Producer Dave Bossert from Walt Disney Feature Animation joins us to discuss Roy E. Disney and his new book, "Remembering Roy E. Disney: Memories and Photos of a Storied Life." Bossert talks about the critical challenges Roy faced as he successfully saved Disney animation and the Disney company in general, and we also discuss Bossert's role in the preservation of Disney's classic animated features. In other news, it's Halloween week, and Mousetalgia has cooked up a potpourri of grim goodies for you in celebration of this holiday or horrors. Kristen describes the dark delicacies served at the park this season; Jeff shares a bit of the dead man's "T Party;" and the team discuss more elements of Mickey's Halloween Party and Halloween Time 2013. Plus - listeners' trip reports, "Nightmare Before Christmas" Second Screen Live, Kristen attends a "genre-defying" cabaret/burlesque stage presentation of "Nightmare Before Christmas" - and more!

Author Sam Gennawey joins Team Mousetalgia this week to discuss his new book "The Disneyland Story: The Unofficial Guide to the Evolution of Walt Disney's Dream." Calling Disneyland Walt Disney's "third child," Gennawey talks about the unique challenges and circumstances that led to the creation of the theme park many consider the most magical place on earth. Also this week, we look at a couple spooky not-Disney movies that are actually quite Disney related. "Escape from Tomorrow," the Sundance sensation, is first-time director Randy Moore's film secretly shot largely on location inside of Disney theme parks, and Jeff and Kristen offer dual reviews and opinions on the controversial piece. The Haunting, a 1963 film by Robert Wise, tells the chilling tale of a haunted house that bears a striking resemblance to another haunted mansion we all know and love, and Jeff takes a closer look at the role Wise's film played in the development of a classic Disneyland attraction. Plus - our favorite Disney parks skeletons... and more!

Are you brave enough? Find out in this episode of Mousetalgia, when we take you on an Adventures by Disney trip to Scotland with Mouse Fan Travel CEO Beci Mahnken and chase down myths, legends, and spine-tingling ghost stories! Follow in the footsteps of the Pixar team that created Brave on a trip to Scotland, and learn about what makes an Adventures by Disney vacation unique in the world of traveling and touring. We also discuss Disneyland Paris and tips for enjoying that resort. Next, Kristen and Jeff give Halloween a Disney twist - Jeff by reporting on the history of the classic Halloween spook house, and Kristen by reading from a Mickey Mouse Club Magazine article on the origins of this bewitching season. Also, tips to help you give your Halloween party a little Disney magic; a listener takes another look at Knott's Halloween Haunt - and more!

Jeff visit's Knott's annual "Halloween Haunt" in this fearfully fiendish episode of Mousetalgia! As the spooking season gets under way, we compare Knott's venerable "Haunt" with Disneyland's "Mickey's Halloween Party" to compare and contrast the two extraordinarily popular seasonal events. While Knott's features scares, mazes, and entertainment for mature audiences (Elvira is back!), Disneyland focuses on characters, atmosphere, and candy, candy - and more candy. Is either attraction better or worse? Do the audiences overlap? You be the judge as we look at the features of both events. Also, ABC's fall lineup is garnering praise as well as jeers - Kristen shares a few thoughts about some of the new shows. Plus, a listener reviews a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland - and more! *Special note: There are a few moments in the show that include descriptions of some aspects of the Knott's event that might be offensive to sensitive or younger listeners. For our family audience, parental discretion is advised for this episode of Mousetalgia.

Jeff dons his "Chef" hat and offers a synopsis of a recent Haunted Mansion presentation he delivered at the fall gathering of the Golden Gate Disneyana Club on this week's episode of Mousetalgia. From the Mansion's architectural origins to the great haunt debate (should it be scary or should it be spooky?), we examine a few of the interesting elements that make the Haunted Mansion such an unforgettable and fascinating attraction. Next, we join Andreas Deja and Carol Police at the Walt Disney Family Museum and report on a talk about "Art and Character Development in Walt Disney's Bambi," featuring an in-depth look at the groundbreaking artwork created by Tyrus Wong for the film's production. Plus - deep-sixing Disneyland attractions, Little Mermaid Second Screen Live screenings, another view of the Villains event - and more!

