The DisGeek Podcast - Your Guide to the Disneyland Resort (podcast)

In our very first episode of The Universal Geek Podcast we tackle the latest news reports coming out of Universal Studios Hollywood. Jae has a review of one of Universal's most popular restaurants, Panda Express. We also visit the Upper Lot Newsstand and Tommy has his Tip of the Week!

universalGEEK-banner

 

News

Springfield Opens!

Shrek 4D New Queue

The Flash Flood scene has been updated.

Season Passes Changes

Season Pass Price List

Feature

Restaurant Review

PANDA EXPRESS UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

The best word to describe eating at Panda Express in Universal Studios is WOW! It’s located near the Jurassic Park ride, so it’s easy to find. There are two lines to make the service go quickly. However, this is a popular place, so expect a wait.

Panda Express labels itself as “Gourmet Chinese Food.” So, right off the bat you know you’re going to be served dishes better than what you get at Disneyland. Lucky Fortune Cookery, are you listening?

There are only 4 different entrées available, so it’s super simple to make a choice:

Orange Chicken
Kung Pao Chicken
Broccoli Beef
Beijing Beef

First off, they give you generous amounts of Chow Mein and Fried Rice. What better way to fuel your theme park adventure than a Mega Carb Load? Mix the two up and it’s like there’s Starch Party in your mouth!

Their famous Orange Chicken is a sweet and salty sensation. The glaze coating is sweet and sticky, with fruity notes of artificial orange flavor. Those fried chicken parts are crispy on the outside with a chewy texture inside. One of the most enjoyable aspects about this dish is not knowing what you’re eating. Is it white meat, is it dark meat, or how about some other part of the chicken? It’s like a fun guessing game. No wonder it’s their number 1 seller everywhere.

Don’t sleep on the Kung Pao Chicken though. Everyone needs salt in their diet, right?. It’s an essential nutrient for human beings. This dish is just the ticket. At 970mg of sodium per serving, this provides almost half your recommended daily intake. It’s like licking a salt tablet in a good way.

Then there’s the Broccoli Beef. The wonderful thing about this entrée is that when it goes in your mouth, everything pretty much tastes the same. Sure, there are some textural differences. But the sauce makes it challenging to know where the beef begins and the broccoli ends. You get your veggie intake without even knowing it! This is the perfect dish if you’re one of those people who don’t like broccoli.

I must admit, I haven’t tried the Beijing Beef yet. However, based on the fact that Panda Express is Gourmet Chinese Food, I can only imagine the flavors!

The cost for a 2-item plate is $10. Sure, it may sound expensive but you’re getting a premium gourmet meal here. Also, be prepared for to wait. This place is very popular. It takes about about 20-minutes to find a seat and there are no tables indoors.

Oh, and on days when the park closes at 6pm, this place shuts its doors at 4pm. So, plan your day accordingly. You don’t want to miss out on all the Gourmet Chinese Food.

One last thing: Ignore the 1-star overall rating on Yelp. Those people are obviously Disneyland spies who are jealous of Universal Studios having Panda Express on property. That’s it for my review, thanks for listening!

Tip of the Week
How to cure a headache from 3D movies.

Transformers: The Ride 3D
King Kong 3D
Despicable Me 3D Attraction
Shrek 4D
and the Upcoming Fast and Furious - Supercharged! (in 3D)

Bring Advil and/or Take a plastic bag

Happy April Fools Day :)

Twitter

Daniel @disgeekpodcast 
Tommy @tommypix
Chris @dizchris
Jae @MagicalFoodTour

Email us at- disgeekpodcast@gmail.com

Call us at 661 450-8290.

If you enjoy the show take a minute and Review us in itunes.

Download Sticher Radio. Use Promo Code: DISGEEK

Check Out Touring Plans.com! Use code DISGEEK for 20% a one year subscription.

 

Visit our friends at:

Direct download: UniGeek_01.mp3
Category:podcast -- posted at: 11:55pm EDT

In this episode we talk about Disneyland's 60th Anniversary Plans. We also visit the Main Street Newsstand and Tip of the Week returns!

episode-96-banner1

News

Happy 14th Birthday to DCA!

Tom Staggs named COO of Disney

Lunar New Year Returns to Disney California Adventure

Luigi’s Flying Tires to Become an All New Experience

Vintage Disney Memorabilia on the Auction Block

Catalogue

 

 

A special sneak peek of “Cinderella” will be presented in the park’s Bug’s Life Theater for a limited-time, January 30 – March 26.

Cinderella-marquee
image from MousePlanet

New Starbucks Mugs

Feature

Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary Announcements.

