Mousetalgia's Best Ear Ever #21: Love stories by Alice Davis and Pete Renaday from Feb. 14, 2016

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Mousetalgia celebrates Valentine's Day this year with a show all about relationships with a Disney twist, both romantic and platonic. First, we welcome Julia Locus to the show to talk about official Disneyana clubs, and how Disney fans can gather and interact with each other via this international society. Next, we welcome Jason Garrett, one of the founders of the Magic Geekdom club, to the show to talk about Disneyland social clubs, and the opportunities they present to Disney fans looking for friends and the challenges they face as the clubs evolve. Then, we welcome Peter Renaday, legendary Disney voice actor, back to the show to talk about meeting his wife Florence while they worked on the Disney Studio lot; and finally, we welcome Disney Legend Alice Davis back to the show to reminisce about meeting and marrying her late husband, Disney Legend Marc Davis. Plus - places to find romance at Disneyland, listeners share their own tales as old as time - and more.

Direct download: Mousetalgias_Best_Ear_Ever_No._21.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:41am PDT

Mousetalgia's Best Ear Ever #20: Joseph Titizian on Diane Disney Miller from December 2013

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This week, we welcome Joseph Titizian, writer for the Walt Disney Family Museum blog, to join us in a celebration of the life of Diane Disney Miller, with whom Joseph was a good friend. We look at Diane's philanthropic work and humble pursuit of truth regarding the legacy of her father, Walt Disney. Joseph also shares some personal stories of his history with the Walt Disney Family Museum and his relationship with its founder, Diane. We also remember Walt himself during this anniversary week of his birth, and dig into the archives to discover how Walt celebrated the birth of his first daughter, Diane. Next, Dave talks about the Wine & Dine Half Marathon which was recently hosted at the Walt Disney World resort, and describes the race by which he earned his Coast-to-Coast Race Challenge medal for running two Disney half marathons, one on each coast, in a calendar year. Plus - the holidays have decended upon Disneyland, and we discuss our favorite features found at the resort this season - and more!

Direct download: Mousetalgias_Best_Ear_Ever_No._20.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:01am PDT

Mousetalgia's Best Ear Ever #19: Tales from Disneyland tour guide Barbara Brock from April 6, 2015

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Mousetalgia welcomes Barbara Burnett Brock to the show to talk about her incredible career as a tour guide at Disneyland. Enjoy stories about touring with Ozzy Osbourne, Stephen King and Michael Jackson, and learn about the grand opening of Star Tours and Liz Taylor's amazing 60th birthday fĂȘte, which Barbara helped manage. As Kristen notes, it's really all about that tour guide outfit - and we discuss that as well. Also, Jeff reports on Kay Kamen and how he made Mickey Mouse into a merchandise star in the midst of the Great Depression. Plus - Jeff meets Bird, Kristen talks babies, Becky gets Fancy, and Dave talks Toy Story 4. 

Direct download: Mousetalgias_Best_Ear_Ever_No._19.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:18am PDT

No. 18: Interviews with Imagineer Kevin Rafferty and three Disney Legends from July 8, 2013

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Learn about the earliest in-"car"-nation of Cars Land from Creative Director Kevin Rafferty in this star-studded episode of Mousetalgia, recorded directly from the 2013 Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet, featuring four exclusive interviews covering many fascinating aspects of the Disney company. First, we speak with Dave Smith, the director emeritus of the Disney Archives, who tells us some secrets of his years with the company. Learn which items Dave broke, Dave's opinions about the nature of collecting, and his explanations about how the Disney Company and Disney family share items and information. Next, we talk to Kevin Rafferty about his long, productive career with Walt Disney Imagineering, including a behind-the-scenes look at the "It's Tough To Be a Bug!" attraction, and his leadership in the development of Cars Land. Finally, we attempt to corral Bill Farmer and Tony Anselmo, two of Disney's most popular voice actors, into a dual interview with varying degrees of success. Hilarity ensues! Please note: Meet up information is outdated - stay tuned for meet-up information for the 2022 D23 Expo!

Direct download: Mousetalgias_Best_Ear_Ever_No._18.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:00am PDT

A look back at Star Wars Celebration 2015 from May 3, 2015

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Team Mousetalgia talks Star Wars on this special stellar-sized May 4th 2015 episode as we recount the highlights of a weekend of galactic adventure at the recent Star Wars Celebration convention held April 16-19 at the Anaheim Convention Center. From JJ Abrams and his stunning new teaser trailer to Princess Leia making out with a fan onstage in the Celebration Arena, we cover the moments and events from the weekend that we found to be most profound, striking, or strange. Cosplay, photo-ops, autographs, and panels - we cover it all, and try to describe the event for Star Wars fans that may not have made it out to Anaheim in person. Grab a glass of blue milk, get comfy in your Tauntaun-skin snuggie, and celebrate everything Star Wars with us!

