Mousetalgia! - Your Disneyland Podcast

Happy 65th birthday, Disneyland! This week, Mousetalgia has the privilege of speaking with former Disneyland Ambassador Connie Lane, the last Disneyland Ambassador who was personally selected by Walt Disney to represent Disneyland to the world. Connie shares with us her memories of being at Disneyland during many pivotal moments, including the opening of iconic attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, Small World and Haunted Mansion, and her recollections of working with Walt Disney himself. Then, correspondent Kristen Carr reports from the grand re-opening of Downtown Disney, and gives you some idea of what to expect from a visit to the resort in the era of COVID-19.

This week, Mousetalgia welcomes Doug Lipp and Pam Lipp to the show to talk about their individual extensive careers with the Disney Company. First, we talk to Doug Lipp, the author of "Disney U: How Disney University Develops the World's Most Engaged, Loyal, and Customer-Centric Employees." Doug discusses Disney University, learning from Van France and Jim Cora, opening Tokyo Disneyland, the cast member philosophy in Disney's international parks, and the experience of working for the Walt Disney Studios in the tumultuous 1980s. Then, we speak with Pam Lipp, who tells us about her time working at Disneyland on Main Street in the 1960s, making candy canes in the Candy Palace and selling jewelry at Rings and Things - and then becoming a tour guide at the park, and then moving to the Mickey Mouse Activity Center at the Walt Disney Studios for Disney University. Plus - Disneyland APs - keep 'em or get a refund? We discuss.

This week, Team Mousetalgia tries to find a laughing place in the midst of crazy changing deadlines and a new (albeit temporary) normal for visiting Disney's theme parks. But first, we speak with Liz DeSilva, VP Creative for Loungefly/Funko, who talks about the Stitch Shoppe, a new clothing line from Loungefly. Then, Beci Mehnken, CEO of Mouse Fan Travel, returns to talk about the reopening of Walt Disney World, and we discuss strategies, expectations and the new rules and regulations that will be a part of the new experience of visiting a Disney theme park (or taking a Disney cruise) during the era of COVID-19. Also - Splash Mountain is going to receive a re-theming to incorporate the characters from "Princess and the Frog," and we discuss - Jeff on the aesthetics of re-developing attractions, Kristen and Dave on the troubled history of Song of the South, and Becky on the strong character presented in Tiana.

This week, Team Mousetalgia welcomes Disney historian and author J.B. Kaufman back to the show to discuss the world's favorite mouse, Mickey. We talk about Mickey's early career, including behind-the-scenes tales about the making of his first films, Kay Kamen's influence and the introduction of character marketing, Fred Moore's contributions to the development of Mickey's look, "early" Mickey vs. "peak" Mickey - and more! Then, Mousetalgia welcomes designer Autumn Hansen from Modsy back to the show to talk about Disney decor, and bringing Disney-inspired interiors into your own living space. Plus - it's been 100 days since Disneyland closed, so Kristen helps us mourn and celebrate the eventual reopening.

This week, author/artist/designer Chris Merritt returns to Mousetalgia to join us for an Emporium of topics. First, we return to our "high five" format to discuss a variety of topics, including the top Disney fathers, top ways to be kept out of Disneyland, top live action films; and then Chris takes us on a tour of his top five extinct Disneyland attractions. Next, Kristen consoles us for having to survive 93 days without Disneyland, and then Jeff takes us on a raft to Tom Sawyer Island to discuss the history of the attraction and fish off a pier with Tom himself. Plus - win one of 10 signed copies of Disneyland's map of Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island, signed by the artist, Chris Merritt!

This week, Mousetalgia welcomes Peabody Award-winning writer, producer and director Mark Catalena to the show to talk about his role as writer and editor of "The Imagineering Story," the hit documentary now playing on Disney Plus. Mark talks about the challenges and victories he and the creative team had while developing this series, which evolved from a potential 90 minute film to the series that now exists. Mark also tells us some of the things he learned along the way, including what makes "Disney magic" so magical, and what it really means to be an Imagineer, from his experience researching the definitive history of the organization for this series. Also, we look at Disneyland in 1986 - alcohol starts appearing in the park, Disneyland's first murder is resolved, Minnie gets a total makeover... and more!

