Mousetalgia Episode 297: Walt Disney Family Museum tour, Disneyland and its fans

This week, Jeff reports on a panel talk held recently at the Walt Disney Family Museum called "Disneyland: The Fan Driven Time Machine," which featured special guests Todd Pierce, Jeff Kurtti, Werner Weiss, and Sam Gennawey. The discussion was centered on the idea of the development of Disneyland, and how fans have come to adopt the park as their own - and likewise, how the company has responded to this relatively new cottage industry of "fandom." Next, we discuss the museum itself and tour the various exhibits, offering some of our personal highlights from the experience and describing a typical visit to this atypical museum, which features exhibits including the first known drawing of Mickey Mouse; a bench from Griffith Park upon which Walt may have sat; Oscars, awards and accolades; and dozens of samples of artwork, interviews, products, and more. Plus - working at Disneyland is a dream job for many, and Team Mousetalgia goes around the table divulging our secret Disney wishes - were we to become cast members!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_297.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 296: A trip to Pixar, Disneyland price hikes

Kristen reports on an "Incredible" visit to Pixar in Emeryville! But first, we talk about the cost of a day at Disneyland - do the recent price hikes change people's philosophies about visiting the parks, and if not, why? Team Mousetalgia discusses value vs. time vs. crowds, and we draw interesting conclusions. Next, a listener reviews the live action film "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride," Jeff announces a haunting new project, and then Kristen visits the Pixar Studios for an amazing day at the annual Cartoon Art Museum benefit. Highlights include a trip to the Pixar employee store, Pixar animator Jeff Pidgeon's drawing seminar, a Monsters U art display, lunch in the Luxo Cafe - and the highlight of the day, a panel discussing the Incredibles in honor of its tenth anniversary in the Steve Jobs Theatre, with a presentation by director Brad Bird and head of story Mark Andrews, among a stable of other Pixar animators that worked on the Academy Award-winning film.

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_296.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 295: Lasseter winery party, Disneyland, Anaheim Packing District

This week, Dave and Becky report on the New Orleans-themed Lasseter Family Winery Spring Release party where they tasted new wine from the barrel, enjoyed food, fun and friends, and had a close encounter with John Lasseter himself. Next, Kristen reports on a six-day "work-ation" at Disneyland Resort, and shares some thoughts about touring the park in early June. Her trip report includes art and book signings, changes to the Tangaroa Terrace's and the Carnation Cafe's menus, Club 33 dining at the Carthay Circle Hollywood Room and Club 33 seating for Fantasmic, and a hotel review of Extended Stay America. Also - a look at Anaheim's new Packing District, with an in-depth review of some of the eateries in the new Packing House a few minutes away from Disneyland. Plus - napping in disneyland - pros, cons, and our favorite places to grab forty winks... and more!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_295.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:17pm PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 294: Mailbag, Audio-Animatronics

It's time to dig into the Mousetalgia mailbag! Topics include Walt Disney World Fastpass+ tips, Adventures by Disney tours, binging on Mousetalgia, seeing Disneyland through a new lens and trip planning tips, an update on the Carolwood Society's Storybook Land restoration, Disney Cruise Line dining tips, re-creating Disneyland's Fantasia ice cream, and insights from a WDW Guest Relations cast member. In a flashback segment, we look at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and a 1965 article about the hippest new thing on the block - "Audio-Animatronics" - and how they were utilized at the New York World's Fair. Also - a listener review of D23's Maleficent preview screening. Plus, Cinderella's creepy new teaser, Disney underwear, the park plaque strikes back - and more!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_294.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:10am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 293: Maleficent '14/'59, Canemaker on Schultheis

Mousetalgia welcomes Academy Award winning author/historian/filmmaker John Canemaker back to the show to discuss his new book, "The Lost Notebook: Herman Schultheis & the Secrets of Walt Disney’s Movie Magic." Schultheis, who worked for the Disney Studio in the late '30s, hid notebooks detailing the methods that Disney's process lab used for some of their most incredible special effects in Disney's early animated features, and Canemaker explains the man behind the notebook, as well as the mysteries the notebook unlocks. But first, Kristen reviews "Maleficent," and offers her critical opinion of the film's merits and controversies. Jeff also looks back at the development of the Maleficent character for Sleeping Beauty in 1959, and discusses some lesser-known personalities that played a key role in the character design. Plus - announcing a Haunted Mansion event with Bob Gurr, hip new records, and talking about running in a galaxy far, far away.

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_293.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:18pm PDT
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