Mouse House Weekly

We created a lot of great Disney memories in 2023 and as alwyas, choosing our favorites is no easy task. This year our hosts had Disney expeirences in Hawaii, Anaheim, Orlando, the Caribbean, as well as movie theaters and their living rooms. Regardless of the location Disney gave us a lot to enjoy.  This episode not only serves as our annual time of reflection, but it also will be our final episode for Mouse House Weekly. It has been our honor and pleasure to bring you Disney content over the last four years.  We'd love to stay connected with you via social media, keep sharing our Disney moments with you, and see what kind of Disney magic is happening in your life!   Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page  

Goodbyes and endings are so difficult sometimes, but Disney is known for creating some of the most beloved and memorable endings ever put to film. Whether it's a storybook ending where they all lived "Happily Ever After" or an ending that brings the whole story full circle, Disney knows how to end a movie gracefully.  But what are the best movie endings? As the penultimate episode of Mouse House Weekly, Bryce and Darrell will talk their favorite Disney goodbyes also known as Disney movie endings. Do our favorite Disney movie endings match yours? Join us this week on Mouse House Weekly! Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page  

Disney animation has a rich history of creating memorable characters and stories, and many of these characters belong to various "families" within the Disney universe. These families often serve as the central focus of the narratives, providing themes of love, friendship, and adventure. Disney continues to create new and diverse families in their animated films, each with its unique dynamics and adventures. The theme of family is a recurring and important element in many Disney stories, emphasizing the values of love, loyalty, and the journey of self-discovery. With so many examples of great Disney families, the question is which family is the best? Is there a family you connect with? This is a question that Rachel and Jeremiah tackle in this week's episode. Joining them are their daughters Elizabeth and Kristen. Together they compare a group of Disney families using a 16-group bracket. Come listen in and hear which family they liked the best. Be sure to download the bracket below and play along. Links for this episode: Download the Best Disney Family bracket Join the STL Pin Fans Facebook group Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page  

Star Wars is a franchise near and dear to both Blake and JJ's hearts, and is one of the subjects discussed the most in their episodes. Recently, much like Marvel, Star Wars seems to be in a slump, and not nearly as popular as they were around their peak era between 2015 and 2021. In their last episode on the show, both Blake and JJ are discussing why they feel that Star Wars has been on a decline as of late. They discuss where they are lacking, where there are areas of opportunity, and what Disney could do to bring Star Wars back to the level of hype and popularity it had in the past. They also discuss what they've done Disney lately, with Blake talking about a reconsideration of his thoughts on the Loki series, and a couple of other shows he's been watching. JJ also brings up an update on his invitation to Club 33, and his recent amusement park visits. For the last time on the show, tune in and listen to Blake and JJ discuss some Star Wars. What did you think of our reasoning for why Star Wars has fallen off? Are there any ideas you have that could get more people back into feeling the Star Wars hype? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we'd love to discuss with you!   Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page  

In May of this year the final installment of the original Star Wars Trilogy, Return of the Jedi, turned 40 years old. We've previously taken a look at A New Hope when it turned 45 and The Empire Strikes Back when it turned 40. So it's only proper that we complete our trilogy on this beloved trilogy. We talk about our first memories, the legacy of the film, favorite moments, the use of music, special effects, and so much more!  Where does this film rank for us among the original trilogy? Hit that play button and find out! Resources mentioned in this episode: Dave Filoni Named Lucasfilm Chief Creative Officer How to watch Star Wars in order - even the shows Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

Disney Princess is a media franchise and line of fictional characters created by The Walt Disney Company. These characters, known as Disney Princesses, are featured in animated films and other Disney media. The franchise began with the release of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" in 1937, and it has since grown to include a diverse group of princess characters from various films.    Over the years, numerous talented actresses have provided the voices for these beloved Disney Princesses. These actresses have not only lent their voices but also contributed to the characterization and emotional depth of the Disney Princesses, making them memorable and cherished by audiences of all ages. But what do we know about the amazing women who have brought to life these beloved characters?   In this episode of the podcast Rachel and Jeremiah discuss the life and careers of these very talented women. They give you a full perspective about who they are, where they came from, and how they became a Disney Princess. Hopefully we can all learn a little bit more about these fantastic individuals.   Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

