Memory 094 - Flights of Wonder

** Binaural Audio **
Time: 33:44
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Come and join us for another installment of the WDW-Memories podcast, where I try to make it possible for you relive your Walt Disney World Memories when you can't actually be there.

We’re flying through spring and heading strong into Summer Vacation. While most people are planning trips, some of them maybe a trip to Walt Disney World, I am looking towards January for mine. Yep, that’s our Disney Cruise, but in the meantime all we do is wait and read up online about the cruise. This is the time that just seems to drag on. I know soon things will begin happening again though, so I look forward to that day. Meanwhile, lets get back to Walt Disney World and blaze a trail through the forests Disney’s Animal Kingdom to the back and catch a showing of the Flights of Wonder.

So how many of us are suckers for bird shows? I don’t know what it is about them but I love bird shows, or animal shows for that matter. And this is not just a bird show. As is always the case, Disney has figured out how to weave a storyline into a show and take it to the next level. I love the stage, you really feel like you’re sitting in an old ruin in the jungle. And the birds dive and swoop so low, you can’t help but feel like you’re in the middle of the show, instead of on the outside looking in.

Unfortunately when I was planning this memory, I didn’t leave much time for you to write in and tell me your favorites. There were a few likes on the Facebook page, and even one comment that said that they had never seen it, which I sadly think might be the case in general. A lot of people tend to skip this show, thinking they’ve seen a bird show before, so why go see another, and they’d be wrong. Like I’ve said, this show is different, and maybe I’ll share a video of this attraction in the near future that will help prove my point

In the meantime, we’re going to go back to 2006 on our anniversary trip. Today, my wife and I are joined by her parents for a day in the parks. They had come over from their home in Tampa, and we got them a night in the Animal Kingdom Lodge as an early Christmas gift. We’d gotten to the Animal Kingdom shortly after opening and raced back to ride Expedition Everest, then over to Kilimanjaro Safaris, and back to Everest. After that we’ve started making our way through Asia and came by just minutes before the next show, so this seemed like the perfect time to stop and watch. We’ll join our memory after already being let in and taking our seat. It’s only a few seconds before our show starts, so you won’t have to wait long before our first bird comes out.

Today’s memory is in binaural, so I’d suggest putting those headphones on to fully immerse yourself in the memory.

Now sit back. Relax. Close your eyes. And come with me as we are amazed by some very exotic and amazing birds.

Memory 093 - Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show

** Binaural Audio **
Time: 49:35
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Come and join us for another installment of the WDW-Memories podcast, where I try to make it possible for you relive your Walt Disney World Memories when you can't actually be there.

So I don’t know about where you live, but here in Kentucky the weather has been about as perfect as you can get. It’s 70 degrees, clear blue skies, bright sunny days, and cool nights. Spring has finally arrived (of course so has allergy season). I know Orlando is much warmer right now, but I’d be lying if I said I’d wouldn’t rather be at Walt Disney World. And today we’re going to be visiting a memory of a newer show that is every boys dream. Today we get to watch cars zoom, fly, and blow up. Today we get to go back to Disney's Hollywood Studios and to visit Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show.

So our request came in via that voicemail from Brandon in Memory 092. He requested both Stitch’s Great Escape and today’s memory. He also requested Doug Live which unfortunately I don’t have. But I do have memories to pull from of Lights, Motors, Action!

So I have to admit, I’m torn on this show. I’m a stunt show fan, and Indiana Jones is still my favorite stunt show of all time. This one is a great second, however there are times though I get a little bored. While I get that there is little about this show that can change, it unfortunately doesn’t have the rewatchability that Indi does to me. Maybe it’s just a little too cheezy, I don’t know, but it just doesn’t have that depth of story, or sets that you do just around the corner in the same park.

But that’s my opinion and I wanted to hear yours. So per usual, I sought out your memories of Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show on social media and these are the responses I received:

On Facebook, Daniel wrote:

First attraction we seen on our very first wdw visit! My infant son at the time was completely amazed at the fast cars and the flames!! Must see for us!

Also from Facebook, Chris wrote:

I was lucky enough to see it before it officially opened back in May of '05. Fast cars, full scale stunts and a big ole' fireball! Can't wait for it. Took a video of it last time I was there but my camcorder couldn't handle the sounds. Looking forward to the great audio to go with it. 

P.S. not a good idea to listen to the soundtrack while driving. Makes you want to do some reenactments

Great advice Chris, guys don’t listen and drive. Great memories also. I’d love to hear more of your memories so make sure you stop by our social media sites to share more.