Halloween Time has come to Disneyland, and Team Mousetalgia reports on the arrival of this popular villainous season. But first, we welcome Kevin Kidney back to the show to give some history of the upcoming Anaheim Halloween Parade, what guests can expect at this year's event, and the intriguing Disney ties to this special hometown celebration. Next, Dave and Becky review Disneyland's "Unleash the Villains" Limited-Time Magic event on Friday, Sept. 13th, and describe the good, the bad, and the ugly. Dancing with DJs in Disneyland - is it a trend that's here to stay, or a fad that never quite catches the public's imagination? Then, we preview Disneyland's annual Halloween Time celebration, and offer some special food reviews, a description of some of the special seasonal overlays and features, and offer our advice on enjoying the spooky season at the park. Finally, we offer our penultimate Club 33 review of the original club, with more food reviews and a brief discussion of the future of the storied restaurant. Plus - coast-to-coast Marty Sklar book signings, including a Walt Disney Family Museum event; Pixar's La Luna story app; surviving Disneyland in the heat of SoCal's Indian Summers - and more!

Bob Witter, director of marketing for Disneyland in the '90s, talks about his time with the park and the development of various campaigns (starting with Indiana Jones and "40 Years of Adventure") that helped launch the resort's marketing efforts in a new direction. Witter talks about Indy, sponsors, Jay Leno, and more. Also, Jeff and Kristen discuss the late Disney animator Jack Kinney's time with the studio via his 1988 book, "Walt Disney and Other Assorted Characters." In his book, Kinney shares accounts of the earliest days at Disney's studio, and discusses how the team endured the depression and built the world's premiere animation studio under the leadership of Walt Disney. Plus - San Jose's late Frontier Village and its Disneyland ties; a signed book giveaway; Halloween Time arrives at Disneyland; the secret to creating Trader Sam's Shipwreck - and more!

Becky's 5k, Button's 100m dash, and Dave's half marathon: it's a Mousetalgia runDisney report! Despite sign-in woes and overnight temps near the mid-70s before sunrise, the heat and above-average humidity couldn't quell the spirit of the 2013 Disneyland Half Marathon runners. Amid scattered episodes of heat stroke and asthma attacks, the athetes perservered for another overall successful event, and we have the details. Also - a Storybook Land restoration project gets underway, with an attempt to preserve some of Walt's original model buildings from the1956 attraction, and you can be involved. Plus - dining options at the Steakhouse 55 lounge, staying in the Frontierland Tower, catching the Divas, videogame news... and more!

This week, we answer your emails in a cornucopia of Disney goodness! Thanks to your questions, we tackle subjects like finding Disney in the non-Disney world; a Jolly Roger Hotel review; making your DCA evenings extra-special; Dave's coast-to-coast aspirations; DIY Disneyland scavenger hunts; Goin' Quackers with Willio and Phillio; bringing a non-Disney-fan or disinterested family member into the "family"; apps that will increase your enjoyment of the parks; and buying unique Disney gifts for the fan who seems to have everything. Also - we help Dave and Becky decorate their new home, Disney-style. Plus, greetings from Scotland - and more!

"The Optimist" takes center stage in this third episode in Mousetalgia's coverage of the D23 Expo. As part of the promotional machine behind Brad Bird's upcoming film "Tomorrowland," "The Optimist," an alternate reality game, has captured the imaginations of many forward-looking futurists. Participating in the finale of its initial phase at the D23 Expo, Jeff and Kristen report on meeting many of the characters inhabiting this alternate reality as they solve puzzles and chase clues, working together with like-minded souls in their pursuit of a proposed fictional utopian society with which WED was intricately involved. Disney also unveiled its "Tomorrowland" pavilion at D23, burying fans in piles of clues and historical documents, all of which add pieces to the "Tomorrowland" puzzle. We also take a look back at WED's real history during the '64-'65 World's Fair, and try to find some context for Walt Disney's intriguing concept of a glittering "City of Tomorrow." Also, Dick Van Dyke has a car-tastrophe! Plus, some clarification about Marc Davis and Tinker Bell from Mindy Johnson, filming at DCA, Planes - and more!