Mousetalgia! - Your Disneyland Podcast

Latest Episodes:

No. 49: Journey Into Imagination; David Koenig Feb 21, 2023

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No. 49: Journey Into Imagination; David Koenig from July 28, 2014

David Koenig offers a look behind the scenes at the process of writing the best "behind the scenes" Disney parks books! From surprising anecdotes to the massive undertaking of documenting Walt Disney World's history, Koenig discusses his various books and his opinions about successful attractions, cast member secrets, and the art of bringing fantasy to life. Koenig talks about Universal's impact on the Disney parks, dealing with Disney's legal arm, and how pulling back the curtain on Disney park operations can make fans love the parks even more. Also, Mousetalgia goes back to Walt Disney World again as Dave, Becky and Kristen discuss a special fundraiser featuring Tony Baxter discussing Journey Into Imagination, the beloved extinct attraction from EPCOT Center. Tony talks about the original proposed EPCOT architecture, the origins of the attraction, and the unlikely genesis of Figment! Plus, our favorite Disney summer songs - and more!

No. 48: Walt Disney's Hollywood and the beginning of the Walt Disney Company Feb 05, 2023

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No. 48: Walt Disney's Hollywood and the beginning of the Walt Disney Company from January 24, 2011

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Visit Walt Disney's Hollywood: In this week's episode, Jeff takes us on a tour of Walt Disney's Hollywood, with stops at his first home and the first studio where Walt's "Alice" short films were created. Other stops include the infamous Snow White Cafe on Hollywood Boulevard, Paty's Coffee House (which Walt would visit from time to time) and Walt's final resting place in Forest Lawn. Also - Jeff reports on the Disney Pops and Pipes organ concert at the grand El Capitan Theater, the Disney Soda Fountain serves up TRON Sundaes... and more!

No. 47: Secrets of the Disneyland Hotel Jan 31, 2023

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No. 47: Disneyland Hotel secrets from October 17, 2011

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 - and more!

No. 46: Walt Disney and World War II Jan 16, 2023

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No. 46: Walt Disney and World War II from May 30, 2011

Walt Disney and World War II: In this special Memorial Day episode from 2011, Team Mousetalgia reports on a weekend event at the Walt Disney Family Museum about the Walt Disney Studios output during World War II, featuring presentations by historian Paul F. Anderson. Learn about the various projects and films that the studio created during this critical period of American history. Also - take a closer look at one of the more famous propaganda films, "Victory Through Air Power," which Walt Disney believed would help end the war and save lives. Plus - an exclusive presentation of a 1943 radio program featuring Walt Disney talking about "Victory" - and more!

No. 45: Newsies in London '23 and San Francisco '15 Jan 07, 2023

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No. 45: Newsies '15 tour, Disneyland '55 from March 9, 2015

Mousetalgia carries the banner and reviews the current touring production of Newsies, which landed recently in San Francisco. We discuss the differences between the film and the touring production, and even some differences between the Broadway show and the current tour. Souvenirs, dancing, the music - we cover it all. Then, Dave and Becky review Disney on Ice: "Let's Celebrate," and describe the experience. (Hint: bring a kid!) Also, the Mallett family joins us to discuss visiting Disneyland almost 60 years ago in 1955 when they won a radio contest in the Golden Horseshoe and rode down Main Street in the fire truck with Abbott and Costello, and they also share their memories of the park as they grew up with it through the decades. Finally, the team participates in the recent "Story of Disneyland" auction, and we report back on our successes, failures, and some of the highlights of this much-anticipated auction of Disneyland memorabilia. Plus - in honor of Friday the 13th, we talk about unlucky moments at the Disneyland park. From duck poop encounters to Sleeping Beauty backstage in Juicy sweatpants, we recount some of the unfortunate events that have stricken the Mousetalgia crew in the past.

