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Disney Parks Podcast

All the Disney Parks in One Podcast

Disney Parks Podcast Show #863-Interview With Neil O’Brien Author of After Disney: Toil, Trouble, and the Transformation of America’s Favorite Media Company

March 27, 2025 By Tony Caselnova


Disney Parks Podcast Show #863-Interview With Neil O’Brien, Author of After Disney: Toil, Trouble, and the Transformation of America’s Favorite Media Company

Neil O’Brien is an accomplished journalist and historian specializing in media and entertainment. With a deep passion for animation history, O’Brien has extensively researched and written about the evolution of the Walt Disney Company, particularly its transformation after the passing of its legendary founder. His book, After Disney: Toil, Trouble, and the Transformation of America’s Favorite Media Company, offers an in-depth look at the struggles, triumphs, and leadership shifts that shaped Disney in the decades following Walt Disney’s death. Through meticulous research and firsthand accounts, O’Brien provides a compelling narrative of how Disney Animation survived and eventually flourished, paving the way for a new era of storytelling.

Summary of Key Takeaways from After Disney

  • Walt Disney’s Death and Its Impact – Walt Disney’s passing in 1966 left a significant void at Disney Animation. The book explores how the company and its creative teams adapted without his leadership.
  • The Aristocats as a Turning Point was the first animated feature produced without Walt’s direct involvement. Its success was crucial in proving that Disney Animation could continue without him.
  • Roy Disney’s Role – Roy E. Disney stepped up to guide the company and maintain Disney’s creative vision while implementing business strategies to ensure financial stability.
  • The 1970s and 1980s Struggles – The book covers Disney’s challenges, including leadership transitions, financial instability, and creative struggles.
  • The Black Cauldron and Creative Risk—The Black Cauldron was an attempt at a darker, more ambitious animated film that faced setbacks, revealing internal conflicts and creative risks.
  • The Formation of CalArts’ Character Animation Program – The book highlights how CalArts became a key talent pipeline for Disney Animation and the broader industry.
  • The Animation Renaissance – The groundwork laid in the ‘70s and ‘80s led to the Disney Renaissance of the late ‘80s and ‘90s, starting with The Little Mermaid.
  • Rise of New Leaders – Figures like Ron Miller and Michael Eisner played pivotal roles in shaping Disney’s future direction.
  • Influence on Other Animation Studios – Many animators who trained at Disney went on to establish or work at studios like Pixar and DreamWorks.
  • Legacy of Walt’s Influence—Despite leadership changes, Walt Disney’s foundational vision and storytelling principles continued to shape the company.

Where to get the book

AMAZON

Disney Family Museum Tickets


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  • Disney Parks Podcast Show #863-Interview With Neil O’Brien Author of After Disney: Toil, Trouble, and the Transformation of America’s Favorite Media Company

Disney Parks Podcast Show #844-Interview with Book Author Bob Weis

December 6, 2024 By Tony Caselnova


 

Disney Parks Podcast Show #844-Interview with Book Author Bob Weis

In today’s show, we have a great interview with Bob Weis. Bob Weis’s Dream Chasing is a captivating memoir that chronicles his four-decade career of leading and completing ambitious projects at Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) and The Walt Disney Company. 

Buy Chasing Dreams

Buy Ghost Dog

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  • Disney Parks Podcast Show #844-Interview with Book Author Bob Weis

Disney Parks Podcast Show #841-Interview with Book Authors of How Does Disney Do That?

November 22, 2024 By Tony Caselnova

 

Disney Parks Podcast Show #841-Interview with Book Authors of How Does Disney Do That?

In today’s show, we talk with James Warda and Theron Skees about their new book “How Does Disney Do That?: How Disney Makes Us Feel and Why It Matters,” which delves into the reasons behind our deep emotional connection to Disney. It explores why so many of our personal items feature Disney themes and why both children and adults are often moved to tears by Disney experiences. By uncovering the blend of ‘method and magic’ used by Disney, the book seeks to explain our affection for the brand and its profound emotional impact on our lives.

