Mousetalgia! - Your Disneyland Podcast

This week, Team Mousetalgia says "Hakuna Matata" and leaps into the world of the newest iteration of The Lion King. First, we welcome Michael Goldman, author of "The Art and Making of The Lion King," to the show to share some of the insight and secrets he discovered while researching his just-released book. We discuss the power of the storytelling, the incredible technology, and the redesigned characters in this groundbreaking film. Then, Jeff and Kristen review the film, discussing what worked well, what might not have worked as well, and the critical response to the film. Also - Kristen gets excited about Marvel's new slate; Dave shares family memories, and Jeff looks back at how Disneyland celebrated the first man on the moon in 1969.

This week, Team Mousetalgia welcomes author/historian Didier Ghez back to the show to discuss the fifth book in his "They Drew as They Pleased" series titled "The Hidden Art of Disney's Early Rennassiance," with discussion about Mel Shaw and Ken Anderson's work for the Disney animation studio in the '70s and '80s. Didier also gives us some scoops on very exciting upcoming publications about Disney history. Then, we return to our inbox to answer a few more listener emails about trips to the Disneyland Resort, including topics such as: the art of Disneyland attractions - what is the legacy of these attractions worth?; ideas for making a trip to Disneyland and the Disneyland Hotel extra special; and "snapping" attractions out of existence, Thanos-style.

This week, to celebrate Disneyland's 64th anniversary, we take a look at the park through various eras. First, former Disneyland Tour Guide Barbara Brock returns to the Mousetalgia podcast to talk about keeping cool in Disneyland during the hot summers of the '80s, and shares some stories of her time taking guests around the park. Then we take a look back at the ABC live broadcast on July 17, 1955, and finally we learn about Disneyland's custodial efforts as portrayed in a Wonderful World of Disney article from 1969. Finally, we remember the life and work of Disney animator Milton Quon, who recently passed away at the age of 105. Also - if you had to take one of Disney's live action movies and produce it as an animated feature, which film would you choose - and why?

This week, Jeff and Kristen take you on a True Life Adventure to Sequim, Washington to visit the Olympic Game Farm, which was home to some of Walt Disney's most famous animal actors in his nature films. The farm's president Robert Beebe talks to Mousetalgia on location about his grandfather Lloyd Beebe, the game farm's founder, about the hundreds of nature films Lloyd shot for Walt and the techniques he used to train wild animals to do specific tricks and motions for the movies. Also - Disneyland unearths a new exhibit in the Disney Gallery titled "Happy Haunts Materialize" celebrating 50 years of the Haunted Mansion, and Jeff takes a moment to talk all about the exhibit and describes some of the treasures that can be seen within. Plus - a moment at ACE Comic Con, and Beci Mahnken joins us to talk summertime snacking at the Disneyland Resort!

This week, Team Mousetalgia tackles Toy Story 4, and offers our no-spoilers review. We talk about the emotional impact of this supposed-final chapter of the Toy Story saga, the power of Bo breaking the mold, what works and doesn't work in the film - and we ponder the future of the franchise, and ask what makes a toy a toy? Then Jeff reviews "Pop-Up Disney: A Mickey Celebration," and takes us to the final weekend of the reservation-based trips to Batuu to visit Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in search of a reservation to Savi's Workshop to build a light saber. Plus - remembering Mickey Mouse Disco!

This week, Team Mousetalgia welcomes Team Disney's Jeffrey Epstein back to the show talk about D23 Expo prep, and to generally share in our excitement for the upcoming event. Get some tips straight from the top! Then, we dive into the Mousetalgia mailbag and answer your questions, with topics including: Disneyland's MaxPass vs, WDW's Magic Bands; advice for meeting single Disney fans; a look behind the scenes at Mousetalgia's recording sessions and getting to know Team Mousetalgia; Nebraska's Poet Laureate Matt Mason shares his latest work; re-visiting Disneyland's smoke-free policy; and Disneyland distributes surveys asking about removing classic attractions. Should any part of Disneyland be "untouchable?" Plus - Kristen quizzes us on Disneyland in 1957 - and more!

