Mousetalgia Episode 357: D23 Expo 2015, Part 1

Join Team Mousetalgia on a tour of the floor of the 2015 D23 Expo, where we'll examine the various pavilions and attractions scattered throughout the enormous biannual Disney fan convention. We take a look at the various queues, and examine the StagePass and StorePass systems D23 has in place to attempt to ease the pain of standing in lines. We'll visit the Disney Dream Store, Mickey's of Glendale, and the Disney Store to see what went right in retail, and what went wrong. We visit the Imagineering and Parks and Resorts destinations to learn more about Avatar's looming approach at Animal Kingdom and to discover many of the secrets of Shanghai Disneyland. We also talk freebies and discuss our favorite giveaways, with a special empahsis on the Animation pavilion and its plethora of artistic offerings and animator signings. Finally, we look forward to next week's show about the panels and presentations with a quick look at the Walt Disney Studios presentation, with its surprising Star Wars news. Plus, a listener wins the Disneyland Diamond Sweepstakes - and more!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_357.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:30am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 356: From the mailbag

Team Mousetalgia answers your email this week as we recover from the D23 Expo weekend. Topics include: places to find a drink at the resort; the best way to search the Mousetalgia archives; Haunted Mansion Holiday facts; the Disneyland Legacy Collection CD set discussed; CV Wood's Heritage Square; "When You Wish" - a Disney stage show currently performing in Utah; D23 - is the gold membership worth the cost; a listener reviews DCA's "Disney Calfornia Story Tour"; touring Disneyland through the eyes of a child; seeking out Haunted Mansion merchandise; and navigating Disneyland Resort during Halloweentime - is adding Mickey's Trick or Treat party to a vacation worth the extra ticket? Plus Disney tattoos - the Mousetalgia crew's dream ink!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_356.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:00am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 355: Expo preview - Walt Disney Archives; Silly Symphonies

This week, Team Mousetalgia offers some Expo prep as we welcome Kevin Kern from the Walt Disney Archives to the show to discuss the Archives exhibit at this year's D23 Expo, and what you can expect to see at the exhibit. Kern also talks about his role at the archives, as well as his work helping to develop the presentations to occur on the Archives stage at the D23 Expo. Next, we welcome author and historian J.B. Kaufman back to the show to talk about Walt Disney Records/Fairfax Classics' latest project, "The Silly Symphony Collection," an 8-hour-long collection of soundtracks from all 75 Silly Symphony shorts presented on 16 vinyl LPs. Kaufman gives us some insight into the original cartoons that Walt Disney produced from 1929-'39, and explains the importance of this period of work from Walt and his animation studio. The set will be available for preorder beginning at the D23 Expo, and there will be a live concert performance of some of the works offered at the Expo as well. Plus, one lucky listener will win a signed vinyl LP that is ordinarily only available at the D23 Expo (and only if you purchase the full 16-LP set!) Also, we offer more last-minute tips to help you prepare for next weekend's Expo.

Also, Mousetalgia plans to have a listener meet during the D23 Expo on Saturday, August 15 at 8:00 p.m. Details are still being finalized, so follow Mousetalgia on Twitter or Facebook for the latest information.

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_355.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:49am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 354: Walt's Barn; "Sully" Sullivan

Walt Disney's fascination with steam locomotives takes center stage this week as Mousetalgia visits Walt's Barn in Griffith Park to learn more about Disney's love of trains. From his childhood chasing trains in Marceline, through his home steam engine at Carolwood, to the trains his studio built for the Disney parks - you'll get a crash course on why Walt was so moved by the notion of live steam from docent Doug Marsh from the Carolwood Society about Disney's trains and the current exhibition at Walt's Barn, "The Trains of Disneyland." Then, Mousetalgia is pleased to welcome William "Sully" Sullivan to the show to talk about his 40-year career with the Disney company, which Sully started as a Jungle Cruise skipper at Disneyland in 1955 and ended as Vice President of the Magic Kingom park as a Disney Legend with two windows on Main Steet at WDW. Sully talks about working at Disneyland, the New York World's Fair, at the Magic Kingdom, and much more. Plus, a review of the Anaheim Marriott, more D23 Expo prep - and more!

Also, Mousetalgia plans to have a listener meet during the D23 Expo on Saturday, August 15 at 8:00 p.m. Details are still being finalized, so follow Mousetalgia on Twitter or Facebook for the latest information.

