Walkabout The World - A Disney Podcast - One Last Splash Mountain Ride At Christmas In Disney's Magic Kingdom
Episode Date: December 11, 2022Hello Travelers! In a rare Christmas miracle, join all three east coast hosts this week for a holiday trip to the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World to not only bask in the holiday goodness, but also ...to take one last ride on the iconic Splash Mountain before it goes down for refurb and retheme. We begin our journey in Town Center where we listen to the Beacon Of Magic ceremony, and then take a slow walk down Main Street USA, soaking up the Christmastime goodness. Lastly, we go in search of our happy place on the very first Walkabout journey to Splash Mountain. We laugh, sing, and get utterly drenched - a perfect ride. We end our trip with some fireworks and an outro near the carousel. This was a fun one - thanks for coming along with us. As always, use good listening devices as we always record in 4 channel surround sound. We hope you enjoy the episode and thanks so much for following along! Look us up at @WalkaboutWDW on Instagram and drop us a note to say hi! Find our producer Josh also on Instagram at @TheSteele. Say hi to our west coast correspondent Ric at @opticaljedi. Lastly give a shout to our Orlando correspondent Pete at @neverlandlocal. You can now also drop us at line at contact@walkabouttheworld.com. Say hi, give us some suggestions on things you'd love to hear, or even record your own 'Hello Traveler' show open when you are out and about, and we'll work it into a future show!
Transcript
Discussion (0)
Good evening, friends. Look around you. There is a special magic that flows through this land.
A magic of fantasy, swirling with hexadecimal, made more brilliant by the light that lives within you.
It inspires us to wish upon stars, follow our hearts, and find our happily ever afters.
Tonight, as we gather together under the spires of this majestic castle,
our dreams will ignite the magic to create a beacon shining out
and celebrating 50 years of the most magical place on earth. No, wait! No, Lee! Where's Dove?
Let's go!
Let's go!
Well, guys, I don't think we need to even do an introduction.
Intro complete.
Yeah.
We got the timing right on that.
Check that one out. Hello.
Including a fellow young traveler just having a great time.
We checked off the background child already this early in the episode, so we're good.
Hello, travelers.
Welcome to Walk About the World.
Tonight is a fairly special night, not just because it is indeed Christmas time in the Magic Kingdom, but I believe this is the first time that you all will be hearing
me, which you're tired of already.
That would be Jeremy.
Yep, yep.
Myself, Josh.
And.
And me, Pete.
Awesome.
Pete.
Pete Neverhand.
The Neverhand Local?
Wait, what?
Neverland Local?
That's his other account.
We don't get into that we the three of us are here for the first time walking about the world and uh the plan is to
give you uh one last ride on dear old splash mountain before it says goodbye to us all.
So that's the plan.
Whether or not that happens, we'll see.
It is going to happen.
We might just have to wait a little while.
It's okay.
But I haven't been here at night, and definitely not at night at Christmastime.
I mean, I haven't done it this season season so it's been a year have you been
over since uh they uh lit the lit the stuff i have not i've not in fact i haven't even been
to magic kingdom since the last time i was here with pete and that was a long time ago so welcome
home guys and where are we we are currently in uh we're standing in Town Square, right next to the Christmas tree, in between the City Hall and the train station.
The Emporium's lit up.
The theater.
Main Street is freaking glowing.
I love it.
It's awesome.
It is a wonderful feeling when you walk through and just the lights, the smells.
It's a full moon. It is a wonderful feeling when you walk through and just the lights, the smells. It's a full moon.
It is a full moon.
Of course, you know, it's currently 6 o'clock and it feels like it's at least midnight.
Shall we walk right down the middle of Main Street, USA?
Let's do it, you guys.
Can we sing, too?
Oh, we can.
All right.
They don't want to sing.
But we can.
Wouldn't be the first time, won't be the last.
You can fast forward, right?
The last time we were inebriated.
All right, let's go.
Let's go.
Christmas bells are indeed ringing.
Main Street's packed as it should be.
Boys, do you miss the garlands that used to go across Main Street?
Do you miss them?
I'd forgotten about those, actually.
Yeah, they used to go all the way across,
and then they changed it to these little guys on the side because of the parade flow.
Yeah, keep the flame-breathing dragon from getting caught in the garland.
Correct.
It already caught fire.
You don't want it to catch the garland on fire.
Sorry.
No problem.
I'm not getting all the right answers.
Okay. I'm not getting all the right things. I know.
I don't know about you guys, but I had the goosebumps.
The goosebumps from walking down Main Street with all the lights and Christmas decorations.
So, so amazing. It's the small town America none of us ever actually had, but now actually have.
Here it is.
It's strange and wonderful.
Currently passing old Center Street.