  • Here is the Amazon link to the book How Does Disney Do That?
  • You can also submit your stories for their upcoming books through their website and social groups:
    • www.howdoesdisneydothat.com
    • www.facebook.com/groups/howdoesdisneydothat
    • www.linkedin.com/groups/12646123/
  • As a reminder, a portion of the proceeds from the book will go to Give Kids The World Village® in Kissimmee, FL. Learn more here —www.howdoesdisneydothat.com/charity

  • Here is information about Theron’s upcoming book, Creating Memorable Worlds — www.rivershorepress.com/creating-memorable-worlds

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  • Disney Parks Podcast Show #841-Interview with Book Authors of How Does Disney Do That?

Disney Parks Podcast Show #838- Interview With Ken Bruce Author of Before the Birds Sang Words

October 31, 2024 By Tony Caselnova

Disney Parks Podcast Show #838- Interview With Ken Bruce, Author of Before the Birds Sang Words

Ken Bruce is a two-time Emmy Award-winning animation director and storyboard artist known for his work on three Academy Award-winning films: Toy Story 3, UP, and Shrek. He has also contributed to popular shows like The Simpsons, Ren and Stimpy, and Fairly Odd Parents. Currently, he is part of the crew for Family Guy. A lifelong fan of classic Disney animation and theme park history, Bruce’s first visit to Disneyland at age five significantly influenced his appreciation for the immersive environments created by Walt Disney and his Imagineers.

Buy the Before the Birds Sang Words

Website Before the Birds Sang Words

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  • Disney Parks Podcast Show #838- Interview With Ken Bruce Author of Before the Birds Sang Words

Disney Parks Podcast Show #431 – Interview With Author and Former Disneyland Tour Guide, Andrea McGann Keech 

February 26, 2018 By Tony Caselnova

Disney Parks Podcast Show #431 – Interview With Author and Former Disneyland Tour Guide, Andrea McGann Keech 

Disney Parks Podcast Show #431 – Interview With Author and Former Disneyland Tour Guide, Andrea McGann Keech 

In this episode, Tony and Parkhopper John have a conversation with Andrea about being a tour guide at Disney land and so much more

GET this book Cream of the Crop and all here other books

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  • Disney Parks Podcast Show #431 – Interview With Author and Former Disneyland Tour Guide, Andrea McGann Keech 

Disney Parks Podcast Show #375 – An Interview with The Walt Disney World That Never Was Author Chris Smith

May 26, 2017 By Tony Caselnova

Disney Parks Podcast Show #375 - An Interview with The Walt Disney World That Never Was Author Chris Smith

Disney Parks Podcast Show #375 – An Interview with The Walt Disney World That Never Was Author Chris Smith

In this episode, Tony and Parkhopper John discuss all the things that never were at Walt Disney World with Author Chris Smith

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  • Disney Parks Podcast Show #375 – An Interview with The Walt Disney World That Never Was Author Chris Smith

Disney Parks Podcast Show #373 – Interview With Margaret Kerry aka TinkerBell

May 19, 2017 By Tony Caselnova

Disney Parks Podcast Show #373 - Interview With Margaret Kerry aka TinkerBell

Disney Parks Podcast Show #373 – Interview With Margret Kerry aka TinkerBell

In this episode, Tony and Parkhopper John Talk to Margret about her Book Tales of a Pixie Dusted Life and regals us with some great stories too!

BUY Tales of a Pixie Dusted Life Book now!

CHECK out her awesome website too

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  • Disney Parks Podcast Show #373 – Interview With Margaret Kerry aka TinkerBell

Disney Parks Podcast Show #371 – Interview With Trisha Daab Author of the Book A (Not-So-Evil Stepmother) in the Most Magical Place on Earth

May 12, 2017 By Tony Caselnova

Interview With Trisha Daab Author of the Book A (Not-So-Evil Stepmother) in the Most Magical Place on Earth

Disney Parks Podcast Show #371- Interview With Trisha Daab Author of the Book A (Not-So-Evil Stepmother) in the Most Magical Place on Earth

In this episode, Tony and Parkhopper John Talk to Trisha about her book and so more more

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  • Disney Parks Podcast Show #371 – Interview With Trisha Daab Author of the Book A (Not-So-Evil Stepmother) in the Most Magical Place on Earth
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