Background Artist: The Life and Work of Tyrus Wong with Karen Fang

In this episode, Michael and Tom chat with author Karen Fang about her book Background Artist: The Life and Work of Tyrus Wong, whose watercolors are featured in Walt Disney's Bambi.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 begin the history of the 1942 classic Saludos Amigos by discussing how the film, and the research trip to South America that preceded it, came to be.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelSources:Websites/Articles:Saludos Amigos, WikipediaThe Good Neighbor Films – Saludos Amigos, The Three Caballeros, maketheswitch.comThe Persistence of Disney, Saludos Amigos by Jerry Roberts for Armchair Cinema.comBuilding Entertainment: The Animated Films of the Walt Disney Studio. Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros, the-avocado.orgBooks:South of the Border with Disney: Walt Disney and the Good Neighbor Program, 1941-1948 by J.B. KaufmanVideos:Walt & El Grupo documentary directed by Theodore Thomas (available on Disney+) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom finish up the history of Journey Into Imagination at EPCOT with a look at the updates the popular attraction has received over the years.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelSources:Websites/Articles:40 Years of Sparks - The Complete History of Journey Into Imagination by Katie Francis for WDW News Today“One Little Spark”: How Epcot’s Journey into Imagination Inspired a Generation @ Park LoreRemembering the Magic: Imagination! Pavilion by Jonathan Heigl for MouseplanetBooks:The EPCOT Explorer’s Encyclopedia: A Guide to Walt Disney World’s Greatest Theme Park by R.A. PedersenVideos:Journey Into Your Imagination (2000 Version)EPCOT – Journey Into Your Imagination – October 17, 1999Journey into Imagination with Figment – On Ride 2022 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom celebrate the 10th anniversary of Connecting with Walt by taking a trip back in time to the Walt Disney World of 1975. There they are joined by Tony Spittell from the legacy Disneyland Podcast and the trio plan their day at the Magic Kingdom with a classic ticket book in hand.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 join Figment and the Dreamfinder on a ride-thru of Journey Into Imagination as the story of that EPCOT pavilion continues.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelSources:Websites/Articles:40 Years of Sparks - The Complete History of Journey Into Imagination by Katie Francis for WDW News Today“One Little Spark”: How Epcot’s Journey into Imagination Inspired a Generation @ Park LoreBooks:The EPCOT Explorer’s Encyclopedia: A Guide to Walt Disney World’s Greatest Theme Park by R.A. PedersenTony Baxter: First of the Second Generation of Walt Disney Imagineers by Tim O’BrienSecret Stories of Walt Disney World by Jim KorkisExtra Secret Stories of Walt Disney World by Jim KorkisVideos:Journey Into Imagination Revisited - Full Ride Through Restored & Enhanced by RetroWDW Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Tom, along with special guest Anita, discuss the second and final day of this year's Destination D23 event held recently at Walt Disney World.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, along with special guest Anita, discuss the first day of this year's Destination D23 event held recently at Walt Disney World.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 talk about a private event leading up to Disneyland's 70th that Michael attended. The event included several presentations focusing on the history of Walt Disney and the Disneyland Resort, including Michael's discussion of the never made "Rainbow Road to Oz".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 a presentation that Michael attended at Walt Disney Imagineering and the Grand Central Air Terminal, D23 Spotlight Series: Disneyland Fond Memories of the Past, hosted by Stacia Martin and Becky Cline, the Director of the Walt Disney Archives. Michael also shares a brief history of the Grand Central Air Terminal.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, Tom, and their special guest Mary Jo discuss their experiences surrounding July 17th, 2025, Disneyland Park's 70th birthday, including new magic and special events.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelHilbert Museum of California Art Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.