The story of how the pandemic closed the Disneyland resort for over thirteen months and a full report of its reopening day.  

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The story of Ruth Shellhorn, the first female designer of Disneyland, and Jack and Bill Evans, exotic plant specialists, who, through conflict and frustration, struggled to finish Disneyland before its grand opening.

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Universal Hollywood reopens after a thirteen-month closure. And other large changes to theme parks in California and Florida.

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The story of John Hench, who worked for Disney from 1939 until 2004 and adapted the techniques of filmmaking to create theme park wonders around the world. Part Nine - WED at Sonora.

The story of John Hench, who worked for Disney from 1939 until 2004 and adapted the techniques of filmmaking to create theme park wonders around the world. Part Eight - The Turning Point.

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As the California parks remain closed, we're dialing back to happier times. If you've ever wondered what the first Easter was like at Disneyland--and what could go wrong--you'll find out on today's episode.

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The nuances of the recently announced Disneyland Expansion and how this may re-shape the Disneyland Resort in years to come.

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What will Disneyland be like when it re-opens next month? And how will the Disney parks in California operate under different guidelines than those in Florida?

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The story of John Hench, who worked for Disney from 1939 until 2004 and adapted the techniques of filmmaking to create theme park wonders around the world. Part Seven - Disney Goes to the Fair.

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Walt Disney and Art Linkletter. They worked together. They traveled together. They lived in the same neighborhood. They shared each other's dreams. As told by Art Linkletter.

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The update for the week of March 1, 2021. A discussion as to how the evolving problems stemming from the pandemic continue to change Disney films, parks, and other experiences.

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The story of how Disney's relationship with ABC exploded in the late 1950s, nearly creating a new Disney park just north of Miami. Part Three.

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The story of how Disney's relationship with ABC exploded in the late 1950s, nearly creating a new Disney park just north of Miami. Part Two.

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The story of how Disney's relationship with ABC exploded in the late 1950s, nearly creating a new Disney park just north of Miami.

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The update for the week of February 1, 2021.  How the pandemic continues to change Disney films, parks, and other experiences.

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The story of John Hench, who worked for Disney from 1939 until 2004 and adapted the techniques of filmmaking to create theme park wonders around the world.  Part Six - Disneyland in the 1950s.

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The update for the week of January 17, 2021.  An exploration of how changes to the American theme parks will drastically remake a Disney vacations once the California and Florida resorts fully reopen.  

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The story of a never-built second park at the Disneyland resort, designed during Walt's lifetime.  

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In the longest and most detailed update yet, this episode explores models for where the pandemic will likely take us in the first half of 2021, in terms of Disney films and theme parks.

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In this special update, we explore how the pandemic will change the nature of filmmaking at Disney for years to come.

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We’re at a turning point in the life of John Hench—the invention of Disneyland—where we explore not only what was built but how it creates a new category of art and entertainment.

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Florida, California, and Paris, a little game theory, and ideas as to when this will all end.

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The story of John Hench, who worked for Disney from 1939 until 2004 and adapted the techniques of filmmaking to create theme park wonders around the world. Part Four - Movies, Myths, and Sea Monsters.

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In 1965, reporters in Orlando noticed that an unknown buyer was purchasing tens of thousands of acres south of town, a mystery that would consume the city for nearly a year.

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Disneyland battles California: the discussion heats up over when Disneyland will be allowed to re-open.

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In 1965, reporters in Orlando noticed that an unknown buyer was purchasing tens of thousands of acres south of town, a mystery that would consume the city for nearly a year.

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The story of John Hench, who worked for Disney from 1939 until 2004 and adapted the techniques of filmmaking to create theme park wonders around the world. Part Three - Hench, Walt, and Dali.

Link to Destino (short film): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_TlaxmOKqs

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An exploration of the current trouble in California and Florida.

Link to Venmo food bank donations: https://venmo.com/CastMemberPantry

Link to "Ear for Each Other" Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/earforeachother

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The story of John Hench, who worked for Disney from 1939 until 2004 and adapted the techniques of filmmaking to create theme park wonders around the world. Part Two - Disney and the War.

The story of John Hench, who worked for Disney from 1939 until 2004 and adapted the techniques of filmmaking to create theme park wonders around the world.   Part One - Fantasia.

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The holidays will be different this year.

