News Archives - Present Through February 26, 2009
(Click Here for Current News on the Home Page)

March 24, 2010

Two New Reviews!

• Castle in the Sky (2010 Studio Ghibili Collection)

• Toy Story 2: Special Edition Blu-ray / DVD Combo Pack

March 3, 2010

•NEW! Episode #49 - "Disney Decade in Review"

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod looks back on the 2000-2009 decade in Disney history, comparing it to the 1980s and counting down the best and worst of the last ten years. 40 things make their way into the countdown(s) before all is said and done!

Total runtime = 1 hour

Download Episode 49: | Direct Download:

• Aaron joins the MiceCast crew in episode # 157 to talk about Captain EO and Michael Jackson. Check it out!
• Aaron joins Earl from Trapped on Vacation on the Carousel of Progress in episode # 123!
• Hear more about the WDW trip in ZADDP episode #46 on The Adventures of a Teenage Disney Geek, episode #64!

February 15, 2010

New Review!

• "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse": Minnie's Bow-Tique

February 9, 2010

•NEW! Episode #48 - "Disney Legends - Roy E. Disney Tribute Show"

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod launches its Disney Legends profile series with a tribute to the late Roy E. Disney. With a chronological look at his 80 years of milestones, ZADDP puts the life and career of this legendary filmmaker, executive, and figurehead into context. Along the way, we'll pause to take a closer look at some of his lesser-known Disney movies, Cheetah and Morning Light among them. Listen and find out just why Walt's nephew was such an important man.

Also discussed: The final tally for Helping Haiti Heal and an exciting new month-long countdown coming to Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod.

Total runtime = 1 hour, 3 minutes

Download Episode 48: | Direct Download:

New Interview!

• Michael Stuhlbarg, start of Best Picture nominee A Serious Man

February 1, 2010

•NEW! Episode #47 - "News Roundup - Lose Yourself (In the Magic)"

Your host takes a look at recent Disney news from around the world and applies some analysis to some of the bigger headlines (20 of them, in fact). Topics include:

From Walt Disney World
• The Give a Day, Get a Disney Day promotion -- its value for Disney, guests, and passholders
• WDW's new Fantasyland project
• Epcot's just-announced Italy pizzeria
• Star Tours II in 3D
• Aerosmith's shake-up and the potential of an impact on Rock 'n' Rollercoaster

From Disneyland
• Disney's World of Color (including a chance to win Amy Grant's book and Greatest Hits CD... plus an explanation of why that's especially relevant to this attraction)
• Captain EO returns
• A new decorative decision on Main Street is leaving some Disneyland guests perturbed

From Walt Disney Productions & Broadway
• Up's chances in the Oscar race
• Tons of sequels on the horizons... and one most unusual remake!
• This spring's jam-packed slate of DVD & Blu-ray releases
• Whoopi Goldberg headlines The Lion King on Broadway
From Walt Disney & Hollywood Records
• A JoBro goes Jolo with a new band

From Burbank, CA
• New Disney Legends inductees

After all of that, get ready to hear Aaron rap (no, really) in the first-ever Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod song parody.

Plus: An update on the Helping Haiti Heal initiative

Total runtime = 1 Hour, 25 Minutes

Download Episode 47: | Direct Download:

Win Amy Grant's book & Greatest Hits CD!

Listen to Episode # 47 for Details!

• Looking for the newest WDW Fantasyland expansion concept art? Click here!

• Looking for the music portraits in Disneyland's Lincoln Hall? Click here!

• Looking for pictures of Whoopi Goldberg in The Lion King on Broadway? Click here!

January 25, 2010

New Articles!

• Surrogates (Blu-ray) (co-written with DVDizzy.com's Luke Bonanno)

• Virtual Interview with Jonathan Mostow, director of Surrogates, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, U-571, Disney's upcoming Swiss Family Robinson remake, and more!

January 23, 2010

•NEW! Episode #46 - "WDW Trip Report - Exhausted Newbies, Whoopi Goldberg, and the End of the Decade"

With record-breaking show length, Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod presents a report from your host's final Walt Disney World vacation of the 2000s!

