Connecting with Walt - A look into the history of the man behind Mickey Mouse, Disneyland and Walt Disney World
Connecting with Walt is a podcast focusing on the life and creations of Walt Disney. Episodes include the history of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney movies, and more! Hosted by Michael Bowling and Tom Bell, the show is a tribute to the man who made it all happen, Walt Disney, and his brother, Roy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
In this episode, Michael and Tom begin the new year by sharing inspirational quotes by Walt Disney or from films of his era that you might be able to relate to.
Links:
- Michael’s Disneyland History Segments
- Important DIS links and more information!
- Connecting with Walt on Twitter
- Dreams Unlimited Travel
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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:
- Michael’s Disneyland History Segments
- Important DIS links and more information!
- Connecting with Walt on Twitter
- Dreams Unlimited Travel
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:
- Michael’s Disneyland History Segments
- Important DIS links and more information!
- Connecting with Walt on Twitter
- Dreams Unlimited Travel
Sources:
Websites/Articles:
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:
- Michael’s Disneyland History Segments
- Important DIS links and more information!
- Connecting with Walt on Twitter
- Dreams Unlimited Travel
Sources:
Websites/Articles:
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:
- Michael’s Disneyland History Segments
- Important DIS links and more information!
- Connecting with Walt on Twitter
- Dreams Unlimited Travel
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...
In this episode, Michael and Tom celebrate Halloween with a haunting look at the 1983 Ray Bradbury fantasy Something Wicked This Way Comes.
Links:
- Michael’s Disneyland History Segments
- Important DIS links and more information!
- Connecting with Walt on Twitter
- Dreams Unlimited Travel
Sources:
Websites/Articles:
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:
- Michael’s Disneyland History Segments
- Important DIS links and more information!
- Connecting with Walt on Twitter
- Dreams Unlimited Travel
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more ...
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:
- Michael’s Disneyland History Segments
- Important DIS links and more information!
- Connecting with Walt on Twitter
- Dreams Unlimited Travel
Sources:
Websites/Articles:
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.
Links:
- Michael’s Disneyland History Segments
- Important DIS links and more information!
- Connecting with Walt on Twitter
- Dreams Unlimited Travel
Sources:
Websites/Articles:
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:
- 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:
- Michael’s Disneyland History Segments
- Important DIS links and more information!
- Connecting with Walt on Twitter
- Dreams Unlimited Travel
Sources:
Websites/Articles:
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:
- Michael’s Disneyland History Segments
- Important DIS links and more information!
- Connecting with Walt on Twitter
- Dreams Unlimited Travel
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Michael and Tom, along with special guest Anita, discuss the first day of this year's Destination D23 event held recently at Walt Disney World.
Links:
- Michael’s Disneyland History Segments
- Important DIS links and more information!
- Connecting with Walt on Twitter
- Dreams Unlimited Travel
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Michael and Tom talk about a private event leading up to Disneyland's 70th that Michael attended. The event included several presentations focusing on the history of Walt Disney and the Disneyland Resort, including Michael's discussion of the never made "Rainbow Road to Oz".
Links:
In this episode, Michael and Tom discuss a presentation that Michael attended at Walt Disney Imagineering and the Grand Central Air Terminal, D23 Spotlight Series: Disneyland Fond Memories of the Past, hosted by Stacia Martin and Becky Cline, the Director of the Walt Disney Archives. Michael also shares a brief history of the Grand Central Air Terminal.
Links:
In this episode, Michael, Tom, and their special guest Mary Jo discuss their experiences surrounding July 17th, 2025, Disneyland Park's 70th birthday, including new magic and special events.
Links:
- Michael’s Disneyland History Segments
- Important DIS links and more information!
- Connecting with Walt on Twitter
- Dreams Unlimited Travel
In this episode, Michael and Tom begin the history of Journey Into Imagination pavilion at EPCOT, including how everyone's favorite purple dragon came to be.
Links:
- Michael’s Disneyland History Segments
- Important DIS links and more information!
- Connecting with Walt on Twitter
- Dreams Unlimited Travel
Sources:
Websites/Articles:
In this episode, Michael shares with Tom his thoughts about two events he attended at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco. The first talk, Directing at Pixar, featured four directors discussing what it's like to direct a Pixar movie or television show. The second, Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Jim Henson Company, featured host Yvette Nicole Brown navigating the history of the Muppets along with Gonzo performer ...
In this episode, Michael and Tom continue their chat with their friends from the legacy Disneyland podcast team discussing Disneyland's 70th Anniversary Celebration, including a review of the A Story of Celebration: 70th Anniversary Guided Tour.
Links:
- Michael’s Disneyland History Segments
- Important DIS links and more information!
- Connecting with Walt on Twitter
- Dreams Unlimited Travel
In this episode, Michael and Tom are joined by their friends from the legacy Disneyland podcast team who share their thoughts about Disneyland's 70th Anniversary Celebration.
Links:
- Michael’s Disneyland History Segments
- Important DIS links and more information!
- Connecting with Walt on Twitter
- Dreams Unlimited Travel
- OzCon International - Discount code: CWOZCON2025
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