Disney Dispatch

40th Anniversary Mickey Ears: The Results

Bob McLain

Jessica most looked forward to buying one wearable souvenir on her recent trip to Disney World: the 40th Anniversary Mouse Ears hat. The Mouse (like the Force, but without a dark side) was with her and she scored her prize. More...

Top 5 Tips for People Not Attending D23

Bob McLain

Not attending the D23 Expo this weekend? You're not alone. Most Disney fans, in fact, won't be there. But that doesn't make it any easier to imagine the lucky few having fun while you're just reading about it. Jeff has tips to make it better. More...

Disney Art with a Pop Culture Zing

Bob McLain

I probably don't have to sell you on the merits of hanging fine Disney art in your mansion. But what's "fine", exactly? Walt on black velvet standing in a sunburst halo? (If you said yes, please back away slowly.) I've got a better idea... More...

Interview: Rolonda, Imagineer

Bob McLain

During her nearly 30 year career as an Imagineer, Rolando had her creative fingers in many different pies, and wore many different hats - she shares them all with Jeff Heimbuch, including her memories of the old Disney Village. More...

Amber Gets a Thank You Card

Bob McLain

After a trip to Cocoa Beach that turned out well, and a trip to an orange grove that didn't turn out so well, Amber gets back to work, and learns to her surprise that someone signed her up for "package pickup" training. But there is a happy ending... More...

The Enchanted Tiki Room

Bob McLain

Wally wishes to be first in line for the reopening of the Enchanted Tiki Room in Disney World, featuring the return of the original script and stars, and the conspicuous absence of the so-called New Management. The birds all sing! And so does Wally. More...

Park Cleanliness Links Guests Directly to Walt

Bob McLain

Ted Topping spilled a half-full coffee cup while waiting for Disney's Electrical Parade, and began to learn a benchmarking lesson that links park Guests directly to Walt Disney. More...

Not So Marvelous Movie Redemptions

Bob McLain

As a true believer in the Disney Movie Rewards program, Lee Beatens greeted Disney's purchase of Marvel Entertainment with a lusty "Excelsior!". Then he found out that Marvel films would not be included in that program. Ker... plop. More...

The Many Splendors of Disney Hotels

Bob McLain

When you hear people say they intend to book an off-site hotel for their Disney vacation, it's time for an intervention. The arguable savings of a few dollars per night simply doesn't stack up to the many perks of 24/7 Disney magic. More...

In Pursuit of a Princess

Bob McLain

Hughes has his work cut out for him today: a mysterious princess is on the loose in the Magic Kingdom, but only children - especially children in strollers - are able to see her. So far Hughes, not in a stroller, is stumped. But he's not giving up. More...

Laugh, and the World Laughs with You

Bob McLain

John returns from a brief absence with a story about a date palm tree, which once figured in the life of author and poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox, and which now is part of Disneyland's Jungle Cruise. Enjoy John's telling of how it got there. More...

Review: Waking Sleeping Beauty

Bob McLain

Not long ago, Jeff watched Waking Sleeping Beauty, a documentary about the Disney animation department, for a second time, and found that the film had lost none of its power and that, for a Disney film, it's still startlingly candid. More...

Fast Course in FastPass

Bob McLain

The concept of a FastPass at Disney World seems simple enough: get the pass, then come back later to board the ride fast. And that's enough for most people. But if you want to leverage the system, just a bit, Lesley knows how to do it. More...

Epcot's Soarin': Flying Free Over Disney World

Bob McLain

For many, a trip to California, starts (and ends) in Orlando. Join the Disney P.I. as she boards Soarin', my personal favorite "thrill" ride at Epcot, and takes note in her trusty notebook a few details you don't want to miss during your flight. More...

The Metal Badges of Disneyland

Bob McLain

You may not need no stinkin' "batches", but you really do need to read Benson's latest tale of Disney history: this time, he takes an in-depth look at Disneyland's metal badges, and how over time the metal degraded and eventually turned into plastic. More...

Avengers (Merch) Assemble!

Bob McLain

As a kid, I spent 20 cents every month for the newest issue of the Avengers comic book, fresh (if slightly droopy) from the spinner rack of the local newsstand. Fellow Avengers fan Chris Taylor brings news not only of the Avengers, but their merch, too. More...

Disney Teacher Gifts

Bob McLain

Not gifts FOR teacher but gifts FROM teacher: as in "what should I bring back for the kids in my class from my Disney vacation?" Ashley Metz, who teaches kindergarten, has some ideas for spreadin' the magic between the ritin' and the readin'. More...

Cast Member Interview: Jennifer, Fantasyland

Bob McLain

How many people can say they work in Fantasyland? Not many. How many wish they could? While at Disneyland for a recent "working" vacation, Jeff Heimbuch ran into Cast Member Jennifer, who shares perhaps a bit more than you might expect. More...

Disneyland's Pasta in the Park Party

Bob McLain

When you run in a Disney race or marathon, the event is so much more than the running itself. Disney always schedules other festivities, usually pre-race. Event-in-point: the Pasta in the Park Party during Disneyland's next Half Marathon. More...

Spinning Disney's World: Second Opinion

Bob McLain

A few months ago, I reviewed Charlie Ridgway's memoir, Spinning Disney's World. Thumbs-up, I decreed. Now Jessica Clawson seeks a spin. Whither point her thumbs? Read her review of Charlie's book and find out for yourself. More...

