Super Mates Episode 52: Disney / Universal Spring Break!

Join Chris, Cindy and son Andrew as they recount their recent trip to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, Florida! Along the way they met some podcasting friends, had a face to mask encounter with Kylo Ren, were examined by Jawas, saluted Captain America, bowed before Dr. Doom, and exposed the Green Goblin! They entered the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the Marvel Island of Adventure, and experienced the BRAND NEW Star Wars attractions at Hollywood Studios, including a Star Tours stop on Jakku, and a real-life, rocket-firing Boba Fett!

Plus, they wrap up the show with a look at your feedback!

Dani’s guest spot on Skywalking Through Neverland is up now! She discusses the Star Wars book Rey’s Story with hosts Richard and Sarah here.

This podcast is a proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK

Clip credits:

“Wedding March” from Flash Gordon by Queen

“To the Batmobile” by Nelson Riddle from the Batman Television Series Soundtrack

Star Wars: The Force Awakens end credits by John Williams

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone end credits by John Williams

“Captain America March” from Captain America: The First Avenger by Alan Silvistri

Selected tracks from Spider-Man (1967) Cartoon Series by Ray Ellis

"Love Rollercoaster" (instrumental) by The Ohio Players

Audio clip from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure

20 responses to “Super Mates Episode 52: Disney / Universal Spring Break!

  1. Still listening to the episode, but I had to jump in and say how gratifying it was to hear you guys quote BILL AND TED’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE when you mentioned The Hall of Presidents. As soon as you said it, I thought of that scene in Bill and Ted. To hear you guys repeat it only seconds later was awesome!

    1. This was my entire reason to come comment, just to see almost the exact thing I wanted to say already written.

    1. Ha! I nearly shut off the podcast when you went to the canned outro stuff, but your daughter’s voice is so delightful to hear that I kept the show on. Glad I did or I would’ve completely missed the stinger from Bill & Ted’s. Brilliant!

  2. I could listen to Chris do his redneck “character” ALL DAY.

    BTW, I don’t think of SMP Ep 50 as the unwanted AOL disc, rather that U2 album that iTunes shoved down everyone’s throats. And it worked a lot better in our case!

    I haven’t been to WDW in decades, a fun listen. That Rocketeer photo made me sad, as did the news that there is very little Universal Monster stuff around anymore. Kids these days!

    BTW, I am in the market for a new co-host for FIRE AND WATER, is Dani available?

    1. Maybe next April Fool’s Day we’ll do an “All-Redneck” episode of Super Mates. No one will notice the difference!

      Good call on the U2 album!

      Yeah, the Rocketeer’s helmet and jetpack “lost” at a frozen confection stand is a bit depressing. I didn’t suspect the folks running the stand knew much about it. English didn’t seem to be their primary language, so I didn’t bother asking about it. I’m just going to imagine Cliff Secord stowed it there for a while while diverting Nevill Sinclair and his Nazi goons away from it. Yeah, that’s it!

      The Monster Cafe ALMOST makes up for lack of Universal Monster stuff elsewhere. Since coming back I learned the Horror Makeup Show area is full of props, pics and other items from the films, so that’s definitely on the to-do list next time.

      I’m sure Dani would be glad to do F&W…she just has no interest in doing an actual Super Mates episode!

      Chris

  3. Only about 30 minutes into the show, but had to compliment Andrew on his brilliance. Yes Andrew, Shag is awesome. I have trained you well! 🙂

    It was wonderful to meet the entire Franklin clan! I had a fantastic time visiting! My only regret is that I didn’t get punched by Cindy. I really tried too!

    Glad you enjoyed Big Thunder Mountain! Getting out of your comfort zone at amusement parks is the best! Next stop, the Rockin’ Roller Coaster!

    Shag

    1. I’m up for Space Mountain. That’s the next step. Then we’ll have conquered all 4 Disney Mountains (if you count he Seven Dwarfs Mine Train).

      I thought Cindy hit you at some point? I could just be applying my abuse flashbacks onto you, however.

      I knew you’d like the Andrew part. 🙂

      Chris

  4. Great episode as always! It’s clear you guys had a great vacation.

    Naturally, I was most intrigued by all the new Star Wars content you talked about. I’ll plug your report on the next episode of GIVE ME THOSE STAR WARS, but I also might need to get you on an episode eventually to go over it together. Apparently, Disney just broke ground on the Star Wars Land expansions in both California and Florida this week. I propose a Fire and Water Podcast Field Trip to the park when it finally opens!

    It’s good that you indulged Cindy with all of the Harry Potter rides and attractions. That is part of Disneyland/world that I would like to see. I read the Potter books and watched the movies. They were fun, though I think the first two films and first three books were better than the later entries.

    Like Rob, I’m sad to hear there is so little Universal Monsters content left at the park. Maybe if the studio’s planned reboot with a Tom Cruise Mummy movie and Johnny Depp as the Invisible Man succeed, they’ll get a renewed presence at the park.

    1. Yeah, I think they were due to start real construction on “The Star Wars Experience” at Disney World right after we left. Clearly, they’re getting a jump on it with these new things. I failed to mention it in the show, but “A Galaxy Far, Far Away” stage show debuted the day before we saw it, so it was brand spanking new!

      I’ll be glad to drop by Give Me Those Star Wars and talk some more!

      Even though I’m not a Harry Potter fan like Cindy, the Universal Parks have done an AMAZING job of creating an entire other existence with that franchise. Even a muggle like me can appreciate it.

