AUTHORS DON HAHN AND CHRISTOPHER MERRITT DISCUSS "THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH: THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF WALT DISNEY'S DISNEYLAND" - Disney Podcast Episode 1206

Disney fans rejoice as I welcome former Imagineer Christopher Merritt and Disney Legend Don Hahn as we discuss their new book, being released in conjunction with Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, “The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney’s Disneyland”. This coffee table book is full of art and photos never before seen by the public. It even includes early planning maps of Disneyland created long before what we previously thought was the “first” map. Listen as I chat with Christopher and Don about how this book came to be, the various names considered for Sleeping Beauty Castle, how a Universal Picture was once featured in the Main Street Cinema and so much more. That and so much more is coming your way on this episode of Dizney Coast To Coast. ------ EPISODE LINKS: Order your copy of the book "The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney's Disneyland" Don Hahn on Dizney Coast to Coast ------ GIVEAWAYS, BONUSES AND SUPPORT: Gain early access to episodes, take part in live streams, and gain more bonuses by joining the DCTC Patreon. Receive FREE help booking your next Disney (or non-Disney) vacation at Minnie Memories Travel. Plus, anyone can reach out to Minnie Memories Travel to request the "Top 10 Walt Disney World Tips" document created for DCTC listeners with no obligation. Support the show at no additional cost to you. Do your regular shopping on Amazon and Disney Store using my special links and make a purchase within 24 hours of clicking. Get FREE DISNEY GIFTS from DCTC. ------ BE SOCIAL: Follow @DizneyCTC and @JeffDePaoli on Instagram. ------ CONNECT: Write me at [email protected] Leave a voicemail at 818-860-2569 Visit the show at DizneyCoastToCoast.com Sign up for the DCTC Newsletter ------ "Dizney Coast to Coast" is part of the DePodcast Network. Love the show? Leave a tip on Venmo or PayPal.

Disney fans rejoice! Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration has officially kicked off. With it comes the return of the nighttime spectacular "Wondrous Journeys", originally created for the Disney100 celebration in 2023 honoring the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company.  This nighttime spectacular features moments from every animated feature released by the Walt Disney Animation Studios at that time. Joining me to discuss the creation of this truly spectacular show is the Associate Creative Director, Brian Larsh. Brian worked his way through the ranks of Disney nighttime spectaculars having worked on projects all around the globe. In this conversation, we discuss the original brainstorming sessions for "Wondrous Journeys", the process of bringing it into the parks, how much the specific audience is taken into consideration, plus the craft of projection mapping as a whole. That and so much more is coming your way on this episode of Dizney Coast To Coast. ------ EPISODE LINKS: All four views of "Wondrous Journeys" ------ GIVEAWAYS, BONUSES AND SUPPORT: Gain early access to episodes, take part in live streams, and gain more bonuses by joining the DCTC Patreon. Receive FREE help booking your next Disney (or non-Disney) vacation at Minnie Memories Travel. Plus, anyone can reach out to Minnie Memories Travel to request the "Top 10 Walt Disney World Tips" document created for DCTC listeners with no obligation. Support the show at no additional cost to you. Do your regular shopping on Amazon and Disney Store using my special links and make a purchase within 24 hours of clicking. Get FREE DISNEY GIFTS from DCTC. ------ BE SOCIAL: Follow @DizneyCTC and @JeffDePaoli on Instagram. ------ CONNECT: Write me at [email protected] Leave a voicemail at 818-860-2569 Visit the show at DizneyCoastToCoast.com Sign up for the DCTC Newsletter ------ "Dizney Coast to Coast" is part of the DePodcast Network. Love the show? Leave a tip on Venmo or PayPal.

