Mousetalgia! - Your Disneyland Podcast

The Mousetalgia Review Emporium - This week, Jeff reviews the Napa Rose Chef's Counter at the Grand Californian Hotel at Disneyland Resort; the team discusses HGTV's My Yard Goes Disney; and Kristen digs up some vintage Disney musical selections. Plus - the team takes a look at some of the negative reviews Cars 2 has received, and we debate the pros and cons of the worst-reviewed Pixar film to date. Also - Kristen and Jeff review a one-man show called "Working for the Mouse" at an underground theatre in Berkeley - and more!

Go behind the scenes of the Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet with Team Mousetalgia this week, as we share inside stories and secrets from the partyers and panelists at this year's event. Also, we take a look at the phenomenon of Winnie the Pooh, and review the new film and reminisce about the original book and Disney films. Learn why that willy, nilly, silly ol' bear has been considered Disney's second most popular character of all time. Also - Disneyland turned 56 this week, so we celebrate this birthday by listing our favorite Disneyland attractions that no longer exist. All this, and more!

This week, Team Mousetalgia provides some highlights and clips from the 2011 Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet held on June 25, 2011 in Lynwood, Washington. Featured speakers include writer/director/producer Jeff Kurtti, who talks about his work as creative director for the Walt Disney Family Museum; Floyd Norman, long time animator for the Walt Disney Company; and Disney Legend Jack Lindquist, president of Disneyland and long-time marketing executive for the company. Also, listen in and play along with the Team Mousetalgia Trivia Challenge!

Happy Fourth of July! On today's special holiday episode, Team Mousetalgia reminisce about Disneyland's Bicentennial celebration in 1975-76, which featured America on Parade, a patriotic feature which premiered in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Also, the team takes a look back at America Sings, the classic revolving stage production which replaced Disneyland's Carousel of Progress in Tomorrowland from 1974 through 1988. Plus - patriotic Disney memories, and more!

The art of the Disneyland "fun map" - this week, Team Mousetalgia talks to attraction designer Chris Merritt about the history and making of the classic Disneyland "fun maps," the poster-sized wall maps that were created and sold as souvenirs at the parks. We also discuss Pirates Lair and Sam McKim's artwork for WED. Then, Jeff reviews a recent event at the Walt Disney Family Museum honoring the art of Disney Legend Tyrus Wong (conceptual artist for Bambi), at which the 100-year-old Wong made a surprise appearance! Plus favorite Disney songs, Aladdin the musical - and more!

It's time for trip reports - Dave, Kristen and Becky report on a recent team trip to Disneyland, discussing the changes to Pirates of the Caribbean and World of Color, the new Little Mermaid attraction, Mickey's Soundsational Parade, and Star Tours 2. Kristen wonders if Blackbeard's appearance in POTC really works, Becky questions the spoilers in the Blue Sky Cellar, and Dave talks Star Tours fastpasses. The team also recalls the latest Mousetalgia Meet-up at the park and discusses the offerings at Disneyland Hotel's Trader Sam's bar. Plus - Kristen suffers a canoe-related injury, Jeff talks Tron, and more!

You've got questions, and we've got answers! This week, Team Mousetalgia opens the mailbag and talks back to our listeners on topics such as the Haunted Mansion, being a teenage fan, attending the D23 Expo, more Haunted Mansion, other things to do around Disneyland, Stargate (?), and Becky's training for the upcoming Tinker Bell Half Marathon. Also, Jeff and Kristen report on Mary Poppins: Kristen sees the stage musical in Seattle, and Jeff attends a Mary Poppins Singalong Experience in the Bay Area. Plus - Disneyland's submarine lagoon mermaids, visting Fenton's, and yes, more Tron!

Designer Kevin Kidney talks to Team Mousetalgia in today's episode. Kevin, along with co-designer Jody Daily, developed the new Soundsational Parade appearing at Disneyland Park. Kevin describes the creation of the parade, and talks about some of his other work for the parks, including designing phenomenal souvenirs, and being an artistic jack-of-all-trades. Also, the team reminisce about Pirates 4, and Kristen offers a trip report of questionable value to Star Tours fans. Plus - remembering Betty Taylor and Wally Boag, and their brilliant work in the Golden Horseshoe Review show.

Walt Disney and World War II: In this special Memorial Day episode, Team Mousetalgia reports on a weekend event at the Walt Disney Family Museum about the Walt Disney Studios output during World War II, featuring presentations by historian Paul F. Anderson. Learn about the various projects and films that the studio created during this critical period of American history. Also - take a closer look at one of the more famous propaganda films, "Victory Through Air Power," which Walt Disney believed would help end the war and save lives. Plus - an exclusive presentation of a 1943 radio program featuring Walt Disney talking about "Victory" - and more!

It's a Mousetalgia Emporium! Join Team Mousetalgia as we talk about dining options at and around Disneyland. Dave and Becky visit the Hungry Bear, while Jeff tries the new options at Village Haus. Plus, Jeff offers a Club 33 lunch report, and discusses options for eating off property. Kristen reviews Disneynature's African Cats, and compares it to her own safari at the same preserve. Also - we answer listener emails, and Kingdom Comedy returns! Bonus - Kristen rides Star Tours 2!

