Walkabout The World - A Disney Podcast - Walkabout to Big Thunder with Host Pete

Episode Date: January 5, 2025

Happy New Year, Travelers! This week, join host Pete the Neverland Local along with Producer Josh as they walk through the Magic Kingdom to catch a ride on 'the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness' before it closes for a long refurbishment. Explore some oft overlooked quiet paths in the Kingdom, take in the sounds of several water features, long lines, and then end our time together in Frontierland with a ride on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.   If you like what we do, consider joining our crew on Patreon. These wonderful people help us keep the microphones crisp and the servers warm at night. The best zero cost option for supporting us to give us a five star review on apple podcasts or wherever you listen.   Visit us at walkabouttheworld.com - find links to all the things - attraction episodes, Insta accounts of all the hosts, and even how to buy your own Walkabout shirt!   Look us up at @WalkaboutWDW on Instagram and drop us a note to say hi.   You can now also drop us at line at [e-mail]. Say hi, tell us how you found us, and give us some suggestions on things you'd love to hear.   Walkabout The World is a weekly Disney podcast, always recorded on property at Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort with the simple goal of making you feel like you are in the middle of the magic.

Well, welcome back, travelers. Happy New Year. This is Pete, a.k.a. Neverland Local, and today we are going to head over to Magic Kingdom and say a little ta-ta for now, so to speak, to Big Thunder Mountain in Frontierland. So I can't do this alone today. I am here with... Hey, it's me, Josh. Producer Josh and me, Neverland Local, going to head over to Magic Kingdom here soon. So come along, will you?

Hey, Pete, you got a friend in me. It's me and you, boy. Great. That's fantastic. I can't wait for all the friend stuff. Yay. Yay. Yay. We have made it to Magic Kingdom. Busy, busy Magic Kingdom.

Main Street, USA. Pretty busy, huh, Josh? It is. It looks like most of the people are headed out. That's nice. Yes, definitely swimming upstream right now. We are walking right down the middle of Main Street, USA. Very difficult to say that without singing yet. The castle is illuminated with golden hour light.

It sure is. Did you have a photo of that? So the goal for today is to head over to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. And hopefully is to head over to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and hopefully ride it today. We'll see how that goes. Do you want a picture with all of them? But until we get over there,

here is some ambiance of Main Street, USA. A busy, chilly Main Street, USA. We'll see you in a little bit. The only reason I'm not here is because my mother-in-law is going to be here. Thank you. So currently passing Casey's on our left-hand side, and the ice cream parlor on our right-hand side and that golden castle in front of us. How do you feel about the pink thing? The pink of the castle?

You know, at first, I didn't really like it. I like the old-school look of it, The pink of the castle. You know, at first, I didn't really like it. I like the old school look of it, but you know, it's grown on me. I'm kind of used to it now. It does make that color pop, like when the sun hits it. I miss the gray. Yeah. The classic gray. But it does make that look beautiful for sure agreed I mean, if you listen to Walkabout, you know that we have to stop by and listen to the

sounds of a fountain or a water feature here on property. We arrived there and the one who gave the water was mine All right, so for wayfinding purposes, we went to the right inside the hub, and to our right would be Tomorrowland, and at about 11 o'clock would be Cinderella Castle. What do you say? Do you want to walk through the castle? Yeah, let's go through the castle? Yeah. Let's go through Fantasyland. Let's go through. You know, I feel like this pathway is oft overlooked.

You think? Let's go this way. Okay. Towards Cosmic Rays? We'll still go through the castle, but let's go up this way behind me. Gotcha. Sounds good. So we made a right turn. I want to show you one of my favorite views of the castle. Is it between those two bushes?

It is between those trees. It's just so great and friendly. It's not those trees. It's just so great and framing. Yes. I've got some loud speakers over here. Do you think they did that on purpose? I think they probably saw an opportunity. They are the same on both sides, but... Pausing here for Producer Josh to take a quick photo of the castle. That's something you don't witness in Fajikini very often these days. What's that? Walking through a cup of smoke.

Oh yeah. Alright, quickly stopping by the waterfall outside of Cosmic Rays. For sure, for sure. Alright. Headed over to what used to be a meet and greet with Merida. And now it's a meet and greet with Mirabelle. We'll hang a

hard Louie. Ricky and Louie. Left and right. Hard. Louis. Ricky and Louis. Left and right, hard. Here's something else we need to talk about. So walking back up the path as if you're almost going to run right into Cinderella Castle. And the wishing well is on our left hand side.

People often walk by without seeing the Cinderella mountain, the wishing well, the Cinderella well. Disneyland has the Snow White wishing well. It's our bird. Say cheese, everybody. Did you make a wish, Pete? I didn't make a wish. I don't have any coins on me. Don't you have to have a coin to make a wish?

