Lou Mongello is a former attorney turned Disney enthusiast, founder of WDWRadio.com Disney podcast in 2005 (named Best Travel Podcast 9 consecutive years), member of the Podcast Hall of Fame, author, speaker, and business coach at LouMongello.com.
π Get down, Oogie Oogie Boogie!
Your Guide to Disney Parks & ExperiencesHello Reader, Sorry this week's newsletter is a little late. I had a speaking engagement this week, where I shared Leadership Lessons from Walt Disney, and am deep deeeeeeeeepppppp into planning and preparing the WDW Radio booth for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Experience in (yikes!) just a few weeks! But let me start off by asking you something. What's the weirdest or most unexpected piece of Disney merch you own? Not the most expensive. Not the rarest. The oddball on the shelf with the best story behind it. I got asked a version of that question this week, and I thought I'd reach for the 20,000 Leagues porthole in my garage, or a Haunted Mansion puzzle box from '71. But the honest answer turned out to be something much smaller and much more personal. For me, it's a single item that kicked off my fascination with Disney and started my entire journey to where I am today. I share that story and more on this week's podcast. Speaking of which... ββββββββββββββββββββ ποΈ This Week's Podcast - WDW Radio #873 Your Disney Questions + Our Disneyland Halloween Special Events This week I opened up the inbox with one of my favorite people, Beci Mahnken of Mouse Fan Travel, and we did what we've done together for almost 20 years now... answered your questions and wandered somewhere wonderful along the way. We get into the extinct attraction I'd bring back in a heartbeat (Horizons... and I'll defend that hill), how to actually plan a honeymoon across the Asia parks, the Space Mountain rumor getting louder as D23 approaches, the best restaurant table for the Electrical Water Pageant, and the truth behind that "secret 1952 Tomorrowland blueprint" George Clooney told on Graham Norton (it's a great storyβ¦ it's just not what you think). And then... near the end...I finally got to share something we've been working on for months. More on that just below. π§ Give it a listen here or wherever you get your podcasts...and if a question sparks one of your own, hit reply. I personally read every single email I receive! ββββββββββββββββββββ π In Case You Missed It One of this week's questions came from Jennifer, planning a Disney honeymoon across the Asia parks. It reminded me of the trip I took walking Shanghai Disneyland with the Imagineers - if this week's episode leaves you dreaming of somewhere far away, go back and listen to #870 - 10 Reasons to Visit Shanghai Disneylandβ¦ and Why This Trip Changed Me. It's one of the most personal ones I've done in a while. ββββββββββββββββββββπ€ Help Me Take the Stage at Podcast Movement! Since 2014, Iβve had the honor of attending and speaking at Podcast Movement, sharing what Iβve learned and hopefully helping other creators along the way. This year, half of the Podcast Movement 2026 lineup will be chosen by community vote, which means you have a say in who takes the stage in New York City this September. I would be truly honored to represent WDW Radio and this incredible community once again. If you have a moment, I would be so grateful for your vote (it takes just a few seconds)! β Click HERE, then click on any of my submitted sessions and select βVote for this Idea.β You can vote once for each of my two sessions, and voting ends Friday, so please vote today! Thank you for always supporting me and being part of this journey. I truly would not be here without you! ββββββββββββββββββββ π This October, we're doing something we've never done before!WDW Radio Haunts and Heroes Week at Disneyland - October 27-29, 2026. Three days, three unforgettable experiences, together as a family. And tickets just went public... and I'm sharing the link with you first! Here's what we have planned! π Oogie Boogie Bash VIP Experience - Tuesday, October 27. You know how hard these tickets are to get. Yours is included - plus an exclusive WDW Radio VIP hospitality lounge (7β9pm) with food, drinks, surprises, and time to hang out with your WDW Radio family, with plenty of night left for the treat trails and everything that makes this event legendary. $225 per person ($200 if you book your hotel through Mouse Fan Travel!). Only 75 spots. π¦Έ Inner Sanctum Breakfast - Wednesday, October 28. A private, Marvel-themed breakfast inside Disney California Adventure at 6 AM - before the park opens. Character appearance, exclusive time on WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure, photo ops, and a commemorative keepsake. $125 per person ($99 with a Mouse Fan Travel hotel booking). Only 100 spots. π₯ 21 Royal - SOLD OUT. Walt and Lillian's private apartment above New Orleans Square. We could only take 10. It filled almost instantly. IMPORTANT Hotel Savings! βMouse Fan Travel has secured a special rate of $449 per night, plus tax, at Disneyβs Grand Californian Hotel & Spa for October 27β29, with possible availability up to three nights before and after. Qualifying Good Neighbor