What makes runDisney worth the 2:30 AM alarm?

Carissa Galloway—RunDisney’s first female race announcer—joins us to explain why these races feel different, what happens behind the scenes before runners reach the start line, and how the community has changed during her two decades with the event.

Carissa also shares the finish-line story she has never forgotten, how runDisney can turn first-time participants into lifelong runners, and the fueling mistake that leaves too many athletes starting their race dehydrated and underprepared. Plus, we discuss costumes, running and announcing on the same morning, marathon training, and why no distance should ever be dismissed as “just” a 5K.

Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode.

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Timestamps

00:00 Carissa Was The Face of RunDisney

03:40 Why RunDisney is Unlike Any Other Race

07:20 Is Disney the Perfect Place for Your First Race?

12:31 Carissa’s Journey to Announcing for RunDisney

16:15 The Evolution of RunDisney

19:00 Creating the Energy at the Finish Line

23:53 Behind the Scenes of a RunDisney Race

29:25 The Incredible Stories Behind the Races

36:23 Prepping to Announce Everything from Ironman to Power Boating

44:07 The Biggest Mistake Runners Make With Nutrition

50:28 Learn to Enjoy the Training Process

58:17 Follow Carissa for More RunDisney Fun

59:40 When’s Your Next Race?

Disney has restricted access to resort buses departing Disney Springs, closing a loophole that allowed guests to park for free and travel through a resort to the theme parks.

But is this really about parking—or is Disney beginning to make the “Disney bubble” less open?

We break down who the new rule affects, why some resort guests support it, the unexpected problems it creates for locals and Annual Passholders, and whether resort hopping, holiday displays, the monorail, or the Skyliner could eventually face similar restrictions.

We also ask the larger question: are Disney fans overreacting, or is this a small change that could set a major precedent?

Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode.

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Timestamps:

00:00 Big Changes to Disney Transportation

04:02 Our New Studio

05:35 The Free Parking Loophole Disney Just Closed

12:14 Is Disney Actually Making a Good Decision?

22:22 Did Disney Just Ruin Your Next Vacation?

30:48 Where Do We Go From Here?

41:13 Is Everyone Overreacting or Is There Valid Concern?

49:40 Do You Think the Transportation Changes Will Impact Your Vacation?

What is the single greatest thing in all of Walt Disney World?

Are classic attractions better than modern rides? Can a Disney snack beat a character meet-and-greet? And when listeners vote, which part of the parks rises above everything else?

In our 400th episode, we reveal the final results of our Best of the Parks Tournament, as voted on by you, the listeners. After weeks of matchups across classic attractions, modern attractions, food and snacks, and character meet-and-greets, only one Disney World favorite can be crowned the champion.

In this episode, we cover:

• The final results of our listener-voted Disney World bracket
• Classic attractions vs. modern attractions
• Disney snacks vs. character meet-and-greets
• The biggest surprises from the tournament
• What Disney fans chose as the best thing in Walt Disney World
• A look back at 400 episodes of Enchanted Ears

Thank you for listening, voting, and being part of this milestone with us. Here’s to 400 episodes — and the magic still to come.

Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode.

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Timestamps

Celebrating 400 Episodes 00:00

Building the Bracket 02:17

These Were Some Tough Choices 03:50

The Podcast Throughout the Years 15:22

The Best Attractions at Disney World 19:14

Is Mickey Mouse’s Win Inevitable? 24:42

Thank You to Everyone Who Supported Give Kids the World 27:33

The Single Greatest Thing at Disney World 30:21

What would you do if you opened your email and saw a message asking if you wanted to audition for Mickey Mouse?

This week, we’re joined by Bret Iwan, the official voice of Mickey Mouse, to talk about the surreal path that led him from artist and Disney fan to one of the most iconic roles in entertainment history.

Bret shares how he found out about the opportunity, what the audition process was like, and how he approaches voicing a character who means so much to so many people around the world.

In this episode, we cover:

• The email that changed Bret’s life
• How someone auditions to become the voice of Mickey Mouse
• What it means to carry on a role once held by Walt Disney, Jimmy MacDonald, and Wayne Allwine
• Bret’s background as an artist and illustrator
• How he approaches Mickey’s voice without making it about himself
• The rare connection between drawing Mickey and voicing Mickey
• Why Mickey still represents optimism, imagination, and Disney magic

Whether you grew up with Mickey Mouse, love Disney history, or are fascinated by voice acting, this conversation is a heartfelt look at the legacy behind Disney’s most iconic character.

Follow Bret on Instagram

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Timestamps

We LOVED Talking with Bret Iwan 00:00

Bret Does a Pretty Good Mickey Impression 02:15

Growing Up With a Love of Disney 04:16

Designing Hallmark Cards 07:45

Do You Want to Be the Voice of Mickey Mouse? 16:11

The Difficulty of Life as a Voice Actor 25:52

Painting Mickey Mouse’s Official Portrait 28:47

Creating Opportunities for Yourself 34:44

Exploring More Depth in Mickey’s Personality 37:53

What Does Mickey Represent? 48:17

How Has Bret’s Relationship with Disney Changed? 50:42

Reflecting on the Legacy of Voicing Mickey Mouse 54:24

Bret’s Connection to Walt Goes Further Than Mickey 59:12

Taking the Leap Into Storytelling 01:04:39

Bret’s Disney Favorites 01:09:29

Follow Bret for More! 01:14:15

What does immersive entertainment actually mean — and why does it feel like the future of theme parks?