But yeah, on this path near the wishing well, there's nobody over here. The park is full. Hustle and bustle. A lot of people everywhere, except for right here. A couple people here and there, but not... kind of off the beaten path. So definitely check this out if you haven't before. Often overlooked area here at Magic Kingdom. All right, so before we head over to Frontierland, we're going to stop here into Sir Mickey's and just walk around a little bit.

Another often overlooked shop here in Fantasyland and Magic Kingdom. Can I just say too, behind us is the back side of the castle and I find it kind of funny that if you're around for the 25th anniversary of Cake Castle

they did more for decorating here than they did for that. There's garlands and stuff on the back of the castle. For sure. But on that horrendous pink cake, there was nothing. It was naked in the back. I just wanted to show you what everyone could see, right? Don't look at the back.

Don't look at the back. I don't know. I'll give it to you. Okay. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. So inside Sir Mickey's you'll find a lot of dresses and princess items, prince items,

things like that. There also is one really cool kind of hidden item if you will. We'll walk over there. Here. So what are you taking a picture of, Josh? It's the giant. It is the giant. He's peeking through. He's lifting up the ceiling.

It's such a great little hidden... It's not a hidden Mickey but a hidden item detail here. very cool. beanstalk all over here and Mickey over in the corner. and Minnie was on that end as well. just like everything else, very detailed. Alright. So the back side of the castle to our right would be where you would meet

Cinderella and Elena. Right in front of us is the sword and the stone. What used to be here, Pete? Remember? What used to be here, Pete? Do you remember? What used to be? What ride? Snow White? Yep.

Snow White's Scary Adventures? Scary Adventures, yeah. Here are some little ones trying to pull out the sword from the stone. Have you ever pulled out the sword from the stone, Josh? I have. Have you pulled it out or have you tried? No, I got to pull it out once. That's awesome.

When I was a kid. That's awesome. I tend not to let big kids get in. Unless you're a celebrity. For sure, for sure. Alright. Alright. So onward we head.

Carousel here to our right. PhilharMagic to our left. In my opinion, one of the most underrated shows here at all of Walt Disney World Resort. PhilharMagic. It is a tad busy. Alright, so we're walking through Fantasyland. Right to our right hand side here is It's a Small World. The line is as far out as you could be without being outside and what is it what does the sign say 35 minutes what do you think josh

no way i bet that's at least 50 minutes if not an hour i love it unless they packed it with more boats. Walking through the area of lanterns. The lantern bathrooms, if you will. The most photographed bathrooms on the planet, I think. Rapunzel's Tower used to be... Skyway. Skyway.

I remember boarding the Skyway right now. Another waterfall here at the Walt Disney World Resort. Take a moment to enjoy the waterfall. Now as you head out of Fantasyland, you'll notice, you won't notice, but we notice on the ground here, the ground changes. Changes here from, we got Fantasyland and now we have magically been whisked away to Liberty Square.

Haunted Mansion. Wow. Fifteen minutes? I dare to say that's longer than fifty minutes. More than thirteen. That's for sure. Definitely not thirteen. Harbor House

straight ahead. And Josh is currently walking in the trail of poop. Poop trail. I'm not the only one. Look at all these people. At least I know what it is. And the line for Haunted Mansion continues. Wow! So you don't know if you're getting on the Liberty Bell or in line for Haunted Mansion.

There's the standby marker. Quick service seating area to the left, right in front of the Liberty Bell loading dock is where the standby for mansions right now. Yikes. Even the lines for turkey legs is long. I hope you packed your patience. People in the stocks? I don't think there's an inch of Magic Kingdom, but there isn't somebody in. I don't think I've ever really paid attention to this. Okay, straight ahead.

Isn't that funny? It is. How you can come to some place for 40 years of your life and still see new vistas of this very familiar place. Exactly. It's crazy. It just depends on the time of day and which way you go. Love it. And you pointed it out.

I'm looking directly at it, and I'm looking at Josh going, what do you want me to see? No, duh. Right in my face. I took a picture. All right. So wayfinding here to the left. Diamond Horseshoe to the right. The path.

The express pass. The express path. I can't talk today. The express path all the way to Big Thunder Mountain. Another nice, quiet pathway. Correct. With a couple of small waterfalls on the way. And ducks.

And lots of ducks. And walls. Walls in front of the Frontierland Arcade. That soon will be turning into a DVC lounge, I believe. Is that music change? Slowing it down. It is pretty remarkable though here at Magic Kingdom. So it is busy.

It's not warm by any stretch. It's a little chilly. Yet it's very pleasant. Beautiful sunset. Beautiful views all around. And Josh playing the air harmonica. Not sure I've seen that one before. Big Al's still to our right.