Behind the Scenes with Disney Merch

Bob McLain

When you buy a trinket or a treasure at one of the multitude of Disney carts or shops, you probably don't give much thought to how things work behind the counter. Amber's role in the College Program is merchandise, and this is how she does her job. More...

Crump and Gracey Rig the Room

Bob McLain

Humor was a big part of Rolly Crump's early years at Disney. He and the other Imagineers were always up for some good-natured fun. One night, however, a gag pulled by Rolly, with help from Yale Gracey, cost them their cleaning services. More...

Saratoga Springs

Bob McLain

Though I never imagined Wally as much of an equestrian, he assures me that he is quite at home atop a horse, and to prove it, invites us to accompany him to Saratoga Springs, the DVC resort at Disney World themed for horse racing aficionados. More...

World Showcase Haiku #2

Bob McLain

With Zennish calm, JB Conway reflects upon the many Pavilions in the World Showcase, contemplating not so much theme as essence: today, he banishes thoughts of the McKenzie Brothers from his mind and takes a good gander at the Canada Pavilion. More...

What Meanest "The Backside of Water"?

Bob McLain

Everyone knows about the backside of water on the Jungle Cruise. It's an integral part of every skipper's script, and it's still good for a chuckle. For Walt, though, perfecting the back side as well as the front side was serious business. More...

Vinylmation Trading at Disney World, Part 2

Bob McLain

Kelly spent much of a recent trip to Disney World trading Vinylmation figures. If you know what you're doing, you can acquire some choice vinyls. And if you don't, well, why take the chance: follow Kelly's adventures and become a master trader. More...

Cruel Cuts: Disney Dietary Options

Bob McLain

Those unfortunate souls who suffer from Celiac's disease require special dietary fare. Disney touts its chefs' abilities to craft excellent dining experiences for everyone, no matter their special requirements. But is your palate in peril all the same? More...

Disney Discount Roulette

Bob McLain

Sound the trumpets. Free dining at Disney World is back. It's the discount perhaps most eagerly sought by hungry visitors, and it opens vast vistas of victual variety. But the deal has a slight catch. Be aware of it before you book. More...

The Disney Refillable Mug Debacle

Bob McLain

Three things you don't discuss in polite company: religion, politics, and Disney refillable mugs. In an effort to squeeze profit from every sugary drop of soda, Disney is testing a new system to limit your liquids. Jeff Heimbuch has an analysis. More...

Saving Money with Disney Cruise Line

Bob McLain

Disney cruises cost big money - more than you'd shell out for double the days at a Disney park. So it's even more important to find ways to save before you sail. Lesley Sawhook reveals a few secrets, including the awesome virtual porthole. More...

Epcot's Garden Railway Miniature Train

Bob McLain

In the rush to "do" Epcot, many Guests bustle right past the Garden Railway Miniature Train, a quaint exhibit in the Germany Pavilion that's worth the time to enjoy - or investigate, if you happen to be - like Debra the Disney P.I. - on the case. More...

Disney at the Smithsonian

Bob McLain

Chris Taylor is at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., and while there he looked for evidence of Disney's importance in American cultural history. He found quite a bit of it, and shares his best sightings, with plenty of pictures. More...

MAPO and Mary Poppins

Bob McLain

Disney's MAPO division is well-known amongst hard-core fans, as is its full name: Manufacturing and Production Organization. But did you know that the real inspiration MAPO was... MAry POppins? Benson knows, and tells the tale. More...

Disney Store T-Shirt Tracker

Bob McLain

Ashley is in Guatemala. Her Disney T-shirt was made in Honduras, see, and she's tracking it. Well, no, she's in Guatemala for different reasons, but she IS tracking her Disney T-shirt, just as you can track yours using the DisneyStore's Track My T app. More...

Cast Member Interview: Lynn, Disneyland Custodial

Bob McLain

Code V! Code V! Trust me, you really don't want to know. But if you read Jeff Heimbuch's interview with Lynn, who worked many years in Disneyland Custodial, you're going to find out, and I just hope you're not eating breakfast when you do. More...

Chattin' and Cookin' with Belle

Bob McLain

Belle, as originally written, was a French girl, smart and sharp, but in her ascent to Disney Princess she lost the accent and much of her charm, becoming Disney's poster girl for Stockholm Syndrome. Bob and Dennis ring this Belle loudly. More...

Disney ChEAR Squad

Bob McLain

You know who often doesn't like Disney races? The runner's friends and family members. What are they supposed to do? Stand for hours on the sideline? Enjoy the parks by themselves? Disney has an alternative: the chEAR Squad. More...

"Four Parks One World" Disney Snowglobe

Bob McLain

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Amber Circles the Wagons

Bob McLain

Lately, Amber has had some hard times in the happiest place on Earth, with mouse malaise marring what she hoped would be a magical internship. But after an unfortunate 'sick-up' near a Captain EO cart, Amber appears to be regaining her mojo. More...

Crump on Gurr, Part 2

Bob McLain

The "synergistic process" is an important element of Disney magic. Imagineers didn't work in isolation. Each drew from the talents of the others. Sometimes there was even a bit of "ghost designing", as in Rolly's second tale of working with Bob Gurr. More...