This week, we’re joined by Sage Starkey to talk about storytelling, guest agency, themed entertainment, and what it takes to make audiences feel like they truly belong inside a world.

From experiences like Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser to interactive theater, live performance, and projects like The Good Neighbor Game, Sage helps us understand how immersive experiences are built from the ground up — and why the guest is such an important part of the story.

In this episode, we cover:

• What immersive entertainment really means
• How creators plan for unpredictable guest behavior
• The balance between freedom, play, and a defined narrative
• What Galactic Starcruiser taught us about interactive storytelling
• Why immersive entertainment may only be getting started

If you love Disney parks, themed entertainment, the Starcruiser, or the future of storytelling, this conversation is a fascinating look at where experiences could go next.

Help us reach our goal of raising $4,000 for Give Kids the World Village by donating here.

Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode.

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Timestamps

The World of Immersive Entertainment with Sage Starkey 00:00

Give Kids the World Fundraiser 01:43

What is Immersive Entertainment? 04:00

How to Be More Engaged in Conversations 10:10

How Sage Got Into Themed Entertainment 13:15

Developing the Galactic Starcruiser 17:06

How Much Ownership Did the Cast Have on the Characters? 23:47

The Struggle of Getting Out of Character 27:59

How to Guide the Guests in Immersive Experiences 34:31

You Don’t Know What You Have Until It’s Gone 37:50

How Did Sage Remember Hundreds of People’s Names? 41:00

Good Neighbor Game 43:10

The Future of Themed Entertainment 47:46

The IP ASKING to Be Turned Into an Immersive Experience 51:20

Sage’s Parks Favorites 56:34

Sage’s Favorite AllEars Video 58:07

Did We Just Become Best Friends? 1:00:08

Follow Sage on Social Media 1:03:57

Mickey Bar or Dole Whip?

TRON or Big Thunder Mountain?

Chip or Dale?

Every Disney fan has their favorites, but what is truly the Best of the Parks?

This week, we're kicking off our Episode 400 celebration with the launch of our Best of the Parks Tournament, and we're joined by special guest Quincy from AllEars to help set the field.

Together, we determine the matchups in four categories:

🎢 Classic Attractions

✨ Modern Attractions

🍦 Food & Snacks

📸 Character Meet & Greets

Now it's your turn.

Vote on our website and Instagram and help decide who advances all the way to the championship. The winner will be revealed during our 400th episode celebration.

In this episode, we cover:

• How the bracket works
• Quincy's picks and reactions
• The categories competing for Best of the Parks
• How YOU can help crown the ultimate winner

For complete details, visit: enchantedears.com/400

Donate here for our Give Kids the World fundraiser.

Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode.

Don’t forget to check us out on:

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Timestamps

Welcome 00:00

Give Kids the World Fundraiser 00:56

What’s it Like Traveling Around the World 03:20

Best of the Parks Bracket 06:44

Big Changes for Carousel of Progress 08:17

What are the Best Classic Disney Attractions? 14:16

Is Big Thunder Still the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness? 18:16

The Best Modern Attractions 20:07

Top Snacks at Disney World 30:17

Who is Your Favorite Character Meet and Greet? 40:53

What is Quincy’s Favorite Park? 49:23

We Challenge Quincy! 51:03

Vote Now for the Best of the Parks! 53:53

We're officially kicking off the countdown to Episode 400!

Over the next few weeks, we'll be celebrating with some incredible guests and special episodes, but first, we're launching something even more important—our fundraiser for Give Kids The World Village.

Give Kids The World is an amazing nonprofit that provides cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families, creating memories that last a lifetime.

Our goal is to raise $4,000 over the next month, and we would love your help.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why we chose Give Kids The World Village
• How the charity helps families in need
• Details on our Episode 400 fundraiser
• Ways you can support the cause
• Information about our charity auction and special events

No amount is too small, and every donation helps spread a little more magic.

For complete details, visit: enchantedears.com/400

Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode.

Don’t forget to check us out on:

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Timestamps

Where Did the Past 400 Episodes Go? 00:00

Give Kids The World Fundraiser 01:25

What’s is Give Kids The World? 03:05

Help Us Raise $4,000! 08:53

Pick a Topic for a Future Show 10:40

Charity Auction Starts Next Week 12:22

A Chance for YOU to Win! 14:20

Subscribe So You Don't Miss Some Incredible Interviews 15:04

There's something about the dolls that's kind of creepy."

Believe it or not, that's a real review of It's a Small World.

This week, Joe challenges Angela to a game where she has to identify Disney World attractions based solely on real guest reviews—and many of them aren't exactly glowing.

From classic attractions to modern favorites, some of these reviews make the answers obvious... while others are hilariously misleading.

In this episode, we cover:

• Real Disney World attraction reviews ⭐
• Mostly 1-star reviews from actual guests
• Angela's attempts to guess the attraction
• Some of the funniest complaints Disney fans have ever left
• How many attractions YOU can identify before we reveal the answer

Play along and see if you can beat Angela's score!

Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode.

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Timestamps

Welcome 00:00

Ride One 01:27

Ride Two 05:19

Ride Three 08:18

Ride Four 11:20

Ride Five 13:29

Ride Six 17:18

Ride Seven 18:34

Ride Eight 23:17