Mousetalgia! - Your Disneyland Podcast

It's spooking season, and Team Mousetalgia talks Halloween fun and food at the Disneyland Resort! Experience the fun eats and treats throughout the resort with Kristen as she eats her way through Halloween Time -  including a report on the Haunted Mansion Tea Party experience at the Disneyland Hotel, and the seasonal offerings at Club 33. Finally, Kristen reports on the Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure, describing the treat trails, the entertainment, the characters, Villains Grotto, the party's new walk-through feature, and World of Color - Villainous!

This week, Team Mousetalgia offers a cornucopia of topics in a monster-sized episode to welcome October! First, Kristen celebrates 70 years of Mr. Toad with a smattering of trivia - guess the answers along with us! Then, Becky helps Kristen plan a Walt Disney World vacation, and we cover the topics that every West Coast native should know when planning a trip to Florida. Next, Jeff reviews more Disney books - "Entertaining with Disney" and "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge: The Official Black Spire Outpost Cookbook." Learn how to throw the perfect Disney party, or make out-of-this-world blue noodles! Finally, we talk about even more new Haunted Mansion merch and wonder if Disney is going to ever jump the proverbial shark with the flood of merchandise being offered in honor of the old house. Plus - best/worst Disney songs, and listeners review Freeform's Halloween House in Hollywood!

This week. we explore many facets of the current state of Haunted Mansion fandom by looking at three separate current events. First, we welcome Skywalking Through Neverland back to the show to tell us all about the taping of this year's "31 Nights of Halloween Fanfest," which took place at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery and will debut on Freeform Oct. 5. Richard and Sarah tell us about the special guests, the deep nostalgia behind this year's show, and then give us a shocking revelation about the lineup. Next, Walt Gorecki speaks with us about "The Haunted 2: Welcome Foolish Mortals," his Haunted Mansion-inspired art show materializing this weekend at The Hive Gallery in Los Angeles. Walt shares some thoughts about why the Haunted Mansion inspires so many artists, and then goes on the describe some of the features visitors can expect when visiting his unique installation. And finally, we have a Mousetalgia roundtable discussion about Funko's ongoing Haunted Mansion merchandise release which has likely reached

This week, Team Mousetalgia offers an Emporium of topics, featuring an interview with Gerald Hudson, who began working for Disneyland as the captain of a Jungle River Boat in 1958 and went on to work for the park in many capacities through the 1960s. Hudson shares many fascinating memories, including a moving account of working at the park the day Walt Disney passed away. Then, Jeff reviews two new books: Jeff Kurtti's "The Art of Disney Costuming: Heroes, Villains and Spaces Between," and Brad Meltzer's "I Am Walt Disney," a children's book in the "Ordinary People Change the World" series. Finally, we share some listener emails, and we also have a special report from "The Lion King and Jungle Festival" in Disneyland Paris.

This week, Mousetalgia welcomes author/historian J B Kaufman from the Hyperion Historical Alliance back to the show to discuss his first book for the organization, "The Making of Walt Disney's Fun and Fancy Free." In this first publication from the group's academic monograph series, Kaufman explores little known facts and shares never before seen images from the making of "Fun and Fancy Free," one of Walt Disney's most-loved package films from the 40s. Then, Kristen reports on a live event hosted by Micechat called "The 55ers: The Pioneers Who Founded Disneyland." This event, hosted by David Koenig, who also authored a book on the subject, introduced insiders who were with Disneyland during its opening days, including Mouseketeer Bobby Burgess and Disney Legend Bob Gurr. As a bonus, hear Bob's thoughts concerning Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. And finally, Kristen reports from Batuu! How did Star Wars Land fare with a girl who THINKS - but is not certain - that she's seen all the Star Wars films? Listen in and fin

This week, Kristen returns for a roundtable discussion on the variety of challenges and successes the Disney D23 Expo posed this year as Team Mousetalgia recaps our experiences throughout the entire Expo process, from registration through experiencing the event firsthand. We describe and consider some of the problems we experienced with panel pre-registration; discuss the security and queueing changes this year, and share some of our favorite unforgettable moments from the show floor. Also - you might win a spectacular Expo prize package - details in this episode!

