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Episode 121

Have you ever wondered where Walt Disney lived, worked, and dreamed—before Disneyland?

In this episode of Pop Culture Passport, we’re heading off the beaten path in Los Angeles to explore the real-world locations tied to Walt’s early career and creative spark. From humble homes to historic restaurants, this is a walk through Walt’s LA.

🎙️ In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Where Mickey Mouse came to life
• The backyard railroad that planted the seeds of Disneyland
• The cottages that may have inspired the seven dwarves’ home
• Walt’s favorite restaurant table—and how you can sit there too
• A carousel that launched a theme park revolution

📍Bonus: We’ll also share a few Hollywood Boulevard stops for Disney fans and history buffs.

You ready? Let’s roam.

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Episode 120

What do a Paris museum, a Route 66 road trip, and a carousel pig have in common? They all showed up in the most unexpected way during a walk along the Santa Monica Pier.

In this episode of Pop Culture Passport, I’m sharing the charming, surprising story behind one of California’s most iconic boardwalk carousels—and why one particular animal stopped me in my tracks.

Here’s what you’ll discover:

• Why the Santa Monica Pier is the unofficial “End of Route 66”
• The surprising warrior roots of carousel rides
• Why some carousels include pigs, lions, and other unusual animals
• Hollywood moments filmed right at the Looff Hippodrome
• What carousels symbolize in movies, musicals, and storytelling

🎠 Whether you’re a roadside attraction fan, a carousel lover, or just someone who appreciates the quirky side of travel, this one’s for you.

You ready? Let’s roam.

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Episode 119

What do swan boats, silent films, and a rack of vintage Disney clothes have in common?
They’re all part of the story in LA’s Echo Park—a neighborhood with deep Hollywood roots and a laid-back creative spirit.

In this episode of Pop Culture Passport, we take a walk around Echo Park Lake, dive into its surprising film history, and share what it’s like to explore the area today.

Here’s what you’ll discover:

• The real-life inspiration behind Echo Lake at Hollywood Studios
• Echo Park’s surprising role in early moviemaking (before Hollywood took over)
• Famous filming locations, from Fast & Furious to Chinatown
• My favorite finds from vintage shops to peaceful goose encounters

Whether you’re a history buff, set-jetting fan, or just craving a neighborhood with chill LA vibes, Echo Park might be your new favorite stop.

You ready? Let’s roam.

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Episode 118

What do Transformers, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Raiders of the Lost Ark have in common? You’ll find pieces of all of them at the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center.

In this episode, we head to Northern Virginia for an unexpected pop culture scavenger hunt among the historic aircraft and spacecraft of this incredible museum.

You’ll hear:
✈️ A little backstory on how the Udvar-Hazy Center came to be
🎥 The surprising movie and TV connections hiding among the planes
🚀 Our favorite finds from the day, including some iconic film ships and jets
🛫 Travel tips for your own visit

Sometimes, the places you least expect are packed with the stories you love.

You ready? Let’s roam.

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Episode 117

Located in Disney Springs, this Indiana Jones–inspired watering hole is packed with hidden treasures, Easter eggs, and deep Disney lore. On a rainy afternoon, my husband and I turned our visit into a full-on scavenger hunt—and I’m sharing what we found so you can try it too.

🔎 In this episode:

• The backstory of Jock Lindsey (yes, the guy from Raiders of the Lost Ark)
• Hidden artifacts from Indiana Jones films and rides
• Disney deep cuts—from the Adventurers Club to the Jungle Cruise
• Marvel, Star Wars, and even a Jurassic Park connection?!

Grab a drink, bring your curiosity, and let’s go treasure hunting—Yeti style.

You ready? Let’s roam.

Check out the blog post and download the list.

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Episode 116

Did you know Disney’s Hollywood Studios used to be a real working production studio—with animators, soundstages, and even the house from The Golden Girls?

Today, it’s now focused on immersion into the movies, but it’s had quite a journey to get here. In this episode, we’re taking a look back at the evolution of Disney’s Hollywood Studios—from its behind-the-scenes beginnings to its IP-packed present.

In this episode:

• The origin story of Disney-MGM Studios and its race to open before Universal
• Nostalgic memories of the Backlot Tour, animation studio, and Streets of America
• How the park shifted from “watch the magic” to “live the movie”
• What’s next for the park—including Muppets, Monsters, and more changes in 2025

Whether you miss The Great Movie Ride or love flying the Millennium Falcon, this episode is for you.

You ready? Let’s roam.

More info on the blog.

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Episode 115

What do Randy’s Donuts, a Hollywood parking lot papal announcement, and a Back to the Future dance party on the Universal backlot have in common? They were all part of our unforgettable family trip to Los Angeles.

In this episode, I’m sharing stories from our May adventure—from classic rides at Disneyland and fandom fun at Universal FanFest to the unexpected moments that made this trip so personal and inspiring.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

• Highlights from Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, including 70th Anniversary touches
• Our first visit to Super Nintendo World and the magic of the Studio Tram Tour
• A night of cosplay, fandoms, and movie magic at Universal FanFest
• Stories from the rest of our LA trip—quirky finds, pop culture moments, and emotional surprises

So grab a snack and let’s head to LA!

You ready? Let’s roam.

More info on the blog.

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Like this episode? Share it in your stories and tag me @the_roaming_yeti

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Episode 114

What do vintage cameras, organ concerts, and a pie recipe have in common? You’ll find them all at the George Eastman Museum in Rochester, NY—where photography, film history, and personal storytelling collide.

In this episode, I’m sharing my visit to the former estate of Kodak founder George Eastman. Part historic mansion, part world-class photography museum, and part film archive, this place is a hidden gem for anyone who loves pop culture, innovation, or a good nostalgic moment.

Highlights include:

• How George Eastman changed photography forever
• The unexpected details that made his mansion unforgettable
• My favorite camera from the museum’s massive collection
• A rainbow wall of Kodak dye bottles (yes, really!)
• The quirky detail that made me stop in my tracks

This one’s a mix of history, heart, and pop culture appreciation.

You ready? Let’s roam.

More info on the blog.

Get the free Roaming Yeti Bingo Card!

Connect with me on social: Facebook or Instagram.

Like this episode? Share it in your stories and tag me @the_roaming_yeti

Love the show? Leave a 5-star review, and let me know where you'd like us to roam next.

Ready for more from The Roaming Yeti now? Visit our website.