Blog Archives
Awkward Video Diary: Tempted by Disney World
Angie and Josh continue their series about moving to the Disneyland area. This time they talk about how they are saving money and planning the move. Of course they do it in an awkward way.
Josh Taylor
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Angie Taylor
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Things I’ve Said Working at Disneyland
When you work for the mouse, you have to keep the magic at all costs. That can lead to some pretty funny things you say to guests at the Disney parks. Erika worked all over Disneyland and she has had to say some pretty strange and funny things to make sure guests continue to believe in the magic of the park. Hear what she has to say on the subject in her newest video.
Erika Jenko
Disney California Adventure for the First Time (Part 3)
Keith’s ongoing family trip bringing his family to the Disneyland resort continues as they make their way to California Adventure. They check out Cars Land, Grizzly Peak Challenge Trail, and the Aladdin live show before it closed. See more from Keith at the links below!
Keith Lapinig
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Modern Mouse News: New Parks and Earful Towers
Jan 25
Stories Discussed This Week
Kylo Ren Replaces Darth Vader
Coca-Cola coming to Disney Springs
Shanghai Disneyland’s Official Opening
Shakira’s Zootopia Song
ABC Family to Free Form
Follow Us on Social Media
Josh Taylor
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Angie Taylor
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Email Josh:
modernmouseradio.com
Taking Newbies to Disneyland!
Most everyone reading this has been to, seen, or at least heard of a Disney theme park. So what kind of advice should you have if you are taking someone who has never been, seen, or heard? Erika gives advice to make a first time magical and for everyone to have a good time.
Erika Jenko
Disney Film History: Toby Tyler
So here we are, the 1960s. It’s taken a while to get here. We went through the early Disney animated films, through the packaged films during World War II, to the adventures, westerns, and nature documentaries. So what’s next for us in this new decade. Well, it seems like the family comedy, and there is a great representation of that in the first film of the decade from Disney, Toby Tyler (or Ten Weeks with a Circus).
It’s pretty well documented that Walt Disney favored his childhood home of Marceline, Missouri and the early 1900s. Even Disneyland and Magic Kingdom’s Main Street U.S.A. is supposed to reflect that turn of the century small town America feel. If you are unfamiliar with the time period, one of the biggest attractions in the world was the circus and when it came to town, it was like seeing the show of shows. So Walt Disney read James Otis Kaler’s Toby Turner story, possibly during his childhood, and he decided it would be a wonderful piece to turn into a film.
The studio had several actors under contract at the time, many of whom were regulars on television, so it wasn’t a difficult choice to cast some of these actors in his film. Kevin Corcoran, better known as Mickey Mouse Club’s Moochie, who had also starred in previous films The Shaggy Dog and Old Yeller, was cast as the title character in the film. Gene Sheldon and Henry Calvin from Zorro were cast in supporting roles, as well as Zorro’s Charles Barton as director.
The story revolves around an orphaned boy, raised by his aunt and uncle, who runs away and joins the circus. He takes over as a horse rider in one of the acts when another rider becomes injured. He befriends several circus performers including a chimpanzee named Mr. Stubs. When he hears that his uncle is sick, he and Mr. Stubs run off, but return to the circus so that his aunt and uncle can see him perform. If the movie sounds simple or silly, that’s because it was meant to be. This is a comedy film with little substance, but filled with practical stunts and slapstick comedy.
The movie was released on January 21st, 1960 with critical acclaim from critics. The movies praise came in it’s simplicity, it’s hysterics, and the family fun adventure. The film, when opened to the public, got little response. The film was never released again in theaters, but like other poor box office draws, was broken up into segments and shown on television so that it could make money through advertising instead.
If the film is any indication of what’s to come, I’m ready to enjoy a few laughs. The simple comedy is a much enjoyed departure from the True Life Adventures and the ridiculous over-the-top westerns starring Fess Parker. As simple as they are though, I do hope we see some live action films with a little substance. Toby Tyler was a fun movie, but forgettable in the long run.
Josh Taylor
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Previous film: Jungle Cat
Next film: Kidnapped
Disney Now and Then: Technology at the Park


Erika Jenko
Pros of Working at Disneyland
We all know Erika was a Disneyland cast member, so what were the perks of working at the Happiest Place on Earth? Check out her new video to find out!
Erika Jenko
How to Kill a Wookie (Chewbacca Meet and Greet)
Keith and his friends made their way to the Star Wars Launch Bay where you can now meet some of your favorite Star Wars characters. They met Chewbacca and our friend Kaleigh wore her wookie mouse ear headband to meet him, which Keith explains in the video. See more from Keith at the links below.
Keith Lapinig
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