Mousetalgia welcomes Academy Award winning author/historian/filmmaker John Canemaker back to the show to discuss his new book, "The Lost Notebook: Herman Schultheis & the Secrets of Walt Disney’s Movie Magic." Schultheis, who worked for the Disney Studio in the late '30s, hid notebooks detailing the methods that Disney's process lab used for some of their most incredible special effects in Disney's early animated features, and Canemaker explains the man behind the notebook, as well as the mysteries the notebook unlocks. But first, Kristen reviews "Maleficent," and offers her critical opinion of the film's merits and controversies. Jeff also looks back at the development of the Maleficent character for Sleeping Beauty in 1959, and discusses some lesser-known personalities that played a key role in the character design. Plus - announcing a Haunted Mansion event with Bob Gurr, hip new records, and talking about running in a galaxy far, far away.

Enjoy Disneyland like an insider - from fireworks viewing areas to photo ops and more! Learn the places to sit and relax even on busy days. Make the most of the parades. Relive your childhood with Pooh, enjoy little-known experiences and search for hidden Walts. At DCA, we explore nighttime entertainment, find more places to escape the crowds, hone your drawing skills, eat for endurance, and enjoy the details (and the park's best free souvenirs!) In the hotels and Downtown Disney, we recommend shows and diversions that you might otherwise overlook. Becky passes on a travel professional's advice, and we talk more about art, food and drinks. Plus, we discuss what we're hoping to see for Disneyland's 60th birthday - and more!

Take a trip to Merlin's in Fantasyland as we travel back in time and marvel at Disneyland's magic shops. Mousetalgia welcomes Disneyland magic shop cast member Steve Simmons to the show to talk about working his way up in the parks from janitorial to magic shop magician! Relive the gimmicks, the gag gifts, and the mystifying magic as Steve tells us all about the sales techniques and tricks of the trade behind Disneyland's beloved magic shops in 1969. Steve also talks about the grand opening of the Haunted Mansion, and the famous "Yippie" invasion at Disneyland which he witnessed in person. Also - Jeff and Kristen talk about their Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade finds from 1934, the team talks Disney shopping - and more.

Mousetalgia presents an Emporium of topics this week as we review Disney's latest film "Million Dollar Arm," visit Disneyland, and discover the stories behind art of Marc Davis. First, Kristen reviews "Million Dollar Arm," and offers her thoughts on its place in the pantheon of Disney family movies. Dave and Becky report on a recent trip to Disneyland, and discuss the Napa Rose restaurant and fine dining with children, staying at the Paradise Pier hotel, and the Big Thunder Railroad renovation. Finally, Jeff attends the VIP opening of the Walt Disney Family Museum's new exhibit "Leading Ladies and Femme Fatales: The Art of Marc Davis," and speaks about the exhibit and Marc Davis with Andreas Deja, Disney animator and co-curator of the exhibit; Michael Labrie, the museum's collections director and the exhibit's co-curator; and Disney Legend Alice Davis, Marc's widow, who shares some insight into what made Marc into such an incredible artist and storyteller. Plus - our favorite inappropriate Disney "family" films... and more!

This week, anticipating the release of Disney's "Maleficent," we welcome Disney historian and author Charles Solomon to the show to discuss his latest book "Once Upon a Dream: From Perrault's Sleeping Beauty to Disney's Maleficent." Solomon talks about the origins of the Sleeping Beauty story, and discusses the artwork and animation of the classic animated feature, as well as some of his stories about the cast of the upcoming movie, to be released in less than 4 weeks. Also, Jeff starts planning a vacation to Walt Disney World, and we dive into the world of My Disney Experience, My Magic Plus, and the illusive Magic Bands. Learn a little bit more about what you can expect when you book a trip to the East coast's Magic Kingdom. Plus - celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Mousetalgia as we discuss our favorite Mexican eateries on Disneyland Resort property - and more!