The castle is underwraps with the Herb Ryman’s original concept art for the castle. Nice Touch!

castle-herb-ryman
image from MousePlanet

Tip of the Week

Avoid Ticket Booth Lines by Buying Admission In Advance
Thousands of people arrive at Disneyland every morning to start their vacations, and the first thing they do is get in line to buy tickets. Waits of up to 30 minutes are common—that’s half an hour you’re not riding rides. Save time by buying tickets online at Disneyland’s official website. You’ll receive a voucher to print and bring directly to the entrance turnstiles, and you’ll avoid the wait at the ticket booths.

Many local supermarkets, such as Ralph’s and Albertsons, also sell Disneyland tickets in their gift card displays.

From
LosAngeles.com

Written by Guy Salga and Len Testa

Twitter

Daniel @disgeekpodcast 
Tommy @tommypix
Chris @dizchris
Jae @magicalfoodtour

Email us at- disgeekpodcast@gmail.com

Call us at 661 450-8290.

If you enjoy the show take a minute and Review us in itunes.

Download Sticher Radio. Use Promo Code: DISGEEK

Check Out Touring Plans.com! Use code DISGEEK for 20% a one year subscription.

 

Visit our friends at:

Direct download: DisGeek_96.mp3
Category:podcast -- posted at: 11:54pm EDT

Our annual prediction episode is here! Enjoy predictions for Disney Parks from fellow podcasters and listeners.

episode-95-banner
Direct download: DisGeek_95.mp3
Category:podcast -- posted at: 1:04am EDT

This episode we play Keep it, Improve it, or Ditch it. With the recent rumors of Luigi's Flying Tires closing, we discuss if this is a good thing or a bad thing. We also have listener feedback and we visit the Main Street Newsstand.

News

Glow With the Show Evolves Into Made With Magic This Fall at Disney Parks

Disneyland Resort Holiday Season Begins Nov. 13 with Christmas Parade, ‘Holiday Magic’ Fireworks, ‘World of Color – Winter Dreams’ and ‘Disney ¡Viva Navidad!’

New First Aid and Wish Lounge on Main Street
http://mintcrocodile.blogspot.com/2014/10/this-weeks-disneyland-resort-pictorial.html

Trailer release for Tomorrowland.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k59gXTWf-A

Anna & Elsa’s Boutique Opens in Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort – Read more about this “cool” new shop in Downtown Disney District, offering an array of “Frozen”-inspired merchandise worth melting for.

Feature Topic

Keep it, improve it, Ditch it - Luigi's Flying Tires

Twitter

Daniel @disgeekpodcast 
Tommy @tommypix
Chris @dizchris
Jae @sorcerermickeyj

Email us at- disgeekpodcast@gmail.com

Call us at 661 450-8290.

If you enjoy the show take a minute and Review us in itunes.

Download Sticher Radio. Use Promo Code: DISGEEK

Check Out Touring Plans.com! Use code DISGEEK for 20% a one year subscription.

 

Visit our friends at:

Direct download: DisGeek_90.mp3
Category:podcast -- posted at: 11:16pm EDT

In this episode Jae reviews the Mahaloween Luau event at Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel. We also have the latest news and rumors at the Main Street Newsstand.

News
Disneyland Makes Changes to Sleeping Beauty Castle

Finding Submarine Voyage Has Reopened

Legends of Frontierland: Gold Rush has concludes it’s run

Big Hero 6 at Disneyland Park Sept 26

New Rumors
60th Anniversary - The night parade coming to Disneyland, based on Hong Kong’s new “Paint The Night” parade.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6P7-1YfIoc

Good Bye to Luigi’s Flying Tires

Twitter

Daniel @disgeekpodcast 
Tommy @tommypix
Chris @dizchris
Jae @sorcerermickeyj

Email us at- disgeekpodcast@gmail.com

Call us at 661 450-8290.

If you enjoy the show take a minute and Review us in itunes.

Download Sticher Radio. Use Promo Code: DISGEEK

Check Out Touring Plans.com! Use code DISGEEK for 20% a one year subscription.

 

Visit our friends at:

Direct download: DisGeek_89.mp3
Category:podcast -- posted at: 11:20pm EDT

In this episdoe we play Keep it, Improve it, or Ditch it (K.I.D.) with the Submarine Voyage. We also talk about Steakhouse 55 and it's new chef from Club 33. Plus Jae rescues Tommy and provides a Tip of the Week.

News

it’s a small world celebrates 50 years.

The 50th anniversary of “it’s a small world” was celebrated last friday. Part of the celebration included a Good Morning America taping, a google + Hangout with Richard Sherman, and a sing-along cavalcade.

GMA
http://youtu.be/JHoWNB-Mz4o

Google+ Hangout with Richard Sherman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjlRIlb-6uI

Disneyland - "it's a small world" 50th Anniversary Cavalcade with Richard Sherman

http://youtu.be/URhGJ2U3qxM

The Springtime Roundup is here.
The Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree is presenting The Springtime Roundup. The event features special treats, crafts, and performing arts shows. They have also brought in special rabbit meet and greets, including Roger Rabbit! The roundup will continue through April 20. Roger Rabbit is pretty rare so head on over.