The Disney parks are arguably the most popular and successful theme parks in the world, but the question is, why? What makes these parks stand out among the others to make them so popular? In this episode, both Blake and JJ are discussing their reasoning for why they believe Disney parks stand out amongst other theme parks similar to them. They discuss cleanliness, Disney's properties, their technology, and some more specific reasons. They also what they've done Disney lately, with Blake talking about his visit to Halloween Horror Nights and mentioning a show he's been watching, and JJ talking about his biggest and most eventful Disney thing that's happened in a very long time, something that's been in the works for 12 years or so. So give this episode a listen, if you're curious to discover the strengths of Disney's parks! What did you think of our reasonings? Are there any reasons we may have missed, that you think help the Disney Parks to stand out? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we'd love to discuss with you!   Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

Do you love fan theories as much as we do? If so, this episode is for YOU! The internet is full of fan theories about Disney films, so we decided to choose a few of them and share whether or not we think they could be true. Is Boo from Monsters, Inc. the witch from Brave? Do all the Pixar movies take place within the same universe? Did Nemo and Moana actually die near the beginning of their respective movies? Does Magara become Mother Gothel? Is Jaffar the true hero of Aladdin? We tackle these theories and MORE in this week's episode!   Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page  

Disney has been remaking their cinematic classics for many years now. These remakes have gained popularity in recent years and are part of Disney's strategy to capitalize on their extensive catalog. Disney remakes serve several purposes. They allow Disney to introduce classic stories to a new generation of audiences, often with updated visuals and contemporary themes. They also provide an opportunity to monetize existing intellectual property and expand the Disney brand.  Many of these remakes come from the company's large catalog of full-featured films like, The Parent Trap, Freaky Friday, Herbie, and The Absent-Minded Professor. Recently we have seen an increase in the remaking of many animated classics into live-action adaptations, like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin. But the remakes have faced criticism for being overly reliant on nostalgia and not offering much that is new or innovative. But are there movies that Disney would not remake?  In this episode, Rachel and Jeremiah are going to tackle this exact question. They go over 10 classic Disney films that they believe the company will not try to remake. Hear their thoughts about each picture and why they think a remake is not going to happen.   Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page  

One of Disney fans' favorite parts of the Halloween overhaul at Disneyland is the Nightmare Before Christmas retheme for Haunted Mansion. There have been a few other attraction rethemes, but what if there were more across the parks? In this episode, both Blake and JJ are discussing potential rethemes for different attractions across Disneyland and California Adventure, including classics such as Pirates of the Caribbean, or some newer rides such as WEB Slingers. They also discuss what Disney could also do more with in terms of their Halloween events they put on every year. Before discussing their ideas, they talk about what they've done Disney lately, which is very little, but includes some Disney+ access drama and a recent crossover in a video game. What did you think of our ideas? What are some Halloween retheme ideas you have? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we'd love to discuss with you! Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

Halloween season is here and it's time to watch some Disney Halloween movies! Tim Burton first offered up the story of "Frankenweenie" as a live action short-film in 1984. However, in today's episode, we're covering the longer stop-motion animation version from 2012. Last year around this time, Disney Plus premiered "Werewolf by Night" directed by Michael Giacchino.  Not only are both of these films in black and white, but each of them draw upon classic horror films from the 50s - 80s, filling their stories with easter eggs and homages to those beloved classics. Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

David is back from another trip to WDW as well as a great relaxing time on the new Disney Wish. David gives us the highlights from Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, which he was a first time visitor to. David's journey on the Wish will give you the overall experience of cruising with an infant. Bryce and David also cover a huge announcement about what Disney will do in the next ten years in their theme parks.   Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

In their final episode for MHW, Ben and Erica look back at how their magical adventure began, what it was like to be part of the show, some of their favorite podcast episodes and Disney memories during this time, and how they like to say "See You Real Soon" at the end of a Disney vacation. Plus, they discuss their favorite announcements from D23. Ben and Erica want to thank Darrell, all the MHW hosts, and the listeners for making their MHW journey one full of joy, magic, and memories that they will cherish for years to come!    Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

