Connecting with Walt - A look into the history of the man behind Mickey Mouse, Disneyland and Walt Disney World

In this episode, special guests Colin Ayres and Dwayne Burgess share information about this year's OzCon International, a convention being held this summer in Burbank which will focus on Walt Disney's connection to The Wizard of Oz series of books and celebrate the 40th anniversary of Disney's Return to Oz. Then, Michael and Tom take a look at the history of the popular Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelOzCon InternationalSources:Books:Secret Stories of Walt Disney World by Jim KorkisWebsites/Articles:Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, WikipediaThe First EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival by Morgan Flaherty for WDW MagazineTopiary, The Disney WikiWDW Chronicles: The History of Disney Topiary by Jim Korkis for AllEars.net

In this episode, Michael and Tom take a walk down Main Street in Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom to look at several of the windows that honor developers and planners of the theme parks.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelSources:Books:People Behind The Disney Parks: Stories of Those Honored with a Window on Main Street, USA by Chuck SnyderMain Street Windows: A Complete Guide to Disney's Whimsical Tributes by Jeff HeimbuchWebsites/Articles:Hidden Tributes Revealed: The Story Behind Disneyland’s Main Street Windows for MiceChatSkyway to Wonderland: Windows on Main StreetWDW Mousing – Magic Kingdom – Windows on Main Street

In this episode, Michael and Tom sail to Little Mermaid's Island, an unaired television show that was developed for the Disney Channel with the cooperation of Jim Henson's creature shop.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelSources:Books:Disney Never Lands: Things Disney Never Made by Jim KorkisWebsites/Articles:This 35-Year-Old Disney Classic Has a Forgotten Muppet-Style Remake by Melody DayLittle Mermaid’s Island: The Abandoned Jim Henson Disney Channel TV Show Pilot, Storybook AmusementJim Henson Made a ‘Little Mermaid’ Show and, Yep, It Was Weird by Cameron GormanVideos:Little Mermaid's Island: Sebastian's BirthdayLittle Mermaid's Island: To Tell the Truth

In this episode, Michael and Tom head back into their digital mailbox to answer the last of the listener questions, this week discussing a variety of topics including questions about the Disney family.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited Travel

In this episode, Michael and Tom head back into their digital mailbox to continue answering more listener questions, this week tackling inquiries regarding the entertainment side of the Walt Disney Company.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited Travel

In this episode, Michael and Tom head back into their digital mailbox to continue answering more listener questions, finishing up questions about the theme parks.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited Travel

In this episode, Michael and Tom open up their digital mailbox and begin answering the first of several batches of listener questions. This week's focus is on the theme parks.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited Travel

In this episode, Michael and Tom discuss the history of Walt Disney's The Reluctant Dragon. The 1941 classic combined both live action and animated segments, taking movie goers inside the shiny new Walt Disney Studios and behind the scenes of some several films that were currently in production, including Bambi and Dumbo.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelSources:Books:The Disney Films by Leonard MaltinThe Walt Disney Films Archives: The Animated Movies 1921-1968 Edited by Daniel KohenschulteWebsites/Articles:The Disney Strike and The Reluctant Dragon for Ink & PaintThe Reluctant Dragon by Ester Bley for Cartoon Research Part 1 Part 2The Reluctant Dragon by Dan Heaton for The Tomorrow SocietyThe Reluctant Dragon, The Disney WikiDisney Film History: The Reluctant Dragon