Get ready for a magical conversation on this week’s episode of Beyond the Mouse ! We’re joined by none other than Patti Murin, Broadway’s original Anna in Frozen: The Musical . Patti joins the podcast to share what it means to step back into Anna’s boots—this time under the stars at the historic St. Louis Muny. We dive into her journey from regional theater to Broadway and back again, her experiences originating such an iconic Disney role, and how her career continues to evolve in both theater a...
Jun 27, 2025•1 hr 3 min
It's time for part two of our BTM Disneyland 70th with Brett, Brittney and Jen! It's the opening day for Disneyland's 70th celebration! Featuring: Brett, Brittney and Jen JOIN OUR PATREON: patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse __________________________________________ Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot! blog.feedspot.com/disney_podcasts FIND US ON NPR ILLINOIS! nprillinois.org/programs/front-row-network JOIN PODCAST PALS! facebook.com/groups/186691492980265...
Jun 20, 2025•52 min
Join BTM Host Brett and guests Brittney and Jen as they discuss everything about their recent Disneyland 70th opening weekend trip that includes dining at the exclusive Club 33 restaurant. Part one of two episodes. Featuring: Brett, Brittney and Jen JOIN OUR PATREON: patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse __________________________________________ Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot! blog.feedspot.com/disney_podcasts FIND US ON NPR ILLINOIS! nprillinois.org/programs/front-row-net...
Jun 13, 2025•43 min
In this special family-filled episode, Kyle and Shannon take you along as they bring Shan's parents to the Most Magical Place on Earth— Walt Disney World! 💫 From the rustic charm of Wilderness Lodge to the relaxed luxury of Saratoga Springs , they dive into what it's like staying at two very different Disney resorts. 🏕️🏨 Plus, they’re sharing favorite moments and memories from three of the four parks —think laughter, nostalgia, and happy memories. Whether you're planning a multigenerational t...
Jun 05, 2025•1 hr 19 min
This week on Beyond the Mouse Vanessa is joined by friends Bea and Cristian to talk about Disney on Ice. They give their honest reviews of their experience and explain why they just can't get over that ice skating pig! They also break the news about an exciting new Disney on Ice show featuring Elemental characters! Featuring: Vanessa, Bea and Cristian JOIN OUR PATREON: patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse __________________________________________ Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot!...
May 30, 2025•44 min
Planning your next Disney vacation or dreaming of your favorite place on Earth? This episode of Beyond the Mouse is your ultimate guide to the top ten Walt Disney World resorts, based on the latest rankings from Disney Tourist Blog! Whether you're a seasoned Disney traveler or planning your very first magical stay, this conversation is packed with insider tips and thoughtful rankings to help you choose the perfect home base for your trip. Joining us is a very special guest— Saratoga Joe from the...
May 23, 2025•1 hr 17 min
It's the battle we've all been waiting for: Disney Land Resort versus Walt Disney World Resort. In this episode of Beyond the Mouse, Vanessa wreaks havoc on her co-host and guests by forcing them to choose which resort does various aspects of the theme park experience the best. We enter into this battle with many questions. How will the parks be compared? Which park will be declared the winner? Will they still be friends after this recording? Featuring: Vanessa, Brett, Jonathan, Savannah and Tri...
May 16, 2025•56 min
May the 4th be with you! On this Star Wars Day, we're sitting down with voice actress Nika Futterman to talk about the new animated series "Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld," streaming now on Disney+. We'll talk to her about what's at the heart of her character Asajj Ventress and the passion that creator Dave Filoni brings to the project. Featuring: Craig McFarland and Vanessa Ferguson JOIN OUR PATREON: patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse __________________________________________ Named one of th...
May 04, 2025•23 min
This week on Beyond the Mouse , Craig, Vanessa, and Zoey sit down with author and literary agent Rachel Ekstrom Courage to dish about her delightful new book, Murder by Cheesecake: A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery . If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to channel the wit, warmth, and sass of our favorite ladies from Shady Pines, this episode is for you! Rachel shares what it was like to bring Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, and Sophia back to life on the page, how she approached capturing their iconic voice...
May 04, 2025•48 min
Bob Weis is helping readers bring the Disney parks home with his new book "Ghost Dog." After riding Disneyland's newest attraction, the Haunted Mansion, Herbert discovers a four-legged spirit has followed him home. Weis talks to Craig and Vanessa about his inspiration for the book, his experience narrating the audio book and his recent trip on the Disney Treasure. For more info about "Ghost Dog" visit: theoldmillpress.com/product/ghost-dog-a-novel/ Featuring: Craig McFarland and Vanessa Ferguson...
Apr 25, 2025•1 hr 2 min
This week on Beyond the Mouse , we lace up our shoes and hit the road with none other than Bart Yasso , the legendary Mayor of Running ! Join Craig and the captains of the DDP Sorcerers Run Club as they chat with Bart about his inspiring new book with National Geographic, “100 Runs of a Lifetime.” From breathtaking global routes to unforgettable stories on the run, this episode is a must-listen for runners, Disney fans, and adventurers alike! Featuring: Craig McFarland JOIN OUR PATREON: patre...
