Dreaming Disney - Disney History Institute Podcast

If you are a Disney fan, it is a must. If you are a theme parks fan, it is a must. If you are a history fan, it is a must. If you are a story fan, it is a must. If you like to hear about creatives, it is a must.

What am I talking about?

I am talking about the podcast I have always wanted and did not know existed for over three years.

My newest podcast recommendation to everyone is the Disney History Institute Podcast. And when I say everyone, I mean everyone. I have gotten friends who do not like Disney to binge episodes because the stories and production are just that good!

Disney History Institute Podcast by Todd J. Peirce is predominantly audio versions of Peirce’s articles from the Disney History Institute website. Along with Peirce’s well written articles is quality production with supporting audio beds and Peirce’s voice that helps pull you into a story. I have experimented a bit with scripted podcast episodes, and it is not as easy as it seems. But this podcast combines quality content with strong production values. It is convincing enough that I had to buy his book!

The content is basically audio presentations of Peirce's articles. I will be honest, though they have been available in text form, I have not read them. These articles are somewhat big at times and I do not have the time to sit online and read these articles in depth (yeah it is kind of ironic with this being a blog and all). So this audio presentation has given these articles a second life. But the best part is you really do feel like you are getting pulled into a story with Peirce serving as the storyteller. The topics fascinate me with me telling everyone to go listen to “The Bible Storyland Fiasco” immediately. I love this history which balances defects in personalities with the humorous thoughts of a Jungle Cruise Garden of Eden ride completely with sexism. The Disney fan will be drawn to the multipart expose on the Yippie Invasion, the infamous Studio field day, and glimpses into Walt Disney’s life. I will admit, after hearing his piece on Ruth Shellhorn I find myself kicking myself for not knowing more of her Disney story. Additionally, along with his articles, Pierce shares interview audio of Disney legends like Harriet Burns, Blaine Gibson, and Jack Lindquist.

The only real complaint is frequency. The episodes post when Peirce has one ready. So it is possible for long gaps. But it is good free content. A friend did point out to me that “Walt’s First Park Part 1” was never followed by a Part 2. But I found myself arguing, but buddy it’s free. My friend did go online to read the second part of the story.

Disney History Institute Podcast by Todd J. Peirce is my new favorite podcast I did not know existed. If you are a Disney fan, you need to subscribe now so when a new episode drops it is pushed to you. Because you will both learn and be entertained by this audio presentation.

Dreaming Disney - Creating Disney Magic

Over the last year or so, Lee Cockerell’s Creating Disney Magic: Lessons in Leadership, Management, and Customer Service podcast has become a Tuesday morning priority for me.  The podcast opens with host Jody Maberry setting up Cockerell, a former Disney executive, to discuss business topics that come from Maberry or even the listening audience.  The topics covered are diverse ranging from leadership to customer service to using data to time management.  In short, if there is a topic that could be useful to a professional working adult it is likely they will talk about it.  for those of us with a whimsical side, Cockerell discusses these items in the very serious Disney business setting  along with his background in hotel management.  Along with these topics, Cockerell provides a very honest appraisal of his own struggles as a leader and as a human being.

Integrity and common sense are really the words that come to mind when I think of Lee Cockerell.  And these qualities make this show essential listening to me.  I find that I not only listen on a weekly basis but also will search the archive for specific work issues that myself and others are facing in the workplace.  And the reason this is a must listen is due to Cockerell.  His answers typically provide an outlook that relies on common sense, being a person of integrity, and treating others fairly.  This is not cut throat business advice, this is advice for people.   He often makes it clear that a leader has to foster development in even poorly performing employees and that caring for people is really a core function of a leader.  The Disney background gives Disney fans a background that helps understanding.  Though honestly I have sent episodes to plenty of non-Disney fanatics and they still found these episodes highly useful.

Creating Disney Magic:Lessons in Leadership, Management, and Customer Service is probably one of my top three podcasts.  It is informative, educational, honest and short.  It attracted me through the door due to my interest in Disney history and business developments.  But I stay due to Cockerell’s reliable professional and personal development life!

