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

With Disney Cruise Line and their new ship the Disney Believe in the news this week, we decided to rewind back to 2022 and a three-part interview Michael did with the late Jim Korkis discussing the history of Disney Cruise Line. Author and historian Korkis, a friend the show, also discussed his book Hidden Treasures of Disney Cruise Line. This podcast has all three pieces of that interview merged...

At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, there was a tease about a future update coming to Spaceship Earth in Epcot. After digging WAY back in the official Connecting with Walt archives, we found a three-part series where Michael and Craig share the history of the iconic attraction. This podcast has all three pieces of that series merged together, so you now have the entire Spaceship Earth story all...

With the recent update at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event regarding Animal Kingdom's Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, we thought it might be fun to take a look back at last year's shows about the history of the Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland Park. This podcast has all both history segments merged together, so you now have the entire Indy story all in one place. Lin...

In this episode, Michael and special guests Suzette, Patty & Louella wrap up their discussion of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event (D23 Expo), with their thoughts about the show floor including shopping, giveaways, and pavilions, including Imagineering and The Walt Disney Archives. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on T...

In this episode, Michael and special guests Suzette, Patty & Louella discuss the final day of presentations at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event (D23 Expo). The group covers panels focusing on the Disney Worldbuilders documentary, Disney Grammy winners, and composer Alan Menken, plus the Disney Legends Ceremony. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more informa...

In this episode, Michael and special guests Suzette, Patty & Louella discuss the second day of presentations at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event (D23 Expo). The group covers panels focusing on some of the newest Disney Legends, Imagineer Joe Rohde, 65 years of Spider-Man, and the 10th anniversary of Zootopia, plus the surprise Disney Parks announcements at the Disney Experiences Showcase. Li...

In this episode, Michael and special guests Suzette & Patty discuss D23 Day at Disneyland and their first day at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event (D23 Expo), including Suzette's thoughts as a first time attendee. The trio cover panels focusing on Disney Nature, Disney music with Michael Giacchino, and 125 years of Walt Disney, plus the always exciting Disney Entertainment Showcase. Links: Mi...

With the recent news from the D23 Expo about fan favorites Dreamfinder and Figment returning to Walt Disney World, we thought it might be fun to take a look back at last year's shows about the History of EPCOT's Journey Into Imagination Pavilion. This podcast has all three history segments merged together, so you now have the entire Journey Into Imagination story all in one place. Links: Michael’s...

In this episode, Michael and Tom delve into the making of Walt Disney's 1963 classic Summer Magic starring Hayley Mills and Burl Ives, including a look at the book that inspired it. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Sources: Books: The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin Walt Disney and Live Act...

In this episode, Michael and Tom discuss how Walt Disney's love of animals influenced his films, Disneyland, and more through the stories of Disney animal trainer William R. Koehler. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Sources: Books: The Wonderful World of Disney Animals by William R. Koehle...

In this episode, Michael and Tom wrap up their look at how Walt Disney strived to create entertainment for the entire family, but first they continue their virtual walk with Walt, and friends, through Disneyland Park. 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...

In this episode, Michael and Tom continue their look at how Walt Disney strived to create entertainment for the entire family by talking a virtual walk with Walt through Disneyland Park. 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 discuss how Walt Disney began creating family entertainment that brought generations together. 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 the 250th anniversary of America with a look into Walt Disney's 1957 live-action film set during the Revolutionary War period, Johnny Tremain . Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Sources: Books: The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin Walt Disney and Liv...

In this episode, Michael talks with Tom about Walt Disney's vision of America that he shared with people around the world and why it's still important today. 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, "Imagineering in the Building 1952-1955: They Created Disneyland", featured Disney Legend and former Imagineer Tom Morris. Next, "In the Director's Chair with Frank Oz: In Conversation with Pete Docter" covered Oz's directorial journey fr...

In this episode, we celebrate the re-opening of Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin in Disneyland Park by revisiting a 2014 segment from the Disneyland podcast that explored the history of the attraction. 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, we share a special live recording of Michael's presentation at last summer's OzCon International that explores the history of Walt Disney's never completed "Rainbow Road to Oz" project. 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 inform...

In this episode, Michael and Tom discuss why the ideas that Walt Disney championed during his lifetime still matter today. 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 are joined by special guest Mary Jo to explore the history of EPCOT's Mexico Pavilion, then take a journey inside. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Sources: Books/Papers: Walt Disney’s EPCOT Center: Creating the New World of Tomorrow , Text by Richard R. Be...

After exploring the problems with Disneyland's many iterations of Tomorrowland in last week's episode, Michael and Tom practice some armchair Imagineering and suggest some of their own ideas for updates to the troubled land. 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/p...

In this episode, Michael and Tom explore the problems with Disneyland's many iterations of Tomorrowland, and how the land compares to similar areas in Disney Parks around the world. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel California DMV - Disneyland License Plates Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...

In this episode, Michael and Tom are joined by Michael Campbell, author of "Walt Disney's Trains: A Grand Circle Tour Through His Life and Legacy," to discuss Walt Disney's lifelong passion for trains. 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 informa...

Inspired by a listener suggestion, Michael, Tom, and special guest Mary Jo talk about how Disney parks immerse guests in the storytelling by engaging their senses, sometimes without them even knowing it. 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 infor...

In honor of Women's History Month, Michael shares with Tom a look at a group of artists whose contributions to Disney animation have often been overlooked. Links: Michael’s Disneyland History Segments Important DIS links and more information! Connecting with Walt on Twitter Dreams Unlimited Travel Sources: Books: Before the Animation Begins: The Art and Lives of Disney Inspirational Sketch Artists...