During Disneyland's construction, Walt grew tired of making the long commute between Burbank and Anaheim and decided he would build himself an apartment right inside Disneyland. The second story above the Main Street Fire Station right near Disneyland's entrance seemed like the perfect place. Through the windows he could oversee construction, and once Disneyland was open to the public he could watch the happy guests streaming through the gates in the morning. Walt Disney passed away in 1966 during the planning of his second theme park, Walt Disney World. Disneyland was the only Disney Park Walt visited, and is the only Disney Park where Walt lived. Today, a guest can take a unique tour and visit this iconic apartment. A dedicated tour guide leads guests up and down Main Street USA, telling stories about Main Street USA when it first opened in 1955, and pointing out fun decorations and surprises guest may not normally notice. The tour ends with a visit to Walt's private apartment, located above the Main Street Fire Station in Town Square. The apartment is typically closed to the public, and your only chance to see inside is to either know the right people, or buy your way in. But is this tour worth spending your time and money on? In this episode of Mouse House Weekly Rachel and Jeremiah discuss their recent visit to Disneyland when they decided to take this very special event. They go into detail about what they experienced, and then they close the show with some insights on some of the other walking tours the park provides. Come listen and join in on the conversion.   Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

Pixar used to be a studio that could bring in some huge profit for Disney, but ever since the pandemic, with some of Pixar's films going directly to Disney+, and with Pixar's recent films debuted in theaters being a massive disappointment, Pixar has been a larger discussion recently. With Pixar being big in Blake's mind, he's gone ahead and created a list of Pixar's filmography, for Blake and JJ to battle it out for the best Pixar film draft! Blake and JJ will take turns picking Pixar movies to add to their draft, with them finding the IMDB scores for each film, adding them out, and see who's draft has the best films according to IMDB! Before battling it out, they also discuss some new devices Blake has bought for film viewing and game playing for upcoming Disney projects, and JJ breaks a new record in the What We've Done Disney Lately segment. Now come on and listen in—you'd be surprised at the results of this draft! What did you think of the draft? Were you able to participate, and if so, how'd you do? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we'd love to discuss with you!   Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

Since it was released in 1955, Lady and the Tramp has been one of Disney's most beloved classics. So we cooked up a plate of spaghetti and meatballs, watched Lady and the Tramp, and sat down to give you a review of our experience. How does the movie hold up today? What about the warning Disney issues to viewers before the movie, where can you find Lady and the Tramp in the parks, and most importantly, how were the meatballs? Articles mentioned in this episode: Haunted Mansion expansion at Disneyland Fun facts about Lady and the Tramp from Mental Floss Where to find Lady and the Tramp in the parks from Couponing to Disney Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

After 9 long months it is finally Football Season! The Walt Disney Company over the years has crossed over to the world of sports many times. The number one thought is probably coming to you in the form of ESPN, the Disney owned sports media company. But what about all the other links? From football movies, television, and even the occasional Disney World reference, Bryce and Bryan discuss some of their favorite Disney Football moments. Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

With record breaking heat in Orlando this summer, Walt Disney World has been HOT! The temperature isn't the only thing heating up though, so are the opinions of park goers. This week Ben and Erica breakdown an article by Mark Wilson titled, "Disney World is Hell." We follow the article and discuss The Heat, The Digital Platform and The Cast. What can Disney do to mitigate such hot times of year? Do cast members still have magic to share with guests? Should Genie+ be banished to the realm of Song of the South, forgotten and never to be spoken of again, or is it actually a valuable tool? Is the WDW experience really that hellish, or is this one person's opinion? Join us as we have a frank discussion, taking the temperature of WDW.  Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

For years people have discussed the many fantastic food options offered inside the Disney theme parks, but the food is not the only thing they do well. There are many well-crafted drinks found throughout the parks.  Disney parks offer a wide variety of drinks that cater to all tastes and preferences; from refreshing classics to unique concoctions, there are many great options available. Not only are these drinks well-crafted, many of them are themed perfectly with the area in which they're being served. In Galaxy's Edge, you have drinks like Green Milk or Jedi Juice, New Orleans Square offers the New Orleans Mint Julep, you can try the world-famous Dole Whip Float in Adventureland, or enjoy a Frozen Apple Pie drink at World Showplace Pavilion in EPCOT. These are just a few examples of the many drinks you can enjoy within the magical world of Disney theme parks. Whether you're seeking classic favorites or adventurous concoctions, there's something for everyone to sip and savor as you create unforgettable memories during your visit.  But can you make these drinks at home? Many cookbooks offer up recipes for individuals to try. One of those books is The Unofficial Disney Parks Drink Recipe Book which was given to Jeremiah and Rachel for Christmas. Naturally, they knew that they needed to try making some.  In this episode of the podcast Rachel and Jeremiah are joined by their very good friend Albert. Together they tackle many of these delicious drinks. Come listen in as they try making the drinks and then discuss what they thought about the recipe.   Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