Dreaming Disney - Welcome to Level Seven The Unofficial Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast

As you may have noticed, I am really excited about Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D..  In fact I am so excited, that I have partnered to create a podcast and website separate from Between Disney.  Ben Avery who wrote The Oz/Wonderland Chronicles and I discovered that we had matching enthusiasm for next season's new hit show (my prediction).  So we put out powers together to start Welcome to Level 7 The Unofficial Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast. 

In our first episode we break out the first trailers and speculate on what we think the show holds.  Personally, and I am biased, I thought it was super fun.  We plan to get ready for the show discussing the Marvel Cinematic Universe films leading up the fall premiere. 

You can find us on the web at: http://welcometolevelseven.com/

We are on iTunes and can be found here.  

You can also follow us on FaceBook by clicking here.

And follow our Twitter page by clicking here. 

I think this is going to be a lot of fun.  And do not worry I will still talk about some Marvel over here where it all began!

Welcome to Level Seven!

Dreaming Disney - Interview with Michael D. Sellers

Recently I joined my friend Matt Anderson, along with Koby Radcliffe, on The Sci-Fi Christian to interview Michael D. Sellers, the author of John Carter and the Gods of Hollywood.

Topics in this interview range from the history of John Carter, Disney Marketing, fandom and the future of the franchise.

I hope you enjoy this interview, I thought it was really fun. 

Dreaming Disney - Strangers and Aliens The Wonderful World of Disney

Recently I appeared on The Strangers and Aliens podcast to discuss Disney animated films.  Pixar and live action were completely off limits as we discussed our favorite Disney animated films.

We were shocked to discover that most of the films we listed were modern and far from classic.  And I was probably the worst offender with my very first submission!  I was also shocked that one of the hosts stole one of my favorite movies of all time right from under my nose.  Additionally, I found myself defending The Little Mermaid.  Honestly, I think I could have done better, but I was in shock to hear an attack on the movie that saved Disney animation.  Being a faith themed podcast we also discussed spiritual themes in Disney animation.

It was really fun to sit back and discuss cartoons with three other grown men.  

Dreaming Disney - RebelForce Radio

After the Disney purchase of LucasFilm I suggested that you check out The ForceCast as a way to become more familiar with Star Wars and for the latest news and rumors as Disney begins to work their new franchises into their future plans.

Recently an announcement on The ForceCast website caught me by surprise:

Growing from the initial desire by Dustin, who manages content here at TheForce.net to have a podcast presence, the ForceCast has dominated Star Wars podcasting since its inception, and we are all very proud of it, from when it was Jason and Pete, to Jason and Jimmy, who stepped up and stepped out incredibly when the need arose, and of their fans, who are some of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world.

The guys are moving on though, to Rebel Force Radio, their own production. I'm sure there will be ample communication on this very soon.

Here at TheForce.net and Rebelscum.com, we wish them the very best of luck in the new endeavor.

Additionally, the content created to date will still be archived and available, and Jedi Journals from Jay and Chris, will continue to be produced and available.

After watching the trailer, I think that a lot of what I loved about The ForceCast will hold with Jason and Jimmy’s new production, RebelForce Radio.

They will both still be co-hosting and still sharing the chemistry which made their original collaboration enjoyable. Additionally, it sounds like they will continue with some of the segments they used on their old podcast, like “The Billy Dee Quote of the Week”. One concern that I had was would they have the same access to the Star Wars community they had previously? But the announced appearance of Dave Filoni on their first show January 19th shows me that the strong network of Star Wars personalities they have worked with in the past remains in place and we can expect a series of knowledgeable Star Wars guests.

I look forward to hearing Jimmy and Jason’s new production and wish them the best of luck with RebelForce Radio.  Now excuse me I have to go submit a question for Dave Filoni over on their Facebook page.  I wonder if he will spill the beans about the Disney partnership?  

Dreaming Disney - The ForceCast

Lucasfilm and the Star Wars franchise have joined the House of Mouse, and I for one am so excited to see you!

Fellow Disney fans are you behind on what Star Wars is?  You are probably at least familiar with the live action releases, but there is a much bigger universe than just six films.  Do you need to find a way to catch up on the latest news about this new Disney franchise?  Are you interested in dipping your toe into this universe?  Can I recommend to you The ForceCast podcast?  I think you will find it both educational and enjoyable!

