This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[1:06] David Alpert: Welcome to E-Ticket to Broadway, where Broadway meets Main Street.

[1:06] David Alpert: Here's your host, my pal, David Alpert.

[1:06] David Alpert: Welcome to another magical episode of E-Ticket to Broadway. Now I want you all to think about your favorite attraction at a Disney theme park for the next five seconds. Ready? Okay, go.

[1:06] David Alpert: Now that you're all thinking about the Autopia, we're ready to get started. Whether this is your first time listening to the podcast or you've listened to every episode so far, I'm thrilled you're part of the E-Ticket to Broadway community. Be sure you're following the podcast on Instagram and head to www.eTicketPodcast.com to shop and bring home some incredible merchandise. Perfect to wear to rehearsals or a day at the parks. If you'd like to help both E-Ticket to Broadway and Gilana's Fund grow, show your support by joining the Patreon. From episode and Instagram shout-outs to video chats each month, becoming a Patreon supporter has never been easier or more fun. Take it from Craig, one of our incredible E-Ticket members. Craig, thank you so much for supporting both E-Ticket to Broadway and Gilana's Fund. You are Disney Royalty as you're also a cast member.

[1:31] Craig K: Have you always been a fan of the Disney parks?

[1:34] Craig K: I've always been a fan of the Disney Parks. Ever since I was a child, I mean I was born and raised in Southern California, so it's one of those places where my parents would take me, you know, the once or twice a year trip, so it definitely was a part of my childhood, no doubt.

[1:50] David Alpert: Did you also love the Disney movies?

[1:53] Craig K: I did love the Disney movies also. Um, you know, when I was a child, it was definitely pre-renaissance period. So I was definitely a fan of like Robin Hood, The Rescuers, those came out during my childhood. So I do remember going to the theater and watching those.

[2:10] David Alpert: Are you upset that there's no Robin Hood attraction at Disneyland?

[2:14] Craig K: I quite upset about that. I remember I loved Robin Hood so much that one year when I was a kid, my grandmother made me a Robin Hood costume, and it was amazing with the green hat and the red feather, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations because she didn't have a way to make me into a fox. So it just wasn't the same thing.

[2:37] David Alpert: I understand.

[2:37] Craig K: But it was a great costume though, and I still did wear it for Halloween.

[2:40] David Alpert: I don't think I've ever seen Robin Hood in the parks either.

[2:43] Craig K: I have seen him rarely. On those special occasions, you might see those characters, like when there are times where we have characters who aren't there that often. You might see Robin Hood, Friar Tuck is another one, Sheriff of Nottingham once in a while.

[3:01] David Alpert: Sure. If there were to be a Robin Hood attraction, what do you think it would be like?

[3:06] Craig K: Ooh. I think it would definitely have to be a dark ride. Because I think there were just so many particular scenes in it that you could really embellish. Everything from, you know, going to the castle. I think you would have to have the scene where Robin Hood is disguised as a beggar and he gives his hat and his bow and arrow to Skippy. That would have to be in there. And then meeting Maid Marion when they're playing Badminton. That would be a hysterical scene. And I think obviously the archery contest, and I think you could have the big climax where he has to jump off the castle down into the moppalo, and then of course you have the happy ending with King Richard returning and with Prince John and the others in the Rock Quarry. And now that I'm thinking about it, I can totally picture this.

[3:57] David Alpert: Yeah.

[3:57] Craig K: Well, and also the music of that movie is so fun. It would be great.

[4:03] David Alpert: I think it's gonna happen based on this interview.

[4:05] Craig K: Maybe we'll see.

[4:07] David Alpert: Can't take credit for it, but we'll enjoy it.

[4:11] Craig K: I don't know. It sounds like you can take credit for it. This sounds like a great ride. I would go on it. So, Greg, clearly, as a cast member, you've been to Disneyland many times. Do you have any traditions when you visit the park?

[4:21] Craig K: I do. The one thing that I definitely always have to do, either when I first arrive in Disneyland Park or when I leave in the evening, I always have to either wave to Walt's window, his apartment over the firehouse when I get there, or say a little thank you or goodnight, Walt when I leave. Those are the things I definitely do every time.

[4:41] David Alpert: Yeah, and it's Walt's Park.

[4:43] Craig K: I love Craig. You were so kind to take a photo in front of the firehouse with your E-Ticket to Broadway shirt. Shout out to our merchandise. If you could have been at Disneyland on opening day, what would you have wanted to say to Walt Disney?

[4:57] Craig K: Well, I would probably have thanked him for creating a 3D place, an actual place where people could go to experience the movies that they had always been enjoying. I do remember once when I was a child, I distinctly remember writing a letter to Walt Disney. Now, of course, he had passed probably about 10 years prior, but I still remember even as a child just having so much love and appreciation for Disney Entertainment that I did write that letter. I don't know what happened to it, but I remember writing that letter on my grandmother's kitchen table.

[5:36] David Alpert: It's very like Mary Poppins. It was ripped up, it went up the chimney and then came back down.

[5:40] Craig K: And I bet Julie Andrews has that.

[5:43] David Alpert: Maybe, or maybe Walt does have it somewhere.

[5:46] Craig K: Probably. I think it would have been so cool to be there on opening day just to kind of, you know, experience that. I mean it was, you know, as we both know it's one of a kind. It was so exciting and you know. It would have been, I think it would have been a little surreal also because obviously back then, or I think going if you could go back in time and see it, it would have been amazing. Just because at the time they didn't know what they had, they didn't know what was gonna happen. He had his critics, a lot of people thought it was gonna fail, and just seeing what the environment and what the atmosphere would have been like when people didn't know because it was such a new concept.

[6:23] David Alpert: Yeah.

[6:23] Craig K: I think it'd be more fun to today go on a, you know, time machine and go back and say, like, Walt, you have no idea, but in 65 years we're still gonna be loving this place.

[6:34] David Alpert: Yes.

[6:34] Craig K: And he'll be like, Who are you?

[6:37] David Alpert: Like, you don't know me, but I have a podcast.

[6:43] Craig K: So Craig, you're a castle member. If you could have any other job at the park, which one would you choose?

[6:50] Craig K: Ooh, any other job at the park.

[6:53] Craig K: Besides being an imagineer and creating the new Robin Hood attraction.

[6:57] David Alpert: Right.

[6:57] Craig K: Aside from that, I think Wow, I think I would want to be maybe I'd want to be the Disneyland ambassador for a day. It's an amazing role, and I know a lot of people, I have many friends who have been in that role, and they're all exceptional people. It is amazing, but it also takes a lot of responsibility and a lot of dedication on that part. But I think for a day, just to be the representative and be able to thank cast members for the amazing job that they're doing. I think for a day that would be fun.

[7:35] David Alpert: Yeah, and also you love the, you know, for lack of a better term, you love the brand, you're knowledgeable about it. I think that'd be a great position. So current day Disneyland, what are some of your favorite attractions?

[7:47] Craig K: Current day Disneyland. Well, Star Wars Rise of the Resistance is definitely up there. I will not go into detail because I know you have not been on it yet, so no spoiler alerts.

[8:00] David Alpert: You are correct.