Disney fans rejoice! If you’ve ever played tourist in Los Angeles, there’s a good chance the iconic Chinese Theatre in Hollywood was on your list of places to visit. Whether it was to catch a movie on its big screen, marvel at its architecture, or to see if your handprints are the same size as your favorite stars frozen in cement, the Chinese Theatre is a Hollywood tourism magnet. Of course, Disney fans know all about Walt Disney World’s version of the Chinese Theatre at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s been the park icon, has housed two signature rides, and is now used as the canvas of projected nighttime spectaculars. Joining me to discuss the history of the original Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood along with the similarities and differences of Disney’s in Florida is theatre historian Escott Norton. Hear all about the construction of the theatre plus the hand and footprint ceremonies. That and so much more is coming your way on this episode of Dizney Coast To Coast. ------ EPISODE LINKS: Ep. 697: Watching "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" at Hollywood's Chinese Theatre Guest co-host Escott's coloring books, Coloring Historic Theatres  ------ GIVEAWAYS, BONUSES AND SUPPORT: Gain early access to episodes, take part in live streams, and gain more bonuses by joining the DCTC Patreon. Receive FREE help booking your next Disney (or non-Disney) vacation at Minnie Memories Travel. Plus, anyone can reach out to Minnie Memories Travel to request the "Top 10 Walt Disney World Tips" document created for DCTC listeners. Support the show at no additional cost to you. Do your regular shopping on Amazon and Disney Store using my special links and make a purchase within 24 hours of clicking. Get FREE DISNEY GIFTS from DCTC. ------ BE SOCIAL: Follow @DizneyCTC and @JeffDePaoli on Instagram. ------ CONNECT: Write me at [email protected] Leave a voicemail at 818-860-2569 Visit the show at DizneyCoastToCoast.com Sign up for the DCTC Newsletter ------ "Dizney Coast to Coast" is part of the DePodcast Network. Love the show? Leave a tip on Venmo or PayPal.

Disney fans rejoice! Today on the show we’re discussing the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue dinner show at Walt Disney World, which I revisited on a recent Disney vacation with my family. The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is most likely something you’re very familiar with or have never even heard of. It’s a bit of a weird phenomenon where this live dinner show that’s been running for over fifty years at Fort Wilderness isn’t known by a lot of Disney fans. This slice of Americana, old-fashioned family fun, and heaping helpings of barbecue and comfort food combines music, dancing, vaudeville style comedy, and audience interaction. Joining me to discuss is my college pal Frances who had the honor of portraying the role of Flora Long, one of the show's six ensemble characters. Whether you’re someone who has personally enjoyed the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue yourself, or perhaps you have no idea what it is, you’re sure to enjoy this story of its origins while taking a peek behind the curtain of a tradition steeped in Walt Disney World history. That and so much more is coming your way on this episode of Dizney Coast to Coast. ------ GIVEAWAYS, BONUSES AND SUPPORT: Gain early access to episodes, take part in live streams, and gain more bonuses by joining the DCTC Patreon. Receive FREE help booking your next Disney (or non-Disney) vacation at Minnie Memories Travel. Plus, anyone can reach out to Minnie Memories Travel to request the "Top 10 Walt Disney World Tips" document created for DCTC listeners. Support the show at no additional cost to you. Do your regular shopping on Amazon and Disney Store using my special links and make a purchase within 24 hours of clicking. Get FREE DISNEY GIFTS from DCTC. ------ BE SOCIAL: Follow @DizneyCTC and @JeffDePaoli on Instagram. ------ CONNECT: Write me at [email protected] Leave a voicemail at 818-860-2569 Visit the show at DizneyCoastToCoast.com Sign up for the DCTC Newsletter ------ "Dizney Coast to Coast" is part of the DePodcast Network. Love the show? Leave a tip on Venmo or PayPal.