Buckle your swashes and set sail for Mousetalgia's pre-POTC all-pirate Disneyland report! Dave and Becky report on the Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides "3D Sneak Peek" in Frontierland, and Jeff reports from the "black carpet" at the film's world premiere at Disneyland! From Johnny Depp to Kermit the Frog, the stars all came out, and you can hear Jeff's story about waiting 15 hours to see the celebrities - and how Disneyland prepared for the occasion. Also - the ladies of Mousetalgia review Lego POTC: The Video Game, Mary Blair takes over the Disney Gallery, and Jeff commissions some art. Plus, Dave is still stuck on Tron - and more! BONUS: Our special review of an advance screening of the film!

Mary Blair's Flair: Explore the life and art of Disney legend Mary Blair, the wonderful illustrator and conceptual artist for some of the most beloved Disney features, shorts, and theme park attractions. In this episode, Team Mousetalgia discusses a Mary Blair lecture at the Walt Disney Family Museum given by John Canemaker, and we talk to Disney Legend Alice Davis about her friendship with Mary, their time working together on "it's a small world," and working with Walt Disney himself. Also - Profiles in History's huge Hollywood auction, Disneyland's newest half marathon, Tron on vinyl - and more!

Rating the Elfman box set: Jeff reviews the $500 16-disc Tim Burton/Danny Elfman "Music Box" - was the product worth the hype and the price tag? Plus, Team Mousetalgia gives the floor to our fans, and answers listeners' questions as they are posted in our chat room. We discuss everything from Disney princesses to Disney "miss"es. Also - Kristen discusses Disney Dixieland, Dave takes another look at Tron, Becky talks baby booties, and we all discuss our secret plans for Disneyland's future.

Remembering Collin Campbell - Team Mousetalgia discuss his life and legacy with Collin's nephew, Mike Kendall. Also, a spotlight on Alice's Wonderland - Jeff reports on an event from the Walt Disney Family Museum about Lewis Carroll and his muse, Alice Liddell, the gardens of Wonderland, and Walt Disney's interpretation of Carroll's masterpiece. Plus - Disneyland in the spring - the benefits to visiting this time of the year. Also - listeners report on Disneyland cookies and dining with Minnie!

We'll "Hook" you up - In this episode, Team Mousetalgia talks to incredible voice actor Corey Burton, the voice of Captain Hook (and Haunted Mansion Holiday's Ghost Host, and countless other Disney characters). Also - the team gets critical and reviews the latest Disney goods that have captured their attention. Becky reviews a recipe, Kristen reviews an app, Dave defends Tangled on Blu-ray, and Jeff reviews Disney Jr.'s latest hit series. Plus - Everybody Wants to be a Cat: Kristen and Jeff dissect the latest Disney Jazz album.

Queue Confusion: How will the new attractions coming to the Disneyland Resort affect your visit to the parks? Team Mousetalgia talks to Touring Plans' Len Testa to get the inside scoop on what to expect for wait times and park visit planning. Also - the team discusses favorite Disney celebs, Pooh honey, Star Tours 2 Live, and a Mary Poppins fly-over. Plus a Fenton's t-shirt giveaway! All this, and much more.

It's a Mousetalgia Emporium! This week, the team talks Soarin', soakin', and spookin'! First, Disneyland in the rain - can it still be a day of magic and fun? Dave and Becky talk about riding Soarin' alone in the theater, and the team answers your email. Finally, Jeff puts on his Chef's hat and talks about the Haunted Mansion and the latest updates to the attraction in Orlando - do the changes help plus the ride, or do they hurt it? Fan reaction has been mixed, and Jeff wades into the discussion and offers his perspective.

A Spoonful of Spectacular Magic: This week, Team Mousetalgia report on everything Mary Poppins from two events at the Walt Disney Family Museum. At the first event, songwriter Richard Sherman performed his famous songs from the hit film, and told stories about working directly with Walt Disney on the production of the film - and the following week, designer Tony Walton talked about his set and costume designs for the film, and what it was like working with Julie Andrews - who also happened to be his wife. Also, the team talks Poppins in the Park... and more!

Seeing spots: This week, Jeff reports on a "101 Dalmatians" lecture at the Walt Disney Family Museum with Andreas Deja, Don Iwerks, and Floyd Norman. These Disney veterans describe the Xerox process which saved Disney animation, and talk about other aspects of the creation of this stylistic and beloved classic Disney film. Also - Dave and Becky continue their report on Walt Disney World, commenting on the things Disneyland does better, and describing some of the stand-out dining experiences from their trip to Florida. Plus, D23's second anniversary, visiting the El Capitan Theatre, and more!

Mardi Gras at Disneyland and a visit to Walt Disney World - On this week's episode, Dave and Becky return from WDW and report on ways that Orlando bests Anaheim (softer toilet paper tops the list!) Meanwhile, Kristen reports on the Mardi Gras celebration at Disneyland's Family Fun Weekends. Also - Jeff and Kristen report on a visit to Hollywood's famed Magic Castle, and uncover some little-known Disney ties. Plus - D23's second anniversary, Mars Needs Moms at the Cartoon Art Museum... and more!