Ep. 723: Pixar Fest 2024, Céntrico at Downtown Disney

This week, Jeff is joined by Julia Layne to talk about Disney gift giving, and we make a list of some themes and gift ideas to help you become a Disney gift-giver-extraordinaire this holiday season! But first, we talk to author Sunny Chanel about her brand new book "Bring the Magic Home" from Disney Editions. Sunny talks to us about her background as a Disney fan, her history as a writer, and she gives us some tips and insight into the act of bringing Disney design home from the parks into your personal space. Plus - Julia reports on "Directing at Disney," a new exhibition at the Walt Disney Family Museum on display now through March 2025. Shop for Disney gifts at Kristen's shop of handmade upcycled Disneyana at boardtique.com. Help support the show at MousetalgiaPlus.com. Keep in touch at [email protected].

This week, Jeff and Julia report on the inaugural Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon weekend, which Jeff participated in (spoiler alert - a Haunted Mansion-themed 10K medal was involved in his decision.) Plus - it's Halloween Time at Disneyland, and we have some food reviews of the Lamplight Lounge brunch, Red Rose Taverne's Halloween Time offerings, and the off-campus Orange Hill steakhouse (if you need a break from the Disney crowds - it's 20 minutes and a world away).Then Kristen joins Jeff to remember Peter Renaday, and we reminisce about our time spent with Pete, talking with him about his life's work, and discussing his legacy as an generous, talented, and kind friend. Talk to us: [email protected]

This week, Jeff is joined by guests from the Skywalking Through Neverland and WD-FM podcasts to discuss the 2024 D23 Ultimate Disney Fan Event in this part 2 of our coverage of the event. Richard and Sarah from "Skywalking" join Jeff to share some of their highlights from the event and the Legends ceremony, and then Bri Bertolaccini from the Walt Disney Family Museum (and the WD-FM podcast) joins the show to talk about her panel at D23 all about a new book coming soon that she helped develop, research and write. Finally, Jeff shares his top 23 moments from the event from the panels, the showfloor, and Honda Center. Plus - Donald Duck eating... hot wings?

This week, Jeff and Kristen chat about D23 The Ultimate Fan Event! In this part one of Jeff's coverage, we talk about the Walt animatronic, braving the Honda Center for D23 (without any transporation trouble!), meeting Disney celebrities and book signing lines - and more; and stay tuned for part two of Jeff's coverage coming soon. Then, Kristen recaps a recent trip to Aulani, and talks about renting DVC points, resort tips for families, dining and luau thoughts, scheduling and reservation suggestions - and more. Contact us at [email protected]

This week, Ted Thomas speaks with Mousetalgia about his father, animation legend (and one of the "Nine Old Men") Frank Thomas, and shares some insight into Frank's legacy. Ted also talks about his latest project, "Walt and El Grupo in Latin America," a book he co-authored with JB Kaufman and Didier Ghez about the Disney "goodwill" tour and its impact on its participants. Ted, JB and Didier will be offering a panel about the new book at the D23 Fan Event next week. Speaking of which - Jeff also welcome Kristen Carr back to the show to discuss the D23 Ultimate Fan Event coming up August 9-11, and we discuss what we are looking forward to, what we are nervous about, and some tips for those of you lucky enough to be attending the sold out event. (If you aren't going, we tried to keep the conversation interesting for you, too!) Plus - Kristen reports on San Diego Comic Con, we contemplate the impact of Deadpool - and more.

This week, Julia Layne joins Jeff to discuss some timely news: The D23 schedule just dropped, and we look at Friday's schedule as we start to make plans for the convention. Then, we talk about a new documentary about "A Goofy Movie" called "Not Just a Goof" which we were able to preview at the Walt Disney Family Museum, and we talk about the creation of the documentary and the reasons that "A Goofy Movie" is held so dearly by its fans. Finally, Jeff visited Disneyland over the Independence Day weekend and sampled the latest menus of many of his favorite park eateries, and we talk about the highs and the so-sos. 

This week, Kristen Carr joins the show to share her first reactions to Inside Out 2, the latest Pixar film, and we offer a spoiler-free introduction to the new characters and situations that Riley encounters as she reaches puberty. Also - summer is in full swing at Disneyland! Ticket prices are low and temperatures are rising, so it's a great time to get in on the fun. We talk about new things to eat, Pixar in the parks, the Matterhorn's 65th and Donald Duck's 90th anniversaries, and changes to Avengers Campus and Downtown Disney. Plus - Jeff attends a talk by Alan Dean Foster, author of the original "Star Wars" novelization, and the legendary author talks about sci/fi, his Star Wars sequel, the problems with "The Black Hole" - and more! Contact Mousetalgia at [email protected].

This week, Jeff welcomes Kristen back to the show to reminisce about Disney Legend Richard Sherman, who passed away on May 25. We share some thoughts about the influence he (along with brother Robert) had on popular music and the Disney Company, and we share some memories of time we spent with Richard. Other topics include our summer Disney plans (Disneyland, Aulani and the Walt Disney Family Museum), a few more thoughts about the Marc and Alice Davis auction update, and we respond to listener feedback to the last episode. BONUS: A very special performance by Kristen, which may involve some accordion.

This week, Jeff is joined by Tina and Julia from the Pal Around Podcast to share a super smorgasbord of Disney fun and knowledge with a mega-charcuterie! Our varied topics include Sun-Ra's new Disney vinyl, our thoughts on DisneylandForward, a Mini-Museum with a piece of Walt Disney's Apartment from Disneyland, collecting Disney blind boxes, training for Disneyland's upcoming runDisney races, a look back at Maurice Chevalier's memoir, upcoming SF Giant's Disney promotions, Cast member aspirations, and a super secret Haunted Mansion moment from Walt Disney World!

May the Fourth be with you - and may plentiful Pixar pals dance through your head while you learn all about Pixar Fest on this week's show! Kristen Carr from Mousetalgia Fastpass joins us this week to discuss everything about the Disneyland Resort's latest happening - Pixar Fest, which celebrates everything Pixar in both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. From Pixar-inspired food to Pixar-inspired shows and a parade, Kristen covers it all and lets you know the hits (and perhaps a miss or two) to be found in this year's event. Next, Kristen reports from a press event celebrating the new Patina Group restaurants opening at Downtown Disney, centered around Céntrico, a new restaurant with a menu developed by Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytán. Plus - in honor of May the Fourth, Jeff reviews the newest Star Wars book titled "Return of the Jedi: A Visual Archive."