Mousetalgia! - Your Disneyland Podcast

This week, Mousetalgia digs in to the history of Walt Disney's Classic Sleeping Beauty, and we take a look at the development, the marketing, the exquisite art - and we review a panel discussion with animators and Disney Legends Floyd Norman and Burny Mattinson about the making of the film, held at the Walt Disney Family Museum in December. We also take a quick look back at Eyvind Earle's famous bicycle trip across the country, which helped to launch his career as a fine artist. Next, Kristen discusses the "Cinderella Festival" which was held at Disneyland in March 1971. Fashion shows, garden tours, and special recipes were featured during this three-day event at Disneyland, during which a park guest would be named princess Cinderella for the day. Plus - Star Wars answers just raise more questions, and Kristen reviews "Chewie and the Porgs."

This week, we present a spoiler-filled review of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the 8th installment in the Star Wars saga. But before that, let's talk DVC, and discuss the benefits and costs of joining the Disney Vacation Club. Is the cost of purchasing property in villas in deluxe Disney hotels worth the experience? Our special guest Heather Coursen discusses the ins and outs of being a DVC member, and tells us who DVC is for, and who should probably pass. Then, we talk everything "Last Jedi" in a spoiler-filled, roundtable-style free for all. Porgs, flying Leias, laser swords - we discuss all of our initial thoughts and feedback while we prepare for future viewings. Everything from hyperspace to the nature of the Force is dissected, inspected and accepted or rejected. Listen to our review, then join the conversation at facebook.com/mousetalgia.

This week, Team Mousetalgia hosts a roundtable discussion reviewing our strongest memories and opinions of Disney's past year. Topics include our favorite changes to the theme parks; the best books and purchases we've made through the year; our favorite movies from the various Disney studios in 2017; the best dining experience we've each had on a Disney property this year, our famous Oswald Award, which is awarded to events that may have missed their intended marks, and our favorite overall Disney memories from the past twelve months. So welcome to 2018, and enjoy our look back at Disney's past year in review.

For our special holiday episode, Mousetalgia hosted a Reddit-style AMA (Ask Mousetalgia Anything), and we have answers to your burning questions. Some of the topics include: Finding time to record shows, Cinderella's dress color, park pet peeves, favorite park eras, ABD wishes, Disney dream jobs, attraction mash-ups, ten minutes with Walt, favorite things to do at Walt Disney World, dealing with Disney burnout, Disneyland with toddlers, how Mousetalgia's team formed, what we love other than Disney, Roy O. Disney, our feelings about the future of Downtown Disney, and more!

This week, Mousetalgia presents an Emporium of festive fun! First, we welcome Tim Babb from the "Can't Wait for Christmas" podcast to the show to host a happy holiday roundtable discussion about everything Christmas at the Disneyland Resort. Next, Dave and Becky review the Blue Bayou and its Fantasmic dining package, and we discuss the menu, the food, and the experience of watching Fantasmic from an exceptional vantage point. Finally, Jeff takes us to the recent Heroes and Villains convention in San Jose, where he met Zachary "Flynn Rider" Levi and Ming-Na "Mulan" Wen, and shares some audio of Zachary Levi talking about his brush with the Marvel Extended Universe.

Welcome to Star Wars week! We spend a few moments discussing Star Wars trivia, Star Wars clothing, and the "Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire" VR experience. Next, Jeff reviews "Foolish Mortals," the Popzilla Haunted Mansion art show that was hosted at Pop! Comics in Anaheim. Then, we discuss spending four hours in Disneyland - is it worth the cost of admission? We show you how to make the most of a quick trip. Also, Jeff shares some thoughts on Coco, and briefly reviews Pixar's latest masterpiece. Plus - a Pearly Band Christmas performance, and listeners weigh in on runDisney, the late Great Movie Ride, and antenna balls.

Thanksgiving Dinner at the Disneyland Hotel - we review the 2017 Thanksgiving buffet and discuss the food and entertainment, and compare the overall experience with previous years. Then we discuss the Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure, and talk about some of the culinary opportunities available during the holiday season at the resort. Next, we return to the discussion about MaxPass, and add more to our ongoing review of Disneyland's new crowd management option. Plus, we discuss John Lasseter's sabbatical from Pixar due to complaints of sexual harassment, and we ponder the bigger issue and how it might affect the Walt Disney Company. Also - our favorite Disney holiday films, Jeff reviews the new Frozen short - and more.