Highlights include:

• Some newbies who bit off more of WDW than they could chew when they agreed to go to Disney World with Aaron

• A review of the 2009 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and its new/different offerings

• Whoopi Goldberg hosts Epcot's Candlelight Processional (including audio clips!)

• A completely random meeting with the Magic Never Ends and Adventures of a Teenage Disney Geek podcasters

• FOUR winners of new Hidden Mickeys books by Steven M. Barrett are announced

• A great opportunity for ZADDP listeners to help out with relief for earthquake victims in Haiti

• An invitation to participate in the upcoming 50th episode of Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod

• Much, much more!

Total runtime - 2 hours, 19 minutes

Download Episode 46: | Direct Download:

•Looking for the video of Whoopi Goldberg discussing her time at Epcot on "The View"? Click here!

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod is partnering with The HP Alliance for Helping Haiti Heal!

Assist in the Haiti relief effort by bidding in the online auction for fans: Saturday, January 23rd at 2 p.m. EST

You can also make a donation to Partners in Health.

January 17, 2010

•NEW! Episode #45 - "The (Black) Princess and the Frog"

What was supposed to be a trip report turns into a review of The Princess and the Frog instead. Particular focus is given to the racial issues connected with the film and Disney's awkward handling of those.

Plus: Your chance to win the new Hidden Mickeys books from Steven Barrett for FREE. There will be four winners in all (two will win the Walt Disney World edition, two will win the new Disneyland edition).

Total runtime - 30:12

Download Episode 45: | Direct Download:

January 11, 2010

New Reviews!

• Family Guy: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side (Blu-ray)

December 31, 2009

• Happy New Year's Eve!

New article: The 30 Best Music Singles of 2009

AND: The 50 Best Films of the Decade: 2000 - 2009

AND: The 25 Best TV Shows of the Decade: 2000- 20009

More articles, including The Best (and Worst) of 2009 in Film, coming soon! A new podcast is on the way too!

November 2009

Recent Reviews!

• Monster's, Inc.: 4-Disc Blu-ray / DVD / Digital Copy Combo Pack
• Walt Disney Treasures - "Zorro": The Complete Second Season
• The Best of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" - Volume 2

October 29, 2009

•NEW! Episode #44 - "Halloween & Hidden Mickeys"

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod celebrates Halloween 2009 by revisiting its 2006 "Top 10 Disney Villains" episode. That show, episode #24, contained an audio montage of the "Honorable Mentions" -- Disney Villains who didn't quite make the cut. Three years later, that montage is updated to include:

• All the original "honorable mention" villains
• The original Top 10 villains (not included in the original montage, as they had their own audio segments throughout the countdown)
• New Disney villains who have come along since October 2006
• A few bonus Disney villains from classic Disney films who weren't included the first time around

The original audio montage was very well received by listeners, as was this same kind of update to the original "Disney Dads" countdown earlier this year. Hopefully it sparks your inner festivity too.

After that, discussion moves to the Hidden Mickeys phenomenon, why they've never been particularly interesting to your host, and how that has ever so slightly changed thanks to the new editions of Steven M. Barrett's Hidden Mickeys books (that's right, a book review!).

Total runtime - 45:18

Download Episode 44: | Direct Download:

•Steven M. Barrett's Hidden Mickeys books are among the most recognizable Disney Parks books on the market. The park-by-park structure of the books, available for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts, makes it a great resource for frequent parkgoers. New editions of each book are now available, featuring updates for new attractions like The American Idol Experience and more. The Intrepid Traveler, publisher for these and other outstanding Disney books, was kind enough to send the show copies of these new editions for review, so check out the next episode of Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod to hear more!

The new editions are each available for under $10 on Amazon.com. You can also visit Steven M. Barrett's website for more.

October 28, 2009

•NEW! New reviews posted:

Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure and "Little Einsteins": Fire Truck Rocket's Blastoff

October 4, 2009

•The reviews page has been updated!

