Mousetalgia! - Your Disneyland Podcast

This week, author Mindy Johnson joins Mousetalgia to discuss her upcoming book, "Tinker Bell: An Evolution." Learn all about the history of Tinker Bell, from author J. M. Barrie's earliest pantomimes and Peter Pan stories through Disneyland's creation of "Pixie Hollow," where park guests can meet the latest iteration of the famed fairy. Johnson discusses many aspects of her book, including: Barrie's history with the tinkers; Disney's decision to transform Tinker Bell from the mischievous imp of Peter Pan to the playful fairy that introduced Walt's earliest television shows; the many colors of Tink, including different dress shades and hair colors; the various artists that worked on Walt's version of the fairy, including David Hall and Marc Davis; and much more. Also - Jeff complains about a hidden Mickey, Kristen offers a PNWMM giveaway, Becky gets an education in scaring, and Dave reports on a special Monsters U. discussion with director Dan Scanlon and producer Kori Rae. Plus - a report from the Limited Tim

Don Peri and Jonas Rivera hosted a talk on the history of the Walt Disney and Pixar Studios at the Walt Disney Family Museum on June 15, 2013, and Jeff and Kristen attended to report on the event. First, Disney historian Don Peri spoke about the history of Walt Disney the man, and Walt Disney the trademark, covering the entire history of the studio (with a few shortcuts along the way). Then, Pixar producer Jonas Rivera spoke about the history of the Pixar studio, and how they look to Disney for historical direction and inspiration. But first, we discuss Universal Studios' recent decision to sell a super pass that allows purchasers to skip lines at their theme parks completely, and we discuss what forming a theme park caste system might mean for the industry, and Disney in particular. Plus - Red Trolley Ale: our review... and more!

Want answers? We respond to your "how-to" emails on this week's episode of Mousetalgia. We'll tell you how to tackle the Alan Menken/Richard Sherman concert at the D23 Expo; how to choose an area hotel; how to avoid summer crowds at the park; how to approach visiting the Walt Disney Family Museum; and how to take romantic photos in the parks. Also, D23 Day at Imagineering - worth going or not? Insoles and walking socks - do they make a difference? Is there any can't-miss counter service food at the parks? Plus, a special report on the park and guests with hearing loss; a quick discussion about the golden age of Warner Bros. animation and Lee Holley; hunting for collectibles at the Disneyana show and sale, a sneak preview of Monsters University - and much more!

Spending 12 days straight at Disneyland, and Gabriella Calicchio resigns as CEO of the Walt Disney Family Museum: Dave and Becky spent 12 days at Disneyland, and learned how to live at the resort. Becky offers tips for dealing with shorter park hours, and faces the challenges of long-term stays (such as losing your annual pass, getting sick mid-trip, and balancing competing family interests.) She also reviews World of Color dining at Wine Country Trattoria, and reviews a recent meal at Steakhouse 55. Next, we discuss the news that Walt Disney Family Museum CEO Gabriella Calicchio abruptly resigned last week, and we look back at her brief time as the CEO of the museum, and muse about the museum's future direction. Plus, ranking the fine dining options at the resort, meeting Stan Lee, Monsters cereal, Carthay Circle's new CD release, Mousetalgia's new pinterest page - and more!

Disneyland opened a new stage show in Fantasyland Theatre and launched the summer with a 24-hour "all-nighter," and Team Mousetalgia brings you our exclusive report! First, Disneyland threw a party for the press to celebrate the world premiere of "Mickey's Magical Map," the new live action extravaganza which occupies the newly-renovated Fantasyland Theatre, and we offer our initial impressions and review of the crowd-pleasing show. Next, Disneyland celebrated the start of their "Monstrous Summer" with a 24-hour party in Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, and Dave and Jeff took the challenge and attempt to survive 24 hours inside the resort. Listen to our report and tips for managing a night of Disney entertainment, attractions, food, and dealing with sleep-deprived, punch-drunk guests. Also, John Lasseter talks Monsters University at a Giants ballgame, Disneyland goes Greek - and more!

Don Morin, the founder of the Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet, joins Mousetalgia to talk about the event's history and what the future holds for this popular Disney fan convention. Don also talks about a recent PNW Mouse Trek he and some lucky attendees took to Hollywood to experience some Walt Disney history, including trips to Walt's Barn, the Tam O'Shanter, and special tour of the Walt Disney Studios - and we have a report from the event from attendee Russ! Also, Disneyland-area hotels, part 2: Thanks to listener feedback, we are already revisiting the topic of hotels, to aid you in your summer trip planning. Plus, Jeff goes comic book shopping, Kristen tries to watch "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" on dvd, Becky talks about paying for missed Disneyland Dining reservations, and Dave does Record Store Day!