[8:02] Craig K: So that just it's so amazing. Just the technology and the storytelling that goes into that. That's that's one of my favorites. Um Soren is another one, and I will say I am partial to soaring over California versus soaring around the world. I do like the original.

[8:19] David Alpert: We do differ, but okay.

[8:20] Craig K: I support you. I see you. Um, but I would say my favorite attraction probably is the Matterhorn bobsled.

[8:27] David Alpert: Oh, yeah.

[8:28] Craig K: That that's my favorite. I think I can't handle the violence of it as much as I could when I was a child. My back and joints do not do as well with that these days, but it's still a favorite. For me, it's I mean, Disneyland Park is the only park that has a Matterhorn attraction. It when you think about the history, it was the first roller coaster that had two wheeler steel rails. It was the first E-ticket ride. And I think just from a nostalgic standpoint, and you can relate to this, David, you know, when you're a child and you're driving down the five freeway to go to Disneyland, it's the first thing you see. It's like you've been on the freeway for a while, and when you see the Matterhorn, you know you're close. So in that sense, it's almost as symbolic as Sleeping Beauty Castle in terms of knowing that you have arrived.

[9:18] David Alpert: For sure.

[9:19] Craig K: Well, Craig, I love how much you love Disneyland, like me. I think we're both land boys. Uh, but it is now time for a game. We are going to play Fast Pass Answers. Because you live and breathe Disney, so I have total faith in you. I know you know how this goes. 30 seconds on the clock after I ask the first question. How are you feeling?

[9:36] Craig K: Awesome. I'm feeling a little nervous. I'm feeling excited but nervous too. So let's do it.

[9:41] David Alpert: Yeah, it's like when you're about to go on the Matterhorn.

[9:45] Craig K: Exactly.

[9:46] David Alpert: Okay, here we go. 30 seconds after I asked the first question. Craig, who is your favorite Disney character?

[9:53] Craig K: Stitch.

[9:54] David Alpert: Favorite snack in the parks.

[9:57] Craig K: Dole Whip.

[9:58] David Alpert: Name any ride in Tomorrowland.

[10:01] Craig K: Space Mountain.

[10:03] Craig K: Um, Hyperspace Mountain. I'll be specific.

[10:06] David Alpert: Specific.

[10:06] Craig K: Name any Disney cat that speaks English.

[10:10] Craig K: Thomas O'Malley.

[10:12] David Alpert: Favorite Broadway musical.

[10:14] Craig K: Beauty and the Beast.

[10:16] David Alpert: Name any character that has appeared in Phantasmic.

[10:20] Craig K: Mickey Mouse.

[10:21] David Alpert: Name a Disney villain.

[10:23] Craig K: Hades.

[10:25] David Alpert: Nice.

[10:26] Craig K: Okay, you got me with that term from Ali. That was so specific. I was expecting like a Simba, Mufasa.

[10:32] Craig K: Nope. We went right. Very specific.

[10:35] Craig K: Well, again, Arista Cast was one of those movies that came out around the time that I was a child. So I do remember it. And shout out to Hyperspace Mountain.

[10:43] David Alpert: Yes, yes.

[10:45] Craig K: That overlay is amazing. And also, Craig, Dole Whips. You love a Dole Whip.

[10:48] Craig K: I do love my Dole Whip. I love the fact that we have Tropical Hideaway now, so you have two locations where you can get it. And I have to say the pineapple raspberry mix is amazing. I'm not a big raspberry fan, but those two together work really, really well.

[11:07] David Alpert: Have you ever tried making a Dole Whip at home?

[11:10] Craig K: I have not. My sister did. I'm not sure how it turned out, but I mean you could if you wanted to.

[11:18] David Alpert: We could, but it's not the same.

[11:20] Craig K: Yeah.

[11:21] David Alpert: Craig, what do you think makes Disneyland so special, you know, over 60 years later?

[11:28] Craig K: I think the fact that Disneyland has just become such a part of people's lives, whether it's their childhood or even if they went later in life. I know a number of your guests have said that they didn't go into the Disney parks until they were adults, but no matter what your age is, it totally just becomes a part of who you are, what you enjoy. I know that I mean obviously the park had been closed for a while and it just recently opened up again. And I know for me personally, I wondered how emotional I would get when Disneyland reopened, and surprisingly to myself, I did not get super emotional. What I felt though was I felt a sense of calm. I sort of felt at peace. It was sort of like everything's right in the world again now that this park is open.

It feels like, you know, everything's gonna be okay. Everything's gonna be alright. I think back to one of Walt's quotes when he talked about he doesn't want the public to feel like they're in the real world. He wants them to feel like they're in another world when they're there. And I remember as a child, I used to take that quote very literally and thought, well, that's really cheesy. But as an adult, you understand what he meant. He wants people to be somewhere else. And it's true, when you're at the park, you don't think about your responsibilities or paying bills or anything like that. You truly are in a different place. And one of my fellow cast members was talking to me about how Walt's opening day speech today, after all we've been through and the park opening again, it takes on such a profound meaning. Just simply the to all who come to this happy place, welcome. It is so powerful these days.

[13:14] David Alpert: Agree. I love that.

[13:16] David Alpert: Well, Craig, thank you for your time and again for being one of the Patreon supporters and supporting both the podcast and Gilana's Fund. I truly appreciate your support.

[13:24] Craig K: You are very welcome, David, and thank you for creating this podcast. I know it's gotten me and many others through the past year and a half. So we really appreciate you as well. And hopefully we'll see you at the parks.

[13:37] David Alpert: Oh, you said it. I love it. Yes, I hope so too.

[13:41] David Alpert: On this episode, I'm joined by Disney Royalty. She's been seen on Broadway in Mamma Mia, In the Heights, and of course, as the original Princess Jasmine in the Broadway musical Aladdin. Don't you dare close your ears. Here is Courtney Reed.

[13:54] David Alpert: Courtney, welcome to E-Ticket to Broadway. You're one of the first people I met when I moved to New York City, and we've never talked about Disneyland, which is a crime. So are you ready to do so today?

[14:14] Courtney Reed: I'm so ready.

[14:15] Courtney Reed: Let's do it. We're gonna talk about Jasmine a bit later, but let's go back in time.

[14:19] David Alpert: Were you a Disney kid growing up? Did you enjoy the movies or go to the parks?

[14:23] Courtney Reed: Oh my gosh. Well, my parents didn't take me to the parks because I was neglected as a child. No, I'm just kidding. I love you, Mom and Dad. Um, we were like beach people, and they were not about like spending money, because I come from that kind of household, but I was obsessed with watching basically all of the Disney classics. And when I say classics, to me classics like Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Aladdin, all of those classics you know, like the ones that we were watching when we were kids.

[14:52] David Alpert: Yeah, the Renaissance in the VHS, like rewind, like I mean, full out, no marking.

[14:58] Courtney Reed: For sure. I mean, like, even though I was also a kid of the 80s, I definitely was like Snow White, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Pinocchio, so that when Little Mermaid came out, I was like, ready.

[15:08] David Alpert: Did you remember seeing any of them in the movie theater?

