The Mouse Knows Best Podcast

Chapter 3 - For over 60 years, it has been that careful balance, coupled with a flair for innovation that has left Disney unique among its peers and has enabled Disney to find the heart within the darkness. As riders journey into the dimness of the unknown, they draw comfort in that whatever frights may await them, there is always going to be light at the end. Join Cody, Justin, Jared, and Joe as we talk with Shawn Patrick Farrell the author of Heart And Darkness Scarry Adventures and the Evolution of Disney's Dark Rides.  So jump in here we go.

The Definitive Book of Disney Dark RidesThe dark rides in Disney theme parks have delighted—and sometimes terrified—millions of people. The history of these attractions is a fascinating story of creativity, engineering, and pop culture, and it's told here for the first time.

From their primitive beginnings in the 1800s to their perfection by the Disney Imagineers, dark rides are an ingenious way to tell a visually exciting story to guests who "travel" through the action, scene by scene, aboard vehicles ranging from boats to (Doom) buggies.Despite their popularity, dark rides still retain an aura of mystery: when did they originate? how did Disney transform them from curiosities into crowd pleasers? why are they such a draw to young and old?

Shawn Farrell dispels the darkness with the definitive history of Disney's dark rides, from Disneyland's Peter Pan, Mr. Toad, and Snow White, to Disneyland Shanghai's cutting-edge version of Pirates of the Caribbean. Farrell also explores notable dark rides, not in a Disney park, the many that have gone into the gloom, and some hints of what's to come.

 

Shawn Patrick Farrell spent his youth in Buffalo New York and its suburbs before earning an undergraduate degree in English Literature from Fordham University in New York City. He returned to western New York to earn his MA degree from the University at Buffalo and spent the next several years living in New York City before moving to the midwest.

An introvert by nature, Shawn periodically attempts to belie his innate wussery by appearing on stage or in major motion pictures and in addition to parts in a number of films, has worked with Disney, and with such luminaries as Judy Blume, Cookie Monster and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. He is currently working on his second book. His first, "Heart and Darkness: Scary Adventures and the Evolution of Disney's Dark Rides," was released in late 2017 by Theme Park Press.

Shawn is single but has successfully nurtured a cactus for several months and is raising a pug named Darby O'Gill.

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 Twitter Info: @Elizabeth_DTE (Elizabeth), @JennLovesDisney (Jenn), @InsideDisney407 (Cody), @HatboxMouse (Jared), @justinkoehn (Justin), @tmkbradio (Joe), @doubleoh_kevin (Kevin)

 

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Episode 141 - "Well if I ever meet a sea turtle I'll ask him right after I'm done talking to the shark." - Marlin.  Join Host Cody with Kevin, and Joe.  As we continue our Pixar series with some history and discussion of Finding Nemo and Finding Dory.  So let's remain calm as we swim to the dropoff and never ever touch the butt. "Sigourney Weaver is going to help us!" - Dory.

  

 

 Twitter Info: @Elizabeth_DTE (Elizabeth), @JennLovesDisney (Jenn), @InsideDisney407 (Cody), @HatboxMouse (Jared), @justinkoehn (Justin), @tmkbradio (Joe), @doubleoh_kevin (Kevin)

 

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We give you the royal treatment you deserve.  Contact our sponsor, Allergy-Free Princess at:

     http://www.allergyfreeprincess.com/

I am a full-service travel agent with Destinations to Explore.  I would love to help you and your family plan your perfect vacation.  The best part of my service is that is it totally FREE for you.  Contact me and let’s start putting together a vacation that is perfect for your family.

 

 

If you enjoy Disney Parks and Resorts Music as well as the Classics.

     Tune into our sponsor, TMKBRadio, Disney's radio channel at: 

    http://www.tmkbradio.com

Episode 140 - “Some say our destiny is tied to the land, as much a part of us as we are of it. Others say fate is woven together like a cloth so that one’s destiny intertwines with many others. It’s the one thing we search for or fight to change. Some never find it, but there are some who are led.” - Princess Merida  Join Host Cody with Jenn, Jared, and Joe.  As we continue our Pixar series with some history and discussion of Brave and Up.  So let's grab our goggles and inflate those balloons. "Thanks for the adventure - now go have a new one! Love, Ellie"

  

 

 Twitter Info: @Elizabeth_DTE (Elizabeth), @JennLovesDisney (Jenn), @InsideDisney407 (Cody), @HatboxMouse (Jared), @justinkoehn (Justin), @tmkbradio (Joe), @doubleoh_kevin (Kevin)

 

Our show sponsors

     

 

 

 

 

We give you the royal treatment you deserve.  Contact our sponsor, Allergy-Free Princess at:

     http://www.allergyfreeprincess.com/

I am a full-service travel agent with Destinations to Explore.  I would love to help you and your family plan your perfect vacation.  The best part of my service is that is it totally FREE for you.  Contact me and let’s start putting together a vacation that is perfect for your family.

 

 

If you enjoy Disney Parks and Resorts Music as well as the Classics.

