Don Morin, the founder of the Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet, joins Mousetalgia to talk about the event's history and what the future holds for this popular Disney fan convention. Don also talks about a recent PNW Mouse Trek he and some lucky attendees took to Hollywood to experience some Walt Disney history, including trips to Walt's Barn, the Tam O'Shanter, and special tour of the Walt Disney Studios - and we have a report from the event from attendee Russ! Also, Disneyland-area hotels, part 2: Thanks to listener feedback, we are already revisiting the topic of hotels, to aid you in your summer trip planning. Plus, Jeff goes comic book shopping, Kristen tries to watch "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" on dvd, Becky talks about paying for missed Disneyland Dining reservations, and Dave does Record Store Day!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_238.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:00 AM
Comments[0]

The Fourth is strong with Jeff as he takes on a fun-filled day packed with Star Wars activities, and the Walt Disney Family Museum welcomes its first exhibit of contemporary lowbrow art by Camille Rose Garcia. But first, Team Mousetalgia discuss their 24-hour day prep as Jeff and Dave decide to attempt to stay in Disneyland Park for 24 straight hours. Next, Jeff and Kristen review Iron Man 3, and Jeff discusses the WDFM's press event celebrating their new Alice in Wonderland exhibit featuring works by Mary Blair and Camille Rose Garcia, and the team ponders the museum's direction and mission. We discuss the Walt Disney Company's focus on acquiring franchises vs. in-house creative ventures, and move into a review of Jeff's celebration of Star Wars Day on May 4, with stops at Disneyland, Bats Day, Gallery Nucleus and a 30th anniversary screening of Return of the Jedi in Hollywood, featuring guest speaker Mark Hamill!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_237.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:24 PM
Comments[0]

It's the thrill of the hunt! From the newest Vinylmation to the oldest Mickey Mouse figurine, Team Mousetalgia takes you on a tour through the ins and outs of collecting Disney merchandise and various forms of Disneyana. Most Disney fans like to surround themselves with Disney items, so by popular demand, we're diving headfirst into the topic of collecting. First, we define the term "collector," and help you define what pattern of collecting is most suited to you. We look at different ways to collect, where you'll find the biggest selection of Disneyana, and how to shop smart and follow your heart. We also get personal and describe our favorite collectible items and talk about our own methods of displaying our treasures. Plus, Jeff talks about printing techniques and defines some confusing terms. Also - 24 hours in a park with nothing to do? Why not ride Tower of Terror a gazillion times in a row? Plus more!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_236.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:09 PM
Comments[0]

Trying to decide where to stay on your Disneyland vacation? Let Team Mousetalgia lend a hand with our collection of tips and ideas for making the most of your next trip to the resort. Whether you select the least expensive area motel or the exclusive Pirates Suite in the Disneyland Hotel, we'll offer some guidance and advice gathered from our years of experience traveling to and from Disneyland to help you make informed choices and good decisions. We'll look at some of the best and worst off-property options, and explore the amenities and restaurants at the official Disneyland Resort hotels. Also - Star Wars and the Haunted Mansion collide, and Kristen reviews a Fess Parker biography. Plus - 24 hours straight in Disneyland... great idea, mass hysteria - or both?

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_235.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:49 PM
Comments[0]

Celebrate a Toontown anniversary reunion this week, as Jeff takes you along to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 25th anniversary screening and panel discussion celebrating "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," the seminal live action/animated film that honored classic pre-television animation. Listen to an all-star panel discuss the making of the film, and learn about the challenges they overcame to bring director Robert Zemeckis's vision to the screen. Also, we take a look at the history of the film, and learn about the pulp novel from which the film was adapted. Also - a Walt Disney Family Museum report on Walt's Hyperion studio; Ub Iwerks and Brad Bird's Disney-related ties to Alfred Hitchcock - and more!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_234.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:40 PM
Comments[0]

