Mousetalgia! - Your Disneyland Podcast

This week, Team Mousetalgia chats with WED Imagineer Rolly Crump about "It's Kind of a Cute Story," his current exhibition at the Oceanside Museum of Art. We talk about his art, his work with fellow artist Mary Blair, and his relationship with Walt Disney. Then, Kristen takes us with her on a trip to an exclusive dinner party at 21 Royal, and describes the atmosphere, the experience, the custom menu designed by Disneyland Executive Chef Andrew Sutton, and more details of this incredible dining opportunity hidden in the heart of New Orleans Square. Also, controversy over breastfeeding at Disneyland rears its head once again, and we discuss the situation. Plus - Jeff reports from the current Once Upon a Time convention tour; new Mary Blair art prints will be on exhibit at Gallery Nucleus; Star Wars VR experience gives Vault 28 and Fossil the boot out of Downtown Disney; Salt Lake Comic Con welcomes Tony Baxter, Dick Van Dyke, and other Disney luminaries this September - and an Ears to the Ground report from the

This week, Team Mousetalgia reports live from the show floor of the ninth annual Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet, held on August 12 at the Lynnwood Convention Center in Washington. We describe the popular event, the vendors and the atmosphere, and bring you reports from attendees and authors that we spoke with at the show, including a report on Walt Disney's Hyperion Avenue Studio from author David Lesjak, interesting conversation about the Frito Mountain at Frontierland's Casa de Fritos, and an interview with Imagineer Charita Carter, a Senior Creative Producer who works with the Scenic Illusion Team at WDI to create cutting edge attractions for the Disney parks. Stay tuned next week for more news from the Mouse Meet and more exciting interviews.

This week, Rose Ivy talks with Team Mousetalgia fresh from winning the "Her Universe Fashion Show" at San Diego Comic Con! She talks about her winning design, perseverance, geek couture, walking the runway, and what she'll be creating in the near future with her co-winners for Her Universe and Disney (so start asking for Hot Topic gift cards for Christmas!) Also, Disneyland Railroad conductor David Wilcox returns to the show to share his personal stories about Disney Legend Ward Kimball, and his opportunity to spend time with Ward, talk about his relationship with Walt Disney, and see some of Ward's railroad collection. Wilcox also tells the story of how he once derailed the Disneyland Railroad. Plus - Walt Disney's trip to the Chicago Railroad Fair in 1948, a listener trip report - and our cosplay costumes for next year's comic con!

Mousetalgia Episode 459: Remembering Marty Sklar - This week, Team Mousetalgia welcomes Disney artist Eric Robison to the show to discuss his years at Walt Disney Imagineering with Marty Sklar. Robison shares some stories and personal memories, including insight into the relationship he had with Sklar and the story of how Sklar helped him launch his career. Learn about Tomorrowland's proposed MegaPopper 2000 walking popcorn machine, and the birth of Robison's career as an avant-garde Disney artist appearing regularly at the Disney Gallery. Plus, we welcome listener Amy to the show to share her experience with Disneyland's new MaxPass service and to review the Fantasmic dining menu at the Hungry Bear Restaurant. Also - Kristen describes the perils of Disneyland's frozen juice bars, we share a report on the production of Mary Poppins Returns - and more. Contact Mousetalgia at (888) 798-9298 (voicemail) or comments@mousetalgia.com.

This week, Team Mousetalgia takes you back to the recent D23 Expo with reports on some of the myriad panels, presentations and performances that were held at the massive event. We talk to our correspondent Nicole, who describes her experience at the Expo as a first-timer, with her own set of tips, advice, and feedback about the massive event. Then, we take you with us to some of the events that we covered, including Marc Davis Goes to WED; Women in Imagineering; 50 Years of Pirates of the Caribbean; Legends of Imagineering; The Making of Hercules; Melodies in Walt's Time; the Disney Video Game Showcase; Celebrating the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-through - and more. Plus, we recap our Mousetalgia Expo meet-up, and discuss custom painted shoes, Vons direct delivery to your hotel, and Steakhouse 55's prices.

