @virginiakwest  Patreon: Once Upon a Castle Podcast (Gini) Email: magic@onceuponacastlepodcast.com [magic@onceuponacastlepodcast.com] Instagram: castles_and_coldbrews [https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_a_castle_podcast_/] https://www.dlweekly.net/ [https://www.dlweekly.net/]

Episode 017: Taste the Magic: Exploring New Orleans Square’s Culinary Delights

Episode three of the Once Upon a Castle four-part New Orleans Square series focuses on food, covering restaurants, snack spots, and exclusive dining while highlighting Walt Disney’s design influence and key details. Gini shares podcast updates (over 1,100 downloads and international listeners) and notes Port Royal has temporarily become jazz-club-inspired seating through summer. The episode profiles Café Orleans (originally Creole Café, opened July 24, 1966), including Walt’s antique Italian espresso machine and the Monte Cristo’s history; the French Market (1966–Feb. 17, 2023) and its transformation into Tiana’s Palace (opened Sept. 7, 2023); Mint Julep Bar (1966) for mint juleps and beignets; Blue Bayou (opened March 18, 1967) inside Pirates of the Caribbean with bayou ambiance and upcoming refurbishment (May 2026); Club 33 (June 15, 1967) membership details; Royal Street Veranda (1983); La Patisserie (1988–2004); 21 Royal (2017) $15,000 private dining; and Harbor Galley’s menu and McDonald’s sponsorship history, plus Pelican’s Landing seating.