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Medium article: https://tinyurl.com/y4dwlvbx

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Another wave of changes comes to the Florida resort.

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Changes come to California and the Disneyland Resort.

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Disney had its earnings call this past week. What the numbers tell us about the future.

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A preview of things to come.

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Disney World has re-opened, but where will the resort be in three months? In this update we examine possibilities for how the resort might change in the days ahead.

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After our interview with Tom Nabbe on fishing at Disneyland in 1956, we explore how the same experience now exists at Disney World.

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What was it like to work at Disneyland during its first year, when Walt spent a good deal of time in the park? Tom Nabbe remembers the 1950s at Disneyland.

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Disney World has reopened with significant changes. On this update, the "New Normal" and what it means moving forward.

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Disney World prepares to re-open, as the situation in Florida continues to change.

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Naked animators.  Walt working out with an Olympic wrestler.  A social room for women at the studio.  What more could you want from a single episode.  Significantly updated and expanded. 

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Disneyland cancels its reopening. Will Disney World cancel as well?

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How do you design a town whose invented history is conveyed solely through its details? The answers on today's podcast.

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In Florida, Disney lays out plans for a reopening as infection rates around the resort rise and as the NBA presents details that reveal how 22 teams and hundreds of players will live on Disney property for months.

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In Florida, Disney worked toward a reopening of its resort. And in California it presented plans for a phased reopening of the Anaheim resort, though the announcement didn't go as smoothly as some in the company had hoped.

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With the theme park industry transforming itself during the pandemic, Disney is reshaping the way guests will experience its Florida resort. Details on some significant changes are at the center of this week's update.

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This week Disney announced wide-ranging changes to its Florida resort when it re-opens, changes that caught even industry experts by surprise. We'll explore what they are and what they mean for guests as the Disney parks in Florida prepare to re-open.

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What has Disney Springs revealed about a plan to reopen the Disney parks? And what will be different at Universal Orlando once it reopens in June? In this episode we explore how the pandemic is reshaping the world of the Florida resorts, everything from the rides to the restaurants to the stores.

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What will Disney Springs look like when it re-opens?  Will the pandemic change how we experience movies forever?  We have answers in this week's update.

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What will the Disney parks look like when they re-open? We have even more answers this time--in an episode that will bring you up-to-date in terms of how Disney is responding to the Coronavirus pandemic.

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Each spring, purple martins wing their way back to Disney World, into hundreds of nesting boxes arranged at the resort.

When might the Disney parks reopen? And what will they look like when they do? We have some (but not all) of the answers this time--in an episode that will bring you up-to-date in terms of how Disney is responding to the Coronavirus pandemic.

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How is the pandemic affecting top management at the Disney Company? This update is focused on recent management changes inside the company and how executives are now focused on moving Disney to the other side of the crisis.

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Before the Enchanted Tiki Room, before the construction of Disneyland, Walt created miniature, mechanical figures designed to dance and sing.  Part Four.

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Update and analysis on how the Disney Company has responded to the coronavirus pandemic.

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The third update on how the Disney Company has responded to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Before the Enchanted Tiki Room, before the construction of Disneyland, Walt created miniature, mechanical figures designed to dance and sing.  Part Three.

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Second update on how the Disney Company has reacted to the worldwide spread of the coronavirus.

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Before the Enchanted Tiki Room, before the construction of Disneyland, Walt created miniature, mechanical figures designed to dance and sing.  Part Two.

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website and contact: www.toddjamespierce.com

Updates on how the Disney Company has reacted to the worldwide spread of the coronavirus.  

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The story of Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway and how Imagineer Kevin Rafferty worked, over decades, to bring the Mouse more fully into the parks.

With influences in pop music, modern dance, and drag culture, the new Magic Happens parade is a bold departure from previous in-park entertainment.  

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Before the Enchanted Tiki Room, before the construction of Disneyland, Walt created miniature, mechanical figures designed to dance and sing.

link to bandcamp subscription group: https://dhipodcast.bandcamp.com/

website and contact: www.toddjamespierce.com

The story of how Walt Disney’s interest in international culture shaped his films and his park, with a focus on the CircleVision films produced for EPCOT. Part Three.

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You can contact me through my personal website at www.toddjamespierce.com

The story of how Walt Disney’s interest in international culture shaped his films and his park.  Part Two.

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You can contact me through my personal website at www.toddjamespierce.com

The story of how Walt Disney’s interest in international culture shaped his films and his park.