The talent and legacy of Disney Legend Marc Davis is on display in this week's episode of Mousetalgia. In honor of the upcoming exhibit titled "Leading Ladies and Femme Fatales: The Art of Marc Davis" at the Walt Disney Family Museum, Mousetalgia welcomes Imagineer Chris Merritt to the show to talk about the influence Marc Davis had on his own career, and the incredible talent that Davis displayed throughout his career working as Disney animator and Imagineer. Also, Jeff travels to Wondercon in Anaheim and talks about the convention experience and two panels: "The Art of the Pitch" hosted by Disney/ABC, and "Frozen: The Art of Story" hosted by Disney Feature Animation. The panels explored the value of story and communicating your message, and the Frozen panel offered behind-the-scenes stories from the artists that worked on developing the script and story for the Academy Award-winning film. Plus - Star Wars day is this week, and we divulge our secret plans to celebrate on May 4... and more!

Everything Aulani! Catch the aloha spirit with Kristen via her extensive review of Disney's Aulani Resort in the Hawai'ian islands. With explanations of food and dining options, entertainment offerings, pools, and the various opportunities offered throughout the resort, Kristen gives you the full rundown on the tropical paradise Disney has planted on the island of O'ahu. Plus, the TCM film festival honors Richard Sherman, Marvel films at other studios, the team contemplates the choice between whips, floats, or spears - and more!

With topics covering everything from the latest Marvel film to the earliest days of working for Walt - it's an Easter Emporium on Mousetalgia! We have a plethora of fun Disney discussions for you this week, including the Mousetalgia review of Captain America: The Winter Soldier; book reviews of the latest from Charles Solomon ("The Art of the Disney Golden Books") and a just-published posthumous autobiography of Homer Brightman about the earliest days of the Walt Disney Studios called "Life in the Mouse House"; and a round table discussion about whether or not you can actually find healthy food at the Disneyland Resort. Also, Jeff discusses a kerfuffle with MyPlayDirect's Frozen vinyl release, and we present a special conversation with WED Imagineer Paul Saunders, who describes working for WED in the '60s, and a close encounter with Walt Disney himself. Plus - our favorite Disney bunnies, Mousetalgia offers another limited-edition t-shirt... and more!

This week, Mousetalgia offers some timely Disneyland summer trip planning tips. Splurging on special tours or fine dining - which is the better choice? Fastpass schemes - which attractions should you hit first? We also offer our opinions on World of Color dining and viewing options, Fantasmic dessert seating, and choosing a tower at the Disneyland Hotel or a room at other Disneyland Resort hotels. Plus bonus advice on taking a trip up to San Francisco to visit the Walt Disney Family Museum - where to stay? What to eat? What other attractions are nearby? Also, the Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet announces its special guest line up for the June 28 event, which promises to be another spectacular fan gathering with the chance to meet and hear from Imagineers, a Disney Legend, and a legendary Disney producer! Plus, Tiny Klien's memoir, Q&A with Kristen, a Muppets review, and Marc Davis' art comes to a special exhibition at the Walt Disney Family Museum. 

Disney Legend Jim Henson founded a "Creature Shop" in 1979 to create mechanical creatures and whimsical beasts for various productions. That shop, now led by Henson's son Brian, is the basis for a new reality competition on SyFy. Team Mousetalgia welcomes Joseph Freed, Executive Producer and co-creator of the new SyFy series Jim Henson's Creature Shop Challenge, to this week's episode to share behind the scenes stories and secrets from this exciting new show in which amateur contestants vie for a dream job working for Jim Henson's Creature Shop. We also welcome Kirk Thatcher, former Imagineer, creature designer, veteran Muppets director, and judge on the show, to join Joseph in describing the challenges and surprises waiting for viewers of the first season of the show. Also, we answer some listener questions about lost Disneyland attractions, villains' origin stories, and maintaining a healthy relationship with a non-Disney-lover. Plus - if Disneyland hosted a eating contest, which food item should they use? We explore the options!