This blog is being retired!

Hello there, everyone. SurferClock here with one final post for this blog.

For the 5 years (holy smokes, it's been 5 years!) that this podcast has been operating, we initially used the blog to spread the word and had posted the MP3s of the podcast on an audio-hosting site that I'm sure has gone belly-up by now. This was a good method for helping to get early word out, and once we moved the operation to YouTube, things REALLY took off from there. We gained followers, which I led back here to the blog to get updates when new episodes would release.

Given the advances in notification technology, not to mention the majority of the fanbase being YouTube subscribers and Facebook fan page followers, I've come to determine that there is less and less traffic being generated by the blog itself. Remembering to update the blog and not have it say exactly what was being said elsewhere became an exercise in frustration. The last straw was when the Blogger app for iPhone officially ceased to function as it should, no longer allowing me to post updates on the go. Even just remembering to do this every time a new episode came along proved to be more effort than maintaining this blog is worth. So, as of today, I am shutting down the blog found here at https://wtapodcast.blogspot.com ...this blog will continue to stay up and archive the posts, but this post will be at the top when accessed, and no more posts will follow this one unless extraordinary circumstances were to occur.

To whomever did use this as a source for the latest and most up to the date news for the "What's the Attraction?" Podcast, I appreciate your patronage to this blog for all this time. You were truly the ones it was intended for, as there were occasionally snippets of content that didn't make it to the other sources. That's what kept it worth doing each time. As time went on, it became a matter of either forgetting something unique or forgetting the entry as a whole. Clearly, that's a disservice to those using this blog, so what I figure is that by this point, if you haven't found a way to keep up with the podcast outside of this blog, then you might need a bit of a helping hand, which we will provide in this post.

Advantages of keeping up with us through a new means include -
~Never miss an episode!
~Interact with other fans of the show (well, if you want to, anyhow)
~Be far more likely to reach us directly!
~Get the latest updates without having to worry you're missing out!

So, now that you're ready to follow us away from here, where can you do it? Find us at one of the following links:

YouTube - Join our legion of YouTube subscribers here! Or just watch the show from here (but we'd love for you to subscribe!)
Facebook - Join the Facebook page here! Get social and engage us directly.

That'll be all for now. Again, if you used this blog as your primary source for news about the podcast, we appreciate your patronage to the blog over the past 5 years. As the show continues to grow and develop, we're happy to have you with us every step of the way. Again, this blog will serve as an archive to share how far we've come, but now, please follow us on one of the links above! We'd love to see you there.

SurferClock

Combo Post 2 - Episodes 119 and 120

I apparently love making Combo Posts, because this is already the second one of 2017.

The latest episodes of "What's the Attraction?" knock out a few more reviews for theme park attractions that have been requested by the fans. We hit Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges at Universal's Islands of Adventure in Episode 119, which can be found by clicking here, toot-tooooot!

Episode 120 tackles another fan request, bringing us onboard the Death Star itself. Thankfully, no Bothans had to perish to bring us information about the replacement for the Magic of Disney Animation attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios: the Star Wars Launch Bay. This episode features guest roles courtesy of Matt Timmy Creamer (the MoviePilot blogger, whose articles can be found right here, amigo) and CellaBellaRella. Check out the episode by using the force of your mouse or touchpad to click over there. No, just kidding, click right here!

Enjoy our latest, and feel free to leave comments, subscribe, and tell your friends! As always, thanks for watching!

Combo Post - New Episode and a Minisode!

Happy 2017, fans and listeners! SurferClock here, with a huge apology to those who still use this blog as a source of information for "What's the Attraction?" updates...I totally forgot to post about Episode 118, our review of Frozen Ever After. If you haven't seen it yet, you can check that out (last review of 2016, and Epcot's newest attraction!) by clicking here! It was the last episode of 2016, and features one of the newest members of the WTA regular guest stars, CellaBellaRella!

After you've enjoyed that episode, we've got something a bit more somber on the docket for today. You'll notice that this is posted on Friday, not the normal podcast day. SeaWorld Florida announced that Tilikum, one of the most iconic orcas of the family, has passed away earlier today. While more empathic human beings are giving SeaWorld their thoughts and prayers during this tough time, a good majority of the social media responses to Tilikum's passing are...not so nice, to say the least. I put out something of a Fed Up! mini-episode as an impassioned plea to those thinking about perpetuating further malice and hatred so soon after this unfortunate passing, which you can listen to right here.