Personally, I have been listening to The ForceCast for about five years.  My own reason was to catch myself up with the Star Wars universe as my kids helped me get back into this beloved franchise.  Yes I watched the movies whenever I stumbled on the marathons and I owned the DVDs, but Star Wars: The Clone Wars and sharing it with the Between Kids made Star Wars relevant in my household on a weekly basis.  And as I watched the episode I sought out a podcast to provide me news and information about the television show.   I could never imagine another live action release.  I sampled a few different podcasts but this is the one that stuck, and has stuck for years in my podcast diet. 

The weekly content is timely and interesting, and all about Star Wars.  A typical 2 hour show brings a variety of topics that may include news, an interview with someone associated with Lucasfilm, the Billy Dee Quote of the Week (always awesome), The Jimmy Mac Investigative Report which dives into the tough Star Wars questions, Star Wars in Pop Culture, and The Outrageous Unthinkable Story of the Week which typically is someone in the United Kingdom committing a crime with a Darth Vader mask on!  The shows are typically fun natured and enjoyable in an atmosphere set by the hosts.  What is really impressive to me is the amount of respect and cooperation that Lucasfilm has given The ForceCast.  Yes, former actors and contributors may appear for an interview in the Cantina, but a number of Lucasfilm employees and partners are frequent guests on this podcast.  Can you imagine if Disney creative forces appeared on fan podcasts on a more regular basis or any basis! 

It is not unusual for voice actors from Star Wars: The Clone Wars to make an appearance such as Ashley Eckstein, a big Disney fan, or James Arnold Taylor to discuss their current projects.  Many of these interviews will be highly interesting for Disney fans since these two actors have been very busy with Disney Hollywood Studio’s Star Wars Weekends the last few years.  And despite that fact that this is not a Disney podcast per say the coverage of this event has been fantastic and has included interviews with many participants.  Using their philosophy of no fan left behind, they have also shared audio from events at Star Wars Weekends that I have not heard on Disney focused podcasts.  If you are a Disney fan and a Star Wars fan, The ForceCast is your best chance to keep up with Star Wars Weekends from Betweenland. 

Another reason for Disney fans to sample The ForceCast is news from Star Wars: The Clone Wars.  With a future season in production and rumors that Cartoon Network’s contract ends after the current season there is a decent chance that this program could be added to Disney XD or the Disney Channel in the future.  Along with discussing news of the production of the show and interviews with actors, the program even has regular access to the Supervising Director Dave Filoni.  He regularly checks in during the season to share his thoughts, including creative choices they have made.  He even answers fan questions, though he does dodge some that refer to future plot points.  Additionally, they offer a separate podcast series, The Clone Wars Round Table, which breaks down each episode with a panel of guests in detail.  For me this is must listen content and I honestly prioritize these hour long episodes before the main show during the run of each season.  If one wishes to understand the newest Disney animated television production, The ForceCast is your go to source.   

The hosts Jason Swank and Jimmy Mac are professional, Jimmy is a radio professional, and both are knowledgeable on their topic being lifelong Star Wars fans.  What is sometimes hard to imagine is that they were not friends before they partnered as their chemistry is great, with them understanding each other’s perspective and roles on the show.  It is also enjoyable to see how they hosts have impacted the Star Wars universe, with characters they have advocated for like the unlikely Ben Quadinaros, who their pressure has lead to appearing on a poster within Star Wars: The Clone Wars.  With their power and influence surely Kitser’s appearance is soon to follow! 

The Clone Wars Round Table is just one of their other show offerings.  Bibliophiles Jay Shepard and Chris Wyman host the Jedi Journals which discusses Star Wars themed books, magazines and comics.  The show provides fans both news of current and future releases, discussions on the state of Star Wars publishing, and interviews with authors and those within the publishing industry.  Even this world is impacted by the Disney acquisition, as one of the early questions is related to comics and the future of the Lucasfilm/Dark Horse relationship.  Additionally especially long interviews are released as their own show as episodes of In the Cantina instead of including in episodes of The ForceCast. 

Disney enthusiasts we have a lot of information to take in right now!  And we can expect changes for Disney fandom.  The ForceCast is a great place for you to visit to get your Star Wars news and conversations.  And I expect as we try to determine how Disney will be changed by Lucasfilm, Star Wars fans will be having a similar conversation about how Lucasfilm will be changed by Disney.  

