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

In this episode, Michael and Tom explore the idea that Walt Disney quietly designed Disneyland to be a classrom where people could learn without ever feeling like they were being taught.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited Travel

In this episode, Michael shares with Tom information from two recent talks he attended at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco. The first presentation was "Memories of Mary Blair" with historian John Canemaker and Blair's niece Maggie Richardson. Next, Gregg Sherman, son of composer Richard M. Sherman, presented "Walking with Giants: The Untold Story of Mary Poppins."Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited Travel

In this episode, Michael continues his look at Woolie Reitherman as he and Tom discuss how one of Walt's Nine Old Men stepped into a leadership role during a transitional period at The Walt Disney Studios.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelSources:Books:Walt Disney's Nine Old Men & The Art of Animation by John CanemakerWalt Disney's Nine Old Men: Masters of Animation by Don HahnThe Nine Old Men: Lessons, Techniques, and Inspiration from Disney's Great Animators by Andreas Dejas

In this episode, Michael continues his series on Walt Disney's Nine Old Men as he and Tom discuss animator, director, and producer Woolie Reitherman and his contributions to the Walt Disney Studio.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelSources:Books:Walt Disney's Nine Old Men & The Art of Animation by John CanemakerWalt Disney's Nine Old Men: Masters of Animation by Don HahnThe Nine Old Men: Lessons, Techniques, and Inspiration from Disney's Great Animators by Andreas Dejas

In this episode, Michael takes Tom on a deep dive into the Carousel of Progress, not just as an attraction, but as Walt Disney's mission statement.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited Travel

In this episode, producer/director Don Hahn joins Michael and Tom to discuss his newest book "The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney's Disneyland," the companion exhibit at the Walt Disney Family Museum, and his involvement in the Disney+ documentary "Disney Handcrafted".Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited Travel

In this special episode, Michael and Tom sit down with producer Don Hahn to discuss the life and legacy of director Roger Allers, who passed away recently. Allers co-directed Disney's The Lion King (which Hahn produced) and co-wrote the Broadway adaptation of the film.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 how Walt Disney's optimism shaped the course of his life and kept him moving forward.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited Travel

In this episode, Michael and Tom welcome historian and author J.B. Kaufman who delves into his newest book, Worlds to Conquer: The Art and Making of Walt Disney's Fantasia.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited Travel