Disney+ unleashed! Star Wars "hotel" announced! Movie news, parks news, and so much more was introduced or explained at the 2019 D23 Expo, and Mousetalgia hosts Jeff and Dave cover part one of our exclusive coverage of the huge biannual Disney fan event. We break down some of our favorite news items and talk about topics including Disney+; "One Day at Disney,", a new documentary series; Avengers Campus, coming soon to DCA; Galaxy's Edge news - and much more. Plus, we discuss the archives exhibit of Disney costumes, and break down some of the Haunted Mansion panels that filled the Expo. As a special treat, we were able to sit down with Imagineer Chris Merritt and Pixar COO Pete Docter to speak about their new set of books titled "Marc Davis In His Own Words: Imagineering the Disney Theme Parks," and we get even more insight into the artist Walt Disney called his "renaissance man," Marc Davis. Listen to this week's episode for your chance to win a signed copy of the 2 volume set! And stay tuned - next week we w

Imagineer memoirs and more fill this special "Expo recuperation" episode of Mousetalgia! First, Jeff and Kristen review two books previewed at the 2019 D23 Expo, beginning with late Disney Legend Marty Sklar's final book, "Travels with Figment: On the Road in Search of Disney Dreams." Then, Jeff reviews Imagineer Kevin Rafferty's new book "Magic Journey: My Fantastical Walt Disney Imagineering Career." Jeff and Kristen compare and contrast the content of the two memoirs, and then we share some of our own personal memories of time spend with Marty Sklar before he passed away just days after the last D23 Expo. Then, we answer more listener emails about touring the parks and more.

This week, Team Mousetalgia continues to celebrate the spookiest semicentennial of them all - 50 years of the Haunted Mansion. Jeff takes us along to Disneyland to party like the dead at "The Haunted Mansion: Celebrating 50 Years of Retirement Unliving" after hours event on August 9, and we talk merch, characters, the event itself - and that $300 price tag. Then, we go behind the scenes for DoomBuggies.com and Disney By the Bay's "Soiree from Regions Beyond," and discuss another Haunted Mansion party hosted by Jeff and Dateline Mousetalgia's Jenn Diz. Dramatic readings, amazing magic and the WED Imagineering legacy of the Haunted Mansion were just a few of the highlights from the evening, which drew guests from 18 states. Finally, we welcome 1969 Disneyland Ambassador Shari Bescos Koch to the show to reminisce about her year as Ambassador, and the night of the Haunted Mansion's grand opening. Plus - our last minute tips for the D23 Expo, a list of the Haunted Mansion-related Expo panels and presentations, and

This week, it's Expo-mania time as Team Mousetalgia look forward to the upcoming D23 Expo in Anaheim, California. We spend a little time reminiscing about favorite memories from past Expos, and then dive into our expectations and hopes for this year's event, which promises many new procedures, experiences and events. We offer a few tips, and then Michael Vargo, the Head of D23, joins us to share some of his thoughts, tips and advice as Expo weekend nears. Also: Disney announces a panel on an unknown topic, and we take stabs at guessing what it might be! SPECIAL NOTE: Don't miss the Mousetalgia Meet-up at the Expo, which will be Saturday night near the fountain outside of the Anaheim Convention Center entrance after the last panel ends. Watch our Twitter account for updated scheduling information, and we'll see you there!

Welcome, foolish listeners, to an entire Mousetalgia episode devoted to the home of 999 happy haunts, The Haunted Mansion. This week, Jeff answers questions and tells stories about the history of Walt's storied dark ride in honor of its 50th anniversary on August 9. First, Kristen asks Jeff some Haunted Mansion questions for which she needs answers, then Jeff goes back for the five decades BEFORE the Haunted Mansion's opening to search for possible influences and cultural moments that may have moved Walt as he conceptualized the Haunted Mansion attraction. Plus - we add our own characters to the Haunted Mansion, and Jeff and Kristen announce upcoming Haunted Mansion-related events.

This week, Team Mousetalgia says "Hakuna Matata" and leaps into the world of the newest iteration of The Lion King. First, we welcome Michael Goldman, author of "The Art and Making of The Lion King," to the show to share some of the insight and secrets he discovered while researching his just-released book. We discuss the power of the storytelling, the incredible technology, and the redesigned characters in this groundbreaking film. Then, Jeff and Kristen review the film, discussing what worked well, what might not have worked as well, and the critical response to the film. Also - Kristen gets excited about Marvel's new slate; Dave shares family memories, and Jeff looks back at how Disneyland celebrated the first man on the moon in 1969.

This week, Team Mousetalgia welcomes author/historian Didier Ghez back to the show to discuss the fifth book in his "They Drew as They Pleased" series titled "The Hidden Art of Disney's Early Rennassiance," with discussion about Mel Shaw and Ken Anderson's work for the Disney animation studio in the '70s and '80s. Didier also gives us some scoops on very exciting upcoming publications about Disney history. Then, we return to our inbox to answer a few more listener emails about trips to the Disneyland Resort, including topics such as: the art of Disneyland attractions - what is the legacy of these attractions worth?; ideas for making a trip to Disneyland and the Disneyland Hotel extra special; and "snapping" attractions out of existence, Thanos-style.