As some of you may know, Blake really likes movies. And, more than that, he likes researching and learning more facts about those films. So Blake has put together a fun movie-guessing game, using some knowledge that Blake has gathered for some of these movies. Unfortunately, JJ's gonna be occupied this week with some sort of “incoming baby” scenario, so Blake reached out to fellow Mouse House Weekly host Darrell to help co-host this episode! For this movie-guessing game, Blake will be giving Darrell 5 types of hints for the movie he's trying to get him to guess, hopefully getting Darrell closer and closer to guessing the film. These hints range from basic fun facts about the film, to the marketed tagline of the film, or how much representation this film franchise has in the parks. Before getting to the game, Blake and Darrell also discuss what they've done Disney lately, which include some rewatches of some Star Wars and Indiana Jones, and the new MCU show Secret Invasion. So tune in to hear a “self-proclaimed” film critic offer obscure film trivia to someone who is famously known for “not watching a lot of movies.” What's the worst that could happen? What did you think of the game? Were you able to guess any of the films based off of the clues given? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we'd love to discuss with you!   Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

Today we're going to be your non-ghost hosts and take you on a virtual behind-the-scenes tour of The Haunted Mansion attractions at Disneyland and The Magic Kingdom, so you can more deeply enjoy and appreciate all they goodies they've packed into the new Haunted Mansion movie.  We haven't seen the movie yet so there won't be any spoilers, but we will be discussing the trailer for the movie later in the episode. So if you consider that type of conversation spoilery, we'll give you a warning before that part. Of course, this isn't the first time Disney has released a movie centered on the Haunted Mansion. Twenty years ago they released The Haunted Mansion starring Eddie Murphy, and 2 years ago they released Muppets Haunted Mansion starring Will Arnett and Taraji P. Henson. Both of these movies are available on Disney Plus. Eddie Murphy's version is not widely favored and has a 5.1 out of 10 on IMDB, while the Muppets version has a slightly higher score of 6.3 out of 10.  If you're looking for all the Haunted Mansion goodness available on film, we also recommend Behind the Attraction episode 2: Haunted Mansion, also available on Disney Plus.   Videos  and websites we used for researching this episode: Differences between Disney's Haunted Mansion Wikipedia article on The Haunted Mansion Mickey Wiki on The Haunted Mansion Haunted Mansion Wiki Theme Park History of the Haunted Mansion Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

It's the middle of a great theme park day at Disney World and you really need some "chill time." Bryce welcomes Bryan to the show as they talk about the best places at Disney to rest your legs, sit in the A/C, or even take a full on nap. Beat the heat this week on Mouse House Weekly.   Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

Horse back riding, fishing, and swimming with dolphins are just a few of the things you probably didn't know you could do at Walt Disney World. This week Ben and Erica share their favorite things to do in WDW that are off the beaten path. Whether it's just to get a break from the crowds, or wanting to create some unique Disney memories, this episode will show there is a lot more to do than just the rides and shows on your next Disney vacation!    Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

After a very, very long time of waiting, the fifth and true finale to the Indiana Jones franchise has finally been released to theaters. With JJ continuously being hyped for this movie for years on end, we had to do an episode focused on the new film and our thoughts on it, from a diehard Indy fan, and from a more casual viewer of the films. JJ and Blake both discuss the final entry in the franchise, talking about what they enjoyed and thought they did well, what they think could've been improved, and how well this movie acted as a conclusion to the films. Before getting to the main discussion, they also discuss what they've done Disney lately, which include some Spider-Man, Cars, and some new releases from Disney and 20th Century Fox. If you have seen the new Indiana Jones, or maybe if you want to be convinced to go see it, or maybe you just want to hear us talk, tune in and I'm sure you'll get something out of today's episode. What did you think of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny? Did you enjoy it, or did it maybe not meet your expectations? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we'd love to discuss with you! Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

