MouseStation 256 – Collected Short Subjects
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Run time 0:32:54
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Send in your suggestions, comments or tips via our email feedback form or via voicemail on our toll-free feedback line (1-866-939-2278).
We’ve put together a new listener survey to help us learn more about you and what you like most about this podcast. This one is much more targeted than the old Podtrac survey. Please take a few minutes to fill it out and let us know what you think.
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Thanks to our sponsor
Today’s show is sponsored by Owner’s Locker, a great service that gives you a place to leave your vacation-only stuff until your next trip to visit the Mouse.
The cost of an Owner’s Locker isn’t quite as high when you think about the per-bag fees that many airlines are now charging. It’s a risk-free trial, so why not give it a try?
Also, if you have any great ideas for how to use an Owner’s Locker, if you’ve signed up and are anticipating using your locker, or if you have already used your locker, send us an email or call our voicemail and let us know what you think!
Tip of the Week
This week’s Tip of the Week came in a voicemail from listener Corey in New Orleans, who used all of the Disney “lithographs” distributed with movie purchases by laminating and turning them into placemats for his family. As has been pointed out before by listener Gary Arsenault, they’re not really actual lithographs, but Disney uses the name and threfore we’ll continue to use the word.
Both Mark and Mike thought that this was a cool use of them, but then the discussion of the Incredibles led into an unfortunate discussion of elastic.
Featured Attraction
This week we look at Grizzly River Run at Disney’s California Adventure.
Mark noted that the attraction (along with Kali River Rapids) has a Disney-developed device that causes the raft to spin on the big drop so that you don’t know who will get wet at the bottom. While usually Mark and his wife are the ones to get soaked, The Kid got drenched the last time they rode Kali.
Mark told of staying in a room at the Grand Californian overlooking the attraction and watching them fil the flumeway in the morning.
Mike noted that he preferred the theming of Grizzly River Run to that of Kali River Rapids. Mark also prefers it, and notes that the acronym for the attraction is the appropriate GRR.
Review System Spotlight
This week we look at Pinocchio Village Haus at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. MousePlanet readers like it, rating it 3.6 out of five planets. Our featured review this week is by amc1217 of San Antonio, TX.
amc1217 was enthusiastic about trying the location, but was very disappointed in the food and with how crowded the place was, giving it three planets. Mark agrees with that, noting that he has been less than thrilled with the location in recent years. Mike rated it even lower. Both agreed that the food quality and the crowd level make it a place to avoid.
Mark noted that a small positive for the counter-service restaurant is that there are a couple of tables all the way to the left of the counter area that overlook the entrance to “it’s a small world” and you can wave to people on the ride from your table.
You can also find the Pinocchio Village Haus in our Park Guide.
Ask the Kid
This week’s question comes from Eric Davis of Orlando Fun Tickets. Eric asks: “If you could be best friends with one Disney character which one would it be and why?”
Mark’s son decided that he’d like to be friend with either Roger Rabbit, Buzz Lightyear or WALL-E. He could go into space with Buzz or WALL-E, or he could learn to say “P-p-p-p-p-please, Eddie!” (probably) and possibly learn how to stick a saw through his ears and it won’t even hurt. Then he and Mark agreed that the last one was probably a toon-only thing.
There was also some discussion of Mark’s son’s love of Roger Rabbit.
Eric Davis has recently departed Orlando Fun Tickets for a new challenge, and we wish him the best of luck. We’ll have a new friend join us from Orlando Fun Tickets join us soon, as Courtney Mills will replace Eric as our OFT contact.
Last Week on MousePlanet
Steven Ng, sitting in for Andrew Rich, down at MousePlanet Global Headquarters and apparently channeling Casey Kasem, told you what you may have missed on the MousePlanet site last week if you’re not visiting regularly.
Listener Feedback
Kelly Z. wrote in to note that she had received confirmation from a former cast member that you can return to an attraction any time after the opening of the Fastpass window, no matter how late, as long as it’s the same day. Kelly said that the opening of the Fastpass window is when your next Fastpass is available. Mark noted that it was the opening of the window or two hours, whichever was sooner.
Brian from Riverside called in a voicemail talking about participating in the CHOC Walk as a member of Team MousePlanet. He described his experience on the day of the walk. Brian also thanked his sponsors for helping to raise the money.
Brian also sent an email to his sponsors, including Mark, and talked some more about his experience.
We’re now on Facebook! Join the MousePlanet and MouseStation groups. You can also become a fan of MousePlanet or the MouseStation. If you join the club and use Pieces of Flair, you can get your MousePlanet and MouseStation flair from Mark (though you have to friend him first).
MouseFest
Registration is now open for MouseFest! You can sign up now, and check out the many meets being hosted by MousePlanet as you plan your trip.
Listener of the Month
If you’re interested in joining us aboard the MouseStation as our “Listener of the Month”, call the toll-free feedback line at 1-866-939-2278 and tell us what the show featuring your guest appearance would be about. Listen to the show for restrictions.
Wrapping up
We’ve put together a new listener survey to help us learn more about you and what you like most about this podcast. This one is much more targeted than the old Podtrac survey. Please take a few minutes to fill it out and let us know what you think.
Don’t forget to go to the iTunes podcast directory and give us a good rating for the combined feed!
You can get your MousePlanet (or MouseStation) swag from the MousePlanet CafePress store and the MouseStation CafePress store.
Also remember to go out to our main podcast page and stick a pin into our Frappr map.
Thanks to our audio engineer and sound editor Steven Ng and to announcer Andrew Rich.
Thank you for listening!