The Disney Avenue Podcast features interviews, insights and opinions with top Imagineers and other popular figures in the Disney stratosphere. We hope you enjoy your stroll down Disney Avenue; it's not Main Street, but it's close to it!

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Hello my friends and welcome to one of the most exciting shows in the history of the Disney Avenue Podcast. Today’s guest is no stranger to the Disney community and has always been a man on the move. For nearly 40 years, he has helped move countless Disney theme park guests aboard vehicles and ride conveyances of his own design. As he’s often stated, “If it moves on wheels at Disneyland, I probably designed it.” And he certainly has. He has developed more than 100 designs for attractions ranging from Autopia and Matterhorn Bobsleds to the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Monorails. He is the one and only Bob Gurr.

Bob has an amazing new documentary coming out soon titled, Bob Gurr: Turning Dreams into Reality which we’ll be discussing among other highlights from his storied career working with Walt. You can learn more about the film and how to buy yourself a copy by clicking HERE.

And, as if having Bob on the Disney Avenue Podcast wasn’t enough, legendary former Imagineer Tim Delaney, who was our very first guest here on the show, is joining us today as a very special cohost. Teaming up with a big named former Imagineer like Tim Delaney to interview the great Bob Gurr has not only created a spectacular show for our listeners to experience, but has been a dream come true. And so friends, it is with great pleasure and excitement to welcome Bob Gurr to the Disney Avenue Podcast.

If you enjoy listening to the show and hearing from Disney Legends like Bob Gurr, please please please head on over to iTunes and leave us a quick rating and review to help us spread the word to other Disney fans around the world. Thank you for tuning in and spending some of your precious time with us.

 
The Disney Avenue Podcast would like to thank our producer Geren Piltz and our graphic designer Brian Vermillion for their contributions to this show.
Direct download: Disney_Avenue_Podcast_-_Show_21_-_Bob_Gurr_Interview.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:11am PDT

Welcome back to another exciting episode of the Disney Avenue Podcast. On today's show, host Keith Mahne is joined by MiceChat CEO Dusty Sage for an amazing interview with Disney Legend Charlie Ridgway. Before Charlie was hired as a cast member under Walt, he promoted Disneyland as a news reporter. During 1954-55, while the Park was still under construction, he authored some of the very first articles about Disneyland to appear in any of the major metropolitan newspapers. He also covered Disneyland’s grand opening celebration on July 17, 1955. Eight years later, he joined the Park’s publicity staff in 1963. Charlie helped launch the opening of Walt Disney World in 1971, Epcot Center in 1982, Disneyland Paris in 1992, as well as other special projects for celebrations such as Donald Duck’s 50th birthday and so much more. Charlie shared some truly amazing stories with us on the show so be sure not to miss this one.

After more than 40 years with the Walt Disney Company, Charlie retired in 1994. He would go on to consult on special projects, including the launch of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Disney Cruise Line. Charlie published his fantastic memoir, “Spinning Disney’s World,” in 2007 that is a MUST READ for any Disney fan so be sure to grab your copy HERE. Charlie became a Disney Legend in 1999 and it is such an honor to have him join us on the show today.  With that said friends, it is with great excitement to welcome Disney Legend Charlie Ridgway to the Disney Avenue Podcast…Enjoy.

You can help support and follow the Walt Disney Birthplace Project by clicking HERE.

The Disney Avenue Podcast would like to thank our producer Geren Piltz and our graphic designer Brian Vermillion for their contributions to this show!

Direct download: Disney_Avenue_Podcast_-_Show_20_-_Charlie_Ridgway_Interview.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:28am PDT

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Disney Avenue Podcast. For our very first show of 2016, we are joined by R.J. and Suzanne Ogren who are two former Walt Disney World cast members and they are about to blow you away with some amazing stories from their incredible careers working at the vacation kingdom. R.J. painted Animatronic figures and "plussed" attractions. Suzanne drove monorails, marched in parades, and entertained as Sleepy the dwarf, among other things. Together, the Ogrens brought their unique skills to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom during its formative years. R.J. and Suzanne are about to share their wonderful memories with us so make sure not to miss this fantastic show.

Their new book that is available now is titled Together in the Dream: The Unique Careers of a Husband and Wife in the Early Decades of Walt Disney World. You'll read stories such as how Disney trains its monorail drivers, and the surprisingly rigorous tests they must pass to qualify, life in the "Dwarf unit" and the tight-knit group of cast members who perform as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in the Magic Kingdom, why some Animatronic characters don't wear pants, and even about that time R.J. had to repair a bullet hole in the Haunted Mansion. Make sure to grab your copy today at ThemeParkPress.com or Amazon.

So friends, sit back and relax as we listen to the incredible stories and history of R.J. and Suzanne Ogren in this fantastic episode of the Disney Avenue Podcast…Enjoy!

 
 
 


The Disney Avenue Podcast would like to thank our producer Geren Piltz and our graphic designer Brian Vermillion for their contributions to this show!

Direct download: Disney_Avenue_Podcast_-_Show_19_-_Suzanne_RJ_Ogren_Interview.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:33pm PDT