The Mouse Castle Lounge Podcast: Disney News and Interviews, Cocktails and Conversations

Eric Larson was truly one of the greats of Disney animation. He was one of Walt's Nine Old Men and was best known for animating Figaro in "Pinocchio," Friend Owl in "Bambi" and Peg in "Lady and the Tramp." He also worked on other classics including "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Fantasia," "Cinderella," "Alice in Wonderland," "Peter Pan" and "Sleeping Beauty." His greatest legacy, however, may be as the teacher and mentor to an entire generation of young animators that joined Disney in the 1970s and '80s. He had a passion for his art and a commitment to uphold the standards established by Walt Disney. Eric's memoir, "50 Years in the Mouse House," is a fascinating and heartfelt testament to that passion. His book, however, was almost lost forever, and the story of Didier Ghez's search for the missing manuscript is nearly as compelling as Eric Larson's life itself. Didier edited Eric Larson's original manuscript and combined it with material taken from interviews Larson gave and lectures he presented at the Walt Disney Studios. Didier adds "50 Years in the Mouse House" to his impressive output of historical Disney works including all 16 volumes of "Walt's People" and his upcoming tribute to Disney concept artists, "They Drew as They Pleased." Didier Ghez is my guest today in "The Mouse Castle Lounge." www.TheMouseCastle.comRSS Feed: http://themousecastle.libsyn.com/rss

Ron Diamond is passionate about animation. He’s executive producer of Acme Filmworks, a commercial animation studio that utilizes the talents of gifted filmmakers and animators from both the U.S. and abroad. Ron’s pet project, though, is the Animation Show of Shows. For over 16 years, Ron and his show have had one purpose: to bring the best animated short films from around the world to the attention of major animation studios like Disney, Pixar and DreamWorks. It’s an opportunity for independent filmmakers, with otherwise limited reach, to have their work seen by respected and influential artists and industry leaders. The Animation Show of Shows has largely been a private enterprise over the years, limited to animation professionals and mostly unseen or heard of by the general public. That’s about to change. Earlier this month, Ron completed a successful Kickstarter campaign, raising over $100,000 to fund the Animation Show of Shows and help it reach an even larger audience. The Animation Show of Shows is now a registered non-profit organization with the long-term goal of being seen by audiences around the world while still honoring its mission to showcase the best work of animators everywhere. Ron Diamond is Tim's guest today in The Mouse Castle Lounge. www.TheMouseCastle.com RSS Feed: http://themousecastle.libsyn.com/rss

The Summer 1967 issue of "Disney News" magazine contained an article entitled, “University of Disneyland: An Institution of Smiles.” The story told of the park’s in-house training of more than 5,000 cast members each year, cast members who were taught to “welcome each guest with a smile that’s sincere” and ensure every new employee became a “people specialist” before he or she actually set foot on the job. This progressive, people-centric approach to training was the brainchild of Van Arsdale France, who joined Disney in March 1955, just months before Disneyland’s grand opening. With the support and encouragement of Walt Disney, Van France created the University of Disneyland, which would soon become the gold standard of employee training programs. Over the decades, the program would evolve into what is now called Disney University and to this day it takes its cues from the principles and standards France developed 60 years ago. Doug Lipp was hired by Disney in the late 1970s and would later work with and be mentored by Van France. Fluent in Japanese, Doug was part of the start-up team at Tokyo Disneyland in preparation of the resort’s grand opening in 1983. Since leaving Disney, Doug has gone on to become a renowned speaker and training consultant with Fortune 100 companies. He’s written eight books, including his most recent, “Disney U.: How Disney University Develops the World's Most Engaged, Loyal, and Customer-Centric Employees.” He has a lot of stories to tell about Walt Disney, about Van France and about the guest experience at Disney Parks worldwide. Doug Lipp is Tim's guest today in The Mouse Castle Lounge. www.TheMouseCastle.comRSS Feed: http://themousecastle.libsyn.com/rss

