Ep 322 - Chilling in the Vibe with Matthew McConaughey (Sponsored by Steamboat Willie)

·59 min·5 clips

Rob explains why Disney can't stop two Mickey Mouse horror films after Steamboat Willie entered the public domain.

The episode opens with Christine sharing her interest in trying Dungeons & Dragons with Peter, leading into casual banter about the hosts' holiday breaks and Christine recovering from COVID. Rob introduces the main news topic: Steamboat Willie entering the public domain on January 1st. He explains the legal distinction between copyright and trademark, noting Disney cannot stop uses of the 1928 short but will protect later versions of Mickey Mouse. The hosts discuss immediate reactions, including two announced horror films and a video game called 'Mouse.' Rob speculates this begins a wave of Disney classics entering public domain, starting with Snow White in about nine years, and suggests Disney's live-action remakes are a strategy to maintain relevancy. Shifting to park news, they analyze the announcement of 'The Little Mermaid, A Musical Adventure' coming to Hollywood Studios in fall 2024, questioning whether it's a full reimagining or a refresh, and debating the future of that park area. They mention a new free-moving animatronic of Duke Weaselton showcased at Shanghai Disney. The hosts discuss Disney+ subscribers being offered free dining plans as a perk, and Rob critiques the rising price of Genie+, which peaked at $39 per day over the holidays. They express frustration with Disney's new 'good to go days' for passholders, calling the reservation system overly complicated. Other news includes the Magic Happens parade returning to Disneyland and Country Bear Jamboree closing for a refurbishment. In the Q&A segment, listeners suggest potential narrators for a future Spaceship Earth update, with ideas including Neil deGrasse Tyson, William Shatner, Patrick Stewart, and Matthew McConaughey. Another question asks which animatronic could be moved to another ride, leading to suggestions like Hondo from Smugglers Run in Pirates of the Caribbean. The hosts read listener feedback, including congratulations to a new parent and a thank-you from a former FFA president. Christine shares she's reading 'Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow' and attending the New York Video Game Awards, while Rob is playing Lorcana and anticipating Persona 3 Reload.

As heard by us

Disney price creep, D&D chaos, and a crowded gaming backlog fuel this relaxed New Year catch-up.

A loose New Year catch-up moves between Disney pricing, streaming retention, tabletop temptation, and an overstuffed gaming calendar. Its best section asks whether a Disney+ free-dining offer would actually help the parks or simply give current subscribers one more reason to…

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Why you'd press play

You get Disney price math, tabletop mischief, and a gaming backlog already losing the calendar battle.

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