October 3, 2009

•NEW! Two new reviews posted:

"JONAS" - Volume 1: Rockin' the House and "30 Rock": Season 3

September 11, 2009

•NEW! Pictures from the D23 Disney Fan Convention in Disneyland - Click here for hi-res pictures from the official, star-studded event!

•Breaking news: Disney Parks announced on their official Twitter feed this evening that Amy Grant will provide the soundtrack for the new state-of-the-art "World of Color" show in Disney's California Adventure theme park!

September 7, 2009

•NEW! Episode #43 - "Disney Buys Marvel!"

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod takes a close look at last week's shocking announcement that the Walt Disney Company is acquiring Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion. The show looks at exactly why the purchase is such a big deal, what it means for Disney's movies and theme parks, and what it says about Disney's corporate direction under Bob Iger as CEO.

Total runtime - 47:22

Download Episode 43: | Direct Download:

September 2009

•NEW! Check out my new review of "Desperate Housewives": The Complete Fifth Season DVD

September 1, 2009

•NEW! Check out my new review of "Dirty Sexy Money": The Complete (and Final) Second Season DVD

August 8, 2009

•NEW! Episode #42 - "WDW Trip Report from a DVC Bootlegger"

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod is back from another trip to Walt Disney World, this time with a report from the Old Key West resort. Aaron reflects on his first experience with the Disney Vacation Club (and offers advice on how you too can pretend to be a member) and meeting up with Earl from Trapped on Vacation.

Also: a review of Olivia's Café, comments on WDW Resort TV's new Stacey video, a rundown of the full trip itinerary, and much, much more!

Total runtime - 1:33:41

Download Episode 42: | Direct Download:

July 20, 2009

•NEW! Episode #41 - "A Look at Walt: The Man Behind the Myth and More"

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod reviews a 2001 documentary entitled Walt: The Man Behind the Myth. That excellent DVD happens to be on sale for $8.99 at Amazon.com right now, so the show is offering high praise in recommending an immediate purchase!

Reflection on the documentary leads to a discussion of the potential for a Walt Disney biopic, as well as the the prestigious Disney Legends Hall of Fame and speculation over the 2009 inductees, and some big announcements from Aaron!

It's a short episode this week, and coming a few days earlier than usual, for reasons explained in the show!

Total runtime - 36:55

Download Episode 41: | Direct Download:

July 15, 2009

•NEW! Episode #40 - "Ranking Pixar"

With the release of Up, Pixar now has ten full-length feature films to its credit. Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod takes the occasion to rank those ten films and review them along the way. Also: the winner of the Up soundtrack is announced and Aaron reads a statement from Jesse, former host of The MousePod.

Download Episode 40: | Direct Download:

Also: Check out the new Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod YouTube account to see the video of Aaron on the red carpet at the world premiere of Cars!

Other related articles from Aaron: WALL-E review • Cars review • Monsters, Inc. review • Report from the Red Carpet at the Cars premiere • Best (And Worst) of 2008 in Film

• Also check out the list of opening songs used in past episodes of Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod

July 8, 2009

•NEW! Episode #39 - "Mailbag Show (Villains and Gangsters and JoBros - Oh My!)"

Aaron answers listener emails and announces your chance to win the soundtrack to Disney/Pixar's Up in Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod Contest #5!

Topics in this show include:

• What makes a good Disney villain? Are "real life" villains better than "fantasy" villains like Maleficent?
• Disney's On the Record revisited
• Was Aaron justified in comparing Hercules' Hades to the devil? One perturbed listener says no!
• What's wrong with Pixar's Cars?
• Disneyland's use of castmembers from different lands in staffing their parade route
• Disney's use of syndicated cuts in the "Golden Girls" TV-on-DVD releases
• Is a Disney museum on the way?
• Listeners weigh in on both sides of the Great Movie Ride "Lady Gangster" debate
• A mini-review of the Jonas Brothers' new CD, Lines, Vines and Trying Times
• And much more!

One contest winner will be selected at random from all eligible entries. Details explained in Episode #39.

Download Episode 39: | Direct Download:

Also: Check out the new Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod YouTube account! First up: The Striped Skunk of Oz (A video explained in Episode 38: "Michael Jackson Tribute Show")

Check out my new review of Disney's new Princess Protection Program!

