Mousetalgia! - Your Disneyland Podcast

Walt Disney's "Peter Pan" turns 60, and we have a fun, hodgepodge salute to the classic film. Jeff reviews a screening of the newly-restored film at the El Capitan Theatre with a panel discussion that included Kathryn Beaumont (Wendy), Margaret Kerry (Tinker Bell), historian Leonard Maltin, and filmmaker Ted Thomas. Then, dive into the history and making of the film, with bits about the history of Peter Pan's outfit, Peter Pan in Disneyland, and Walt Disney's animation studio. Finally, learn a little more about animator Marc Davis (who created Tinker Bell) from his wife, Disney Legend Alice Davis, in our exclusive interview! Plus, Sofia the First, art collecting, and more!

Tinker Bell Half Marathon/Neverland 5K weekend - learn all about the ins, outs and arounds of this popular race weekend, and hear about the backstage secrets and other fun elements from this annual event. Also - the Disney Parks Blog hosted a meetup with runDisney stars Jeff Galloway and Tara Gidus (and celebrities Sean Astin and Ali Vincent), and we have an exclusive report! Finally, Disneyland continues to add Limited Time Magic to its daily schedule, and Team Mousetalgia reports on the New Orleans Bayou Bash and the highly anticipated "Salute to the Golden Horseshoe Revue" - does it do justice to the original revue? Plus, rainy day at the resort? Don't despair - we've got advice to share!

Dip into the mailbag with Mousetalgia! This week's topics: kids and the Disneyland resort hotels and restaurants; "must eats" at the resort; affordable car rentals; east coast castmembers vs. west coast castmembers; seeking out Mary Blair artwork; making special birthday memories at the park for seasoned Disneyland "pros"; Club 33 membership questions; our favorite Disney publications and books, both hard to find and easily available; and cardboard DVD/Blu-ray sleeves - keep 'em or toss 'em? Plus - Disney Debit vs. Disney Visa cards - weighing the merits of each, New Balance's new Disney running shoes, "Seen, Un-seen Disneyland," Disney's Nine Old Men flip books - and more!

Kevin Kidney returns to the show to share some of his personal stories about Disney Legend Annette Funicello, and he discusses Annette's Place, a fundraiser for the Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases. But first, Dave and Becky visit Disneyland for the first Limited Time Magic experience of 2013, the Three Kings Day Celebration. From rarely seen character appearances to special dances and performances, Disneyland pulled out all the stops for this traditional holiday, and Mousetalgia reports. Next, we share some "Pictures of Annette," featuring some articles, news bits, and memories of her career with Disney as a Mouseketeer and pop icon. Renowned Disney Artist Kevin Kidney discusses the recently opened online store to benefit Annette's foundation featuring some of his artwork, and shares some inspirational stories about America's Sweetheart. Plus - a hotel report, Carthay Circle tips, our Limited Time Magic dreams... and more!

Lions, Outlets and Gurr, Oh My... it's the first Mousetalgia Emporium of 2013! Becky reports on the theatrical presentation of The Lion King in San Francisco, and we discuss the longevity of this people-pleasing Disney musical. Jeff reports on the recent Walt Disney Family Museum presentation by Bob Gurr on Walt Disney's process for "Building Disneyland." Kristen finally visits the Napa Rose chef's counter, orders a Kate and Ella, and eats too much. Also - Disney outlets... are they all created equally? Plus, LAX car rentals, a hotel review, and more!

Team Mousetalgia reviews the ups and downs of Disney's year in our annual year in review show, and spark(y)s fly! From Frankenweenie to John Carter, Radiator Springs Racers to Luigi's Flying Tires, and Destination D to the Mouse Meet - we discuss our personal feelings about the events and happenings that made up the year in which Star Wars became Disney, and Brad Bird became a wedding crasher. Plus - our Disney-related resolutions for 2013. Also - Kristen introduces inflatable Matter Pants®, for "When it Matters the Most!"

