Imagination Skyway

Disney Proposals, Trip Costs, Family Travel, and More Listener Questions

Planning a surprise proposal at Walt Disney World? Wondering about the growing cost of a Disney vacation? Trying to plan the perfect first Disney trip for a one-year-old infant or a toddler? This podcast episode addresses listener questions about Disney travel, insights, and ideas.
 
To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel, voted the Top Travel Agency in Orlando in 2025 in Orlando Magazine’s annual “Best of ORL”. You can get rewarded for booking a Disney trip with KMV Travel in 2026 when you indicate that Imagination Skyway referred you. 
 
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Cotino: A Disney Storyliving Community Designed by Imagineers

Explore Cotino, A Storyliving by Disney Community—from its Imagineered design and Walt-inspired vision to model homes, the Artisan Club, the Parr House event space, and how to buy a home there. A complete guide to Disney’s first Storyliving neighborhood.
Take an in-depth look at Cotino, A Storyliving by Disney Community—a neighborhood blending Imagineering design, Disney storytelling, and mid-century modern living. Discover how Walt’s original vision for community and creativity inspired this desert retreat, and learn what makes it unlike any other community. In this episode, we explore the Imagineering behind Cotino’s design, the Artisan Club’s exclusive amenities, the Parr House event space, and the model homes now available.
Thanks to Steph from WDW Magazine for joining me on this episode. Read their latest blog articles about Cotino:
What is Cotino, Disney's First Storyliving Community?
Look Inside the Homes at Cotino, a Storyliving by Disney Community
To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.
 
Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.
 
Tag me and join the conversation below.
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How to Support the Show
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Enjoy the show!

Disney's Riviera Resort: A Complete Guide to Your Stay

Dreaming of a European escape at Walt Disney World? In this episode of Imagination Skyway, we take you on an in-depth journey through Disney’s Riviera Resort, exploring everything it has to offer—from its Mediterranean-inspired art and architecture to world-class dining, Disney Skyliner access, pools, and Disney Vacation Club villa accommodations. Discover why this resort has become a fan favorite among Walt Disney World guests, what makes it stand out from other Disney Vacation Club properties, and insider tips to help you make the most of your stay. Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning for more Riviera magic, this episode is your all-in-one guide to the most elegant EPCOT Resort property.
To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.
 
Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.
 
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How to Support the Show
Share the podcast with your friends
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Enjoy the show!

Disney Parks Background Music | The Best Walt Disney World Area Music Loops

Do you love the music of Walt Disney World? The optimistic ambience of EPCOT's World Celebration, whimsical sounds of Magic Kingdom, organic vibes at Disney's Animal Kingdom, and cinematic orchestrations of Disney's Hollywood Studios each set the tone for the theme parks, as do the music loops found at the hotels (each one carefully curated to match the theme of the resort). In this episode, we dive into our favorite background music loops at the theme parks, resorts, and beyond.
Be sure to check out ResortTV1 (thanks to Josh for joining me on this episode).
To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.
 
Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.
 
Tag me and join the conversation below.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway
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Email: matt@imagineerpodcast.com 
How to Support the Show
Share the podcast with your friends
Rate and review on iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-imagineerpodcasts-podcast/id1244558092
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Enjoy the show!

Music of Space Mountain: Imagineers Eddie Sotto & Aarin Richard

How do you capture the feeling of blasting through the cosmos on Space Mountain? In the 1990s, Imagineers Eddie Sotto and Aarin Richard were tasked with adding a synchronized on-board audio track to Space Mountain in Disneyland California and creating a synchronized on-board audio track for the brand new Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris. In this episode of Imagination Skyway, we journey into the creation of Space Mountain’s groundbreaking soundtracks for Disneyland (featuring Dick Dale) and Disneyland Paris. Join Disney Imagineers Eddie Sotto and Aarin Richard as they reveal how these iconic scores came to life—from creative experimentation and studio sessions to the storytelling choices that shaped the attraction’s tone and tempo.
Eddie Sotto has been called “a renaissance creative” with a proven track record in entertainment design that extends far beyond Disney. As Senior Vice President of Concept Design at Walt Disney Imagineering, he led the Concept Development Studio, producing and designing major attractions including Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Paris and Rocket Rods. Mentored by Disney Legends Tony Baxter and Herb Ryman, Sotto went on to found SottoStudios, applying cinematic design principles to television, restaurants, hospitality, ultra-luxury interiors, and even private aviation—earning an IYAA Award for “Best Private Jet Concept.” In 2020, Blooloop named him one of the Top 50 Theme Park Influencers.
Aarin Richard served as a Walt Disney Imagineer starting in the 1990s working in the music group. His projects included the first synchronized on-board audio track for Space Mountain at Disneyland and Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris, as well as the music for the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Indiana Jones Adventure, and beyond.
Listen to the Aarin and Eddie's Space Mountain soundtrack recorded with Dick Dale on YouTube.
 
