75.5 - A chat with Ray DeForest

75.5 - A chat with Ray DeForest

Author: Lake Buena Vista Historical Society June 28, 2022 Duration: 1:10:30

On this episode, we are joined by Disney entertainer Ray DeForest. Ray spent many years in Walt Disney World entertainment and has a large number of stories and tales we are so excited to hear.  Throughout this episode, we discuss how Ray got his start with the Walt Disney Company in Washington, DC, and then how he made his way to central Florida. As you will learn, Ray was a pioneer in WDW entertainment, working in everything from characters, dancing, performing in the two theme parks, and more. We also hear some great side stories about flying in ‘The Mouse’, where the entertainment offices are, and also how he was able to beat the heat performing in front of the castle. Ray has two areas of performance that caught our attention though; The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue and the opening day celebration at EPCOT Center. Ray talks with JT in detail about these two exciting but different opportunities he was given at Walt Disney World.  If you have ever seen any of the guide books with photos of the opening of EPCOT Center, you have seen Ray on stage ushering in the 21st Century in 1982. The Hoop-Dee-Doo segment of this interview has Ray sharing some fond memories, giving a few secrets, and also paying tribute to some other amazing cast members. Ray shared with us a number of great photos from his time at Walt Disney World. He really was part of something special back then and we are so lucky we were able to discuss all of this with him. To find Ray online, take a look at the following sites: – Doris Dear: YouTubeInstagramWebsite – Ray’s Instagram


The Retro Disney World Podcast from the Lake Buena Vista Historical Society is a deep, conversational dive into the layers of history embedded in the Vacation Kingdom. Each monthly episode gathers four hosts with a shared passion for peeling back the contemporary veneer to examine what came before. Their discussions are less about listing facts and more about reconstructing the experience of a place in time, focusing on the architectural choices, attraction designs, and overall atmosphere that defined eras from the ambitious pre-opening plans up through the resort's evolution roughly twenty-five years ago. This isn't just a nostalgia trip; it's a thoughtful look at how the park's physical and imaginative landscapes were built, changed, and live on in collective memory. You'll hear detailed recollections and analysis of spaces that are now closed but whose influence persists, understanding why certain elements resonate so powerfully. The podcast operates at the intersection of cultural study, travel memory, and societal observation, making it a unique resource for anyone who believes the story of a place is found in its details, transitions, and vanished corners. Tune in for a consistently engaging and richly specific exploration of Walt Disney World's past, thoughtfully preserved in audio form.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 138

Retro Disney World Podcast
Podcast Episodes
30 - Prime Time Specials: Part I [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:20
Welcome to Episode 30 of the Retro Disney World Podcast: "Prime Time Specials Part I" - We appreciate your support and hope you have been enjoying each and every episode. Be sure to check out some of our previous shows.…
29.35 - Planning for EPCOT 35 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:22
Welcome to a special edition of the RetroWDW Podcast, Episode 29.35 "Planning for EPCOT35"! In November 2016 the RetroWDW podcast held a special event at WDW, specifically our Lake and Lagoon Tour was centered around Des…
29 - Listen to the Land - The Land [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:57:51
Welcome to Episode 29 of the Retro Disney World Podcast: "Listen To The Land" - We appreciate your support and hope you have been enjoying each and every episode. Be sure to check out some of our previous shows. Correcti…
28 - Whoop 'N Holler: River Country [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:38
Welcome to Episode 28 of the Retro Disney World Podcast: "Whoop-N-Holler" - We appreciate your support and hope you have been enjoying each and every episode. Be sure to check out some of our previous shows. Corrections…
27 - Tomorrow's Child - Spaceship Earth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:56:12
Welcome to Episode 27 of the Retro Disney World Podcast: "Tomorrow's Child" - We appreciate your support and hope you have been enjoying each and every episode. Be sure to check out some of our previous shows. Listener M…
26 - Tiny Bubbles - 20k Leagues Under the Sea [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:03:06
Welcome to Episode 26 of the Retro Disney World Podcast: "Tiny Bubbles" - We appreciate your support and hope you have been enjoying each and every episode. Be sure to check out some of our previous shows. Listener Mail…
25 - Anniversary Special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:50:18
Welcome to Episode 25 of the Retro Disney World Podcast: "Anniversary Special" - We appreciate your support and hope you have been enjoying each and every episode. Be sure to check out some of our previous shows. Comment…
24.5 - Destination: Retro [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:36
Welcome to Episode 24.5 of the Retro Disney World Podcast: "Destination: Retro" - We appreciate your support and hope you have been enjoying each and every episode. Be sure to check out some of our previous shows. Main T…
24 - The Golf Resort [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:57
Welcome to Episode 24 of the Retro Disney World Podcast: "The Golf Resort" - We appreciate your support and hope you have been enjoying each and every episode. Be sure to check out some of our previous shows. Comments &…
23.5 - Dave Perillo at Wonderground Gallery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:19
Welcome to a special episode of the Retro Disney World Podcast! We talk to illustrator Dave Perillo in the latest installment of our series of occasional bonus episodes featuring interviews with subjects we think will in…