WaltCast is a popular Disney podcast hosted by Shawn and Katie Bonneau. While the show mainly focuses on Walt Disney World news and segments, it also features interviews with various celebrities from actors, authors, voice over artists and musicians. They frequently have a co-host sit in from other podcasts and blogs. Joe Hursh, the voice of Disney Transportation, reads the show’s disclaimer at the beginning of each episode. WaltCast’s intro was recorded by James Arnold Taylor, a famous voice over artist known for “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”, “Johnny Test”, “Drawn Together” and providing the current voice of Fred Flinstone. Shawn and Katie live in Orlando, Florida, less than five minutes from the Walt Disney World Resort.
Some of the celebrities interviewed by Shawn and Katie included: Kelsey Grammer Larry the Cable Guy Melora Hardin John Ratzenberger Jim Cummings Dee Bradley Baker James Arnold Taylor Carlos Alazraqui Peter Renaday Andrew Zimmern
WaltCast also conducts their "Eat to the Beat Interview Series" every year where they interview singers and bands that will be performing at EPCOT's Food and Wine Festival. Some of the artists include: Davy Jones of the Monkees Mickey Thomas of Starship Jeannette Jurado of Expose' Zac Hanson of Hanson Ken Block of Sister Hazel Jett Berres of Sister Hazel Russell Hitchcock of Air Supply Taylor Dayne Jesse Valenzuela of the Gin Blossoms
as well as composers Bruce Broughton and Richard Bellis
In addition to some of the celebrities listed above, Shawn and Katie have also interviewed various other online personalities, authors and even Warren Specter, the creator of popular video games including “Epic Mickey”. Lee Cockerell, former President of Operations at Walt Disney World, and author of Creating Magic, has also appeared on the show. One of their first major interviews was with Eddie Carroll, the voice of Jiminy Cricket from 1973 to 2010. WaltCast was one of Eddie’s last interviews before his death in April of 2010.
Some authors, including Dave and Jennifer Marx of the PassPorter Walt Disney World books, Lou Mongello of the WDW Trivia Books and Len Testa of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World have also made multiple appears on WaltCast.
Shawn and Katie always have celebrity interviews lined up that helps make WaltCast one of the biggest Celebrity Podcasts on the internet, as well as Family and Travel.
IN OTHER MEDIA Shawn and Katie often make appearances on other shows and have been featured in many blogs and articles. Some of these include WDW Radio, All About the Mouse, Inner Mouse, Your MouseCast, The Mouse Lounge, PassPorter Mom’s Podcast, Remember the Magic, WEDway Radio, See Ya Real Late and Recapturing the Future. Shawn is also a frequent guest on the Mr. Frank’s Wild Ride Show.
While WaltCast is an independent podcast, the Disney Company works closely with Shawn and Katie to help book guests and often invite them to Media Conferences and Events. They have been considered VIP at various functions and visit Walt Disney World several times a week.
OTHER INFORMATION Since June of 2009, Shawn and Katie have released over 100 episodes of WaltCast and have surpassed all their goals and expectations. In the summer of 2011, WaltCast celebrated two years with a major episode highlighting many of their celebrity interviews and memorable moments. The episode also featured various bloopers and outtakes and has been ranked as one of their most popular episodes.
WaltCast releases at least one episode a week, often two or three. It is subscribed to by thousands of listeners on iTunes and is more times than not streamed by people on their website. It can also be found on various other media formats on the internet.