Recently repaved, by the way.
Reopened, yes, sir.
So I would guess I should say new Center Street.
Mmm, mmm.
How are we doing today? Good, how are you? Oh, we like the cats! Oh, the cats!
Castle's all decked out and it's 50th. Blues and purples.
Looking gorgeous. I'm a privileged local now.
I'm thinking to myself,
why are all these people sitting on the curb at 6-something p.m.?
And, of course, they're already waiting on the fireworks.
We are taking a left at Casey's.
Can you smell the hot dogs?
Travelers.
I can.
And I'm hungry.
But I have a rule.
I'll tell you in a minute the rule is
no more tube shaped
meat products
will enter my body
in any manner
today or ever
especially at Magic Kingdom.
The last time I did that, I was nigh unto death.
And so,
I'm thinking chicken and waffles.
Or Harbor House.
Excellent choices.
Avoid tubular foods,
says Jeremy.
Okay.
Yes, they still have two hours to wait.
Laying a mainstream.
Crystal Palace passing.
Actually, we're passing it it's not passing
which is your favorite
I gotta say guys this is cool We got a lot left.
I gotta say, guys, this is cool.
Being here together.
I agree.
I love it.
I agree.
It's not getting too savvy, but it's cool.
Oh, we're gonna make it weird.
Don't make it weird!
Well, we're gonna make it weird.
Too late.
That's what we do.
That is what we do.
That is a hashtag that Jeremy has created on his own. Make it weird. Are we really doing that is what we do that is a hashtag that jeremy has created on his
own make it weird are we really here yeah let's go yeah
still open too the cart adventureland egg rolls that also that that also uh tubular accounts
that's that's that's a tubular food as well?
Yes, and it definitely will wreck you.
It tastes wonderful, but...
We're crossing the bridge, headed over to Liberty Square.
These are things that nobody asked for.
They got the Mary Poppins area.
They got a little decoration.
Got some lighting.
Is this a meet and greet area?
It is.
This is where Mary Poppins used to be. Got some lighting. Is this a meet and greet area? Yes. We were very popular.
It used to be.
It looks beautiful.
Yeah, some nice lights over here.
Look at this.
Reflection of the castle, crystal clear light below.
What?
Grab a photo there. All right, gentlemen.
Let us continue our walk.
Scarfed a massive piece of fried chicken in a waffle,
and now we're going to go ride a ride with a giant drop.
What could go wrong?
Yes, I may or may not have consumed a forewarned tubular corn...
I didn't.
No, you didn't.
I stayed away.
I went against Jeremy Hunt's advice,
but it was delicious.
It's still open.
They have first aid tents here somewhere.
Located over there and over there.
We have to remember, so,
Pete just commented on the fact that the riverboat is,
the Lily Bell is open, but, you know,
of course it's open because it's literally only 7 o'clock.
It just feels like it's 1 a.m.
I literally thought that was directed at us.
It does. It does feel and look like it's midnight, but it is only 630. So if there's one thing that we
as Diznerds
enjoy, it is walking down
through Liberty Square
into Frontierland in
the brown trail of
poo.
Hey, speak for yourself.
If you know, you know.
Ambience is quite nice this evening.
Heading over the crossover between Liberty Square and Frontierland.
We're about to go over the mighty Mississippi.
What happens to the poo when it enters the other land?
It runs into the bridge that goes over the mighty Mississippi.
So it goes into the Mississippi.
And Frontier begins.
Shoot an arcade.
Still free.
Oh, you know what?
I'm going to go in the Frontier Trading Post looking for a badge from my dad.
I'm still.
I tried to find it last year.
You do?
Every time I'm here, I always look for it.
And I ask the cash member, and they say,
What are you talking about?
I haven't seen a badge in years.
I haven't seen a badge in these parts.
What accent is even that?
That wasn't a cow poke.
I feel like, you know,
I feel like, you know, They have
Lightyear
Lightyear Pops
in the Frontierland store for some reason
what is?
The Lightyear movie
Funko Pops
Sure
Why not? Let's just do it.
Let's just do it.
Welcome, Liberty Bell.
Well, hello to you, too.
Do you guys remember when they used to do the stunt show up there?
Stunt show? No, I do not.
Or is that before your time?
I don't recall a stunt show. Tell us more. We're talking about on top of Grizzly Hall. A stunt show up there with the gentleman up there, and then there would be a guy walking through this area with his gun holstered.
No?
No, I don't remember that at all.
The only thing I ever remember being up there are, well currently they have the
bears, but also cadaver dance during Halloween are up there.
We also did buy cap guns at the Pirates, the gift shop at Pirates.
That I remember.
Oh, yeah.
Oh, yeah.