Walt Disney Company is one of the most renowned entertainment companies in the world. Disney has created numerous beloved animated films, theme parks, and iconic characters that have captured the hearts of people of all ages. With such a rich collection of work, Disney-related topics make for great trivia.  Let's face it, nearly everybody loves Disney! Disney trivia can be a lot of fun. Like, what year did Mickey Mouse make his debut? In Finding Nemo, what's the name of Nemo's mother? Or In "Toy Story", what color is Andy's cowboy hat? But, how much do you know about Disney? In this week's episode of Mouse House Weekly Rachel and Jeremiah are joined once again by their daughter Kristen. She came on the podcast to bring the heat by testing Rachel and Jeremiah on their knowledge of Disney animation. Who will do better? Listen to this fun episode and play along! Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

A first trip to Disney World is always an epic event. Bryce returns from Disney World after a great trip with his two boys Jack (10) and Ellis (6). Not only do Jack and Ellis give some very honest feedback about the trip, but Bryce also gives an in depth look into traveling to WDW with young boys. The discussion is full of tips and tricks to manage a first time (or any time) Disney World vacation! Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

It's party game time! In this "Would Your Rather" meets "Mad Libs" style game, Colby and Darrell take turns pulling random questions from a hat and then choosing either random Disney movies or Disney characters. They then have to make a decision based on the random things they've drawn from the hats! Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

The Little Mermaid was released in 1989. It is a captivating animated musical that continues to enchant audiences of all ages. Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, this Disney masterpiece marked the renaissance of the studio's animated films, ushering in a new era of storytelling and unforgettable characters. The film takes us on a magical underwater journey to the depths of the ocean, where we meet Ariel, a curious and spirited young mermaid with an insatiable longing for life on land. Voiced by the talented Jodi Benson, Ariel's character embodies innocence, independence, and a yearning for adventure that resonates with viewers even today. The storyline is based on the timeless fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen and successfully infuses it with Disney's signature charm and whimsy. The narrative strikes a perfect balance between lightheartedness and emotional depth, exploring themes of sacrifice, self-discovery, and the power of true love. It captivates the audience from the opening scene and holds their attention until the very end. Plans for a remake of 1989's The Little Mermaid were confirmed in May 2016. In December 2017, Disney announced Marshall was being courted to direct the film. Bailey, Tremblay, Awkwafina, and the rest of the cast signed on between July to November 2019. After a delay by the COVID-19 pandemic, the filming ultimately took place primarily at Pinewood Studios in England and on the island of Sardinia, Italy, from January to July 2021. Composer Alan Menken, who worked on the original film's soundtrack, returned to compose the score and write new songs alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda, who serves as a producer with Platt, John DeLuca and Marshall. The film was released in the United States on May 26. Critics praised the performances of the cast and the musical sequences but criticized the visual effects and character designs. But which one is the best? This is the subject that Rachel and Jeremiah tackle on this week's episode of Mouse House Weekly. They compare plots, characters and music, giving each subject a score. At the end they tally up and find out which film is best.   Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

Ben is back from his first sailing aboard a Royal Caribbean ship. It may be impossible to compare the fleets of Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line, but in this episode Ben does his best to share how the Radiance of the Seas compares to the Disney Magic. These two ships come from a similar era, and are very comparable in size and capacity. Erica comes along for the ride and the two talk everything from dining to entertainment to service and more. Is it truly an apples to apples comparison, or is one of these experiences more of a poisoned apple? Plus, a long time ago in a Disney park far, far, away, Ben went to Star Wars Nite and Erica claims he did it all wrong. Is she right? Come along for an episode filled with late night flights, and royal sailings!    Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