It's a fantastic super-sized episode of Mousetalgia this week as we report on our travels down to Anaheim for the D23 Expo and the various goings-on at the Disneyland Resort. First, we offer trip reports from Expo weekend in the parks, and Jeff reviews the Skyline Lounge experience as well as a soft opening of the newly-renovated Fantasmic! nighttime spectacular on the Rivers of America. Then, we offer part one of our two-episode coverage of the D23 Expo, with a focus on the show floor and everything the Expo had to offer outside of the theaters and stages. We question a few of the event's new features, report on a few struggles, and then celebrate all of the incredible experiences, sights and sounds we shared over the weekend, including reports from the Music Emporium, the Archives Pirates exhibit, Center Stage, the Emporium and the show floor, and of course, that amazing model of Star Wars Land, now known as Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Plus - Kristen describes the terror of Scrooge McDuck's Money Bin, Jeff re

Mousetalgia welcomes Deborah Breedlove back to the show to discuss her experiences as a Disneyland west side cast member back in the 1980s. She tells stories about the time the Haunted Mansion graveyard actually rained INSIDE the ride; the troubles with opening Splash Mountain; her take on the Pirates auction scene; and stories about times that cast members let their emotions get the best of them. Also - it's time for more listener email! Topics include: our recommended resources for a first time trip to Walt Disney World; audio interviews with Imagineers; recommendations for young children's first trips to the park; Disneyland history book recommendations; suggestions for solo Disney park travelers; suggestions for WDW veterans that have a single day to take in both Disneyland Resort parks; and a Van Eaton auction bidder shares his prize. Plus, Disneyland turns 62, and we celebrate by remembering some of Disneyland's memorable anniversaries.

Team Mousetalgia begin this week's show by diving into the rough waters of Disney's recent decision to remove Marc Davis's auction scene from Pirates of the Caribbean, and we explore various possible reasons for the change. Then, Kristen continues her trip report from Disneyland Paris by reviewing the new "Mickey and the Magician" show at Hollywood studios and discussing the Disneyland Paris 25th anniversary festivities, including wow-filled shows and "Disney Stars on Parade" which was designed by Kevin and Jody - while offering a few more Disneyland Paris touring tips. Finally, Jeff looks back to 1964 and discovers Disneyland's ties to "It's a Small World" before it even opened at the New York World's Fair. Plus - we consider possible features for future D23 Expos - and more. SPECIAL NOTE: We have CANCELLED our meet-up that was scheduled to be held Friday July 14 at the Marriott Hotel. Watch our social media this week for notifications of where we have a meet-up during the Expo weekend.

This week, Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline talks to Mousetalgia about the upcoming D23 Expo and gives us a sneak preview of the Pirates-themed Walt Disney Archives exhibit, and some behind-the-scenes information about the Archives programming and the Archives stage. Cline also shares some last-minute pro tips for attending the Expo. Then, Jeff takes us along on his trip to Van Eaton Galleries for the "Walt Disney's Disneyland" live auction, and describes the atmosphere and the happenings, and lets us listen along as the brownline presentation map that Walt Disney and Herb Ryman created in a whirlwind weekend is auctioned off for - well, if you haven't already heard, we don't want to ruin the surprise! Jeff also talks about the nature of live auctions, why they are an apples-and-oranges comparison with eBay, and how to prepare if you wish to ever participate in a Disneyana auction. Finally, we welcome Disney Legend Bob Gurr back to the show to talk in detail about the Disney/Ryman presentation map, a

Disneyland Paris, part 1: This week, Kristen reports on her recent trip to Disneyland Paris and divides her experiences into either "can't miss" or "skip it" categories. We talk all about her most notable attraction experiences, many interesting moments, and her numerous dining experiences and dishes, restaurants and drinks. She also gives us some travel tips for anyone thinking about or planning a trip to Disneyland Paris. Also, we talk about the attractions that the American parks have that might fit well into the Paris resort. Plus - an Ears to the Ground report on recent changes in Tomorrowland and Adventureland here at Disneyland.

