Mousetalgia! - Your Disneyland Podcast

Chimpanzee and the letter "B" - On this week's Mousetalgia, we review "Chimpanzee," the latest offering from Disneynature, and we discuss the personification of the apes that star in the show and the resulting emotional tug at the heartstrings. Next, the team gets philosophical as we debate ABC television's recent embrace of the "B" word, and ABC's handling of religion on two of its popular shows. Finally, we wrap things up with a trip report, as Jeff shares the latest Matterhorn updates, merch offerings, and dining notes from the resort. Also - Vinylmation, Stan Lee, and Starbucks!

Bob Gurr and the Matterhorn - This week, Team Mousetalgia discusses Walt Disney's "Mighty Matterhorn" with WED legend Bob Gurr, the Imagineer who was responsible for creating the original transportation systems for Disneyland, including the Matterhorn Bobsleds, the Monorail, and the Main Street vehicles. We also take a look at the changes coming to the attraction, which is scheduled to reopen after a lengthy refurbishment for Summer 2012. Also, the Muppets return to Manhattan, and our correspondent reports! Plus, pouring the perfect "Gurrtini" - and more!

Disneyland with newbies, Pixar's "Rush," and a look back at Disneyland's Tencennial... it's a Mousetalgia Emporium! This week, Kristen reviews the new Xbox 360 Kinect game "Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure," which takes players through Pixar's Playland by placing you inside of five of Pixar's most memorable films. Next, Becky takes a multigenerational family trip to Disneyland over Spring Break with two folks who are new to the park, and shares some interesting anecdotes and lessons learned from the experience. Finally, Jeff reads a colorful article from 1965, the year of Disneyland's Tencennial, about WED Enterprises and an outsider's peek into the magic of Imagineering. Plus - Thomas Kinkade, dining at Disneyland, and more!

Summer 2012 at Disneyland: This week, Team Mousetalgia prepares for a Disneyland summer as we discuss our favorite drinks, treats, and attractions to help beat the heat. Next, we answer your latest emails, including topics such as when to visit Cars Land, tips on spending your birthday at the park, finding Captain Hook, missing the Main Street Electrical Parade, visiting Walt's Apartment and debating the idea of exclusivity, Fantasmic reserved seating, food allergies and Disneyland's offerings, buying multi-day tickets, and Universal Studios... can it compare to Disney?

Pollyanna's Nancy Olson talks about her career in Tinsel Town, and Time Magazine delves into the politics of gender at Pixar on this week's Mousetalgia. First, Team Mousetalgia report on an afternoon at the Walt Disney Family Museum with movie star Nancy Olson. Olson tells stories about acting in "Sunset Boulevard," working for Walt Disney Studios in movies such as "Pollyanna" and "The Absent-Minded Professor," and establishing a family in the midst of a fascinating career. Also, Time's Joel Stein writes about the creation of the upcoming film "Brave" at Pixar, and we discuss the article and muse about Pixar's first princess movie. Plus, a list of our favorite Disney leading ladies!

Explore the "secret" Disneyland at D23's "Off the Map" event. This week, Team Mousetalgia is joined by correspondent Joseph Titizian as he reports on the recent D23 event which took a lucky few guests to various rarely-accessed Disneyland locations, such as the Lilly Belle Presidential railiroad car, the Dream Suite located above Pirates of the Caribbean, Walt Disney's private apartment overlooking Disneyland's Town Square, and a private dinner at the members-only Club 33. Titizian also reports from D23's "Journey to Marceline" event, which took guests on a day-long excursion to Walt Disney's hometown of Marceline, MO. Plus - Alice gets a window, a listener eats a package of VIA, and embracing your inner Disney nerd. Also - Tim provides some bonus Babb!

Remembering Robert Sherman, and our John Carter review - This week, Team Mousetalgia welcomes Disney author and historian Jeff Kurtti back to the show to share memories of Disney Legend Robert Sherman, and to discuss the legacy he leaves behind. Kurtti, a producer for the acclaimed film about the Sherman Brothers titled "The Boys," shares stories from his personal relationship with Robert Sherman and talks about the influence the songwriting brothers have had on the entertainment world. Also, in the first part of our supersized episode, Team Mousetalgia welcomes comedian Tim Babb to the show to discuss and review John Carter, the $250M blockbuster that some critics have called lackluster. Plus - Dick Van Dyke gets hitched, reviewing a bottle of Fess Parker wine, apps, corn chowder - and more!

Mousetalgia Episode 176: True Life Adventures - Don Hahn spoke recently at the Walt Disney Family Museum about Disney's nature films, and Dave and Becky report from the event. From Walt's True Life Adventures to the recent Disneynature films, Hahn shared the filmmakers' secret techniques and behind-the-scenes production stories. Also, remembering Robert Sherman: the media responds to the loss of another Disney Legend. Plus: listener email and Disneyland travel tips, a report from Disneyland's Leap Day celebration, and John Carter - can the film live up to Hollywood's expectations?

D23 hosted a screening of Newsies at the Walt Disney Studios on Feb. 25, 2012, and Jeff and Kristen report from the event. Featuring a panel discussion with director Kenny Ortega and cast members Marty Belafsky and Kevin Stea, the afternoon screening presented fans of the 20 year old film with new insights into the making of the movie. Also, Disneyland recently presented a "New Orleans Bayou Bash" featuring exclusive menu items and entertainment, and we report on the culinary offerings. Plus - Minnie's Fly Girls land in DCA, we pursue some Disney trivia, and our listeners report on Disney's recent "One More Disney Day" 24-hour event on Leap Day 2012!