This week, we have a second week of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge coverage as Jeff files his report from the Outer Rim and shares his own impressions of Black Spire Outpost, the newest themed land at the Disneyland Resort. We talk about crying (or not) when one first encounters the Millenium Falcon, and we review the Smuggler's Run attraction; we discuss Oga's Cantina and see how it's holding up under the pressure of intense popularity; we take a deeper dive into some of the merchandise offerings and decide how best to spend our credits; and we discuss the nature of an immersive attraction, and whether or not forcing every participant to become an actor is necessarily a good thing.

Journey to a galaxy far, far away with Team Mousetalgia as Dave reports from his stay on the Outer Rim planet of Batuu from the opening weekend of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland Park. Dave takes us through his initial impressions of the immersive land, with reports on the attractions, the layout, the shopping, and the dining opportunities, passing along tips and tricks to help you make your own stay at Batuu a day to be remembered. Plus - Jeff talks Aladdin, Becky talks Soarin', and Dave gets into the wheelhouse.

On today's show, we offer an opening day report from Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, and then Kristen finishes her six castle journey through the Disney parks with a trip to Tokyo Disneyland Resort, and talks all about the parks, the attractions and the entertainment - and the snacks! From the Venetian gondolas at Tokyo DisneySea to Country Bears singing in Japanese at Tokyo Disneyland, Kristen offers her "top three" lists from both parks, and lets you know which attractions you can skip as well. Also, Kristen dissects the resort's shopping opportunities, from the unique characters to the intriguing gashapon capsule machines. From plush Chandu Tigers at DisneySea to Disneyland Perfume at Disneyland, Kristen brings home a broad selection of souvenirs and describes what you can expect to spend your money on. Kristen also discusses the shows, the entertainment opportunities and of course - the food, including pro tips on recognizing cultural customs and establishing timelines for dining throughout the resort. From Kri

This week, Team Mousetalgia speaks with author/historian David Koenig about Disneyland's "55ers" - the men and women who opened Walt Disney's Disneyland. From the original glass blower to bakery workers, David tells the stories from the people that saw Walt walking down Main Street U.S.A. in person. Then, Jeff ponders the Haunted Mansion's 50th anniversary. We offer speculation about Disneyland's recently announced after-hours event and the introduce DoomBuggies' and Disney By The Bay's own special dinner event in honor of the Haunted Mansion's birthday - and tickets are now available! Plus - Bob Gurr's new book, ACE Comic Con welcomes some Avengers, Pottery Barn Star Wars for babies, Netflix is doomed, and more!

This week, Kristen takes over the Mousetalgia podcast to tell us all about her trip to Tokyo to visit the Tokyo Disneyland Resort. In this first part of a 2-part feature, Kristen gives pro tips and tricks for making a trip to Tokyo a success, including reports on shopping, touring, and the dining options and hotels found at the Tokyo resort. Plus - it's Becky's birthday, so the team goes around the table choosing gifts for our favorite travel agent - and a listener calls in a report about Universal, but we include it anyway.

It's a super(hero)-sized Mousetalgia this week as we explore three very different topics in the Disney universe. First, we welcome Chris Wing back to the show to report on the re-opening of the renovated and reimagined Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris, and he talks about the changes in the new scenes and technology found in the European alternate to the Haunted Mansion. Then, we welcome artist/Imagineer Eric Robison back to Mousetalgia to talk about his new Mickey Mouse artwork that will be on display at the Walt Disney Family Museum in the upcoming exhibition "Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World," which opens this week. Eric talks about his career and life with Mickey, and describes the effect that the mouse has had on his career. Finally, we welcome fan-favorite Tim Babb back to the show to join our spoiler-laden discussion of "Avengers: Endgame" and we talk about characters old and new, time travel, battle scenes and Throg. Plus - adventures in obtaining Galaxy's Edge reservations... and more!

Mousetalgia's own Kristen visits Shanghai Disneyland and shares a trip report that describes everything you need to know to tour the park on your own. From the hotels to the food to the attractions and everything in between, we cover the ins and outs of taking a solo trip to Shanghai Disneyland without the safety net of a tour guide. Also - the Art of Dumbo book reviewed; The Oogie Boogie Bash; Disney's movie slate, and Kristen's slipper giveaway!