[15:11] Courtney Reed: No. See, my parents were so cheap. We just wore out those VHS, like we wore them out like it was our job. Um, no, I never saw it in the movie, I don't think. And in the in the theater, I don't think. But those cassette tapes. Those like foamy cassette plastic, you know.

[15:29] David Alpert: They're so iconic.

[15:30] Courtney Reed: I actually have a journal that looks like a lad, like a friend gave it to me. And it's like one of those, and you've seen those.

[15:35] David Alpert: Yes.

[15:36] Courtney Reed: It's the best. I know. And did you have a favorite character from watching all of those Disney movies?

[15:43] Courtney Reed: I mean, it's so cliche, but Jasmine. She was I I mean, I've been saying this for like years because you know, I'm like 90 years old and I'm still playing Jasmine. But I I really like she was the first ethnic princess to me that I felt like I looked like. And so here I am watching this exotic queen with like a little darker skin tone and dark hair, and I was like, wait, I can be a princess too. Because I just really didn't. I mean, I loved Ariel, I loved Belle. I just didn't look like them. So here comes Jasmine, and she's like so iconic, she's so sassy, and she's like sexy, and she wears a bra and pants. Like, I mean, she's so iconic. Um, I just I want to do that. She's got Raja.

[16:24] David Alpert: Like, yeah, did you want to ask for like a pet tiger growing up?

[16:29] Courtney Reed: Uh no, but get this. So we had a toy room, and my parents were like, put all your crap toys in this room, and it's like a room underneath the stairs. But to make it kind of cute, they painted it into an Aladdin room with like the genie and a boo on there and everything. It's so cute. It's still there, it still exists. I mean, this is for a lot of us that still love Disney. You we go back in time and we're like, yep, it started at a young age. I mean, the fact that you had an Aladdin toy room, come on.

[16:55] David Alpert: I mean, come on. Remember the sheets with the genie and a boo and the whole thing.

[17:00] Courtney Reed: It's just like they were so like they were so raggedy and they got so pilly, and they were probably like one thread count, but you didn't care.

[17:08] David Alpert: Right. It was so good. I love that you're talking about that. The representation of a Disney princess that looks different than the ones that preceded her. What was that like for you?

[17:17] Courtney Reed: I mean, I know it's incredible, but I just want to continue pushing out there that representation does matter, and it really can make a wonderful impact on the world.

[17:26] Courtney Reed: Oh my gosh, completely. And you know, my nieces, so my oldest niece is eight, my youngest is one, and they walk, I mean, they love Moana, and they love, you know, Raya, that would just just came out. The south, the first Southeast Asian. I'm Southeast Asian, so I was like so pumped when that came out. And they don't know that life. Like they don't know the life that I knew, as if this is no struggle, you know what I mean? But like they don't know the life. They don't know the life before the first ethnic princess. And so what a beautiful thing. You know, they have Pocahontas and Mulan and Jasmine and Moana, and they have all of these ethnic queens in Tiana. Um, that they they don't know that life before, you know, before back in the day. So it's just it's wonderful to have just glorious representation all over Disney.

[18:25] David Alpert: Okay, so we loved Jasmine as a kid. We loved Aladdin. Did you have any favorite moments from the movie that you would recite often, whether it's on the streets or in the showers?

[18:34] Courtney Reed: Oh my goodness. Well, they what's so funny is that when I did the Broadway show, there were some iconic lines that weren't in the musical, and I was, of course, like so upset. You know, my good night, my handsome prince, like little things like that. And Linda Larkin, come on, she's so iconic. Her voice. I was so when I met her for the first time, I was like, Oh my gosh, you're Jasmine for real, you're Jasmine in real life, because her voice is exactly like the voice in the film. Um, but you know, those those um, I mean, it was me for me, like for real, just like singing all of the songs. And in in um Little Mermaid, I mean, who didn't sing part of your world a thousand million times? It's just so iconic.

Alan Menken knows how to write a tune, but I would I probably just sang the songs like over and over again. We would get those cassette tapes. That was before, of course, Spotify or YouTube or iTunes, and you would just get that cassette tape as soon as it came out, and then just play it, and then you'd have to like turn it over. I mean, this is you had to be committed. This is dedication, Haney.

[19:36] David Alpert: Dedication.

[19:37] Courtney Reed: Dedication. My favorite line that Jasmine had in the movie is when Aladdin's on the carpet and he says, like, do you trust me? And she says, What? Or something like that. And he goes, Do you trust me? And she looks at him, cocks her head, and says, Yes. Yes. Yes. I love it. So good. Oh, it's so good. I just got chills. Because in that moment, I think she's like, I think I know who you are. I'm gonna do this, but I know I know what's going on. Oh, and that was back in the day when they used to do you know, like the the drawing animations, like every single sheet of paper. And that the the emotions come through so vividly. It's like those moments you remember forever.

[20:18] David Alpert: So good. There's something really great about that animation where it's literally a human hand making it. Not a not a mouse and inside the computer. And you I think that really, especially for those of us that grew up with the Renaissance, we saw that it was really awesome. I'm I'm glad you said that. I know you said you didn't go to the parks as a kid. When was the first time you did go to the parks?

[20:39] Courtney Reed: Okay, so I went to Disney World for the first time, and this was with my college boyfriend and his family. And they were like, We're going to Disney World for a week, and I was like, oh, and I remember um waking up in the morning and have having like Mickey um uh Mickey waffles, and it was so iconic. And I remember before I went, it was for spring break. I was working out in the gym, and some guy was like, So what are you doing for spring break? And I was like, I'm going to Disney World. And he was like, oh, lame. And I just remember feeling like, A, first of all, why did you say that? Like, I'm obviously excited to go to Disney World for the first time, and you just crushed all of my dreams. And second of all, like, who says that about Disney World? It just makes no sense. Like, also, if you feel that way, just don't say it out loud. It was so rude. I was like, I'm going to Disney World. I'm going to live my best life.

[21:29] David Alpert: Isn't that rude? Courtney, let me tell you, everyone listening to this is going to side with you, and they're gonna be like, that is so rude. I mean we're in a safe place. But yeah, I know. I know there's a there's a moment when we have kept our Disney love a little quieter, and now I'm hoping everyone can live their authentic truth. Yes, we do love going to the Disney parks. Yes, it doesn't mean that we're we have Peter Pan syndrome. It just means that sometimes we want to relive those fairy tales and those iconic moments. I keep saying iconic, but those moments that shaped our childhood. Like, why would we not want to go and just have fun and and fairy tale land? Like, yeah, of course. There's nothing wrong with that. So you're you're going, you're in Orlando, you're going to Walt Disney World, you've never been. Tell me what it was like when you saw that castle for the first time down Main Street.

[22:14] Courtney Reed: Oh my gosh. I mean, you're just sort of transported to your little self, your little miniature self. And it just all so magical. I think that's I think that's a line actually from Aladdin, but it really is. And you're on Main Street and you're looking at this, you know, this sort of like this fairy tale town. And I was always kind of obsessed with that growing up. I was obsessed with being like on a set. Like I thought it was the coolest thing ever. But yeah, I mean, that, and then there's Epcot and and all of the different worlds that you're in, and you're just, it just takes you to a happy place. I just felt so happy.