     Tune into our sponsor, TMKBRadio, Disney's radio channel at: 

    http://www.tmkbradio.com

Episode 139 - "Sometimes you got to get through your fear to see the beauty on the other side." - Poppa.  Join Host Cody with Justin, Kevin, Jenn, Jared, and Joe.  As we continue our Pixar series with some history and discussion of The Good Dinosaur and Inside Out.  So let's pull those memories from longterm storage before they fade away in the memory dump. "Take her to the moon for me, Ok." - Bing Bong

  

 

 Twitter Info: @Elizabeth_DTE (Elizabeth), @JennLovesDisney (Jenn), @InsideDisney407 (Cody), @HatboxMouse (Jared), @justinkoehn (Justin), @tmkbradio (Joe), @doubleoh_kevin (Kevin)

 

Our show sponsors

     

 

 

 

 

We give you the royal treatment you deserve.  Contact our sponsor, Allergy-Free Princess at:

     http://www.allergyfreeprincess.com/

I am a full-service travel agent with Destinations to Explore.  I would love to help you and your family plan your perfect vacation.  The best part of my service is that is it totally FREE for you.  Contact me and let’s start putting together a vacation that is perfect for your family.

 

 

If you enjoy Disney Parks and Resorts Music as well as the Classics.

     Tune into our sponsor, TMKBRadio, Disney's radio channel at: 

    http://www.tmkbradio.com

Episode 138 - "Paris? All these times I've been underneath Paris?" - Remy.  Join Host Cody with Justin, Elizabeth, Kevin, Jenn, and Jared.  As we continue our Pixar series with some history and discussion of Ratatouille and WALL-E.  So make sure you beat Ego to the table and enjoy. "Earth is amazing! There are these things called farms. They put seeds in the ground, pour water on them, and they grow into food, like pizzas!" - Captain

  

 

 Twitter Info: @Elizabeth_DTE (Elizabeth), @JennLovesDisney (Jenn), @InsideDisney407 (Cody), @HatboxMouse (Jared), @justinkoehn (Justin), @tmkbradio (Joe), @doubleoh_kevin (Kevin)

 

Our show sponsors

     

 

 

 

 

We give you the royal treatment you deserve.  Contact our sponsor, Allergy-Free Princess at:

     http://www.allergyfreeprincess.com/

I am a full-service travel agent with Destinations to Explore.  I would love to help you and your family plan your perfect vacation.  The best part of my service is that is it totally FREE for you.  Contact me and let’s start putting together a vacation that is perfect for your family.

 

 

If you enjoy Disney Parks and Resorts Music as well as the Classics.

     Tune into our sponsor, TMKBRadio, Disney's radio channel at: 

    http://www.tmkbradio.com

Now on to Chapter 2 -  It’s fitting that Toy Story opens with the same image as the final frame of Toy Story 3: a picture-perfect blue sky dotted with carefully placed, fluffy clouds.  Join Cody, Justin, and Joe as we talk with the Josh Spiegel the author of Pixar and the Infinite Past Nostalgia and Pixar Animation.  So settle in and enjoy.

The Past in Mint ConditionFilm critic Josh Spiegel analyzes in depth the poignant themes of loss and nostalgia that run beneath the exuberant playfulness of the Toy Story and Cars films. He concludes with a chapter on Disney animation in the 2010s. With photos.Pixar tickled a yearning in adults who gave up their own Woodys and Buzzes but still cling to the idealized wood and plastic and stuffing of their lost-forever youth. As their own children face forward to the future with Buzz Lightyear's "To infinity...and beyond!" they hear just an echo from their past.Spiegel adroitly positions the Pixar films as not just animated fodder for the kids but as surprisingly sophisticated—and introspective—fare for the grown-ups.

"Affectionate, vivid, and insightful. ... Even if you've seen these movies a thousand times, you'll discover something new about how yearning for the past defined the future of animation." —Anthony Breznican, Entertainment Weekly

 

Josh Spiegel is a freelance writer and critic whose work has appeared in publications such as Slashfilm, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Verge. He also cohosts the Disney movie podcast Mousterpiece Cinema with Scott Renshaw. Josh was previously the editor-in-chief of Movie Mezzanine, as well as the chief film critic and film editor of Sound on Sight. He lives in Arizona with his wife, son, and far too many cats.

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 Twitter Info: @Elizabeth_DTE (Elizabeth), @JennLovesDisney (Jenn), @InsideDisney407 (Cody), @HatboxMouse (Jared), @justinkoehn (Justin), @tmkbradio (Joe), @doubleoh_kevin (Kevin)

 

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Episode 137 - "You know, the Rust-eze Medicated Bumper Ointment team ran a great race today. And remember: with a little Rust-eze - and an insane amount of luck - you too can look like me. Ka-chow!" - Lightning McQueen.  Join Host Cody with Justin, Elizabeth, and Joe.  As we continue our Pixar series with some history and discussion of Pixar's Cars 1, 2 & 3.  So remember you turn right to go left. "Boogity Boogity Boogity! Let's go racin'!" - Darrell Cartrip

  

 

 Twitter Info: @Elizabeth_DTE (Elizabeth), @JennLovesDisney (Jenn), @InsideDisney407 (Cody), @HatboxMouse (Jared), @justinkoehn (Justin), @tmkbradio (Joe), @doubleoh_kevin (Kevin)

 

Our show sponsors

     

 

 

 

 

We give you the royal treatment you deserve.  Contact our sponsor, Allergy-Free Princess at:

     http://www.allergyfreeprincess.com/

I am a full-service travel agent with Destinations to Explore.  I would love to help you and your family plan your perfect vacation.  The best part of my service is that is it totally FREE for you.  Contact me and let’s start putting together a vacation that is perfect for your family.