Egg-Stravaganza
Disney Brought back the Egg-Stravaganza this year. I was reading that last year it was only at DCA. But for 2014 it has been expanded to Disneyland. It’s a lot of fun and the map is $4.95

Chef Marcel St. Pierre is new head of Steakhouse 55 (used to be at Club 33)
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/03/chef-marcel-st-pierre-new-at-helm-of-steakhouse-55-in-disneyland-hotel/

Disneyland makes the DAS Card Valid for 60 days for Annual Passholders.
http://www.mouseplanet.com/10667/Disneyland_Resort_Update

Feature

Keep it, Improve it, Ditch it Submarine Voyage

Tip of the Week. Ask the Cashier for FRESH candy at the Candy Palace

Twitter

Daniel @disgeekpodcast 
Tommy @tommypix
Chris @dizchris
Jae @sorcerermickeyj

Email us at- podcast@disgeek.com

Call us at 661 450-8290.

If you enjoy the show take a minute and Review us in itunes.

Download Sticher Radio. Use Promo Code: DISGEEK

Check Out Touring Plans.com! Use code DISGEEK for 20% a one year subscription.

 

Visit our friends at:

Direct download: DisGeek_79.mp3
Category:podcast -- posted at: 11:22pm EDT

The DisGeek Podcast has a special Announcement. As long as we are here we also have a few news stores of events that happened at the Disneyland Resort this last weekend.

episode78-special-announcement

News

- Since joining this wonderful network and becoming part of the mousechat family. We got the opportunity to meet with some awesome people and more importantly. We have an inside contact.

See this guy we met has a friend, who knows this other guy, who has a cousin, who is the grandson, of this person they know, who is on the board of directors of Disney.

And now that we know this person (who we follow on twitter) I can tell you that we have officially changed our position on the Subs. They are indeed going away forever.

- There has been several earthquakes over the weekend and I’m really worried. Right now at Disneyland there are way too many areas that have cracked sidewalks. And thanks to these recent earthquakes there are probably a ton more. But with the recent total failure, total disaster, biggest cluster in the history of this company, magic bands. Will Disneyland EVER get the budget, to repair these cracks?

- Disney want’s us to share our #DisneySide with them. Stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Disney needs to take a cue from Universal Studios where you can show them your #UniversalMoments with them. As usual, Universal show what a superior park they are.

Have you seen the new Despicable Me attraction? You get to sit in a room full of mini simulators and watch a movie. And while to movie plays… The seats move! How awesome is that?

- New Marvel Merchandise - Why do they feel the need to bring Marvel to the parks. Marvel isn’t magical. I never in my entire life thought I’d see the day when I would see a sign that says, “Meet THOR” in disneyland!! The almighty Thor… More like the Almighty dollar!!! Marvel doesn’t belong is disneyland and it just goes to show that all Disney and the bean counters care about is money!!. and being cheap. But if you do like Marvel stuff is now available in the Star Trader at Disneyland, Elias and Company at DCA, and Dstreet in DTD.
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/03/marvelous-new-merchandise-debuts-at-disney-parks/

- it’s a small world is going to celebrate it’s 50th anniversary. And they want you to celebrate with them. You can submit your video of you singing it’s a small world. If you submit a video they will donate a dollar to UNICEF. Visit http://www.smallworld50.com/

Right now it’s a small world is closed for “refurbishment”. I suspect we will never see it again.

No Tip of the Week this week.

Twitter

Daniel @disgeekpodcast 
Tommy @tommypix
Chris @dizchris
Jae @sorcerermickeyj

Email us at- podcast@disgeek.com

Call us at 661 450-8290.

If you enjoy the show take a minute and Review us in itunes.

Download Sticher Radio. Use Promo Code: DISGEEK

Check Out Touring Plans.com! Use code DISGEEK for 20% a one year subscription.

 

Visit our friends at:

Direct download: DisGeek_78.mp3
Category:podcast -- posted at: 1:35am EDT

With the recent opening of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad the DisGeek crew talk about about the history, and recent changes of this fantastic attraction.  We also visit the Mainstreet Newsstand and Tommy has his Tip of the Week.

News

Stockholders Meeting
In terms of the parks when asked about the subs he said that they were going nowhere.  We win.  Was also asked about Pin Trading Desks.  Said they were concerned about the Pin Traders reducing the quality of experience for other guests. Also some stuff about exclusivity in the parks, ie lilly belle being for C33 members only.  A: So much to do in the parks that the exclusive stuff is very, very tiny. In some cases the only way to bring something back is to do it for an exclusive number.