[22:56] David Alpert: Do you remember any of the rides that you went on that you were like, that was amazing? I want to go back on that immediately.

[23:03] Courtney Reed: Um that I feel like it was such a blur back then. It was such a blur. It's like Disneyland, I'm more familiar with because I've been several times now since, like as like an adult adult. But I think I remember maybe it wasn't Guardians at the time. I think it was Tower of Terror. Yes, Tower of Terror. Yeah. Tower of Terror was like obviously terrifying, but so good. Like the kind of so good that you're just like terrified, but you're laughing so hard that you're like terrified and you think you're gonna die, but it's just so good in the best way.

[23:38] David Alpert: Yeah.

[23:39] Courtney Reed: Yeah, I'm actually I I've said I've shared this on the podcast. That red actually does terrify me now. That I remember the time that I went on it laughing and I was like, this isn't happy laughter. This is this is I need to not do this again.

[23:50] David Alpert: This I need to not do this again.

[24:04] Courtney Reed: So you go to Walt Disney World in college. Let's talk about going to the OG when you went to Disneyland for the first time. When was that?

[24:08] Courtney Reed: Okay, so this was when Aladdin was nominated for a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album, and I was like nominated. So of you know, Courtney Reed Grammy nominee, which is the funniest thing that's ever happened in this world. And so I'm thinking, like, if I'm now I'll never be nominated for a Grammy again, so I need to go to the Grammys. So since since I was going to the Grammys, I had mentioned to I'd asked for a couple days off. I mentioned to Tom Schumacher, who's the head of Disney Theatrical, if you didn't know, and I said, Tom, I've never been to Disneyland. Is there anything that you recommend that I can do? He's like, I'm hooking you up with a full itinerary. The full itinerary was obviously the best ever, including a dinner at Club wait, Club 33.

Yes, Club 33. Okay, it was like I was like 39. No, Club 33, which I had no idea was such a big deal. And such a big deal. Such a big deal. And so he had this full itinerary for me, and it was just so incredible. And um we end the evening with Club 33, and of course, I'm in like a t-shirt that says like Aladdin on it and some cutoff shorts. And they're like, um, you good sis. And my boyfriend at the time, he had to like give it they had to give him a jacket. I mean, we had no idea that it was like this big deal, and it was the best food ever. It was so good. Club 33 is iconic. I will say it for you this time. I've only gotten to go once, but but I I just it's just uh it's I I'm speechless.

[25:40] David Alpert: Good pun intended, speechless.

[25:42] Courtney Reed: Oh I see what you did there.

[25:45] David Alpert: What else do you remember from that trip to Disneyland? And please don't say that the castle was small.

[25:51] Courtney Reed: I don't, I don't remember the castle being small. And in fact, when I look at it, I still don't feel like it's small. I guess even though it is smaller than Disney World, but um there's just this kind of charm to Disneyland that I think that I prefer just because I know also that it's the OG, so I'm kind of like one of those people that I like love the OGs of OGs. And we um we went to go see Aladdin at the Hyperion, and what was so funny is that a bunch of the cast knew that I was there, and so it was this whole thing, and they were like, We're so honored you're here. And I was like, I'm so honored I'm here to watch you all. And I think that was the last time that I got to see the show. The first and last time I got to see the show because then they brought Frozen in after that.

[26:37] David Alpert: Yeah. You, Courtney, are actually our second original Jasmine in a stage production because Didi Magno, of course, originated in California Adventure.

[26:46] Courtney Reed: Dee. And you originated on Broadway. So like this is very exciting.

[26:51] Courtney Reed: Didi, we love Didi. Who doesn't love Didi? We love Didi. Her voice is iconic and she's an icon. I mean, icon, iconic is like the the word of the hour, but she truly is. And if you're gonna be in the Mickey Mouse Club and Sister Act Two, come on, you're an icon. I mean, come on. And she's like dipped in the she's like Lea Salonga, like they're both dipped in the fountain of youth, their voices are crystal clear, they're they're moms and just look like they're 14. It just doesn't make any sense.

[27:21] David Alpert: I know. So this trip to Disneyland, you go to Club 33, you're living your best life. Do you remember going on any rides or meeting any characters there that was very memorable?

[27:30] Courtney Reed: Well, I actually didn't get to meet Aladdin and Jasmine until the next time that I went. Um, but I uh I I don't remember why. I I couldn't meet them that time around. Um, but I loved this is probably um not what people normally say is their favorite ride, but I loved Peter Pan.

[27:51] David Alpert: Oh, that's that's a great choice.

[27:53] Courtney Reed: People like Peter Pan's flight. I love Peter Pan, it was just so um so light and airy and no stress and so pretty. And I I felt like the attention to detail was glorious, and I loved the cars ride. I still love the cars ride, it's the best, so good.

[28:13] David Alpert: Yes, it is a great ride. I cannot wait to go on it again.

[28:15] Courtney Reed: We love Radiator Springs.

[28:17] David Alpert: Oh, we do, we do.

[28:19] Courtney Reed: And it's always so the race at the end, too. You always like kind of forget that it's happening. It's so good. I took my nieces on it for the first time, and they were like, What? So good. I mean, they've managed it's an e-ticket ride. Shout out to the e-ticket rides. That it's a dark ride, and it's also a roller coaster. I mean, it's just it's so well done. We love it. It's so well done.

[28:39] Courtney Reed: You sent photos of yourself at the parks with a Disney legend, Susan Egan. What was that like going to Disneyland with the voice of Meg, Broadway's original Belle, our first guest on E-Ticket to Broadway? What was that like going with her?

[28:52] David Alpert: Oh, was she the first guest?

[28:54] Courtney Reed: Of course she was. The first guest, the first Disney princess on Broadway. I mean, icon, icon of icons. It was so funny. It was such a whirlwind because we were there. We were doing a show, the Broadway Princess Party, now Disney Princess the Concert, which is amazing. But you know, we just kind of like went to all the iconic spots. We had like two hours or something, or an hour and a half. We were like, okay, we're gonna go to the castle. Okay, take a picture here, okay, to the fountain. And so it was so funny how we were just like rushing around. And of course, I show up with like my hair in Mickey Buns, space buns, and I'm wearing like, you know, a Mickey t-shirt, and they're like wearing dresses, and I thought, oh no, I'm not dressed for this.

Oops. I then had a sundress in my backpack, I threw that on, and we took all these pictures, and it was honestly so fun. But yeah, I mean, Susan, you just like kind of forget she's such a big deal. It's because like she's like my friend, right? So when they're your friends, you forget that they're like such a big deal. But you know, she was, I think, spotted several times while we were there, like rushing. She's like, oh yeah, of course. Take a picture, move forward. So great.

[30:10] David Alpert: So tell me what that was like to meet Aladdin and Jasmine in the park.

