This week, Team Mousetalgia hosts another Emporium of topics, including: our review of Beauty and the Beast, the latest blockbuster from Walt Disney Pictures; Disney California Adventure's Food and Wine Festival, and Kristen's take on the various offerings; Disneyland's 50th anniversary of Pirates of the Caribbean weekend celebration, with reports on the limited time food offerings, the (lack of) merchandise, and the overall pirate excitement; and our take on how Disneyland's new rules about camping out on Main Street for parade viewing are working out. Finally, Becky reports on Walt Disney World Resort's 2017 Princess Half Marathon, and talks about the course, the characters, and the culture shock. She reviews the "Race Retreat" experience, and the differences between the Florida and California runDisney events. Plus - should Carrie Fisher become a Disney Legend this year? We discuss.

Join us this week as the Lady Mousetalgia sets sail for part two of our Pirates of the Caribbean 50th anniversary celebration! This week, Imagineer Alan Coats joins us to talk about his father - Disney Legend Claude Coats - who was put in charge of the Pirates project by Walt Disney. Alan discusses Claude's plans for the original walk-through attraction below New Orleans Square, his father's contributions to the Pirates attraction, and his own work with his father on EPCOT Center's original pavilions. Then, we welcome back Disney historian Joseph Titizian to discuss Pirates past, present and future, and we offer an overview of the attraction with commentary about Yale Gracey, Marc and Alice Davis, and more. Plus, hear exclusive audio mixes from Pirates of the Caribbean history, and we discuss our favorite characters from among Disney's pirates - the saltiest mob of knaves to sail the Spanish Main!

Disney trivia champion and historian Joseph Titizian joins Team Mousetalgia this week to begin a two-week celebration of Pirates of the Caribbean's 50th anniversary. Join us as we look at the press coverage of the grand opening of Disneyland's Pirates attraction, and then trace the history of the attraction back to its initial roots as a wax museum. Then, we discuss New Orleans Square, and take a look at the Pirates Arcade Museum, the One-of-a-Kind Shop, and Walt's Royal Suite, which has also been utilized as the IPA hospitality suite, Disneyland International, the Disney Gallery, the Dream Suite, and 21 Royal Street. Joseph shares some information about 21 Royal, as well as a spoiler-free review of the exclusive dining experience currently offered at the suite. We also fondly remember Ernie McLean, a one-time fixture in New Orleans Square. Plus - Twenty Eight & Main releases new merch, Funko releases a new Disney Pirates subscription box, Lindberg announces a re-released Pirates model - and more! Also - be sure to tune in next week for part 2 of our Pirates of the Caribbean 50th anniversary celebration. Yo ho!

Comedian and podcaster Tim Babb returns to join Team Mousetalgia this week to discuss Disneyland's new no-parking-on-Main-Street rule, and general queuing etiquette. When is it okay to save places in lines for parades and attractions? As the parks get more crowded, are there unspoken rules that guests should follow? We weigh the pros and cons of hopping in and out of lines. Plus, we stay on top of recent listener email, with topics including making magic for others in the parks (pin-giving vs. pin-trading); attending Disneyland during Grad Nite - is it a potential pitfall, or just another day?; and helping a Walt Disney World pro make the most of an early summer trip to Disneyland. Next, we offer the top three attractions we'd each like to see receive a holiday overlay (a Halloween grand circle ghost train tour, anyone?) Also, we share our Disney secret tips, including methods for travelers with children to get to Disneyland from the airport without a child's car seat; Walt Disney's own chili recipe; and tips for finding hotels near the Disneyland Resort.

This week, Beci Mahnken, CEO of Mouse Fan Travel, joins Mousetalgia to talk about planning your next Disney vacation. We cover multiple topics, including value vacations, luxurious vacations, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, VIP Guides, Disney cruises, Disney for families, Aulani, getting the best bang for your Disney buck, and more. Then, we speak with Christopher Schmidt, author of The Complete Guide to runDisney: Disneyland Edition, to talk about his new book, which deals with everything you could ever want to know about signing up, attending, participating in and, most of all, enjoying a runDisney experience. Plus - a Disney 40-year-collection estate sale report; The Gaia Group releases new Mary Blair tableware; Paradise Pier's Beach Side Bonfire reviewed, runDisney's announces more virtual races; a bonus Disneyland Hotel Mai Tai recipe - and more.

