Connecting with Walt - A look into the history of the man behind Mickey Mouse, Disneyland and Walt Disney World

In this episode, Michael and Tom are joined by their friends from the legacy Disneyland podcast team who share their thoughts about Disneyland's 70th Anniversary Celebration.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelOzCon International - Discount code: CWOZCON2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom continue the celebration of the Disneyland Resort's 70th Anniversary with a look at how Paint the Night made it's way to Disneyland Park.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelOzCon International - Discount code: CWOZCON2025Sources:Websites/Articles:Babes in Disneyland: Fun Facts About the New Incredibles Float in the Paint the Night ParadeAn Incredible New Float is Coming to the Paint the Night Parade by Joelyn Buhlman for D23Paint the Night – WikipediaPaint the Night – Disney Wiki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael shares with Tom his thoughts about two events he attended at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco that focused on Walt Disney Imagineering. First up, Imagineer Eddie Sotto shares the challenges of building Disneyland Paris. Then, WDI President Bob Weis talks about his start in Imagineering through his transition to management.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelOzCon International - Discount code: CWOZCON2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom chat with Emmy Award winning animation producer Melinda Dilger, who got her start in the classic Disney television shows Goof Troop and House of Mouse. More recently, Melinda has worked on series for Netflix, including Arcane and Blue Eye Samurai.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelOzCon International - Discount code: CWOZCON2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom chat with author Neil O' Brien about his book After Disney: Toil, Trouble, and the Transformation of America's Favorite Media Company, which covers the years following Walt Disney's passing through the beginning of the Michael Eisner and Frank Wells era.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelOzCon International - Discount code: CWOZCON2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom kick off the celebration of the Disneyland Resort's 70th anniversary with a look at Davy Crockett in Disneyland, including a review of the television miniseries and theatrical releases, along with the impact the King of the Wild Frontier had in the theme park.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelOzCon International - Discount code: CWOZCON2025Sources:Books:Walt Disney and Live Action: The Disney Studio’s Live-Action Features of the 1950s and 60s by John G. WestThe Wonderful World of Disney Television by Bill CotterThe "E" Ticket Magazine Number 33Websites/Articles:The Davy Crockett Craze by Joyska Nunez-Medina for the Tennessee State MuseumFess Parker - D23.comDavy Crockett (miniseries) Wikipedia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, special guests Colin Ayres and Dwayne Burgess share information about this year's OzCon International, a convention being held this summer in Burbank which will focus on Walt Disney's connection to The Wizard of Oz series of books and celebrate the 40th anniversary of Disney's Return to Oz. Then, Michael and Tom take a look at the history of the popular Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelOzCon InternationalSources:Books:Secret Stories of Walt Disney World by Jim KorkisWebsites/Articles:Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, WikipediaThe First EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival by Morgan Flaherty for WDW MagazineTopiary, The Disney WikiWDW Chronicles: The History of Disney Topiary by Jim Korkis for AllEars.net Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom take a walk down Main Street in Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom to look at several of the windows that honor developers and planners of the theme parks.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelSources:Books:People Behind The Disney Parks: Stories of Those Honored with a Window on Main Street, USA by Chuck SnyderMain Street Windows: A Complete Guide to Disney's Whimsical Tributes by Jeff HeimbuchWebsites/Articles:Hidden Tributes Revealed: The Story Behind Disneyland’s Main Street Windows for MiceChatSkyway to Wonderland: Windows on Main StreetWDW Mousing – Magic Kingdom – Windows on Main Street Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom sail to Little Mermaid's Island, an unaired television show that was developed for the Disney Channel with the cooperation of Jim Henson's creature shop.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelSources:Books:Disney Never Lands: Things Disney Never Made by Jim KorkisWebsites/Articles:This 35-Year-Old Disney Classic Has a Forgotten Muppet-Style Remake by Melody DayLittle Mermaid’s Island: The Abandoned Jim Henson Disney Channel TV Show Pilot, Storybook AmusementJim Henson Made a ‘Little Mermaid’ Show and, Yep, It Was Weird by Cameron GormanVideos:Little Mermaid's Island: Sebastian's BirthdayLittle Mermaid's Island: To Tell the Truth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom head back into their digital mailbox to answer the last of the listener questions, this week discussing a variety of topics including questions about the Disney family.