[30:14] Courtney Reed: Oh my gosh, well, this is so hilarious. Okay, so I'm there with Susan, Laura Osness, Adam Levy, who's our resident prince, and Benjamin Rahala, and we're waiting in line to see Aladdin and Jasmine, and I'm like, oh my gosh, this is like actually gonna happen. Like, I'm so excited. And we see Jasmine sort of like look back, and she's looking over towards us, and then I see her sort of whisper to Aladdin. I'm like, oh my gosh, I think I just got Broadway spotted, and they recognize me. This is so crazy. Oh my gosh. So then we get up there, and I realize that it's actually a girl that Adam Levy went to high school with. So she was looking over my shoulder at Adam Levy, and I was like, meanwhile, I thought that I was spotted, but it wasn't me at all. She had no idea who I was. And I'm like, oh my gosh, embarrassed.

[31:06] David Alpert: So Adam went to high school in Agrabah?

[31:08] Courtney Reed: Yes, he went to high school in Agrabah. Isn't that insane? And I guess he went to a royal school because that's definitely Jasmine in the park.

[31:15] David Alpert: Yeah, oh yeah, for sure. Like she popped like out of the animation and into the parks. So here's a question when we meet characters in the parks, I know there's a lot of fan theories, but like when you see Aladdin as like the quote unquote street rat, do you ever want to say to him, like, hey, heads up, it's all gonna be okay?

[31:31] Courtney Reed: Oh my gosh, no, but I'm definitely gonna do that the next time I meet him. That's genius. Like when you meet Beauty and the Beast in the park, and usually the Beast is in his beast form, someone's wanna be like, hey, I've watched to the end of the VHS, and like it's gonna be okay. But like you're actually gonna be super hot after this. Don't worry.

[32:05] David Alpert: Courtney, it's time to talk about Aladdin. So you kind of brought this up, but your bio in the playbill began with you that you couldn't believe that you were playing your favorite Disney princess. Did you relate to Jasmine at all, whether as a kid or developing the world, that you were like, this really feels like me?

[32:20] Courtney Reed: Oh my gosh, 100%. I just felt like I didn't have to reach very far as an actor to portray Jasmine. I'm like, you know, what you want to do is obviously portray the character in the best way possible. You don't want to veer too far from the icons that created it in the animation. But I felt like she's so similar to me. She's so strong and independent. She sort of speaks her mind. I'm kind of do that a little bit maybe to a fault. She's definitely probably a better human than I am because she's the people's princess. Because she really is. What's so funny? I feel like she's totally misunderstood. I think people view Jasmine and they're like, well, but she's so privileged. And I'm like, but that's the whole thing, is that she was born super privileged, but had that kind of street rat mind.

You know, that's why she identified so much with Aladdin, because she's like, I don't care about all these stupid things that everyone else cares about. I just want to experience life. And Aladdin wanted the same. And but you know, they come from two different worlds, and they finally they meet up, and she's done with seeing all these, you know, terrible dudes that just keep coming in wanting her riches, and she's like, I'm over it. But I love her.

[33:39] David Alpert: Yeah, I mean, like, she does speak her mind. She does try and question the way things are made, and she's like, I think we need to change this. I support that. If you can meet Jasmine in real life, what would you want to do together?

[33:50] Courtney Reed: Well, I would be like, girl, can we go on that magic carpet though for real? Yeah. That's the appropriate answer. I mean, come on. But I would just, I'd probably want to go to the palace. I want to see it IRL. I have to see it IRL.

[34:06] David Alpert: Totally. Going back to the Broadway production, did you have a favorite costume that you wore? You had so many wonderful designs.

[34:12] Courtney Reed: Oh my gosh, Greg Barnes is the best. I loved the wedding costume. Well, first of all, my favorite color is pink. And it's this light pink wedding costume. And although it weighed like 15 pounds, with just the, you know, the beads and the fabric, but so glorious and so pretty. And I love the way that it fit me. I wish I could just keep it. Maybe I could just like break into the, you know, the storage room and just like take my wedding costume and like wear it for my actual wedding. I remember wearing it, feeling like, okay, what am I gonna wear for my actual wedding? This is just tragic.

[34:47] David Alpert: And we've had him on the podcast. We love him. What was it like doing scenes with Jonathan Freeman?

[34:53] Courtney Reed: Oh my goodness. He okay, so when we did the first reading back in 2010, his first words, I think, were something like, yes, your majesty. And we were so taken aback to hear Jafar live in living color that we all just sort of gasped and then stood up and started applauding him. We gave him a standing ovation because it's just so iconic. I know that's the word of the episode. But truly, I mean, like you are like when you're playing those scenes, it's like you're kind of acting with the VHS in a way. It's the same voice. Oh, it's the same voice. It's unprecedented. It's never been done on a Broadway stage.

[35:35] David Alpert: Yeah, that's really exciting. And do you still talk to Jonathan?

[35:39] Courtney Reed: I do. I was just texting with him recently because, you know, now that Broadway's coming back and the whole thing, and I've had stints of going back in and out, and there were, you know, there's always like rumors of that I'm gonna come back for a little stint, and you know, and so he was texting, he's like, okay, give me the tea. And you know, we caught up, and he's just such a kind, down to earth person that's had wild success in this business, and still is just the humblest, the greatest of all.

[36:14] David Alpert: We love him.

[36:15] Courtney Reed: We love him. If you could have played another character in Aladdin, not Jasmine, which character would you choose?

[36:19] Courtney Reed: Well, obviously the genie. I hate to say it, but the genie, because he gets all of the praise and all of the attention, and you know, he's not even the lead. He and he gets the best moments and the standing ovations and all that. I was like, oh, well, of course, James Monroe Iglehart would get all of the attention. But yeah, I mean, it would be the genie.

[36:44] David Alpert: It's the same.

[36:45] Courtney Reed: You got that wedding dress.

[36:47] David Alpert: You got that wedding dress.

[36:48] Courtney Reed: You're so right.

[36:49] David Alpert: You're so right.

[36:50] Courtney Reed: He did.

[36:52] David Alpert: Courtney, if you were to get a job at the parks, what job would you want?

[36:56] Courtney Reed: Oh, wow, great question. A job at the parks. I would probably be the person that does all of the arranging for people to stay in the castle. Did you know about this, right? Where you can like spend the night in the castle?

[37:10] David Alpert: Yeah.

[37:13] Courtney Reed: And I would be like, I would arrange all of it so that I could just like on the slide be inside the castle whenever I wanted to. And she'd be like, oh, I just need to check something out and just go to the castle, like take a nap.

[37:22] David Alpert: Yeah, exactly. That would be me.

[37:24] Courtney Reed: They're like, we're trying to make a reservation. Where is Miss Reed who's supposed to be here? And they're like, she's actually taking a nap in the bed.

[37:32] David Alpert: Oops.

[37:33] Courtney Reed: They're like, that tracks. And she's wearing some sort of pink wedding dress.

[37:40] David Alpert: Okay, so follow up. If Jasmine were to get a job at the Disney parks, what job do you think she would want?

[37:47] Courtney Reed: Um she would. Oh. Oh gosh, that's really good. Um she would definitely be in charge of something. She would be in charge of um, she would uh she would be the CEO of Disneyland.

[38:05] David Alpert: She could.

[38:06] Courtney Reed: She also, I could see her doing like being in charge of like new cast member training because she could be like we have a, you know, she could take that royal, like, this is what we need to do, but we want you to find your authentic self. These are the rules, but this is how we but I think she wants to be in charge.

