Mousetalgia! - Your Disneyland Podcast

Remembering Disneyland's ticket books: This week, Team Mousetalgia discusses Disneyland's various resort breakfast options, both on property and nearby. Next, we share a brief history of the ticket book, including a celebration of the "E" ticket, remembering the first all-day passports, and a brief discussion of ticket collections. Also, attraction ranking - a discussion of which rides merited which tickets, and a conversation about whether or not Disneyland got it right. Plus - if DCA had ticket books, how would the attractions be ranked? Also, Turk terrorizes, Toy Story trauma - and more!

Walt Disney's Academy Award-winning films: This week, Becky reports on a presentation about Walt and the Oscars by Jeff Kurtti at the Walt Disney Family Museum. Learn about Disney's award-winning shorts, his classic animated features, and the live action films that changed the way documentaries were created. Also, Team Mousetalgia talks about D23's "Disneyland - Off the Map" event, and we offer a therapy session for Disney fans that tried in vain to get some of the coveted tickets. Plus - Muppets, Disney Junior, the Electrical Parade, and more!

Visit Smoke Tree Ranch with special guest Joseph Titizian, as he reports on the recent D23 excursion to Walt's Palm Springs home away from home. Plus, Kristen reports on "Dining Around the 'Land," with new notes from many of Disneyland's popular eateries, including the mysterious Club 33. We also discuss touring Disneyland "out of your comfort zone," with tips on visiting the resort with toddlers and wheelchairs. Plus, a close look at the new Jolly Holiday Bakery, a Toon Town mystery solved, Ariel gets buttered.... and more!

The Tinker Bell Half Marathon report: This week, Becky takes us behind the scenes of the massive Tinker Bell Half Marathon held at Disneyland on January 29, and gives us a full report after finishing the full 13 mile course. Also, Disneyland celebrated the Lunar New Year with special events and entertainment, and Jeff and Kristen report on the various goings-on (and Jeff's multiple attempts to meet Mulan!) Also - trip reports, Disneyland firsts, and the best-kept breakfast secret at the resort!

In this week's Mousetalgia Emporium, we look at bandleader/producer Mitch Miller and his vast array of Disney songs recorded for the Golden Records label; we revisit "Beauty and the Beast" in the wake of its return to the big screen in 3D; we talk about the intricacy of "Tangled Ever After"; Kristen reviews "Poppin Guitars," a collection of Sherman Brothers tunes; we attempt to review a bottle of Silverado wine (is "it was good" sufficient?); Jeff and Becky discuss dueling Disney surveys and the lucrative rewards for taking said surveys; and Disney's water rides - yea or nay?

Walt Disney's proposed ski resort: This week, we report on Mineral King, the wilderness resort Walt Disney wanted to build at the time of his passing. Based on a Walt Disney Family Museum panel discussion hosted by Sam Gennawey, we discuss the history of the proposed resort, the challenges Walt faced in its development, and its legacy on environmental concerns as well as the Disney company's approach to the creation of resorts around the world. Also, taking kids to Disneyland for the first time: our tips and tricks! And a special congratulations to Bill Farmer on the 25th anniversary of giving voice to everybody's favorite goof, Goofy!

Listener emails and book reviews - This week, Team Mousetalgia goes back to the mailbag to answer listener questions on topics as varied as Disneyland's train stations; the best locations to view the parades, Fantasmic, the fireworks and DCA's World of Color; Disney cookbooks; remembering the original Disney Channel, and more! Plus, we discuss our latest reading materials, covering topics that include Disneyana collectibles, Disneyland trivia, Walt Disney World history, and stories from a theme park insider. Also - more Tim Babb, another giveaway, and more!

One More Disney Day: This week, Team Mousetalgia discusses the One More Disney Day promotion, which will host 24 hour parties at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World on Leap Day. We debate the pros and cons of the experience, and discuss strategies for dealing with the lengthy event. Also, D23 offers trips to Marceline, MO and Smoke Tree Ranch, and we discuss the value of the opportunities. Plus - changes are coming to Club 33, and we discuss the changes and debate their impact on current membership and the future of the club. All this, plus Bits and Bytes, Tim Babb, and more!

Walt Disney World from a Disneyland fan's perspective. Kristen reports on the Walt Disney World Resort this week, and busts some myths while offering tips to first-time visitors to the resort. From dining plans to traveling around the resort, Kristen presents her findings and offers some reviews of various restaurants, attractions, and hotels at the number one vacation destination. Also, Team Mousetalgia presents our Year-In-Review Roundup, and we discuss our favorite films, Disneyland experiences, and more!

Walt Disney World for the Holidays: In this week's episode, Kristen shares part one of a two-week report on her first trip to the Walt Disney World Resort, commenting on the holiday happenings and special events, including the Candlelight Processional, Illuminations, and a private viewing of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. But first, Dave, Becky and Jeff report on "Walt Disney: An Entertainment Icon and Visionary," a panel discussion held at the Walt Disney Family Museum with Pixar's Pete Docter and Jonas Rivera, and Disney animator Andreas Deja. The three animation experts discussed how Walt and his productions have impacted the animation industry. Plus, reports on a trip to Pixar, Disneyland's Holiday tour... and more!

Disney's Christmas productions: Team Mousetalgia review and reminisce about a few of the studio's Christmas productions, including Walt's holiday-oriented Silly Symphonies, Mary Blair's "Once Upon a Wintertime," Annette's "Babes in Toyland" (which celebrates its 50th anniversary this season), and three different Christmas Carols! Plus, enter our Holiday Sweepstakes, in which you could win a Rocketeer BluRay, an Imagineering wristwatch, or a Disney gift card! Also - if Santa were to make his way down DCA's chimney, what gifts would he bring? We offer our suggestions. And to all our listeners.. Merry Christmas from the whole Mousetalgia crew!

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!