Two weeks ago in the Lounge, Tim began a two-part conversation with Steve Hulett. In the 1970s and 80s, Steve was a story man at Disney Animation, following in the footsteps of his father, longtime Disney artist Ralph Hulett. In part one, Steve shared how he started his career at Disney—working for writer Larry Clemmons—and ten years later, how his Disney career ended. Today, in part two, Steve tells more behind-the-scenes stories about some of the Nine Old Men including Woolie Reithermann, Ward Kimball, Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas. Steve talks candidly about the departure of Don Bluth and a group of other Disney animators to form their own studio in 1979, the challenge of working for animator and future Disney Legend Ken Anderson, the arrival of Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg in the mid 1980s, and finally, the notorious internal memo that incited the wrath of Disney Feature Animation president Peter Schneider. Steve Hulett is Tim's guest today in The Mouse Castle Lounge. You can read more about Steve Hulett's Disney exploits in his book "Mouse in Transition: An Insider's Look at Disney Feature Animation," available from Amazon.com and Theme Park Press. www.TheMouseCastle.comRSS Feed: http://themousecastle.libsyn.com/rss

Relive Disneyland's 24-hour party with Team Mouse Castle. Throughout the resort's 60th anniversary Diamond Celebration kickoff on Memorial Day weekend, Tim and his friends recorded as much of the craziness as they could, sharing their thoughts and experiences. Hear them take on the Hatbox Ghost, Harold the Abominable Snowman, parades, fireworks and crowds, crowds, crowds. What did they think of "Disneyland Forever" and "Paint the Night"? Did they get trapped in Disney California Adventure? It's an incredible day and night of good friends and insane Disney fun in The Mouse Castle Lounge. www.TheMouseCastle.comRSS Feed: http://themousecastle.libsyn.com/rss

For ten years in the 1970s and 80s, Steve Hulett was a story man at Disney Animation, following in the footsteps of his father, longtime Disney artist Ralph Hulett. Steve was with the company during the most unique of times, the period after Walt Disney’s death--when his company was struggling to find its identity--until it came back in a big way under the leadership of Michael Eisner, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Frank Wells. It was a time when the old guard of Disney animation, the Nine Old Men, were making way for the new blood of Disney Animation, people like Glen Keane, Don Bluth, John Lasseter and Tim Burton. In his book, "Mouse in Transition," Steve Hulett tells candid tales about his years at Disney where he worked on such films as "The Fox and the Hound," "The Black Cauldron" and "The Great Mouse Detective." In addition to recalling the creative work, Steve shares plenty of stories about the office politics and ego clashes that went on behind the scenes. In part one of Tim's conversation with him today, Steve touches on a few of those stories, as well as a memorable encounter with Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney. www.TheMouseCastle.comRSS Feed: http://themousecastle.libsyn.com/rss

In 1923, Walt Disney's first California animation studio had the humblest of beginnings in a small garage owned by Walt's Uncle Robert. Decades later, efforts to save the garage from demolition were undertaken by a determined former Disney employee, Arthur Adler. He wrote a book about the experience, "Walt Disney's Garage of Dreams." Sadly, Arthur passed away last year at the age of 82, just prior to the book being published, but not before he befriended another former employee of Disney, Bob Bowman. Bob spent 25 years as a merchandising executive and wrote the Foreward for Arthur's book. He also contributed a chapter recounting his own experiences with the Walt Disney Company. In "The Mouse Castle Lounge," Tim Callaway talks with Bob about his career and about the persistent efforts of one man, Arthur Adler, to save a seminal piece of Disney history. www.TheMouseCastle.com RSS Feed: http://themousecastle.libsyn.com/rss

After a 45-year hiatus, the legendary Hatbox Ghost is returning to Disneyland's Haunted Mansion this weekend. Talking about the new arrival is Tim's guest, Haunted Mansion expert Jeff Baham. Jeff runs the popular Mansion fansite DoomBuggies.com and is author of the book "The Unauthorized Story of Walt Disney's Haunted Mansion." Kindly step all the way in please, and make room for everyone. There's no turning back now. www.TheMouseCastle.comRSS Feed: http://themousecastle.libsyn.com/rss

Disney artist Dave Avanzino is Tim's guest today in "The Mouse Castle Lounge." Dave's dimensional art and fanciful letter designs sold in the Disney parks have made him very popular with fans. Dave talks about his work, who and what inspires him and what we might expect from him during Disneyland’s upcoming 60th anniversary celebration. www.TheMouseCastle.comRSS Feed: http://themousecastle.libsyn.com/rss

What happens when a group of "Star Wars" nerds swap stories over cocktails about Star Wars Celebration? This episode of "The Mouse Castle Lounge." Join us as we relive the memorable moments from last weekend's fan event at the Anaheim Convention Center: the new Episode VII trailer, J.J. Abrams, Kathleen Kennedy, Carrie Fisher, "Star Wars Rebels," "The Clone Wars," cosplay, parties and booze, oh my!www.TheMouseCastle.comRSS Feed: http://themousecastle.libsyn.com/rss