Team Mousetalgia discusses Disneyland's 21 Royal Street. We discuss this deluxe dining opportunity offered only at the Disneyland Resort inside of Disneyland Park, and we weigh the value of the meal. Does the $15,000 price tag make any kind of sense in comparison with other extravagant Disney experiences? We describe our reactions to the exclusivity, the price tag, the morality of spending so much on a single meal, and the value of Disney experiences. Then, we take another look at the D23 Disney Fan Club, and host an unboxing of the 2017 Gold Membership gift - plus we offer you the rare opportunity to win one for yourself! We also talk to Becky Cline, Director of the Walt Disney Archives, and Kevin Kern, a senior archivist with the Walt Disney Company, about the creation of this year's membership gift, and we also take a sneak peek behind the scenes at the Walt Disney Archives.

This Valentine's week, Team Mousetalgia takes a deep dive into our love for everything Disney, and we share some of our favorite things found under the Disney umbrella in a round table discussion. We talk about our love for Disney movies, and discuss the cross-generational entertainment, the classic films, and good vs. evil; what we love about the parks, including the immersive experiences (Jeff chooses Mannequins as an unusual example), the nostalgia of Disneyland, the exercise expended to enjoy the parks, and the detailed theming; and why we love the idea of Disney generally, including collecting Disneyana, the hobby of podcasting, and the ability to get out and have new experiences around the world. Also: Uniqlo's Disney line of clothing, Captain Kidd's on Harbor reviewed, a food and whine festival, and Disney's Oscar nods. Plus, Tiny Cupid checks in - and more!

Team Mousetalgia reviews two new books this week. First, we discuss "B-1st" by Disney artists Retta Scott and Woolie Reitherman, and we take a close at this interesting World War II-era proposed children's book that never made it to publication - until 2016. We examine the exquisite art and cultural mores evidenced in this in-progress project that was never completed. Also, we look at "The Art of Moana," and talk about the features, facts and imagery that the book presents about this Academy Award-nominated film. Next, we answer your questions, with topics including Candlelight Weekend expectations; adulting at Disneyland Resort and finding the best lounge; a surprise performance by the Mariachi Divas; preparing toddlers for the drama and excitement of a first trip to Walt Disney World; ideas for commemorating the successful viewing of every Disney animated feature; Disney's ties to Hollywood's Magic Castle; and a cautionary postscript to our stolen stroller story. Plus - show some Disney love this Valentine's season with our tips and tricks!

Team Mousetalgia celebrates the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade! Kristen reviews the $95 party at Disneyland welcoming back the parade, and we compare and contrast the event with another recent after-hours event at the park.
Also, the Disneyland Kobayashi Maru: what to do when the weatherman promises the storm of the century during your planned trip to the Disneyland Resort for a family reunion with dozens of relatives. Kristen offers tips for organizing large group trips to the parks, and strategies for dining, choosing attractions, and scheduling. Also, a report from the Grand Legacy at the Park hotel, and Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure. Plus - escape the rain with Kristen and visit the Golden Horseshoe, and Team Mousetalgia reveals our fantasy food booths for DCA's next culinary festival!

This week, Team Mousetalgia offers a RunDisney primer and a report on Disneyland's Star Wars Light Side Half Marathon Weekend. Dave and Becky talk about why Star Wars is a good race weekend for beginners to start with, and they discuss the 2017 events and race courses. We also discuss Disneyland's current security situation, spiked Dole Whips, and the RunDisney Expo. Next, Jeff reports from SacAnime Winter 2017 and their amazing Beauty and the Beast panel, which featured voice actors Richard White (Gaston), Paige O'Hara (Belle), Robby Benson (Beast), Bradley Pierce (Chip), and animators Nic Ranieri (Lumiere) and Rick Farmiloe (LeFou). Jeff shares a bit about the convention, the perils of autograph collecting, and shares a few highlights from the all-star panel discussion. Plus, we talk about the just-announced Disney MaxPass, and give our initial thoughts and impressions on this new feature for touring the parks. Bonus topic: Those late cabanas in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom - should Disney keep trying?