Mousetalgia Episode 312: Disneyland Halloween food; Club 33; Oktoberfest

Culinary delights at the Disneyland Resort! This week, Team Mousetalgia discusses Halloween holiday treats and dishes available throughout the resort, bringing a plethora of new tastes and flavors to park guests. From pork tamales at Rancho del Zocalo to the elusive pumpkin beignet, we explore various limited-time food options available this season. Is the Raspberry Magnolia Lemonade or the Tropical Habinero Punch worth $6.29? And does blue "ooze" belong on any food anywhere? Next, we review the new Club 33 dinner menu, and talk about absinthe, custom-made diamond ice cubes from locally sourced spring water, talking vultures, and Chef Andrew Sutton's new exceptional prix fixe offerings. Finally, Kristen is invited to the Club 33 Oktoberfest at Disney California Adventure, and describes the popular event, including chicken dancing, an oompah band, posing with Snow White all seven dwarfs, and food, food and more food. Also - the Haunted Mansion gets a store in Florida; roaming characters cause agita; Kristen makes an announcement; Jeff gets "Super Awesomed;" Becky gets combative; Dave muses over the power of "Small World"... and more!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_312.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:51am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 311: Haunted Mansion origins, New Orleans Square

Team Mousetalgia examines Kansas City's haunted Sauer Castle as a possible influence on a young Walt Disney in today's episode. Might Walt's personal connection to the Sauer descendants have had an effect on his perception of haunted houses, and even his future Haunted Mansion? We tell the story, and you can decide. Also, we talk about New Orleans Square at Halloween Time, and discuss tricks, treats, and special celebrations of the spooking season that you'll only find in the park's own Big Easy. Topics include meeting Jack Skellington, eating popcorn with Jack's Ghost Dog Zero, and trying to find a pumpkin beignet. Then we go back to the e-mailbag, and discuss Disneybounding, listener trip reports, and east coast vs. west coast parks. Plus - our predictions about the Submarine Voyage; Danny Elfman visits Haunted Mansion Holiday to advertise his upcoming concerts - and more!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_311.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:17am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 310: The art of Marc Davis; D23; Listener email

Marc Davis: Walt's Renaissance Man: Animators Andreas Deja and Bob Kurtz recently visited the Walt Disney Family Museum to host a presentation about Marc's technique, work, and influence - as well as his fine art and Papua New Guinnea studies (and we even have a special exclusive guest appearance by Alice Davis!) Next, Kristen attends the D23 Fanniversary event in Seattle, Washington, and offers her own review of the event, the attendees, and the moments that stood out to her. Then we continue to catch up on Mousetalgia's listener email, with topics including what to expect from a May visit to the park, combining annual passes and tickets to get a Premier Pass; binge-listening to Mousetalgia's archives, and more. Plus: If you had to convert a Disneyland attraction to a Frozen-themed ride, which would you choose?

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_310.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:00am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 309: Halloween Time, As Dreamers Do - the movie

Halloween time at Disneyland Resort - Join us in an exploration of Dia De Los Muertos, the Halloween Carnival, Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, Haunted Mansion Holiday, Halloween treats and decor... Team Mousetalgia shares our tips and advice to help you make the most of your Halloween Time visit to Disneyland. From spooky tours to terror-ific treats, you'll find lots of ways to celebrate the spooking season at the parks. Then, we speak with Logan Sekulow, director and producer of "As Dreamers Do," a film about Walt Disney's early years. Logan discusses the making of the movie, some of the little known stories about Walt's life before he traveled to Hollywood, and some of the stories behind the scenes of the making of the film.

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_309.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:00am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 308: Animator James Lopez, Walt's Woking Way home

Animator James Lopez talks about his new 2D animated venture "Hullabaloo" and television producer Todd Szuch takes us with him on a walking tour of Walt Disney's Woking Way residence on this week's episode of Mousetalgia. First, James Lopez, who has been an animator for over 25 years and started with Disney on The Lion King, talks about the status of the animation industry and his independent hand-drawn animated project called "Hullabaloo." Lopez describes the challenges that have faced animators over the past two decades and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead. Then producer Todd Szuch takes on on a special promotional event for the upcoming Maleficent Blu-ray release which was held inside of one of Walt Disney's original Los Angeles homes on Woking Way, where we join him on a tour of the property hosted by historian Paula Sigman Lowery and producer Don Hahn. Plus - corporate collusion rears its ugly head, an art exhibit celebrating Disney Legend Rolly Crump opens - and more!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_308.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:54pm PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 307: Disneyland 10K, Marceline documentary