The Mouse Castle Lounge invades Star Wars Celebration at the Anaheim Convention Center. This four-day event devoted to a time long ago in a galaxy far, far away has all manner of celebrity guests, presentations, costumes, vendors and exhibits. The biggest news from day one on Thursday was the appearance of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" director J.J. Abrams and producer Kathleen Kennedy. They premiered the film's news teaser trailer which delighted fans worldwide. In the Lounge, host Tim Callaway joins with his good friend Scott Linder in a recap of yesterday's activities and what there is to look forward to this weekend. It's not a trap. It's Star Wars Celebration in The Mouse Castle Lounge. www.TheMouseCastle.comRSS Feed: http://themousecastle.libsyn.com/rss

In part two of his conversation with Tim Callaway, Disney artist, animator and cartoonist Floyd Norman talks about what it was like to work for Walt Disney, John Lasseter and Steve Jobs, what makes a successful leader and why he respects Michael Eisner to this day. Floyd also shares how he saved Thunderbolt the Wonder Dog from certain death in the Blu-ray release of "101 Dalmatians." www.TheMouseCastle.comRSS Feed: http://themousecastle.libsyn.com/rss

Floyd Norman is a rare artist who had the opportunity to work for both Walt Disney and John Lasseter. Floyd's career began at Disney in 1956 when he was hired as an in-betweener for television and short theatrical cartoons. He eventually moved to feature animation, contributing his talents to "Sleeping Beauty," "The Sword in the Stone" and "The Jungle Book." He left Disney in 1966, shortly after Walt's death, and became an independent filmmaker. He returned to Disney in the 1970s to work on "Robin Hood" before spending many years in TV animation. Floyd discusses his early career in part one of a two-part conversation with host Tim Callaway. www.TheMouseCastle.comRSS Feed: http://themousecastle.libsyn.com/rss

James Lopez has spent over 25 years in animation, including many years at Disney where he worked on films including "The Lion King," "Pocahontas" and "Hercules." In part two of Tim's conversation with him, James shares stories about the making of "The Emperor's New Groove," which began inauspiciously as "Kingdom of the Sun." He also talks about his current project, a series of crowd-funded films called "Hullabaloo," which combines two of James' favorite things: 2D animation and steampunk. www.TheMouseCastle.com

James Lopez is a master of 2D, hand-drawn animation and has been in the business for over 25 years, including a lengthy stint at Disney. He worked on classic animated films such as "The Lion King," "Pocahontas," "The Emperor's New Groove" and "The Princess and the Frog." In part one of a two-part conversation, James tells host Tim Callaway about his early career working for Disney and Don Bluth and how he learned much of his craft on the job. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Team Mouse Castle is in Hollywood previewing the Oscars. Or, as we like to put it, just another excuse to get together and drink wine. Tim Callaway and the Mouse Castle crew take over Trastavere at Hollywood and Highland and give their predictions on who'll be the big winners Sunday. Will it be "Boyhood" or "Birdman"? Keaton or Redmayne? Julianne Moore or Julianne Moore? It's a Mouse Castle Oscar party and you're invited. And did we mention there's wine? www.TheMouseCastle.com

You can own a piece of Disneyland history this month when Van Eaton Galleries in Sherman Oaks, California, auctions off more than 1,000 items from an extensive private collection of unique Disneyland vintage memorabilia. An audio-animatronic skeleton from Pirates of the Caribbean, original dolls from it's a small world, panels from early Monorail trains, and a miniature pot-bellied stove handcrafted by Walt Disney himself are among the big ticket items to be bid on. More reasonably priced items include all manner of artwork, shopping bags, guidebooks and other souvenirs. On hand to discuss the significance and history of many of these items are Mike Van Eaton with Van Eaton Galleries and Disney Imagineering Legend Bob Gurr. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Tim meets Tim when Tim Callaway interviews Disney historian Tim Susanin, author of "Walt Before Mickey: Disney's Early Years, 1919-1928." The 2011 book is a detailed account of Walt Disney's early career in art and animation from the time he returned from France after World War I until the birth of Mickey Mouse in 1928. It was a period of Walt's life that Susanin says had not been previously explored in detail, yet it was arguably the most critical ten years in Walt's life, a period when the would-be filmmaker found some success but also experienced a series of career failures and life lessons. It's a great story that would make for an interesting movie, and it's about to do just that. "Walt Before Mickey," the film, will be released this April. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Glen Keane is a gifted animator, filmmaker and Disney Legend. Most importantly, though, the man who brought to life such great characters as Ariel, the Beast, Tarzan, Pocahontas and Ratigan is an artist. After 40 years in animation, he remains passionate and humble about his craft and takes no time to rest on his laurels. Still championing hand-drawn animation while embracing new animation technology, Glen has animated and directed "Duet," a short film that's been nominated for an Annie Award and could be nominated for an Oscar. Tim Callaway talks to Glen about "Duet" and his legendary career at Disney. www.TheMouseCastle.com

