Meet Madisen Thero of Mouse Reels, a Disney Podcast

Madisen Thero is a junior Zoology major at Colorado State University. She is a member of the CSU Marching Band and is currently serving as Flute Section Leader. In her spare time, she podcasts with Jesse Barrett of WDW Through Jesse's Eyes on Mouse Reels and has a video blog channel on YouTube.

1. How did you decide to start a podcast about Disney movies?

Jesse and I talk many times during the week, and one day he said we should do a Disney podcast, so I said "Why not?".

2. What is it about Disney movies that keeps you coming back to them as a viewer?

The nostalgia kick is always there, growing up on all things Disney/Pixar as my family members are also fans. I also put the movies on to remind myself of the beautiful storytelling there; one of the closest things we have to magic is good storytelling, and Disney certainly paved the way for that. Also, as a college student, I need a pick-me-up once in a while.

3. Do you find that you have different feelings toward movies that you first saw as a child (like The Lion King) and movies you saw for the first time as an adult (like Frozen)?

Of course! With my childhood favorites, it's hard to say anything bad about them since they are dear to my heart. I go into the new movies I see with an open mind, and the analysis happens usually happens around the second time I see it. I have both enjoyed and not enjoyed some of the newer films.

4. What are some examples of topics you've covered--and plan to cover soon!--on Mouse Reels?

We've done a lot of the classics--Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, etc--and we also do a lot of lists, such as Top 5 Villains or Top 10 Songs. I really want to dive into the Pixar movies soon, much to Jesse's dismay!

5. Do you have plans to expand the podcast into other projects related to Disney movies?

We try to analyze and keep up with the new material as it presents itself, so if the opportunity arises, Jesse and I will most likely talk about it!

Thanks, Madisen!

Meet Jesse Barrett of WDW Through Jesse's Eyes

Jesse Barrett owns and operates WDW Through Jesse's Eyes, a Disney tip blog and podcast. The content is all about Walt Disney World, and Jesse and his fellow contributors post fun and informative material. There are three people (including Jesse) who work on the site and podcast.

1. When did you first go to Walt Disney World?

I've been going to Walt Disney World since I was two years old. As a Florida resident, going to the parks with an annual pass was cheaper for my family of five than going to the movies.

2. How many times have you gone to Walt Disney World, and what keeps you going back?

I've spent over 250 days in the parks in my lifetime. I go at least once if not twice a month, and I spend about three to six days in the parks each month. By the end of this year, I will have spent 48 days in the parks in 2014. I continue to return to the parks because there's just something magical about that place. I tell my friends, "Disney is cheaper than therapy, and better than a drug addiction." Going through the turnstiles at the parks makes you forget all of your problems outside of the park. You're instantly immersed into a new world, and you're in Walt's World now...

3. How do you come up with topics/tips to cover on your site?

WDW Through Jesse's Eyes isn't just Jesse. We have Heath who also writes and cohosts the podcast and Donna who is a phenomenal writer and photographer. Heath and myself will come up with the show topics (usually we'll be in the middle of a conversation and say, "That'd make a great topic!"), or we take suggestions from our fans on Facebook. Donna's blog topics are one of two things: they’re either stories pertaining to an upcoming show topic or something new that she's recently experienced.

4. What's your best advice to someone visiting Walt Disney World for the first time?

Our first podcast episode was on this topic. I'll include the list we came up with, but I encourage everyone to download our podcast and listen for more in-depth information. (Our Podcasts are available on iTunes, Podcast Addict, and Sticher Radio.)

Here's the list:

Heath's Top 5:

• Don't Try to do Everything
• Give Yourself a Chance to Relax. Pace Yourself
• Don't Miss the End of the Night Shows
• Don't Argue, You're on Vacation
• Allow yourself to become immersed in your environment.

Jesse's Top 5:

• Learn the My Disney Experience App
• Make your Dining Reservations
• Don't Cram too much into one day
• Don't miss the end of the night shows
• Get Familiar with the Park before you go

Our Top 5:

• Don't Cram
• Relax. You're on Vacation!
• Don't Miss the End of the Night Shows! (Fantasmic is AMAZING!)
• Immerse yourself into the Fantasy of Walt Disney World
• Make your Dining Reservations before you go!

5. During the holiday season, are there special things to look out for at Walt Disney World?

There are so many fantastic things to do at Walt Disney World for the holidays! The castle is decorated with beautiful lights, and every night at dusk, Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and Christoph of Frozen fame light the castle. There's Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which is a hard-ticket event in the parks that has a special parade and its own fireworks. There's also Holidays around the World at Epcot where you can experience how Christmas is celebrated in other countries; there's the Candlelight Processional which features a full orchestra, choir, and a celebrity narrator to tell the Christmas Story; and there's "Joyful," a Gospel Christmas Celebration. All of those are available at Epcot. There's also the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios where over 100,000 lights are synchronized to music and cover two streets of buildings. My favorite thing is the Gingerbread displays at some of the resorts. You can see picture of all of these things on our Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/WDWThroughJessesEyes.

Thanks, Jesse!