Tales From The Mouse House...Episode 70

Welcome to Tales From The Mouse House Disneyland Podcast...Episode 70! Yeah, we know...it’s been awhile since we’ve done a “regular” audio episode, but hey, life’s been kind of crazy for us, what with unemployment...recording audiobooks, computer systems acting wonky! Oh well, here we are!

On this episode, we chat about Mother’s Day 2013, what’s going on around our house and even launch an impromptu contest...you’ll have to listen in to find out the details! In our Attraction Review, Joyce covers an iconic Disneyland Attraction that illicits oohs and ahhs from everyone who sees it, and in Food Reviews Al covers a new classy place that puts the class in...well, class! 

Yeah, life HAS been quite messy for us lately, I'm still without "real work", despite submitting dozens of resumes. But, while we're in "limbo" with that, we're still moving forward with the Voice Acting/Narration company, Storyteller Productions. Currently I (Al) have 5 books in production, one completed and awaiting approval from audible.com and one on the digital shelves ready for your purchase. If you'd like details on any of these titles, you can visit us at www.storytellerpodcasts.com and just navigate to the voice over page. Oh, and we have a Facebook business page now too, just search for Storyteller Productions. 

As always, If you’d like to send in comments for the show, you can send us an email to talespodcast@cox.net, leave us voicemail on the Hotline at 304-TALES23, leave us feedback in iTunes or leave comments for us on our Twitter account @talespodcast. Heck, you can even find us on FaceBook, just search for Tales From The House House - Disneyland podcast! If you'd like to listen to the show, you can find it on iTunes, on our podcast site at talescast.com, the direct episode link: Episode 70, or on Stitcher Radio now! Just visit www.stitcher.com and search for Tales From The Mouse House - Disneyland Podcast!

AND, we're listed on Stitcher Radio now! Just visit www.stitcher.com and search for Tales From The Mouse House - Disneyland Podcast!

Thanks for making us part of your Disney experience and remember…
"Make It A Mickey Day!" ~~ Al & Joyce

Tales From The Mouse House...Episode 63

Welcome to episode 63 of Tales From The Mouse House Disneyland Podcast!! Well, it's been awhile since we've chatted with you! On this first episode of 2013, we discuss what's going on around our place, like the COLD weather we've been experiencing in Arizona. Wow, overnight temps for us have been between 20 and 25 degrees! It's been a wild few weeks to be sure. And of course, no cold weather would be complete without someone getting sick. Yep, Joyce is suffering from a head cold. We also share some of our plans and goals for 2013, like completing the audiobook, In The Shadow Of The Matterhorn, Intimate Stories of Life, Love and Laughter at Disneyland by David W. Smith, or, for Joyce, to get more organized. SO, what goals have YOU set for yourself in 2013? We'd LOVE to hear about them. Maybe we can all help each other stick to our goals this year!

Our awesome friend and podcast sponsor Randy Crane from Mouse Ear Vacations also joins us to share an outstanding new sweepstakes his agency has launched. Trust us when we say, this is one sweepstakes you're going to want to participate in. This is a once in a lifetime Disney Magical vacation you're playing for people! Check out Randy at Mouse Ear Vacations and check out the "SIGN UP" link on the bottom of the page for YOUR chance at this awesome vacation, and for complete details, tune in to the podcast!

A MUST READ for 2013

On our last visit to Disneyland, we decided to satisfy our craving for ice cream at Haagen Dazs in Downtown Disney, and I (Al) cover that experience in our Food Review segment. Now, we know it's FREEZING cold outside, but really, it's ALWAYS a good time for ice cream...right? And, Joyce reviews an attraction I already covered several episodes back, but since she figured it was one of my LEAST favorite attractions, she'd give it some positive air time! Yes, this is an attraction you can find in Fantasyland, and was actually one of the original "Dark Rides" in the Park when it opened in 1955. Can you guess which one? 

Disneyland

We hope you enjoy our little Tales From The Mouse House Disneyland Podcast, because we sure LOVE bringing it to you. As we've said many times, Walt Disney and his beloved Disneyland have become such huge parts of our lives, and the Magic Walt created inspires us each and every day. We truly love spreading that Magic to as many people as we can!


