Disney History Institute Podcast
Disney History Institute·Hosted by Todd James Pierce·100 episodes
The Disney History Institute Podcast explores the history of animation and early cinematic amusement parks.
Why listen
Disney History Institute Podcast is for listeners who want Disney stories with archival depth instead of surface-level fandom. Host Todd James Pierce moves between solo historical narration, focused Disney company updates, and occasional expert conversations, covering animation artists, Disneyland details, theme park history, and the business choices behind the brand. It is especially rewarding if you like Disney parks and films but want the context behind how they were built, sold, remembered, and changed.
Series(4)
Episodes
The story of how Disneyland was created, opened, and expanded, as remembered by Raul Grisanti, the person who oversaw all food operations in the park. Part Three / The Conclusion. Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
The story of Disneyland's opening day (July 17, 1955)...and more. Link to Three Years in Wonderland at Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gtYvbk Link to Bandcamp Subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
The story of how Disneyland was created, opened, and expanded, as remembered by Raul Grisanti, the person who oversaw all food operations in the park. Part Two. Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
The story of the most famous fireworks show at Disneyland and Disney World. Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
The story of the very long week when Disney's Wilderness Lodge lost its air conditioning during a Florida Heat Advisory. Bandcamp subscriptions - dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
The story of how Disneyland was created, opened, and expanded, as remembered by Raul Grisanti, the person who oversaw all food operations in the park. Part One. Bandcamp subscriptions - dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
Our monthly exploration of news inside the Disney Company. In this episode: - How is Star Wars, under Disney, doing on the big screen, at the parks, and on Disney+? Bandcamp subscriptions - dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
Our monthly exploration of news inside the Disney Company. In this episode: - Construction Updates for the Magic Kingdom - Bluey in Disneyland and Disney World Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
Our monthly exploration of news inside the Disney Company. In this episode: - Updates to Disneyland and Disney World - The Wonders of the Animation Courtyard - A Complete Redo of Carousel of Progress Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
Our monthly exploration of news inside the Disney Company. In this episode: - Construction Update in Avengers Campus - Coco Boat Ride Takes Shape - Galaxy's Edge Goes Old School - Disneyland Resort Eyes Large Expansion Bandcamp Subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
Our monthly exploration of news inside the Disney Company. In this episode: - Disney Live Action Remakes Take a New Direction - How the Conflict in Iran is Affecting the Disney Parks Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
An exploration of the opening-day pharmacy museum at Disneyland with author Stephan Hall. Bandcamp subscriptions - dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
Hundreds of recently released pages of depositions shed new light on the battle between Florida and Disney and what unannounced plans Disney World has for the near future. Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com >> Also, apologies, though the audio file was loaded on Sunday, it didn't post, as scheduled, on Sunday night. Only the text block posted. So instead, I re-loaded the file again on Monday morning
The first chapter of the book, Making Mary Poppins. Link to video on YouTube - https://youtu.be/Q9NOLsKNDss Link to the book on Amazon - amzn.to/4mhHUaU L\ Link to Bandcamp subscription page - https://dhipodcast.bandcamp.com/
The concluding episode in our story of Mary Blair, the person who is often described as Walt Disney's favorite artist. Part Thirty-One. . Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com Presentation at UW- Whitewater - https://www.uww.edu/ce/disneycareerjourneys/toddpiercepresentation
The story of Mary Blair, the person who is often described as Walt Disney's favorite artist. Part Thirty. Bandcamp subscriptions - dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
Our monthly exploration of news inside the Disney Company. In this episode: ** Josh D'Amaro and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad First Week of Being CEO. ** Bandcamp subscriptions - dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
The story of Mary Blair, the person who is often described as Walt Disney's favorite artist. Part Twenty-Nine. Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
