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

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

The DIS

Connecting with Walt is an "event" podcast focusing on the life and creations of Walt Disney. New episodes will be released every three months and will focus on the history of Walt Disney World, Disney Animation, and very special interviews.

1 hour 39 minutes

Making Mary Poppins with Todd James Pierce
In this episode, Michael and Tom chat with author Todd James Pierce about his book Making Mary Poppins: The Sherman Brothers, Walt Disney, and the Creation of the Classic Film, which delves into the creative process and production of the classic 1964 film.

Links:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
28 November 2025, 8:00 am
1 hour 18 minutes

The History of Walt Disney's Saludos Amigos - Part 3
In this episode, Michael and Tom wrap up the history of the 1942 classic Saludos Amigos by covering how the film finally made it to the big screen and discussing their favorite sequences.

Links:
Sources:

Websites/Articles:
Books:
- South of the Border with Disney: Walt Disney and the Good Neighbor Program, 1941-1948 by J.B. Kaufman
Videos:
- Walt & El Grupo documentary directed by Theodore Thomas (available on Disney+)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
21 November 2025, 8:00 am
51 minutes 4 seconds

The History of Walt Disney's Saludos Amigos - Part 2
In this episode, Michael and Tom continue the history of the 1942 classic Saludos Amigos by chronicling the research trip to South America that preceded the animated feature.

Links:
Sources:

Websites/Articles:
- The Good Neighbor Films – Saludos Amigos, The Three Caballeros, maketheswitch.com
Books:
- South of the Border with Disney: Walt Disney and the Good Neighbor Program, 1941-1948 by J.B. Kaufman
Videos:
- Walt & El Grupo documentary directed by Theodore Thomas (available on Disney+)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
14 November 2025, 8:00 am
1 hour 23 minutes

A Conversation with Disney Historian John Canemaker
In this episode, Michael and Tom chat with influential animator, author, educator, and historian John Canemaker about his upcoming book The Art of John Canemaker: An Animator's Garden.

Links:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
7 November 2025, 8:00 am
1 hour 32 minutes

The History of Walt Disney's Something Wicked This Way Comes
In this episode, Michael and Tom celebrate Halloween with a haunting look at the 1983 Ray Bradbury fantasy Something Wicked This Way Comes.

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Sources:

Websites/Articles:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
31 October 2025, 7:00 am
1 hour 24 minutes

Background Artist: The Life and Work of Tyrus Wong with Karen Fang
In this episode, Michael and Tom chat with author Karen Fang about her book Background Artist: The Life and Work of Tyrus Wong, whose watercolors are featured in Walt Disney's Bambi.

Links:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
24 October 2025, 7:00 am
1 hour 3 minutes

The History of Walt Disney's Saludos Amigos - Part 1
In this episode, Michael and Tom begin the history of the 1942 classic Saludos Amigos by discussing how the film, and the research trip to South America that preceded it, came to be.

Links:
Sources:

Websites/Articles:
Books:
- South of the Border with Disney: Walt Disney and the Good Neighbor Program, 1941-1948 by J.B. Kaufman
Videos:
- Walt & El Grupo documentary directed by Theodore Thomas (available on Disney+)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
17 October 2025, 7:00 am
58 minutes 8 seconds

History of EPCOT's Journey Into Imagination Pavilion - Part 3
In this episode, Michael and Tom finish up the history of Journey Into Imagination at EPCOT with a look at the updates the popular attraction has received over the years.

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Sources:

Websites/Articles:
Books:
- The EPCOT Explorer’s Encyclopedia: A Guide to Walt Disney World’s Greatest Theme Park by R.A. Pedersen
Videos:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
10 October 2025, 7:00 am
1 hour 29 minutes

Planning a Day at the Magic Kingdom (1975)
In this episode, Michael and Tom celebrate the 10th anniversary of Connecting with Walt by taking a trip back in time to the Walt Disney World of 1975. There they are joined by Tony Spittell from the legacy Disneyland Podcast and the trio plan their day at the Magic Kingdom with a classic ticket book in hand.

Links:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
3 October 2025, 7:00 am
1 hour 9 minutes

History of EPCOT's Journey Into Imagination Pavilion - Part 2
- In this episode, Michael and Tom join Figment and the Dreamfinder on a ride-thru of Journey Into Imagination as the story of that EPCOT pavilion continues.
Links:
Sources:
Websites/Articles:
- 40 Years of Sparks - The Complete History of Journey Into Imagination by Katie Francis for WDW News Today
- “One Little Spark”: How Epcot’s Journey into Imagination Inspired a Generation @ Park Lore
Books:
- The EPCOT Explorer’s Encyclopedia: A Guide to Walt Disney World’s Greatest Theme Park by R.A. Pedersen
- Tony Baxter: First of the Second Generation of Walt Disney Imagineers by Tim O’Brien
- Secret Stories of Walt Disney World by Jim Korkis
- Extra Secret Stories of Walt Disney World by Jim Korkis
Videos:
- Journey Into Imagination Revisited - Full Ride Through Restored & Enhanced by RetroWDW
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
26 September 2025, 7:00 am
2 hours 52 minutes

Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney - Part 2
In this episode, Michael and Tom, along with special guest Anita, discuss the second and final day of this year's Destination D23 event held recently at Walt Disney World.

Links:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
19 September 2025, 7:00 am
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