Mousetalgia! - Your Disneyland Podcast

The Muppets are back on the big screen, and this week Team Mousetalgia takes a look at the history of the Muppets and their creator, Jim Henson. We discuss Sesame Street, favorite Muppet characters, Kermit's origins, and Disney's purchase of the franchise and what it means for the future. We take a look at Jim Henson's Muppet Vision 3D, and discuss how the attraction has endured the test of time....

Single day Disneyland visits - If you only have a single day and want a meaningful Disneyland experience, can it be done? Team Mousetalgia tackles this question head on, evaluating value, transportation issues, to park hop or not? - and other considerations, such as setting a pace, finding moments of relaxation, dining options, and capturing the magic of the happiest place on earth. Also, a listen...

Celebrate Mickey Mouse's 83rd birthday on this week's episode of Mousetalgia. From Steamboat Willie's debut to the modern articulated Mickey appearing at the parks, we examine the impact Mickey has had on his fans and pop culture over his decades of silver screen stardom. Also - Tim Burton's collaborators discuss working with the iconic director at a recent panel discussion at the Los Angeles Coun...

It's back to the inbox for Team Mousetalgia, as we answer your questions about the Disneyland Resort and everything Disney. We begin by offering holiday crowd advice, then dive into the mailbag. Topics include Disney Legends, unsung park attractions, more Expo woes, half-marathon costume advice, awkward Disney moments, Muppet songs, weighing DMR rewards, Mousetalgia takes on I-5, del Toro's Haunte...

Disney's Halloween around the world - This week, Mousetalgia welcomes Disney park reporter Erin De Santiago to the show to report on the Halloween happenings this year at Walt Disney World, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland. From Nightmare Dim Sum to the horror mazes in Hong Kong, you'll learn all about how the parks differ culturally, and you'll discover the different events, characters,...

Visit the Mousetalgia Emporium as we share a supersized variety of reviews and Haunted Mansion stories. Jeff reviews Michael Barrier's "The Animated Man" and Family Fun Magazine's Halloween issue, Becky shares some obsolete Disneyland recipes, Kristen bakes some Disneyland muffins and reviews Seattle's quirky "Uncle Walt's Vault," and Dave reviews the "Where's My Water" mobile app. Plus - A  '20,0...

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 f...

Tour Disneyland with the Happiest Haunts - This week, Jeff takes you along as he seeks to foil a villainous plot on the Disneyland Happiest Haunts Tour, which takes place during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort. Find out if it's worth the added ticket price, and go behind the scenes to find out what you can expect from the 3-plus-hour walking tour. Plus, Oct. 21 would have been Mary Blair's...

Don Hahn talks with Mousetalgia this week to discuss his latest book, "Brain Storm: Unleashing Your Creative Self." Hahn and Team Mousetalgia discuss the book and the topic of creativity - as well as The Lion King's domination of the box office, and Hahn's other projects, including his recent documentary "Hand Held," which just won the International Humanitarian Award from the Rhode Island Interna...

Main Street memories - This week, Team Mousetalgia takes a stroll down Disneyland's Main Street U.S.A., and we talk about the details and features that make this section of Disneyland so special. Leaving no cobblestone unturned, we talk about our favorite part of Main Street from days gone by, and follow up with some our favorite current features, including our favorite eateries, shopping areas, a...

Mousetalgia Episode 151: Our Grandpa, Walt Disney - Five of Walt Disney's grandchildren spoke about their memories of Walt Disney at the Walt Disney Family Museum, and Team Mousetalgia reports on the event. Joined on the show by Disney author/historian Jeff Kurtti, Team Mousetalgia discusses the personal side of Walt Disney that is often hidden by rumor and myth, and discover a side of the man oft...

Ludwig Von Drake, marathon wear, and touring Disneyland with large groups - Mousetalgia dives into the mailbag once again and answers your questions! Whether the topic is collecting lithographs or off-site hotels, we'll offer our humble opinions. We discuss Disneyland's dining plans and resort tips, as well as timing your visit and the pros and cons of staying on Disney property. Plus - visiting D...

This week, Team Mousetalgia discusses the smaller presentations at the D23 Expo held Aug. 19-21, 2011 in Anaheim. We talk merchandise, Walt Disney Animation, Treasures from the Walt Disney Archives, Imagineering's Carousel of Projects, the D23 Charter Member lounge, Star Tours, Vintage Disneyland, Voices from the Park, and more. Also, D23's Tim O'Day joins us this week to share the inside story of...