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited Travel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom head back into their digital mailbox to continue answering more listener questions, this week tackling inquiries regarding the entertainment side of the Walt Disney Company.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited Travel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom head back into their digital mailbox to continue answering more listener questions, finishing up questions about the theme parks.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited Travel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom open up their digital mailbox and begin answering the first of several batches of listener questions. This week's focus is on the theme parks.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited Travel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom discuss the history of Walt Disney's The Reluctant Dragon. The 1941 classic combined both live action and animated segments, taking movie goers inside the shiny new Walt Disney Studios and behind the scenes of some several films that were currently in production, including Bambi and Dumbo.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelSources:Books:The Disney Films by Leonard MaltinThe Walt Disney Films Archives: The Animated Movies 1921-1968 Edited by Daniel KohenschulteWebsites/Articles:The Disney Strike and The Reluctant Dragon for Ink & PaintThe Reluctant Dragon by Ester Bley for Cartoon Research Part 1 Part 2The Reluctant Dragon by Dan Heaton for The Tomorrow SocietyThe Reluctant Dragon, The Disney WikiDisney Film History: The Reluctant Dragon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom take a trip into the Temple of the Forbidden Eye as they continue their look into the history of the Indiana Jones Adventure in Disneyland Park.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelSources:Books:The “E” Ticket Magazine Number 46: Disneyland’s Indiana Jones AdventureWebsites/Articles:Indiana Jones Adventure: Legends From Inside the Temple of the Forbidden Eye for Park LoreThe Vexing, Thrilling Legacy of the “Indiana Jones Adventure” by Giovanni IacobucciIndiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye, The Disney WikiThe Secret History of Disney Rides: Indiana Jones Adventure by Tad for Undercover TouristDisneyland’s Indiana Jones Ride – Forgotten History & Fun Facts, Inside the MagicUnearth Disneyland History With This Indiana Jones Adventure Cast Premiere Packet from 1995 by Matthew Soberman for WDW News TodayBehind the Ride: Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland by Natalie Sim for Theme Park Tourist Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom dig into the history of the revolutionary Indiana Jones Adventure in Disneyland Park, including a discussion of the challenges that came with building the massive attraction.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelSources:Books:The “E” Ticket Magazine Number 46: Disneyland’s Indiana Jones AdventureWebsites/Articles:Indiana Jones Adventure: Legends From Inside the Temple of the Forbidden Eye for Park LoreThe Vexing, Thrilling Legacy of the “Indiana Jones Adventure” by Giovanni IacobucciIndiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye, The Disney WikiThe Secret History of Disney Rides: Indiana Jones Adventure by Tad for Undercover TouristDisneyland’s Indiana Jones Ride – Forgotten History & Fun Facts, Inside the MagicUnearth Disneyland History With This Indiana Jones Adventure Cast Premiere Packet from 1995 by Matthew Soberman for WDW News TodayBehind the Ride: Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland by Natalie Sim for Theme Park Tourist Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom continue their discussion of Walt Disney's Dumbo, including a look into some of the film's more memorable, and possibly troublesome, scenes.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelSources:Books:Taschen’s The Walt Disney Film Archives: The Animated Movies 1921-1968The Disney Films by Leonard MaltinThe Art and Making of Dumbo by Leah GalloWebsites/Articles:The Original Dumbo by Jim Korkis for MousePlanetThe Original ‘Dumbo’ Story Would Have Had More Twists and Turns by David Kindy for Smithsonian MagazineThe Story of Walt Disney’s “Dumbo” on Disneyland Records by Greg Ehrbar for Cartoon Research Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom fly into the new year to begin their discussion of Walt Disney's Dumbo, including stories behind the making of the animated classic.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterSources:Books:Taschen’s The Walt Disney Film Archives: The Animated Movies 1921-1968The Disney Films by Leonard MaltinWebsites/Articles:Why Labor Strife Was the Elephant in the Room for Disney’s Original ‘Dumbo’ by Tim Gray for VarietyThe Original Dumbo by Jim Korkis for MousePlanetDumbo! The Ninth Wonder of the Universe! Walt Disney Family MuseumFlying to New Heights: Celebrating 75 Years of Walt Disney’s Dumbo by Lucas Seastrom for The Walt Disney Family MuseumThe Original ‘Dumbo’ Story Would Have Had More Twists and Turns by David Kindy for Smithsonian Magazine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom discuss some of their favorite Christmas movies and shows from the Disney family of companies, with each creating a suggested "playlist" for holiday viewing.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom are joined by author Don Peri and Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter to discuss their new book DIrecting at Disney.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDirecting at Disney Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.