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 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...

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,...