Disney fans rejoice! I have Kathleen Gavin joining me to discuss her first producing job with Disney on the animated feature “Oliver & Company”. Kathleen enjoyed a twenty-year career with Disney as she hopped around to numerous divisions while literally being a big part of saving Disney animation as it was actively on the chopping block. Kathleen was brought in to streamline the animation process and to make the process repeatable for years to come. Decades of animated films later, it seems Kathleen succeeded in her mission. And that was with zero prior experience in the world of animation. Listen as we discuss the making of the film and the historic significance of this movie you might not initially think of when pondering “Oliver & Company”. That and so much more is coming your way on this episode of Dizney Coast to Coast. ------ EPISODE LINKS: Ep. 1132 - Kathleen Gavin and more discuss "The Nightmare Before Christmas". ------ GIVEAWAYS, BONUSES AND SUPPORT: Gain early access to episodes, take part in live streams, and gain more bonuses by joining the DCTC Patreon. Receive FREE help booking your next Disney (or non-Disney) vacation at Minnie Memories Travel. Plus, anyone can reach out to Minnie Memories Travel to request the "Top 10 Walt Disney World Tips" document created for DCTC listeners. Support the show at no additional cost to you. Do your regular shopping on Amazon and Disney Store using my special links and make a purchase within 24 hours of clicking. Get FREE DISNEY GIFTS from DCTC. ------ BE SOCIAL: Follow @DizneyCTC and @JeffDePaoli on Instagram. ------ CONNECT: Write me at [email protected] Leave a voicemail at 818-860-2569 Visit the show at DizneyCoastToCoast.com Sign up for the DCTC Newsletter ------ "Dizney Coast to Coast" is part of the DePodcast Network. Love the show? Leave a tip on Venmo or PayPal.

Disney fans rejoice! On this episode we’re discussing the infamous Magic Kingdom attraction, ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter, and a live show in Los Angeles paying tribute to this theme park attraction in an extreme way. Joining me to discuss are the creators of the live show “Alien Encounter”, Adam Franklin and Amit Itelman. I was blown away by the insanity of it all as I was being drenched in alien mucus and blood in a live show unlike anything I'd ever experienced. It was absolutely clear to me from the moment the show began that the folks involved are big fans and have great respect for the Disney parks. Enjoy my conversation with the creators of “Alien Encounter” while we discuss the development of their live show and the original Disney attraction it’s based on. That and so much more is coming your way on this episode of Dizney Coast to Coast. ------ EPISODE LINKS: "Alien Encounter" Live Show Ep. 777 - ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter Makeup Artist Interview ------ GIVEAWAYS, BONUSES AND SUPPORT: Gain early access to episodes, take part in live streams, and gain more bonuses by joining the DCTC Patreon. Receive FREE help booking your next Disney (or non-Disney) vacation at Minnie Memories Travel. Be sure to mention you heard about them on Dizney Coast to Coast. Support the show at no additional cost to you. Do your regular shopping on Amazon and Disney Store using my special links and make a purchase within 24 hours of clicking. Get FREE DISNEY GIFTS from DCTC. ------ BE SOCIAL: Follow @DizneyCTC and @JeffDePaoli on Instagram. ------ CONNECT: Write me at [email protected] Leave a voicemail at 818-860-2569 Visit the show at DizneyCoastToCoast.com Sign up for the DCTC Newsletter ------ "Dizney Coast to Coast" is part of the DePodcast Network. Love the show? Leave a tip on Venmo or PayPal.

Disney fans rejoice! Welcome to the season 11 finale of Dizney Coast to Coast. Today on the show I chat with Brian Sandahl who worked as an Art Director for Disney Live Entertainment for over 20 years at the Disneyland Resort. During his time, he worked on holiday attraction overlays including It’s a Small World Holiday, Haunted Mansion Holiday and Jingle Cruise. Plus, he worked on A Christmas Fantasy Parade for a number of years, even designing new floats for the annual Christmas parade. Hear how the folks at Disney Live Entertainment, not Walt Disney Imagineering, bring these holiday overlays to the parks, the challenges they bring, and how they get developed in the first place. That and so much more is coming your way on this holiday episode of Dizney Coast to Coast. Order your Dizney Coast to Coast 2025 calendars! Dizney Coast to Coast Holiday Playlist ------ GIVEAWAYS, BONUSES AND SUPPORT: Gain early access to episodes, take part in Ask Me Anything live streams, and gain more bonuses by joining the DCTC Patreon. Support the show at no additional cost to you. Do your regular shopping on Amazon and Disney Store using my special links. Get FREE DISNEY GIFTS from DCTC. ------ BE SOCIAL: Follow @DizneyCTC and @JeffDePaoli on Instagram. ------ CONNECT: Write me at [email protected] Leave a voicemail at 818-860-2569 Visit the show at DizneyCoastToCoast.com Sign up for the DCTC Newsletter ------ "Dizney Coast to Coast" is part of the DePodcast Network. Love the show? Leave a tip.

