800th Podcast Ideas

[techtony]

I listen to the podcast, have subscribed on youtube and have read the wdwinfo.com website. I feel I know the people on the podcast, I feel connected to them. There is something missing though.

I think it would be neat and interesting for each podcast member to be interviewed - during a podcast and answer some burning questions people like me have about the individuals that make up the podcast crew.

Here are some questions I have. If you have questions too, join in! Who knows - the 800th episode could just be the get to know us podcast.

1. How did this all get started?

2. Why did Pete Werner decide to open up Dreams Unlimited?

3. How did Pete meet John and Kevin and how did they join the business?

4. How did each podcast member join the company and why?

5. What is your everyday job like when not doing a podcast?

6. How did Dustin get involved? What does he do outside the podcast?

7. How did Craig get involved? What does he do outside the podcast?

8. Is there ever tension or disagreements outside the podcast?

9. Have you ever wanted to not do the podcast and just go to Disney World instead?

10. How did the Disneyland podcast come into being?

11. How did the Universal podcast come into being?

12. How do you pay for all of this travel you do? Does the company pay for it to keep you up to date on travel trends? Do you earn FFMs - do they pay for your trips?

13. What was your first day on the job like?

14. Are you all friends outside the podcast, or just co-workers?

15. Was there ever a time you thought the travel business would not pan out?

16. Did you always see yourself as a travel agent / writer / webmaster?

17. What is your most embarrassing podcast moment?

18 Does Dustin have a girlfriend or boyfriend or wife or husband?

19. Does Craig have a girlfriend or boyfriend or wife or husband?

20. Is Kathy Married? What about Deb?

21. Are the studios at someones house or the travel agency itself?

22. What prompted you to go into video?

23. How much time do you take each week preparing for a show?

24. What is your craziest fan experience?

25. Do you have a hobby outside of the Disney Universe?

I would love these questions and more to be asked and answered. Got more questions? Ask them here. Do you know the answer to some of these questions - don't keep it a secret, let us know too.

 

[OKW Lover]

All good questions, most of which have been asked and answered before. I'm sure they will reprise them at some point. You might want to look at the podcast archives. I know they discussed several of these questions on the most recent anniversary podcast, but I'm drawing a blank as to when that was.

 

[techtony]

All good questions, most of which have been asked and answered before. I'm sure they will reprise them at some point. You might want to look at the podcast archives. I know they discussed several of these questions on the most recent anniversary podcast, but I'm drawing a blank as to when that was.

I am sure that they have, but to have a whole episode answering questions would be awesome!

I can't watch 790 + episodes, although it would be nice

 

[OKW Lover]

As much as I can recall, I've put some answers below. Please note that this is from my memory and is not an "official" response.

1. How did this all get started? Pete (who was with John at the time) lived in NJ and was a mega-planner for their trips to WDW. Over time, they decided to try out a web site to gather Disney info.

2. Why did Pete Werner decide to open up Dreams Unlimited? Dreams Unlimited is the Travel Agency associated with the DIS Boards. Pete, John and a third (most silent) partner, Donna, set up the TA when some of the advertisers on an early version of the DIS suggested that they could make some commission on bookings. It took off from there.

3. How did Pete meet John and Kevin and how did they join the business? Pete and John were there at the start. John later (about 15 years ago) met Kevin.

4. How did each podcast member join the company and why? Don't have a lot of info on this.

5. What is your everyday job like when not doing a podcast? They run the business. Pete is more on the "idea" end and John is the financial guy. Corey has the big responsibility (with help) of the DIS boards themselves.

6. How did Dustin get involved? What does he do outside the podcast? Dustin is a fairly recent addition to the team. In addition to the podcast, he's involved in a lot of video production for the team.

7. How did Craig get involved? What does he do outside the podcast? Another "new" addition to the team. Not sure if he has other responsibilities.

8. Is there ever tension or disagreements outside the podcast? As with any group of diverse people, yes there is certainly some tension/disagreement. Fortunately they are all grown-ups and seem to handle it well.

9. Have you ever wanted to not do the podcast and just go to Disney World instead? No doubt they would prefer that at times. Preparing for, and actually recording the podcast can be a bit draining according to some of the participants I've talked to.

10. How did the Disneyland podcast come into being? Pete wanted to include the west coast and solicited people to be part of that podcast.

11. How did the Universal podcast come into being? Similar to #10. It was a fairly natural extension to the more Disney-centric podcast.

12. How do you pay for all of this travel you do? Does the company pay for it to keep you up to date on travel trends? Do you earn FFMs - do they pay for your trips? I'm not familiar with the finances of the DIS and I suspect they consider it private info.

13. What was your first day on the job like? Good question

14. Are you all friends outside the podcast, or just co-workers? Yes, and yes. Some are friends, some are co-workers, some are both.

15. Was there ever a time you thought the travel business would not pan out? I'd love to hear Pete and John's thoughts here. I understand that after 9/11 things were a bit tight.

16. Did you always see yourself as a travel agent / writer / webmaster? good question

17. What is your most embarrassing podcast moment? Would love to hear this also.

18 Does Dustin have a girlfriend or boyfriend or wife or husband? I've hear Dustin mention an old girlfriend, but haven't heard anything recent.