We're celebrating the holidays at Walt's Barn in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, with Tim's guests Carolwood Foundation president Bill Barbe, author Sam Gennawey and Margaret Kerry, the live-action model for Tinker Bell in Walt Disney's "Peter Pan." The Carolwood Foundation operates Walt's Barn, which originally stood next to Disney's sprawling 1/8 scale train layout in the backyard of his Holmby Hills home in the 1950s. Today, the barn is a museum with numerous train artifacts, many used by Walt himself. Other items are from the collections of train enthusiasts including Disney animators Ward Kimball and Ollie Johnston. Next to the barn, the Carolwood Foundation has restored an original combine car from the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad and is working on other restoration projects including original buildings from Disneyland's Storybook Land Canal Boats and a train from the Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland. www.TheMouseCastle.com

The theme park rivalry between Disney and Universal Studios has gone from non-existent in the 1960s to the competitive battle over tourist dollars that it is today. Author Sam Gennawey's new book, "Universal vs. Disney: The Unofficial Guide to American Theme Parks' Greatest Rivalry" explores the sometimes supportive, sometimes contentious relationship between the two entertainment giants. Sam is Tim's guest today in "The Mouse Castle Lounge." www.TheMouseCastle.com

"A Mickey Mouse Reader" is an extensive compilation of articles and essays written about Walt Disney's illustrious rodent from 1928 to the present day. It chronicles the arc of Mickey's legendary career from overnight sensation to Hollywood superstar to theme park greeter to corporate icon. The book's contributors are a who's who of writers and essayists past and present that include E.M. Forster, Maurice Sendak, John Updike, John Canemaker, Irving Wallace, Jim Korkis, Charles Solomon and Walt Disney. Garry Apgar edited the book and discusses it with Tim Callaway in "The Mouse Castle Lounge." www.TheMouseCastle.com

Tony Baxter, Herb Ryman and Blaine Gibson were just a few of the Imagineering greats Terri Hardin Jackson knew and worked with during her lengthy career at Disney. In part two of her conversation with Tim Callaway, Terri talks about the "Golden Age of Imagineering" in the 1980s and '90s and her favorite Disney project, the Dragon's Lair at Disneyland Paris. She also offers her advice for aspiring Imagineers. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Terri Hardin Jackson is a woman of many talents. The former Disney Imagineer is an artist and sculptor, not to mention a puppeteer, an actress and a writer. Her creative output spans from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Dragon's Lair at Disneyland Paris to the films "Ghostbusters," "Men in Black II" and "The Flintstones." In "The Mouse Castle Lounge," Terri talks about her Imagineering career, how she ended up at Disney and how she almost became the voice of Figment at Epcot. www.TheMouseCastle.com

"All Aboard: A Celebration of Walt's Trains" explores Walt Disney's lifelong love of railroading. It's the newest exhibition at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco. Tim Callaway interviews the museum's executive director Kirsten Komoroske and the exhibition's curator Michael Campbell. They talk about how trains influenced Walt's personal life, films and theme parks and how he shared his passion with Disney animators Ward Kimball and Ollie Johnston. www.TheMouseCastle.com

The Disneyland Half Marathon was held this past weekend and is one of many events hosted year round by runDisney at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. In "The Mouse Castle Lounge," Tim Callaway talks with race participants Sean Astin, Jeff Galloway, Terri Hardin Jackson and the winner of the women's division half marathon, Jennifer Berry. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Walt Disney once said of his boyhood home in Missouri, "More things of importance happened to me in Marceline than have happened since--or are likely to in the future." In the Lounge today is Marceline historian and director of the Walt Disney Hometown Museum, Kaye Malins. Kaye talks about Walt's childhood in this midwest farm town and why every Disney fan needs to pay a visit to Marceline. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Bobby Burgess has spent over sixty years in show business, getting his big start in 1955 as an original Mouseketeer in "The Mickey Mouse Club." In 1961, he would begin a 21-year run as a dancer on "The Lawrence Welk Show." Bobby's new book, "Ears & Bubbles" recounts his many years in entertainment. In "The Mouse Castle Lounge" today, Bobby talks about his book and shares special memories of working with Walt Disney, Annette Funicello and Lawrence Welk. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Disney Imagineer Alan Coats is back in "The Mouse Castle Lounge" for part two of his conversation with Tim Callaway. Alan talks more about his father, artist, Imagineer and Disney Legend Claude Coats. Alan also takes you deeper into his career at Disney, where he did lighting design for most of the opening day attractions at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. He went on to partner with is father in designing the Eastern Airlines attraction,"If You Had Wings." www.TheMouseCastle.com

