Thursday, March 6, 2025

Ep 242. The One with Universal's Stella Nova Resort

HEAR THE EPISODE HERE!!!

In the 242nd episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave are taking a look at the park down the street and one of the new hotels that comes with it - or at least, they are listening to the quasi-producer of the show Heather, aka The Moana Mom talk about it, as she's been there!

First, Jenn just returned from Disneyland and gives a quick update on the park, as well as a few tips for first time Landers.  Then Heather gives her take on her recent Disney Wish voyage, and loving the ship - a new take on a previous opinion!

The Epcot Flower & Garden Festival starts today, and Mufasa has a release date... and then, a discussion about one of three new Universal Orlando hotels, Stella Nova Resort.  We chat about the rooms, the resort location, getting to the new Epic park, overall resort categories, and where to stay on property if you are a family with more 4. 

Thursday, February 27, 2025

Ep 241. The One with the Festival of the Arts Recap

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In the 241st episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn and Dave are excited to turn their duo into a Fantasmic Four -- Quasi-Producer Heather and 3rd Co-Host Kyla join the show for a roundtable discussion all about the Epcot event that just ended -- The Festival of the Arts! 

First, Jenn has just returned from the Disney Wish, while Heather is headed that direction in a few days... and KylaKylaKyla has just returned from the parks, and is set to head back soon... while d$ is preparing ever more for his upcoming cruise and park visit. 

Then, a look at the Jan 2026 WDW Marathon Weekend medals...  a preview of the newest Jurassic Park movie... Animal Kingdom extra hours... and Moana 2 hitting Disney+

Finally, a longer chat about all Festival of the Arts.  The good and the better... the food and drink... things that everyone loved to do... the interactivity, and all the things to look forward to in next year's Festival!       

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Ep 240. The One with NO Virtual Queues

LISTEN TO THE SHOW HERE!!!

In the 240th episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave are super happy about the fact we can all ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Tiana's Bayou Adventure as much as we want in a single day (of course, at the mercy of the lines...)

First, Jenn is preparing for her Wish trip in a few days, while d$ is not only looking forward to his Disney Fantasy cruise in March, but also, gives a full review of "Captain America: Brave New World" -- the good and the not quite as good. 

Then, a quick look at some of the just-released itineraries for Disney Cruise Line in Summer 2026.

And finally, they chat about Disney dropping Virtual Queue lines and allowing standby for Guardians and Tiana, and what it means for YOUR trip -- doing rope drops now, how those on the DAS Pass are affected, Lightning Lanes, and why this is all a fantastic thing! 

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Ep 239. The One with Things We Love About Travel

FIND THE EPISODE HERE! 

In the 239th episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave chat a little travel and the things we love about it! And what better way to share the love than chatting with Friend of the Show and podcaster and vlogger extraordinaire THE Derek Frank!

While Jenn is prepping for a Disney Wish sailing, Derek is talking Disney, while d$ found more magic while weekend thrifting. 

Then, a little news covering all the latest for Disneyland's 70th Anniversary celebration, plus the Season of the Force Star Wars news -- all the stuff Disney World isn't getting anytime soon. 

Finally, a random list of things we love about travel... what we love to snack on in WDW... where we love to stay... the ships we enjoy sailing on... the beaches we love to walk... and much more love shared right before Valentine's Day! 

Along the way, random Simpsons chatter... Celine and Peabo.. who sings the Pocahontas songs... and who is Shanice? And excitement over Universal's animatronic dragon! 

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Ep 238. The One with the Imaginary Itineraries

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In the 238th episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave welcome in co-host of The Living with the Landspeeder Podcast and IAmGeek Podcast - Ryan Street (now a fantastic Travel Advisor with Upon a Star Travel!)

Dave is booking excursion for a Disney Cruise, while Ryan is creating new Kyber Crystals... with a Potter twist.

Jenn celebrates the demise of It's Tough to be a Bug coming soon... the film "Mufasa" is headed for streaming... play mini golf at Disneyland... the Garden Rocks series is announced for Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival... and Ryan and d$ breaks down the new "Fantastic Four" trailer

Then, all three plan itineraries to some of Disney and Universal's most exotic lands... how about a cruise through the Galaxy towards Hoth?  Or spending some time strolling Cherry Tree Lane?  Or maybe a week in the spires of Hogwarts Castle, on this first edition of Imaginary Itineraries 

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Ep 237. The One with Big Families

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In the 237th episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave are here to talk about some of the biggest headlines to hit Disney news in a while.

First, more mugs for Jenn, while Dave finally watched "Moana 2" in theaters, and gives his overall honest review of the film.