2017 promises to be an exciting year for theme park fans, and "What's the Attraction?" will be right here, rating and discussing more attractions old and new, and we hope that you'll not only join us, but bring more of your friends along for the ride(s)! May we all enjoy a prosperous and happy new year, and stay tuned to "What's the Attraction?", where our work is your vacation!

SurferClock

Episode 117 - It's A Small World

Greetings, one and all! SurferClock here, along with TAP-G, to bring your the latest episode of "What's the Attraction?"

Today, we bring a message of friendship from aboard the happiest cruise that ever sailed...we're taking on It's A Small World! A staple at Magic Kingdom since 1971, this classic attraction serves as a prayer for peace, and yet, can be so terribly maligned by the general public, mostly due to its infectiously memorable attraction song, a song that took #1 on our Top 10 Attraction Songs list (have a refresher here!) There's a good reason for that, but outside of the song, does it still hold up after so many years? Check out what we thought by clicking on the link below.

Episode 117 - It's A Small World on YouTube

Fed Up #9 - I Can't Relate: Disney Springs

It's TAP-G's turn to take over for a solo segment! With all the changes happening along Central Florida's parks, it's turned attention away from one of the biggest transformations to happen in nearly a decade: the complete transmogrification of the Downtown Disney area into the hip, hot, trendy and 'happening' Disney Springs. Sure, there are Downtown Disney-esque elements still in place, as several of the shops that made it truly unique still exist, and you can still play in DisneyQuest (for now!) or catch the breathtaking Cirque du Soleil: La Nouba. As it is, Disney Springs has undergone such radical change that you can barely recognize the place if it's been more than maybe about a year since you've been. Towering parking garages, trendy new shops and restaurants...you could probably drop thrice in one day if your motif is to "shop 'til you drop," as it were.

Needless to say, I can't relate. What can I say, I'm a nostalgia nut whose first visits to Disney World back in Far-Too-Long-Ago Land seriously impacted me in many positive ways. So, to see what it's all become is, to steal from my buddy SurferClock's favorite film series, "kinda heavy."

I'm not saying EVERYTHING about it is terrible, there are some really nice things about it, things we didn't have before. And in today's Fed Up, I'm going to lay it all out on the table. If you can't tell from the title, it's mostly a case of "I Can't Relate," but give it a listen, and feel free to share your own thoughts as well. Keep it civil, though, please and thank you.

Fed Up #9 - I Can't Relate: Disney Springs on YouTube

Episode 116 - Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club

Hello, world! SurferClock here along with TAP-G once more to bring you the very latest episode of "What's the Attraction?" That's right, we're finally back from hiatus!

This week, the boys decide to take on an attraction over at the Magic Kingdom Park, live from Tomorrowland, it's the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club! This space has been just about every attraction under the sun, having at least 4 previous attractions under its belt. Based on the Pixar film Monsters Inc., this sort of pseudo-sequel continues the notion of monsters needing fuel from humans, but rather than harvesting your screams, it's now your laughter they're after! Proven to be 10 times more powerful than the screams of yesteryear, you'll join Mike Wazowski, the "Monster of Ceremonies," in trying to power the town of Monstropolis with your laughs. Will you be throwing your arms up in laughter, or seeking out the nearest tomato to toss? Find out by listening to our review by clicking the link below!

Episode 116 - Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club on YouTube

Thanks to Daniel Shull for contributing today's cover art! You can find more of his art over on his deviantART page, linked riiiiiight here!

SurferClock 

Episode 115 - Rest in Pieces: The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera

Gosh golly willikers, sports fans! (When am I ever going to get a chance at that kind of intro again?) SurferClock here, along with TAP-G, to bring you the latest episode of "What's the Attraction?"

Requested by several folks (which makes this by popular demand), today's episode of "What's the Attraction?" is the Rest in Pieces episode for "The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera" at Universal Studios Florida! This attraction opened with the park on June 7, 1990, and featured a wild chase through the cartoon universes of the acclaimed Hanna-Barbera Studios. Hosted by Yogi Bear and Boo Boo, guests joined them on the ride to save Elroy Jetson from the likes of Dick Dastardly. The attraction closed to make way for Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast, and then that closed to make way for the currently-operating Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem. Find out the fascinating history behind it all, and then strap in as the boys give this attraction one last ride as a proper send-off...this time, you get the pre-show AND the ride!

The best part of all...you don't even have to queue up! Just click the link, and enjoy. Episode 115 - Rest in Pieces: The Funtastic World of Hanna Barbera on YouTube