The Fourth is strong with Jeff as he takes on a fun-filled day packed with Star Wars activities, and the Walt Disney Family Museum welcomes its first exhibit of contemporary lowbrow art by Camille Rose Garcia. But first, Team Mousetalgia discuss their 24-hour day prep as Jeff and Dave decide to attempt to stay in Disneyland Park for 24 straight hours. Next, Jeff and Kristen review Iron Man 3, and Jeff discusses the WDFM's press event celebrating their new Alice in Wonderland exhibit featuring works by Mary Blair and Camille Rose Garcia, and the team ponders the museum's direction and mission. We discuss the Walt Disney Company's focus on acquiring franchises vs. in-house creative ventures, and move into a review of Jeff's celebration of Star Wars Day on May 4, with stops at Disneyland, Bats Day, Gallery Nucleus and a 30th anniversary screening of Return of the Jedi in Hollywood, featuring guest speaker Mark Hamill!

It's the thrill of the hunt! From the newest Vinylmation to the oldest Mickey Mouse figurine, Team Mousetalgia takes you on a tour through the ins and outs of collecting Disney merchandise and various forms of Disneyana. Most Disney fans like to surround themselves with Disney items, so by popular demand, we're diving headfirst into the topic of collecting. First, we define the term "collector," and help you define what pattern of collecting is most suited to you. We look at different ways to collect, where you'll find the biggest selection of Disneyana, and how to shop smart and follow your heart. We also get personal and describe our favorite collectible items and talk about our own methods of displaying our treasures. Plus, Jeff talks about printing techniques and defines some confusing terms. Also - 24 hours in a park with nothing to do? Why not ride Tower of Terror a gazillion times in a row? Plus more!

Trying to decide where to stay on your Disneyland vacation? Let Team Mousetalgia lend a hand with our collection of tips and ideas for making the most of your next trip to the resort. Whether you select the least expensive area motel or the exclusive Pirates Suite in the Disneyland Hotel, we'll offer some guidance and advice gathered from our years of experience traveling to and from Disneyland to help you make informed choices and good decisions. We'll look at some of the best and worst off-property options, and explore the amenities and restaurants at the official Disneyland Resort hotels. Also - Star Wars and the Haunted Mansion collide, and Kristen reviews a Fess Parker biography. Plus - 24 hours straight in Disneyland... great idea, mass hysteria - or both?

Celebrate a Toontown anniversary reunion this week, as Jeff takes you along to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 25th anniversary screening and panel discussion celebrating "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," the seminal live action/animated film that honored classic pre-television animation. Listen to an all-star panel discuss the making of the film, and learn about the challenges they overcame to bring director Robert Zemeckis's vision to the screen. Also, we take a look at the history of the film, and learn about the pulp novel from which the film was adapted. Also - a Walt Disney Family Museum report on Walt's Hyperion studio; Ub Iwerks and Brad Bird's Disney-related ties to Alfred Hitchcock - and more!

Disney author and historian Jeff Kurtti joins us to remember Annette Funicello, and Lella Smith of the Animation Research Library joins us to discuss an upcoming Marc Davis book on this week's Emporium. But first, Becky reports on braving Disneyland during Spring Break and offers some culinary cautionary tales from the park. Next, Lella Smith, Creative Director of Disney's Animation Research Library, talks to us about an upcoming book about Marc Davis and offers an exclusive and extensive sneak preview of the chapters and authors of this much-anticipated book. Finally, we take a moment to remember Annette Funicello, and Jeff Kurtti joins us to share some personal stories of his memories and interaction with Annette, who may be best remembered as "America's Sweetheart." Plus, Disney Jr.'s new show, Iron Man invades Disneyland - and more!

It's another Mousetalgia Mailbag! In this episode, Team Mousetalgia answer more of your questions, dealing with topics such as biographies of Walt Disney; dealing with Disneyland on a holiday weekend; an update on the ongoing Mousetalgia "Soarin'" contest; the darkness of Mary Poppins; and a mule named "Jo." Also - a report on the organ music which accompanied Walt Disney's early silent films, and another report on a successful solo trip to Disneyland.  Plus - 12 of our favorite classic Disney movies, an album review of vintage Disney music - and more!

Disney Legend Bill Farmer joins Mousetalgia for our super-silly April Fools' Week episode! Farmer, an accompished voice over artist and the voice of Goofy, joins us this week to discuss his life and times. We talk about Bill's early career and stand-up comedy, how he became Disney's choice as the voice of Goofy, and his other voice work for Warner Bros., Pixar, and other popular studios and characters. Plus, we talk about Goofy in the parks, and his presence throughout Disneyland. Also - how to discern whether or not a Disney story is an April Fools' Day rumor, and Kingdom Comedy's Tim Babb joins the table!