Then, a look at the brand new Universal resort, Stella Nova, over next to Epic Universe -- and what exactly are those new categories for Universal resorts?

Disney also made a slight change to the Disability Pass Service - we take a look at it. 

Then, Disney dropped on everyone that MuppetVision*3D will be closing in June -- and both of our co-hosts have thoughts, including the one group behind the scenes that really, really needs to up their game. 

Finally -- what to do when you have a group headed to Disney larger than just 4 or 5? Those families with 6 or 7 or more, or groups with larger numbers looking for a resort. We've got you covered -- family suites, rooms with multiple bedrooms, the Treehouse, and much more, as they explain options to you... and what may not work for you either. 

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Ep 236. The One with Disney Character Dining

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In the 236th episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave are here! Well, sort of... in this episode, Dave gives the intro which leads to a special audio presentation of the Upon a Star YouTube Show, Stars Unscripted.

In this episode, it's all about the Character Dining - there are a bunch of places to sit and eat a meal on Disney property, and a lot of them have a chance to meet some of your favorite Disney pals like Mirabel, Tiana, Mickey, Chip'n Dale, and in one special place, even Lilo & Stitch!  Not only do you get your fave co-hosts Jenn & Dave, but also Friends of the Show Bluebird Gifting Co's Emily Ryan and our Travel Advisor pal Donna DeGiacomo.

It's a fun conversation, with a few rabbit trails, lots of great info and advice, and much more! 

Thursday, January 16, 2025

Ep 235. The One with 2024 in Review

FIND THE EPISODE HERE!!

In the 235th episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave recap what was quite a year! Its the annual review of the year's past, this time, a look back, month by month of 2024.

First, Jenn has her DuckTales (Woo Hoo!) coffee cup, and Dave gives his review on the fantastic John Williams documentary "Music by John Williams", available on Disney+

Then, kicking off in January 2024, with the elimination of Park Pass Reservations and the return of the Disney Dining Plan, we revisit some of the biggest stories of the year -- the opening of Tiana's Bayou Adventure... Country Bears closed and opened... Epcot walls coming down... Fort Wilderness Cabins... the Cake Bake Shop... Genie+ going away and Multi Pass is here to stay...

Plus, Epic Universe announcements all year, and Jenn traveling the Western Hemisphere and more!  

And a quick reminder of D23 and all the announcements of things to come... plus, Upon a Star Travel gets some well deserved recognition! 

Thursday, January 9, 2025

Ep 234. The One with the Busy December

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In the 234th episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave finally get to record again!  After an extremely hectic holiday season that saw Jenn take TWO trips to Walt Disney World, while d$ took a 7 day trip that turned into 10 days, they are both here to give the scoop on all the news and reviews.

First up, a quick review of the Disney+ documentary "Jim Henson: Idea Man", a movie that d$ absolutely loved. Then, the fate of Rip Ride Rockit at Universal, plus how Animal Kingdom's Boneyard can be saved.  Free Dining was announced recently, while Big Thunder Mountain and Gran Fiesta Tour are both closed for refurb - one with a much longer down time than the other.

To finally cap off the Christmas season, they give their thoughts on 2024's Jollywood Nights event and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, while Jenn chats about her New Years night spent in Epcot.  

Then d$ shares a little about his travels to WDW, and why three of those vacation days were spent in the hospital - and the incredible respond of Disney.

Friday, January 3, 2025

The ENCORE with the Attraction Bracket

Hear the Bracket ENCORE HERE!!!

It was our 200th episode last April, and our good friend of the show Derek Frank suggested this for ENCORE week here at the podcast... the Attraction Bracket!

Derek put together 64 shows/rides/attractions for a tournament style episode and d$, Jenn, Derek, and Quasi-Producer Heather, aka The Moana Mom, discuss each "match", one on one, to determine the best thing at WDW.

Plus, this ep was when the Tiffany vs Debbie Gibson debate surfaced between d$ and Heather. 

Enjoy (or re-enjoy) this ENCORE ep from April 2024! 

Find the original show notes here! 

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

The ENCORE with D23 News

Hear the ENCORE D23 Ep here!!

 Today's ENCORE episode of the Main Street Electrical Podcast is one of Quasi-Producer Heather, aka The Moana Mom's, faves -- the one with the news from D23.

Back in August, Heather attended D23 in Anaheim and she, Jenn, d$, and #KylaKylaKyla spend a good hour+ discussing all the closings (Tom Sawyer Island, Dinoland) and all the things to come (Tropical Americas, Villains Land, etc), plus lots of speculation (this was recorded before we knew the fate of Muppet Courtyard and Monsters Inc Land.)

You can find the original episode show notes here