Find Sully Sullivan's new book "From Jungle Cruise Skipper to Disney Legend" at http://themeparkpress.com/books/sully-sullivan-jungle-cruise-legend.htm

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_354.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:33am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 353: Disneyland's 60th birthday

Visit to Disneyland on July 17, 2015 with Jeff and Kristen as they report from the park on its 60th birthday with location recordings as well as thoughts about the day. We listen in on Michael Colglazier's speech, visit New Orleans Square to catch Queenie and the Royal Street Bachelors, and even catch the new Disneyland Band in one of its first day performances. Also - Kristen does a rain-soaked VIP Tour, Jeff attends a D23 panel with a host of Disney Legends to learn even more about Disneyland's early days, and we discuss Fantasmic dining packages. Plus - a chance to win souvenir park maps and a July 17 "I was there!" button; a tiny Ant-sized movie review - and more!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_353.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:08am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 352: PNW Mouse Meet, Haunted Mansion live

Join Team Mousetalgia live from the Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet as Jeff and Kristen report on the annual event. First, take a tour of the show floor and experience the Mouse Meet from the guests' perspectives, then go behind the scenes with Mousetalgia and special guest Imagineer Joe Herrington, and Disney voice artists Mark Silverman, Margaret Kerry and Pete Renaday. Joe Harrington talks about creating soundscapes and audio for some of the parks' most beloved attractions, and the voice panel discuss some highlights from their careers. Then, listen in as Mousetalgia re-creates the famous "Story and Song from the Haunted Mansion" record album with the original voice of the Ghost Host, Pete Renaday! Plus, D23 Expo news, Claire Keane, and a baby arrives!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_352.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:15pm PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 351: 60 years of Disneyland

Happy 60th, Disneyland! Team Mousetalgia offers our advice for dealing with the crowds at Disneyland on its 60th birthday, and then we take a look back at Disneyland's origin story to see how different (and similar) things were back in 1955. We'll take you back to opening day (when four-person-wide lines stretched a mile down Harbor Boulevard) on a brief tour of the original attractions that are no longer with us. Learn why the New York Times called the park "everything exciting and wonderful to a child's eyes... that will surely take years off the shoulders of countless adults, too" just days after the gates first opened. Plus - renewing vows at Disneyland, Danny Kaye on Disneyland's 25th birthday, and more.

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_351.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:00am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 350: Planning for the D23 Expo

Everything D23 Expo: This week, Mousetalgia talks to Kristin Rodack, a director with D23, to learn more about the upcoming D23 Expo to be held at the Anaheim Convention Center August 14-16. Get tips and hints straight from the source as we learn about some of the magic in store for Expo attendees. StagePass, StorePass, the massive Hall D23, and the Expo floor are all examined and explained. Plus, we get personal and describe our goals and thoughts about the weekend - Kristen hopes for a single success per day; Jeff is looking for freebies and giveaways; and Dave lists Mousetalgia's survival tips for navigating the Expo, which include topics like sustenance, appropriate clothing, lodging, dealing with lines, and stashing burritos in our backpacks. Also - Walt Disney's silhouette, Death Star beach balls, Fantasia cheesecake, and The Astronaut Wives Club.

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_350.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:28am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 349: Disneyland trip report, Inside Out Fathom event

Jeff does Disneyland's Diamond celebration and reviews the Matterhorn updates, Paint the Night, World of Color - Celebrate, the T Party Diamond Edition - even breakfast at Flo's. Also, Disneyland goes 101: How much downtime is acceptable for new attractions and effects? We also discuss new merchandise, summer trip planning, and more! Plus, Mousetalgia attends Fathom Events' "Insider Access to Inside Out," and we discuss the nationwide event, then Mousetalgia reviews the groundbreaking film. Also - Michele Shocked, Star Wars cereal, WDW scat, and more!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_349.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:00am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 348: Disneyland travel tips, listener email

Team Mousetalgia shares Disneyland travel tips and more in this week's listener email show. Topics include: Disneyland's 60th anniversary Diamond Celebration; using Fast Passes at Disneyland; tips on visiting Aulani from an Oahu resident - including comments on the weather, eating offsite, taking day trips and more. Also - confessions of a self-labeled Disney hater; The Running of the Hoods is explained in detail; Disney World regulars have questions about an upcoming trip to Disneyland regarding hotels, airports, traveling to the Walt Disney Family Museum; and a Disneylander asks questions about taking the family to Walt Disney World. Plus - Disney's Silly Symphonies are coming to the D23 Expo; and reviews of "The Legacy Collection: The Music of Disneyland," Marvel studios' "Daredevil," and Disney Vans.

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_348.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:56am PDT
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