Disney hosted the second D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center from August 19 through 21, 2011, and Team Mousetalgia report on the best and worst of the event. Princesses, legends, Muppets, park reports, and more - we cover it all. However, the Expo presented many challenges, such as 4-hour lines and low-capacity events, and we discuss the problems and possible solutions. Fortunately, there wa...

Haunted mansion mysteries, Disneyland etiquette, half marathons, and frozen treats - it's a disneyland email marathon! New listeners and old bombard us with questions, and we give you our eight cents. Want answers? Keep listening to Mousetalgia - the favorite podcast of Disney-loving motorcycle cops everywhere! Plus - Carpe Kingdom - what does it mean? And a special bonus: Musical highlights from...

Marvel Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada talks to Mousetalgia about the merger of the Disney and Marvel universes, and Marvel's participation in this year's D23 Expo; and Dave talks to Billy Dee Williams and Bruce Boxleitner, both of whom will be appearing at the Expo. Also, the Walt Disney Family Museum hosts a panel discussion on the comedic influences on Walt Disney's early comedies, and we re...

Disney Family Museum Roundup: The ultimate Disneyland model: learn how Kerner Optical created a fascinating room-sized model of Disneyland for the Walt Disney Family Museum. Next, Dave reports on a discussion of Walt Disney's fascination with the space race, and Jeff recounts the recent tribute to Wally Boag and Betty Taylor held at the museum. Plus, more D23 Expo tips. Also - out of this world di...

The Marvel-ous D23 Episode - Imagineer Josh Shipley discusses the relationship of Disney and Marvel, and gives fans some reasons to look forward to the Marvel panel at the upcoming D23 Expo. Also, Jeff and Kristen share a trip report about a whirlwind trip to the Walt Disney Studios and Archive, Paradise Pier eateries, a Club 33 Vinter's Menu dinner review, and a review of the current exhibit of T...

The Mousetalgia Review Emporium - This week, Jeff reviews the Napa Rose Chef's Counter at the Grand Californian Hotel at Disneyland Resort; the team discusses HGTV's My Yard Goes Disney; and Kristen digs up some vintage Disney musical selections. Plus - the team takes a look at some of the negative reviews Cars 2 has received, and we debate the pros and cons of the worst-reviewed Pixar film to dat...

Go behind the scenes of the Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet with Team Mousetalgia this week, as we share inside stories and secrets from the partyers and panelists at this year's event. Also, we take a look at the phenomenon of Winnie the Pooh, and review the new film and reminisce about the original book and Disney films. Learn why that willy, nilly, silly ol' bear has been considered Disney's secon...

This week, Team Mousetalgia provides some highlights and clips from the 2011 Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet held on June 25, 2011 in Lynwood, Washington. Featured speakers include writer/director/producer Jeff Kurtti, who talks about his work as creative director for the Walt Disney Family Museum; Floyd Norman, long time animator for the Walt Disney Company; and Disney Legend Jack Lindquist, preside...

Happy Fourth of July! On today's special holiday episode, Team Mousetalgia reminisce about Disneyland's Bicentennial celebration in 1975-76, which featured America on Parade, a patriotic feature which premiered in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Also, the team takes a look back at America Sings, the classic revolving stage production which replaced Disneyland's Carousel of Progress in Tomor...

The art of the Disneyland "fun map" - this week, Team Mousetalgia talks to attraction designer Chris Merritt about the history and making of the classic Disneyland "fun maps," the poster-sized wall maps that were created and sold as souvenirs at the parks. We also discuss Pirates Lair and Sam McKim's artwork for WED. Then, Jeff reviews a recent event at the Walt Disney Family Museum honoring the a...

It's time for trip reports - Dave, Kristen and Becky report on a recent team trip to Disneyland, discussing the changes to Pirates of the Caribbean and World of Color, the new Little Mermaid attraction, Mickey's Soundsational Parade, and Star Tours 2. Kristen wonders if Blackbeard's appearance in POTC really works, Becky questions the spoilers in the Blue Sky Cellar, and Dave talks Star Tours fast...

You've got questions, and we've got answers! This week, Team Mousetalgia opens the mailbag and talks back to our listeners on topics such as the Haunted Mansion, being a teenage fan, attending the D23 Expo, more Haunted Mansion, other things to do around Disneyland, Stargate (?), and Becky's training for the upcoming Tinker Bell Half Marathon. Also, Jeff and Kristen report on Mary Poppins: Kristen...