It's a Mousetalgia mailbag! Topics include: DisneyLife, Disney's answer to Netflix, is launched internationally, and we have a user's review; a first trip to the Disneyland Hotel - is it worth the money? We discuss the benefits to staying on property; brief thoughts on writing Disney books; Disneyland VIP tours - the ins and outs; raising Disney kids; a listener reviews the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour, Ariel's Grotto and MaxPass; Asian culture and its impact on the Asian Disney Parks is explained by a listener; the best ways to brighten a cast member's day; Grand Californian scavenger hunts; more Disneyland trip advice - MaxPass, crowds, and what to tote around to make the day managable; navigating the parks for minimum line waits; and a WDW fan reacts to Disneyland. Plus - if we were to create a third Disney theme park for SoCal, what would it be? Westcot? Pixar Park? Or...? We share our thoughts.

This week, Team Mousetalgia welcomes Disney historian and author Jeff Kurtti back to the show to help us celebrate Mickey Mouse's 89th birthday by sharing some stories about his good friend Wayne Allwine, who was the voice of Mickey Mouse for many years. Jeff talks about how Mickey Mouse's voice progressed through the years, and shares about how Wayne's connection with the character developed over time. Jeff also talks about the creation story of Mickey Mouse, and we discuss the legendary tale told over the generations, and see how it compares with the likely true history of the Mouse's genesis. Then, we share some of our experiences from the recent Mouse-con convention held in South San Francisco, and recount our first Mousetalgia Disneyland history slide show. Also: our favorite Disney animal moments, Tiny Tinsel checks in - and more.

This week, travel to China with Mousetalgia as Kristen concludes her series of reports from Asia with an overview of the Adventures of Disney tour experience. Joined by Mouse Fan Travel CEO Beci Mahnken, Kristen and Beci discuss Beijing, Hong Kong, the airports, the tour groups, the value of the experience, the elite ABD guides, and some all-time highlights from various Adventures by Disney excursions. As a bonus, they also review a dining experience in Club 33 in Shanghai Disneyland! Next, we preview Pixar's upcoming film "Coco." Director Lee Unkrich, Co-director Adrian Molina and producer Darla Anderson share some secrets from the making of Coco, recorded live at Pixar Day at AT&T Park in San Francisco on September 17. The filmmaking trio talk about the inspiration for the film, the characters and what to watch for, and some of the hidden secrets inside the film. Plus - we discuss our bucket-list Disney destinations, Tiny Tinsel returns - and more!

Oscar-winning director and producer team Pete Docter and Jonas Rivera came to the Walt Disney Family Museum to share their secret stories from the making of "Inside Out," and Jeff reports on the event. The duo shared many secrets and their own personal photos and videos from behind the scenes while they were making the film, and they discuss how they developed the concept for the film which has become near and dear to the hearts of many people who either struggle with their feelings or know others who do. Then, we welcome Academy Award-nominated producer, author and filmmaker Don Hahn to the show to talk about mid-century modern design at the Walt Disney Studios, and how Walt and his team of artists adapted, reflected, implemented and even developed design trends and traits which were common in the middle of the last century. Also - we talk news: Pixar is coming to the resorts in a big way, the Disneyland Resort announces a new four diamond hotel and abandons the Eastern Gateway project, and we share some of

Welcome to Mousetalgia's Halloween Specter-tacular! This year, we have a bountiful boo-tique of freaky features to make your Halloween a ghast - er, a gas! First, Jeff recounts the DoomBuggies 20th anniversary party held at the Winchester Mystery House on Friday, October 13th (with a special guest appearance by Ghost Host Peter Renaday... bwahaHA!) Then, Kristen takes us back to Hong Kong where she celebrated Halloween in China with a scary twist. Hear about the seasonal parade, the special events, and the haunting Maze of Madness, where Disney characters turn murderous, you party in hell, and the whole experience mystifies Kristen. Finally, author Jim Fanning joins us to discuss "Trick or Treat," the fabulous Disney animated short from 1952 staring Donald Duck. We talk a little history, share a little behind the scenes info, and celebrate that famous song. Plus - a listener's review of Disneyland's new Happiest Haunts tour, and we share our scariest moments in Disney parks.

This week, Mousetalgia welcomes historian and author Didier Ghez back to the show to discuss "They Drew as They Pleased" Volume 3: "The Hidden Art of Disney's Late Golden Age." Ghez takes us behind the scenes of his newest book and discusses the Character Model Department of the Disney animation studio in the '40s and discusses some of the key players, tells us why they are important, and gives some intriguing details about his latest deep dive into the history of Disney animation. Kristen also reviews "Eat Like Walt: The Wonderful World of Disney Food" by Marcy Carriker Smothers, shares her favorite recipe, and then lets you all in on a little secret that we've been holding for the past two years. Then, in a special pre-Halloween Haunted Mansion moment, Jeff takes us back to 1921 for a shocking discovery that changes EVERYTHING - or nothing at all. Plus - some of Jeff's other recent podcast appearances, runDisney cancels all Disneyland races, a little Star Wars chit chat, a little Epcot love, and more! ALSO:

This week, Kristen takes us on her with a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland, and we talk about her experience, including: Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and other lodging options; free slippers; dining options, dim sum and restaurants; the weather and humidity, and spending time in the park. We discuss the similarities and differences between Hong Kong Disneyland and Disneyland in Anaheim, including how the layout and similar attractions compare to each other, the park food, the merchandise, and in depth information about Main Street, Adventureland, Mystic Point (featuring Mystic Manor), Toy Story Land, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland (featuring the Iron Man Experience) - plus a Marvel experience, and more. Also - D23 announces its event list for 2018, and we reminisce about past D23 events. Plus - here's your chance to win some Halloween slippers from the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel!

