The Hyperion Hub

Author and former Imagineer Chris Merritt joins us again this week to talk about a new Disneyland coffee table book he and Disney Legend Don Hahn co-wrote. The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney’s Disneyland will be available July 15, 2025. Preorder at PenguinRandomHouse.com Chris reveals some secrets about Disneyland. He also shares his personal feelings about working on...

As Disneyland preps for its 70th anniversary a new book looks at the park’s earliest years. The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney’s Disneyland from Penguin Random House has over 750 images, previously unpublished documents, and concept drawings. Author and former Imagineer Chris Merritt joins us this week to talk about this new coffee table book available July 15, 2025....

Shawn Degenhart’s family trip to Walt Disney World continues! Shawn shares a diary style day-by-day recap. It includes visits to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom and his happy place, Pioneer Hall at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground to see the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and John Redlingshafer would love to hear...

Shawn Degenhart and family are in Walt Disney World! Shawn has a day-by-day recap of his adventures in Magic Kingdom and EPCOT this week. He has thoughts on Lightning Lane, afternoon breaks and has other takes. Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and John Redlingshafer would love to hear from you! Email or send a recorded audio message at podcast@thehyperionhub.com. Find us on social media. The Hype...

We’re taking a deep dive into the Cinderella Study Score published by our own Shawn Degenhart. What inspired him to create the book? How was it to work with Disney? What all is included in the book besides the score itself? We’ll also take a closer look at long time composer and Disney Legend Oliver Wallace. Purchase Walt Disney’s Cinderella in Full Score at degenhartmusic.com. Hosts John Alois, S...

We’re covering many topics this week including the new Disney Park coming to Abu Dhabi. We’ll share our thoughts. We’ll also talk about the American parks and new summer attractions. John Alois has a mini MCU review of Thunderbolts*. Lilo and Stitch is cleaning up at the box office. Does that mean more live action remakes are on the way? That and more this week! Thanks for joining us at The Hub! H...

We’re wrapping up Disney Fest 2025 which was held a few weeks ago at the Peoria Riverfront Museum in Peoria, IL. Author JB Kaufman is giving us a history lesson on Donald Duck. He’ll talk about some of his early shorts including The Wise Little Hen (1934), Mr Duck Steps Out (1940) and A Good Time For a Dime (1941.) Then we’ll learn about the final film from the fest. A unique movie called The Relu...

Disney authors and historians JB Kaufman and Mindy Johnson join us this week! We’re back at Disney Fest 2025 to hear their presentations from the annual event. Joining them are organizer Steve Spain and our very own Shawn Degenhart. As part of the event there were several classic Disney Films shown. This week we’ll focus on Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan.  Shawn is talking about the...

We’re five years old today! This week, we’re celebrating half a decade of podcasting by sharing our origin stories. We’re interviewing each other. What were we like as kids? When did we discover Disney? How did we come up with the name for the show? What does the name mean? Find out in this episode. Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and John Redlingshafer would love to hear from you! Email or send...

This week’s show is from Disney Fest at The Peoria Riverfront Museum in Peoria, IL where we sat down with authors Mindy Johnson and JB Kaufman. Our many topics include artist Mary Blair, The Reluctant Dragon from 1941, the history of Tinker Bell and more. We also share our own personal stories and talk about the moment we knew Disney became our passion. Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and John R...

What’s happening in the world of Star Wars? We reach out to our best expert on the subject! Dan Zehr from Coffee With Kenobi is back with us to talk about Seasons of the Force in Disneyland. We’ll also chat about Star Wars Celebration in Japan and Season 2 of Andor.  Plus we’ll preview the new show coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After. Hosts John Alois, Shawn...

We’re less than two weeks away from the annual Disney Fest at the Peoria Riverfront Museum in Peoria, IL. Organizer and avid Disney art collector Steve Spain joins us to preview the event. Disney films Cinderella and Peter Pan will be among the movies shown this year on the enormous screen. Plus guest speakers will talk about the history of the films. Plus games, animation workshops and more! May...

