Thanks for keeping the Wakefield
Report going strong for 1 year!
These reviews are my personal
opinions of each podcast. Your Top Ten list may be something completely
different than mine. Agree or disagree, feel free to comment, tweet, or email me
your thoughts and opinions!
6:
Season Pass Podcast (Rank LY 3) Rating PG-13 www.seasonpasspodcast.com
I consider
this show to be the most underrated podcast out there. It is simply phenomenal.
And to be honest its placement in this years ranking is a little bit unfair. There
are just so many great shows out there this year, Season Pass dropped into this spot. That may change a year from now
or so as a lot of theme park podcasts come and go quickly. Having been a top
show since 2007 this podcast is a definite contender and here to stay. Host Doug
Barnes is nothing short of a professional and would give any national radio
host a run for their money. This podcast does not just cover Disney but also
covers the smaller regional theme parks across the country. And just when you
thought you have heard it all about theme parks, Doug will release a special ERT or Emerson Disney Files episode that will completely blow your mind!
STRENGTHS: This show has such a wide variety. If
someone were to ask me, “What is the Season Pass Podcast about.” I would
stammer and stutter my way through an explanation; more so than the usual
amount of stammering and stuttering I usually do. In mid August the show topped
out in the iTunes Places and Travel rankings at #82.This show has a big and
loyal fan base that was earned by a lot of hard work by Doug. The ability of
the show to cover so many theme parks across the nation is very special and unmatched in all of theme park podcasting. The live segments from the parks
are a great treat for the listener. Also, this show has what may be the best
audio quality out there. I look forward to many more years of great, top notch,
quality podcasting from the Season Pass.
WEAKNESS: This show probably does the best job
at covering Halloween events at theme parks. Their coverage is extensive;
maybe a little too extensive. This year was not too bad, but I do think that
the Halloween coverage this year was a little bit predictable. Don’t get me
wrong, the most recent episode that covered the Knotts Trapped house was one of
the funniest shows I have heard all year. The only down side was that the show
came out in mid November. Other than that small little gripe, I think this show
is on the right track.
5:
Disney Hipster Podcast (Rank LY --)
Rating R www.disneyhipsters.com
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
I am definitely biased on this review
for more than one reason. On top of this show being a fantastic podcast, the Disney Hipsters also have a fantastic
blog, YouTube page, tumblr, and more. This show is new to the crowded theme park
podcasting scene and made a big splash right away. And that is not easy to do. But
I think the fact that the Hipsters are true fans of the parks, objective, and give
their listeners an honest unfiltered opinion contributes to this young shows
success. The highest ranking for this show this year was back in early June
when the podcast reached #83 in the iTunes Places and Travel section; one of the
best rankings for any newcomer this year.
STRENGTHS:
The
show is described as one that, “Critique the aesthetic choices of the Disney
company.” That kind of approach to Disney podcasting is fresh, unique, and has
been well received by the community. And make no mistake about it, these two
hosts pull no punches on the issues. They are not pixie dusted to death by
Disney magic and their honesty with their listeners is appreciated. I am not
just a casual listener of this show, but I am a true fan. I really am falling
in love with the segment based format of the show. The Good Design, Bad Design segment is quickly becoming one of my
favorites in all of theme park podcasting.
WEAKNESS:
One of the shows strengths is also
one of its weaknesses. Its great that the host give an unfettered view of the
Disney parks but sometimes I feel like they take an approach of “if you don’t argee
with us then you are wrong.” And while they have never come out and said that,
it kind of feels that way. And that is not because they are smug or have a know
it all approach; its because the hosts are so smart and lay out their arguments so well. So when I do find myself disagreeing with them, I kind of
feel…. guilty. Its like Rachael Maddow; I disagree with her a lot, but have a
lot of respect for how smart she is, and I kind of loath her for being that
smart. If that made no sense to you then welcome inside the jumbled up birds
nest that is my head.
4: Unofficial Universal Orlando Podcast (Rank LY 2) Rating PG
This is the source for any theme park fan to go to for news and happenings
at the Universal Orlando Resort. There
is no question that this is the place to go for UOR news. Hosts Lee, Tracey,
Darren, and sometimes Hunter have done something remarkable in carving out a
niche in covering this Orlando resort. Its not just that they are the only
podcast today that highlights events at the lesser known resort; it’s that
they do a great job at doing it. Even though this show is only released on a bi
weekly basis, they do a fascinating job at covering the UOR events from top to
bottom. Match that up with a great music bed and top notch production quality
and you have a podcast that sounds great no matter what the hosts are talking
about.
STRENGTHS:
Again, these guys have cornered the
Universal Orlando market. Other shows have come and gone and UUOP
has stood the test of time. One of the highlights of this show is the caliber of guests that are on the show. from people who have work on
attractions, people who have worked on music loops inside the parks, and more,
this was a stellar year for UUOP. The
playful back and froth between husband and wife team of Lee and Tracey is
always a great break from some of the more serious material in the middle of
the show. There is non mistaking that this is a cant miss show and should make
its way into your regular rotation.
WEAKNESS:
One of the most glaring weaknesses
of this show is one that I addressed earlier this year. I find that the show is
becoming increasingly predictable. Not really the middle parts of the show, but
almost the entire beginning and ending of the show are all scripts reads and
very predictable and almost boring for the listener. It is always a difficult
job to get a message out to your listeners on a consistent basis and still
sound fresh, new, and exciting; but the same roll call of twitter handles, web
sites, and plugs at the beginning and end of each show becomes tiring and a bit
dull. If you can stand this, “sameness” then this show is nearly perfect.
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