To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.
 
Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.
 
Tag me and join the conversation below.
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Email: matt@imagineerpodcast.com 
How to Support the Show
Share the podcast with your friends
Rate and review on iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-imagineerpodcasts-podcast/id1244558092
Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway
Purchase merchandise - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/imagineer-podcast?ref_id=8929
Enjoy the show!

Walt Disney World Airport Transportation | JLS Private Car Service

In this post-Disney Magical Express world, there are many ways to get between Orlando International Airport and your Walt Disney World Resort hotel. My transportation of choice is JLS Exclusive Transportation, a small business I've been using and promoting for the last few years. Whether you're looking for an airport transfer (to anywhere in Florida) or a special night out, JLS can accommodate all your transportation needs and will coordinate everything you need before, during, and after your trip.
 
In this episode, I chat with Sohail from JLS about his entrepreneurial journey and about what clients can expect using his service. You can get in touch with Sohail and his team by calling 407-460-7511 or sending an email to jlsexclusivetransportation@gmail.com. Let them know that Matthew Krul from Imagination Skyway sent you!
 
To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.
 
Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.
 
Tag me and join the conversation below.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway
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Threads: https://www.threads.net/@imaginationskyway
Twitter: www.twitter.com/skywaypodcast
Email: matt@imagineerpodcast.com 
How to Support the Show
Share the podcast with your friends
Rate and review on iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-imagineerpodcasts-podcast/id1244558092
Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway
Purchase merchandise - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/imagineer-podcast?ref_id=8929
Enjoy the show!

New Disney Audio-Animatronics Announced: Frozen, Zootopia, and Muppets

Walt Disney World is unveiling new Audio-Animatronics updates across multiple attractions. Guests can meet a brand-new Benjamin Clawhauser figure in Zootopia: Better Zoogether! at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, enjoy upgraded Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff figures in Frozen Ever After at EPCOT, and zoom into Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets with the first-ever Muppets Audio-Animatronics, including Scooter and more surprises.
Enjoy more Imagination Skyway News episodes like this one: https://www.patreon.com/collection/373926
 
To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.
 
Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.
 
Tag me and join the conversation below.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway
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Threads: https://www.threads.net/@imaginationskyway
Twitter: www.twitter.com/skywaypodcast
Email: matt@imagineerpodcast.com 
How to Support the Show
Share the podcast with your friends
Rate and review on iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-imagineerpodcasts-podcast/id1244558092
Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway
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Enjoy the show!

Beak and Barrel | Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern | Disney Magic Kingdom

The Beak & Barrel Pirates of the Caribbean tavern is the latest lounge to open at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. This immersive dining location (for all ages) brings guests into the world of Pirates of the Caribbean (the ride and the film franchise). Complete with a rowdy pirate crew, an affable parrot first mate (Rummy), story-driven details, and savory food and drink, The Beak & Barrel is an experience that will leave the whole family wanting to set sail like a true pirate of the Caribbean.
 
In this episode, I chat with CJ from WDW Magazine about our experience at a media preview for The Beak & Barrel. The episode is light on spoilers but will give you a good idea of what to expect and what to look out for on your next visit.
 
To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.
 
Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.
 
Tag me and join the conversation below.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway
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Facebook Group (ImagiNation): https://www.facebook.com/groups/imaginationskyway
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TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@imaginationskyway 
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@imaginationskyway
Twitter: www.twitter.com/skywaypodcast
Email: matt@imagineerpodcast.com 
How to Support the Show
Share the podcast with your friends
Rate and review on iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-imagineerpodcasts-podcast/id1244558092
Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway
Purchase merchandise - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/imagineer-podcast?ref_id=8929
Enjoy the show!