You can still get a Cutlass.
No caps, though.
No caps.
No caps.
No cap.
No cap.
No caps.
Is that a youth thing?
It is.
Yes.
As a high school teacher, I know the lingo.
Oh, it's embarrassing.
So I showed my age. All right. I know who the oldest is.
Yes, Jeremy.
That's true.
That is true.
You've got me by, I think, nine years?
Shut up, man.
Well, here you go. This is a good view of Chickapin Hill. Maybe one of the last nighttime views of it in this form that you'll see.
I don't know if you guys will come here in the evening before January 23rd.
I was just going to ask when she goes dark.
Delighted to remember.
January 23rd.
January 23rd.
So I assume January 22nd will be a very busy day here at Edge Kingdom.
Is that the day where there's going to be a run on the merch?
Yeah, all the merch.
Rare everything.
Shall we go?
We shall.
All right, we're going to head in line, guys.
Let's do this. the wildest ride in the wilderness to our right as we head down to Splash Mountain.
Derek, here is your sign, sir.
There it is.
I know you're listening.
We're looking right at it.
Everything is satisfactual.
Weirdly, Derek's is a better sign.
Dude knows how to paint a sign.
He does!
Drop that bass there, Josh.
Yoo-hoo!
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. so
joshua mccall Thank you. All right, we got you a front row seat here on the splash.
Here we go. and be sure to watch your kids. They're a separate thing now. For your safety,
stay seated and don't touch your feet or legs.
Stay in the bathroom.
Be careful.
Be careful.
You have to be a little bit of a fan
of watching your fans
when they attack their rabbits.
I hear tales where rabbits eat in this drama.
I say eat it in the throat.
Bill 1-05.
Before we get too wet, we just need to say,
Jeremy, share this little tidbit of information that we just learned.
So, I moved to Florida 12 years ago.
We've never done this.
It's one of these deals where...
Pause for screams.
Yes.
Where the line is just always too long, we never do it.
And I haven't done this since I was 8 years old.
I don't remember anything.
It's brand new to me.
I love it.
Am I going to be anything, it's brand new to me, I love it. Am I gonna be okay though, Joe?
You can just sit back, relax, there's some water.
I'd like to share a little tidbit that I've been walked off this ride three times.
Three times.
Three?
Yes.
He doesn't mean escort at all. Beautiful,. Three times. Three? Yes.
He doesn't mean escort at all. Beautiful view, beautiful view. There it is.
Yep.
Resort. Resort.
Resort. Look at the tree and the contemporary.
Awesome.
What a view. Passing Br'er Bear's house on the right.
Here we go, Jeremy.
Slippin' Falls.
Slippin' Falls.
Woo!
Let's go.
Oh! Let's go. Oh, yes.
I thought I was safe.
I'm not safe.
That is really called splash rock.
Oh, boy.
Weather's not good.
Oh, boy. Weapons out. This is the main thing. This is the main thing.
This is the main thing.
This is the main thing.
This is the main thing.
This is the main thing.
This is the main thing.
This is the main thing.
This is the main thing.
This is the main thing.
This is the main thing.
This is the main thing.
This is the main thing.
This is the main thing.
This is the main thing.
This is the main thing.
This is the main thing.
This is the main thing.
This is the main thing.
This is the main thing.
This is the main thing. This is the main thing. This is the main here. Right here. Right here. Right here. Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Right here. What's he going to do with that axe?
Normally you would see Brer Rabbit jump.
Looks like he's seen better days
than his animatronics.
We're ready to go.
Pansy, Poppy, and Petunia.
Porcupine.
Hither, thither, and yonk.
Hey Pete, where are we headed?
We're going to the laughing place. The laughing place.
All right, keep your hands down. I'm a little boy, I'm a little boy, I'm a little boy, I'm a little boy, I'm a little boy.
Well, now, you done been sticking your nose in the wrong laughing place this time for sure.
I'm a little boy, I'm a little boy, I'm a little boy, I'm doing it right! Ha ha ha! I'm doing it right! Uh-oh.
Enter at own risk.
Danger.
Watch out.
Beware.
Go back.
Go back.
Wait.
Bucky from Bucky's.
The gas station guy.
That's what he looked like.
He fits in here.
Oh, very ominous.
We're headed to Brer Fox's place, guys.
This is the vulture line.
Then we're at it.
He learned his lesson all right.
But I'm afraid he learned it too late.
Laugh in place.
We've got to go.
Is something bad going to happen, Josh?
Let's just wait and find out. I think we're good.
Mommy!
Mommy!
Oh, sweet Moses.
We will definitely have to take the after photo.
Folks, if the mic is still running.
If you can hear this. Yes... If you can hear this.
Yes, if you can hear this.