July 3, 2009

•NEW! Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod Re-Release: "Disney & America" 4th of July Special (Episode #16)

In celebration of Independence Day, Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod takes a look at the role Disney has played in America's history and the role that America plays in Disney's theme parks. This episode was originally released on July 4, 2006. Nothing has been changed in the re-release, except for new cover art. Please note that the contest information detailed at the beginning of the show is no longer applicable (that contest has ended).

Total Runtime: 50:05

Download the "Disney & America" Special: | Direct Download:

Visit the original list of links mentioned in Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod Episode #16

June 27, 2009

•NEW! Episode #38 - "Michael Jackson Tribute Special"

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod makes a small departure from its usual Disney-centric theme to pay homage to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.
Discussion includes:

• Initial reactions to the stunning news of Michael Jackson's death
• Aaron's personal memories of the moments in which Michael Jackson's music played a role in his life
• The various connections between Michael Jackson and The Walt Disney Company... including, of course, Captain E.O.
• Reflections on Michael Jackson's personal life and the accompanying controversies that defined the second half of his career
• A rapid-fire countdown of the 25 best Michael Jackson songs that never went #1

Total Runtime: 1:08:16

Download Episode 38: | Direct Download:

June 24, 2009

•NEW! Episode #37 - "Hannah Hangs Up - Is the New Miley Cyrus Scandal Disney's Fault?"

The latest Miley Cyrus scandal has Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod doing something its host never thought it would: talking about Ms. Montana herself for a whole episode. But is it really Miley who's behind this controversy, or Disney's PR folks? Listen in to find out why Miley Cyrus keeps hanging up on DJs during live radio telephone interviews -- and to hear the audio of it actually happening! Aaron weighs in on Disney's handling of the situation and shares his own experience in interviewing Disney celebrities and working with the PR reps who come with them. If you're a Fan-na Montana, you'll like half of this episode -- if you can't stand her, you'll like the other half. Either way, you'll want to celebrate the four year anniversary of Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod, coming up this week!

Total Runtime: 45:06

Download Episode 37: | Direct Download:

June 19, 2009

•NEW! Episode #36 - "25 Minute Father's Day Special: The Disney Dads"

In celebration of Father's Day, Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod revisits its 2006 "Top 10 Disney Dads" episode. That show, episode #13, contained an audio montage of the "Honorable Mentions" -- Disney Dads who didn't quite make the cut. Three years later, that montage is updated to include:

• All the original "honorable mention" dads
• The original Top 10 dads (not included in the original montage, as they had their own audio segments throughout the countdown)
• New Disney Dads who have joined the Disney family in movies and theme park attractions since the summer of 2006
• A few bonus Disney Dads from classic Disney films who weren't included the first time aroundThe original audio montage was very well received by listeners when it was first released and emails still come in about it to this day. The updated and expanded version is this quick episode is the perfect way to commemorate Father's Day this weekend!

See how many Disney Dads you can identify as you listen along! If you'd rather cheat, there's a handy cheat sheet right here!

Thanks for listening! Be sure to leave a quick review on iTunes!

Total Runtime: 25 minutes, 56 seconds

Download Episode 36: | Direct Download:

June 16, 2009

• Episode #35 - "Top 20 Best Things About Disney's Hollywood Studios" (Part 2)

The Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Disney's Hollywood Studios continues with the Top 10 Best Things About Disney's Hollywood Studios. This episode picks up where the last episode left off: Number Ten. As with the last show, anything is fair game for inclusion in the countdown and this time there are some definite surprises -- both in what makes it and what doesn't.

Download the episode from iTunes and check out another classic Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod countdown show!

Total Runtime: 1 hour, 12 minutes

Download Episode 35: | Direct Download:

June 9, 2009

• Episode #34 - "Top 20 Best Things About Disney's Hollywood Studios" (Part 1)

In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Disney's Hollywood Studios, Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod is counting down the Top 20 Best Things About Disney's Hollywood Studios. This first part counts down numbers 20 through 11 and anything is fair game -- rides, shows, restaurants, shops, vendor carts, you name it! There are surely a few surprises in store.