Link to DHI Bandcamp Subscription Group: https://dhipodcast.bandcamp.com/

You can contact me through my personal website at www.toddjamespierce.com

After a slow start, Galaxy’s Edge premieres its blockbuster attraction, Rise of the Resistance to stellar reviews and overwhelming crowds—an attraction that uses characters from the third trilogy, like Rey and Kylo Ren, to cleverly re-tell the oldest Star Wars story of them all.

Link to the official Galaxy’s Edge page at Disney World: disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/hollywood-studios/star-wars-galaxys-edge/

Link to POV Rise of the Resistance Ride-Through Video (posted by The Dis): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP2yuH57kNo

You can contact me through my personal website at www.toddjamespierce.com

The story of how Walt Disney’s Skyway gave rise to the new Skyliner at Walt Disney World.

If you enjoy our podcast—these extended explorations into the life of Walt Disney, the history of animation, and the Disney Parks—please support us by subscribing on Bandcamp.  You can put in any amount you like, starting at $3.50.  In return, you’ll find podcast episodes and full series not available on iTunes.  https://dhipodcast.bandcamp.com/

You can contact me through my personal website at www.toddjamespierce.com

Special thanks go out to Robbie Von Roll for research help with this episode.

In the late 1950s, Walt Disney decided to move into live action comedies, a decision that would forever change Disney films and even Disneyland.  On this episode, the story of The Shaggy Dog and the start of the Disney comedies.

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On this episode we conclude the story of Don Dorsey, Gavin Greenaway, Ron Logan, Eric Tucker and others who created “Reflections of Earth.”

If you are interested in watching Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, you can find the official Disney Parks multi-camera video of it on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bw4j1r7iaI

You can also see a video of the temporary replacement show, Epcot Forever, on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=37YQSN_Z4IE

You can find (episode guest) John King’s podcast, The Drunken Odyssey on contemporary literature at thedrunkenodyssey.com

You can always contact me through my personal website at www.toddjamespierce.com

DHI 079 – EPCOT: Reflections to Forever – Part Two

On this episode we explore the career of Don Dorsey and the EPCOT Lagoon shows, as they develop toward “Reflections of Earth.”

If you are interested in watching Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, you can find the official Disney Parks multi-camera video of it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bw4j1r7iaI

 You can support the podcast by signing up for a DHI Bandcamp subscription, which includes exclusive episodes not available on iTunes or other outlets.  Episodes are easy to download or can be streamed, via the free Bandcamp app, to a smart phone.  You can support the podcast for any amount you choose, starting at $3.50 a month.  Just go to this link: Dhipodcast.bandcamp.com

 You can contact me through my personal website at www.toddjamespierce.com

DHI 078 – EPCOT: Reflections to Forever – Part One

On this episode we explore the career of Don Dorsey and the early EPCOT Lagoon shows, as they develop toward “Reflections of Earth.”

 IF you are interested in watching Laserphonic Fantasy, you can find a 1986 home video of it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKRO-juPqf8

If you enjoy our podcast—these extended explorations into the life of Walt Disney and the history of the Disney Studio and parks—please support us by subscribing over on Bandcamp.  You can put in any amount you like, starting at $3.50.  In return, you’ll find podcast episodes and full series not available on iTunes or anywhere else.  You can support us at dhipodcast.bandcamp.com 

You can contact me through my personal website at www.toddjamespierce.com

This episode tells the story of how fireworks first came to the Disneyland resort in 1957, including interview audio with Mickey Aronson, one of two men who launched the show in its early years.  The photo graphic for this show comes from 1958, the second year of the park’s summer fireworks.

If you enjoy our podcast—these extended explorations into the life of Walt Disney, the history of animation, and the Disney Parks—please support us by subscribing on Bandcamp.  You can put in any amount you like, starting at $3.50.  In return, you’ll find podcast episodes and full series not available on iTunes.  The DHI Bandcamp subscriptions are not a way to make money—but to bring this podcast up to the point where it simply breaks even and covers its own costs.  https://dhipodcast.bandcamp.com/

You can contact me through my personal website at www.toddjamespierce.com

After a summer of troubles at Disneyland, Galaxy’s Edge opens at Disney World.  On the podcast, the story of this unique land’s journey from California to Florida, as well as a full review of the newly-opened land.  Link to the official Galaxy’s Edge at Disney World: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/hollywood-studios/star-wars-galaxys-edge/