This week, to celebrate Disneyland's 64th anniversary, we take a look at the park through various eras. First, former Disneyland Tour Guide Barbara Brock returns to the Mousetalgia podcast to talk about keeping cool in Disneyland during the hot summers of the '80s, and shares some stories of her time taking guests around the park. Then we take a look back at the ABC live broadcast on July 17, 1955, and finally we learn about Disneyland's custodial efforts as portrayed in a Wonderful World of Disney article from 1969. Finally, we remember the life and work of Disney animator Milton Quon, who recently passed away at the age of 105. Also - if you had to take one of Disney's live action movies and produce it as an animated feature, which film would you choose - and why?

This week, Jeff and Kristen take you on a True Life Adventure to Sequim, Washington to visit the Olympic Game Farm, which was home to some of Walt Disney's most famous animal actors in his nature films. The farm's president Robert Beebe talks to Mousetalgia on location about his grandfather Lloyd Beebe, the game farm's founder, about the hundreds of nature films Lloyd shot for Walt and the techniques he used to train wild animals to do specific tricks and motions for the movies. Also - Disneyland unearths a new exhibit in the Disney Gallery titled "Happy Haunts Materialize" celebrating 50 years of the Haunted Mansion, and Jeff takes a moment to talk all about the exhibit and describes some of the treasures that can be seen within. Plus - a moment at ACE Comic Con, and Beci Mahnken joins us to talk summertime snacking at the Disneyland Resort!

This week, Team Mousetalgia tackles Toy Story 4, and offers our no-spoilers review. We talk about the emotional impact of this supposed-final chapter of the Toy Story saga, the power of Bo breaking the mold, what works and doesn't work in the film - and we ponder the future of the franchise, and ask what makes a toy a toy? Then Jeff reviews "Pop-Up Disney: A Mickey Celebration," and takes us to the final weekend of the reservation-based trips to Batuu to visit Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in search of a reservation to Savi's Workshop to build a light saber. Plus - remembering Mickey Mouse Disco!

This week, Team Mousetalgia welcomes Team Disney's Jeffrey Epstein back to the show talk about D23 Expo prep, and to generally share in our excitement for the upcoming event. Get some tips straight from the top! Then, we dive into the Mousetalgia mailbag and answer your questions, with topics including: Disneyland's MaxPass vs, WDW's Magic Bands; advice for meeting single Disney fans; a look behind the scenes at Mousetalgia's recording sessions and getting to know Team Mousetalgia; Nebraska's Poet Laureate Matt Mason shares his latest work; re-visiting Disneyland's smoke-free policy; and Disneyland distributes surveys asking about removing classic attractions. Should any part of Disneyland be "untouchable?" Plus - Kristen quizzes us on Disneyland in 1957 - and more!

This week, we have a second week of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge coverage as Jeff files his report from the Outer Rim and shares his own impressions of Black Spire Outpost, the newest themed land at the Disneyland Resort. We talk about crying (or not) when one first encounters the Millenium Falcon, and we review the Smuggler's Run attraction; we discuss Oga's Cantina and see how it's holding up under the pressure of intense popularity; we take a deeper dive into some of the merchandise offerings and decide how best to spend our credits; and we discuss the nature of an immersive attraction, and whether or not forcing every participant to become an actor is necessarily a good thing.

Journey to a galaxy far, far away with Team Mousetalgia as Dave reports from his stay on the Outer Rim planet of Batuu from the opening weekend of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland Park. Dave takes us through his initial impressions of the immersive land, with reports on the attractions, the layout, the shopping, and the dining opportunities, passing along tips and tricks to help you make your own stay at Batuu a day to be remembered. Plus - Jeff talks Aladdin, Becky talks Soarin', and Dave gets into the wheelhouse.

On today's show, we offer an opening day report from Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, and then Kristen finishes her six castle journey through the Disney parks with a trip to Tokyo Disneyland Resort, and talks all about the parks, the attractions and the entertainment - and the snacks! From the Venetian gondolas at Tokyo DisneySea to Country Bears singing in Japanese at Tokyo Disneyland, Kristen offers her "top three" lists from both parks, and lets you know which attractions you can skip as well. Also, Kristen dissects the resort's shopping opportunities, from the unique characters to the intriguing gashapon capsule machines. From plush Chandu Tigers at DisneySea to Disneyland Perfume at Disneyland, Kristen brings home a broad selection of souvenirs and describes what you can expect to spend your money on. Kristen also discusses the shows, the entertainment opportunities and of course - the food, including pro tips on recognizing cultural customs and establishing timelines for dining throughout the resort. From Kri