Download the show and check out a classic Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod countdown show!

I'm really happy with this episode and have enjoyed putting it together much more than the others I've done since returning. I hope that's true for all of you too! I love this theme park and so I'm trying to celebrate it in grand style! :-D

This runs 1:06:36, in continuation of my effort to keep every episode around an hour or less and on a weekly basis.

Download Episode 34: | Direct Download:

June 2, 2009

• Episode #33 - "Trip Report with D23 and Crappy Park Hours"

This episode picks up where the last one left off -- Aaron's friend and fellow Disney freak Courtney is back to discuss their most recent trip to Walt Disney World. Listen as they talk about their efforts to squeeze in park hopping in spite of the parks closing while the sun's still out. They eventually find the debut issue of "D23" at a gift shop, prompting an extended rangent (rant + tangent).

Discussion also hits on the following:
• Riding an attraction with a stranger who's riding it for the first time
• Getting stuck on Space Mountain just before lift-off
• Riding Fantasyland rides with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Chip, and Dale!
• Flashback to the Year of a Million Dreams and Courtney's most unusual "dream" at Stitch's Great Escape
• A comparison of the new Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party to the old Family Fun Day Parade
• A review of the new T-Rex Café at Downtown Disney (pigging out -- and eavesdropping!)

Plus, Aaron gives a quick review of Up and announces the topic of the next Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod countdown show!

Download Episode 33: | Direct Download:

• Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod is now on Facebook. Go become a fan!

• Now on DisFriends too!

Visit DisFriends

May 27, 2009

• Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod has officially rejoined the Disney Podcast Network roster!

May 24, 2009

• Episode #32 - "Trip Report with the American Idol Experience and Female Gangsters!"

Aaron welcomes his good friend and travel buddy, Courtney, for a discussion of their most recent trip to Walt Disney World. Discussion includes a review of the American Idol Experience, disappointment in Great Movie Ride gangsters, and a Disneyland trip report tangent!

Download Episode 32: | Direct Download:

•New Blu-ray review! Ghost (1990) Check it out!

•New DVD review! Walt Disney Animation Collection: Classic Short Films - Volume 6: The Reluctant Dragon Check it out!

April 21, 2009

•New Phone Number -- The old (407) phone line is now defunct... you can now call the show from any landline or cell phone at the new number (919) 827-4932 and leave a voicemail at anytime, 24/7! I'll play your voicemails on the show!

April 15, 2009

• Episode #31 - "The 25 Best Things at Epcot (Part 2)"

In episode #29 I began a countdown of my Top 25 Favorite Things About Epcot. I split the show up after #13 and at long last, the remainder of that countdown is here! Attractions, shows, restaurants, foods, fireworks -- *anything* is fair game! I also consider the celebration (or lack thereof) for Epcot's 25th Anniversary.

Head over to iTunes and subscribe if you haven't already. Hopefully this will this encourage everyone to reflect on their own favorite things about Epcot and share them at the show's DPN forum!

Download Episode 31: | Direct Download:

April 11, 2009

• New Domain Name You can now access Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod at www.aaronwallaceonline.com -- No worries, though, www.aaronspod.com still works and takes you to the same place, so your bookmarks won't be affected. As you can see, the site is getting a little bit of a facelift too.

A few site features may have been temporarily unavailable during the launch of the new domain name but everything should now be fully functioning.

• New episode coming soon - Episode 31 is almost done and should be up in the next few days. The long-awaited Part 2 of the Epcot show is on its way!

April 10, 2009

• Follow Aaron on Twitter! Username: aaronspod (see the new widget to the right!)

February 26, 2009

• Episode #30 is now available! A Hard Look at Jim Hill's Comments on the Hall of Presidents in the new Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2009 -- I'm a fan of these guys, but I have to take issue with one thing in particular, and it has to do with Barack Obama! Download it on iTunes or directly from my blog!

Download Episode 31: | Direct Download:

• Check out my interview with Olesya Rulin, star of all three High School Musical movies!

Olesya Rulin