The long anticipated third season of the Mandalorian has concluded. Since its conclusion, fans have seemed a bit split on their thoughts on the season, so Blake, JJ, and recurring guest and fellow Mouse House Weekly host Jeremiah are here to discuss everything about it! The trio of big Star Wars fans discuss each episode in order, discussing their praises and issues, as well as quick summaries for what happened to refresh any memories of the show. They talk about their thoughts on how the arcs evolve over the course of the season, and some questions about what the future of the show may look like. Before getting to the main discussion, they also discuss what they've done Disney lately, which include some Disney merch, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Spider-Man. If you're maybe unsure of your thoughts on the newest season of Mando, fly on in and see if we can help piece that together for you! What did you think of the latest season of the Mandalorian? Did you enjoy it, or did it maybe not meet your expectations? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we'd love to discuss with you! Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

Arg, mateys, it's time to set sail on a new and tasty adventure! Nestled in one of Disneyland's most beloved lands, New Orleans Square, Pirates of the Caribbean ride and The Blue Bayou restaurant go hand-in-hand. If you're lucky enough to get a reservation at The Blue Bayou restaurant, then you get to see the boats from the ride drift by while you enjoy your meal. As a rider on Pirates, we find the opening scene drifting through the bayou to be very charming. So this week we're cooking up the world famous Monte Cristo with Pommes Frites, and enjoying the first movie in the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise, Curse of the Black Pearl. Here are the recipes we used. Official Disneyland Monte Cristo recipe Copycat Disneyland Pommes Frites recipe NEWS: Major updates to Disney World reservations and dining plan! Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

Disney has just rolled out their new Disney100 marketing campaign to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Disney Studios. Part of this campaign includes a traveling exhibition that David had the privilege of touring just last month. David gives us a non spoiler and then very detailed look at the exhibit that celebrates the studio that started it all. Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

We love people and we love Disney, so helping everyone experience the magic of a Walt Disney World vacation is near and dear to our hearts. This week Erica shares why helping families with Autism and Cognitive Disabilities visit Disney World is something she is so passionate about. There are so many great ways to help prepare starting at home, and Erica has some especially creative tips. Plus, Ben and Erica discuss what to consider when picking a resort, how to navigate the parks using Disney's DAS program, and what to do about food. Even if you don't have a family member or friend with these special needs, this episode is full of great tips for anyone planning their next WDW vacation!   Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

Staying in a Disney hotel is often described as a magical experience, with many guests praising the theming, attention to detail, and overall atmosphere of the hotels. From the moment guests check-in, they are immersed in the Disney magic, with characters often present to greet them and themed decor throughout the hotel. Guests also appreciate the convenience of staying in a Disney hotel, with easy access to the parks, early admission to select attractions, and the ability to make dining reservations before non-hotel guests. Many hotels offer amenities like themed swimming pools, fitness centers, and spas, which can add to the overall experience. In addition, many guests find the customer service at Disney hotels to be exceptional, with friendly and helpful staff members who go out of their way to ensure a magical stay. Overall, staying in a Disney hotel can be a memorable and enjoyable experience, with guests often feeling like they're part of the magic of the parks even when they're not inside them. Disneyland offers three fantastic options for guests to experience.  However, some guests have noted that the prices of a Disney hotel can be higher than other nearby hotels. With this in mind you may be asking yourself is it worth spending more money to stay at one of the three Disneyland Resort Hotels? In this episode Rachel and Jeremiah review all three Disneyland® Resort Hotels and discuss which one they feel is worth visiting when staying at the happiest place on earth! Listen and join in on this informative podcast.   Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

Over the last several weeks theme park enthusiasts have been treated to two new lands on the west coast. Disneyland unveiled the newly reimagined Mickey's Toontown on March 19th, and Universal Studios Hollywood opened Super Nintendo World on February 17th. Rachel and Jeremiah shared their Toontown opening day experience in episode 164. This week, Darrell and his daughter, Addi, visit southern California to give their experience with Super Nintendo World and Mickey's Toontown. They also discuss the newly refurbished Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye, their first experience with Soarin' Over California, getting trapped on Incredicoaster (twice!), and other first-time Disney experiences!   Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