The music of Disney's live action films will be featured in the upcoming D23 Expo, and this week, we continue to prepare for the Expo with a closer look at some of the recently announced panels and performances scheduled for the weekend of July 14-16. With topics ranging from the Golden Girls to Hercules, D23 has a stellar list of events and sessions with enough options to please almost any type of Disney fan. Join us as we talk about options and strategies for this upcoming fan convention. Next, we welcome Disney historian Jeff Kurtti back to the show to discuss the music of Walt Disney's live action films. It seems that the songs from Disney's animated features get a lot of attention and love - but what about some of the great tunes from Disney's live action filmography? Kurtti talks with us about some of that music, and some of the performers behind it, and we discuss why it doesn't seem to be highlighted as much as it should be. Plus - Becky bakes some Jolly Holiday Whoopie Pies with special guest baker B

Mousetalgia's Tinker Bell Half Marathon weekend report: we cover a variety of topics, including security updates, kids' race woes, photo ops and entertainment removed from the 5K route, and the evolution of runDisney (plus being evacuated from Goofy's Sky School). Then, Jeff reports on a talk at the Walt Disney Family Museum about Ruth Shellhorn and mid-century landscape architecture at Disneyland, including answers about Disneyland's current landscape technique by Imagineer Julie Bush. Finally, we celebrate Phantom Manor's 25th anniversary with a conversation about the experience, the history, and the differences between Phantom Manor and Haunted Mansion. Plus - wifi is coming to the parks, Her Universe and Hunny Bee Kids's latest Disney-related offerings, and a report on the current FastPass status at Disneyland Resort.

Join us for a swashbuckling galactic review episode this week! First, Mouse Fan Travel CEO Beci Mahnken walks us through the land of Pandora and gives us a travel professional's perspective on the new land and talks about some little known details of the land, gives us spoiler-free reviews of the attractions, offers and tips and tricks about making the most of a trip to the moon called Pandora at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Next, Jeff and Kristen give a spoiler-free review of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales," and we decide if it's a hit, a miss, or something in between, savvy? Finally, Mousetalgia correspondent Nicole brings us a spoiler-free report from opening day of "Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT!" and describes the crowds, the lines, the attraction, the hullabaloo - and a run-in with Mary Popp- er, Michael Rooker. Plus: how long would YOU wait to ride on Mission:BREAKOUT!? Team Mousetalgia weighs in!

This week, Team Mousetalgia take you to Silicon Valley Comic Con and we discuss a panel on the art of Star Wars conceptual artist Ralph McQuarrie, and a panel on working with Disney, in which a variety of artists discussed how they managed to get work with Disney, and how they've succeeded as Disney artists. Then, we go to the mailbag to answer your burning questions! Topics include: summer Fantasmic scheduling; shopping for subtle Disney merch; a hypothetical final Disneyland trip - what would we take with us when we left for the last time; a Walt Disney World veteran offers dining tips for treks to Orlando; can anyone make a valid comparison with Disneyland and Walt Disney World; being a Disney nerd in public; letting go of one's annual passport due to the over-popularity of Disneyland; how to pass the time between trips to Disneyland; pregnancy photo shoots at the parks; ways to make a Disneyland date special; and an awkward Disneyland duck moment. Plus - a passholder's sneek peek into the World of Pandora

Team Mousetalgia welcomes Olympic Gold medalist Ryan Millar back to the show to talk about a recent trip to Epcot and his visit to some of the corporate VIP lounges that are hidden in plain view at the park, and we reveal their secrets. Then, Jeff and Kristen review Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2; and Kristen takes a VIP tour of Disneyland and reviews some of the newer food offerings at the parks, including stops at the Paradise Garden Grill, the Bengal Barbecue, Club 33, and the Dole Whip Cotton Candy stand. Kristen also passes on some pro tips from a Disneyland VIP Tour Guide, and gives a mini trip report including a few audio clips from a hidden music box and the Disneyland Band in Frontierland. Plus - Jeff muses about the state of Disneyland memorabilia collecting, the team talks about Pixar films for children - and more!