Disney author and historian Jeff Kurtti joins us to remember Annette Funicello, and Lella Smith of the Animation Research Library joins us to discuss an upcoming Marc Davis book on this week's Emporium. But first, Becky reports on braving Disneyland during Spring Break and offers some culinary cautionary tales from the park. Next, Lella Smith, Creative Director of Disney's Animation Research Library, talks to us about an upcoming book about Marc Davis and offers an exclusive and extensive sneak preview of the chapters and authors of this much-anticipated book. Finally, we take a moment to remember Annette Funicello, and Jeff Kurtti joins us to share some personal stories of his memories and interaction with Annette, who may be best remembered as "America's Sweetheart." Plus, Disney Jr.'s new show, Iron Man invades Disneyland - and more!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_233.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:04 PM
Comments[0]

It's another Mousetalgia Mailbag! In this episode, Team Mousetalgia answer more of your questions, dealing with topics such as biographies of Walt Disney; dealing with Disneyland on a holiday weekend; an update on the ongoing Mousetalgia "Soarin'" contest; the darkness of Mary Poppins; and a mule named "Jo." Also - a report on the organ music which accompanied Walt Disney's early silent films, and another report on a successful solo trip to Disneyland.  Plus - 12 of our favorite classic Disney movies, an album review of vintage Disney music - and more!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_232.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:27 PM
Comments[0]

Disney Legend Bill Farmer joins Mousetalgia for our super-silly April Fools' Week episode! Farmer, an accompished voice over artist and the voice of Goofy, joins us this week to discuss his life and times. We talk about Bill's early career and stand-up comedy, how he became Disney's choice as the voice of Goofy, and his other voice work for Warner Bros., Pixar, and other popular studios and characters. Plus, we talk about Goofy in the parks, and his presence throughout Disneyland. Also - how to discern whether or not a Disney story is an April Fools' Day rumor, and Kingdom Comedy's Tim Babb joins the table!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_231.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:11 PM
Comments[0]

Disney Legend Marc Davis in his own words: This week, on the centennial of his birth, the Mousetalgia team presents a special salute to Marc Davis, one of Walt Disney's "Nine Old Men" and one of the most influential Imagineers to ever work for WED Enterprises. First, we present an exclusive oral history of Marc's background and history with the Disney Studios by Marc himself, taken from a never-before aired interview. Marc talks about discovering his artistic talents and finding work with Disney during the Great Depression, and describes his time working for Walt. Next, Jeff and Kristen report from Club 33's exclusive Marc Davis Centennial event, and describe the amazing food, fascinating panel discussions and a tour through the Dream Suite to see some of Marc's original iconic artwork from Disney's archives. Finally, we welcome Disney Legend Alice Davis back to the show to share her own thoughts about Marc's life and work and her time with Marc, and to offer some tips about having a lasting, loving marriage. Also - Designer Celeste Cronrath talks about creating the hottest new Haunted Mansion merch release in years, Becky gets classy talking about jewelry, and Wreck-It Ralph and Oz reviews!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_230.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:03 PM
Comments[0]

Find your favorite princess in Disneyland's new royal Fantasy Faire, and take a trip backstage as Mousetalgia competes in Minnie's Moonlit Madness, a cutthroat cast member competition! First, we report on the mostly-annual "Madness," a trivia contest and scavenger hunt that takes place in Disneyland Park after it closes to the public. We're joined by Imagineer Josh Shipley to discuss the struggles, strategies and secrets behind the contest, which is hours of pure fun - and learn how Mousetalgia ended up representing Walt Disney World in the competition! Next, we report from the AP Preview of Disneyland's newest addition, the Princess Fantasy Faire. We review the new food, entertainment, and environments of the just-opened Faire, and offer our opinions on this replacement for the lamented Carnation Plaza Gardens. Plus - our exclusive review of "Oz the Great and Powerful," Don Hahn on Frankenweenie, new Disneyland Hotel deals - and more!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_229.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:55 PM
Comments[0]