Mousetalgia! - Your Disneyland Podcast

This week, Team Mousetalgia speaks with author/historian David Koenig about Disneyland's "55ers" - the men and women who opened Walt Disney's Disneyland. From the original glass blower to bakery workers, David tells the stories from the people that saw Walt walking down Main Street U.S.A. in person. Then, Jeff ponders the Haunted Mansion's 50th anniversary. We offer speculation about Disneyland's recently announced after-hours event and the introduce DoomBuggies' and Disney By The Bay's own special dinner event in honor of the Haunted Mansion's birthday - and tickets are now available! Plus - Bob Gurr's new book, ACE Comic Con welcomes some Avengers, Pottery Barn Star Wars for babies, Netflix is doomed, and more!

This week, Kristen takes over the Mousetalgia podcast to tell us all about her trip to Tokyo to visit the Tokyo Disneyland Resort. In this first part of a 2-part feature, Kristen gives pro tips and tricks for making a trip to Tokyo a success, including reports on shopping, touring, and the dining options and hotels found at the Tokyo resort. Plus - it's Becky's birthday, so the team goes around the table choosing gifts for our favorite travel agent - and a listener calls in a report about Universal, but we include it anyway.

It's a super(hero)-sized Mousetalgia this week as we explore three very different topics in the Disney universe. First, we welcome Chris Wing back to the show to report on the re-opening of the renovated and reimagined Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris, and he talks about the changes in the new scenes and technology found in the European alternate to the Haunted Mansion. Then, we welcome artist/Imagineer Eric Robison back to Mousetalgia to talk about his new Mickey Mouse artwork that will be on display at the Walt Disney Family Museum in the upcoming exhibition "Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World," which opens this week. Eric talks about his career and life with Mickey, and describes the effect that the mouse has had on his career. Finally, we welcome fan-favorite Tim Babb back to the show to join our spoiler-laden discussion of "Avengers: Endgame" and we talk about characters old and new, time travel, battle scenes and Throg. Plus - adventures in obtaining Galaxy's Edge reservations... and more!

Mousetalgia's own Kristen visits Shanghai Disneyland and shares a trip report that describes everything you need to know to tour the park on your own. From the hotels to the food to the attractions and everything in between, we cover the ins and outs of taking a solo trip to Shanghai Disneyland without the safety net of a tour guide. Also - the Art of Dumbo book reviewed; The Oogie Boogie Bash; Disney's movie slate, and Kristen's slipper giveaway!

Prepare for May the Fourth with Team Mousetalgia this week as we welcome "Skywalking Through Neverland" hosts Sarah and Richard Woloski to tell us all about the 2019 Star Wars Celebration event held recently in Chicago. We discuss everything from the latest news about Galaxy's Edge to the announcement of the title of Star Wars Episode Nine: The Rise of Skywalker. We talk about the panels, the merch coming to Galaxy's Edge, and the best thing about Star Wars events - the fandom (aka the "Galaxymeisters"). Also, Jeff attends and reviews the U.S. premiere of "A Spoonful of Sherman," the musical revue covering the music from three generations of the Sherman family which notably includes The Sherman Brothers. Plus - Galaxy's Edge planning, and more!

This week, Team Mousetalgia heads back to the mailbag to tackle your questions. Topics include: Disneyland lodging tips from other Mousetalgia listeners; Lightning and Cruz - their platonic relationship; Disney and copyrights; alcohol in Disneyland - another view; vegans at Disneyland; making Disneyland even more special; tips for starting a podcast; Michelle Shocked's "Got No Strings"; things we miss that have disappeared from Disneyland; a listener reviews Dumbo; transportation options reviewed; and a trip report from the Grand Californian Hotel Club Level. Plus - we finally discuss Mickey's Mix Magic!

On April 22, Disney's Animal Kingdom park turns 21, so in honor of the occasion we present a trip report from the park and celebrate one of the most immersive, lovely Disney theme parks, and talk Pandora, safaris, and more. RunDisney also recently held the Star Wars Half Marathon weekend at the Walt Disney World Resort, so we talk about the state of the races with Mousetalgia Minute co-host Julia Layne, who talks about the courses, the expo, the bling and running in that heat! Julia also shares stories about the Magic Kingdom after hours party, dining at Be Our Guest, and engages in a bit of Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World contemplation.