Team Mousetalgia welcomes Mike Van Eaton back to the show to discuss his newest upcoming Disneyland auction featuring a controversial piece: A brownline presentation map of Disneyland hand-inked by Herb Ryman, purported to have been used by Roy Disney to sell the idea of Disneyland to ABC in 1953. While the item made national news with misleading headlines, Mike tells the story in his own words of how he came to discover this incredible piece of Disneyana. Next, we welcome author James Bohn to the show to talk about his new book, "Music in Disney's Animated Features: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to The Jungle Book." We talk about the amazing appeal of Disney songs, the theory behind the music, and some of the stories Bohn includes in his book. Finally, the Walt Disney Family Museum will open a major exhibition titled "Awaking Beauty: The Art of Eyvind Earle" this week, so we take a look at the life and career of legendary Disney artist Eyvind Earle.

D23 Expo planning - it's time to get serious! Join Team Mousetalgia as we discuss potential crowd levels, last-minute hotel plans, and our favorite Expo survival tips. We share our tips for getting into panels, exploring the floor, enjoying the cosplay, and getting free stuff. From staying fueled to maintaining focus, we share our personal success stories about navigating this massive biennial event. We complete our Expo planning show with a conversation with Michael Vargo, the head of D23 and the Walt Disney Archives. Vargo shares some of D23's plans for the upcoming Expo, increasing capacity, and a bit of his 25 year history with the Walt Disney Company. Plus - Jeff explores an amazing warehouse; Kristen reviews some books, and Dave and Becky report on Andreas Deja's current exhibition at the Walt Disney Family Museum.

With Marvel's first major Disneyland attraction about to open, Team Mousetalgia has a marvelous show in store for you this week. Fist, Funko's first Disney Treasures subscription box "Pirate's Cove" has arrived, and we review the vinyl collectibles inside. Is the subscription worth maintaining? We'll give you our two doubloons! Next, Disney Legend Lea Salonga performed in San Francisco, and Jeff was there to report on the concert; and finally, we welcome Brian Crosby, Creative Director of Themed Entertainment for Marvel Entertainment, to speak with us about Marvel's role in upcoming projects at Disney Parks and beyond. Crosby talks about how Marvel has started working its way into the parks, overcoming many fans' initial skepticism to become an integral part of the Disney experience due in part to its unique brand of storytelling. We also discuss "Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout" and talk about the design, the story development, the music, and the process of putting together a completely new experie

Join Mousetalgia for a special Star Wars Celebration report on the sights and sounds of SWCO, courtesy of correspondent Emma Mosier. We'll discuss the atmosphere, the vendors, the cosplay, the droids, and even the photo ops. Then,  Jeff takes his 5 year old daughter to Disneyland, and we discuss the dynamics of a family trip. Topics include whether or not to let a toddler make decisions, quick hits on the Food and Wine Festival, garlic ice cream, grey stuff, Haunted Mansion thrills, walking back to the Mickey and Friends parking structure - and more. Plus, an extended Bits and Bytes segment discussing the rise and fall of Disflix, Metal Disney, Her Universe, and the runDisney virtual running shorts.

This week, Team Mousetalgia answers your emailed questions and comments. Topics include: Must-dos for a day at Disneyland Paris - attractions, food, tips; an extreme Disneyland proposal; remembering Walt by finding Disney-themed locations worth visiting near Disneyland; a mom and daughter have a novel way to fund a Disney trip and share some magic; educator's methods of bringing Disney into the classroom; taking a safe and enjoyable "babymoon" to Disneyland; planning a summer trip to the park around the various closures; tips for taking a trip alone to Disneyland; tips on buying Disney-related wines; and what men can expect if they run the Princess or Tinker Bell races. Also - Po-Zu releases some Star Wars themed shoes; tips for getting eyewear for your vacation; and a special report on a presentation by Don Hahn on Beauty and the Beast.