 

 

If you enjoy Disney Parks and Resorts Music as well as the Classics.

     Tune into our sponsor, TMKBRadio, Disney's radio channel at: 

    http://www.tmkbradio.com

Episode 136 - "This is a horrible suit, darling. You can't be seen in this. I won't allow it. Fifteen years ago, maybe, but now? Feh!" -Edna.  Join Host Cody with Jared, Elizabeth, Jenn, and Joe.  As we continue our Pixar series with some history and discussion of Pixar's Incredibles 1 & 2. So you better find out where Honey put your super suit... "No matter how many times you save the world, it always manages to get back in jeopardy again. Sometimes I just want it to stay saved! You know, for a little bit? I feel like the maid; I just cleaned up this mess! Can we keep it clean for... for ten minutes!" - Mr. Incredible

  

 

 Twitter Info: @Elizabeth_DTE (Elizabeth), @JennLovesDisney (Jenn), @InsideDisney407 (Cody), @HatboxMouse (Jared), @justinkoehn (Justin), @tmkbradio (Joe), @doubleoh_kevin (Kevin)

 

Our show sponsors

     

 

 

 

 

We give you the royal treatment you deserve.  Contact our sponsor, Allergy-Free Princess at:

     http://www.allergyfreeprincess.com/

I am a full-service travel agent with Destinations to Explore.  I would love to help you and your family plan your perfect vacation.  The best part of my service is that is it totally FREE for you.  Contact me and let’s start putting together a vacation that is perfect for your family.

 

 

If you enjoy Disney Parks and Resorts Music as well as the Classics.

     Tune into our sponsor, TMKBRadio, Disney's radio channel at: 

    http://www.tmkbradio.com

Episode 135 - “ Every Pixar movie is connected. I explain how and possibly why.” These are the words that began the detailed essay now known as “The Pixar Theory,” which came out way back in 2013 by Jon Negroni. Join Host Cody with Elizabeth, Jared, and Joe.  As we continue our Pixar series with a discussion of The Pixar Theory with our guest Jon Negroni.  This will blow your mind....

 

Jon Negroni is a copyrighter and movie blogger based out of San Francisco, California. He came up with the idea of “The Pixar Theory” in 2012 after watching a video on cracked.com. Since then, he’s crafted an incredibly detailed essay that links all of the movies into one coherent timeline. He published this article in 2013, and it quickly became a viral hit. It’s been read by millions of people all over the world and translated into over a dozen languages. He still analyzes movies and television on jonnegroni.com, where he also writes a serial novel called The Pixar Detective. 

 

Twitter Info: @Elizabeth_DTE (Elizabeth), @JennLovesDisney (Jenn), @InsideDisney407 (Cody), @HatboxMouse (Jared), @justinkoehn (Justin), @tmkbradio (Joe), @doubleoh_kevin (Kevin)

 

Our show sponsors

     

 

 

 

 

We give you the royal treatment you deserve.  Contact our sponsor, Allergy Free Princess at:

     http://www.allergyfreeprincess.com/

I am a full service travel agent with Destinations to Explore.  I would love to help you and your family plan your perfect vacation.  The best part of my service is that is it totally FREE to you.  Contact me and let’s start putting together a vacation that is perfect for your family.

 

 

If you enjoy Disney Parks and Resorts Music as well as the Classics.

     Tune into our sponsor, TMKBRadio, Disney's radio channel at: 

    http://www.tmkbradio.com

Episode 134 - “Ladies, Gentlemen, and larvae of all stages...” - Slim.  Join Host Cody with Jenn, Kevin, and Joe.  As we continue our Pixar series with some history and discussion of A Bugs Life and COCO.  “Nothing's more important than family." - Miguel.

  

 

 Twitter Info: @Elizabeth_DTE (Elizabeth), @JennLovesDisney (Jenn), @InsideDisney407 (Cody), @HatboxMouse (Jared), @justinkoehn (Justin), @tmkbradio (Joe), @doubleoh_kevin (Kevin)

 

Our show sponsors

     

 

 

 

 

We give you the royal treatment you deserve.  Contact our sponsor, Allergy Free Princess at:

     http://www.allergyfreeprincess.com/

I am a full service travel agent with Destinations to Explore.  I would love to help you and your family plan your perfect vacation.  The best part of my service is that is it totally FREE to you.  Contact me and let’s start putting together a vacation that is perfect for your family.

 

 

If you enjoy Disney Parks and Resorts Music as well as the Classics.

     Tune into our sponsor, TMKBRadio, Disney's radio channel at: 

    http://www.tmkbradio.com