Mousetalgia reports from the Disneyland Half Marathon weekend, and Dave and Becky talk about the runDisney Expo, Jeff Galloway's running philosophy, preparing for a race, a description of the 10K course, and dealing with a sudden illness at the park. Then, Dave reviews "Marceline," a documentary about Walt's childhood hometown held at the Walt Disney Family Museum with some discussion with the filmmakers and actors. Does this film about a small town in the midwest maintain the Disney magic? We also discuss the potential impact that Marceline may have had upon a 5 year old Walt. Plus - Walt's home movies; Mousetalgia is named a "Best Disney Podcast;" Jeff gets a taste of the caviar dream of being a bestselling author; and if you get sick at Disneyland, we discuss the best attractions to be stuck on!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_307.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:01am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 306: Le Salon Nouveau at Club 33, listener email

Becky takes us on a tour of Le Salon Nouveau at Club 33, giving us a peek at the animatronic vulture, changing portraits, French lift booth, beautiful mural and more new details from the recently renovated club. Plus, we discuss more park impressions, including Dooney and Burke purses and breakfast at Steakhouse 55, where the scent of red meat and the aroma of good coffee make for a memorable meal at a great value. Then we go back to the mailbag and discuss your questions and concerns, with topics including runDisney and Star Wars; Disneyland area lodging; vistiing Aulani; planning for Disneyland's 60th anniversary year; making magical memories for strangers in the park; touring decisions when you only can get to the parks once every couple years; character dining options; and off-site restaurants. Plus - a listener's trip report, and Disney cruising or Adventures by Disney... which, where, and why? 

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_306.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:06am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 305: Ghostly Materials, Fanniversary

In this week's Emporium of topics, Imagineer Brian Crosby returns to the show to talk about various topics, including Marvel's Disney Kingdoms; "Ghostly Materials," the Haunted Mansion exhibit at Disneyland's Disneyana store; and the real meaning of the brass bat stanchions that direct the Mansion's queue. We also start talking Expo - how to start preparing for the fourth D23 convention, coming in summer 2015. Kristen reviews two new Blu-ray releases (something old and something new), and Jeff reviews the recent d23 Fanniversary held at the Walt Disney Family Museum. Is this fan event worth the hype - and the ticket price? The team also mulls over the current state of Disney's official fan club, and considers the future of D23. We also host a sweepstakes giveaway of a limited edition 85th anniversary Mickey Mouse watch! Plus, baking banana bread from the Monorail Cafe; the Disneyland Almanac; Disney Afternoons; making a new World's Fair - and more!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_305.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:42am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 304: The Haunted Mansion at ScareLA; Robin Williams

The ScareLA Halloween convention celebrated the 45th anniversary of the Haunted Mansion on August 9 with a panel hosted by Jeff, and he shares some behind-the-scenes moments and memories from the event, which featured Disney Legends Alice Davis and Bob Gurr on stage with Jeff, talking about the creation of the world's most loved haunted house and the concept artwork of Marc Davis. Dave also reports on the ScareLA show floor, and Jeff shares a few more Haunted Mansion moments, discussing Disneyland's celebration of the Mansion's anniversary, and a midnight ride through the venerable attraction. Also, Jeff talks about his newly released book "The Unauthorized Story of Walt Disney's Haunted Mansion," hinting at some of the features and highlights waiting for readers to discover. Plus - Team Mousetalgia take a moment to remember Robin Williams, and we share some of our favorite films and memories of the Disney Legend's too-short life and times. Find Jeff's book at http://www.doombuggies.com/book .

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_304.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:58am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 303: Touring the Disney Studio and Disney Music Group

It's Rewards Points Week at Mousetalgia, as Kristen cashes in 15,000 Disney Movie Rewards points to earn a private tour of the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank! Listen to all the details as Kristen and Jeff describe the process of applying for the tour and discuss the tour itself. We'll compare it with the D23 fan club tours and contrast the various features of both tours. Next, the tour reports continue as we visit Imagineering and the Disney Music Group for an in-depth look at the variety of services and musical expertise that makes up Disney's important music department, including a look at the sorting, score archiving, album cover design, orchestrating and record label business that comprises this world-class business division. Plus - a trip to Warner Bros. studios, a walk on the Disney Studios' rooftop - and more!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_303.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PDT
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