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 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.
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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
In this episode, Michael and Tom continue the celebration of the Disneyland Resort's 70th Anniversary with a look at how Paint the Night made it's way to Disneyland Park.
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
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 that focused on Walt Disney Imagineering. First up, Imagineer Eddie Sotto shares the challenges of building Disneyland Paris. Then, WDI President Bob Weis talks about his start in Imagineering through his transition to management.
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In this episode, Michael and Tom chat with Emmy Award winning animation producer Melinda Dilger, who got her start in the classic Disney television shows Goof Troop and House of Mouse. More recently, Melinda has worked on series for Netflix, including Arcane and Blue Eye Samurai.
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 chat with author Neil O' Brien about his book After Disney: Toil, Trouble, and the Transformation of America's Favorite Media Company, which covers the years following Walt Disney's passing through the beginning of the Michael Eisner and Frank Wells era.
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In this episode, Michael and Tom kick off the celebration of the Disneyland Resort's 70th anniversary with a look at Davy Crockett in Disneyland, including a review of the television miniseries and theatrical releases, along with the impact the King of the Wild Frontier had in the theme park.
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In this episode, special guests Colin Ayres and Dwayne Burgess share information about this year's OzCon International, a convention being held this summer in Burbank which will focus on Walt Disney's connection to The Wizard of Oz series of books and celebrate the 40th anniversary of Disney's Return to Oz. Then, Michael and Tom take a look at the history of the popular Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.
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In this episode, Michael and Tom take a walk down Main Street in Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom to look at several of the windows that honor developers and planners of the theme parks.
Links:
- Michael’s Disneyland History Segments
- Important DIS links and more information!
- Connecting with Walt on Twitter
- Dreams Unlimited Travel
Sources:
Books:
- People Behind The Disney Parks: Stories of Those Honored with a Window on Ma...
In this episode, Michael and Tom sail to Little Mermaid's Island, an unaired television show that was developed for the Disney Channel with the cooperation of Jim Henson's creature shop.
Links:
- Michael’s Disneyland History Segments
- Important DIS links and more information!
- Connecting with Walt on Twitter
- Dreams Unlimited Travel
Sources:
Books:
- Disney Never Lands: Things Disney Never Made by Jim Korkis
Websites/Arti...
In this episode, Michael and Tom head back into their digital mailbox to answer the last of the listener questions, this week discussing a variety of topics including questions about the Disney family.
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/pr...
In this episode, Michael and Tom head back into their digital mailbox to continue answering more listener questions, this week tackling inquiries regarding the entertainment side of the Walt Disney Company.
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/p...
In this episode, Michael and Tom head back into their digital mailbox to continue answering more listener questions, finishing up questions about the theme parks.
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 open up their digital mailbox and begin answering the first of several batches of listener questions. This week's focus is on the theme parks.
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 discuss the history of Walt Disney's The Reluctant Dragon. The 1941 classic combined both live action and animated segments, taking movie goers inside the shiny new Walt Disney Studios and behind the scenes of some several films that were currently in production, including Bambi and Dumbo.
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In this episode, Michael and Tom take a trip into the Temple of the Forbidden Eye as they continue their look into the history of the Indiana Jones Adventure in Disneyland Park.
Links:
- Michael’s Disneyland History Segments
- Important DIS links and more information!
- Connecting with Walt on Twitter
- Dreams Unlimited Travel
Sources:
Books:
- The “E” Ticket Magazine Number 46: Disneyland’s Indiana Jones Adventure
Websites/...
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