The Tomorrow Society Podcast

FastPass Plus remains a common topic in the online Disney fan community despite being in place for quite a while. It plays a major role in how guests tour the parks, especially those who want to maximize their visits. I was initially skeptical about the move away from the paper service but have found ways to make it work.… Read more... The post TTSP #18: The Pros and Cons of FastPass Plus appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

There’s been so much written about Disney history in books, magazines, and countless online sites. The Universal theme parks are quite different. They’ve had frequent ownership changes in recent years and haven’t sold the legacy in their marketing. Author Sam Gennawey’s recent books are helping to fill in the gaps of our knowledge.… Read more... The post TTSP #17: Sam Gennawey on JayBangs appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s been a challenging year for Disney. Attendance is slipping, fan grumbling has increased due to higher costs, and attractions haven’t always opened smoothly. They’re still delivering a great experience, but it’s a new world. Universal continues to grab market share thanks to Harry Potter and rapid expansion.… Read more... The post TTSP #16 – Chad Emerson on a New Theme Park Era appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Photo by Dan Heaton It’s easy as a theme park fan to stay focused on the giants in Orlando and southern California. The Disney and Universal parks in those areas dominate the news from professional sites, blogs, and podcasts. I typically concentrate on those same resorts, but it’s enjoyable to take some detours to the regional parks.… Read more... The post TTSP #15: Top 5 Attractions at Six Flags St. Louis appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

The dream of living in Orlando with close access to Disney World has always intrigued me. I live in St. Louis and have no plans to move, but it’s a regular “what if” scenario in my mind. As a blogger and podcaster, I’m envious of people like Lou Mongello and Ricky Brigante that have such close access to the parks.… Read more... The post TTSP #14: Tony Cortese, The Disney Dreamfinders appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Ever since its opening in Disneyland’s New Orleans Square in 1969, The Haunted Mansion has been one of Disney’s most iconic attractions. I appreciate the Mansion’s achievements a lot more now than I did as a kid. There is so much happening in each scene, and the experience begins well before you even board the ride.… Read more... The post 13. James H. Carter II on the Foolish Mortals Documentary appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

I’ve been a fan of theme parks since I was young, but my interest waned during my early 20s. There was no specific reason for the change; other activities just took hold. When I started listening to podcasts in the mid-2000s, I was curious about the Disney shows.… Read more... The post TTSP #12: Doug Barnes, The Season Pass Podcast appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Walt Disney World is a mysterious place for kids; there is so much hiding behind the curtain. For a certain group of fans, that curiosity never goes away. Even as adults, they still look for new ways to explore the parks.… Read more... The post 11. Philip B. Swift on The Dark Side of Disney appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Walt Disney is renowned for his movies and theme parks, but there is a limited supply of strong films about him. The PBS documentary Walt Disney was good but tried to tackle so much. A more singular approach helps Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow: The Futurism of Walt Disney work better.… Read more... The post TTSP #10: Christian Moran, Director of Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

I’ve visited Walt Disney World many times over the years, but I still feel like a novice in a lot of areas. Our most recent trip over MLK weekend included a rare stay at an on-site resort — The Animal Kingdom Lodge.… Read more... The post 9. Seven Lessons from My Walt Disney World Trip appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Planning a vacation to Walt Disney World is so complex, even for frequent guests. When you consider FastPass Plus, ADRs, and larger crowds, building the right strategy is a necessity. The last thing we want is to spend our trip waiting in long lines instead of riding our favorite attractions.… Read more... The post TTSP #08: Len Testa of Touring Plans.com appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

One of my favorite urban legends about Walt Disney is the myth that he was cryogenically frozen. It’s fun because it paints a picture of a grumpy old man waking up to find that his parks are quite different today. The Further Adventures of Walt’s Frozen Head uses the legend as the premise for a fiction film.… Read more... The post TTSP #07: Ben Lancaster, Walt’s Frozen Head appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s a fascinating time for Disney’s theme parks, especially Disney World. They’re seeing unprecedented attendance at the Magic Kingdom this fall and are prepping several major expansions. Can Disney keep up with the capacity demands of being the world’s most popular resort?… Read more... The post TTSP #06: Chad Emerson on Disney World’s Future appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Photo by Erin Heaton Seth Kubersky has a unique perspective on Universal Orlando from working there as a stage technician and entertainment supervisor in the late ‘90s. More recently, he covered theme parks as a writer for the Orlando Weekly and Touring Plans.com.… Read more... The post TTSP #05: Seth Kubersky on Universal Orlando appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Photo by Erin Heaton Sam Gennawey is one of the premier authors covering the world of theme parks. His books explore both Disney and Universal history in greater detail than most titles. Sam’s urban planning expertise gave him a unique perspective to cover Walt’s plans for the city of EPCOT in Walt and the Promise of Progress City.… Read more... The post 4. Sam Gennawey on the Rise of Universal appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s always a thrill to speak with writers and filmmakers that have a passion for Disney history. Thankfully, Christian Moran checks both of those boxes. He’s the author of Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow: Walt Disney and Technology and has created a documentary about the same topic.… Read more... The post 3. Christian Moran, Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

My goal with The Tomorrow Society Podcast is to have engaging discussions with creative minds in the themed entertainment industry. Guests include authors, filmmakers, and other experts that are part of this medium. There is so much to cover in the history of theme parks, especially with Disney.… Read more... The post 2. Ryan Ritchey, Director of After the Fair appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

  We live in a theme park universe. Designers, engineers, and architects mold public spaces to create specific moods. Tactics that Walt Disney and his artists used to shape Disneyland in the ‘50s and ‘60s are everywhere. Museums and zoos have moved beyond educating the public and become themed entertainment.… Read more... The post 1. An Introduction to The Tomorrow Society appeared first on Tomorrow Society.