Mousetalgia Episode 362: Jungle Cruise breakfast; CHOC Walk; Aladdin

Let's talk CHOC: it's not too late to get involved with the 2015 CHOC Walk in the Park, the time-honored fundraiser coming to Disneyland Resort Oct. 11. Zach Abrams from CHOC joins us to talk about the upcoming event and describes some of the features of this 25th anniversary stroll through Disneyland before it opens to the public. Then, we hear a detailed description of the first Jungle Cruise Sunrise Safari Breakfast hosted at Disneyland Park, which provided a few lucky guests the chance to eat during sunrise on the shore of the African Veldt amidst the animatronic wildlife, and then help the skipper narrate on their own private cruise back to civilization. Finally, Kristen reports on D23's screening of Aladdin in celebration of the Diamond Edition release of the classic film. After the fans voted and selected Seattle as one of three cities to host the screening, D23 arrived with special guests and surprises in tow, and Kristen reports on the event. Plus - Disney cracks down on Disney Dining Buddy; finding Walt's autograph; Ghez's "They Drew as They Pleased" book series; Disneyland plans to temporarily close much of Frontierland - and more.

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_362.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:53pm PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 361: Walt Disney on PBS; Force Friday

Team Mousetalgia discusses "American Experience: Walt Disney," and we offer our first impressions and questions - then we welcome Disney historian Joseph Titizian back to the show for a balanced critical perspective on the documentary from a friend of the Disney/Miller family. Titizian discusses new information from the Walt Disney Archives on Walt's own words about his childhood and his relationship with his father; the truth about Lilian Disney; Walt's feelings about Snow White and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; critical missing information in the film's own narrative; fascinating never-seen footage from the animators' strike; and where the film gets it right and gets it wrong about Disneyland's place in mid-century history. We also wonder why Cal Arts and the World's Fair are absent, despite being critical elements of Walt's life. Also, Mousetalgia's Force Friday wrap-up: BB8, Star Wars pajamas and Legos rule the day, as well as Star Wars edibles. Plus - another Mousetalgia listener wins Disneyland's Diamond Days sweepstakes!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_361.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:21am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 360: Star Wars Land; Peter Renaday

Mousetalgia jumps to the Outer Rim this week to talk about Star Wars Land, and we offer our take on the recent news about the planned 14-acre galactic space port. We discuss how guests will enter the land, and wonder "What about Star Tours?" We compare the "orange crates" from 2013's D23 Expo (which suggested upcoming Tattooine-based attractions) vs. the current plans for an unknown planet. Kristen still wants Star Wars out of Disneyland altogether, and we ponder whether Marvel is destined for Disney's third gate in Anaheim. Then, Mousetalgia welcomes Disney voice actor Pete Renaday back to the show to talk about his roles and career with the studio. Pete talks about his start with the Disney company, and how he went from being a messenger at the studio to voicing Henry, the star of the Country Bear Jamboree. Pete talks about the studio in 1959; an uncomfortable close encounter with Walt; working on screen tests and films; and finally moving into voice acting. Bonus: Pete's tips on voicing Mickey Mouse! Plus - The "American Experience: Walt Disney" documentary is previewed at the Walt Disney Family Museum, and we discuss where Disneyland might relocate their goat population once Big Thunder Ranch is shuttered.

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_360.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:35am PDT
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Mousetalgia Episode 359: Vintage Disneyland; Pixar's Mike Wu

This week, Mousetalgia offers an Emporium of topics, including: More D23 Expo tales from the floor, including an encounter with Dick Van Dyke and Kim Possible; a review of the new Disney Animation "Short Films Collection" on Blu-ray; a return to the Lucasfilm theater for a presentation from Disney Legend Tony Baxter and Imagineer Josh Shipley on Vintage Disneyland; and a conversation with Pixar animator Mike Wu. Wu discusses his years at Walt Disney Feature Animation during the studio's second golden age, then talks about moving to Pixar and working with Brad Bird on the Incredibles and Ratatouille. We also discuss "Ellie," Mike's recent book from Disney Press, which is an inspirational story of an elephant that discovers her artistic side. Plus - a new Disney book club, Star Wars soup, Lasseter almonds, listener reviews of Disneyland's "Tahitian Terrace" event and the Walt Disney Family Museum - and more!

Direct download: Mousetalgia_-_Episode_359.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:00am PDT
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