408 - May the 4th be with you (and Hank Lonely)

Photo Credit Len Testa

Welcome to this extra special Disney Dream Girls Podcast, show number 408 for  May 4th 2022.

If you want to listen right now - click on the audio player below. Otherwise, you can catch the show in all good podcast catching places and don't forget to share on your social media channels too!

Photo Credit - Len Testa The 8x10 glossy Len gave away

This is an extra special show to celebrate May the 4th and we welcome our guest Len Testa of Touring Plans to talk about elements of his stay on The Halcyon Starcruiser as well as making his prediction for the opening of the new Tron attraction.

Are you considering a trip on the Star Cruiser? Maybe you are just intrigued? 

Well, you must listen in to this show to hear Len's backstory and details of his experience. 

A rare find - a signed Hank Lonely 8 x 10 glossy - Photo Credit Len Testa

Hank's evening attire - photo credit Len Testa

Photo Credit - Len Testa

If you want to hear more from Len, we highly recommend listening in to the Disney Dish (available in all good podcasting catching places). Additionally, for trip planning to Disneyland and Walt Disney World - visit TouringPlans.com

To get further Disney Dream Girls Podcasts, as well as giving somthing back to the show as a thank you, please visit our Patreon page to find out more https://www.patreon.com/DisneyDreamGirls

We invite you to give your opinions on our Facebook page - find the Disney Dream Girls on Facebook.

You can also subscribe via iTunes to ensure you never miss a show and also, whilst there, why not leave us an iTunes review? Click here for the iTunes page for the Disney Dream Girls.

Our other contact information is:

Twitter @DisDreamGirls and @Jaynephipps

Email info@disneydreamgirls.com

Instagram @DisDreamGirls

We are proudly part of the After Dark Podcast Network @TADPodNetwork

404 - The One With Len Testa

Welcome to the Disney Dream Girls Podcast, show number 404 for Sunday 10th April 2022. 

If you want to listen right now via this page - just click on the audio player above. To ensure you never miss a show make sure you subscribe to us in your favourite podcast catching app. 

Photo Credit Len Testa

This week, we welcome to the podcast Len Testa to answer some listener questions. If you want to know more about the image below, this discussion is currently exclusively only available to our Super and Pixie Dust supporters on our Patreon page https://www.patreon.com/DisneyDreamGirls

Photo Credit TouringPlans.com

Question 1 - how can you do four WDW parks in a day using Genie + and Lightening Lanes?

Four parks in one day including lots of character meets in 2019

If you remember back to 2019, Michelle tackled this. However, Len discusses how things have changed and how it may still be possible to complete this type of challenge. 

Columbia Harbour House in the Magic Kingdom

Satul'li Canteen's offerings in Disney Animal Kingdom

Question 2 - What are the top table and quick service eateries in Walt Disney World?

Where do you like to eat? Was Len spot on with his data? 

Question 3 - What rides should a WDW AP holder ride if they visit Disneyland?

Where did Len suggest our listener David Maruca should visit? 

What top tips would you give him?

That's about it for this week! But you can always keep in touch with us via our social media channels.

We invite you to give your opinions on our Facebook page - find the Disney Dream Girls on Facebook.

You can also subscribe via iTunes to ensure you never miss a show and also, whilst there, why not leave us an iTunes review? Click here for the iTunes page for the Disney Dream Girls.

Our other contact information is:

Twitter @DisDreamGirls and @Jaynephipps

Email info@disneydreamgirls.com

Instagram @DisDreamGirls

We are proudly part of the After Dark Podcast Network @TADPodNetwork

You may be aware we have a Patreon account so if you wish to hear more from us, pop on over to https://www.patreon.com/DisneyDreamGirls where you will find lots of additional shows.

353 - The WDW Transportation Upgrade Discussion

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls Podcast, show number 353, for Sunday 28th February 2021.

If you want to listen, whilst reading these notes, just click the player below or alternatively find us on iTunes, Libsyn, Stitcher Radio, or any good podcast catching apps.