The story of Mary Blair, the person who is often described as Walt Disney's favorite artist. Part Twenty-Eight. Bandcamp subscriptions - dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
The story of Mary Blair, the person who is often described as Walt Disney's favorite artist. Part Twenty-Seven. Bandcamp subscriptions - dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
The story of Mary Blair, the person who is often described as Walt Disney's favorite artist. Part Twenty-Six. Bandcamp subscriptions - dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
Our monthly exploration of news inside the Disney Company. In this episode: - What does a Paramount purchase of Warner Brothers mean for Disney? - The odd trend of guests getting naked at Disney and Universal - Update on the Coco boat ride at DCA Bandcamp Subscriptions - dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
Our monthly exploration of news inside the Disney Company. In this episode: - Trouble for Star Wars - Is Thanos returning both to Disney Parks and the MCU films? - Mapping out the Future of Avatar Bandcamp subscriptions - dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
The story of Mary Blair, the person who is often described as Walt Disney's favorite artist. Part Twenty-Five. Bandcamp subscriptions - dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
Bob Iger picks a successor (again!). Why this time should be different! Bandcamp subscriptions - dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
The story of Mary Blair, the person who is often described as Walt Disney's favorite artist. Part Twenty-Four. Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
Our monthly exploration of news inside the Disney Company. In this episode: - How Zootopia's Success Will Change Disney - Troubles at Imagineering - Galaxy's Edge 2.0 Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
The story of Mary Blair, the person who is often described as Walt Disney's favorite artist. Part Twenty-Three. Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
Disney Parks were build with the goal of immersion--but in today's modern world, with smart phones everywhere, is immersion now dead? (Part Two) Bandcamp subscriptions - dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
Disney Parks were build with the goal of immersion--but in today's modern world, with smart phones everywhere, is immersion now dead? Bandcamp subscriptions - dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
The story of Walt Disney and the 1966 Tournament of Roses Parade. Bandcamp subscriptions - dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
Diane Disney Miller recalls Christmas with her father, Walt Disney. Disney 2025 Year-in-Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b0fsgTJMDg Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
The Story of the Osborne Family Festival of Lights. 2025. Support our podcast by subscribing - dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
How Mickey Mouse became a Christmas ambassador in the 1930s. Bandcamp subscriptions - dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
The story of Disney World's First Christmas in 1971. Making Mary Poppins Dates: Burbank - Dec 18 - https://burbank.libnet.info/event/14864592 Walt's Barn - Dec 21 - https://www.instagram.com/p/DSGOw5Xkx5l/?img_index=2 Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
Changes to the film and streaming market--and how these changes will affect Disney. Making Mary Poppins Dates: Burbank - Dec 18 - https://burbank.libnet.info/event/14864592 Walt's Barn - Dec 21 - https://www.instagram.com/p/DSGOw5Xkx5l/?img_index=2 Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
How did Disneyland start the traditions of the holiday parade and the Candlelight Processional? This is the story of Disneyland's second Christmas--and beyond. Updated information for the Making Mary Poppins event in Orlando on December 13: www.eventbrite.com/e/disney-history-author-meet-and-greet-todd-james-pierce-tickets-1976246325960 Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
An important update for the time and location of the DHI / Disneyana event in Orlando on December 13, 2025. Link to new location and time: www.eventbrite.com/e/disney-history-author-meet-and-greet-todd-james-pierce-tickets-1976246325960
Our monthly exploration of news inside the Disney Company. In this episode: - Zootopia 2 and the Changing Cultural Landscape of Disney Films - The Difficulties of Planning for America's 250th Inside a Theme Park - A Wave of Opening Date and Timeline Announcements for Disney World - And More Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com Links to live events: Books and Books - Coral Gables (Miami) - Dec 7. https://shop.booksandbooks.com/event/2025-12-07/making-mary-poppins-evening-todd-james-pierce Orlando - December 13. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-todd-james-pierce-tickets-1976246325960
