Cartoons to Castles: The History Behind the Mouse and Magic
Co-hosts—and best friends—Jessica McDonald and Melanie Gable take a lively, conversational approach to exploring a new Disney history topic during each bi-weekly episode. With special guests from the Disney community and fandom, “Cartoons to Castles” aims to look at the history of one of the world’s greatest entertainment companies from a fresh, contemporary perspective. Not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company.
Episodes
37 episodes
25. Walt Disney World Grand Opening - October 1971
Travel back in time to 1971 for the opening of Walt Disney World! The Most Magical Place on Earth is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month, so Jessica and Melanie thought it was the perfect time to dive into the park's early days. If you ...
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41:27
24. The 1st Anniversary Clip Show!
Take a stroll down memory lane with some of the funniest moments from the first year of the podcast! Jessica and Melanie unbox VHS tapes of Disneytoon movies, discuss "The Little Mermaid" fish nuggets, laugh at IMDB reviews of Disney Channel Or...
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47:15
23. 1st Anniversary Special with Tiff Mink, Sarah Sterling, Erika Kurzawa, and Tiffany Lanae Sutton!
It's the one-year anniversary of "Cartoons to Castles" and we're having a party! Special guests Tiff Mink, Sarah Sterling, Erika Kurzawa, and Tiffany Lanae Sutton join the fun for this 2-hour extravaganza!In the first hour of the episod...
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2:12:49
22. Lilo & Stitch
Go on a Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride as we explore the history of the 2002 Disney animated film "Lilo and Stitch." Melanie shares stories and insights about the making of this unique movie, which started out as a children's book pitch and becam...
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1:15:13
21. Matterhorn Bobsleds
Disneyland’s Matterhorn Bobsleds attraction turns 62 years old this month, and co-hosts Jessica and Melanie set out to uncover the history of this one-of-a-kind, iconic roller coaster. From its early beginnings as a wild idea inspired by Walt D...
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54:38
20. Disney-MGM Studios with Tiffany Lanae Sutton
What do the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Bette Midler, defunct tram tours, Michael Eisner, "Ernest Saves Christmas," Robin Williams, motorcades, and Dorothy's ruby slippers all have in common? Walt Disney World's Disney-MGM Studios! Special gu...
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1:19:45
19. Disney Cruise Line
Set sail on a voyage into the history of Disney Cruise Line, which is celebrating its 26th anniversary this month! To mark the occasion, co-hosts Jessica and Melanie discuss the origins of DCL, compare the four current ships, and share their th...
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1:07:31
18. Kathryn Beaumont
Disney Legend Kathryn Beaumont had the honor of voicing not one, but TWO iconic characters in Walt Disney Animation classics: the title role in "Alice in Wonderland" and Wendy Darling in "Peter Pan." Jessica and Melanie explore Kathryn's legacy...
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42:21
17. Disney Pin Trading with Sarah Sterling
Pin pals Jessica and Melanie geek out about all things Disney Pin Trading with their special guest: vlogger and Disney superfan Sarah Sterling! Not only is Sarah a pin trading aficionado, but as a former Disneyland Resort Cast Member she had an...
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1:04:40
16. Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean
"Mark well me words, mateys: Dead...men...tell...no...tales!”Hosts Jessica and Melanie set out on the high seas of Disney history by taking on one of the most beloved theme park attractions of all time: Pirates of the Caribbean! This episod...
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53:25
15. The Lion King Musical with Carla Renata
Be prepared (haha) for a great episode all about the first Los Angeles production of "The Lion King" from one of the cast members herself: Carla Renata! You may know Carla as Janet from the NBC sitcom "Superstore," or from her YouTube channel "...
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48:11
14. Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings with Mindy Marzec
This week Jessica and Melanie talk Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings with blogger, podcaster, and Disney weddings expert Mindy Marzec! Jessica takes you through the origins of Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings program, and Melanie discusses the additions...
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1:11:54
TEASER - Episode 14 Topic & Guest Reveal + Mini Ep.
Get a sneak peek of episode 14, available February 10th! Plus, Jessica and Melanie discuss their recent experience (virtually) attending a complimentary preview of The Walt Disney Family Museum’s Virtual Escape Room. The ladies teamed u...
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19:21
13. Society of Explorers & Adventurers (S.E.A.) with Tiff Mink
“Exploratio Continua!” - Society of Explorers & Adventurers mottoOn this week's episode, Disney superfan and vlogger Tiff Mink leads Jessica and Melanie on an expedition into the fun, fascinating world of the S.E.A. Never ...
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1:24:06
Teaser - Episode 13 Topic & Guest Revel + Bonus Ep. 3 Preview
Get a sneak peek of episode 13, available January 27th! Plus, listen to a preview of our third Patreon-exclusive bonus episode, all about Disney Parks birthday celebrations! On this episode exclusively for "Cartoons to Castles" Patreon ...
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8:20
12. Star Tours/RX-24 with Chris Runco
"Welcome aboard! This is Captain Rex from the cockpit. I know this is probably your first flight, and it's...mine, too! Haha!"On their first episode of 2021, Jessica and Melanie are joined by retired Imagineer Chris Runco, who created Capta...
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53:50
11. The Muppet Christmas Carol
For the last episode of 2020, Jessica and Melanie take a festive look at the making of the beloved holiday movie "The Muppet Christmas Carol." The 1992 film tells the tale of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" in a uniquely Muppet fashion, wi...
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58:04
TEASER - Episode 11 Topic Reveal + Bonus Ep. 2 Preview
Get a sneak peek of episode 11, available December 16! Plus, listen to a preview of our second Patreon-exclusive bonus episode, all about the "Star Wars Holiday Special"! You can access this and other bonus episodes and benefits by joining our ...
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6:10
10. The Disney Monorail with Jeff Kurtti
Jessica and Melanie are joined this week by Disney expert Jeff Kurtti, author of The Disney Monorail: Imagineering a Highway in the Sky. Jeff discusses the history behind the monorails at Disney's theme parks, but he focuses largely on...
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1:35:33
TEASER - Episode 10 Topic & Guest Reveal + Thanksgiving Message
Get a sneak peek of episode 10, available December 2nd! Then stick around for a special Thanksgiving message from co-hosts Jessica and Melanie. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to stay up to date. And if you enjoy the podcast, we'd love it if you'd...
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4:31
9. The Sherman Brothers with Randy Thornton
Disney Music Group's supervising producer and musical historian Randy Thornton joins Jessica and Melanie to talk about the Sherman Brothers, the Academy Award-winning songwriting duo behind some of Disney's greatest film and theme park hits, in...
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1:10:04
TEASER - Episode 9 Topic & Guest Reveal + Bonus Ep. Preview
Get a sneak peek of episode 9, available November 18! Also, instead of a mini episode this week, you'll get a preview of our very first BONUS EPISODE, which will be available today only to subscribers to our brand new Patreon! Starting at only ...
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8:31
8. The Haunted Mansion
"Wizards and witches, wherever you dwell...Give us a hint…by ringing a bell!"Join your "ghost hosts" Jessica and Melanie for a delightful and frightful journey into the history of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion. Hear the tales behind...
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44:29
TEASER - Episode 8 Topic Reveal + Q&A Mini Ep.
Get a spooky sneak peek of episode 8, available October 21st! (Apologies in advance from the "ghost hosts" for being unable to get through the promo without laughing.) And on this week's mini episode, Jessica and Melanie answer listener questio...
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25:05