The Mouse Castle Lounge is back! Tim Callaway interviews retired Disney Imagineer Alan Coats. Alan is the son of artist, Imagineer and Disney Legend Claude Coats. Alan enjoyed a long career at Disney, working among some of the biggest names at the studio and in the theme parks including Walt Disney, Roy Disney, Annette Funicello, Marty Sklar and Yale Gracey. Alan manages a website dedicated to his father's memorable career, www.claudecoats.com. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Don Hahn has produced so many great films at Disney: "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," "Beauty and the Beast," "The Lion King," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "The Emperor's New Groove," "Waking Sleeping Beauty" and many more. On May 30th, 2014, his latest project "Maleficent," starring Angelina Jolie, will hit U.S. theaters. Tim Callaway talks with Don about the film and his 35 year career in motion pictures. www.TheMouseCastle.com.

Andreas Deja was an animator at Walt Disney Animation for 30 years and a bona fide master of villains. His rogues gallery of characters include Gaston in "Beauty and the Beast," Jafar in "Aladdin" and "Scar" in "The Lion King." His versatility as an artist is further represented by his work on "The Black Cauldron," "Oliver and Company," "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," "The Little Mermaid," "Lilo and Stitch," and "The Princess and the Frog." Tim Callaway talks with Andreas in this very special episode of "The Mouse Castle Lounge." www.TheMouseCastle.com

Walt Disney called artist and Imagineer Marc Davis his "Renaissance Man." Beginning April 30th, the Walt Disney Family Museum will showcase art from the man who animated Tinker Bell, Maleficent and Cruella de Vil in the exhibition "Leading Ladies and Femme Fatales: The Art of Marc Davis." Tim Callaway interviews the curator of exhibition, director of collections and exhibitions at the Museum, Michael Labrie. www.TheMouseCastle.com

John Canemaker's name is synonymous with animation. This Oscar-winning animator, historian and author has taught animation at New York University for over 30 years. He's written more than ten books, including "Walt Disney's Nine Old Men and the Art of Animation," "Before the Animation Begins: The Art and Lives of Disney Inspirational Sketch Artists," and "Treasures of Disney Animation Art." He is curator of the current exhibition at the Walt Disney Family Museum, "Magic, Color, Flair: The World of Mary Blair." In The Mouse Castle Lounge, Tim Callaway talks with John about his accomplished career in animation, the artists that have inspired him, and what lies in store for the future of the industry. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Disney animator Ruben Aquino is back for part two of his interview with Tim Callaway in "The Mouse Castle Lounge." Ruben discusses how a voice actor can inspire an animator, and the layoffs at Walt Disney Animation last year that effectively shut down 2D animation at the studio. Ruben also shares his advice to young artists looking to make a career in animation. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Ruben Aquino was an animator at Disney for over 30 years, giving life to characters ranging from Ursula in "The Little Mermaid" to Adult Simba in "The Lion King" to Captain Shang in "Mulan." In part one of a two-part conversation, Tim Callaway talks with Ruben about his career and how he became an animator without really setting out to do so. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Mary Blair was an incredibly gifted and original artist whose work has influenced and inspired the Walt Disney Studios for decades. Classic Mary Blair designs and color schemes can be seen in animated films like "The Three Caballeros," "Cinderella," "Alice in Wonderland" and "Peter Pan." Her signature project, though, remains "it's a small world" a visually exciting celebration of childlike joy. The Walt Disney Family Museum is honoring Blair's great talent with their new exhibition "Magic, Color, Flair: The World of Mary Blair." In The Mouse Castle Lounge, Tim Callaway interviews the exhibition curator John Canemaker along with WDFM executive director Kirsten Komoroske and members of Mary Blair's family. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Tim interviews actor Sean Astin about his lengthy Hollywood career and his work in "The Lord of the Rings," "Rudy," and "The Goonies." Sean also talks about his voicework at Disney and other studios as well as his latest podcast project "Vox Populi." Also, be sure to listen for how you can win some "Goonies" artwork autographed by Sean and artist Jim Ferguson. www.TheMouseCastle.com

