I am a huge podcast geek! There was a time admittedly when I thought the idea of listening to people just talking on my iPod was ridiculous. Who wanted to listen to people just talking, I’d think as I listened to Howard Stern or Steve Dahl or the entire WGN talk-radio air staff here in Chicago.
Awesome indi-film pioneer and brilliant comedian/writer Kevin Smith was the first to get me to download a podcast. Shortly after I discovered there actually podcasts devoted to my biggest obsession, Walt Disney World. In fact, there are loads of them!
I’ve listened to most of them at least once. I’m not going to put any down. I applaud them all for following their passion and putting something back into the Universe. Anything Disney makes the world a bit better. Especially for those like me who can't get down the World as regularly as we wish.
That said, only a couple are still on my subscription list today.
One that stands out in my mind (and heart . . . aww) I discovered probably most recently but became an instant favorite. I’m talking about The WDW News Today Podcast hosted, Captained, and Masterminded by this week's special birthday boy, Tom Corless!
The show is extremely well-produced and always interesting. It is chocked full of content from news and rumors to listener lists to detailed histories of attractions old and new (and yet to be!) Most important, at least to me, the focus is always Walt Disney World. The only exception I know of: a tremendous 4 hour special devoted to the opening of Carsland at DCA!
It’s said of journalists, they’ve failed once they become the story, instead of reporting on it.
In five years I don’t think Tom has let the show lose its vision or stray from its purpose. Admittedly there are times the show makes me crazy! Much of the show is discussion between Tom and his cast of characters. I mean actual other people (he’s not schitzophrenic, as far as I know!) A few of whom hold differing opinions about attractions and parks from my own. But rather than get mad and unsubscribe (the iTunes equivalent to Unfriending someone) I just listen and laugh (and yes, sometimes yell at my iPod!)
That’s what’s wonderful about Walt Disney World, there’s something for everyone! And it’s so much fun to discuss! Since I often don’t have anyone to talk Disney with (which I could do for hours . . . ask my less-than-amused wife) the next best thing is listening to others who are as passionate as I am.
Tom Corless & the WDWNT crew ride to work with me. They mow the lawn with me. Sometimes they shower with me (HELLO!!!)
My Facebook followers might remember the pic I posted this summer of my coffee pot and a long orange extension chord. We were without power due a terrible storm. I got up early the next morning and desperately ran that chord to a generator so I could brew my coffee! Well, that generator was also powering an iPod dock so I could listen to T.C. and WDW News Today! Both were equally important in helping me feel normal and happy in a temporarily chaotic situation!
That’s why I am so happy to present Not Another Disney Fan Blog’s 5 Questions With Tom Corless!
Q: One of the (many) things I love about the WDW News Today podcast is how deep and detailed you dig into the attractions when you feature them on segments like Back to the Future! Imagineering comes to you and says “What should our next attraction be?” You can choose which park, any Disney property (movies, cartoons, etc.) & what kind of attraction regardless of budget. What do you tell them?
TC: I play armchair Imagineer a lot in my head, so there are a lot of ideas I have that I would love to see built, but I guess I would love to do a re-imagined version of the original Journey into Imagination attraction. I’d make it a trackless ride system and upgrade all of the technology in the ride to more modern effects. I think with the incredible things WDI has been coming up with such as living characters and projection mapping, a ride that literally travels into the imagination could be amazing.
Q: You’re a young guy but you’ve quietly (or maybe not so) built an impressive WDWNT empire over roughly 5 years, plus See Ya Real Late, WDWNTube, WDWNTunes, etc. What did you think you wanted to do say 7 years ago?
TC: Well, I had already decided to go into journalism at that point, bit I didn’t believe I could do that pertaining to theme parks, so I was going to be a sports writer. ESPN was at the height of its popularity at the time, so it was something everyone wanted to do. I always liked writing, so I would have always went into journalism anyway, but it was definitely a goal to be a sports writer at the time which didn’t really change until I saw what was possible in covering theme parks.
Q: I’ve told you this before but something I love about your podcast is how crazy it sometimes makes me when someone voices opinions completely contrary to my own. It’s a testament to how good the show is because rather than get mad, I keep coming back! Plus I realize some of our differences are strictly generational. But gun to your head, you have to ride Horizons for 24 hours straight, or listen to the Orange Bird song in the Sunshine Tree Terrace for 12 hours straight. Which is it?
TC: I’ll ride Horizons because at the end of the day it was at least a good attraction. I do like the Orange Bird song and I used to like the character before it became this insane craze amongst people who never actually knew what it was. It’s just annoying that is became this craze because it really was nothing to begin with. It’s an orange juice mascot. At least I can somewhat understand people liking Oswald because the character was Walt’s, but the Orange Bird is like Toucan Sam or Tony the Tiger, it’s a food mascot. I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t have any emotional connection to Captain Crunch or Boo Berry even though I like their cereal...
(I wasn't going to editorialize, but that's a great answer!)
Q: Forget you’re a blogger, podcaster, etc. Think strictly as young Tom Corless, WDW lover. Money’s no object. You can have your dream Disney vacation. Where do you stay? How many days? What special thing do you do (with someone else’s money?)
TC: I’d stay at the Grand Floridian for sure because that feels like home to me. As for the number of days, is there a limit? Obviously, I will stay for as long as possible. I have been on trips to WDW ranging from 2 days to 3 weeks, so I can realistically stay there everyday of the rest of my life and never feel bored or get tired of it. As for special things, there isn’t much at WDW I haven’t done that I really feel the need to do. I guess I would do the lunch with an Imagineer since I haven’t done that before... not that it is really expensive, I just never seem to find the time to do it.
Q: Finally, I’ve heard you mention you’re planning an eventual relocation to Orlando. Is that true? How do you envision that affecting the podcast or any of your other projects? And what are you most excited about for the future of WDWNT?
TC: Well, I’m not envisioning anymore. I just got hired by an Orlando company and will be starting work soon, so I’ll be moving in the next few weeks. I think it is going to be great for WDWNT because I’ll actually be there where the news and content is. There are a ton of really great creative ideas we have postponed over the years because when I travel to WDW I usually have a certain set number of things I have to cover or see. With no time constraints, I can get those things done and really improve upon existing things as well. Not to sound pompous, but if there is one thing I have done enough in my life, it is visit Disney World and I dare say there are few people on this planet with such an intimate knowledge of the place. With that expertise and the last 5 years experience with podcasting, photography, and audio & video recording, I think WDWNT can become a lot bigger, even much bigger than it is right now. As for the future of WDWNT in general, I think some of our ideas are just starting to catch on, especially “See Ya’ Real Late”. I foresee that becoming a much bigger deal in this community over the next few years.
No comments:
Post a Comment