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 continue the celebration of the Disneyland Resort's 70th Anniversary with a look at how Paint the Night made it's way to Disneyland Park.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelOzCon International - Discount code: CWOZCON2025Sources:Websites/Articles:Babes in Disneyland: Fun Facts About the New Incredibles Float in the Paint the Night ParadeAn Incredible New Float is Coming to the Paint the Night Parade by Joelyn Buhlman for D23Paint the Night – WikipediaPaint the Night – Disney Wiki

In this episode, Michael shares with Tom his thoughts about two events he attended at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco that focused on Walt Disney Imagineering. First up, Imagineer Eddie Sotto shares the challenges of building Disneyland Paris. Then, WDI President Bob Weis talks about his start in Imagineering through his transition to management.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelOzCon International - Discount code: CWOZCON2025

In this episode, Michael and Tom chat with Emmy Award winning animation producer Melinda Dilger, who got her start in the classic Disney television shows Goof Troop and House of Mouse. More recently, Melinda has worked on series for Netflix, including Arcane and Blue Eye Samurai.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelOzCon International - Discount code: CWOZCON2025

In this episode, Michael and Tom chat with author Neil O' Brien about his book After Disney: Toil, Trouble, and the Transformation of America's Favorite Media Company, which covers the years following Walt Disney's passing through the beginning of the Michael Eisner and Frank Wells era.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelOzCon International - Discount code: CWOZCON2025

In this episode, Michael and Tom kick off the celebration of the Disneyland Resort's 70th anniversary with a look at Davy Crockett in Disneyland, including a review of the television miniseries and theatrical releases, along with the impact the King of the Wild Frontier had in the theme park.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelOzCon International - Discount code: CWOZCON2025Sources:Books:Walt Disney and Live Action: The Disney Studio’s Live-Action Features of the 1950s and 60s by John G. WestThe Wonderful World of Disney Television by Bill CotterThe "E" Ticket Magazine Number 33Websites/Articles:The Davy Crockett Craze by Joyska Nunez-Medina for the Tennessee State MuseumFess Parker - D23.comDavy Crockett (miniseries) Wikipedia

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