Mousetalgia! - Your Disneyland Podcast

Enjoy Thanksgiving dinner and holiday celebrations at Disneyland with Team Mousetalgia. Dave and Becky braved the Thanksgiving weekend crowds to enjoy the Disneyland Hotel's annual Thanksgiving Buffet Dinner, and they offer an in-depth report on the meal, as well as dealing with the crowds during this popular weekend to visit the resort. Also, Jeff looks back at holiday celebrations in years past, and reports on Disneyland's past Christmas parades and offerings. Plus - Disney gift ideas! Holiday treats at the park! And an exclusive report on the D23 Disney and Dickens event at the Studio lot!

Spin and Marty speak at the Walt Disney Family Museum, and Team Mousetalgia report from the event. Tim ‘Spin’ Considine and David ‘Marty’ Stollery tell the secrets of their popular serial made famous by the Mickey Mouse Club television show, and share stories about being child stars. Also, remembering Walt Disney on his birthday, and our review of "The Muppets." Plus - gingerbread, holiday music... and Kristen invades Walt Disney World!

The Muppets are back on the big screen, and this week Team Mousetalgia takes a look at the history of the Muppets and their creator, Jim Henson. We discuss Sesame Street, favorite Muppet characters, Kermit's origins, and Disney's purchase of the franchise and what it means for the future. We take a look at Jim Henson's Muppet Vision 3D, and discuss how the attraction has endured the test of time. We also discuss the new Muppet movie, and look at the people and music behind the film. Plus - Kristen reviews Kinect Disneyland Adventures, and more!

Single day Disneyland visits - If you only have a single day and want a meaningful Disneyland experience, can it be done? Team Mousetalgia tackles this question head on, evaluating value, transportation issues, to park hop or not? - and other considerations, such as setting a pace, finding moments of relaxation, dining options, and capturing the magic of the happiest place on earth. Also, a listener shares a Club 33 Pumpkin Beignet recipe to kick off the holiday season. Plus - CHOC Walk woes, Becky's half-marathon prep update, reviewing the latest Disney video games, purchasing Mondo posters... and Disneyland on just $5 a day!?

Celebrate Mickey Mouse's 83rd birthday on this week's episode of Mousetalgia. From Steamboat Willie's debut to the modern articulated Mickey appearing at the parks, we examine the impact Mickey has had on his fans and pop culture over his decades of silver screen stardom. Also - Tim Burton's collaborators discuss working with the iconic director at a recent panel discussion at the Los Angeles Country Museum of Art. Production Designer Rick Heinrichs, Costume Designer Colleen Atwood, and composer Danny Elfman share their memories and tell what it was like to work with Burton on most of his landmark projects. Plus - elf ear hats, Muppets, trains at the WDFM, and more!

It's back to the inbox for Team Mousetalgia, as we answer your questions about the Disneyland Resort and everything Disney. We begin by offering holiday crowd advice, then dive into the mailbag. Topics include Disney Legends, unsung park attractions, more Expo woes, half-marathon costume advice, awkward Disney moments, Muppet songs, weighing DMR rewards, Mousetalgia takes on I-5, del Toro's Haunted Mansion movie rumors, Easter in the parks, meandering through the Park solo, and Captain EO trivia. Plus - a Belle sighting at the Haunted Mansion, and more!

Disney's Halloween around the world - This week, Mousetalgia welcomes Disney park reporter Erin De Santiago to the show to report on the Halloween happenings this year at Walt Disney World, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland. From Nightmare Dim Sum to the horror mazes in Hong Kong, you'll learn all about how the parks differ culturally, and you'll discover the different events, characters, and merchandise offerings at the various parks during the spooking season. Also - more Haunted Mansion history, some ghost stories, and a report on the recent CHOC Walk at Disneyland Resort. Plus, do some virtual trick-or-treating with Team Mousetalgia!

Visit the Mousetalgia Emporium as we share a supersized variety of reviews and Haunted Mansion stories. Jeff reviews Michael Barrier's "The Animated Man" and Family Fun Magazine's Halloween issue, Becky shares some obsolete Disneyland recipes, Kristen bakes some Disneyland muffins and reviews Seattle's quirky "Uncle Walt's Vault," and Dave reviews the "Where's My Water" mobile app. Plus - A  '20,000 Leagues' soundtrack re-release, Walt's chili, Pan Am, AMPAS honors Mary Blair, the AP Soundsational event at Disneyland - and more!

Go back in time and visit the Disneyland Hotel of the '50s and '60s in this special resort edition of Mousetalgia! This week, we welcome historian Donald Ballard to the show, to share his stories, research, and secrets about the early days of Disneyland's first hotel. Learn about the Wrather family's investment in Walt Disney's vision, and discover how the Disneyland Hotel developed over decades from a glorified motor inn to the unique resort it is today. Also, from a men-only club to $2,500-per-night suites, you'll learn fascinating stories about the creation of this world-famous destination. Plus - a press report from a preview ride of the Haunted Mansion in 1969, Mickey's Halloween Party - and more!

Tour Disneyland with the Happiest Haunts - This week, Jeff takes you along as he seeks to foil a villainous plot on the Disneyland Happiest Haunts Tour, which takes place during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort. Find out if it's worth the added ticket price, and go behind the scenes to find out what you can expect from the 3-plus-hour walking tour. Plus, Oct. 21 would have been Mary Blair's 100th birthday, and to mark the occasion, we talk to Jeanne Chamberlain and Maggie Richardson, the nieces of Mary, who share some personal stories and memories of growing up knowing the influential Disney artist. Plus, Gay Days, Woody goes on vacation - and more!