P.S. Principal Skidmore is a lady guys.  I guess you might say you are part of a whole new world now!     

Dreaming Disney - Communicore Weekly

Well, at least they can claim it’s short!

Communicore Weekly has passed twenty episodes and has made itself a mainstay of my podcast listening week.  Technically it is a vid-cast, but I download the audio only version.  So there are some features such as the “Fantastically Fuzzy Photo” which are lost on me since I only hear them describe the photo instead of watching it.  And I am sure with it being a vid-cast there are other graphics and production that honestly are just lost on me as an audio only consumer.   My thoughts about this podcast are based on the audio presentation alone.

The show is hosted by two nerdy Disney enthusiasts.  George Taylor is the force behind Imaginerding, a go to site for Disney books.  Taylor is one of the inspirations for my own blogging.  If he can post book reviews and I’m reading those books too, why couldn’t I be another voice by reporting on Between Books?  Jeff Heimbuch blogs for MiceChat, like Taylor, and shares Taylor’s love of books and Disney history.  The two have good chemistry, sharing common interests and at humorously times knocking each other down as any guy would do with a good guy friend.

Did I mention Communicore is short!  I am comparing its length typically around ten minutes to a podcast that I am listening to right while writing, one that is topping out at two hours for one topic.  With Communicore you can expect 5 or 6 topics within minutes.  Now I do think there is a place for a longer podcast, and there are plenty of them that I listen to.  But it is nice to have a podcast that can provide a lot of variety quickly.  I feel comfortable starting an episode of Communicore Weekly when I know I only have 20 minutes before my next meeting, where the longer podcasts would not be an option out of fear that I would get involved and then have to leave it behind for hours.  With Communicore I know I am going to get some Disney goodness quickly.

The content itself fits my own personal interests.  George and Jeff like books and history.  And so do I!  Features on the show include “This Day in Disney History” which highlights a historical event, “George’s Book of the Week” which as one expects is a book review, and the “Five Legged Goat” in which the hosts describe a hidden tribute or homage within the parks.  Some of the more unexpected segments include “Bathroom Break” in which the hosts describe some of their favorite Disney bathrooms and “Fantsically Fuzzy Photo” in which viewers/listeners submit their own unfocused photo, well at least I assume they are out of focus.

Along with the regular weekly show they have also released “In the Hot Seat” episodes which feature interviews with authors like Ridley Pearson and Leonard Kinsey.  These episodes are longer than the weekly show and are a nice treat for book lovers. 

I know I have mentioned length a few times.  But I do find it important.  If you have not tried a Disney podcast yet, Communicore Weekly may be a good place to start a new obsession.  The length allows you to not invest a lot of time into sampling a Disney podcast but still provides you a lot of information in that short amount of time.  And as many Disney enthusiasts urge us to slow down in the parks, maybe now I will walk a little slower through the bathrooms.  That won’t be awkward right?      

Dreaming Disney - The Unofficial Guide’s Disney Dish with Jim Hill

Betweenlanders want to know more about Disney, we want the inside track on rumors and what could have been.  Let’s face it, living in Betweenland you are kinda out of the Disney loop.  Sure we can hear rumors and get news from the main Disney news outlets, but we want to know more than Cars Land is going to open June 15, 2012.  We want to know about the things that could have been, the things that never happened and the inside stories of how our favorite attractions were developed or became extinct.

Jim Hill lives that dream.  He knows people and has connections within Disney and the theme park industry that most Disney enthusiasts will never have access to.  Sometimes it is about who you know!  Additionally, it seems clear that sometimes Mr. Hill has lucked into seeing pieces of Disney history that many would not have noticed, but when seen through Mr. Hill’s eyes tell a story of what will or was to be. 

Len Testa, of WDW Today and Touring Plans, has partnered with Jim Hill to create “The Unofficial Guide’s Disney Dish with Jim Hill.”  The podcast is simple in production but rich in content.  The two Disney experts literally walk around the parks talking.  Testa throws out questions to which Hill responds and provides stories and details that often have not been heard before by Disney fans.  As they talk you hear the sounds of the background music and running attractions around them. 

In the first seven episodes they have toured all four parks of the Walt Disney World Resort; The Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  Additionally the two have walked through the hotels of both the Epcot area and Magic Kingdom.  They have even toured Downtown Disney.

