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

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.

Episode 16: Beyond the Rides: The Musical Heartbeat of New Orleans Square

In part two of a four-part Once Upon a Castle series on Disneyland’s New Orleans Square, Gini focuses on how live entertainment and street atmosphere make the land feel like a living neighborhood, from opening-day 1966 jazz musicians to modern acts that create “between-attractions” worldbuilding. The episode notes the land’s importance as Disneyland’s first new post-opening land and highlights performers and eras including Jack McVea and the Royal Street Bachelors (1966–1992), the Shoeshine Boys tap-and-shoeshine act, 1980s jazz groups like Teddy Buckner and the Side Street Strutters, Fantasmic’s history and 2024 return after the 2023 dragon fire, Jambalaya Jazz (documented in 2006) with singer Queenie, the pirate-comedy band the Bootstrappers, the short-lived 2009–2010 Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee, and the 2023–2024 Heartbeat of New Orleans projection. It also mentions character encounters (Tiana, Jack Sparrow, Red, Jack Skellington and Sally), shares listener ideas (a jazz club, cooking lessons with Tiana), and previews part three on New Orleans Square dining. Instagram: Once_Upon_a_Castle_Podcast_ TikTok: @virginiakwest  Patreon: Once Upon a Castle Podcast (Gini) Email: magic@onceuponacastlepodcast.com [magic@onceuponacastlepodcast.com]