Prepare for May the Fourth with Team Mousetalgia this week as we welcome "Skywalking Through Neverland" hosts Sarah and Richard Woloski to tell us all about the 2019 Star Wars Celebration event held recently in Chicago. We discuss everything from the latest news about Galaxy's Edge to the announcement of the title of Star Wars Episode Nine: The Rise of Skywalker. We talk about the panels, the merch coming to Galaxy's Edge, and the best thing about Star Wars events - the fandom (aka the "Galaxymeisters"). Also, Jeff attends and reviews the U.S. premiere of "A Spoonful of Sherman," the musical revue covering the music from three generations of the Sherman family which notably includes The Sherman Brothers. Plus - Galaxy's Edge planning, and more!

This week, Team Mousetalgia heads back to the mailbag to tackle your questions. Topics include: Disneyland lodging tips from other Mousetalgia listeners; Lightning and Cruz - their platonic relationship; Disney and copyrights; alcohol in Disneyland - another view; vegans at Disneyland; making Disneyland even more special; tips for starting a podcast; Michelle Shocked's "Got No Strings"; things we miss that have disappeared from Disneyland; a listener reviews Dumbo; transportation options reviewed; and a trip report from the Grand Californian Hotel Club Level. Plus - we finally discuss Mickey's Mix Magic!

On April 22, Disney's Animal Kingdom park turns 21, so in honor of the occasion we present a trip report from the park and celebrate one of the most immersive, lovely Disney theme parks, and talk Pandora, safaris, and more. RunDisney also recently held the Star Wars Half Marathon weekend at the Walt Disney World Resort, so we talk about the state of the races with Mousetalgia Minute co-host Julia Layne, who talks about the courses, the expo, the bling and running in that heat! Julia also shares stories about the Magic Kingdom after hours party, dining at Be Our Guest, and engages in a bit of Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World contemplation.

This week, we discuss Mousetalgia's Anything Can Happen Weekend, beginning with a report on Disneyland Hotel's Pirates of the Caribbean Suite! Kristen, Kurt and Jeff were able to stay in this exquisite suite during Mousetalgia's recent special weekend, and we describe all the details of this impressive space. Then, we report from our listener meet-ups. We talk about the Wildest Breakfast in the Wilderness, taking over the Jungle Cruise, honoring our nation's heroes, getting a shout out on the Grand Circle Tour, and finally crawling through the wide variety of eats at the 2019 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival. Plus, our takes on some Tangaroa Terrace woes, more Star Wars speculation, Kristen talks Disney Play, and more. And as a special bonus, we end the show with some of our listeners' responses to this year's Food and Wine offerings. Bon appétit!

It's a Mousetalgia Emporium! Vocal group Dcapella just finished touring with a final stop in Oakland, so this week, Mousetalgia goes VIP at this final stop on the group's inaugural tour, and we tell you what you can expect if you decide to go VIP when the group goes back on the road. Listen in on the sound check, and hear all about the special "Friend Like Me" Meet and Greet package. Next: Disneyland has announced a few significant new rules, and we talk about the now smoke-free parks, the ban on ice, and anti-wagon bias. Kristen then comments on Jessie's Critter Carousel, and we review Tim Burton's Dumbo, and wonder what happened there.

This week, join Team Mousetalgia as we take a slightly deeper dive into Disneyland trip planning with our Disneyland 202 episode. Topics we cover are app-based transportation to the parks from the airports, Disneyland Resort hotels pros and cons, and how to use the Disneyland app for gathering photos, booking Fastpasses, and ordering food. Plus - listener emails, with topics including taking a large group trip to Disneyland, a list of must-read books from Jeff - and more. Also: Disney buys a new island, washing princess dresses - and Tron 3 rumors persist!

This week, Team Mousetalgia takes you on a heroic journey through the universe as we visit galaxies both Marvel-ous and far, far away. First, we welcome Tim Babb back to the show to join us as we present a review of Captain Marvel, the latest film from Marvel Studios staring Academy Award-winning actress Brie Larson as Carol Danvers, the fighter pilot who is out to save the universe. We talk about the public response to the film and some backlash Larson has received, as well as our thoughts on the film's story, humor, cultural setting and position in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Then, we discuss the recently unveiled plans that Disneyland has for the opening on Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at the end of May, and we mention our attempts to plan to see the new land, and some of the many features Disney has recently disclosed about the interactivity of the land through the Disney Play app. Also - a listener's response to '90s Night at Disneyland, and our favorite booths from the upcoming Food and Wine Festival at