In the second half of our conversation with Disney Legend Tony Baxter he talks about mentors he had and the importance of mentoring. He shares thoughts on the future of the theme park industry and has some wise advice for all of us. Plus, is the Magical Express coming back to Walt Disney World? We’ll discuss a new service that has us wondering. Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and John Redlingsha...

Little did Tony Baxter know when he began scooping ice cream on Main Street U.S.A. he would one day become a Disney Legend. We're thrilled to have the Disney Imagineer on this week. He talks about his early days at Disney and covers some of his biggest projects including EPCOT, and the mysterious, unbuilt Discovery Bay in Disneyland. Plus we're playing a little game called blind ranking. Hosts Joh...

We have a plethora of topics to cover this week including the next gen animatronics possibly coming to the parks, the new Disney Vacation Club lounge in the Magic Kingdom, Disney/PIXAR’s Elio trailer has us intrigued, D23 is heading back to Marceline, Marvel’s Daredevil: Born Again, and more! Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and John Redlingshafer would love to hear from you! Email or send a reco...

They help bring the parks to life. They're the Disney characters in the parks and they create some of our favorite memories. But they weren't part of the original plan for Disneyland and Walt had to actually borrow costumes for opening day. We'll share that story and talk about our memorable moments. Plus the Disneyland Band surprises Walt Disney World guests with a trip out east. Hosts John Alois...

Kim Kaufman is back this week to share more stories from her time in Walt Disney World as a Cast Member. Kim was "friends with" a lot of the characters in the parks. She talks about both funny and touching moments from her interactions with guests. Plus we're also talking about the latest additions to author Ridley Pearson's popular Kingdom Keeper book series. Hosts John Alois, S...

Seeing Disney characters is a highlight for many Disney park visitors. Our guest this week not only got to meet characters as a kid, she became good "friends" with them. Lifelong Disney fan and former cast member Kim Kaufman shares some of her unique character stories. Plus Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro was on hand at the South By Southwest conference to share more informa...

New adventures await Walt and his teams in the 1960s. Disney looks to expand its themed entertainment across the country with creations for the New York World's Fair. Walt also plans to build a city on swampland in Florida. At the box office, he produces more live action films than ever before. One of those movies is considered his greatest onscreen masterpiece. Thanks for joining us at The Hub as...

He's back! Long time popular Disney podcaster Lou Mongello from WDW Radio returns for the second half of our conversation with him. He shares more personal stories and talks about some of his favorite Disney things. Plus Disney Fest 2025 is coming to the Peoria Riverfront Museum in Peoria, IL this May 2-4! We have some details on what to look forward to at this year's event! Thanks for joining us...

Once upon a time, an attorney from New Jersey decided to leave his law practice and pursue his true passion of sharing his love for all things Disney with the world. Twenty years later, Lou Mongello is one of the biggest podcasters and influencers in the Disney fan community. He tells his amazing story this week on The Hyperion Hub. Plus we have a review of Captain America: Brave New World from Ma...

We're covering many topics this week including the new Disney Vacation Club Member Cruise coming, the Season of the Force event at Disneyland, Marvel TV shows to look forward to in 2025 including Dare Devil: Born Again in March and more! Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and John Redlingshafer would love to hear from you! Email or send a recorded audio message at podcast@thehyperionhub.com. Fi...

We're live from the S.T.E.A.M. Into Star Wars event at Washington Community High School in Washington, IL. Three great guests join us including organizer Tom Gross, Greg McLaughlin from the Rebel Base Card Podcast, and Dan Zehr from Coffee With Kenobi. Plenty to talk about at this year's wonderful event plus we can't think of a better way to learn about Science, technology, engineering...

Disney Archives Director Becky Cline is back with us this week continuing our conversation about collecting Disney history. We’ll hear how the archives began and she shares stories about finding treasured items the Studio forgot existed. Plus what are we looking forward to in the Disney Parks? Find out in Our Disney Views. Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and John Redlingshafer would love to hear...

We’re back and we’re starting off 2025 with a very special guest! Director of the Walt Disney Archives Becky Cline joins us on the Hyperion Hub. She has fantastic stories to share including one about how one of the most treasured film props was saved by a janitor. Plus what movies and TV shows are we looking forward to in 2025? Find out in Our Disney Views. Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and Jo...