It's Oscar week and Tim Callaway is joined by his good friend Christi Andersen as they preview the major nominees for this Sunday's Academy Awards. Who will be the big winners this weekend: "12 Years a Slave"? "Gravity"? "American Hustle"? Will Tim ever get over his disdain for "Frozen"? Get a horse and ride on over to the Mouse Castle Lounge and find out. Drinks are now being served. www.TheMouseCastle.com

In part two of Tim's interview with Robbie Sherman, the son of Disney songwriting legend Robert Sherman, they continue talking about Robert's memoir "Moose: Chapters From My Life," as well as Robbie's musical retrospective of Sherman Brothers music, "A Spoonful of Sherman." Tim also comments about the issues Robbie raised last week concerning his family and the Sherman Brothers documentary "The Boys." www.TheMouseCastle.com

Tim interviews Robbie Sherman, the son of the late songwriter and Disney Legend Robert Sherman. Robbie has just published his father's memoir "Moose: Chapters From My Life" and talks candidly about Robert's life, the Sherman Brothers, Robbie's take on the Sherman Brothers documentary "The Boys' and his own strained relationship with his family. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Animators Tom and Tony Bancroft return for part two of their interview inside The Mouse Castle Lounge. They share what it's like to work in-studio with voice talents Eddie Murphy ("Mulan"), Patrick Warburton ("The Emperor's New Groove") and Gilbert Gottfried ("Aladdin"). Tony also talks about his latest book, "Directing for Animation: Everything You Didn't Learn in Art School." www.TheMouseCastle.com

Tim welcomes animators Tom and Tony Bancroft to the Lounge. These identical twins each worked for Disney during its second golden age on such films as "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin," "Pocahontas" and "Mulan." The brothers discuss what attracted them to animation, the people who influenced and inspired them and the state of 2D animation. Tim also recaps this past weekend's Annie Awards. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Author Jim Korkis is back in "The Mouse Castle Lounge" to talk about the real stories behind "Saving Mr. Banks," why "Mary Poppins" is such a stand out film, where you can hear the original story meeting sessions with P.L. Travers, and why it's not always easy being a Disney historian. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Mickey Mouse is 85 years old, still going strong, and Disney historian/author Jim Korkis has written a biography about him, "The Book of Mouse: A Celebration of Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse." Tim Callaway chats with Korkis about the ubiquitous rodent and also spends time with Darrell Fry from RunDisney as they recap the events from this past weekend's Tinker Bell Half-Marathon. www.TheMouseCastle.com.

Tim Callaway continues his conversation with Didier Ghez, author of "Disney's Grand Tour," an interesting look at Walt and Roy Disney's trip to Europe in 1935. Tim will also talk about the hubbub over Meryl Streep's insensitive and inaccurate comments about Walt Disney's attitudes towards women and minorities. www.TheMouseCastle.com

"Disney's Grand Tour" is a detailed and fascinating book about Walt and Roy Disney's 1935 trip to Europe that would end up influencing their studio for decades. Author and historian Didier Ghez ("Walt's People") talks about his new book and the long, sometimes frustrating, but ultimately rewarding journey he took to make it happen. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Tim Callaway reviews "Saving Mr. Banks" starring Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson, and interviews Brent Young and Dina Benadon, owners of the Chicago home where Walt Disney was born. They're attempting to raise money on Kickstarter to help pay for the cost of renovating the home and to restore it to its 1901 grandeur. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Disneyland is not just a thing or a place. It's a living, breathing creation of Walt Disney and scores of talented artists, designers and Imagineers. Historian Sam Gennawey has written not just a history, but a biography of the Happiest Place on Earth and he shares with us some of the fascinating details that make up his book "The Disneyland Story: The Unofficial Guide to the Evolution of Walt Disney's Dream." www.TheMouseCastle.com

Tim previews "Frozen," the 53rd feature film from Walt Disney Animation Studios. The film opens this weekend and in the Lounge we'll hear from the voice cast including Kristen Bell (Anna), Idina Menzel (Elsa) and Josh Gad (Olaf). Also chiming in are "Frozen's" directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee. Tim also pays tribute to Diane Disney Miller, Walt's daughter and co-founder of the Walt Disney Family Museum, who passed away last week at the age of 79. www.TheMouseCastle.com