And the Country Bear musical jamboree to our left. There's a great photo of Big Thunder Mountain. Still in the distance. Alright, so we have arrived on the bridge outside of Tiana's Bayou Adventure. So Tiana's Bayou Adventure to our left. Cue the screaming. And Cinderella Castle from the side, her silhouette. It's reflection.

To the right. It is a great reflection reflection photo you know when you look down and you see tape arrows on the ground telling you the direction No, totally. No, more. I can't fit out. I can't. So, Times Square Island's windmill still moving to our right-hand side. And again, Tiana's Bayou Adventure here on our left. And the mass of humanity in front of us. Wow. That's in the middle.

This Big Thunder Mountain. Big Thunder Mountain's line is where Tom Sawyer Island's line starts. And it says it's 80 minutes. I don't believe it. Because her sign says 80, and the sign at the standby part at Big Thunder says 75, and there's no way that from her to it is five minutes. But, Big Thunder Mountain. Big Thunder Mountain. So if you have, haven about it, Big Thunder Mountain will be undergoing a refurbishment.

And people are getting their last rides in. So this is what's currently happening now. So this corner of the park here in Frontierland is getting busy this evening. Liberty Bell wants you to know all about it. Thank you. My God. 80 minutes. It's 80 minutes. 80 minutes? My God. There's no problem. There's no problem.

The line does not work. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

No. Shall we hop in line and through the magic of editing, we'll ride the ride? I think we should. All right, let's go. Let's hop in line. Let's go. For your safety, stay seated and keep your hands, arms, feet and legs inside the train. Take care of your little ones. Thank you very much. and move them cause this here's the wildest ride in the wilderness! R1 The I'm sorry. Yeah! I'm going to go in. Oh my god! and the Woo! Thank you. Well, you know what?

That was a great ride. Josh, what did you think? It was worth all 80 minutes. Was it really? Was it really worth it? No, it was great. 80 minutes later. Big Thunder Mountain is always a great ride. We always have such a great time on that.

I remember riding when I was a little kid, and now I'm 40-something years old, and it still holds up. It's a great ride. Yeah, looking forward to seeing what they do and why it's going to be closed for almost two years. Yeah, it's going to be weird not having this ride open, to be honest. We've gone through some refurbs, but not nearly this long.

So we'll see what happens. This corner of the park is going to be walled up, maybe, and we'll see. And we'll hope for the best and see it when it comes back. If it opens without the explosive ending, I quit. Maybe they will, Maybe they won't. We'll see. I've been waiting that for years. So with that,

we're going to go ahead and let you go. We do appreciate you listening. Thank you so much for listening. And hope to see you in the world very soon. Hey, before we go, let's give a couple shout-outs to our wonderful patrons.

At the Beautiful Tomorrow level, we've got Beck Castle, Dylan Aaron Zeese, Bryony Grant, Derek at Satisfactual Sign Company, John Hamilton, Meredith Izzo, Hannah Ginn, David Krause,

Jessica Davis, Lindsay O'Connell, Courtney Otter, Cara Louisa Moody, Lori B, Randall Lynch, Barbara Torino, Barry Campbell, and Norm Disney.all Lynch, Barbara Torino, Barry Campbell,

and Norm Disney. Then at the Living Laboratory level, we've got Debbie Gambala, Eric Steinhauer, Josh Meccano, James Beecham, Rhiannon Shigeris with Kingdom Consultants, and Eric Atusa.

Thank you so much for listening, you guys. We love you guys, and we hope you had a wonderful New Year's and holidays, and we look forward to starting a new season here pretty soon. We're looking forward to bringing you along with us. That said, we'll see you real soon. Why don't y'all go all the way down? thank you so much for listening and following along with us each week here at walk about the

world for our little in park family reunion that we do. We really, really appreciate each of you that listen. You can find us online at walkabouttheworld.com where you can find links to pretty much everything that we do, including attraction ride-throughs and where you can get your very own Walkabout t-shirt if that's a thing that you would like to do. You can find us also on Instagram at walkaboutwdw. You can find each of our hosts on Instagram. Find me, Jeremy, at jeremy__hunt__fl. Our producer, Josh, at thesteel

with an E. Pete at Neverland Local. Rick at Optical Jedi. And Michelle at Havoc Jedi. If you like what you hear, can you do us a favor? Wherever you listen, please give us a rating or a review. It helps a lot. It helps people find us, and it really makes our day

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Lastly, we want to end the way we always do by saying there's a great, big, beautiful tomorrow out there. And we will see you in one of those tomorrows on a future episode of Walk About the World. Bye, everybody. © transcript Emily Beynon