Ep. 756: Moana, convention season, Disneyland

This week on the Mousetalgia Pal Around, we discuss The D23 Ultimate Disney Fan Event held at the Anaheim Convention Center Aug. 14-16, 2026. On this episode dealing specifically with the convention center's show floor, we discuss the various pavilions, the sponsored businesses, the variety of activations on the floor and our personal highlights. Relive all the splattery 4-D, condimental and theatrical goodness with us! Plus - the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art's opening nears; eating on widened railings in the Disney Parks; the demise of Play Disney Parks; and, of course, more news from Bath & Body Works. 

On this week's potpourri show, Jeff discusses the latest woes of the Disney resorts, including no water for Disneyland and Wilderness Lodge - and no AC at Wilderness Lodge in the middle of the summer... ugh. On a brighter note, Julia and Tina return to the show to discuss recent Walt Disney Family Museum talks, including a look behind the scenes at creating foley sound effects for films and the development of the Cars brand for Pixar. Plus - being held prisoner in a Disney resort bathroom... and more.

This week, Mousetalgia welcomes Dave back to the show as the host of the Mousetalgia Pal Around, a new (but VERY familiar) addition to the Mousetalgia show. Dave, Julia and Tina will host this regularly recurring episode of Mousetalgia as we launch a revised, regular schedule to give you a reliable source of news, reviews and Disney conversation. This week, we discuss our hopes, fears, dreams and expectations for D23, Disney's major convention which is less than 2 weeks away! We talk about preparation, our experiences registering, and announce a meet up for those in the know (that's you!) Plus - reviews of Beauty and the Beast on tour, Hillary Duff on tour, and Disney+'s "Descendants: Wicked Wonderland."

Happy birthday Disneyland! This week, Jeff welcomes special guest Kristen Carr to the show, and we talk about her latest happening, an advance screening of Moana with a special guest from the movie! Carr talks about her history hosting special screenings, behind the scenes stories, and then we review the film - the latest in Disney's string of live-action versions of classic animated features. Is a decade a long enough span between the animated film and its remake? Then, with Comic-Con and D23 nipping at our heels, we discuss the upcoming convention season, and offer our tips, tricks, and expectations. Plus - Disneyland is now 71, and we offer some of our most striking memories of times spent in the park. Find Kristen at https://www.instagram.com/thehappiestclubonearth Contact us: [email protected]

This week, Jeff welcomes special guest co-host Kristen back to the show to talk about cruising! Jeff reports on his recent cruise aboard the Disney Destiny, which sailed from Fort Lauderdale into the Bahamas to Nassau and Disney's Castaway Cay. We discuss the food, the onboard shows and attractions, and excursions along the way. Kristen compares Disney cruising with other companies' cruises, with a focus on Alaska, and gives us tips and tricks for choosing your own future cruise. Plus - Disney songs we are REALLY not into - and more.

This week, Jeff shares some memories and stories about Margaret Kerry, who passed away on June 11 at the age of 97. Margaret spent her childhood and youth adulthood as a performing artist, and she is best known among Disney fans for being the reference model used by Marc Davis to create and animate Tinker Bell for the 1953 film Peter Pan. Jeff spent a bit of time working with Margaret Kerry in the early days of website design, and he reminisces about getting to know Margaret, shares some memories of her early career in Hollywood, and then we replay Mousetalgia's first interview from 2008 with Margaret in person.

This week, Jeff welcomes author and professor Roland Betancourt to the show (41:31) to discuss the history of technology at Disneyland and his new book "Disneyland and the Rise of Automation." We discuss the nature of post-war automation and the mid-20th century, and how Walt Disney took many influences and distilled them into his automated verion of themed entertainment. Also - Jeff reviews "The Mandalorian and Grogu," (18:50) and we talk about the extensive fan-service throughout the film: cam there be too much of a good thing? Plus - Jeff follows up on the Topps Disneyland 70 trading cards discussion and reveals how he finally decided to go about collecting this behemoth set. 

May the Fourth be with you! On today's special surprise episode of Mousetalgia, Jeff takes you on a tour of nearly two decades of recorded history of Star Wars as heard on this podcast. Starting with a look at Star Tours and then going back to the beginning of these iconic films, we will hear from Imagineers, special effects artists, voice actors and celebrities who will share special insights into the history of the greatest hero's journey of our era. Enjoy this special Star-Wars-Day edition of Mousetalgia!

In this episode, Jeff welcomes frequent co-host Julia back to the show to discuss a recent talk about the development of Disneyland's Indiana Jones Adventure by Disney Legend Tony Baxter at the Walt Disney Family Museum. Tony led the project and tells stories about interactivity, Harrison Ford, and dealing with hungry rats. Then, we review Disney books - "The Art of Hoppers" and "From Disneyland's Tom Sawyer to Disney Legend: The Adventures of Tom Nabbe" (and we include a bonus interview with Tom himself!) Plus - an extensive and possibly confusing discussion about Topps' new Disneyland 70 trading card set - and more.

This week, Jeff answers your burning questions about the Disney universe and Mousetalgia, including topics about Disney parks, rides, treats, food, Disney history, and (of course) lots of squirrel trails along the way. We also take a fresh look at Darby O'Gill and the Little People, and talk about its making, Walt's intentions for the film, and its impact on audiences since its release in 1959.