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.

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

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 One.

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.

In 1966, Walt's team laid out plans for the Florida resort--plans for hotels very different than those built years after his death.

In 1950, Roy Disney visited Florida and had an experience that may have changed the course of the Disney empire.

In 1932, the Technicolor Corporation created a unique process system to present full-color presentations using images captured only on black-and-white film.  Instead of looking to one of the major studios to premiere their full-color process, they looked to Walt Disney and animation.  The story of Technicolor and its longtime connection with Walt Disney Productions is the subject of this special two-part podcast.  

In 1932, the Technicolor Corporation created a unique process system to present full-color presentations using images captured only on black-and-white film.  Instead of looking to one of the major studios to premiere their full-color process, they looked to Walt Disney and animation.  The story of Technicolor and its longtime connection with Walt Disney Productions is the subject of this special two-part podcast.  

Disney Legend, Bill Sullivan tells stories of the early days of Disneyland.

In the early 1960s, Walt Disney explored building a tourist attraction in Monterey, California.  The story of that never-built project on the DHI Podcast. 

Five years after Disneyland opened, Walt explored building a series of micro parks across the country, parks roughly three to four acres in size and filled with Fantasyland-style attractions for kids. The story of these never-built micro parks, known inside the company as Project Satellite, on the DHI Podcast.

The story of Disneyland's first Christmas.

In 1960, when two ex-Disneyland designers tried to develop a massive theme park just east of Disneyland, local ministers and rabbis attempted to shut them down.

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

<< Part Three >>
August 6, 1970 – One of the most famous days in the history of Disneyland, the day the Yippie Movement invaded the park. The ideals of post-war conformity and consumerism set against the activism of America’s counterculture. With concerns of guest safety, Disneyland management turned park security over to the Anaheim Police Department who dispatched 150 officers in full riot gear onto Main Street.

<< Part Two >>
August 6, 1970 – One of the most famous days in the history of Disneyland, the day the Yippie Movement invaded the park. The ideals of post-war conformity and consumerism set against the activism of America’s counterculture. With concerns of guest safety, Disneyland management turned park security over to the Anaheim Police Department who dispatched 150 officers in full riot gear onto Main Street.

August 6, 1970 – One of the most famous days in the history of Disneyland, the day the Yippie Movement invaded the park. The ideals of post-war conformity and consumerism set against the activism of America’s counterculture. With concerns of guest safety, Disneyland management turned park security over to the Anaheim Police Department who dispatched 150 officers in full riot gear onto Main Street.

The History of It's A Small World.  // Part Three: California and Beyond.

The History of It's A Small World.  // Part Two: The Music and the Fair.

The History of It's A Small World.  // Part One: The Designers.

In 1955, there was only one female designer who walked the site each week with Walt while Disneyland was being built.  Her name, Ruth Shellhorn, a landscape architect who designed large sections of the park.  On this episode of the DHI Podcast, her story.

In 1959, Walt Disney made a handshake agreement to build a second Disneyland in Florida--not in Orlando but in Palm Beach Gardens, an hour north of Miami.

In 1959, Walt Disney made a handshake agreement to build a second Disneyland in Florida--not in Orlando but in Palm Beach Gardens, an hour north of Miami.

The Mystery of Bob Mattey's Missing Window

The story of Nat Winecoff's missing window.

DHI 019 - The Mysterious CV Wood and the Origins of Disneyland

The first chapter from THREE YEARS IN WONDERLAND that introduces the most mysterious man in the history of Disneyland.

In the 1980s, Disney designed a massive entertainment complex and studio tour for Burbank...but never built it. 

In the 1980s, Disney designed a massive entertainment complex and studio tour for Burbank...but never built it. 

The story of how Disneyland's first advertising manager transformed the amusements industry forever.

In the 1980s, Disney designed a massive entertainment complex and studio tour for Burbank...but never built it. 

The story of a massive entertainment complex that Disney designed for Burbank but never built.

1955 - To premiere his park, Walt Disney arranged for Disneyland’s grand opening to be broadcast on live TV—a show called “Dateline: Disneyland.” On the DHI Podcast, the never-before-told story of how this historic telecast nearly fell apart at the last minute.

Two stories from Frontierland: First, is the Golden Horseshoe Saloon a re-creation of the saloon in the western film Calamity Jane or a re-creation of the most famous burlesque girlie club in the world?  Then, the story of a boat that Walt originally wanted to build for his Disneyland river, a boat that never made it off the drawing board.

In this podcast three things: Star Wars Land, a section of Disneyland that Walt created but never built, and the Frontierland that never was.

The story of the first female Imagineer - with Bob Gurr, Rolly Crump and Blaine Gibson.

The story of Walt Disney's participation in the 1966 Rose Parade in Pasadena--the start of his final year.

The forthcoming American Experience on Walt Disney has many interviews with men and women who worked with Walt Disney.  But it also includes cultural critics whose commentary may not match a historical understanding of Walt.

So who was Pinto Colvig?  The voice of Goofy, the voice of multiple dwarfs in Snow White, the voice of practical pig, a sound effects man, and an animator.  One of my projects for this past year was to edit and introduce Pinto Colvig’s memoir (written in the 1940s) for publication.   This is the earliest known book-length memoir by a Disney artist.  The book is out.  And now here is the Pinto Colvig Story podcast. 

Earlier this month, Blaine Gibson, Disney animator and sculptor, passed away at the age of 97.   I was lucky enough to interview Blaine multiple times.   I’ve assembled this podcast as a tribute to him.   I’ve always felt that voice was a window into personality.   Here, Blaine narrates his own story at the Disney studio, giving special attention to his efforts on the iconic Partners statue that graces Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom in Florida, and the Disney Studio in Burbank.