Disney fans rejoice! Disneyland Resort has announced a full roster of events coming to the resort in 2025, including details about the 70th anniversary celebration. Plus, the Haunted Mansion queue has finally reopened at Disneyland, Dinosaur will remain open in Disney's Animal Kingdom throughout 2025, Walt Disney World shares a debut timeline for various new offerings, and Figment's holiday sweater now comes in human sizes. That and so much more on this episode. Order your Dizney Coast to Coast 2025 calendars! Dizney Coast to Coast Holiday Playlist Stay up to date with Disney news at LaughingPlace.com ------ GIVEAWAYS, BONUSES, SUPPORT, AND SAVE: Gain early access to episodes, take part in Ask Me Anything live streams, and gain more bonuses by joining the DCTC Patreon. Support the show at no additional cost to you. Do your regular shopping on Amazon and Disney Store using my special links. Get FREE DISNEY GIFTS from DCTC. ------ BE SOCIAL: Follow @DizneyCTC and @JeffDePaoli on Instagram. ------ CONNECT: Write me at [email protected] Leave a voicemail at 818-860-2569 Visit the show at DizneyCoastToCoast.com Sign up for the DCTC Newsletter ------ "Dizney Coast to Coast" is part of the DePodcast Network. Love the show? Leave a tip.

Disney fans rejoice! Everything’s coming up Oz as the world (and I) have been swept away by Universal Pictures’ latest mega-hit movie, “Wicked”, based on the hit Broadway musical. But it’s certainly not the first time the public has been put under the Oz spell, and Walt Disney himself knew the power of Oz. All the way back in the 1950s Walt Disney wanted to make an Oz movie. Although it never fully came to fruition for him, The Walt Disney Company has certainly had its fair share of Oz projects throughout the years. Listen as Oz historian Tori (from The Oz Vlog) joins me to discuss Disney’s history with Oz as well as Oz history in general. She is a human encyclopedia for all things Oz and you’re certain to learn a ton during this episode. Now, let’s follow that yellow brick road and discuss Disney and it’s many iterations of Oz. Order your Dizney Coast to Coast 2025 calendars! ------ GIVEAWAYS, BONUSES AND SUPPORT: Gain early access to episodes, take part in Ask Me Anything live streams, and gain more bonuses by joining the DCTC Patreon. Support the show at no additional cost to you. Do your regular shopping on Amazon and Disney Store using my special links. Get FREE DISNEY GIFTS from DCTC. ------ BE SOCIAL: Follow @DizneyCTC and @JeffDePaoli on Instagram. ------ CONNECT: Write me at [email protected] Leave a voicemail at 818-860-2569 Visit the show at DizneyCoastToCoast.com Sign up for the DCTC Newsletter ------ "Dizney Coast to Coast" is part of the DePodcast Network. Love the show? Leave a tip.

Disney fans rejoice! As Dizney Coast to Coast soon heads into its 12th season, I discuss some updates coming to the podcast. Plus, Muppet*Vision 3D is closing at Disney's Hollywood as they head to the other side of the park to take over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Disneyland Paris begins dynamic pricing for theme park tickets, Soarin' Around the World at EPCOT gets unexpected updates, and you can soon hear Disney Legend Richard Sherman's final work for Disney. That and so much more on this episode. Order your Dizney Coast to Coast 2025 calendars! Dizney Coast to Coast Holiday Playlist ------ GIVEAWAYS, BONUSES, SUPPORT, AND SAVE: Gain early access to episodes, take part in Ask Me Anything live streams, and gain more bonuses by joining the DCTC Patreon. Support the show at no additional cost to you. Do your regular shopping on Amazon and Disney Store using my special links. Get FREE DISNEY GIFTS from DCTC. ------ BE SOCIAL: Follow @DizneyCTC and @JeffDePaoli on Instagram. ------ CONNECT: Write me at [email protected] Leave a voicemail at 818-860-2569 Visit the show at DizneyCoastToCoast.com Sign up for the DCTC Newsletter ------ "Dizney Coast to Coast" is part of the DePodcast Network. Love the show? Leave a tip.