The story of Disneyland's first Christmas in 1955. Link to Disneyland's First Christmas video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLt3XdZ_LTs Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
Our monthly exploration of news inside the Disney Company. In this episode: - * Rapunzel edges into the space once occupied by Snow White - * A surprise appearance of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln - * Avenger's Campus absorbs lessons from Galaxy's Edge - * The future of Disney animatronics with AI >> Upcoming In-Person Events Book Soup - Los Angeles - Dec 1. https://booksoup.com/event/2025-12-01/todd-james-pierce <p class="MsoNormal" style= "margin-bottom: 0in; lin
A set of Thanksgiving stories that we've written and recorded over years past, from balloons in the sky to turkeys on Main Street. 2025. Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
Our monthly news and analysis episode. In this Update: - Possible changes to the Tiki Room - Surge pricing on tickets - An unusual new store at Disney Springs - A new attraction opens at Animal Kingdom - and more Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com Making Mary Poppins (book): Amazon: amzn.to/4mhHUaU Independent Booksellers: shorturl.at/qTosR Event Links: December 1 - Los Angeles – Book Soup – Link: booksoup.com/events/2025/12 December 7 – Miami – Books and Books - shop.booksandbooks.com/event/2025-12-07/making-mary-poppins-evening-todd-james-pierce
The story of Mary Blair, the person who is often described as Walt Disney's favorite artist. Part Twenty-Two. Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com Making Mary Poppins (book): Amazon: amzn.to/4mhHUaU Independent Booksellers: shorturl.at/qTosR Event Links: Nov 23 – Tampa – Oxford Exchange – Line: www.eventbrite.com/e/todd-james-pierce-making-mary-poppins-tickets-1804363683349 December 1 - Los Angeles – Book Soup – Link: booksoup.com/events/2025/12 December 7 – Miami – Books and Books - shop.booksandbooks.com/event/2025-12-07/making-mary-poppins-evening-todd-james-pierce December 18 – Burbank – Burbank Public Library – Link: burbank.libnet.info/event/14864592
The story of Mary Blair, the person who is often described as Walt Disney's favorite artist. Part Twenty-One. Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com Making Mary Poppins (book): Amazon: amzn.to/4mhHUaU Independent Booksellers: shorturl.at/qTosR Event Links: Nov 23 – Tampa – Oxford Exchange – Line: www.eventbrite.com/e/todd-james-pierce-making-mary-poppins-tickets-1804363683349 December 1 - Los Angeles – Book Soup – Link: booksoup.com/events/2025/12 December 7 – Miami – Books and Books - shop.booksandbooks.com/event/2025-12-07/making-mary-poppins-evening-todd-james-pierce December 18 – Burbank – Burbank Public Library – Link: burbank.libnet.info/event/14864592
The story of Mary Blair, the person who is often described as Walt Disney's favorite artist. Part Twenty. Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com Making Mary Poppins (book): Amazon: amzn.to/4mhHUaU Independent Booksellers: shorturl.at/qTosR Event Links: Nov 23 – Tampa – Oxford Exchange – Line: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/todd-james-pierce-making-mary-poppins-tickets-1804363683349 December 1 - Los Angeles – Book Soup – Link: https://booksoup.com/events/2025/12 December 7 – Miami – Books and Books - https://shop.booksandbooks.com/event/2025-12-07/making-mary-poppins-evening-todd-james-pierce December 18 – Burbank – Burbank Public Library – Link: https://burbank.libnet.info/event/14864592
Tyrus Wong was the artist who shaped the environmental presentation of Bambi, relying on the influence of Chinese traditions in painting. A reading from a biography of his life, Background Artist, and a discussion with its author, Karen Fang Link to Karen Fang's book on Tyrus Wong: https://amzn.to/4qp2wjX Bandcamp subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
The story of how Disney changed Halloween and how Halloween changed Disney. Bandcamp: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
In the late 1960s, those who worked with Walt wrote down memories of their time with him--memories that were mostly forgotten until now. Volume Three. Bandcamp Subscriptions: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com Making Mary Poppins (pre-order book): Amazon: amzn.to/4mhHUaU Independent Booksellers: shorturl.at/qTosR
Our monthly news magazine focused on the Disney Company. In this episode: - Updates to Frozen Ever After at EPCOT - Opening Timeline for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster with The Muppets - Updates on Rivers of America Construction - Updates on Zootopia: Better Zoogether - Permit Updates for Disneyland Forward - Price Increases at the Parks (and Ways to Save) - And More Bandcamp subscription: dhipodcast.bandcamp.com
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