On this week's show, we invited our friend Len Testa to 'armchair imagineer' a way of improving the Walt Disney World transportation system.

You will no doubt recognise Len from his own podcast - Disney Dish but also from TouringPlans.com

So, how did Len tackle this challenge? At the forefront of his mind was to consider the impact on the environment for the solutions he wanted to champion. 

So he suggested two pathways to connect the resorts to the hotels. With Disney recently completing the Grand Floridian to the Magic Kingdom path, these ideas sounded fantastic.  Would you enjoy a stroll from Animal Kingdom Lodge in to Disney's Animal Kingdom?

The next idea was based around using the Skyway and expanding it into a true network. Below, this map shows the current routes.

The idea being, resorts could be connected to parks, as well as Disney Springs, to alleviate the pressure on the bus system plus taking adventure of this cleaner, and popular, transportation system.

We then moved the conversation to looking at the exisiting transportation systems and considering what could be done to improve them.

What do you think to Len's suggestions? We would love to hear from you with what you think.

You may be aware we have a Patreon account so if you wish to hear more from us, pop on over to https://www.patreon.com/DisneyDreamGirls

We invite you to give your opinions on our Facebook page - find the Disney Dream Girls on Facebook.

You can also subscribe via iTunes to ensure you never miss a show and also, whilst there, why not leave us an iTunes review? Click here for the iTunes page for the Disney Dream Girls.

Our other contact information is:

Twitter @DisDreamGirls and @Jaynephipps

Email info@disneydreamgirls.com

Instagram @DisDreamGirls

We are proudly part of the After Dark Podcast Network @TADPodNetwork

332, Walt Disney World the New Normal

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls Podcast, show number 332, for Sunday 13th September 2020. If you want to listen, whilst reading these notes, just click the player below or alternatively find us on iTunes, Libsyn, Stitcher Radio, or any good podcast catching apps.

Coming up on this week's show, we are joined by the wonderful Len Testa of TouringPlans to talk through trip planning strategies for Walt Disney World in these Covid times we are living in. 

Len has spent the majority of the Summer months at Walt Disney World, which is unusual for him, but great news for us as we get to hear first hand just what being there is like at the moment.

Len Testa from Touring Plans

From dining experiences to appreciating new queuing systems to ways to tackle the parks. Listener Anthony is visiting Walt Disney World at the end of September and Len is able to provide some great tips on how to get the best out of his time there.

That is about it for this week and we hope you have enjoyed reading this blog, as well as listening to the podcast. You can find us @DisDreamGirls on Instagram and Twitter. We have the Disney Dream Girls page on Facebook as well as the Disney Dream Girls Podcast Family.   

If you wish to support us financially and keep the show advert free please visit us at Patreon and there you can find out the benefits of doing so, including exclusive additional podcasts!

That's it for this week, thank you for reading and listening to our Disney musings.

Lots of love

Michelle & Jayne xxx

312 Len Tasta Re-Creates His Disney Park

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls Podcast, show number 312, for Sunday 26th April 2020. If you want to listen, whilst reading these notes, just click the player below or alternatively find us on iTunes, Libsyn, Stitcher Radio or via any good podcast catching apps.

On this week's show, we are joined by Len Testa of TouringPlans.com and he steps up to our challenge of creating his own Disney theme park. The criteria being, ten attractions from the past, present, or future.  

Additionally, Len adds in his favourite eateries and discloses where quality control for the Disney Dish Podcast takes place.

1. Pirates of the Caribbean - Shanghai Disneyland
Ride along thanks to SoCalAttractions360

2. Splash Mountain - Walt Disney World
Ride along thanks to Coaster Force

3. Mr Toad's Wild Ride - Disneyland
Ride along thanks to ThemeParkHD

4. Big Thunder Mountain Railway - Disneyland Paris. 
Ride along thanks to AttractionsMagazine

5. Space Ship Earth - EPCOT
Ride along thanks to TouringPlans

6. Horizons - Extinct EPCOT attraction
Ride along thanks to Disney Dave

Additional Horizons information mentioned by Len on the show, thanks to Martin's Videos.

