Sunday, 6 August 2017

Disney Dream Girls 171 - Walt's Love of Trains

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls podcast for show number 171 for Sunday 6th August 2017. If you wish to listen to the podcast, whilst reading this blog, all you have to do is click on the audio player below. Alternatively, our podcast can be found in most places that host podcasts such as iTunes (click here to subscribe) and Stitcher Radio.
 
Coming up on todays show we look at some news items that caught our eye this week, before  we talk about the Magic of our Steam Trains Tour with our special guest - Becky Manion. We also include details of the trains at Disneyland, what it is to be an engineer and a new exciting tour coming to that park!
Becky Manion 
Becky has been visiting Walt Disney World from the UK since 1995 and is obsessed by all of the details you can find. On her bucket list is to stay in every Disney Resort. Becky has been a guest on the podcast several times and always brings fun, facts and stories from her travels. To find our more and join in with her trips, her blog can be found What_Becky_Did_Next.

The Magic of Our Steam Trains Tour
The tour is priced at $54 and starts at 7.30am (though you need to be at the specified meeting point for 7.30am). It is a walking tour for ages ten and above lasting approximately 3 hours. Part of the tour is backstage and will reveal some of the magic, so if you do not want the illusion spoiled - consider this. 

Arrival at the Magic Kingdom at this time means the ability to take pictures very early or a near empty park - this is a very cool thing for the Disney obsessive! The tour begins at the Mickey floral with introductions, name badges and the issuing of the whisper set headphones. Then you enter the park and are free to take pictures for a few moments before catching the train.

Due to the early start time, no other guests are able to ride the train so as you board you have the entire train to yourself. The train takes you to the roundhouse (where the trains are kept). Here you get to the find out how the trains are prepared each morning for service. Michelle discussed her favourite part - climbing into the cab. Whilst Becky prefered the 'pop off' (see video link below).

Throughout the tour, the guide sews together the history of the trains in the park and also Walt's love of them. The tour finishes in the Main Street Station and guests are given a souvenir momento of a steam train tour pin.

During the podcast, we used audio from two Disney Parks links, as well as youtuber Steven Ford. The links for these can be found below. 

Walt's Love of Steam Trains
Published on Oct 13, 2011
Let Disney historian Jim Korkis, author of The Vault of Walt, be your guide for a fact filled journey 'round the Magic Kingdom Park and into the heart of what brought joy to the man who brought so much joy to others.
'Pop Off' Test

Published on Mar 21, 2013
During a roundhouse tour at Walt Disney World, one of the locomotives conducts a steam pop-off valve test before entering the Magic Kingdom. The tour was "The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains" experience, in which guests can see the Magic Kingdom trains up close. The pressure test that is performed each morning on all the trains in operation is a way for the engineers to test the safety features of the high-pressure boilers.


After recording it was announced that Disneyland would be starting a new tour! This is based on Walt's love of steam trains. Priced at $85 it includes early entry to the park to enjoy a complimentary speciality donut and beverage. Also the tour will include access to the Lilly Belle train carriage. No other details as yet but we will keep you updated!
Disneyland Steam Train Engineers
Published on May 20, 2010
At the Disneyland Resort, every role is a starring role. The Disneyland Railroad's steam train engineers and maintenance team keep the park's locomotives running smoothly.
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