Live Blog: http://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2014/03/18/live-blog-of-the-walt-disney-company-annual-meeting/

D23 will return to Anaheim August 14-16, 2015! Tix go on sale Aug 14th 2014

Maleficent Sneak Peak coming to DCA

Starbucks in Downtown Disney is now open

Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend - Weekend of November 14th

Registration for the Inaugural Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend opens at Noon EST on March 25, 2014.
http://www.rundisney.com/avengers-half-marathon/

Closures

Indiana Jones is now closed for refurbishment - Thru May

Alice in Wonderland is now closed - Thru July

Little Mermaid is closing this week - Thru May

 

Feature

History and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Thunder_Mountain_Railroad

Big Thunder Mountain backstory: http://disneyology.blogspot.com/2010/03/backstories-big-thunder-mountain-part-2.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AXmb59YLRUs

Book Mentioned in this episode:

Tip of the Week

Free Plastic bags at Rushin' River Outfitters at DCA before you ride Grizzly River Rapids

 

Twitter

Daniel @disgeekpodcast 
Tommy @tommypix
Chris @dizchris
Jae @sorcerermickeyj

Email us at- podcast@disgeek.com

Call us at 661 450-8290.

If you enjoy the show take a minute and Review us in itunes.

Download Sticher Radio. Use Promo Code: DISGEEK

Check Out Touring Plans.com! Use code DISGEEK for 20% a one year subscription.

 

Visit our friends at:

Direct download: DisGeek_77.mp3
Category:podcast -- posted at: 9:05pm EDT

Jeff Heimbuch joins us and talks about, “It’s Kind of a Cute Story” with Rolly Crump and Communicore Weekly: The Musical. We also visit the Main Street Newsstand and Tommy has his Tip of the Week.

News

TinkerBell Half Marathon Flies Into The Disneyland Resort - The 2014 Tinker Bell Half Marathon weekend included a (3.1-mile) Never Land Family Fun Run 5K and runDisney Kids Races, and drew an estimated 30,000 participants to the Disneyland Resort. A local Southern Californian grabbed first place at the 13.1-mile Tinker Bell Half Marathon in Disneyland with a time of 1:25:40. The winner, Melissa Hernandez, is a 29-year-old from Oxnard, California, who began running in 2010 as a way to get in shape.

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Refurbishment

Happy Lunar New Year Celebration Returns to DCA

Disney Parks Blog Video: How to Play the Fun Wheel Challenge. Hosted by Erin Glover
(Happy Birthday Erin!)

httpv://youtu.be/NzN_pzwMhnQ

Are the Subs Sunk? Cool Article from David Koenig on Mouse Planet.

Feature - Interview with Jeff Heimbuch

 

Tip of the Week
Disneyland Tickets for non-profits
http://publicaffairs.disneyland.com/donation/

Twitter

Daniel @disgeekpodcast 
Tommy @tommypix
Chris @dizchris
Jae @sorcerermickeyj

Email us at- podcast@disgeek.com

Call us at 661 450-8290.

If you enjoy the show take a minute and Review us in itunes.

Download Sticher Radio. Use Promo Code: DISGEEK

Check Out Touring Plans.com! Use code DISGEEK for 20% a one year subscription.

 

Visit our friends at:

Direct download: DisGeek_74.mp3
Category:podcast -- posted at: 12:04am EDT

It’s time for our annual prediction show! The DisGeek crew, listeners, and fellow Disney Podcasters make predictions for the Disneyland Resort in 2014. We also visit the Main Street Newsstand and Chris has a Tip of the Week.

News

Billy Hill and the Hillbillies (Now Kirk Wall and the Hillbillies) whose show just last week ended at Disneyland has now got some gigs at Knotts Berry Farm.
http://kirkwallandthehillbillies.com/

Frontierland Troupe Brings Rare Characters to Disneyland Weekends Until May.

Big Thunder is set to reopen Feb 1st.
http://touringplans.com/disneyland-resort/closures

Meet Captain America from ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ This Spring at Disneyland Park in Anaheim

New Disneyland So Cal Resident Discounts

Feature
The DisGeek crew, listeners, and fellow Disney Podcasters make predictions for the Disneyland Resort in 2014.

Tip of the Week
Pay attention to where you park your car. Take a picture or circle the letters and numbers on the parking stub they give you. Chris and his friends found out the hard way what happens otherwise.

Twitter

Daniel @disgeekpodcast 
Tommy @tommypix
Chris @dizchris
Jae @sorcerermickeyj

Email us at- podcast@disgeek.com

Call us at 661 450-8290.

If you enjoy the show take a minute and Review us in itunes.

Download Sticher Radio. Use Promo Code: DISGEEK

Check Out Touring Plans.com! Use code DISGEEK for 20% a one year subscription.

 

Visit our friends at:

Direct download: DisGeek_73.mp3
Category:podcast -- posted at: 11:46pm EDT