The content of all these podcasts is fascinating.  I have repeated so many of these stories to the Between Wife, she would probably like me to quit listening.  The story telling is engaging and often funny.  And both Hill and Testa know these theme parks in a way many of us could only dream of.  Every episode is an absolute must listen.  And when they are done, you feel like you know something new and something the off the street Disney fan is not in the loop about yet.   

The biggest question I have is the future.  The podcast releases on a very irregular schedule, with every release being a surprise that instantly goes to the top of my listening queue.  So every episode leaves the listener with the question of when will another episode drop and what will it be about.  I can foresee episodes on Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.  And there could be more episodes on hotels, it’s not like they have visited the values yet!  Perhaps, one way to keep this series going is more visits to the visited parks, especially after the completion of the New Fantasyland.  Another idea would be a visit to Disneyland for three or four episodes.  Yet another opportunity is clear in their episodes on the Universal Orlando Resort, which introduced this park to me a non-Universal fan.  As much as I don't want to admit it, Orlando offers more than one resort.  Most recently they have released episodes with Sam Gennawey with Testa, sharing his planning knowledge about design elements within the Magic Kingdom. 

Clearly there is still opportunity to share some great stories.  And I will be waiting out here in Betweenland to put myself in the loop.           

Dreaming Disney - The Josh and Croz Show

They like superheroes, I like superheroes!

They like Batman, I like Batman!

They like Taco Bell, I love Taco Bell!

They like Star Wars, I like Star Wars!

They buy comic books, I borrow some from the library!

They get paid by Disney, I like Disney! 

So, let’s make it clear.  This really is not a Disney podcast The Josh and Croz Show is a pop culture podcast.  Now, Disney does come up as the company creates pop culture consumables.  And the hosts get their regular paychecks from the Mouse.  But just because they work at Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) does not mean you are going to hear the inside track on future projects.  In fact, you probably won’t.  It’s not like I send them the secrets of my job!  Okay, their jobs are probably a lot more interesting than mine!  Though they have discussed how they got hired by WDI. 

I said the show is about pop culture.  Well, mostly.  Sometimes it is honestly not clear what the show is about.  Once they shared an episode that was an hour of giggling early in the morning after working all night on a project, a project they were not at liberty to discuss.  And, as awkward as it sounds it was comedy gold!  In fact one of my least favorite episodes was when tried to be really really focused on an aspect of the Disney community.  I could have gotten the same content from WDW Today, WEDWay Radio, or other podcasts.  The show succeeds when they do what they do best, let us eavesdrop on conversations with each other and friends with no boundaries.  So if a Disney movie or trip to Disneyland comes up, let it.  But if Disney never comes up, the show is just as good.    

So why do I listen to Josh and Croz?  First, because it’s fascinating to hear creative people talk about pop culture.  And there is a mix of Disney items in there to keep me going.  Second, they are my barometer of what geeks, like me, should be looking forward to.  Third, I don’t read a lot of current comic books, so they help me keep track of the state of printed heroes.  Fourth, I love hearing their opinions of movies.  Finally, these guys are just funny.  These guys can take a Fast Food Adventure, a story typically involving national chain fast food joint and the funny stuff they saw, and make you roll over in laughter. 

This is the one Disney related podcast I listen to that I have been able to get friends to listen to because of their pop culture discussions. 

I don’t listen because of how regular the show drops.  There are long gaps between shows and I just let iTunes manage the download for me.  And I don’t listen because they are highly prepared with a clear show plan.  Because that clearly does not usually exist! 

So like Moustaliga, its personalities that keep me coming back. 

When I met one of my best friends for the first time we only talked about Lost, maybe I should watch it someday, and superheroes.  Sadly, we should have probably started talking about Star Wars so I could understand how lost he was.  It was a conversation that Josh and Croz could have easily have joined in.  Thanks for letting us Between Disney laugh with you! 

Avengers Assemble!

Dreaming Disney - Tales from the Jungle Crews

I can’t stop listening.

I’ve tried.  I’ve admitted I have a problem.  I’ve walked away from it, but I can’t stop listening.

My newest addiction is the podcast “Tales from the Jungle Crews.” 