This week, Mousetalgia welcomes director, writer and producer Kirk R. Thatcher back to the show to talk everything Muppets! In anticipation of the July release of Muppets Now on Disney+, Kirk Thatcher joins us to talk not only about the show, for which he served as a director, but also his long history with Jim Henson and the Muppets, ABC's Dinosaurs, and his time at Industrial Light and Magic working on some of the most memorable films of all time. We also remember Disneyland's 79th day of closure with some fast Disney facts - and more!

This week on a supersized episode, Team Mousetalgia welcomes Josh Shipley and Brian Crosby to the show to join us for a Josh and Croz Show reunion! In a free-wheeling session, we cover topics including international Disney park attractions, Disneyland transportation vehicles, Disney songs and musicals, peanut butter in the parks, and Disneyland's live performers. We also remember the 65th anniversary of Walt Disney's "Davy Crockett - King of the Wild Frontier" by speaking with Eli Parker, the son of Disney Legend Fess Parker. Eli talks about his father's role as Davy Crockett, his life as the child of a Disney celebrity, his father's career as a winemaker, and Eli's own role in continuing the family's winemaking legacy. Plus - it's been 72 days since Disneyland closed, so Kristen talks about significant "72s" in the world of Disney.

Former Disneyland Tour Guide Cindy Carter talks to Mousetalgia this week about her career as Disneyland Tour Guide - and beyond. Cindy talks about the grand opening of the New Fantasyland, hosting the Disney family in the park, the changes to the park during the 1980s and the onset of the Annual Passholder, and celebrity stories, including moments with the Monty Python troupe and Dolly Parton. Plus - it's been 65 days since Disneyland closed, so we talk about Disneyland's 1965 Tencennial, and discuss our favorite extinct attractions!

This week, Team Mousetalgia welcomes Dan Lanigan, host of the new Disney+ series "Prop Culture", to the show. Dan joins us to talk about the new series, which talks about various Disney films from the perspective of their props, costumes, and the magic behind the movies that helps tell the stories. Dan also talks about the art of discovering props, restoring old cinema artifacts, his own views on collecting movie memorabilia, and more. Also, this week we celebrate our own "high fives" which include Haunted Mansion special effects, park music background loops, Disney wines, and Disneyland Records. Then, we recognize the past 58 days without Disneyland by celebrating Disneyland in 1958 by talking fun maps, Alice in Wonderland, the Sailing Ship Columbia, the Grand Canyon Diorama, and Disneyland guide books.

This week, celebrate Star Wars Day (May the Fourth) with Mousetalgia as we dive into the dark side! Actor, visual effects artist and animator C. Andrew Nelson joins us this week to talk about his 12-year role portraying Darth Vader for Lucasfilm. Andrew talks about the nature of Darth Vader (and we're sure we can feel the good in him!) as well as what it was like to don the suit and make dozens of public appearances as the dark lord. Andrew also talks about his time at Lucasfilm developing games for the Star Wars galaxy, and describes how he helped to evolve the concept of the lightsaber. Also, Kristen discusses the 51 days it's been since Disneyland closed, and we talk about castle sizes, Alice in Wonderland, elongated cents, Sith murder droids - and more.

This week, Team Mousetalgia celebrates Disneyland of the '70s and '80s with Disneyland Tour Guide Laurie Jerome, who talks about her years at Disneyland as a VIP Hostess and a leader of Disney University. Laurie talks about starting out as a Main Entrance ticket taker, and shares some of her experiences hosting VIPs on their trips through the park including Audrey Hepburn, John Travolta, Patrick Duffy, and Paul Anka. Plus - remembering Hal Willner, Kahoot!, Tom Sito's cookbook - and more!

This week, Mousetalgia celebrates our 600th episode with magic from coast to coast! First, we welcome Disneyland vocal artist Drew Tablak back to the show to talk about the Dapper Dans' recent at-home recording session, and the art and heart of performing live at Disneyland. Then, we welcome Tik Tok celeb Makall Lauren to the show to talk about her recent experience with the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World. Makall gives us tips for aspiring program applicants, talks about what it means to her to be on stage at a Disney park, and how she became an overnight Tik Tok sensation. Plus - 6 fast facts about Snow White, and more!

