Connecting with Walt - A look into the history of the man behind Mickey Mouse, Disneyland and Walt Disney World

In this episode, Michael and Tom explore the idea that Walt Disney quietly designed Disneyland to be a classrom where people could learn without ever feeling like they were being taught. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael shares with Tom information from two recent talks he attended at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco. The first presentation was "Memories of Mary Blair" with historian John Canemaker and Blair's niece Maggie Richardson. Next, Gregg Sherman, son of composer Richard M. Sherman, presented "Walking with Giants: The Untold Story of Mary Poppins." Links: Michael’s Di...

In this episode, Michael continues his look at Woolie Reitherman as he and Tom discuss how one of Walt's Nine Old Men stepped into a leadership role during a transitional period at The Walt Disney Studios. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Sources: Books: Walt Disney's Nine Old Men & Th...

In this episode, Michael continues his series on Walt Disney's Nine Old Men as he and Tom discuss animator, director, and producer Woolie Reitherman and his contributions to the Walt Disney Studio. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Sources: Books: Walt Disney's Nine Old Men & The Art of...

In this episode, Michael takes Tom on a deep dive into the Carousel of Progress, not just as an attraction, but as Walt Disney's mission statement. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, producer/director Don Hahn joins Michael and Tom to discuss his newest book "The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney's Disneyland," the companion exhibit at the Walt Disney Family Museum, and his involvement in the Disney+ documentary "Disney Handcrafted". Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting wit...

In this special episode, Michael and Tom sit down with producer Don Hahn to discuss the life and legacy of director Roger Allers, who passed away recently. Allers co-directed Disney's The Lion King (which Hahn produced) and co-wrote the Broadway adaptation of the film. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unli...

In this episode, Michael and Tom discuss how Walt Disney's optimism shaped the course of his life and kept him moving forward. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom welcome historian and author J.B. Kaufman who delves into his newest book, Worlds to Conquer: The Art and Making of Walt Disney's Fantasia . Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom begin the new year by sharing inspirational quotes by Walt Disney or from films of his era that you might be able to relate to. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom chat with author Todd James Pierce about his book Making Mary Poppins: The Sherman Brothers, Walt Disney, and the Creation of the Classic Film, which delves into the creative process and production of the classic 1964 film. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel...

In this episode, Michael and Tom wrap up the history of the 1942 classic Saludos Amigos by covering how the film finally made it to the big screen and discussing their favorite sequences. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Sources: Websites/Articles: The Good Neighbor Films – Saludos Amigos,...

In this episode, Michael and Tom continue the history of the 1942 classic Saludos Amigos by chronicling the research trip to South America that preceded the animated feature. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Sources: Websites/Articles: The Good Neighbor Films – Saludos Amigos, The Three Ca...

In this episode, Michael and Tom chat with influential animator, author, educator, and historian John Canemaker about his upcoming book The Art of John Canemaker: An Animator's Garden . Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom celebrate Halloween with a haunting look at the 1983 Ray Bradbury fantasy Something Wicked This Way Comes . Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Sources: Websites/Articles: Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983) for The Great Disney Movie Ride Something Wicked...

In this episode, Michael and Tom chat with author Karen Fang about her book Background Artist: The Life and Work of Tyrus Wong , whose watercolors are featured in Walt Disney's Bambi . Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom begin the history of the 1942 classic Saludos Amigos by discussing how the film, and the research trip to South America that preceded it, came to be. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Sources: Websites/Articles: Saludos Amigos, Wikipedia The Good Neighbor Fi...

In this episode, Michael and Tom finish up the history of Journey Into Imagination at EPCOT with a look at the updates the popular attraction has received over the years. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Sources: Websites/Articles: 40 Years of Sparks - The Complete History of Journey Into...

In this episode, Michael and Tom celebrate the 10th anniversary of Connecting with Walt by taking a trip back in time to the Walt Disney World of 1975. There they are joined by Tony Spittell from the legacy Disneyland Podcast and the trio plan their day at the Magic Kingdom with a classic ticket book in hand. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Co...

In this episode, Michael and Tom join Figment and the Dreamfinder on a ride-thru of Journey Into Imagination as the story of that EPCOT pavilion continues. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Sources: Websites/Articles: 40 Years of Sparks - The Complete History of Journey Into Imagination by...

In this episode, Michael and Tom, along with special guest Anita, discuss the second and final day of this year's Destination D23 event held recently at Walt Disney World. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom, along with special guest Anita, discuss the first day of this year's Destination D23 event held recently at Walt Disney World. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom talk about a private event leading up to Disneyland's 70th that Michael attended. The event included several presentations focusing on the history of Walt Disney and the Disneyland Resort, including Michael's discussion of the never made "Rainbow Road to Oz". Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt...

In this episode, Michael and Tom discuss a presentation that Michael attended at Walt Disney Imagineering and the Grand Central Air Terminal, D23 Spotlight Series: Disneyland Fond Memories of the Past, hosted by Stacia Martin and Becky Cline, the Director of the Walt Disney Archives. Michael also shares a brief history of the Grand Central Air Terminal. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments...

In this episode, Michael, Tom, and their special guest Mary Jo discuss their experiences surrounding July 17th, 2025, Disneyland Park's 70th birthday, including new magic and special events. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Hilbert Museum of California Art Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...