Former Jungle Cruise Skipper Kyle interviews other past skips about their experiences with the attraction to create an oral history.  In many ways, Skipper Kyle is building this history for himself as he relives some of the best experiences of his life, but he lets the audience in and I’m thrilled he has.  In this informal and relaxed setting the stories from the Jungle Crews flow naturally as two to three friends having a conversation.  Some of the stories, many, of them may not be Disney Legal approved, but for The Jungle Cruise fan these are the stories we want to hear.  The skippers share their best behind the scenes stories (including some that may get you fired), tales of celebrity encounters, their best non Disney sanctioned spiels and of course their rehire status.  Rehire status may seem like an innocent question, but it often serves as the best story catalyst to get to the answer of no-rehire status.  

This show is so highly addictive.  I won’t be able to look at ducks in the rivers again.  Aerosmith will now forever break me into smiles.  And I’m pretty sure that I will be yelling, “This belongs in a museum!” to entertain myself for months to come.  I have heard ghost stories from the park that I have never heard.  And I love hearing about Jack Lindquist the celebrity.

I do have to give a word of warning.  The former Skips clearly loved working the attraction.  They also were fans of keeping the magic when working for the ride.  And though they attempted to keep most of their questionable activities off stage, sometimes this podcast gets a little blue.  Simply, if you see the Explicit tag on some episodes, believe Skipper Kyle, because the contents will either include profanity or a story that you don’t want to explain to the children. 

I’ve expressed my love of The Jungle Cruise before.  But it’s worse now, I’ve decided that I have missed out on an important life experience.  "Tales from the Jungle Crews" has confirmed my belief that the Skippers are the cast members having the most fun. 

I wonder how my fellow commuters in Betweenland would feel if I started spieling during the morning train ride.  They will be stuck with me for 25 minutes!  I mean they will be entertained for 25 minutes!

Mousey Movies - Pixar Top 5

The Sci-Fi Christian podcast has posted the second part of my visit. In this episode Matt Anderson and I discuss our Pixar Top 5 movies.

Mousey Movies - Top 5 Disney Movies

Recently I appeared on the Sci-Fi Christian Podcast and discussed my favorite Disney movies with host Matt Anderson. 

The Sci-Fi Christian Podcast discusses spiritual themes in sci-fi and fantasy themed books, movies and tv shows.  It was nominated in the 2011 Podcast Awards. 

You can download the podcast on iTunes or access it from their website http://thescifichristian.com/2012/01/episode-41-top-5-disney-movies/. 

I have to thank Matt for a fun conversation, even though he has never seen my third favorite Disney movie of all time, and it even has a sci-fi theme. 

Dreaming Disney - WDW Today

Years ago I would have to say that I was only a casual Disney fan.  Disney movies were always present and we owned the biggest pile of VHS Disney in our circle of friends.  And I had been to the Walt Disney World not once but twice.  But I really was just your typical easy to manage non-fanatical Disney fan.  Yep I was a pretty normal guy.

Then I decided I needed to up my participation in the planning for a third trip to Walt Disney World.  In that increased participation I moved past www.AllEars.net and decided to try out a planning podcast or two.  On AllEars I found a reference to a podcast called WDW Today and I have not looked back since.     

What I found was a wealth of information that anyone planning a Walt Disney World vacation would need.  I sampled an episode and then downloaded 20 other topics.  Each episode was around 30 minutes or less, making each easily digestible.  And other than the general Listener Question episodes, typically released on Wednesdays, all episodes had a uniting theme.  So, if you wanted to know about hurricanes, they did it.  Segway tours, it’s in the can.  Perhaps you are interested in cult foods especially Dole Whip, yep they’ve been there.  If you want a detailed report on drinking around the world at Epcot, they have done it not once not twice but three times.  With the show reaching towards 1,000 episodes they have covered tons of topics that would help anyone plan their Walt Disney World vacation including the most experienced planners.