How was it in the front row?
Dear...
If only we knew somebody who made signs that told us we make it wet.
Derek, thanks for nothing.
You said babe.
So, second impressions since I'm not eight.
Oh, it ain't done yet.
What?
Oh, my God.
Please hold.
Are you serious?
We're not done?
I was just going to tell you how much I can't believe the ride is like this long.
It's crazy.
But wait, there's more.
Usually we get stuck right here.
Here's your water feature.
Oh, yeah.
Oh, yeah.
Yep.
You get stuck right next to the waterfall.
But good thing we here at Walk About the World enjoy a good water feature
because this entire ride is indeed.
It is water.
It's wind.
We're going to have to release this one on a Wednesday, Jeremy. This entire ride is indeed... It is water feature Wednesday. It is water. It's wind...
We're going to have to release this one on the Wednesday journey.
I'm super happy right now.
Whoa.
Sing it with me, huh?
Alright, here we go.
Get ready to sing, sir.
Oh yeah!
Oh, yeah! It's actually... Thank you. My oh my, I'm going to grab the crawfats and I'm going to stay.
I'm through with moving on now.
This way I'm bored and crying.
The crawfats is where I'm at.
See, see, what happened was, see, Br'er Rabbit, he lives in the crawfats.
See, indeed.
So what happened was, he tricked the mean bear and the mean fox.
And he was like, oh, don't throw me into the briar patch.
So they're all like, oh, let's throw him into the briar patch.
And he was like, I live in the briar patch!
But he didn't tell them that, see. He made them look like a fool.
And now you know the rest of the story.
I do. I do. Are you as drunk as I am?
I am indeed, sir.
So what do you think, sir?
Did you like it?
Did you enjoy it?
This could be at, like, the top of my favorite rugs.
This is amazing.
You have about 33 days.
And now it's gone.
Minus blackout days.
Yeah, no, I'm out soon.
I think I'm going to try to make it back one more time.
Well, I'll bring Jude because he has also not experienced this flash.
Can we do a rideabout?
Can we just ride about all day long?
Ride about the world.
Bring your wetsuit.
Sir, why do you have swimming trunks on?
No reason.
No reason.
That was a full chip.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself in the last row here.
Can we go again?
Can we go again? Aww. I'm telling you not to. I'm telling you not to.
We're walking?
Yeah, we're walking.
Oh, okay.
I thought you were stepping on me.
Hold your head.
Oh, yeah.
Oh, yeah. Isn't that great?
Soaking wet and listening to fireworks.
So after we road splashed the first time, it was almost time for fireworks, and it was a five-minute wait.
It wasn't even really a five minute wait
it was just, that's how long it took us to
walk back to the ride
so we got back on and did
an archive take for you
because the first one
as you've now heard, we talked a lot
so now
we will have a nice clean and pristine
version of the
ride for you later on once she is no longer with us, which will be nice.
So one day when we are missing our beloved Splash, we'll break her out of the archives, give you a little ride.
Out of the vault.
Out of the vault, yes.
The walkabout vault.
The walk-a-vault.
Do you know how difficult that was for me not to talk?
Pete, I'm really proud of you.
You did so great.
Like, I mean, the sign language and everything was back peach faces red i have to talk now for 30
minutes straight because i was so quiet we promised pete he gets the next episode no matter what it is
and it's just you know just you guys are gonna buy me an ice cream now right yes we got you
perfect all right well so that's it from me and...
And me.
Yeah.
And me as well.
From the Magic Kingdom, please look us up on Instagram at walkaboutwdw,
our one and only place where we interact with you.
I don't know if you're fans, but you're at least listeners.
So drop us a line, or you can email us at contact at walkabouttheworld.
Look me up on Instagram at jeremy__hunt__fl.
Who are you, buddy?
Oh, I'm at thesteel, S-T-E-E-L-E.
Yeah.
I don't even need to say what the, he put the E on there already.
Yeah, yeah, I did.
With the three E's.
Three E's, not all in a row.
That's a good one.
And I'm Pete, Neverland Local.
Neverland Local, not Neverhand Local.
Remember from before?
Yeah.
You can follow that account, too.
We don't care.
Not my account.
Not affiliated with Neverland Local.
Doesn't claim credit.
And so, yes.
With that.
Yes, with that.
With all of these.
Follow all of us.
And then, we just had a weird, awkward pause right there.
There's no way to explain it.
Hey, we already told you.
Make it weird, you guys.
Hey, it's weird.
So, Josh, wrap this up, will you?
All right.
Guys, it's been great.
And as always, there is a great, big, beautiful tomorrow.
There is.
And we will see you in one of those next time on Walk About the World.
Bye.
See you later.
See you real soon.