Once Upon a Castle Podcast

About Once Upon a Castle Podcast

Welcome to Once Upon a Castle — unlocking the magic of Disney past and present. I’m Gini, your guide through the parks and the pages of Disney’s rich history. Each week, we’ll share expert tips to help you plan your perfect visit, and explore the stories, secrets, and legends that make the magic real. From Walt’s vision to today’s hidden gems — we’ll help you feel more connected, more prepared, and more enchanted every step of the way. So whether you’re counting down the days to your next trip, or just dreaming of a stroll down Main Street U.S.A... This is your place to rediscover the wonder. This is Once Upon a Castle.

Publisher

Once Upon a Castle Podcast

Category

news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 Sept 2025

Latest episode

28 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

26 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   28 Aug 2026

   Episode 025: The Magic of D23-A Disneyland Adventure with Steph PART 1

   Gini introduces part one of a two-part crossover with Steph from Magic Key Adventures, previewing that part two (Sept. 1) will cover the D23 convention floor and the Honda Center Horizons showcase. She shares a listener review, then recounts her solo Disneyland day before D23: traveling from Colorado, staying at the close-but-dated Desert Inn & Suites, browsing shops, eating at Refreshment Corner, watching Main Street entertainment, riding the Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise, Pirates (and discussing the new animatronic), and Big Thunder, then taking a hotel break before returning for a Tomorrowland dance party, Casey Jr., Galaxy’s Edge cold brew, and meeting Steph that night. With Steph, she recaps D23 Day at Disneyland: early start, Fantasyland rope drop, Toontown and Runaway Railway, lunch at Tiana’s Palace, Pirates, the Legends Cavalcade (highlighting Susan Egan, Imagineers, and Walt’s family), meeting friends, Mark Twain with mint juleps, Galaxy’s Edge character interactions including Luke Skywalker and spotting Joe Rohde, PhotoPass castle photos, and ending with the Star Wars projection show.   Instagram and TikTok: Once_Upon_a_Castle_Magic Email: virginia@dearanddarlingtravel.com Learn more about Disney travel: https://dearanddarlingtravel.com/agents/gini-west/  Magic Key Adventures Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/magic-key-adventures-podcast/id1688830469

2. 

   14 Aug 2026

   Episode 024: Farewell to Bayou Country: A Disney Journey with Joee Benson

   In the final Bayou Country episode of Once Upon a Castle, Gini has a personal conversation with her close friend Joee Benson, who grew up visiting Disneyland frequently in Southern California and has deep nostalgia for Bear/Critter/Bayou Country and the former Country Bear Jamboree. Joee shares favorite foods (churros, Mickey pretzel with cheese, and the Critter Country pickle), favorite land and attraction (New Orleans Square and Pirates of the Caribbean), and her view that updates like the new Pirates animatronic reflect Disney innovation. They discuss why guests still miss Country Bear Jamboree, how Disneyland has shifted from place-based lands to IP-driven experiences, and why Disneyland feels like home for Joee, recommending first-timers stay for the parade and fireworks. Gini announces an upcoming D23 crossover episode and reveals she is now a certified Disney travel planner with Dear and Darling Travel.   Instagram and TikTok: Once_Upon_a_Castle_Magic Email: virginia@dearanddarlingtravel.com

3. 

   31 Jul 2026

   Episode 023:Feasting Through Disneyland’s Bayou Country: A Tasty History

   The episode of Once Upon a Castle traces the dining history of Disneyland’s Bayou Country, arguing that food is a key part of themed storytelling. It begins with the Golden Bear Lodge (opened September 24, 1972), a rustic quick-service riverside restaurant integrated with the Mike Fink Keelboats loading dock, then covers its 1977 retheme into the Hungry Bear Restaurant and its long run until closing July 8, 2024 for refurbishment during the Critter Country/Tiana’s Bayou Adventure construction. The host details the current Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree’s Country Bear character theming and barbecue-focused menu. The script also recounts the Mile Long Bar (1972–1989), its 1989 renaming to Brer Bar with Splash Mountain-era theming, and its eventual absorption into Pooh’s Corner, now a Winnie the Pooh–themed candy kitchen and shop offering handmade confections like the honey pot apple. Instagram: Once_Upon_a_Castle_Podcast_ TikTok: @giniwest Email: onceuponacastlepodcast@gmail.com

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

13 ratings

Pitching Once Upon a Castle Podcast

Guest appearances

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