If you enjoy our podcast—these extended explorations into the life of Walt Disney, the history of animation, and the Disney Parks—please support us by subscribing on Bandcamp.  You can put in any amount you like, starting at $3.50.  In return, you’ll find podcast episodes and full series not available on iTunes.  The DHI Bandcamp subscriptions are not a way to make money—but to bring this podcast up to the point where it simply breaks even and covers its own costs.  https://dhipodcast.bandcamp.com/

You can contact me through my personal website at www.toddjamespierce.com

The process of creativity takes many paths.  In this episode, I explore the particular approach to creative development that Walt often used when exploring large projects and how Walt’s particular approach framed the later culture of Imagineering.

AGD 6 – Backstage Tours – Part One

In this episode, I explore the history of backstage tours at Disneyland and Disney World, with stories going back to the year Disneyland opened.

This AGD episode focuses on the Backstage Magic tour at Disney World.  You can find more information and current pricing for Backstage Magic at: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/backstage-magic/

If you are attending the D23 Expo, on Sunday, August 25, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, I will be presenting at the D23 Expo with Joe Campana on Disneyland ’59.  https://d23.com/d23-event/d23-expo-2019/

If you have a book I wrote and would like it signed at the D23 Expo or just want to stop by and chat, come by the Ryman Arts / HHA Table on Saturday, August 24 from 11:30PM to 12:30PM or Sunday, August 25 from 12:00PM to 1:00PM.  

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On Bandcamp you’ll find hours of content not available on iTunes.  Every subscription to Bandcamp also helps support our show.

You can contact me through my personal website at www.toddjamespierce.com

The AGD sub-series is a guide designed to help frequent travelers find hidden gems at Disney World.  In the third episode of this new sub-series, we explore unique bars designed and built by Disney.

The story of how Disney World transformed American theme park culture to become a culinary destination. Part Two.

The story of how Disney World transformed American theme park culture to become a culinary destination. Part One.

Now that Galaxy's Edge is open to all, here's our guide to best manage the new reservation and boarding group system.  

Have you ever wondered how Disney artfully transforms history into fantasy? A revealing discussion of the Disney design process on the DHI podcast.

Now that Galaxy's Edge is open, here's my full review of the new land--as well as a strategy guide to optimize your visit to Batuu.

The story of Disney animators whose work, in the 1950s, helped create a national space program and, eventually, NASA.  Part Three.

The story of Disney animators whose work, in the 1950s, helped create a national space program and, eventually, NASA. Part Two.

The story of Disney animators whose work, in the 1950s, helped create a national space program and, eventually, NASA. Part One.

The final episode in this four part series on Galaxy's Edge explores the shops, restaurants, and bar, as well as the coming Star-Wars-themed hotel in Florida.  

The story of Galaxy's Edge continues.  Part Three reveals how cutting edge technology was used to design and create the land.

The story of Galaxy's Edge continues.  Part Two reveals how the land was designed and developed.

The story of how Galaxy's Edge was designed and built, along with a walk-through of the forthcoming attractions, restaurants, and shops.

The story of the devastating animators' strike of 1941, an event that tore apart the Disney Studio.  Part Two.

The story of the devastating animators' strike of 1941, an event that tore apart the Disney Studio.  

The making of Snow White--from the perspective of lead Disney animator, Ward Kimball.

PART TWO: Journey back to the early 1930s as legendary animator Ward Kimball joins the Disney Studio and learns to survive in the land of cartoons.

Journey back to the early 1930s as legendary animator Ward Kimball joins the Disney Studio and learns to survive in the land of cartoons.

A full walk-through of the lost Tomorrowland attraction, The World Beneath Us, and a discussion of how Walt Disney's interest in Tivoli Gardens gave rise to Disneyland and beyond.  

To complete our "Disney vs. Russia" series, what can we learn about Walt's style of creativity by exploring how Cinerama gave rise to Disney's circular theaters?  Find out in this DHI Bonus Episode.

In the late 1950s, Disney was hired to define American culture through film--a film that would be shown at the World's Fair, directly across from the Russian Pavilion.

In the late 1950s, Disney was hired to define American culture through a film--a film that would be shown at the World's Fair, directly across from the Russian Pavilion.