Mousetalgia! - Your Disneyland Podcast

Disney Cruising - Kristen reports from the inaugural Seattle-to-Alaska cruise on the Disney Wonder. With information on everything from dining options to enduring the arctic temperatures, Kristen dissects the various features, opportunities, and adventures that await future cruisers. Hear about the variety shows, fine restaurants, and the Toy Story musical, and discover the adult activities available, both onboard and off. Also - Disneyland hotel recommendations, Disney park music, choosing between D23 and the Walt Disney Family Museum, the Hall of Presidents vs. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln... and more!

Buena Vista Street - Take a stroll down Disney California Adventure's main drag as we inspect the recently-opened Buena Vista Street! Visit the shops, sip some Starbucks, ride the Red Car Trolley, enjoy the entertainment and performances, and listen to our reviews of the various merchandise and eats along the way. Also - reviews of D23's "50 and Fabulous" screening of "In Search of the Castaways," and a D23 "Mickey's of Glendale" shopping spree. Plus - our reviews of DCA's Mad T Party and the Carthay Circle Restaurant... are they worth the hype?

This week, Team Mousetalgia celebrates Independence Day by sharing the music of the Voices of Liberty ensemble, an Epcot staple recently introduced to the Disneyland Resort. We also take a walk down Main Street and discuss the new additions to Disneyland, including the Carnation Cafe's bad coffee and amazing apple-granola pancakes, the penniless arcade, new candy offerings and some Dapper delights. The Matterhorn also "peaks" our interest, and we finish up by meeting Princess Merida at the new Brave photo location. Also - our take on Pixar's "Brave," and an ears-to-the-ground report from the grand re-opening of Disney California Adventure!

Our Radiator Springs Roundup! This week, Team Mousetalgia talks everything Cars Land. With reports from the Press Preview as well as opening weekend, we bring you our opinions of every aspect of the new land in Disney California Adventure, including our thoughts on the atmosphere, the attractions, dining options, shopping locations and merchandise, and the special entertainment appearing exclusively in Cars Land. Plus, a handful of bits 'n bytes!

Cars Land preview - Jeff and Dave report from the Cars Land preview for Annual Pass holders, and describe the scenery and attractions in this new area of Disney California Adventure. From the thrills of Radiator Springs Racers, to the sighs while waiting for Luigi's Flying Tires, to the humor of Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, Team Mousetalgia deliver initial impressions and tips to help you enjoy Cars Land, whether you're visiting this week or next year. Also, Kristen gets married, and we have a full report on the reception held at the Walt Disney Family Museum (and a special guest who crashed the wedding!) Plus - the Jazz Kitchen's meatloaf recipe, Disney raises ticket prices, Brad Bird speaks at the WDFM - and more!

Vinylmation 101: Explore the world of Vinylmation as we talk with Tina Biles, collector and hobbyist. Tina describes the various offerings, sets, and experiences associated with collecting Vinylmation figures, Disney's latest collectible craze. Also, we talk to Disney artist Eric Robison, creative director for Crazy Shirts, about the new Disney-themed lined of shirts from the venerable Hawaiian company. We also talk about Eric's career as an Imagineer and a character artist for the Disney Gallery, and his "100 Mickeys" exhibit. Plus, a sneak peek at Cars Land - and more!

Disneyland before the storm: Lightning (McQueen) is about to strike DCA, but Dave and Becky offer a trip report from just prior to the opening of Cars Land to remind you of the resort's other offerings. Topics include reviews of the Napa Rose Chef's Table and Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen, the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree, and Main Street and Lego Store re-openings. Also - Robert Downey Jr. in Esquire Magazine, Disney Blu-ray Second Screen, Vinylmation, and Disney Crazy Shirts. Plus - DCA's Mad Tea Party, and Gibson Girl vs. Fentons - who comes out (with a cherry) on top?

A trek to the Walt Disney Family Museum: Team Mousetalgia reports from a recent special trip to the Walt Disney Family Museum that was hosted by author Jeff Kurtti and Don Morin from the Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet. We revisit and rediscover the museum exhibits, add some insider secrets, and report on a special presentation about Walt Disney's public persona, developed by Jeff Kurtti for this gathering. Also, Kristen meets Julie Andrews at a recent book signing, and reports on her moment with the beloved celebrity. Plus - Disneyland's summer offerings, last-minute resort trip tips, the Fantasmic dessert package - and more!

Carry the banner with Mousetalgia as we discuss Newsies, the surprise Broadway hit. With 8 Tony Award nominations and a brand new cast soundtrack, Newsies is hotter than ever, and we review the new album and compare it with the film soundtrack, discuss the success of this presumed-short-run off-Broadway reworking of a box office flop, and talk to Kevin Carolan, a member of the Broadway Newsies cast. Also, Jeff reviews D23's "Fanniversary" event, recently held at the Walt Disney Family Museum, and offers some insight into the latest of D23's special events for Disney fans. Plus - Fantasmic turns 20... and more!

The Avengers episode! Team Mousetalgia and Josh Shipley from "The Josh and Croz Show" assemble to talk about Marvel's smash hit, "The Avengers." From D-BOX thrills to Maria Hill, we inspect every aspect of this worldwide phenomenon. Plus, Kristen reviews "With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story," Josh explains how to get started with comics, and Becky worries about capes. Also - Hulk vs. Thor... who would win?

Cinderella style: This week, Team Mousetalgia reports on a recent event at the Walt Disney Family Museum about Cinderella and the evolution of animation at the Walt Disney Studios. Presented by Pixar's Academy Award-winning director Ralph Eggleston, the presentation was about the making of Cinderella, and the struggles and triumphs Walt had during the tumultuous '30s and '40s in Hollywood. Plus, Kristen waxes poetic over the Avengers, and we answer your email - Tomorrowland's fruit trees, Disney cruise tips, looking forward to Cars Land... and more!

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!