      Good point on the Universal Monster “reboot”. Johnny Depp is now well represented at rival Disney via animatronics and impersonators, so why not at Universal!?!

      Chris

  5. Loved hearing about the Franklin Family Vacation and was happy to hear it didn’t end up like the Griswold Family Vacation!

    I’ve been to Disney World twice. The second time was while I was in the military. I was stationed in Charleston, SC and my brother was going through Nuclear Power School in Orlando. He invited me down and we spent the day at Epcot and then the evening at Disney. I wanted to get a t-shirt; just a basic Mickey Disney t-shirt; but, I wasn’t going to pay $35 (1991 dollars) for it. We even tried some of the outlet stores outside the parks; but, they were still too pricey, for my tastes.

    The first time we went to Disney World was the early 70s, after it opened. It was out in the middle of nowhere and you had to buy books of tickets for the rides. This was the era of the “E Ticket” rides, which you only got a couple of E Tickets in a book. You had to keep buying books of tickets, if you wanted to go on the big rides. I can only imagine the amount of money families drop today. I’ve heard about the costs of their wedding packages. We had gone to Florida for a family vacation and to celebrate the wedding anniversary of my mother’s aunt. We toured a lot of stuff while we were down there: Disney, Silver Springs (where they would do the water skiing shows), the Ringling Bros. Circus Museum, and a few other things. This was also when we celebrated Christmas in a motel and I got the Evel Knievel Stunt Van. I probably told this before; but, my mother brought my stunt cycle; but, couldn’t find Evel. So, she brought my Mego Dr Zaius. An ape on a motorcycle is a surreal image.

    Love the redneck voice. I have family in southern Illinois (my Dad’s home) and the accent is very similar to Kentucky (which isn’t that far away, relatively speaking). If we were visiting for more than a few days, my Dad’s accent would start to slip. Ironically, I have been watching the second season of Arrow, and was disappointed that Cyrus Gold didn’t sound like Solomon Grundy, even after they brought up the rhyme.

    1. Jeff, we’ve found Disney vacations aren’t really THAT much more expensive than a vacation at a tourist trap area like Piegon Forge/Gatlinburg, TN, where we sometimes go. Those places nickel and dime you to death with different attractions (shows, putt-putt golf, Ripley’s museums, etc), and by the time you add it all up, you’re about the same as an all-inclusive Disney/Universal trip.

      The old way does sound expensive. I’ve been to county fairs, that on a much smaller scale, cost me more than a weekend vacation at least. They can really pick your wallet clean.

      A Disney World-like vacation is not for everyone. I’ve had some people tell me they’d rather go to hell than back to Disney. The crowds do them in more than anything. But we love it. I never thought we’d be repeat visitors like we’ve become, but we’re already talking about NEXT time.

      I had no idea Grundy (or Cyrus Gold) had even been on Arrow!!! I really need to catch up! I’ve only watched season 1 in its entirety.

      Chris

      1. Well, it’s not what you would expect. Cyrus Gold is a preacher, an associate of Brother Blood, who injects him with Mirakuru (the McGuffin of the season), which gives him enhanced strength. At one point, the team tracks down Gold’s apartment and finds the poem; but, that’s about the only connection.

        Season 2 is better, overall, than Season 1, in my opinion. Season 1 was stronger in the Island segments, while 2 is strong on both counts. Plus, Deathstroke! And, Suicide Squad!! Plus, Barry Allen!!!

  6. A great all star Franklin epsiode. This epsiode made me so sad that I have no return to Disney or Universal planned anytime soon. The Hix clan did a big west coast visit back in 2013 and we hit Disneyland, California Adventure Park, Legoland and Universal. It was such a blast and I wish I could do it all again once a month, or even go to that weird Florida place I hear you talk of (despite my fear of the mythical Shag that wanders those parts).

    DC have forgotten about the Rocketeer almost as completely as they have Something Wicked This Way Comes and The Journey of Natty Gann.

    1. Totally agree. When the topic of greatest comic book adaptations in film has come up, I always cite The Rocketeer. It was near perfect, even if they did feel the need to tweak Betty. On the plus side, apparently, the real Bettie enjoyed the film, so it had that going for it.

      I suppose Disney doesn’t feel the need to push it, since they don’t own the property. I suspect the situation would be much different, if they did.

      1. I think Disney is still involved in the licensing of the Rocketeer film. I seem to recall the recent Funko figures had Disney markings on the packaging.

        So there really is no excuse for the neglect of the character or this film. Sigh.

    2. Shag is real! We have photographic proof!

      We may have to do Legoland in Florida next time. Dani has become a HUGE Lego-head as of late, and we couldn’t be more happy about it.

      I got Something Wicked This Way Comes from the Disney movie club a while back. Just need to get around to watching it. We watched it at school back in 3rd grade or so, and it scared the beejeezus out of me!

      Chris

      1. Sleeping Beauty, well Maleficent, did that to me, as a kid. It didn’t help that we had the record, with her on the back, to reinforce the nightmare (and I had nightmares). Remember when Disney used to scare you,with their stories? Nobody suffered years of therapy or committed horrible acts because of it, yet they are terrified to do that now.

        1. I know what you mean, although the near death of all the characters in Toy Story 3 was pretty ballsy. But yeah, Snow White’s queen/witch and Maleficent were genuinely SCARY.

          Chris

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