Mousetalgia! - Your Disneyland Podcast

Imagineer memoirs and more fill this special "Expo recuperation" episode of Mousetalgia! First, Jeff and Kristen review two books previewed at the 2019 D23 Expo, beginning with late Disney Legend Marty Sklar's final book, "Travels with Figment: On the Road in Search of Disney Dreams." Then, Jeff reviews Imagineer Kevin Rafferty's new book "Magic Journey: My Fantastical Walt Disney Imagineering Car...

This week, Team Mousetalgia continues to celebrate the spookiest semicentennial of them all - 50 years of the Haunted Mansion. Jeff takes us along to Disneyland to party like the dead at "The Haunted Mansion: Celebrating 50 Years of Retirement Unliving" after hours event on August 9, and we talk merch, characters, the event itself - and that $300 price tag. Then, we go behind the scenes for DoomBu...

This week, it's Expo-mania time as Team Mousetalgia look forward to the upcoming D23 Expo in Anaheim, California. We spend a little time reminiscing about favorite memories from past Expos, and then dive into our expectations and hopes for this year's event, which promises many new procedures, experiences and events. We offer a few tips, and then Michael Vargo, the Head of D23, joins us to share s...

Welcome, foolish listeners, to an entire Mousetalgia episode devoted to the home of 999 happy haunts, The Haunted Mansion. This week, Jeff answers questions and tells stories about the history of Walt's storied dark ride in honor of its 50th anniversary on August 9. First, Kristen asks Jeff some Haunted Mansion questions for which she needs answers, then Jeff goes back for the five decades BEFORE...

This week, Team Mousetalgia says "Hakuna Matata" and leaps into the world of the newest iteration of The Lion King. First, we welcome Michael Goldman, author of "The Art and Making of The Lion King," to the show to share some of the insight and secrets he discovered while researching his just-released book. We discuss the power of the storytelling, the incredible technology, and the redesigned cha...

This week, Team Mousetalgia welcomes author/historian Didier Ghez back to the show to discuss the fifth book in his "They Drew as They Pleased" series titled "The Hidden Art of Disney's Early Rennassiance," with discussion about Mel Shaw and Ken Anderson's work for the Disney animation studio in the '70s and '80s. Didier also gives us some scoops on very exciting upcoming publications about Disney...

This week, to celebrate Disneyland's 64th anniversary, we take a look at the park through various eras. First, former Disneyland Tour Guide Barbara Brock returns to the Mousetalgia podcast to talk about keeping cool in Disneyland during the hot summers of the '80s, and shares some stories of her time taking guests around the park. Then we take a look back at the ABC live broadcast on July 17, 1955...

This week, Jeff and Kristen take you on a True Life Adventure to Sequim, Washington to visit the Olympic Game Farm, which was home to some of Walt Disney's most famous animal actors in his nature films. The farm's president Robert Beebe talks to Mousetalgia on location about his grandfather Lloyd Beebe, the game farm's founder, about the hundreds of nature films Lloyd shot for Walt and the techniq...

This week, Team Mousetalgia tackles Toy Story 4, and offers our no-spoilers review. We talk about the emotional impact of this supposed-final chapter of the Toy Story saga, the power of Bo breaking the mold, what works and doesn't work in the film - and we ponder the future of the franchise, and ask what makes a toy a toy? Then Jeff reviews "Pop-Up Disney: A Mickey Celebration," and takes us to th...

This week, Team Mousetalgia welcomes Team Disney's Jeffrey Epstein back to the show talk about D23 Expo prep, and to generally share in our excitement for the upcoming event. Get some tips straight from the top! Then, we dive into the Mousetalgia mailbag and answer your questions, with topics including: Disneyland's MaxPass vs, WDW's Magic Bands; advice for meeting single Disney fans; a look behin...

This week, we have a second week of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge coverage as Jeff files his report from the Outer Rim and shares his own impressions of Black Spire Outpost, the newest themed land at the Disneyland Resort. We talk about crying (or not) when one first encounters the Millenium Falcon, and we review the Smuggler's Run attraction; we discuss Oga's Cantina and see how it's holding up under...

Journey to a galaxy far, far away with Team Mousetalgia as Dave reports from his stay on the Outer Rim planet of Batuu from the opening weekend of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland Park. Dave takes us through his initial impressions of the immersive land, with reports on the attractions, the layout, the shopping, and the dining opportunities, passing along tips and tricks to help you make you...