This week, we discuss Mousetalgia's Anything Can Happen Weekend, beginning with a report on Disneyland Hotel's Pirates of the Caribbean Suite! Kristen, Kurt and Jeff were able to stay in this exquisite suite during Mousetalgia's recent special weekend, and we describe all the details of this impressive space. Then, we report from our listener meet-ups. We talk about the Wildest Breakfast in the Wilderness, taking over the Jungle Cruise, honoring our nation's heroes, getting a shout out on the Grand Circle Tour, and finally crawling through the wide variety of eats at the 2019 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival. Plus, our takes on some Tangaroa Terrace woes, more Star Wars speculation, Kristen talks Disney Play, and more. And as a special bonus, we end the show with some of our listeners' responses to this year's Food and Wine offerings. Bon appétit!

It's a Mousetalgia Emporium! Vocal group Dcapella just finished touring with a final stop in Oakland, so this week, Mousetalgia goes VIP at this final stop on the group's inaugural tour, and we tell you what you can expect if you decide to go VIP when the group goes back on the road. Listen in on the sound check, and hear all about the special "Friend Like Me" Meet and Greet package. Next: Disneyland has announced a few significant new rules, and we talk about the now smoke-free parks, the ban on ice, and anti-wagon bias. Kristen then comments on Jessie's Critter Carousel, and we review Tim Burton's Dumbo, and wonder what happened there.

This week, join Team Mousetalgia as we take a slightly deeper dive into Disneyland trip planning with our Disneyland 202 episode. Topics we cover are app-based transportation to the parks from the airports, Disneyland Resort hotels pros and cons, and how to use the Disneyland app for gathering photos, booking Fastpasses, and ordering food. Plus - listener emails, with topics including taking a large group trip to Disneyland, a list of must-read books from Jeff - and more. Also: Disney buys a new island, washing princess dresses - and Tron 3 rumors persist!

This week, Team Mousetalgia takes you on a heroic journey through the universe as we visit galaxies both Marvel-ous and far, far away. First, we welcome Tim Babb back to the show to join us as we present a review of Captain Marvel, the latest film from Marvel Studios staring Academy Award-winning actress Brie Larson as Carol Danvers, the fighter pilot who is out to save the universe. We talk about the public response to the film and some backlash Larson has received, as well as our thoughts on the film's story, humor, cultural setting and position in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Then, we discuss the recently unveiled plans that Disneyland has for the opening on Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at the end of May, and we mention our attempts to plan to see the new land, and some of the many features Disney has recently disclosed about the interactivity of the land through the Disney Play app. Also - a listener's response to '90s Night at Disneyland, and our favorite booths from the upcoming Food and Wine Festival at

Disneyland for newbies: Planning your first trip. When to go, what to expect, and where to stay if you've never been to the park before. Should you stay on property or in the surrounding neighborhood? What's best for families? Which hotels can save you money with free breakfasts? How are crowds in the park throughout the year, and what time is probably best for you to take your trip? What about dining reservations? What's the best way to get to the park - driving or flying? And which airports are the best - and what's the best way to get to your hotel from the airport? We share our tips and tricks on all of these topics, and more. Plus - we list our first stops upon entering the park. SPECIAL NOTE: Time is running out to join Mousetalgia at our "Wildest Breakfast in the Wilderness" on Saturday, March 23. Join us for a private breakfast buffet in the Tomorrowland Starcade before the park opens to the public. Tickets are $48 per person - visit mousetalgia.com to buy tickets or for more information.

This week on the Mousetalgia podcast, we celebrate the 47th anniversary of the opening of Country Bear Jamboree in Bear Country at Disneyland. Disney voice actor Peter Renaday returns to the show to talk about how he became Henry, the host of Country Bear Jamboree, and we also veer off to reminisce a bit more about the passing of Ron Miller, Pete's role in the Haunted Mansion, and some Country Bear trivia we bet you've never heard before. Then we go on to discuss a variety of Bear Country topics, including a look back at the Mineral King project; Disneyland's marketing of the new land and bear show; and the variety of Country Bear shows that followed the original. Plus - Kristen talks about Disneyland's attic, Jeff gets rosy, Becky discovers the Star War, and Dave discusses Emma Thompson vs. John Lasseter. Also - Mousetalgia announces a special private breakfast INSIDE THE TOMORROWLAND STARCADE just for listeners on March 23. Visit facebook.com/mousetalgia for details.