[38:20] David Alpert: Oh, she definitely wants to be in charge. She's a natural leader. She's great, and she's good with people.

[38:26] Courtney Reed: Oh, shall we? We'll be right back.

[38:29] David Alpert: Oh, what's the ball ball?

[38:43] Courtney Reed: Fast pass on sauce.

[38:49] David Alpert: It is time for everyone's favorite. This is Fast Pass Answers. I'm gonna put 30 seconds on the clock after I ask the first question for you to answer as many of these questions as possible. Are you ready?

[39:00] Courtney Reed: I'm so nervous.

[39:01] David Alpert: Okay.

[39:02] Courtney Reed: I'm so ready.

[39:03] David Alpert: I mean I support you.

[39:04] Courtney Reed: I support you.

[39:06] David Alpert: Courtney Reed, name any song from Aladdin.

[39:10] Courtney Reed: A whole new world.

[39:12] David Alpert: Favorite snack in the parks.

[39:14] Courtney Reed: Uh the hot dog. No, Mickey Mouse, the ice cream.

[39:19] David Alpert: Name any character from In the Heights.

[39:21] Courtney Reed: Carla.

[39:22] David Alpert: Favorite ride in Fantasyland.

[39:25] Courtney Reed: Uh which one's Fantasyland?

[39:27] David Alpert: With all the dark rides.

[39:28] Courtney Reed: Peter Pan's Flight.

[39:29] David Alpert: Peter Pan's Freddy.

[39:29] Courtney Reed: Peter Pan, Peter Pan!

[39:31] David Alpert: Favorite Disney villain?

[39:32] Courtney Reed: Jafar.

[39:33] David Alpert: Name a song for Mamma Mia.

[39:35] Courtney Reed: Mamma Mia, here I go again.

[39:37] David Alpert: Name any talking Disney animal.

[39:41] Courtney Reed: Oh, it's not Raja. Okay. Abu.

[39:42] David Alpert: Oh no, um, Pascal.

[39:44] Courtney Reed: Oh no, none of them. A boo.

[39:47] David Alpert: Listen. He can't be able to do it.

[39:47] Courtney Reed: I'm gonna take a woman.

[39:49] David Alpert: That's right.

[39:49] Courtney Reed: Abu does communicate.

[39:51] David Alpert: So I'm gonna accept Abu, but wait a just choose a lot of them that don't speak English.

[39:55] Courtney Reed: Like in a row.

[39:57] David Alpert: Why?

[39:57] Courtney Reed: That was impressive.

[39:59] David Alpert: Okay, let's be more specific with our Mickey Mouse ice cream because it's my favorite. Are you talking about the sandwich or the bar?

[40:04] Courtney Reed: The bar, the dark chocolate bar.

[40:06] David Alpert: So good.

[40:07] Courtney Reed: Yes, those are good.

[40:08] David Alpert: I'm the sandwich, but we support the bar.

[40:10] Courtney Reed: We support the bar.

[40:11] David Alpert: And favorite Disney villain besides Jafar, which of course you have a very personal connection to. Are there any other villains that you love from the catalog?

[40:17] Courtney Reed: Oh, Ursula.

[40:19] David Alpert: Yeah.

[40:20] Courtney Reed: I mean, she's so villainous.

[40:22] David Alpert: She is good.

[40:23] Courtney Reed: She's good. That body's like the uh the body language. She's she is like a she's the ultimate queen.

[40:39] David Alpert: Hold on, you're thinking ears. It's trivia time.

[40:42] Courtney Reed: Oh boy.

[40:45] David Alpert: It's trivia time. A truly classic attraction. The Enchanted Tiki Room opened in Disneyland in 1963 and in Walt Disney World in 1971. Though in 1998, the attraction was re-themed and became known as the Enchanted Tiki Room under New Management, which was not received well by guests. Joining Jose, Michael, Pierre, and Fritz were two birds from Disney animated movies who disrupted the classic show. The gods were certainly angered, and in 2011, a small fire broke out in the attraction, and the damage made the tiki room close. Rather than fixing it, they simply restored the tiki room to its original management. My question for you, Courtney, which two Disney birds from animated movies were the ones to join for over 10 years?

[41:34] Courtney Reed: Oh. What? Disney birds? Animated movies. These two birds joined the tiki room.

[41:45] David Alpert: Um, was it Iago? Was one of them Iago?

[41:47] Courtney Reed: That is correct. One of them was Iago. Yes. Do you remember the other one?

[41:53] Courtney Reed: Um did you ever see this?

[41:54] David Alpert: I did not see it.

[41:55] Courtney Reed: I've watched on YouTube. It was a bold choice.

[41:58] David Alpert: It was a bold choice. Well, I'm gonna give you a hint. The other bird is also from the Renaissance of Disney.

[42:04] Courtney Reed: Hmm.

[42:05] David Alpert: So it's like in the same, you know, the same era.

[42:07] Courtney Reed: Oh, um, oh, is it um what's his name? From The Little Mermaid.

[42:13] David Alpert: That's not uh it's not Scuttle.

[42:16] Courtney Reed: It's a we love Scuttle. I think it would have probably continued under that management if it were Scuttle and Iago, but it wasn't it was not Scuttle. But you're in the you're thinking correctly. It's that it's in the same world.

[42:29] David Alpert: Interesting. Okay. You mentioned this movie already. This movie also has been made into a Disney on Broadway musical.

[42:37] Courtney Reed: Is there a bird in Beauty and the Beast?

[42:40] David Alpert: Oh, okay, obviously. Oh, Lion King. Um it's um what's his name?

[42:46] Courtney Reed: It's Zazu.

[42:48] David Alpert: Zazu, Zazu, of course. Oh my gosh, Zazu. So go on YouTube. You can look at the Enchanted Tiki Room under New Management with Iago, which you got so correct, and Zazu.

[43:08] Courtney Reed: In the Broadway musical Aladdin, you brought to the stage these palace walls, a song sung by Jasmine as she dreams about escaping the pressures and strict boundaries of living within her royal housing.

[43:20] Courtney Reed: Much like Agrabah, the Disney parks also have a shining castle as its centerpiece, though I'm not sure we want to escape those palace walls. So in this game, I'm going to give you a clue, and I need you to tell me which palace or castle from the Disney park I'm referring to. Are you ready for this wondrous chase?

[43:37] David Alpert: Yes.

[43:37] Courtney Reed: So the answers will be one of the following Disneyland in California, Walt Disney World in Florida, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, or Shanghai Disneyland.

[43:47] David Alpert: Got it. Have you been to any of the international parks?

[43:50] Courtney Reed: I have not.

[43:51] David Alpert: Oh, so this will be really fun.

[43:53] Courtney Reed: We're gonna learn together. Okay, number one for these palace walls. The palace walls of this park is named after Aurora, but in one of his earlier TV shows showing the construction progress, Walt Disney called this castle Snow White's Castle.

[43:56] David Alpert: Snow White's Castle.

[44:11] Courtney Reed: Disneyland Paris.