On today's show, we offer an opening day report from Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, and then Kristen finishes her six castle journey through the Disney parks with a trip to Tokyo Disneyland Resort, and talks all about the parks, the attractions and the entertainment - and the snacks! From the Venetian gondolas at Tokyo DisneySea to Country Bears singing in Japanese at Tokyo Disneyland, Kristen offers h...

This week, Team Mousetalgia speaks with author/historian David Koenig about Disneyland's "55ers" - the men and women who opened Walt Disney's Disneyland. From the original glass blower to bakery workers, David tells the stories from the people that saw Walt walking down Main Street U.S.A. in person. Then, Jeff ponders the Haunted Mansion's 50th anniversary. We offer speculation about Disneyland's...

This week, Kristen takes over the Mousetalgia podcast to tell us all about her trip to Tokyo to visit the Tokyo Disneyland Resort. In this first part of a 2-part feature, Kristen gives pro tips and tricks for making a trip to Tokyo a success, including reports on shopping, touring, and the dining options and hotels found at the Tokyo resort. Plus - it's Becky's birthday, so the team goes around th...

It's a super(hero)-sized Mousetalgia this week as we explore three very different topics in the Disney universe. First, we welcome Chris Wing back to the show to report on the re-opening of the renovated and reimagined Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris, and he talks about the changes in the new scenes and technology found in the European alternate to the Haunted Mansion. Then, we welcome artist/Im...

Mousetalgia's own Kristen visits Shanghai Disneyland and shares a trip report that describes everything you need to know to tour the park on your own. From the hotels to the food to the attractions and everything in between, we cover the ins and outs of taking a solo trip to Shanghai Disneyland without the safety net of a tour guide. Also - the Art of Dumbo book reviewed; The Oogie Boogie Bash; Di...

Prepare for May the Fourth with Team Mousetalgia this week as we welcome "Skywalking Through Neverland" hosts Sarah and Richard Woloski to tell us all about the 2019 Star Wars Celebration event held recently in Chicago. We discuss everything from the latest news about Galaxy's Edge to the announcement of the title of Star Wars Episode Nine: The Rise of Skywalker. We talk about the panels, the merc...

This week, Team Mousetalgia heads back to the mailbag to tackle your questions. Topics include: Disneyland lodging tips from other Mousetalgia listeners; Lightning and Cruz - their platonic relationship; Disney and copyrights; alcohol in Disneyland - another view; vegans at Disneyland; making Disneyland even more special; tips for starting a podcast; Michelle Shocked's "Got No Strings"; things we...

On April 22, Disney's Animal Kingdom park turns 21, so in honor of the occasion we present a trip report from the park and celebrate one of the most immersive, lovely Disney theme parks, and talk Pandora, safaris, and more. RunDisney also recently held the Star Wars Half Marathon weekend at the Walt Disney World Resort, so we talk about the state of the races with Mousetalgia Minute co-host Julia...

This week, we discuss Mousetalgia's Anything Can Happen Weekend, beginning with a report on Disneyland Hotel's Pirates of the Caribbean Suite! Kristen, Kurt and Jeff were able to stay in this exquisite suite during Mousetalgia's recent special weekend, and we describe all the details of this impressive space. Then, we report from our listener meet-ups. We talk about the Wildest Breakfast in the Wi...

It's a Mousetalgia Emporium! Vocal group Dcapella just finished touring with a final stop in Oakland, so this week, Mousetalgia goes VIP at this final stop on the group's inaugural tour, and we tell you what you can expect if you decide to go VIP when the group goes back on the road. Listen in on the sound check, and hear all about the special "Friend Like Me" Meet and Greet package. Next: Disneyl...

This week, join Team Mousetalgia as we take a slightly deeper dive into Disneyland trip planning with our Disneyland 202 episode. Topics we cover are app-based transportation to the parks from the airports, Disneyland Resort hotels pros and cons, and how to use the Disneyland app for gathering photos, booking Fastpasses, and ordering food. Plus - listener emails, with topics including taking a lar...

This week, Team Mousetalgia takes you on a heroic journey through the universe as we visit galaxies both Marvel-ous and far, far away. First, we welcome Tim Babb back to the show to join us as we present a review of Captain Marvel, the latest film from Marvel Studios staring Academy Award-winning actress Brie Larson as Carol Danvers, the fighter pilot who is out to save the universe. We talk about...

Disneyland for newbies: Planning your first trip. When to go, what to expect, and where to stay if you've never been to the park before. Should you stay on property or in the surrounding neighborhood? What's best for families? Which hotels can save you money with free breakfasts? How are crowds in the park throughout the year, and what time is probably best for you to take your trip? What about di...