hotels may also receive discounted event pricing! Important: Request your hotel or qualifying package before purchasing event tickets! βCOMPLETE THE HOTEL REQUEST FORM HEREβ After submitting the form, you will receive a code to unlock the discounted prices. (If you use the discount code but do not book your hotel through Mouse Fan Travel, your discounted tickets will be cancelled and refunded.) ποΈ Do not need a hotel? Purchase your event tickets HERE. ποΈ Space is very limited and tickets and hotel requests will be handled in the order received. I cannot wait to experience Halloween at Disneyland with you and the WDW Radio family! ββββββββββββββββββββ π Upcoming Events π° WDW Radio LIVE at D23 - August 14-16. I am incredibly grateful and honored to be invited onto the show floor this year! If you're coming to D23, come find the WDW Radio booth (#3401) we'll have live recordings, some genuinely cool giveaways, our mystery packs, and a little something I've been working on to revealβ¦ and much more. Stay tuned... more details soon! π― Momentum Weekend at Walt Disney World - October 15-18, 2026. My annual immersive workshop, held during the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival (not by accident). Four days, one room, fifty people, a 250+ page workbook, and a leadoff keynote from former Walt Disney World Ambassador Michael Collier. Weβre more than 60% sold out and the early bird discount ends soon. Details at LouMongello.com/Momentum. π’ WDW Radio Group Cruise to Alaska - May 10-17, 2027. Seven nights aboard my favorite ship... and itinerary... the Disney Wonder, May 10-17, 2027, roundtrip from Vancouver. Glaciers, humpback whales, the gold-rush history of Skagway, the totem poles of Ketchikan - and this time, an optional post-cruise train trip for anyone who wants to keep the adventure going. All of it wrapped in the magic only the Disney Wonder delivers, experienced together, as a family. Joining our group costs you nothing extra, and the sooner you book, the lower your rate. Space is limited! ποΈ Get your free, no-obligation quote from Mouse Fan Travel at WDWRadio.com/Alaska2027β ββββββββββββββββββββ π Letβs Stay Connected I share a lot between episodes over on Instagram @LouMongello - live broadcasts, behind-the-scenes, and the little moments that never make it into the show. And if youβre not in the WDW Radio Clubhouse yet, come on in. Itβs our warm corner of Facebook where this community talks Disney every single day. Youβre not a listener here - youβre family. Iβd love to see you there. ββββββββββββββββββββ 𧳠Planning a trip of your own? Whether it's Alaska, Disneyland, a week in the parks, or somewhere brand new, my friends and official travel partner at Mouse Fan Travel take care of all of it... expert, personalized Disney planning at no extra cost to you. They're the same team I trust with our group trips (and my family's!), so you're in wonderful hands. Tell 'em Lou sent you. ββββββββββββββββββββ Thanks, as always, for being part of the WDW Radio family. Remember to choose the good, be kind, and stay hungry. See ya real soon, Lou P.S. If WDW Radio has ever made your day a little better, your Disney trip a little more magical, or simply made you feel like part of something special - would you take 30 seconds and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ It means more than you know, it helps new people find the show |
βLou Mongello - WDW Radio
Lou Mongello is a former attorney turned Disney enthusiast, founder of WDWRadio.com Disney podcast in 2005 (named Best Travel Podcast 9 consecutive years), member of the Podcast Hall of Fame, author, speaker, and business coach at LouMongello.com.
Your Guide to Disney Parks & Experiences Hello Reader, How is your week going so far? Me? I am head-down, knee-deep, and all-in on my D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event prep! I can't believe it's just a (yikes!!!) few weeks away, but I'm planning some really fun things (and VERY cool giveaways - AND a Grand Prize!) for our WDW Radio booth on the show floor! Stay tuned for more details soon! But can I tell you about something else that I've been thinking about the last couple of weeks? And no,...
Your Guide to Disney Parks & Experiences Hello Reader, I did something this week I donβt normally doβ¦ because so many of you have been asking me about it all week long. You may have heard (lol)β¦ there is a new rule at Disney Springs. As of June 28th, you can only hop the resort buses and boats from Springs if you are actually staying at a resort or you have a dining reservation. I've said this for years, and this past week was a perfect example: when Disney changes somethingβ¦ anythingβ¦ a...
Your Guide to Disney Parks & Experiences Hello, my friend! π You may have been to a Momentum event before... so it's possible you already know that Momentum isn't your typical business event. This year? It's the most intentional lineup I've ever put together. Every speaker, every session, every day has been designed around one goal: you leaving Orlando with more than inspiration. You'll leave with a real, documented plan for growing, scaling, and monetizing your business. And you won't just...