No. 44: Swiss Family Robinson, New Orleans Square Dec 20, 2022

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Mousetalgia's Best Ear Ever #44: Swiss Family Robinson, New Orleans Square from Nov. 26, 2018

Disney artists and historians Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily visited the Walt Disney Family Museum this month to discuss the Swiss Family Robinson, and to talk about their journey to Tobago to search for the film sets from the filming of this astonishing film, and Dave reports on the event. Plus, we take a holiday stroll through the history of New Orleans Square, with a look at the first years of Club 33, and we share some recipes for the Blue Bayou's iconic Clam Chowder. Plus - Uniqlo shirts, Universal's Fun Runs, WDI's Stuntronics, and Kristen calls in a cheesy review.

No. 43: A history of Disneyland's Candlelight Processional Dec 12, 2022

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Mousetalgia's Best Ear Ever #43: A history of Disneyland's Candlelight Processional from Dec. 24, 2018

Merry Christmas! This week on Mousetalgia, we talk Candlelight with Disney historian Joseph Titizian. Joseph talks us through the history of the Candlelight Processional, and then takes us behind the scenes of this year's 60th anniversary of the ceremony, including some samples from this year's performances. Then, Kristen and Jeff discuss Mary Poppins Returns with a spoiler-free review, a discussion about the score and songs, and our tuppence regarding the differences and similarities between the new film and the 1964 classic. Also, in a new segment called Disneyland Notebook, we discuss two topics: the latest developments in character interaction at the parks - selfies with the characters - and Disneyland starts revoking annual passes from passholders who buy merchandise at a discount and then resell it online. Also - our holiday park memories, and more.

No. 42: Docter and Merritt on Marc Davis, Gary K. Wolf on Roger Rabbit Nov 30, 2022

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Mousetalgia's Best Ear Ever #42: Docter and Merritt on Marc Davis, Gary K. Wolf on Roger Rabbit from July 16, 2018.

It's an emporium of toontastic proportions today as Mousetalgia invites you to listen in as we re-live our latest adventures. We interview Pixar CCO Pete Docter and Imagineer Chris Merritt about their upcoming book about Marc Davis at a recent event hosted by the Walt Disney Family Museum, and then Jeff talks to author Gary K. Wolf about creating the characters from "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" as we note the 30th anniversary of the seminal film based on his intriguing novel. Also, Jeff talks about experiencing Disneyland in a heat wave, and what happens when MaxPass suddenly goes down in the middle of the day. Plus, quick hits on Antman and the Wasp, a vintage Disneyland cookie recipe, and runDisney's Incredible Running Shorts.

No. 41: Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room Nov 23, 2022

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Mousetalgia's Best Ear Ever #41: Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room from June 27, 2016.

Team Mousetalgia celebrates Audio-Animatronic history by welcoming Disney historian and author Jeff Kurtti back to the show today as we investigate Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room. Join us on the lanai as we reminisce about the history and development of this famous attraction, from its roots as a proposed Chinese restaurant through its present day acclaim with the recent resurgence in the popularity of Polynesian culture. Kurtti, author of "Walt Disney's Imagineering Legends," talks about the early days of WED Enterprises, the cultural trends that enabled the Tiki Room to succeed, and the famous Sherman Brothers song that ties the whole show together. Also - we unveil the secrets to some of Trader Sam's most closely guarded drink recipes, and take a look at the grand opening of Shanghai Disneyland.

No. 40: An Incredible evening at Pixar Nov 14, 2022

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Mousetalgia's Best Ear Ever #40: An Incredible evening at Pixar from June 11, 2018.

Dave and Becky traveled to Emeryville in 2018 to see a Super VIP screening of "The Incredibles 2" at the Pixar Animation Studio and Mousetalgia reports from the event. Women in Animation (WIA) hosted an exclusive screening of the new film at Pixar, and Dave and Becky were able to attend. During the event, attendees were able to meet and speak with female animators, artists and filmmakers involved with the production. We discuss the Pixar campus, stories about Brad Bird, the techniques of modern computer animation, the status of women in the field of animation, and finally offer a spoiler-free glimpse at the new installment in the Incredibles franchise. Bonus: a spoiler-free review of "Bao," the short presented before Incredibles 2. Plus - Pirate Redd joins the the Pirates of the Caribbean; John Lasseter will be leaving the Walt Disney Company; Solo box office disappoints; and more.

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