Mousetalgia Episode 432: Main Street Electrical Parade returns; Disneyland with large groups

Team Mousetalgia celebrates the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade! Kristen reviews the $95 party at Disneyland welcoming back the parade, and we compare and contrast the event with another recent after-hours event at the park.
Also, the Disneyland Kobayashi Maru: what to do when the weatherman promises the storm of the century during your planned trip to the Disneyland Resort for a family reunion with dozens of relatives. Kristen offers tips for organizing large group trips to the parks, and strategies for dining, choosing attractions, and scheduling. Also, a report from the Grand Legacy at the Park hotel, and Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure. Plus - escape the rain with Kristen and visit the Golden Horseshoe, and Team Mousetalgia reveals our fantasy food booths for DCA's next culinary festival!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_432.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:29am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 431: MaxPass, Star Wars Half Marathon, Beauty and the Beast

This week, Team Mousetalgia offers a RunDisney primer and a report on Disneyland's Star Wars Light Side Half Marathon Weekend. Dave and Becky talk about why Star Wars is a good race weekend for beginners to start with, and they discuss the 2017 events and race courses. We also discuss Disneyland's current security situation, spiked Dole Whips, and the RunDisney Expo. Next, Jeff reports from SacAnime Winter 2017 and their amazing Beauty and the Beast panel, which featured voice actors Richard White (Gaston), Paige O'Hara (Belle), Robby Benson (Beast), Bradley Pierce (Chip), and animators Nic Ranieri (Lumiere) and Rick Farmiloe (LeFou). Jeff shares a bit about the convention, the perils of autograph collecting, and shares a few highlights from the all-star panel discussion. Plus, we talk about the just-announced Disney MaxPass, and give our initial thoughts and impressions on this new feature for touring the parks. Bonus topic: Those late cabanas in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom - should Disney keep trying?

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_431.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:00am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 430: Canemaker on Wong, D23's Nine Old Men

Disney Legend Tyrus Wong recently passed away at the age of 106, and Mousetalgia pauses to share our own personal memories and thoughts of Tyrus and his work. We also welcome Academy Award-winning filmmaker and historian John Canemaker back to the show to share his own memories of Tyrus, and to talk a little bit about Tyrus' groundbreaking artwork and his career beyond designing the look of Bambi for Walt Disney. But first, we welcome Kristin Rodack, a Director with D23, back to the show to give us an inside look at the development of the 2017 Gold Membership gift featuring Walt's "Nine Old Men," and to share a little history of this group of trusted animators that helped form the essential look of Disney's golden age of animation. Also - a report on the latest in Disney VR, including Google Earth's tour of 1313 Harbor Boulevard South, and LifeVR's new Star Wars features, including a scene from Rogue One filmed in immersive 360, and a tragic X-Wing dogflight. Plus - a listener spends three hours with Superstore's Lauren Ash waiting for Tower of Terror, and a lucky Friday the 13th tour of the Lilly Belle at New Orleans Square Frontierland Station.

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_430.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:33am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 429: Tower of Terror "13th Hour" event; remembering Carrie Fisher

This week, Team Mousetalgia offers you a different kind of podcast that requires a different kind of introduction. We start with an internal "Hand-with-the-Land" question from Kristen, who wants to know if its possible to enjoy a trip to Disneyland Resort with a group of 30 or more people. A trip the involves ages 0 to 85. A trip that could only happen in - well, not the Twilight Zone, because that attraction closed on Jan. 2, and Jeff was there to report on Disneyland's special "13th Hour" Twilight Zone dessert and party honoring the last day of the ride's operation. We'll discuss the event, the attendees, the souvenir, and listen one last time to the storied Silver Lake Sisters. Finally, we remember Carrie Fisher, and discuss her legacy with the Disney Company. Plus - a listener reports on a near-empty park on Christmas week.

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_429.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:59pm PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 428: Our Disney highlights of 2016

It's time for Team Mousetalgia's annual round-up of memories and judgement calls from the past year, so join us as we take a look back at 2016 and remember the highs and lows. We'll look at our favorite books, movies, park events, dining experiences, purchases - and our overall best moments of the year. We also offer our annual "Oswald" awards for happenings that didn't quite meet expectations. Plus - a look back at our resolutions for 2016 and a look forward at our new resolutions for the coming year.

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_428.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:00am PDT
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