Remembering Disneyland's ticket books: This week, Team Mousetalgia discusses Disneyland's various resort breakfast options, both on property and nearby. Next, we share a brief history of the ticket book, including a celebration of the "E" ticket, remembering the first all-day passports, and a brief discussion of ticket collections. Also, attraction ranking - a discussion of which rides merited which tickets, and a conversation about whether or not Disneyland got it right. Plus - if DCA had ticket books, how would the attractions be ranked? Also, Turk terrorizes, Toy Story trauma - and more!

Walt Disney's Academy Award-winning films: This week, Becky reports on a presentation about Walt and the Oscars by Jeff Kurtti at the Walt Disney Family Museum. Learn about Disney's award-winning shorts, his classic animated features, and the live action films that changed the way documentaries were created. Also, Team Mousetalgia talks about D23's "Disneyland - Off the Map" event, and we offer a therapy session for Disney fans that tried in vain to get some of the coveted tickets. Plus - Muppets, Disney Junior, the Electrical Parade, and more!

Visit Smoke Tree Ranch with special guest Joseph Titizian, as he reports on the recent D23 excursion to Walt's Palm Springs home away from home. Plus, Kristen reports on "Dining Around the 'Land," with new notes from many of Disneyland's popular eateries, including the mysterious Club 33. We also discuss touring Disneyland "out of your comfort zone," with tips on visiting the resort with toddlers and wheelchairs. Plus, a close look at the new Jolly Holiday Bakery, a Toon Town mystery solved, Ariel gets buttered.... and more!

The Tinker Bell Half Marathon report: This week, Becky takes us behind the scenes of the massive Tinker Bell Half Marathon held at Disneyland on January 29, and gives us a full report after finishing the full 13 mile course. Also, Disneyland celebrated the Lunar New Year with special events and entertainment, and Jeff and Kristen report on the various goings-on (and Jeff's multiple attempts to meet Mulan!) Also - trip reports, Disneyland firsts, and the best-kept breakfast secret at the resort!

In this week's Mousetalgia Emporium, we look at bandleader/producer Mitch Miller and his vast array of Disney songs recorded for the Golden Records label; we revisit "Beauty and the Beast" in the wake of its return to the big screen in 3D; we talk about the intricacy of "Tangled Ever After"; Kristen reviews "Poppin Guitars," a collection of Sherman Brothers tunes; we attempt to review a bottle of Silverado wine (is "it was good" sufficient?); Jeff and Becky discuss dueling Disney surveys and the lucrative rewards for taking said surveys; and Disney's water rides - yea or nay?

Walt Disney's proposed ski resort: This week, we report on Mineral King, the wilderness resort Walt Disney wanted to build at the time of his passing. Based on a Walt Disney Family Museum panel discussion hosted by Sam Gennawey, we discuss the history of the proposed resort, the challenges Walt faced in its development, and its legacy on environmental concerns as well as the Disney company's approach to the creation of resorts around the world. Also, taking kids to Disneyland for the first time: our tips and tricks! And a special congratulations to Bill Farmer on the 25th anniversary of giving voice to everybody's favorite goof, Goofy!

Listener emails and book reviews - This week, Team Mousetalgia goes back to the mailbag to answer listener questions on topics as varied as Disneyland's train stations; the best locations to view the parades, Fantasmic, the fireworks and DCA's World of Color; Disney cookbooks; remembering the original Disney Channel, and more! Plus, we discuss our latest reading materials, covering topics that include Disneyana collectibles, Disneyland trivia, Walt Disney World history, and stories from a theme park insider. Also - more Tim Babb, another giveaway, and more!

One More Disney Day: This week, Team Mousetalgia discusses the One More Disney Day promotion, which will host 24 hour parties at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World on Leap Day. We debate the pros and cons of the experience, and discuss strategies for dealing with the lengthy event. Also, D23 offers trips to Marceline, MO and Smoke Tree Ranch, and we discuss the value of the opportunities. Plus - changes are coming to Club 33, and we discuss the changes and debate their impact on current membership and the future of the club. All this, plus Bits and Bytes, Tim Babb, and more!

Walt Disney World from a Disneyland fan's perspective. Kristen reports on the Walt Disney World Resort this week, and busts some myths while offering tips to first-time visitors to the resort. From dining plans to traveling around the resort, Kristen presents her findings and offers some reviews of various restaurants, attractions, and hotels at the number one vacation destination. Also, Team Mousetalgia presents our Year-In-Review Roundup, and we discuss our favorite films, Disneyland experiences, and more!

Walt Disney World for the Holidays: In this week's episode, Kristen shares part one of a two-week report on her first trip to the Walt Disney World Resort, commenting on the holiday happenings and special events, including the Candlelight Processional, Illuminations, and a private viewing of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. But first, Dave, Becky and Jeff report on "Walt Disney: An Entertainment Icon and Visionary," a panel discussion held at the Walt Disney Family Museum with Pixar's Pete Docter and Jonas Rivera, and Disney animator Andreas Deja. The three animation experts discussed how Walt and his productions have impacted the animation industry. Plus, reports on a trip to Pixar, Disneyland's Holiday tour... and more!

Disney's Christmas productions: Team Mousetalgia review and reminisce about a few of the studio's Christmas productions, including Walt's holiday-oriented Silly Symphonies, Mary Blair's "Once Upon a Wintertime," Annette's "Babes in Toyland" (which celebrates its 50th anniversary this season), and three different Christmas Carols! Plus, enter our Holiday Sweepstakes, in which you could win a Rocketeer BluRay, an Imagineering wristwatch, or a Disney gift card! Also - if Santa were to make his way down DCA's chimney, what gifts would he bring? We offer our suggestions. And to all our listeners.. Merry Christmas from the whole Mousetalgia crew!