State of the Kingdom: Q3 2025

The Idiots proudly present the very first State of the Kingdom. In this quarterly address, we step back from our regular content to bring you the big picture: the progress, challenges, and future of Disney Parks and Imagineering.This quarter, we touch on key announcements from Destination D23, major construction updates across the parks including Piston Peak, Tropical Americas, and Monstropolis, as well as the rumors that could shape what comes next.Consider this your official briefing on where the Kingdom stands today, and where it is headed tomorrow.Send us a textSupport the showDon't forget to check us out on Instagram!

Ever wonder how Disney parades make their music feel perfectly timed no matter where you stand? In this Micro Magic episode, Stephen dives into the ingenious systems Imagineers use to synchronize floats, speakers, lighting, and effects. The result is a seamless, magical soundtrack that seems to appear out of nowhere.From classic parades to the newest nighttime spectaculars, you’ll get a peek at the tricks behind the scenes that make Disney’s moving shows feel effortless. It is five minutes of Imagineering insight, park trivia, and fascinating audio magic. This is the perfect off-season treat for curious Disney fans.Send us a textSupport the showDon't forget to check us out on Instagram!

Off-season continues, and this week we’re rewinding to one that hits especially close to home.We’re heading back to Season 2, Episode 13: Canceled: Muppet Studios, a fan favorite from our Canceled series. In this episode, Kaity and Marissa reimagined a full Muppets land for Hollywood Studios, filled with joy, heart, and the kind of humor only the Muppets can deliver.With the recent closure of Muppet Courtyard and the removal of Muppet*Vision 3D, this one feels more timely than ever. Marissa starts things off with a heartfelt reflection on why this space mattered, how we got here, and what's next for everyone’s favorite felt-covered chaos crew.If you're still mourning the loss of Muppet Courtyard, you're not alone. This episode is for you.Send us a textSupport the showDon't forget to check us out on Instagram!

It’s almost Destination D23 weekend, but this year something’s missing. For the first time in recent memory, there’s no big Disney Parks panel and that changes everything. Normally this is the moment Disney fans gather for announcements and future park teases. Instead, we’re left with a few scattered panels, a lot of questions, and just maybe a glimmer of hope for a Villains Land reveal.In this off-season episode, the Idiots dig into why Disney might be holding back, how last year’s mixed reception could be shaping their strategy, and what the lack of a panel says about the relationship between the company and its fans. We also share our fantasy Parks Panel predictions, from safe bets to wild long shots, because even when the news is quiet the speculation is loud.Settle in and join us as we unpack what could have been or what may be.Send us a textSupport the showDon't forget to check us out on Instagram!

Stephen uncovers the unusual story of a theme park in Malaysia tied to big-name movies and a massive legal battle. It’s a park that’s connected to Disney’s world but isn’t quite Disney, and it’s sitting right next to a casino...This quick Micro Magic episode dives into a strange chapter of theme park history you probably haven’t heard before.Send us a textSupport the showDon't forget to check us out on Instagram!

Season 3 has wrapped, but you didn’t think we’d leave you hanging, did you?This week, we’re rewinding to Season 1, Episode 17: North America Land, a personal favorite of Stephen’s and one of our most ambitious early projects. In this episode, he and Jenny dream up a brand-new land for Disney’s Animal Kingdom inspired by the landscapes, cultures, and storytelling of North America.Stephen opens with a current-day reflection on why this one still holds up and what makes it feel especially timely now. Then it's straight into the project from there.Whether you’re revisiting or hearing it for the first time, this is a great episode to rediscover.Send us a textSupport the showDon't forget to check us out on Instagram!

After seven months of chaotic brainstorming, feral laughter, and over two dozen wildly ambitious blue-sky projects, Season 3 of Idiot’s Guide to Imagineering wraps with a high-stakes showdown between Marissa and Stephen for the title of Idiot Imagineer of the Year. In this season finale, the Idiots bring all the imagination, storytelling, and unhinged creativity they’ve honed across three seasons into one last head-to-head pitch challenge. There are surprises, unexpected strategies, and a judging system that, thankfully, doesn’t require a rocket scientist this time.But this episode isn’t just about the winner. It’s a celebration of everything the Idiots have built together: stronger stories, deeper friendships, and a growing community of fellow dreamers who remind us why we keep doing this. With heartfelt reflections on the past season and a glimpse into what’s ahead, the finale is a reminder that the story is far from over. If you’ve been waiting for a perfect blend of theme park nerdiness, friendship-fueled banter, and just enough emotional chaos to feel like home, this is it.Send us a textSupport the showDon't forget to check us out on Instagram!

Do you really need animals for something to make sense in Disney’s Animal Kingdom? This week, Stephen explores that question with a proposal inspired by a Pixar movie you might have skipped. While it did not make a huge cultural splash, Elemental has more in common with Animal Kingdom than you might think, thanks to its themes of nature, balance, and environmental connection.Set in one of the park’s most overlooked areas, this concept reimagines the space with color, creativity, and just the right amount of chaos. The Idiots weigh in with their thoughts, reactions, and a few puns along the way. It is the final full pitch of Season 3, and a great reminder that even the quieter corners of the Disney universe can spark big ideas.Send us a textSupport the showDon't forget to check us out on Instagram!

This week, we return to Magic Kingdom carefully. It’s a park we rarely touch out of respect and a healthy fear of Disney purists, but this week, we’re not taking anything away; we’re only adding. Tucked behind Storybook Circus lies a triangular patch of unused land, and today we’re turning it into the Sherwood Renaissance Faire, a playful, tongue-in-cheek addition to Fantasyland inspired by Robin Hood.We dig into why this underused classic deserves the spotlight, how IP plays a role in guest connection, and what it looks like to expand Fantasyland with intention and charm. Expect mischievous games, wandering characters, medieval eats, and one high-stakes experience that brings the world of Nottingham to life.It’s nostalgic, merry, and misfit-friendly, an expansion that feels like it was always meant to be.Send us a textSupport the showDon't forget to check us out on Instagram!

To celebrate Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, Stephen, Kaity, and Disneyland expert Kim Millspaugh (@disney.sme) take a deep dive into the world of live shows at the park. From beloved classics to recent closures, we explore the surprising decline in stage entertainment and what it means for Disneyland’s storytelling future.Why are so many theaters sitting empty? What challenges and choices have shaped this shift? And does live entertainment still hold the same magic it once did?Stephen shares an exciting Imagineering vision that could breathe new life into Disneyland’s stages, bringing back fan favorites and introducing bold new productions to thrill audiences once again.Join us to discover the stories behind the curtains and what might be next for one of Disney’s most enchanting traditions.Send us a textSupport the showDon't forget to check us out on Instagram!