Disney has always been a big name in the media industry, but public perception of Disney has changed in recent years. Some argue their stories lack heart, or they're getting lazy making remakes, and focusing more on franchise films than original films. In this week's episode of Mouse House Weekly, Blake and JJ compare Disney's recent animated and live-action projects (roughly 2020-2023), to previous films in the previous years (roughly 2017-2019), and their recent Disney park additions when compared to previous years as well. They talk about some of the recent Disney live-action remakes, how successful some of them have been, their quality, and if their perception of a “good” live-action Disney movie is actually successful. They talk about some of the animated movies, both the franchise films and the original films, and compare those to each other as well. Towards the end of their conversation, they discuss the parks, and if the parks are doing better than they have before, or if they're falling off, like some people may say. They also discuss what they've done Disney lately, which include some Star Wars, documentaries, and future trips, and give a Star-Wars-centric tip of the week. If you wanna know if Disney has “lost its magic”, tune in and find out! What do you think? Has Disney lost its magic? Would you be interested in more discussion on this topic? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we'd love to discuss with you!   Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

Bryce is joined by guest host Bryan Ripper to discuss the most recent shareholder meeting for the Walt Disney Company. Shareholder meetings may sound dull, but Disney CEO Bob Iger dropped some major Disney news for the future of the Walt Disney Company and their theme parks. Listen in and join in the discussion about the exciting future for our favorite company.   Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

Experiencing the most magical theme park attractions in the land isn't always as easy as just standing in line. Since Disney added virtual queues, boarding groups, Genie+, and Lighting Lanes, it's easy to get confused about how to ride. This is especially true when a new ride like TRON Lightcycle Run is launched. This week Erica and Ben help guide you through the quantity of qualifiers for queues at Walt Disney World, and talk about the impact Tron has on Tomorrowland. Plus, Ben has new Disney plans that might make Darrell jealous. Check it all out on this week's episode of Mouse House Weekly! Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

Mickey's Toontown opened in Disneyland on January 24, 1993. The area was inspired by Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and resembled a set from a Max Fleischer cartoon. The buildings were, and still are, stylized and colorful. There are several attractions involving classic cartoon characters, such as the houses of Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The fictional backstory given for Mickey's Toontown is that it was a hidden Toon suburb that Mickey Mouse had moved to in 1930 to keep in touch with his humble Midwestern roots, with his friends following soon after. When Walt Disney was looking for a location to build Disneyland, Mickey pointed him towards a large orange grove nearby for him to build his park. After the park opened, Mickey and his friends would travel between their Toontown homes and Disneyland to meet the countless guests that visited the park, before eventually deciding to open their hometown to the public later in the 90s, digging a tunnel through the berm. On November 15, 2021, it was announced Mickey's Toontown would be closed until 2023 as part of an "ambitious reimagining project”. The new Toontown would include the exciting new ride Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway. Additionally, the long-closed Chip and Dale's Treehouse was removed, and a new park space, CenTOONial Park, was created adjacent to Goofy's Playhouse near the land's entrance. CenTOONial is now home to a new fountain of Mickey and Minnie and a Dreaming Tree inspired by the one Walt Disney sat under as a child in Marceline, Missouri. Other play areas in the reimagined land include Goofy's "How to Play" Yard surrounding Goofy's Playhouse and the Donald's Duck Pond splash pad at Donald's Boat. This new and exciting Mickey's Toontown opened on March 19th, 2023 and Rachel and Jeremiah were there to take in the new imagined themed area. In this podcast they review the new and improved family friendly area. They share details of their experience exploring an area of the park that they normally do not spend time in. This informative podcast should be very welcoming to anyone coming to visit. Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page

Star Wars is a very action-packed and fantastical series, so it was about time Disney produced an anime series with stories that take place in the Star Wars universe. Blake and JJ, in light of the second volume of Star Wars: Visions coming out this year, are here to discuss the first volume of the anthology series, discussing each episode individually, and discussing the series as a whole and its quality. They've also ranked each individual episode, talking about each episode based off of their placement in the rankings. Blake and JJ discuss their experience and opinion on anime in the past, the art styles and their different varieties, and the stories and characters in each episode, and how memorable and well-written they are. They also discuss what they've done Disney lately, which include the Oscars and the most recent MCU movie. If you love Star Wars, anime, or even both, this is the show for you, so tune in and hear their thoughts! Have you seen the first volume of Star Wars: Visions? What are your thoughts on it, and do you think it deserves more volumes? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we'd love to discuss with you! Connect with Mouse House Weekly: Facebook community Twitter Instagram Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page