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 will 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 will 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 discover the wonder. This is Once Upon a Castle.

Once Upon a Castle Podcast is a news podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 25 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Once Upon a Castle Podcast, a news show with 25 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #23

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

  Aug 14, 202642 min

  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

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  Episode #22

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

  Jul 31, 202627 min

  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

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  Episode #20

  Episode 021: Bayou Adventures: Tales of Disneyland’s Enchanting Corner

  Jul 3, 202645 min

  Gini returns to the Once Upon a Castle podcast after an unexpected month-long hiatus and begins a new series on Disneyland’s Bayou Country, formerly Bear Country and Critter Country, outlining upcoming episodes on attractions, entertainment, food, and a guest conversation. The episode traces the land’s footprint from Frontierland’s Indian Village (1955–1971) and the Indian War Canoes (1956) through Bear Country’s 1972 opening built around the Country Bear Jamboree, then Critter Country’s 1988 rename ahead of Splash Mountain (1989), and finally the November 2024 transformation into Bayou Country with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Key attractions and details include the guest-powered Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes, retail rethemes from Indian Trading Post to Briar Patch to Ray’s Berets, the 2003 debut of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh replacing Country Bear Jamboree, and the creative development and Louisiana research behind Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which Gini personally rode once and found too soaking wet. Instagram: Once_Upon_a_Castle_Podcast_ TikTok: @virginiakwest Email: magic@onceuponacastlepodcast.com

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  Episode #19

  Episode 020: A Disney Historian’s Tale with Michael Holland

  May 8, 20261h 34m

  The Once Upon a Castle podcast welcomes Disney historian and storyteller Michael Holland, author of The Year Before Disneyland and host of From Out of the Past at Holland Imaginarium. Holland shares how growing up immersed in classic Hollywood shaped his approach to Disney history, including focusing on “facts versus truths” and highlighting Roy Disney’s crucial role alongside Walt, whose TV presence made him the public face as “Uncle Walt.” He recounts early family trips to Disneyland, his love of the Jungle Cruise (including favorite jokes and its evolving live-skipper format), and how curiosity and research deepen park visits. Holland explains how his book and podcast examine July 1954–July 1955 as a period when Disneyland was built alongside major studio milestones like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Lady and the Tramp, the first TV series, the Davy Crockett phenomenon, distribution changes, and hotel plans, emphasizing Disney’s perseverance. The episode closes with where to find Holland’s work and a teaser for the podcast’s next Bayou Country series. Instagram: Once_Upon_a_Castle_Podcast_ TikTok: @virginiakwest Patreon: Once Upon a Castle Podcast (Gini) Email: magic@onceuponacastlepodcast.com holland_imaginarium linktr.ee/hollandimaginarium BUY HERE: “The Year Before Disneyland” https://themeparkpress.com/products/the-year-before-disneyland?_pos=1&_psq=the+year&_ss=e&_v=1.0 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-out-of-the-past/id1709872451

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  Episode #18

  Episode 019: Unveiling Disney Magic: A Couple’s Guide to The Happiest Place on Earth

  Apr 24, 20261h 34m

  Host Gini brings on her husband, Jason West, to recap a packed two-day Disneyland Resort trip after discussing his limited Disney background, first impressions, and preference for atmosphere and exploration over long lines. At Disneyland they rope-dropped Fantasyland rides, ate at Red Rose Tavern, rode a Main Street firetruck, took the “Women Who Make the Magic” guided tour (with reserved viewing and treats), did Star Tours, Cafe Orleans, enjoyed Bootstrappers with Jack Sparrow, hit Pirates and Haunted Mansion, and used tour viewing for Paint the Night and castle projections (fireworks canceled). At DCA they rope-dropped Guardians, endured a long Web Slingers delay, bought Lightning Lane and a Cars single pass, rode Radiator Springs Racers, ate at Lamplight Lounge, sampled Food & Wine items and live music, and ended with the World of Color dessert party. They conclude the tour/dessert party and Lightning Lane felt worth the cost, and Gini teases an upcoming interview with author/podcaster Michael Holland. Instagram: Once_Upon_a_Castle_Podcast_ TikTok: @virginiakwest Patreon: Once Upon a Castle Podcast (Gini) Email: magic@onceuponacastlepodcast.com

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