Pop Culture Passport - Exploring Quirky & Cool Travel Destinations in the USA
Pop Culture Passport is your guide to quirky, cool, and nostalgic travel across the U.S.—from movie filming locations and theme parks to roadside attractions and pop culture museums.
If you'd happily add 60 minutes to your trip to visit a filming location, the Jell-O Museum, or a roadside diner from your favorite TV show, this podcast is for you.
Every other week, I’ll take you behind the scenes of iconic and offbeat destinations, sharing their history, stories, and the fun details. Along the way, we’ll dive into theme parks, explore quirky museums, and uncover the real places behind your favorite movies and shows.
I'm Beth Schillaci—aka the Roaming Yeti. I’m a travel content creator, pop culture nerd, and obsessive road trip planner who somehow turns an 8-hour drive into a 21-stop itinerary (because you never know what you’ll find). I’m also the creator of the Quirky & Cool Travel Guide, a curated directory of unique U.S. destinations, and I share even more travel stories and pop culture finds on The Roaming Yeti Blog.
Think of this as traveling with your slightly nerdy, sort-of-cool friend who thrives on deep dives, unique finds, and laughter-filled road trips.
Grab your Pop Culture Passport—let’s roam.
Pop Culture Passport - Exploring Quirky & Cool Travel Destinations in the USA
The Evolution of Disney California Adventure: From WestCOT to Cars Land
Episode 127
What happens when Disney builds a brand-new park… and it flops?
When Disney California Adventure opened in 2001, critics called it everything from “underwhelming” to “a state fair with better landscaping.” But two decades later, it’s one of Disney’s most beloved parks — home to Cars Land, World of Color, and Avengers Campus.
In this episode, I’m tracing the park’s incredible transformation — from a cost-cutting experiment to a storytelling triumph.
We’ll explore:
- The unbuilt dream of WestCOT, the futuristic EPCOT-style park that never was
- How Superstar Limo became Disney legend (for all the wrong reasons)
- The billion-dollar rebuild that gave us Buena Vista Street, World of Color, and Cars Land
- And what’s next for the park as DisneylandForward brings new worlds like Avatar and Coco to life
Disney California Adventure is a story of second chances — proof that sometimes, the best magic comes from a creative do-over.
You ready? Let’s roam.
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.