This week, Team Mousetalgia welcomes animation legend Tom Sito to the show to talk about his long career as an animator with Disney and beyond. Tom discusses his start in the animation industry, working for Disney during the renaissance in the 1980s, working with some of the greatest talents in the animation industry both inside and out of the Disney studio, reflections on Roy Disney, his time with Dreamworks and Warner Brothers, and the universal appeal of animation. Kristen also shares some fun facts about Walt Disney at the age of 30, and we wonder who we'd enjoy being sequestered with during a global crisis.

Welcome to day 23 (and counting) since Disneyland closed indefinitely. In honor of this moment, we talk about Walt Disney Animation's 23rd feature release - The Rescuers! Kristen brings us a load of fast facts and fun trivia about this oft-overlooked Disney classic. Then, Jeff takes a closer look at the life of a Disney Legend: WED Imagineer Harriet Burns. We discuss her time working for the studio and talk to some people who knew her very well - Phil and Robyn Palmquist, close friends of Harriet, who share stories about Harriet's life outside of the studio. Plus - Floppotron, the Never Girls, Prime Time Cafe Meatloaf, and more toilet paper updates!

Team Mousetalgia invites you to take a look with us at this week in Disney history, with topics including Disneyland's shooting galleries, Disney Legend Marc Davis's birthday, Disneyland's Grand Canyon Diorama, Disneyland's first Easter parade, Disney Legend Ward Kimball's first day working for Walt, the Midget Autopia, and Snow White's photo reference model Marge Champion. Also, we have book reviews on Fantasia (1940) and Insight Edition's Disney Princess Tiny Books library (2019). Plus - what we're listening to while in quarantine... and more.

This week, Team Mousetalgia discusses the frantic last days before Disneyland closed for weeks (until March 31 at the earliest, although potentially much longer) in order to protect people from spreading the COVID-19 virus, including the postponement of our own "Anything Can Happen" events at Disneyland and the Bowers Museum. Kristen gives a trip report discussing the Food and Wine Festival at Disney California Adventure, and we talk about the public response to the closure of every Disney park worldwide, our own decision-making processes at the end of the week before the park closed, and reflection on the weekend that shook America. Also - Jeff collects Cinderella art, Kristen builds a kingdom, Becky finds worthwhile distractions for quarantined kids and Dave seeks TP.

This week, Team Mousetalgia welcomes Disney historian Joseph Titizian back to the show to share some lucky tales about Walt Disney and his Irish roots, his claddagh ring, and the wee King Brian. Then, we welcome Mouse Fan Travel CEO Beci Mahnken back to the show to give us the rundown on Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway, which just opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World resort. Finally, Jeff and Kristen review "Onward," Pixar's latest film, and talk about the characters, the music, the magic, and Disney's initial take on the Simpsons. Also - lucky Disneyland moments, and more.

This week, Team Mousetalgia continues to answer listener-submitted questions, with topics including: Taking a trip to Disneyland with a teenager, remembering Vault Disney, sharing a day with Walt Disney, best Disney books, a history of Disneyland music, worst Disney attraction or food, a Mouseketeer history lesson, the Haunted Mansion's elevators, introverts and extroverts and the parks, Disney+ faves, films to watch before visiting Disneyland - and more! Also - Mousetalgia's "Anything Can Happen Weekend" is taking place THIS WEEKEND at the Disneyland Resort, and details are in this week's episode.

This week, Team Mousetalgia ponders Walt Disney, Ub Iwerks, Charles Mintz, and the strange story of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Walt's first cartoon character to achieve wide popular acclaim. We welcome author and historian Dave Bossert to the show to talk about how Oswald was seen by the public at the time, how his rival characters stacked up, and what the story of Oswald's meteoric rise to fame and disappointing loss meant to Walt Disney and his path forward with his fledgling film studio. Then, Jeff discusses "The Making of The Dark Crystal - Age of Resistance," a panel discussion with representatives from Jim Henson's Creature Shop and the Jim Henson Company, talking about the conceptualization and production of the Netflix series, which was a prequel to The Dark Crystal. Plus - Disneyland Art Corner cels, Amy's Small World bags, Becky's bad news and Star Wars' High Republic. Special note: Mousetalgia's Anything Can Happen Weekend will take place March 14-15, with chances to meet Mousetalgia on Sat. April 14