Mousetalgia! - Your Disneyland Podcast

All of Mousetalgia ended up at the Disneyland Resort for a weekend in October, and this week, we talk about our experiences as the resort continues to recover from the pandemic shutdown. We discuss the Disneyland Resort Hotel service and give quick hits on the variety of eating options, including reviews of the Craftsman Bar, River Belle Terrace, Napa Rose, Lamplight Lounge, Carnation Cafe, and Cafe Orleans. Plus - Kristen visits Club 33 and brings back a drink recipe to share - and we tell two cautionary tales about Disneyland balloons.

On October 24, Jeff married Julia at the Disneyland Resort, and we have all the details for you in this week's episode! We talk about the food, the ceremony, the venue, the 5:00 am photo session inside of Disneyland Park, the talented performers, and working with Disney Fairy Tale Weddings and White Rabbit Photo Boutique. Plus - our memories of the Skyway.

Help us usher in the holidays at the Disneyland Resort with a musical celebration! This week, we welcome special guest Tim Babb to the show to discuss our top 20 favorite instances of holiday music in the Disney parks. Also - a look back through history at an animation exhibit introducing Song of the South to Georgians, and Kristen reviews books: Birnbaum's 2022 Official Walt Disney World guidebooks for adults and kids, and "Tales of Courage and Kindness," a new storybook about a variety of Disney Princesses that can facilitate conversations between parents and their children.

This week, Mousetalgia gets spooky for Halloween week with a variety of spook-sational items. First, Jeff reports from an event at the Walt Disney Family Museum with Gonzo the Great and Pepe the King Prawn sharing stories from the making of "Muppets Haunted Mansion," and then we speak with Kirk Thatcher, the director of the special, who talks about the genesis of the project and some of the experiences he had filming the show. Then, we speak with Kelly Younger, who joined Kirk and Bill Barretta as a writer for the special. Kelly talks about the nature of writing for Muppets, stories about developing the songs in the show, and the success of the special. Next, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Haunted Mansion Holiday with Disney artist Tim Wollweber, who worked on the design and construction of the original Haunted Mansion Holiday, and continues to be involved with the annual centerpiece gingerbread Haunted Mansion, Halloween Time at the parks, and the design of various tiki mugs for Trader Sams - among num

This week, we celebrate the debut of "Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Stage Adaptation" in New York on Theatre Row with a hundred acres of fun! First, we discuss our history with the willy, nilly silly old bear, and talk about the variety of ways Pooh has touched culture over the past century. Then, we chat with Matthew Lish, Puppet/Prop Coordinator and Lead Puppet Builder for the brand new off-Broadway production of "Winnie the Pooh." Plus - a Haunted Mansion moment about Disneyland fun maps!

This week, we turn our attention to the east as Walt Disney World celebrates its first half century of making magical memories. We welcome Beci Mahnken, CEO of Mouse Fan Travel, back to the show to breakdown all of the latest news from the resort's 50th anniversary celebration, including attraction news, resort and hotel happenings, new shows and dining experiences, and much more. Plus - Kristen reviews new books celebrating Walt Disney World's 50th, and we offer tips for folks attempting to return to Disneyland after all of the pandemic-era changes.

This week, Jeff takes you along on his tasting trip to Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa for his rapidly-approaching Disney Fairy Tale Wedding. We talk about the menu, the pastries and cake options, some clarifications from Jeff's initial wedding report - and, of course, Jeff answers the question about the authenticity of the Bengal Barbecue skewers. Plus - Trader Sam's unveils a new Haunted Mansion-themed tiki mug, and Jeff dives into the thick of it. Also - McDonalds makes more Disney Parks-themed Happy Meal toys, and we discuss.

It's the spooking season, and we are welcoming October with a spectre-tacular eek-isode of Mousetalgia. First, Jeff takes us back in time and walks us through his 2003 trip to the sets of Walt Disney Pictures' "The Haunted Mansion," and Kristen offers 31 days of Disney-related treats for Halloween. Everything from playlists to pastimes, boos to books - and even a recipe for "Goofy's Green Fish Mousse" (and a Mousetalgia challenge to boot!) From scary Disney movies to YouTube recommendations, we offers ways for you to bring the spooky to every day of October through Halloween. Plus - our top underrated Disney films, and more!

This week, we talk about rings prehistoric and nuptial as we discuss the new Marvel Studios film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, as well as planning a Disney Fairytale Wedding at the Disneyland Resort. First, Kristen and Jeff talk about the new film, which is Kristen's favorite in the Marvel pantheon. We give a spoiler-free review and consider the characters, the romance or lack thereof, and the new stage being set by Marvel for the future of their tales of the Avengers. Then, Jeff is getting married at Disneyland next month (!) and discusses the process of planning a Disneyland wedding. We talk about getting started, relative pricing, wedding photos in the park, and how to customize the ceremony to make it your own. If you've ever considered getting married in the park, you won't want to miss this episode! Plus - win a free "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Advent Calendar of Ghoulish Delights" from Insight Editions.