The podcast personalities are a mix of five of the best informed Disney Adjacent fans you are going to find.  Len Testa is one of the co-authors of the Unofficial Guide series of Disney travel guidebooks.  Testa’s opinions are typically either backed by statistics or experience having sampled the majority of accommodations and dining locations for the good book.  In addition, it’s his research that the touring plans found in the good book are based on including Lines the mobile outgrowth of touring plans.  Mike Newell turned his Disney fandom into an online streaming music empire in MouseWorld Radio.  Mike Scopa is a long time Walt Disney World visitor, Walt Disney World fan writer and currently blogs at www.AllEars.net.  Host Matt Hochberg is the only member of the team who is a physically Disney Adjacent panelist, and runs Studios Central a website dedicated to convinced us all the Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the best part in Orlando.  Hochberg admits in episode 971 since moving to Orlando he has only gone two weeks without visiting one of the parks.  Yes, I am jealous.  Finally, but not last, the Fabulous Annette Owens is a Disney focused travel agent.  She adds to the panel years of planning countless Disney vacations.  Together there are not many planning questions this group cannot handle.       

So, I listened in preparation of my Walt Disney World vacation several years ago.  I fully intended to quit listening after I returned.  I in fact dropped several podcasts after our return.  Instead, I found myself still downloading three times a week; Monday, Wednesday, Friday.  WDW Today had become part of my podcast diet.  I could not escape it, living out in Between Disney with no trip planned I still had to know more about the parks.  I needed the common sense and fun the hosts provided.  And I was becoming something I did not expect, a Disney enthusiast.  I find that listening helps me plan non-Disney events since much of the common sense can be applied in other family adventures.  I am a better planner because of WDW Today.  I’m sure I am not the only one living Between Disney who can credit, or blame, WDW Today for helping feed a Disney parks obsession.  

Disney Movie Top 5

Currently I am prepping for my first ever podcast appearance on the Sci-Fi Christian Podcast.

The topic is Top Five Disney movies.  I have been making my own list but I would also love to hear from you.

What are your top five Pixar movies and top five non-Pixar Disney movies including live action.

Thanks for the feedback!  AI will update once it's recorded and posted.
 

Dreaming Disney – Mousetaliga!

So there was a time when I claimed the Walt Disney World Resort was my home park.  I mean I had been there a few times and felt like I knew the lay of the land.  But then when the Between family was faced with the choice of vacationing in Duluth or the Wisconsin Dells, we chose another D with the Disneyland Resort.  Now this was a major curve ball.  Disneyland was a whole new world.  I did not know the park layout.  I did not know the best places to eat.  I was not sure that I would be able to get a Dole Whip.  In the face of uncertainty, I went to my preferred information gathering platform, podcasts.  In searching for Disneyland information I stumbled on several podcasts.  Most of them did not make the cut after planning for that future trip was complete.  But Mousetaliga not only made the cut but became a part of my regular podcast diet. 

The first reason I moved forward on listening is the four hosts.  Jeff or Chef Mayhem is the force behind DoomBuggies.com and an Haunted Mansion expert.  Jeff is the buddy whose Disney library and expertise you are jealous of.  Jeff often shares highlights from that library in readings from books, magazines or clippings that Disney enthusiasts are always glad he had and shared.  Kristin is the optimistic one.  She’s typically willing to give most things, well maybe not Walt Disney World, a chance.  Becky is the adventurer.  Be it food, running a marathon, Walt Disney World, or be it touring with an infant she takes on the challenge.  Becky’s husband Dave is the techy one.  Dave has an unnatural love for Tron, which at least for me is unnatural.  He has an extensive music collection and he has used his knowledge of Disney music and technology to start two separate websites separate from the podcast MouseVinyl.com and MobileMouse.net.  It’s really not fair for me to try to categorize the hosts in a niche as I work this through, in fact they may not even seen themselves in these ways.  The key for me, and one of the reasons I have kept listening is these four could be your friends.  They will likely remind you of people in your circle.  But they are the friends you have that also enjoy Disney with no eye rolls, and listening to Mousetaliga feels like entering a conversation; complete with sarcasm and in-jokes.  In episode 158 focused around listener email one fan stated the crew was his "fantasy group of friends."  That may just be the best way to say it.        

