Mousetalgia Episode 387: Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters, Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet

Mousetalgia reviews Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters in Dave and Becky's latest trip report. Does Luigi's character carry the day, or is this attraction too slow to impress? Other trip report topics include the amenities at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa; the Disneyland Resort Egg-stravaganza; VIP seating for the Paint the Night Parade; and the benefits of Disneyland's Signature Annual Passport. Also, Don Morin, creator of the Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet, joins Mousetalgia to announce this year's talent line up and describes what you might expect from a trip to Seattle this July to visit this convention made by Disney fans, for Disney fans. Stacia Martin, Bob Gurr and Marty Sklar will be joining the Mouse Meet this year, and the event provides fans a chance to get up close with these Disney celebrities. Plus - we announce the inaugural Mousetalgia Platinum Pen Award; Disney releases (and immediately sells out of) "Ghost Post" Haunted Mansion crates; Disney announces a new Indiana Jones film with Ford and Spielberg - and more!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_387.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:23pm PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 386: Disney cruises, Haunted Mansion influences

Come sail away with Mousetalgia! This week we welcome Beci Mahnken, CEO of Mouse Fan Travel, to the show to discuss everything you need to know about the latest offerings from the Disney Cruise Line, and how to best plan for a Disney cruise. Topics include the "Star Wars Day at Sea"; when to book for the best rates; specialty cruises including runDisney-themed sailings; how to budget for your trip; spa and shopping options; comparisons with non-Disney cruise lines; Alaska vs. the Caribbean; dealing with motion sickness; exclusive Disney-only entertainment opportunities; the advantages of using travel professionals to book your cruise, and more. Next, Jeff talks about '60s horror media in America and Japan and how it influenced the design of the Haunted Mansion. Plus a listener's romantic tale - and as a Disney fan, what do you do when your friends and family don't trust or want your Disney opinions?

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_386.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:34pm PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 385: Zootopia, Disneyland seasonal pricing

Team Mousetalgia reviews Walt Disney Animation Studios' latest feature Zootopia on this week's episode, and we talk about the latest in a line of critically acclaimed hits from Pixar's sister studio. We'll tell you what worked and what to look for in this anthropomorphic whodunnit - all spoiler free! We also discuss Disneyland's move to tiered seasonal pricing, and what it might mean for the future. In other topics on the show, the "Small World" movie gets writers; LEGO Disney Minifigs announced; changes over at D23; and we remember Disney Legend Jack Lindquist, who passed away on Feb. 28.

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_385.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:59am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 384: Disneyland advice, listener email

Team Mousetalgia returns to our overflowing inbox to catch up on your burning questions, and topics include: Searching for nightlife at the Disneyland Resort; locker rentals at the park; trip budgeting; limos from LAX; the value of an Annual Passport during park construction; blu-ray storage; adult experiences at the parks; Disneyland bests and worsts; comparing the Land versus the World for first-time guests; Disneyland marriage proposals; listener trip reports; and more. Plus - Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet ticket sales are announced, Pixar's slow cooker, and music reviews of Voice Play and Peter Alden.

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_384.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:11am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 383: Disneyland AP Days and dining reviews

Jeff and Kristen bring you dueling trip reports on today's episode of Mousetalgia as we discuss the current Annual Passholder Days happening this month at Disneyland Park. Kristen gets adventurous while Jeff trips the park fantastic, but the rare character photo ops leave Kristen stewing and Jeff hopping. Other topics of discussion include Disneyland's new Inspired Photography, the state of Frontierland, and the parked trains and steamboat. We also do some dining reviews, and discuss the revamped barbecue menu at River Belle Terrace, the offerings at Wine Country Trattoria, breakfast at Steakhouse 55, and the Paint-the-Night meal-to-go reserved viewing package. Also - Animators Tom and Tony Bancroft get bawdy, and we host a live D23 Gold Member gift unboxing!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_383.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:21am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 382: Valentines Day special with Disney Legend Alice Davis

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: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_382.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:32am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 381:  Don DeFore's Silver Banjo BBQ; Nelbert Chouinard

Mousetalgia welcomes Ron DeFore to the show to discuss "Don DeFore's Silver Banjo Barbecue," which was located in Disneyland from 1957 through 1961. We learn about Ron's father Don, who, as an innovative live television broadcaster, caught Walt Disney's attention and became close to Walt, eventually opening his own barbecue restaurant in Frotierland at Disneyland. Ron talks about the restaurant as well as other stories about growing up with a backstage key to Walt's Magic Kingdom, including riding down Main Street in Autopia cars, becoming a Flying Saucer test dummy, sneaking around the Jungle Cruise, and riding in a parade with Walt Disney. Then, we welcome Disney Legend Alice Davis back to Mousetalgia to remember Nelbert Chouinard, founder of the Chouinard Art Institute, which was a critical institution to the Disney Studio during animation's earliest days. Also - restoring a Tiki Bird, constructing a Deagostini Disneyland model, "Disney"-scented candles, and more.

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_381.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:46am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 380: Disney books; collectibles corner

Team Mousetalgia expands our Disney library and brings you four new book reviews, including "Mickey Mouse: Emblem of the American Spirit" by Garry Apgar; "Funny: Twenty-Five Years of Laughter from the Pixar Story Room;" "Keep Moving (and Other Tips and Truths About Aging)" by Dick Van Dyke; and "The Nine Old Men" by Andreas Deja. Plus, in a Mousetalgia "Collector's Corner," Jeff talks about Star Wars cards, Mark Hamill taking on fake autographs, and Rey's Po-Zu boots; and Kristen acquires a 100-piece Magical Kingdom. Plus - bubbles, pennies, and noodles, oh my - it's the $20 Valentine's date at Disneyland!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_380.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:18pm PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 379: Arrow Development, Star Wars Half Marathon

Mousetalgia's own Dave Breiland ran the Star Wars Half Marathon at Disneyland Resort as the park finally started closing much of Frontierland in anticipation of the construction of the new Star Wars galaxy, and he reports from the event and the status of the parks. Covering everything from Elton John performing a surprise concert to some food reviews, we discuss the RunDisney Expo, skipper training at the Jungle Cruise, the race course, and more. Then, we welcome Kris Rowberry and Robert Ingle to the show to discuss their new film, "The Legacy of Arrow Development," and we talk about the impact the Arrow machine shop (and its founders, Ed Morgan and Karl Bacon) had on the development of Disneyland and the entire mid-century amusement industry. Plus - Raiders of the Lost Ark performed live, Esmeralda tells new tales, Becky gets combative - and more.

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_379.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:54am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 378: Back to the mailbag

Team Mousetalgia goes back to the mailbag to answer your pressing questions this week, with hot topics including the edible plants of Tomorrowland; touring Disneyland with 80-year-olds; storing and displaying blu-ray discs; discussing the best place to start a day inside the park; hiring professional photographers for shoots inside the park; tips and tricks for traveling north for the Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet; Disneyland's new costume rules - and more!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_378.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:44pm PDT
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