This week, Mousetalgia is pleased to welcome Disney Legend Hayley Mills to the show. Enjoy our insightful chat about her time spent making films for the Disney Studios as a child, her family life, her career before and after Disney, and her relationship with her parents and Walt Disney himself. Plus - listen for a chance to win a copy of Hayley Mills' new memoir "Forever Young" signed by Hayley herself!

This week, Mousetalgia welcomes the crew of our latest project to the show to discuss their new podcast - the Mousetalgia FastPass! In an interview recorded live from the Hollywood Backlot at DCA, the FastPass crew share some of their inspirations, history, park favorites, and insights regarding who they are and how they intend to go about sharing the news of Disneyland Resort with their listeners every week. Plus - Team Mousetalgia share some Disney collectible fails! We talk about our biggest flops in our time as collectors of Disneyana.

This week, join Team Mousetalgia as we speak with legendary Disney producer Don Hahn about his latest project, a short film about Walt Disney's "Storybook Mansion," the house Walt built on Woking Way and lived in with his family from 1932 until he bought his next home in 1949 and moved into in 1950. Don speaks with us about the property, why we are so interested in Walt's personal life, and visiting the place with Disney Legend Floyd Norman. Also - Pirate bird nests, collectible calendars, cancelled trips and more.

This week, Mousetalgia speaks with author and historian Don Ballard about the rich history of the Disneyland Hotel. We discuss the reasons Walt asked businessman Jack Wrather to open the hotel next to Disneyland, and the early guest experience at the hotel, including memories about restaurants, the mid century atmosphere, and the hotel's legacy through the changes it has made over the years. Plus - we discuss exploring Disneyland's massive properties attic, and more!

This week, in honor of the anniversary of Fess Parker's birthday, Team Mousetalgia takes a look back at the legacy of Parker's post-Disney business ventures, and we consider how he might have been influenced by Walt Disney to take bold steps into the world of themed entertainment. Then, we answer your emails about horrible moments at Disneyland, WDW vacation planning, enjoying solo trips, listeners "calling in," and more.

This week, in honor of the Haunted Mansion's 52nd anniversary, Team Mousetalgia looks at some of the new Haunted Mansion-themed merchandise coming from Target and Spirit just in time for Halloween, and we consider a new key being offered to the old house on the hill. Then, we take a look at Disneyland Resort's new Magic Key program, and contemplate how it compares to previous annual pass programs and the ramifications for current park attendees. We may have more questions than answers, but we start our decision-making process in terms of the value of the new passes on this episode.

This week, Jeff discusses his summer vacation to Aulani - A Disney Spa and Resort in Ko Olina, Hawaii, and talks about a stay at the resort. We discuss the DVC accommodations, the resort's amenities, the dining opportunities, all the pools, and the planning that goes into a trip to Aulani. Then, Jeff and Kristen discuss the latest film from the Walt Disney Studio "The Jungle Cruise," starring Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson. We talk about returning to theaters in the midst of the COVID pandemic and our spoiler-free reaction to the film's premise, humor and characters - and that Metallica song. Plus - Mousetalgia is a teenager! We reminisce about our past 13 years of podcasting.

This week, visit the wonderful world of Alice in Wonderland with Mousetalgia as we talk to two theme park design experts about the original Alice attraction which opened in 1958 at Disneyland. Former Imagineers Chris Merritt and Don Carson talk all about the history, the design, and the sounds of this quintessential Fantasyland dark ride. Don also shares the story of his development of a VR ride-through of the original attraction. Plus, in honor of 666 episodes of this podcast, we talk about some diabolical Disney deeds.

This week, Mousetalgia reviews some recent Disney media, starting with a report on a Barnes and Noble panel discussion about "Star Wars - the High Republic." Jeff discusses this virtual event, which featured authors of some new book releases. Then, it's "Delish Does Disney" vs. "Disney Villains: Devilishly Delicious Cookbook." Jeff and Kristen review these latest culinary book releases which are both based on Disney magic, but do the recipes deliver? Finally, we take a look at Luca, and host our own roundtable discussion on the merits and challenges presented by Disney/Pixar's latest film.

On this week of Disneyland's 66th birthday, join Team Mousetalgia as we look back into the park's past to the years 1959 and 1985. First, we speak with Beverly Fellows, who worked in Disneyland's Indian Village in 1959. Beverly shares her memories of a well-paying summer job in a park filled with happy people and amazing new attractions. Then, we welcome Barbara Brock back to the show to talk about Disneyland's 30th anniversary "Gift-Giver Extraordinaire" promotion in 1985 from an insider's view behind the counter in the award center. Plus - our Disney bucket list items, and more.

This week, join Mousetalgia for a fascinating conversation with former Imagineer Ethan Reed. Ethan tells us his origin story which includes his childhood trips to Disneyland, his love of Donald Duck and animation, and his introduction to Walt Disney Imagineering. We also discuss his work for the company including character design work for the Duffy and Friends franchise (and the mania surrounding the Duffy bear); work on Camp Woodchuck; animating Mr. Potato Head; and his character design work for Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland. Ethan packs facts and bits of trivia into his stories, including rarely-heard information about the process of designing stories and characters for Disney's theme parks worldwide.