[44:13] David Alpert: It's actually Disneyland in California, the original one. Even though it is Sleeping Beauty's Castle, which you're correct, Disneyland Paris is also Sleeping Beauty. In an early TV show, as Walt Disney was sharing the construction of Disneyland, he called it Snow White's Castle.

[44:27] Courtney Reed: I know. Can you imagine? And what's funny is like there's an homage to Snow White near the castle in Disneyland. Anyway, here comes number two for these palace walls. These palace walls contribute to the tallest castle in all the Disney theme parks at 200 feet.

[44:49] David Alpert: You are close. You're in the right area of the world.

[44:52] Courtney Reed: Hong Kong.

[44:53] David Alpert: Oh, Shanghai.

[44:55] Courtney Reed: It is Shanghai Disneyland.

[44:56] David Alpert: Shanghai Disneyland is 200 feet. It's the tallest one.

[44:59] Courtney Reed: Wow.

[45:00] David Alpert: No. Okay, I think you're gonna like this one because you've already mentioned wanting to work there. This castle once featured King Stefan's Banquet Hall.

[45:10] Courtney Reed: Is it Walt Disney World?

[45:14] David Alpert: It is. Which is very confusing because of course that king is in Sleeping Beauty. And you're like, why is Sleeping Beauty's king in Walt Disney World, which is Cinderella Castle? So in 1997, they actually changed it to Cinderella's Royal Table.

[45:29] Courtney Reed: The more you know.

[45:30] David Alpert: Wow, the more you know. Okay, number four for these palace walls. Under this palace's wall sits a very large sleeping dragon.

[45:39] Courtney Reed: Okay, definitely Tokyo Disneyland.

[45:43] David Alpert: It is not, no.

[45:47] Courtney Reed: I'm really not nailing this one.

[45:49] David Alpert: No, you're okay.

[45:50] Courtney Reed: Belly.

[45:51] David Alpert: It is. It is Paris.

[45:53] Courtney Reed: Oh wow. And it's beautiful. It's really large. It's lovely. Okay, here comes number five. For the 50th anniversary of this park, the palace walls were decorated with crowned turrets, each representing a different decade from its past.

[46:07] Courtney Reed: Okay, definitely Disneyland.

[46:09] David Alpert: That is, that's right. Because Disneyland's the only park at this point to celebrate 50 years, even though Disney World, well, Disney World's coming up. But I actually worked there that summer, and the castle was stunning. There were five different crowns. There was Mouse Ears for the first decade, then Rockets for New Tomorrowland, the Blue Fairy for the Main Street Electrical Parade, Mara and the Snakes for Indiana Jones, and then for the 50th Tinkerbell and Fireworks.

[46:33] Courtney Reed: So well done. You've got it. Have you gone on the Indiana Jones ride?

[46:37] David Alpert: Of course.

[46:38] Courtney Reed: So good, right?

[46:39] David Alpert: So good. We love it. Okay, number six. Originally based on the original Disneyland design, these palace walls were completely redesigned and reopened as the Castle of Magical Dreams in 2020 and pays tribute to 14 leading women of the Disney catalog, including Jasmine.

[46:59] Courtney Reed: Tokyo.

[47:03] David Alpert: Yes, it is Hong Kong Disneyland.

[47:05] Courtney Reed: Yes. I haven't been, but it looks really cool. Okay, we've got four more. This palace includes a concrete balcony walkthrough with beautiful stained glass windows and tapestries dedicated to Sleeping Beauty.

[47:19] Courtney Reed: Disneyland Paris.

[47:21] David Alpert: That is right. It's so beautiful. It's very Parisian and lovely.

[47:25] Courtney Reed: Of course.

[47:25] David Alpert: Yes, Disneyland Paris is correct. Okay. These palace walls, number eight. In 2018, this castle received water fountains installed for a new nighttime presentation to celebrate its 35th anniversary celebration.

[47:41] Courtney Reed: Oh.

[47:43] David Alpert: Um Tokyo.

[47:45] Courtney Reed: Yes, Tokyo Disneyland.

[47:47] David Alpert: Yes. Yes, they just passed 35 years.

[47:49] Courtney Reed: Wow. The first international park. Okay. This one's fun. These palace walls were redesigned to resemble an 18-story birthday cake for its 25th anniversary.

[47:55] David Alpert: Hmm.

[47:55] Courtney Reed: 25th anniversary.

[48:05] David Alpert: Shanghai.

[48:06] Courtney Reed: I should have helped you. This was in the 90s.

[48:08] David Alpert: Oh.

[48:09] Courtney Reed: Disneyland.

[48:11] David Alpert: Or Walt Disney World.

[48:12] Courtney Reed: Yes, Walt Disney World.

[48:14] David Alpert: Did you see it? It was a very bold choice. The castle was turned into a big birthday cake.

[48:18] Courtney Reed: Oh my gosh. Iconic.

[48:21] David Alpert: Iconic. Okay, last one. These palace walls are part of the castle known as the Enchanted Storybook Castle in this park.

[48:30] Courtney Reed: Shanghai.

[48:31] David Alpert: Yes, it is Shanghai. The Enchanted Storybook Castle. It looks so cool. There's like a lot of water rides. It's very cool.

[48:37] Courtney Reed: Good. Okay, Courtney, you did so well on these palace walls. Again, I don't think we want to escape these palaces, but you know, teach their own.

[48:45] Courtney Reed: Definitely.

[48:46] David Alpert: Oh, I really want to go to all of these now.

[48:48] Courtney Reed: I know. Let's go.

[48:49] David Alpert: Great. Ask the genie to borrow that magic carpet.

[48:52] Courtney Reed: Actually, hold up. Now that Jasmine has married Aladdin, does she own the magic carpet?

[48:58] David Alpert: Of course.

[48:59] Courtney Reed: Happy wife, happy life. You know what I mean?

[49:01] David Alpert: Yeah, exactly. So you're gonna get on that magic carpet. You're gonna go to all these parks. It's gonna be thrilling. It's gonna be great. It's gonna be a thrilly chase, a wondrous place. Now let's hear from some of you.

[49:21] David Alpert: We put it on our Instagram. Courtney, your fans are very excited to ask you about Disney. Here we go. Mark asks, what was the most challenging thing about taking on the role of Jasmine on Broadway?

[49:31] Courtney Reed: Oh, letting people down. I think you have to just bless and release the fact that it doesn't really matter what happens or what you do, like somebody's gonna be disappointed. Just because these characters are so beloved and everyone knows them that you know you can't make everyone happy. So I had to, that was the biggest challenge for me because I'm like a people pleaser. I just want everyone to be happy.

[49:50] David Alpert: Sure.

[49:58] Courtney Reed: And everyone was happy.

[50:00] David Alpert: Oh, yeah. All those kids that came to the show, come on.

[50:03] Courtney Reed: I do.

[50:04] David Alpert: Come on.

[50:04] Courtney Reed: Exactly. Tom asks, how it feels being a Disney princess every day when you tour with the princess party.

[50:10] Courtney Reed: Oh, it's so good. It's funny because I thought, okay, when I'm no longer playing Jasmine, I guess it won't be Jasmine anymore. But not true. Now that we're touring is Disney Princess the concert, and we don't have to say like, uh we don't have to not say Disney anymore. It's great. We're like, oh no, they're not right. They're not suing us anymore. We're actually partnered with them. So it's so wonderful. I get to continue living the Jasmine dream. I'll be 90 and I'll still be referred to as Jasmine. It'll be great.