The second reason I listen is there is a lot of diversity to this podcast.  A typical podcast may start with a Mousetaliga Bits and Bites, a round table of items and opinions amongst the hosts.  Or perhaps there may be a Mousetaliga Emporium with reviews of recent books, movies, merchandise that the gang has acquired.  Many of the shows will combine one of these segments with a topic.  The third reason I kept listening is the topics.  I am Between Disney, so straight parks only news was not going to satisfy me.  I was already listening to enough of those shows.  But the topics of Mousetaliga run the whole gamut of Disney fandom.  The topic could be park centric, but it could also be a movie or book or something else that is available to me Between Disney.  I have to admit their reviews of Walt Disney Family Museum events have become a favorite since sitting in the Midwest the chances of me going to the museum are remarkably low, but the crew has a knack of summarizing the events in such a way I still feel I get a lot of edutainment value.  My favorite all time episode is episode 103 in which Kristin and Jeff discuss their visit to Alice Davis’ home.  In an earlier episode, number 99 Disney Mechanized Magic, Kristin retold how she met and started a relationship with Alice Davis.  That alone would be a dream for most Disney fans, starting a sincere connection with a Legend who knew Legends.  But to have Kristin and Jeff retell actually visiting her home and hearing of her sincere love of her late husband Marc Davis and her good friend Mary Blair.  It is incredible and you feel as if you are listening to someone like you, not a Disney sponsored host or author but your friends as they enter the life of a lady who is not just a Legend but a treasure.  I had to laugh recently as I listened to episode 156 as Kristin discussed appreciating a Privileged Disney Lifestyle as she typically has easy access to Disney events and parks.  Living Between Disney it was awesome to hear someone Disney Adjacent discuss how many of us, if not most, lack daily Disney access and have to generate our own Disney connections.   

The opening of Mousetaliga claims this is the “Wildest Podcast in the Wilderness”.  I have to admit if wild equals fun it may just be.  There is a lot of laughter and you really feel like you are part of this friendship.  Additionally, I have to give this crew a shout out as they have helped me beyond their actual podcast.  In the summer of 2011, I contacted the Mousetaliga gang through chat with questions about D23.  Dave responded and gave me information that was key to helping plan my family’s trip to the D23 Expo.  I guess in the end we are all friends after all!  

Dreaming Disney – WEDway Radio

I have to be honest.  When I started listening to Disney podcasts I gave WEDway Radio a stab.  I listened to two to three episodes and then I put it aside.  I just was not at a place where it filled my needs.  I was in a furious planning mode trying to get as much planning information as I could as quick as I could.  The episodes I listened to were about Disney history, I mean seriously who is interested in that (okay, I am*)!   I didn’t need detail, how could that make my trip better?  I wanted how to get the most out of FastPass, not history.  I made a  mistake and quit listening.

Months after my vacation things had changed.  Now I was no longer planning for the future but trying to keep my connection the parks while living Between Disney.  So my podcast diet changed and some Disney podcasts that I used for planning dropped off my playlist.  Instead I looked again at podcasts that provided historical topics or those more relevant to me if I was not going to a park for a year or two.  So I gave WEDway Radio another try and I have not stopped listening since.

What I really enjoy are those historical topics that I thought I did not want earlier.  Historical show topics have included a decade by decade timeline of the Walt Disney World Resort, the Disney and George Lucas relationship, the 1964 World’s Fair, park retrospectives and more.  These topics allow me to go deeper into the back story of the Disney parks and are a real treat.  News and current events also make appearances in episodes like their Disney California Adventure progress report or interview with Bret Iwan the current voice of Mickey Mouse.  And there are even vacation planning shows in episodes that discuss vacation strategies.  Along with the podcasting, the hosts blog along with other contributors at the WEDway Radio website. 

Recently the WEDway Radio team has added another podcast “WEDway NOW” to their offerings, a podcast focusing on recent news.  I am a big fan of this recent trend for podcasts to separate news items from topical items.  This step should help WEDway Radio in keeping their content evergreen.   

One of the aspects I enjoy about this podcast is it’s not produced by a team living in Florida or California.  Like me, brothers Matt and Nate Parrish are Midwest boys.  So they do not have the ability to jump into a park every weekend or month.  Sure they talk about Disney vacations, but like most of us the trip is the exception to the rule.  They help to show you don’t have to be living right next to the park in order to live out your Disney dream.  Being Between Disney simply does not disqualify you from moving your dream forward.  So if you have a dream, don’t let your location stop you.  It has not stopped Matt and Nate and because of it many of us have been entertained and informed on a number of Disney topics. 

*I do have both a BA and MA in history, so yes I like history.