In the past two weeks, the Disney fan community was rocked with the news of the passing of two legendary names in the history of the Walt Disney Company. On February 9, Ron Miller - the son in law of Walt Disney and CEO/President of the company for many years - passed away at the age of 85. Miller helped bridge the gap between Walt Disney's personal enterprise and the international entertainment corporation that the Disney company would become, and was president of the Walt Disney Family Foundation, which is responsible for the Walt Disney Family Museum. Then, on February 15, Dave Smith passed away at the age of 78. Smith was responsible for developing the Walt Disney Archives for the Walt Disney Company, which he started in 1970, and was regarded as the highest authority on the history of everything related to Disney. In today's episode, Team Mousetalgia share stories of our personal interactions with both of these men, who were so important to making the Walt Disney Company what it is today.

This week, Team Mousetalgia dips into the mailbag to answer some more of your questions about Disney-related topics, including: Disney tattoo ideas; taking large family groups to the park; Club 33 protocol and menu options; hunting down Disney cartoons and shorts; Taschen's Disneyland book; taking balloons on a plane; celebrating Mickey Mouse at Disneyland; a trip report featuring the Walk in Walt's Disneyland Footsteps guided tour - and more! Also - don't forget to mark your calendar for Mousetalgia's meet-up at Disneyland on March 23-24! Details to follow, but find the event at facebook.com/mousetalgia for more information.

The Walt Disney Family Museum is celebrating its tenth anniversary year, and Team Mousetalgia reports on the happenings that will be coming throughout the year. From a report on the museum's outreach efforts to an overview of the various events that will be coming in 2019, we cover it all. As a bonus, we'll listen to legendary Disney animator and historian Andreas Deja speak about the upcoming exhibit "Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World," which he is curating for the museum, as well as some inspiring words from Sirron Norris, an artist commissioned by the museum to create an original work for the upcoming Mickey Mouse exhibition. Then, Jeff talks about another event at the Walt Disney Family Museum about Walt Disney's family in Chicago. Plus, romantic Disney songs, more on the search for Mickey Ice Cream Bars, and more information about the Magical Mousetalgia Meet Up at Disneyland on March 23-24. Find our more at facebook.com/mousetalgia

This week, Team Mousetalgia welcomes Beci Mahnken, CEO of MEI/MouseFan Travel, back to the show to share her expertise on planning those summer vacations to the Disneyland Resort in a year that promises many exciting - and possibly challenging - changes. Beci shares her top five tips for a successful and fun vacation, regardless of the park's circumstances. Also - we talk about Disney treats in the supermarket, and share our Disney dream foods. Plus, Kristen reviews the books of Bill Peet and talks about his artistic sensibility.

This week, Team Mousetalgia welcomes Michael Vargo, Vice President of D23, to the show to talk about the upcoming D23 Expo and the state of D23 - what members can look forward to this year, new opportunities, and that amazing membership pin set for 2019. Then, we start preparing for this year's D23 Expo with a Mousetalgia therapy session including questions and concerns about the 2017 Expo and anticipation for this year's event, and a variety of topics including planning for your daily schedule, choosing panels and events, planning for hotels and touring, and associated topics. Plus - A Galaxy's Edge comic book is coming, Mickey paddle pops are on the shelves, and DVC has some changes affecting resales. Also, SAVE THE DATE: Team Mousetalgia is coming to the Disneyland Resort for the weekend of March 23 and 24, and we are planning some epic meet up opportunities! We hope to see you there!

This week, we start the Mousetalgia podcast with a conversation about Disneyland ticket prices - are comparable resort experiences ever going to change public perspective of the value of a Disney vacation? Will corporate greed become a new narrative, or is supply and demand the final answer? Dive in with us. Then, the Nine Old Men exhibition closes at the Walt Disney Family Museum, and Jeff reports from a talk at the museum featuring a conversation between Don Hahn and children of five of the Nine Old Men. We talk a bit about how the Disney animators differed from each other, and how their legacies continue today. Also - Sleeping Beauty turns 60 soon, so we talk about the film's history - the costs, the impact of the movie, and Mary Costa's Tennessee accent. Finally, Academy Award-winning director John Canemaker joins the coversation to speak about the making of Sleeping Beauty, Eyvind Earle's "simplified gothic" style, and Marc Davis' incredible design of Maleficent.

This week, Team Mousetalgia invites you to listen along as Jeff tells the tale of New Year's Eve 2018 at Disneyland. The story involves wall-to-wall people, Santa Ana Winds, cancelled performances, and overpriced food - and advice on finding the magic despite the odds. The team also discusses John Lasseter's return to the animation industry, and we try to make sense of what we do know, what we don't know, and the potential pitfalls and promises that might be a result of his rapid return to the limelight. Also, Jeff offers the first book reviews of the year ("Han Solo" and "Inventing Disneyland") - and more.