7. Space Mountain from Walt Disney World
Ride along from Disneyland with the lights on from us!

8. Rise of the Resistance - Either Walt Disney World or Disneyland

9. Haunted Mansion from Disneyland

10. Wishes nighttime show formerly of Disneyland.
Full show thanks to Thomas The Imagineer

To hear more from Len, ensure you download The Disney Dish where he and Jim Hill talk Disney, and of course you can visit Touring Plans to help you plan for your next Disney trip.

That is about it for this week. Don't forget our Facebook page by searching Disney Dream Girls and you can also find us on Twitter and Instagram under @DisDreamGirls

If you would like additional podcast content, you may wish to consider supporting us via our Patreon page where there are lots of exclusives awaiting you, so visit https://www.patreon.com/DisneyDreamGirls  

292a Len Testa - Rise of The Resistance Non Spoiler Version

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls Podcast, show number 292a for 23rd December 2019.  We have two versions of this show - this one DOES NOT have spoilers for the Rise of the Resistance attraction. So if you want to stay spoiler-free listen to this show. If you do not mind spoilers, then listen to the show numbered 292.

On this show, Michelle is joined by Len Testa from TouringPlans.com, The Unofficial Guide series, and The Disney Dish Podcast.

Together, they chat through the Riveria Resort and The Rise of The Resistance attraction. Warning - we have released this show twice and this is the version without spoilers! 

As well as chatting about the attraction, Len reviews his stay at the Riveria Resort. 

Photo Credit TouringPlans.com

If you have stayed or eaten there - we would love to hear from you! This is a link to the full review of the Riveria Resort from Touring Plans Touring Plans Review.

Well, that's just about it for this show, as usual, you can contact us via Email: info@disneydreamgirls.com 

Follow our posts on Twitter @DisDreamGirls and Instagram @disdreamgirls. Plus don't forget our Facebook page by searching Disney Dream Girls. 

Finally, if you want additional content from the show why not consider joining our Patreon supporters. To find out more visit Disney Dream Girls Patreon Page.

292 Len Testa - Rise of The Resistance Spoiler Version

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls Podcast, show number 292 for 23rd December 2019.  We have two versions of this show - this one has spoilers on the Rise of the Resistance attraction. So if you want to stay spoiler-free - listen to show 292a. If you do not mind spoilers, then listen to this show!

On this show, Michelle is joined by Len Testa from TouringPlans.com, The Unofficial Guide series, and The Disney Dish Podcast.

Together, they chat through the Riveria Resort and The Rise of The Resistance attraction. Warning - we have released this show twice and this is the version with spoilers!

We start the show discussing the recently opened Riveria Resort. Len was actually at the resort when the show was recorded! He is full of praise for the theming and food however instead of us paraphrasing Len - use this link to his full review of the Riveria Resort Touring Plans Review.

Photo Credit TouringPlans.com

We then move on to talking about the Rise of the Resistance and along the way we discuss how to be able to get on to the attraction, the experience and also why there are some operational issues with it. If you have ridden - why not get in touch and let us know your thoughts!

Well, that's just about it for this show, as usual, you can contact us via Email: info@disneydreamgirls.com 

Follow our posts on Twitter @DisDreamGirls and Instagram @disdreamgirls. Plus don't forget our Facebook page by searching Disney Dream Girls. 

Finally, if you want additional content from the show why not consider joining our Patreon supporters. To find out more visit Disney Dream Girls Patreon Page.

Disney Dream Girls 266 - Walt Disney World Touring Plans

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls Podcast, show number 266 for Sunday 23rd June 2019.  If you want to listen, whilst reading these notes, just click the player below or alternatively find us in iTunes, Libsyn, on Stitcher Radio or via any good podcast catching app.