This week, Mousetalgia welcomes Oscar Martinez, Disneyland's longest tenured cast member, to the show to talk about his 60-year career at Disneyland, 50 of which he spent at Carnation Café. Oscar talks about being hired at Disneyland, his job and retirement, and the state of dining at the resort. Then, Jeff reports on Halloween Time at Disneyland, with a focus on the new happenings at Disney California Adventure, and the seasonal food offerings throughout the resort. Finally, Jeff also takes us behind the scenes of the Disneyana "Swinging Wake" dinner at the Disneyland Hotel, which featured hours of Haunted Mansion discussion, amazing sights and sounds, and the unveiling of a Haunted Mansion prop long thought lost to time. Plus - Kevin and Jody sell more goods at Pop! Comics, Kristen sticks up for a cast member and gets rewarded, Becky and Button review the Little Mermaid on stage - and more!

This week, travel with Kristen to Asia as she takes an Adventures by Disney trip to the Disney parks in both Shanghai and Hong Kong! This week, Kristen discusses Shanghai and the attractions (Tron's Lightcycles!), lodging, dining and cultural differences between that park and the experience we are used to in America. Hear the intricate details of touring with Adventures by Disney, and enjoy discovering the magic that the Disney theme parks offer in other cultures. Also, the Disney Store is rebranding as shopDisney, but what does it really mean?

This week, Mousetalgia offers an emporium of topics. First, Magical Memories in Las Vegas hosted a grand opening extravaganza with the cast and crew of the original Beauty and the Beast animated classic, and we are celebrating along with them with a recap and an extraordinary sweepstakes! Then, we share an article about unofficial Disney merchandise created by fans, and ponder Disney's response to the current surge in unofficial Disney-based merchandise that caters to the Disneybounding and Disney lifestyle fads. Jeff describes some of DoomBuggies.com's dances with Disney legal, and we consider the benefits vs. the costs of fan-produced material to the Disney Company. Then, in a cliffhanging ending to the show, Jeff talks about Sac Anime's recent convention and the appearance of John Ratzenberger, who discussed his career, his appearance in every Pixar film, and his life as an actor. Jeff talks about an awkward autograph moment, then we play some highlights of John's Q&A from the con. Plus - Disneyland Ha

This week, Mousetalgia starts getting spooky as Disneyland Resort begins its Halloween Time celebrating! We talk about Disneyland's expansion of Halloween to Disney California Adventure, and we discuss our favorite new features for the upcoming haunting holiday. Then, we take some time to remember Disney Legend X. Atencio, who passed away on Sept. 10 at the age of 98. We look at his early career with the Walt Disney Studio, and consider the contributions he made to company during his long and accomplished career. Finally, we talk with Sam Carter, curator for the Popzilla group art shows, about the upcoming "Foolish Mortals" show coming to Pop! Comics in Anaheim.

This week, Mousetalgia returns to the mailbag to answer your burning questions and to share your great tips. Topics include: C.V. Wood's place in Disney history; handling toddler tantrums at Disneyland; tips and tricks for touring the resort as a lone wolf; character breakfasts at the resort revisited; collecting Tsum Tsums; Disney cultural history in the collegiate setting; getting hauled off to Disneyland jail; other ways to connect with Disney fandom in southern California; taking annual photographs at Disneyland; Disneyland attraction and table service recommendations for WDW veterans; and a kid-less Disneyland trip report. Plus - if your last meal was to come from Disneyland - what would it be?

Team Mousetalgia takes you behind the scenes to the green room at the Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet as we share exclusive interviews with the special guests from this year's event, hosted in Lynnwood, WA on Sept. 12, 2017. Mike Peraza is a Disney art art director, conceptual artist and layout artist for Disney animation, and worked on everything from Fox and the Hound through Beauty and the Beast and dozens of episodes of Disney Afternoon television shows. Patty Peraza was an effects animator at Disney, also starting with Fox and the Hound, who was sponsored through her art education at Cal Arts by Lilian Disney herself. Bill Rogers and Camille Dixon use their voices famously at the parks of Disneyland Resort as announcers, Bill at Disneyland and Camille at Disney California Adventure. All four guests share special recollections from their long careers with Disney, touching on memorable moments and special people that helped them along the way.