Direct download: Mousetalgias_Best_Ear_Ever_No._17.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:00am PDT

No. 16: A trip to Pixar
Mousetalgia's Best Ear Ever #4: A trip to Pixar from June 22, 2014.

Kristen reports on an "Incredible" visit to Pixar in Emeryville! But first, we talk about the cost of a day at Disneyland (circa 2014) - do the recent price hikes change people's philosophies about visiting the parks, and if not, why? Team Mousetalgia discusses value vs. time vs. crowds, and we draw interesting conclusions. Next, a listener reviews the live action film "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride," Jeff announces a haunting new project, and then Kristen visits the Pixar Studios for an amazing day at the annual Cartoon Art Museum benefit. Highlights include a trip to the Pixar employee store, Pixar animator Jeff Pidgeon's drawing seminar, a Monsters U art display, lunch in the Luxo Cafe - and the highlight of the day, a panel discussing the Incredibles in honor of its tenth anniversary in the Steve Jobs Theatre, with a presentation by director Brad Bird and head of story Mark Andrews, among a stable of other Pixar animators that worked on the Academy Award-winning film.

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Direct download: Mousetalgias_Best_Ear_Ever_No._16.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:07pm PDT

No. 15: The Story of Disneyland auction; Glen Keane

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Team Mousetalgia discusses the hobby of collecting Disneyana this week as we talk with Mike Van Eaton, the proprietor of Van Eaton Galleries, about his current exhibition titled "The Story of Disneyland," a massive auction of a single collector's treasure trove of nearly 1,800 pieces including Disneyland props, ephemera, souvenirs and memorabilia. Van Eaton discusses the exhibition, and also shares his personal story about getting into the animation art business, then passes on some tips for new collectors just getting into the hobby. Also, Jeff reports from the Walt Disney Family Museum on a talk featuring Disney animation legend Glen Keane, who animated characters including Beast, Ariel, Tarzan, Pocahontas, and more. Keane spoke about his animation background, his experiences at the Walt Disney Animation studio, his time spent with Walt's "Nine Old Men," and his latest project called "Duet," an interactive animated short created in conjunction with Google. Plus - the team talks about our favorite collectibles, a listener reports on a recent art exhibition - and more!

Direct download: Mousetalgias_Best_Ear_Ever_No._15.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:27pm PDT

Mousetalgia's Best Ear Ever #14: Disney University and Van Arsdale France from March 11, 2013

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Van Arsdale France and Disneyland University: Team Mousetalgia takes a look at the career of France and his contribution to the development of the Disneyland "cast member," as well as a little history of the frantic march to Disneyland's opening day and the challenges of staffing the park. We also talk to Cast Member Lindsay, and get a modern perspective on what it means to represent the Disney company today. Also - we dig into the email folder and offer Disneyland resort dining tips, trip tips, and a random JJ Abrams sighting! Plus, windows on Main Street - and more!

Direct download: Mousetalgias_Best_Ear_Ever_No._14.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:53am PDT

Mousetalgia's Best Ear Ever #13: Mary Blair, Happiest Haunt Tour from October 10, 2011.

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Tour Disneyland with the Happiest Haunts - This week, Jeff takes you along as he seeks to foil a villainous plot on the Disneyland Happiest Haunts Tour, which takes place during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort. Find out if it's worth the added ticket price, and go behind the scenes to find out what you can expect from the 3-plus-hour walking tour. Plus, Oct. 21 would have been Mary Blair's 100th birthday, and to mark the occasion, we talk to Jeanne Chamberlain and Maggie Richardson, the nieces of Mary, who share some personal stories and memories of growing up knowing the influential Disney artist. Plus, Gay Days, Woody goes on vacation - and more!
Direct download: Mousetalgias_Best_Ear_Ever_No._13.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:00am PDT

Mousetalgia's Best Ear Ever No. 12: Kevin Kidney on Annette Funicello from Jan. 13, 2013

Kevin Kidney returns to the show to share some of his personal stories about Disney Legend Annette Funicello, and he discusses Annette's Place, a fundraiser for the Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases. But first, Dave and Becky visit Disneyland for the first Limited Time Magic experience of 2013, the Three Kings Day Celebration. From rarely seen character appearances to special dances and performances, Disneyland pulled out all the stops for this traditional holiday, and Mousetalgia reports. Next, we share some "Pictures of Annette," featuring some articles, news bits, and memories of her career with Disney as a Mouseketeer and pop icon. Renowned Disney Artist Kevin Kidney discusses the recently opened online store to benefit Annette's foundation featuring some of his artwork, and shares some inspirational stories about America's Sweetheart. Plus - a hotel report, Carthay Circle tips, our Limited Time Magic dreams... and more!

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Direct download: Mousetalgias_Best_Ear_Ever_No._12.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:00am PDT