19. Does Craig have a girlfriend or boyfriend or wife or husband? Craig is engaged to a lovely young lady name Kyle

20. Is Kathy Married? What about Deb? Kathy is widowed. I don't know who Deb is.

21. Are the studios at someones house or the travel agency itself? The Bob Varley Studio is at Pete's house.

22. What prompted you to go into video? Pete was the driver for this, but to some extent it goes back to Bob who first had a community access show on cable in MA.

23. How much time do you take each week preparing for a show? Good question too.

24. What is your craziest fan experience? Probably meeting all of us at an event.

25. Do you have a hobby outside of the Disney Universe? I know several of them have hobbies, some of which are used to good effect here. Corey is big into photography and you'll see a lot of his stuff (along with Dustin, Kathy and Pete) accompanying things on the podcast or the boards. Pete loves all things technological. If its new, Pete has it. John & Kevin are the more laid-back of the group. They love travel, not just to Disney, and seeing new things.

-------------------------------
Again, the above are answers that I have gleaned from years of following the podcast, attending live tapings and meeting them in person. I may have got some of the stuff wrong so please forgive any misinterpretations.

 

[techtony]

Thank you for filling in the gaps. That was brilliant!

You see, I am a sucker for stories. I love hearing how things got started. Whenever I meet a couple I am fascinated with how they met, how they really thought about each other at first, and "the moment" - the moment they realized this is the one". I also love hearing how businesses start - the thought process, the serendipitous moments and the highs and the lows. The art of story telling is getting lost with our current generation, so hearing a true story involving something I am interested in is refreshing and interesting.

I hope they fill in the rest or right an article for all to read.

The one that interests me the most is - John and Pete were together, but they own the business jointly (I am assuming), but have different partners now.

That should be interesting.

By the way - Craig is hilarious! I love his deadpan delivery of those off handed comments LOL.

 

[safetymom]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/podcast/roundtable-introshow.mp3

Here is a link to show where we answer a lot of your questions. Kathy from the Podcast.

 

[techtony]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/podcast/roundtable-introshow.mp3

Here is a link to show where we answer a lot of your questions. Kathy from the Podcast.

When you say Kathy from the podcast..... do you mean YOU are THE KATHY from the podcast? (getting giddy here)

Gonna listen to that episode now

 

[rteetz]

When you say Kathy from the podcast..... do you mean YOU are THE KATHY from the podcast? (getting giddy here) Gonna listen to that episode now

Yes that is Kathy from the podcast

 

[safetymom]

When you say Kathy from the podcast..... do you mean YOU are THE KATHY from the podcast? (getting giddy here)

Gonna listen to that episode now

Yes it is me.

 

[DisneyKevin]

THE KATHY

Do we have to call you that from now on?

 

[safetymom]

Just plain old Kathy works.

 

[OKW Lover]

Just plain old Kathy works.

Is that like "just Ellen"?

 

[k5jm]

Just plain old Kathy works.

Wait, you are not WebmasterKathy?

 

[SamSam]

I really like 'THE KATHY'.

 

[Tonyz]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/podcast/roundtable-introshow.mp3

Here is a link to show where we answer a lot of your questions. Kathy from the Podcast.

Wow, that was an awesome listen. I loved learning more about all you guys. Pete's had such an interesting life (both highs and lows). He should write a book (although he's basically told us everything in the podcasts).

Thanks a lot, THE Kathy! You rock!

 

[techtony]

Ugh - I have to write a post after someone with my same name LOL.

Just listened - WOW, that answered a lot of questions and I feel a lot more connected to this group!

Love you guys!

 

[GAN]

I really like 'THE KATHY'.

I'd have to agree. That's genius! Wait, that's John -right?

 

[nkereina]

Good idea OP - I've been listening for a while too and have some of the same type of questions. It seems like most, if not all of the podcasters are Florida transplants - moved to the Orlando from another state. I know some has been mentioned in bits and pieces, but would love to hear each of their stories surrounding their moves - when, why, pros and cons, tips for others considering the same, etc. I'm most interested in how Corey and Julie ended up in the area from LA, I think their story is probably the only one I haven't heard mentioned. Also curious how Corey joined the team - is he part owner or was he hired by the team?

 

[jcb]

Good idea OP - I've been listening for a while too and have some of the same type of questions. It seems like most, if not all of the podcasters are Florida transplants - moved to the Orlando from another state. I know some has been mentioned in bits and pieces, but would love to hear each of their stories surrounding their moves - when, why, pros and cons, tips for others considering the same, etc. I'm most interested in how Corey and Julie ended up in the area from LA, I think their story is probably the only one I haven't heard mentioned. Also curious how Corey joined the team - is he part owner or was he hired by the team?

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/wdwinfo.com/podcast/anniversary-56.mp3 - Julie starts explaining her "story" starting at 19:30 and then Corey follows Julie (naturally) but if you skip out on Bob's story, you'll never forgive yourself.

 

[dvcfamily41801]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/podcast/roundtable-introshow.mp3

Here is a link to show where we answer a lot of your questions. Kathy from the Podcast.

Can you please tell me which show # this is? I was trying to listen on my computer at work but it is all distorted. I would love to download and listen again

Thanks!