Don Hahn talks with Mousetalgia this week to discuss his latest book, "Brain Storm: Unleashing Your Creative Self." Hahn and Team Mousetalgia discuss the book and the topic of creativity - as well as The Lion King's domination of the box office, and Hahn's other projects, including his recent documentary "Hand Held," which just won the International Humanitarian Award from the Rhode Island International Film Festival. Also, Jeff reports on two dueling Haunted Mansion events held at Walt Disney World on September 29 and 30 that have left some attendees steamed. Plus, a sweepstakes - and more!

Main Street memories - This week, Team Mousetalgia takes a stroll down Disneyland's Main Street U.S.A., and we talk about the details and features that make this section of Disneyland so special. Leaving no cobblestone unturned, we talk about our favorite part of Main Street from days gone by, and follow up with some our favorite current features, including our favorite eateries, shopping areas, and entertainment features. Also - Walt Disney World turns 40 this week, and Mousetalgia talks up Orlando. Plus: Kristen offers shocking news - and more!

Mousetalgia Episode 151: Our Grandpa, Walt Disney - Five of Walt Disney's grandchildren spoke about their memories of Walt Disney at the Walt Disney Family Museum, and Team Mousetalgia reports on the event. Joined on the show by Disney author/historian Jeff Kurtti, Team Mousetalgia discusses the personal side of Walt Disney that is often hidden by rumor and myth, and discover a side of the man often hidden from his fans and detractors. Also - The Lion King in 3D has a blockbuster opening weekend in theaters, and Jeff and Kristen talk about the addition of 3D to the classic film and the continuing impact of the revered movie. Plus - Newsies! Muppets! Babies in the Parks! Mobile apps! And more!

Ludwig Von Drake, marathon wear, and touring Disneyland with large groups - Mousetalgia dives into the mailbag once again and answers your questions! Whether the topic is collecting lithographs or off-site hotels, we'll offer our humble opinions. We discuss Disneyland's dining plans and resort tips, as well as timing your visit and the pros and cons of staying on Disney property. Plus - visiting Disneyland solo, a special report from the Disneyland Half Marathon - and more!

This week, Team Mousetalgia discusses the smaller presentations at the D23 Expo held Aug. 19-21, 2011 in Anaheim. We talk merchandise, Walt Disney Animation, Treasures from the Walt Disney Archives, Imagineering's Carousel of Projects, the D23 Charter Member lounge, Star Tours, Vintage Disneyland, Voices from the Park, and more. Also, D23's Tim O'Day joins us this week to share the inside story of Dick Van Dyke's concert at the Expo. Learn how Dick formed "the Vantastix," how the Expo performance came to be, and much more about this highlight of the weekend. Plus - a performance by Dick Van Dyke and the Vantastix at the Expo... and more!

Disney hosted the second D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center from August 19 through 21, 2011, and Team Mousetalgia report on the best and worst of the event. Princesses, legends, Muppets, park reports, and more - we cover it all. However, the Expo presented many challenges, such as 4-hour lines and low-capacity events, and we discuss the problems and possible solutions. Fortunately, there was a lot of Disney magic as well, and we report on the amazing presentations and performances inside of the arena on this week's supersized show, which is part 1 of 2. Plus - Kingdom Comedy's Tim Babb wipes out, and more!

Haunted mansion mysteries, Disneyland etiquette, half marathons, and frozen treats - it's a disneyland email marathon! New listeners and old bombard us with questions, and we give you our eight cents. Want answers? Keep listening to Mousetalgia - the favorite podcast of Disney-loving motorcycle cops everywhere! Plus - Carpe Kingdom - what does it mean? And a special bonus: Musical highlights from the D23 Expo, including Lea Salonga, Kermit the Frog, and Dick Van Dyke... rapping?!

Marvel Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada talks to Mousetalgia about the merger of the Disney and Marvel universes, and Marvel's participation in this year's D23 Expo; and Dave talks to Billy Dee Williams and Bruce Boxleitner, both of whom will be appearing at the Expo. Also, the Walt Disney Family Museum hosts a panel discussion on the comedic influences on Walt Disney's early comedies, and we report on the event. Plus - Aladdin the musical reviewed, the Disney parks' mall tour, last minute Expo planning, and more!

Disney Family Museum Roundup: The ultimate Disneyland model: learn how Kerner Optical created a fascinating room-sized model of Disneyland for the Walt Disney Family Museum. Next, Dave reports on a discussion of Walt Disney's fascination with the space race, and Jeff recounts the recent tribute to Wally Boag and Betty Taylor held at the museum. Plus, more D23 Expo tips. Also - out of this world dining at LAX's Encounter and Hollywood's Tam O'Shanter... and more!

The Marvel-ous D23 Episode - Imagineer Josh Shipley discusses the relationship of Disney and Marvel, and gives fans some reasons to look forward to the Marvel panel at the upcoming D23 Expo. Also, Jeff and Kristen share a trip report about a whirlwind trip to the Walt Disney Studios and Archive, Paradise Pier eateries, a Club 33 Vinter's Menu dinner review, and a review of the current exhibit of Tim Burton's art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Plus - Up on CD (finally!), and more!