Happy Easter! This week, we take a trip to Disneyland with 1955 guest Kit Reichow, who first visited Disneyland in his wonder years in September 1955 and never stopped visiting. We take a look at the park through the eyes of a guest who grew up alongside the park, and consider how things have changed throughout the history of the Disneyland Resort. Listen as we walk through the park chatting about topics including Rainbow Ridge, Mr. Lincoln, Disneyland Jail, and lots of general trip tips. We also are going to talk about the experience of purchasing tickets to the D23 Expo last week (spoiler alert: there were problems) and discuss a recent event at the Walt Disney Family Museum with two very aspirational Pixar employees who started their Pixar careers in the Pixar gift shop.

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_721.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:41am PDT

This week, Jeff invites Disney influencer/journalist/podcaster Kristen Carr to the show to discuss the concept of Disney Adulting, and the current trend of using the term "Disney adult" as an insult. Along with my wife Julia, we talk about the generational influence Boomers/Xers have on Disney fandom, paying for vacations years in advance with DVC, and the idea of loving Disney parks as an adult - festivals, food, bounding - and getting your steps in. Plus - Jeff's Tiki Bird audio-animatronic sold at auction, and I'll discuss.

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_720.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:37am PDT

This week, enjoy a Christmas potpourri of topics as Jeff dives into the spirit of the holidays. First, we take a look at Disneyland's "Parade of All Nations" from the holiday season in 1959, and compare it with the current Disneyland holiday events. Next, Jeff talks about the Hat Box Ghost making his debut on the East Coast; reviews Wish, the latest Disney animated feature; and discusses Fan Expo in San Francisco, which featured a rare live convention appearance by Mark Hamill among many other Star Wars celebrities.

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Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_714.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:27pm PDT

Happy Thanksgiving! This week, Kristen and her daughter Calla join Jeff for a mommy-daughter Disneyland trip report. Calla talks about some of her favorite attractions, eats her first (of many) churros, and gives her pro-tips for a successful trip to the park - and then Kristen tells grown-up stories of lodging, endurance, and Chip & Dale wine bottle stoppers. Also, Jeff talks about Disney gift shopping, Thanksgiving at the Disneyland Hotel in the '70s, and a look back at the genesis of Life Day (a.k.a. the "Star Wars Holiday Special").

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Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_713.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:21pm PDT

This week, we welcome the holiday season with a tasty smorgasbord of Disney topics. We welcome Seth Kubersky, author of The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland, to the show to talk about expert ways to tour the park in an increasingly complex system of reservations and planning. We talk about dining, lodging, what's new in the parks, and what makes Disneyland the magical destination that it is, despite all the hassle of planning a trip. Then, Julia Layne calls in from Anaheim to review "Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort," the 2023 version of the resort's holiday tour. She gives us the nitty gritty to help you decide if this tour is right for you. Julia also reports on the just-opened Advetureland Treehouse, and shares some highlights from her visit. Plus Swiss Family Treehouse history, ShopDisney woes - and more!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_712.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:18pm PDT

This week, Jeff welcomes his co-host Julia from the DoomBuggies Podcast to talk about our Disney-stuffed Halloween weekend events. First, Jeff reports from Garner Holt Productions' "Grim Grinning Gala," a benefit to raise money for the company's youth education foundation. From a star-studded panel discussing the creation of Disneyland's "Haunted Mansion Holiday" to a backstage tour of Garner Holt's manufacturing and production facility, this amazing evening had a lot of spooktacular moments to share. Then, Julia walks us through the Walt Disney Family Museum's Oct. 29 event called "This is Halloween: Celebrating 30 Years of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas" - a panel featuring a number of artists who worked on the film, including director Henry Selick.

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Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_711.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:38pm PDT

This week, Mousetalgia celebrates Disney100 by speaking with Laurieanne Zandbergen, the daughter of Virginia Davis, who was the little girl hired by Walt and Roy Disney to perform as "Alice" for their Alice comedies on Oct. 16, 1923, marking the "official" birthday of the Walt Disney Company. Laurieanne talks about her mother's memories of working with Walt, the history of the Alice Comedies, and the importance of the role Virginia played in the formation of Walt's career. Then, we speak with Melissa Cavanagh, a very close friend of Mickey Mouse, about Mickey's career including meeting fans, staying optimistic, and ice skating. Plus - facts about mouse circuses, Mickey's Circus remembered - and more.

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Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_710.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am PDT

This week, Jeff and Kristen provide a detailed review of the 3-bedroom Grand Villa in the brand-new Discovery Tower at the Disneyland Hotel. Plus - Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, a look behind the scenes at the Napa Rose (and an encounter with the restaurant's new General Manager), and Anaheim's Muzeo celebrates Anaheim's Halloween traditions in a new exhibit. Plus - a look at Van Eaton Galleries huge new space in Studio City, a report on our resort shopping experience - and more!

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Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_709.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:04am PDT

This week, Mousetalgia sets out the fall potpourri with a collection of fun seasonal topics. First, Julia Layne returns to the show to present a list of fun fall activities you can enjoy with a little Disney twist, in case you aren't able to make it to the parks this year for all the Halloween fun. Then, Jeff and Julia report on a recent event at the Walt Disney Family Museum featuring Walt Disney Imagineering Executive Creative Director Kim Irvine, who has spent over half a century (and counting) as an Imagineer and shared stories about her mentors and notable projects over the course of her career at Disneyland. Finally, Jeff talks to National Geographic Kids Senior Editor Ariane Szu-Tu about "Weird But True! Disney," the latest installment in the popular line of books packed with trivia and facts from all over the Walt Disney Company.

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Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_708.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:38pm PDT

This week, Jeff and Kristen review the announcements that came from Destination D last week related to Disney Parks and Resorts. We cover it all - new shows, Figment woes, and what excites us the most (besides Hat Box Ghost!) Kristen has thoughts about the reformating of Country Bear Jamboree, Jeff keeps talking Lorcana, and we talk about an upcoming DIsneyland trip.

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Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_707.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:02am PDT