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

Walt's Nine Old Men - Frank Thomas: The Making of a Disney Legend - Part 1In this episode, Michael continues his series on Walt Disney's Nine Old Men as he and Tom discuss animator Frank Thomas, from his early life in Fresno, California to his contributions during the making of Walt's Disneys first animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.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 Hahn & Charles SolomonDisney Animation: The Illusion of Life by Frank Thomas & Ollie JohnstonWebsites/Articles:D23: The Official Disney Fan Club - Frank Thomas-Disney LegendsThe Walt Disney Family Museum - Frank Thomas: The Key-Playing Key AnimatorLos Angeles Times - Frank Thomas, 92: One of Disney's 'Nine Old Men'D23: The Official Disney Fan Club - Animator and Disney Legend Frank Thomas is BornD23: The Official Disney Fan Club - Ollie Johnston-Disney Legends

In this special Veterans Day episode, Michael and Tom explore the work of Disney artists during World War II, including Donald Duck's adventures (and misadventures) in uniform and two of the most unusual films Walt Disney ever produced.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelSources:Websites/Articles:Walt Disney Family Museum - Over There: Walt Disney's World War I AdventureWalt Disney Family Museum - The American FlagWalt Disney Family Museum - The Walt Disney Studios and World War IID23: The Official Disney Fan Club - World War IINational Museum of the United States Air Force - Disney Pins on WingsThe Walt Disney Company - Walt Disney and the US Military: A Century of Support for VeteransThe Walt Disney Company - Disneyland Honors World War II Veteran at Emotional Flag Retreat

In this Halloween episode, Michael and Tom continue exploring the darker side of Disney, with looks at Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Bambi, and more.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited Travel

With Halloween season nearly upon us, we delve into the Connecting with Walt archives for a pair of classic episodes. First up is the history of Snow White's Scary Adventure, focusing on several different iterations of the attraction. Then we take a tour of the Haunted Mansion graveyards in both Disneyland Park and the Magic Kingdom to learn more about the names engraved on the tombstones.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited Travel

With Disney Cruise Line and their new ship the Disney Believe in the news this week, we decided to rewind back to 2022 and a three-part interview Michael did with the late Jim Korkis discussing the history of Disney Cruise Line. Author and historian Korkis, a friend the show, also discussed his book Hidden Treasures of Disney Cruise Line. This podcast has all three pieces of that interview merged together, so you now have Korkis' entire Disney Cruise Line story all in one place.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited Travel

At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, there was a tease about a future update coming to Spaceship Earth in Epcot. After digging WAY back in the official Connecting with Walt archives, we found a three-part series where Michael and Craig share the history of the iconic attraction. This podcast has all three pieces of that series merged together, so you now have the entire Spaceship Earth story all in one place.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited Travel

With the recent update at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event regarding Animal Kingdom's Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, we thought it might be fun to take a look back at last year's shows about the history of the Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland Park. This podcast has all both history segments merged together, so you now have the entire Indy story all in one place.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited Travel

In this episode, Michael and special guests Suzette, Patty & Louella wrap up their discussion of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event (D23 Expo), with their thoughts about the show floor including shopping, giveaways, and pavilions, including Imagineering and The Walt Disney Archives.Links:Michael’s Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited Travel