[50:39] David Alpert: And when you're on tour with the princess party, do birds wake you up and like undo the sheets and take you out of bed?

[50:45] Courtney Reed: Of course. How did you know? You must have seen my Instagram video.

[50:49] David Alpert: That's right, I did.

[50:50] Courtney Reed: Just kidding. Alana asks, if you had three Disney park wishes, what would they be?

[50:56] Courtney Reed: Well, I would have, okay. Number one, I would have one of those like fancy tour guides that all the celebrities have. And I would just go to the front of the line. That's so selfish. And then maybe actually this is better. I would go before the park opens, and um that I would just have this magical bird turn on all the rides for me and do all the things that I want to do.

[51:19] David Alpert: Okay, so that's two issues. A VIP tour guide, getting to go early, and your third wish is a Club 33 membership.

[51:25] Courtney Reed: Yes, of course.

[51:27] David Alpert: How did you know?

[51:28] Courtney Reed: Because it's also mine.

[51:30] David Alpert: Julia wants to know if you have a favorite ride at Walt Disney World.

[51:34] Courtney Reed: Walt Disney World. I haven't been to Walt Disney World in so long. I'm sure I would have so many new rides. Um, oh, did they have Sorin there? I forgot.

[51:42] David Alpert: Sorin is also my favorite, one of my favorite rides of all time.

[51:47] Courtney Reed: I love Sorin.

[51:48] David Alpert: Sorry, good. You also love Tower of Terror.

[51:51] Courtney Reed: I do love Tower of Terror. That is true. That is true. Lauren wants to know if you wish Call Me a Princess was still in Aladdin.

[51:58] Courtney Reed: No. Oh my gosh, I love you for even knowing that.

[52:02] Courtney Reed: No. But a part of me kind of wishes it's so weird. There's so many Jasmine songs. There's To Be Free, D D Magno Hall, who owed who OG'd that song, which I think is so pretty. And then there's Call Me a Princess and then Palace Walls, and there's also Speechless from the um live action film. I kind of wish that they would just do like a medley.

[52:20] David Alpert: Oh shit.

[52:21] Courtney Reed: That would be great. Hannah asks if you have a favorite moment in the movie, Aladdin.

[52:30] Courtney Reed: There's so many favorite moments. But I think one of the best parts is when Aladdin sees Jasmine for the first time, and you just oh, he just falls. It's just that love at first sight moment, you know, and she's just like being cute and sweet. She's not even doing anything special, and he just falls for her. It's that kind of romance that you just want in your life. You just want somebody to, you know, have that moment when you're just walking down the street, like, oh, I'm in love with her.

[53:00] David Alpert: That's right. And finally, Craig shares that you've mentioned how you cried the first time you saw A Whole New World in rehearsal. What was it like singing it for the first time on stage?

[53:10] Courtney Reed: Oh, well, unfortunately, extremely nerve-wracking because you're flying around and the sound is it's actually really hard. The instrumental of the new arrangement for Broadway is so light, and the sound and the speakers sound so different based on where the carpet moves, and you're sitting and you're clipping in and you're doing all these things, and you're, you know, pretending to be in love, and there's like 75,000 elements, and oddly, A Whole New World is kind of a hard song to sing because it's like right in my mix and like where I break, and like there's all these moments. And so finally, after a while of really practicing it, I got it down to the point where I was like really acting. But I think the first time I did it was like nerve-wracking. So I didn't get to fully enjoy it. But in my first time that I did it in rehearsals, I was able to even watch the magic carpet fly around while I sang in the house with a mic, and that was like oh, so magical.

[54:05] David Alpert: It's time for some tough choices. Let's play Tweedledee or Tweedledum.

[54:12] David Alpert: Courtney, it's time for Tweedledee or Tweedledum. I'm gonna give you two options. Let me know which one you prefer. Here we go. Tweedledee or Tweedledum, Disneyland or Walt Disney World.

[54:20] Courtney Reed: Disneyland.

[54:22] David Alpert: Good night, everyone. Thank you so much.

[54:26] Courtney Reed: Yes, I am a land boy as well. Disneyland is my place.

[54:28] David Alpert: Tweedledeer, Tweedledum, Abu or Iago.

[54:33] Courtney Reed: A boo. Even though he's kind of he's kind of like rude to Jasmine.

[54:38] David Alpert: Bianco is like so annoying.

[54:40] Courtney Reed: Fair enough. But not Don Daryl Rivera. We love you. Tweedledear, Tweedledum, Adventureland, or Tomorrowland.

[54:48] Courtney Reed: Adventureland.

[54:49] David Alpert: Yeah. I think as Jasmine, you have to say that.

[54:52] Courtney Reed: For sure. For sure. It's in your contract. And finally, Tweedledear, Tweedledum, Friend Like Me or A Whole New World.

[54:55] Courtney Reed: A Whole New World.

[55:00] David Alpert: Both great songs.

[55:01] Courtney Reed: That's hard to make you cheers. That's really tough.

[55:05] David Alpert: That's tough.

[55:05] Courtney Reed: But like A Whole New World. Like, I mean, come on. In the movie when they're flying and like the birds are flying across from them. And then when we're like freaks out and screams.

[55:14] David Alpert: It's like in the movie.

[55:15] Courtney Reed: Yeah, exactly. Hilarious. One of my favorite moments.

[55:34] David Alpert: Courtney, if you could jump on a magic carpet and be brought to anywhere in a Disney park, where would you land?

[55:42] Courtney Reed: Ooh. Adventureland. And I'd get on that cars ride. It's just so good. I love it so much.

[55:49] David Alpert: So you'd go right to California Adventure, you go right into Carsland and off you go.

[55:55] Courtney Reed: Yes.

[55:55] David Alpert: And would you be getting a Mickey Mouse ice cream bar for the journey?

[56:01] Courtney Reed: Absolutely. And you know what? I think what I would do is I would make my boyfriend get the sandwich so that I could try the sandwich, and then we would do, we would split skis. And if he's not up for that, I will do that for you.

[56:10] David Alpert: I love it so much. Great. And Courtney, what's the first thing you're going to do the next time you go to a Disney park?

[56:17] Courtney Reed: The first thing I'm gonna do is. Oh, that's so tough. What's the first thing I'm gonna do? Um, I would probably I'd probably stand in line and wait for Sorin. I have forgot how much I love that ride. And now that I'm remembering how much I love that ride, I usually ride it twice before I leave. So I'd ride it in the beginning. So that's the first thing I would do, and then I would end with Sorin.

[56:42] David Alpert: Perfect. Courtney, thank you for joining me on E-Ticket to Broadway and sharing your love of Aladdin and Jasmine and Mickey Mouse ice cream bars and Carsland and Sorin. This has been so much fun.

[56:53] Courtney Reed: Thank you so much for joining me.

[56:56] David Alpert: Thank you for having me. And we will see you at the parks.

[57:00] Courtney Reed: See you there.