Coming up on this weeks show, Michelle is joined by Len Testa of Touring Plans to discuss how to tackle the four Walt Disney World theme parks in one day. 

In Len's plan, Michelle would start her day at Disney Hollywood Studios. Once in the park, she would be able to enjoy 6 attractions (Slinky Dog Dash, Toy Story Midway Mania, Alien Swirling Saucers, Rock n Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror and Star Tours). According to his data, Michelle would be able to leave DHS by 10:36am and she should allow 45 minutes to travel onwards to EPCOT.

Once in EPCOT, Len suggests, Test Track, Soarin, Space Ship Earth and Frozen Ever After. These could be accomplished by 2.20pm and that is 11 attractions completed already!

Next park is Disney Animal Kingdom. He suggests Kilamanjaro Safari, Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest and Dinosaur.  Some of these are accomplished by single rider line, fastpass on the day, or waiting in standby. He estimates a departure time of 7.05pm.

Now for this journey to the Magic Kingdom, he recommends using a taxi/Lyft or Uber to the guard station at The Contemporary. This trick alone can save up to 70 minutes.

Once at the Magic Kingdom, he advises she should be able to ride; Big Thunder, Pirates, Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Seven Dwarves Mine Train, Space Mountain, Peter Pan's Flight, Buzz Lightyear and end with a sneaky People Mover ride.

That is a staggering 24 attractions in one day - when the average theme park guest usually only manages 10. There is a note to add - this was using Magic Kingdom extra magic hours til 1am.

That's all we have for this week, if you want more Disney Dream Girls audio - why not become a supporter via our Patreon page https://www.patreon.com/DisneyDreamGirls  

On our Patreon page already this month, patrons at Supporter and Pixie Dust level had access to a full binaural ride through of the Phantom Manor plus pre and post ride chat. Why not take a look and consider if you could support us.
   
You can contact us via Email: info@disneydreamgirls.com 
Follow our posts on Twitter @DisDreamGirls
and Instagram @disdreamgirls and join in our chat on Facebook DisneyDreamGirlsPodcast.  
 
Michelle and Jayne x    

Disney Dream Grils 245

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls Podcast, show number 245 for Sunday 27th January 2019.  If you want to listen, whilst reading these notes, just click the player below or alternatively find us in iTunes, Libsyn, on Stitcher Radio or via any good podcast catching app.

On this weeks show, we share part two of the interview Michelle recorded with Len Testa. In this show, we talk about all the Disney theme parks and what is coming over the next few years. 

Below are some photo highlights of the things we discuss. 

Disneyland Paris
We discuss the changes coming to Hotel New York New York and also the food offerings for the Season of the Force.

Yoda Cookie - Photo Credit Liz Read

Disneyland California 
Bugs Life is going, Marvel Land is coming and also the closings and openings of businesses in the Down Town Disney area. 

Disney Cruise Line
New ships and hopefully hints, names and itineraries of these. We also brought into the conversation the future of Castaway Cay and what will happen at Lighthouse Point.

Photo Credit Paul Towarnicki

Disney Aulani
Len shares details of his recent trip to Aulani.

Photo Credit - Donna Phillips Quackenbush ‎

Disney Galaxy's Edge
We discuss at length regarding what Disney is doing to prepare for the crowds.

Illuminations Firework Packages
Rose and Crown so far has been advertised, will there be more? We both think there will be. Do you think $85 per person is value for a meal, alcohol and a view?

Blackpool Pleasure Beach
We comment because deep down we love it!

The Big One

Steeple Chase

Thats about it for this week, if you would like to contact us, please use one of these methods:

Email us info@disneydreamgirls.com 
Follow our posts on Twitter @DisDreamGirls
and Instagram @DisDreamGirls 
Join in our chat on Facebook DisneyDreamGirlsPodcast

And finally, you can support the show financially by visiting https://www.patreon.com/DisneyDreamGirls