Disney Legend Tony Anselmo and Donald Duck visit us on this very merry episode of Mousetalgia! Learn all about Tony's career with Walt Disney Feature Animation, his inspirations and mentors at the studio, and his career as both the voice and sometime-animator of Donald Duck, the world's original angry bird. Also, Team Mousetalgia leave imaginary gifts under Disneyland's Christmas tree, providing the resort with our ideas which would indubiously "plus" the park. Plus - Tiny Tinsel the elf checks in; we celebrate the holidays with some wonderful yuletide sweepstakes... and more!

Experience Candlelight 2012 at Disneyland and taste the special holiday treats with Team Mousetalgia through our exclusive special reports from the resort! From chocolate coffins and personally decorated sugar cookies to photos with Santa and special vintage Christmas cards, the Disneyland resort is draped in holiday splendor, and we'll take you on a virtual tour. Plus, Jeff and Kristen also visit two performances of Disneyland's Candlelight Processional, and report on the moving experience. Also - Disneyland's twittering gets personal, Monsters raise their furry heads, and a candy cane taste-off - are Disneyland's handmade canes worth the hype?

Disney author and historian Jeff Kurtti joins Team Mousetalgia to talk about a very Disney Christmas this week. Sit down and enjoy our fireside chat with Jeff to learn how Walt and his studio celebrated Christmas with Silly Symphonies, company Christmas cards, Disneyland parades and decor, and numerous holiday films and cartoons. Also, we share our favorite holiday treats at Disneyland Resort, and take a look at the creation of Disneyland's infamous candy canes. Plus, a book giveaway - and more!

Celebrate the 111th anniversary of Walt Disney's birthday with Mousetalgia as we present an overview of Walt's life and his contributions to popular culture, as well as a retrospective glimpse at the man who changed Hollywood as reported in a 1938 newspaper. Also, Dave and Becky have a number of Thanksgiving feasts at the Disneyland Resort and report back on the holiday dinner at the Disneyland Hotel, Sunday brunch at Club 33, and breakfast at the new Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney. Plus - vintage holiday decor, Disney's robot research, Jeff waxes poetic... and more!

Walt Disney's inspirations for Snow White were the focus of a recent panel discussion at the Walt Disney Family Museum, and Mousetalgia brings you a special report. Led by historian J.B. Kaufman and exhibition curator Lella Smith, this event featured discussion about the fairy tales, plays, and film that most directly influenced Walt Disney in the creation of his first animated feature. Also, Mousetalgia talks Disney shopping for the holidays, and we look at some of the lesser-traveled roads to finding the perfect gift. We also talk about Barney's Electric Holiday, and try to get past the hype. Plus - Jeff Kurtti on the art of Disneyland, Tony Baxter's gold, Donkey gets mauled - and more!

Imagineer Brian "Croz" Crosby joins Mousetalgia to talk about the Artist in Residence program at the Wonderground Gallery in Downtown Disney, where he is appearing throughout the month of November. Learn about the program and the gallery, as well as the various works of art Crosby has created for sale at Disneyland's Disney Gallery and the Bat's Day Black Market. Plus, we go back to the mailbag to answer your questions. More Disneyland/WDW comparisons, attraction music thoughts, Disneyland haters, DVC, a winner of the One More Disney Day Sweepstakes checks in, and a Halloween Time report. Also, Alan Menken performs in Seattle - and more!

Star Wars and Wreck-It-Ralph: What will Disney's purchase of Lucasfilm mean for the future of the Star Wars franchise? No one knows for sure, but Team Mousetalgia takes a look at the purchase in a roundtable discussion, during which we share possibilities and explore the possibilities raised by the surprising announcement. Also, we review "Wreck-It-Ralph" and explore the worlds and witty storyline of Disney's latest animated hit. We also look at some of director Rich Moore's "Ask Me Anything" replies to fans' questions, and discuss initial impressions of Tom Hanks as Walt Disney.