As always, If you’d like to send in comments for the show, you can send us an email to talespodcast@cox.net, leave us voicemail on the Hotline at 304-TALES23, leave us feedback in iTunes or leave comments for us on our Twitter account @talespodcast. Heck, you can even find us on FaceBook, just search for Tales From The House House - Disneyland podcast! If you'd like to listen to the show, you can find it on iTunes, on our podcast site at talescast.com, the direct episode link: Episode 63, or on Stitcher Radio now! Just visit www.stitcher.com and search for Tales From The Mouse House - Disneyland Podcast!


Thanks for making us part of your Disney experience and remember…
"Make It A Mickey Day!" ~~ Al & Joyce

Happiest Blog on Earth - Integrity

Integrity. Man, that's a word, isn't it? Integrity means a lot of different things to a lot of different folks, but one thing that's pretty much universal is that integrity is not something we should take lightly. 


I like to believe that, for the most part, I live my life with integrity. Over the length of my long life (never mind how many years!), I've developed some very specific definitions of integrity, and I hold myself to these standards quite seriously. Let me expound on this a little.


Nearly two years ago when Joyce and I came to the pivotal point in our lives where we felt it was important to share our love for the Disneyland Resort, and Walt Disney, with others on a larger scale. We had experienced a very real magic throughout our numerous visits to the Happiest Place on Earth and we found that when we returned to our "real" lives (work) and answered the inevitable question that all co-workers feel the need to ask - "Did you have a good time?" - we were sharing with folks in a way that honestly made some envious, some curious and some ask for more! Eventually, it got to the point where people were asking us for advice on the whats, wheres and whens for their upcoming Disneyland adventures. So, we did what any normal couple would do: we started the Tales From The Mouse House Disneyland podcast! 


Ok, so what does that story have to do with integrity? Good question. The answer: EVERYTHING! You see, Joyce and I feel very passionate about the Disneyland Resort and the incredible vision of Walt Disney that we want to share honest information with people. This is what I was referring to in my last blog. There are a great many people in this world that share information that's not always true, or, twist it to a point where even though it may be true, it doesn't represent their topic very well. Now, I'm not advocating the "spin" machine at all. If you have something to share that's possibly negative, then by all means, share the negative information, but do it with tact. That's how we present everything we share about Disney in our podcast, in our blogs, in our social media postings, heck, everywhere. 


To me, integrity means honesty...honor. In all things, do with honor. It is possible to deliver negative news with honor, trust me. If you listen to our podcast, you'll discover that. There are many times that Joyce and I've reported on things about Disney that rubs us the wrong way, a not so magical experience we had, or yes, even reviewed an attraction or restaurant we didn't like. But we presented it with integrity, with facts and with tact. Few things irk me more than to listen to a podcast or read a blog where the presenter goes off on something in a very disrespectful way. To me, that shows a bit of ignorance and quite honestly lowers my opinion of them and removes a great deal of their authority on the subject. It is possible to say something negative in a positive way without doing the spin dance. 


Our good friend Lisa Robertson from the Babes In Disneyland blog is part of this wonderful group called The Three Disneyland Moms, and they've started a pledge for this very thing - integrity. It's available to folks who blog, and I believe it adds a great deal of authority to what you offer, as long as you mean it. It's called the "I blog with integrity" pledge, and if you agree with it, and if you truly blog with integrity, they offer a badge to proudly display on your blog site. Joyce and I are proud members of this wonderful community and we proudly display this badge. 


So, in parting I'd like to leave you with a little advice. Share. Share your passion, share your love for whatever you want to share. But do it with honor, do it with integrity. If you find yourself thinking if what you're about to say or write may be a little too...well, nasty, don't post it.  Or if you find yourself really CHEESED off about something and want to share, write it down on a piece of paper, set it aside then come back to it when you've cooled off. Then rewrite it to take the sting out of it. If you do this, if you share with integrity and honor, trust me, you'll have much more magic to offer and others will respect that! 
Thanks for reading...  ~~~ Al 

Disneyland's World Famous Jungle Cruise!