So for Today’s memory, I had 2 to choose from, and well I’m going with our Anniversary recording from 2006. On this afternoon, Traci and I were joined by her parents in the Hollywood Studios (then Disney MGM Studios). We spent the morning in another park and have hopped over here for the afternoon, mostly so I could share this show with them, my father-in-law especially. We’ve arrived in the park and headed straight back to the back to catch the last showing of the day. As we get there, we’re ushered to some pretty good seats about 2/3rds the way up and just slightly off to the right. We’ll join this memory just as the First Assistant Director comes out and tells us just a little about the show and setting up the “shooting a movie” backstory. She’ll finish and we’ll get to listen to 5 minutes of music and crowd noise, and me blabbering on to my family about everything before our Assistant Director returns and the special family get’s to kick off the show.

Today’s memory is in binaural, so I’d suggest putting those headphones on to fully immerse yourself in the memory.

Now sit back. Relax. Close your eyes. And come with me as we are amazed by tricks and choreographed acrobatics all done in a vehicle.

Memory 092 - Stitch's Great Escape! 2

** Binaural Audio **
Time: 36:58
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Come and join us for another installment of the WDW-Memories podcast, where I try to make it possible for you relive your Walt Disney World Memories when you can't actually be there.

Well hello from the home of the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Champion Louisville Cardinals. Yeah, that was some game the other night wasn’t it?! Now if only the Orioles could do the same thing in Baseball. But it’s the start of a long season, so we’ll just have to wait and to see how this plays out. In the mean time, there has to be some way to fill the time. Oh yeah, let’s maybe daydream about another Walt Disney World attraction. Today we’re going back to relive a memory we once visited before. Today we’re going back to Stitch’s Great Escape in the Magic Kingdom. Our request came from a voicemail from Brandon in Texas again.

Now I know what some of you may be thinking. “Didn’t he do Stitch's Great Escape! before?” and you’d be right. Back in 2006 I released a combined show of Extra TERRORestrial Alien Encounter and Stitch’s Great Escape as Memory 004. But I have no problems going back and redoing some earlier memories too that maybe were recorded on a previous recorder. Now I don’t have anything new to share for Alien Encounter, but I did get to revisit Stitch last summer. So we’ll have some new Audio to share.

Personally I like Stitch. I know, it tends to be a bit controversial, but I think that has to do with comparisons to what was there before. Alien Encounter was a phenomenal attraction, and Stitch tends to be a far more cartoony version of the same thing. But if you take it for what it is, Stitch’s Great Escape is a well done attraction featuring some of the best Audio Animatronics available. Combine that with Binaural sound, and special effects lighting in close quarters and you create a very immersive story.

But that’s my opinion. And as usual I wanted to hear yours. So I tossed it out on social media and got the following responses.

On Facebook, Frederick wrote:

This attraction receives a lot of criticism, but my youngest daughter loves it, and she tells me it's her favorite. Hearing my girls laugh so genuinely as Stitch addressed Cinderella warmed my heart. Personally, I think Gantu's comments throughout are what make the show hilarious.

Stacey also wrote on Facebook:

I remember when that attraction was called "Alien Encounter" or something to that effect. That ride was scary and made me cry back when I was a kid. Now? Even scarier. The smell of chili dog will NEVER leave my nose.

Bella wrote on Facebook:

The first time I went I was TERRIFIED!!! The speakers by your ears makes it seem like he is in one place than the other. I got over it though, thankfully!

Well put guys. Thank you for commenting. And as I’ve said before, these were just some of the comments. Just head to Facebook to see more of them and maybe share some of your own.

As I said earlier, today’s memory was from summer of 2012. It’s a warm June evening and I’ve finished my day at the TechEd convention and headed over to the Magic Kingdom to blow of a bit of steam. I’ve seen some other rides and just finished seeing the updated Hall of Presidents. As I exit the attraction I walk straight into the early showing of the Main Street Electrical Parade. I’ll pause here for a minute and make my way over to Tomorrowland via Fantasyland. We’ll join this memory as we’re making our way across the park and eventually to Tomorrowland. We’ll enter the holding area and just listen to the ambient sounds of Tomorrowland for 3 minutes till the doors open. We’ll be ushered in and the show will begin.

Today’s memory is in binaural and recorded with the new recorder, so I’d suggest putting those headphones on to fully immerse yourself in the memory.

Now sit back. Relax. Close your eyes. And come with me as we encounter again a strange little blue alien.