Disney Legend Marc Davis in his own words: This week, on the centennial of his birth, the Mousetalgia team presents a special salute to Marc Davis, one of Walt Disney's "Nine Old Men" and one of the most influential Imagineers to ever work for WED Enterprises. First, we present an exclusive oral history of Marc's background and history with the Disney Studios by Marc himself, taken from a never-before aired interview. Marc talks about discovering his artistic talents and finding work with Disney during the Great Depression, and describes his time working for Walt. Next, Jeff and Kristen report from Club 33's exclusive Marc Davis Centennial event, and describe the amazing food, fascinating panel discussions and a tour through the Dream Suite to see some of Marc's original iconic artwork from Disney's archives. Finally, we welcome Disney Legend Alice Davis back to the show to share her own thoughts about Marc's life and work and her time with Marc, and to offer some tips about having a lasting, loving marriage.

Find your favorite princess in Disneyland's new royal Fantasy Faire, and take a trip backstage as Mousetalgia competes in Minnie's Moonlit Madness, a cutthroat cast member competition! First, we report on the mostly-annual "Madness," a trivia contest and scavenger hunt that takes place in Disneyland Park after it closes to the public. We're joined by Imagineer Josh Shipley to discuss the struggles, strategies and secrets behind the contest, which is hours of pure fun - and learn how Mousetalgia ended up representing Walt Disney World in the competition! Next, we report from the AP Preview of Disneyland's newest addition, the Princess Fantasy Faire. We review the new food, entertainment, and environments of the just-opened Faire, and offer our opinions on this replacement for the lamented Carnation Plaza Gardens. Plus - our exclusive review of "Oz the Great and Powerful," Don Hahn on Frankenweenie, new Disneyland Hotel deals - and more!

Van Arsdale France and Disneyland University: Team Mousetalgia takes a look at the career of France and his contribution to the development of the Disneyland "cast member," as well as a little history of the frantic march to Disneyland's opening day and the challenges of staffing the park. We also talk to Cast Member Lindsay, and get a modern perspective on what it means to represent the Disney company today. Also - we dig into the email folder and offer Disneyland resort dining tips, trip tips, and a random JJ Abrams sighting! Plus, windows on Main Street - and more!

Disney on Broadway: Mousetalgia welcomes Director Tim O'Donnell to the show this week to talk about Disney and the theater. O'Donnell, who has worked with Papermill Playhouse, North Shore Music Theatre and the Rockettes among numerous other companies, brings considerable expertise to our roundtable discussion about Disney's biggest Broadway hits, their theatrical near-misses, and some inside information about the Mouse's lesser-known theatrical productions. Also - The Lion King of the musical hill, the White Rabbit vs. the Black family, Disney tragedies and a Dapper Day report - plus more!

A D23 gaffe and dining with princesses are featured in this week's Mousetalgia Emporium! First, we share some tips for taking solo trips to Disneyland, and help lone travelers make the most of their trip. Next, we talk about the state of D23, the official Disney fan club, and offer our opinions (and catch a recent major gaffe!) In our review round-up, we look at the new Peter Pan Blu-ray release, and discuss the extras that put the latest disc ahead of the rest. Kristen also talks Rosemary Clooney, and Jeff reviews the latest from Club Penguin. Next, Becky reviews the Character Dinner at Ariel's Grotto, and gets to know Ariel and her princess friends. Finally, Jeff talks about the upcoming film "Maleficent," and discusses reports that Angelina Jolie's daughter is being paid well to come to work with mom.

Take an adventure through inner space and explore the farthest reaches of outer space as we go back in time to explore two of Disneyland's most popular Tomorrowland attractions. First, Adventure Thru Inner Space takes you on a atomic voyage into a molecule of a snowflake, and we look at the initial design concepts and intriguing scientific notions behind this ride from Disneyland's "New" Tomorrowland of 1967. Next, shoot through the galaxy on Space Mountain, with opening day reports, sound clips, and memories of the futuristic coaster, built in 1977 and still operating today. Also - a behind the scenes look at a restoration project at the Walt Disney Family Museum, remembering Fred MacMurray, the music of Tron, and more!

It's Valentine's week, so Mousetalgia gets romantic with tips, tricks, and ideas for making your stay at the Disneyland Resort especially wonderful for you and your other half. Napa Rose or Steakhouse 55? Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian? We give our opinions. Also, Emmy-winning composer Jim Dooley joins us to talk about making magical music for Disney, including his work on Epic Mickey 1 and 2, the Pirates of the Caribbean score with Hans Zimmer, and The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning. Plus - our salute to the work of Tony Baxter (hint: it includes a touch of accordion), and a bonus review of Epic Mickey 2!