Video by Tales From The Mouse House podcast



Where can you go to see some of the most dangerous animals in the world, all only feet from your tour boat, and get a good laugh along the way? Why, Disneyland of course! One of the most popular, and I might add, one of my all time favorite, attractions at the Disneyland Resort is the World Famous Jungle Cruise. Located in Adventureland, this attraction is without doubt one of the most entertaining in the Park.

The attraction opened in July, 1955 and was originally intended to be a serious attraction where guests could get a taste of what it would be like cruising through some of the most famous, and dangerous, rivers of the world. However, over the years, the Jungle Cruise Boat Skippers developed their "humor" and have actually evolved that into official "scripts" for the Castmember Skippers to follow! Which, quite honestly, is one of the biggest draws to this attraction. The jokes and puns are, well, not always the greatest, but, they'll always bring a smile to your face!

Over the years, the Jungle Cruise has seen it's fair share of famous Skippers. In fact, Robin Williams is said to have captained a boat, and of course, arguably the most famous, being John Lasseter from Pixar. Every time we ride the Jungle Cruise, I'm always paying close attention to the Skippers. If they're really good, funny and comfortable, I make sure I take a lot of photos and video. You never know who will make it famous some day!

So, on your next visit to the Disneyland Resort, why not head on over to Adventureland and stop in for a cruise? And if it's your birthday, be sure to tell the Skipper. They'll have a "special" song, just for you!

So, in closing, here's a heart warming farewell by one of our most recent Jungle Cruise Skippers:

"Crew, I just wanted you to know you were outstanding on the cruise today. Now, I need you outstanding on the dock. Seriously, leave!"

Until next time, make it a Mickey Day! ~~ Al

The Happiest Blog On Earth - Getting Ready

Wow, it's hard to believe that it's October already! I love Fall for many reasons, one of the biggest is we FINALLY have a chance at day time temperatures BELOW 100, and overnight lows far enough to start what we like to call, Fire Pit Season. We love sitting in our backyard, a cozy fire blazing in our fire pit, billions of stars above. But I think, what I love best about Fall is that it represents the anniversary of my conversion...to a Disneyland Fan! 


It was September of 2007 when Joyce and I made our first trip together to the Happiest Place On Earth. In the four years now that we've been making the trek to the Disneyland Resort, we've visited in just about every month, every season really. But by far my favorite it Fall, right around the end of September to the end of October. Truth be told, the end of October is my all time favorite because the weather is perfect and, well, it's our wedding anniversary time. So, why have I shared this with you? Because, my magical readers Joyce and I are heading off to Disneyland near the end of October to celebrate our 15 year wedding anniversary! 


We thought long and hard about where we wanted to celebrate 15 wonderful years of marriage and both agreed there was only one place we wanted to be - Disneyland (ok, so it really took us about 15 seconds to decide!). Where better to celebrate the best day of my life but in my favorite place on earth, with my favorite person. Oh, and believe me, the Disneyland Resort IS the best place to celebrate anything. They go WAY above and beyond to make certain you feel special. Joyce and I have shared many things over the years, but the one thing that we share that has enabled us to spread magic to others is our love for Disneyland and Walt Disney. 


So, take it from me, if you're looking to find a place to celebrate your love, or your birthday, or that job promotion, or winning the big game...well, you get the picture, look no further than Disneyland. And if you're not sure, why not check out our latest video podcast. We've started a series we call "Through The Eyes Of The Mouse: Relaxing At The Disneyland Resort". In this series of special videos, we take you on a people watching-relaxing trip through the Disneyland Resort, and you don't even have to wear shoes! In this second of the series, we take you to Mickey's Toontown and Adventureland. If you'd like to see the first part, check out our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/talespodcast. And be sure to check out Tales From The Mouse House - Disneyland Podcast in iTunes, or at www.talescast.com. ~~~ Al 

Disneyland in the Fall