Historian J.B. Kaufman talks about Snow White and his new book, "The Fairest One of All," in this week's episode. Learn about the history of Walt Disney's first animated feature film, and its origins in mythology and fairy tales. Also, ABC's "Once Upon A Time" continues to wow critics and build an audience, and we discuss the meaning behind its success. Plus - Disney launches an adult Princess makeup line, a review of Disney on Ice, Vader goes to Broadway - and more!

Discover the spooktacular talents of Paul Frees, the voice of the Ghost Host, on our annual Halloween Emporium! Mousetalgia talks to Fred Frees, the son of Paul Frees, who tells stories about the life of the legendary "Man of 1000 Voices." We also discuss various haunting Disneyland records, and unveil a rare Walt Disney Productions acetate of eerie sound effects. Also, Kristen delivers a top-ten list of Disney Halloween songs, and Jeff reports on a Walt Disney Family Museum-hosted panel of legendary stop-motion animators. Plus - an exclusive report from an Art of Frankenweenie panel discussion, Haunted Mansion moments - and more!

Visit Disneyland's Tahitian Terrace with Mousetalgia! Take a trip back through time with us as we re-open the Tahitian Terrace in a special one-night-only event at Disneyland, and relive the island magic and exotic polynesian dance performances that have been missing from the park for nearly 2 decades. Team Mousetalgia takes you behind the scenes of the planning of the event, and we discuss our panel discussion, featuring stories from Disney Legend Rolly Crump, who worked for Walt Disney on attractions such as the Enchanted Tiki Room, the Haunted Mansion, and many others. Plus - special appearances by Bob Gurr and Tony Baxter! Also, we talk CHOC Walk, Mickey's Halloween Party - and more!

Visit the exotic jungles of Adventureland with Team Mousetalgia! This week, we take a look back at Walt Disney's original concept for Disneyland's proposed "True Life Adventureland," and then we examine the Jungle Cruise, one of the original Disneyland attractions. After spending some time in "de Nile," we look at some of Walt's later attractions - his Enchanted Tiki Room, and the adjoining Tahitian Terrace Restaurant, which celebrated America's post-war love of the Polynesian culture. Finally, we take a close look at the Randotti Company, maker of some of Adventureland's most popular souvenirs, including plaster skulls, tikis, and totems. Programming note: Tune in next week for a full report on Mousetalgia's "Evening at the Tahitian Terrace" event!

Frankenweenie's shocking box office! This week, Team Mousetalgia offers up a review and some thoughts about Frankenweenie, Tim Burton's latest stop-motion creepshow, and we worry about the empty theaters we sat in during opening weekend. We take a look at the inspiration and influences behind the film, and offer our own parental advice. Also, we talk about taking Disneyland at a different speed, discussing traveling to the park with folks with disabilities, touring with people that would rather not be there, and visiting the park with toddlers in tow. Plus, a lego-fueled Haunted Mansion moment - and more!

Get into the spooky spirit of Halloween with Team Mousetalgia! Kristen reviews Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort, covering the Big Thunder Ranch Halloween Jamboree, the latest terrorizing tastes and boo-tiful sights, and Disney California Adventure's Frankenweenie features. Not to be out-dead-dogged, the rest of Team Mousetalgia report on a Walt Disney Family Museum discussion of Old Yeller featuring Disney Legend Kevin Corcoran. Also - Haunted Mansion-style changing portraits, Paperman's director speaks out, Mousetalgia is named "best" - and more!

Walt's Apartment, Disneyland's Dream Suite, the Disneyland Hotel's Adventureland Suite, and "Lights, Camera, Magic!" - Becky takes us on a tour of a few rarely visited Disneyland locations, and then on an Adventures By Disney tour of Hollywood, including the Dolby Theater, the Walk of Fame, a Walt Disney Studios tour - and a Sophia Grace and Rosie sighting! Also, your emails are answered - Disney decorating, Disney collectibles, getting into Club 33, and choosing a day at the Disney Expo... plus more! SPECIAL NOTE: This is the final week to buy tickets to our Tahitian Terrace event at Disneyland in October. The deadline to buy tickets is Oct. 3 - so visit www.mousetalgiastore.com to reserve your space today!