Apr 18, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Craig McFarland sits this episode out to try to better understand the arbitrary rules Vanessa makes up, and Bea Bonner joins Vanessa and Brett to discuss their favorite Disney things that start with the letter "E." EPCOT, empanadas, Edna Mode, elephants. What did we get right, and what did we miss? Find out this week on Beyond the Mouse. Featuring: Vanessa, Brett and Bea JOIN OUR PATREON: patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse __________________________________________ Named one of the top 50 Disney Pod...
Apr 11, 2025•54 min
“Not Just A Goof” is a new documentary coming to Disney+ on April 7, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of “A Goofy Movie.” Through unseen archival footage, the documentary follows the creative team of “A Goofy Movie” and the challenges to bring this fan-favorite film to life. Directors Christopher Ninness and Eric Kimelton, and the director of "A Goofy Movie" Kevin Lima, join us on Beyond the Mouse to talk about the documentary “Not Just A Goof” and the fandom of “A Goofy Movie.” Featuring: C...
Apr 04, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Dumbo, Dole whips, Donald Duck! On this week's episode we continue to work our way through the alphabet discussing our favorite Disney things that start with the letter "D." And Craig and Brett continue to test Vanessa's patience by trying to list things that do not start with the letter "D." Will we mention all of your favorites? Find out! Featuring: Vanessa, Craig and Brett JOIN OUR PATREON: patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse __________________________________________ Named one of the top 50 Disney ...
Mar 28, 2025•49 min
This week, we sit down with Peabody Award-winning journalist Neil O’Brien to discuss his captivating new book, After Disney . O’Brien takes us on a journey through the dramatic transformation of the Walt Disney Company after the death of its visionary founder, Walt Disney. In an era marked by change, the company’s future was shaped by the leadership of Ron W. Miller, Walt's son-in-law. In this in-depth interview, O’Brien shares insights from his extensive research, shedding light on the challeng...
Mar 21, 2025•1 hr 2 min
This week on Beyond the Mouse we celebrate 300 episodes with Disney Legend Josh Gad! We talk about his new book "In Gad We Trust: A Tell-Some," his role as Olaf, his directorial debut on the Chris Farley biopic, and much more! FEATURING: Craig McFarland, Vanessa Ferguson and Brett Rutherford JOIN OUR PATREON: patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse __________________________________________ Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot! blog.feedspot.com/disney_podcasts FIND US ON NPR ILLINOIS! ht...
Mar 14, 2025•42 min
In this episode of Beyond the Mouse , we're joined by the dynamic duo, Amy and Paul Krieger from The DVC Show , to explore some of the best lounges at Walt Disney World! Whether you're a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) member or just looking for a relaxing spot to unwind, Amy and Paul share their insider tips and recommendations on the top lounges across the parks and resorts. From the best drinks to the must-visit spots for atmosphere, this episode will have you planning your next Disney getaway wit...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Join us for an exciting return visit from best-selling author Morgan Matson on the Beyond the Mouse podcast! This time, she's here to share all the details about her highly anticipated new book, Gradchanted . Whether you're a long-time fan or new to her work, Morgan's insights into the creative process, the themes of her latest novel, and her journey as a writer are not to be missed. FEATURING: Craig McFarland, Vanessa Ferguson and Brett Rutherford JOIN OUR PATREON: patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse ...
Feb 28, 2025•41 min
Jim Cummings has had a legendary career in voice acting, bringing to life countless iconic characters and creating hundreds of unforgettable voices. Recently, the Beyond the Mouse crew had the incredible opportunity to sit down with him to discuss the longevity of his career, his journey into voice acting, where he draws inspiration for new voices, and much more. It was an amazing conversation, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did! FEATURING: Craig McFarland, Vanessa Ferguson and Brett Rut...
Feb 19, 2025•54 min
Happy Palentine's Day! In this episode we're taking things back to middle school summer camp as we play Kiss, Marry, Kill with our podcast pals. Join Vanessa, Brett, Tristan, Sean, Brittney and Bea as we spin the wheel and determine the fates of some of our favorite Disney characters. JOIN OUR PATREON: patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse __________________________________________ Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot! blog.feedspot.com/disney_podcasts FIND US ON NPR ILLINOIS! https://w...
Feb 14, 2025•44 min
This week on Beyond the Mouse we play Mouse Game, the game in which two contestants compete to see who can match the most with our podcast panelists. Featuring: Host Vanessa Ferguson and panelists Craig McFarland, Brett Rutherford, Brandon Davis, Bea Bonner, and John from Bigfatpanda.com . Our contestants are Jen Mills and Matt Yeager. Special thanks to Mark Lupone and Bigfatpanda.com for production assistance. JOIN OUR PATREON: patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse ______________________________________...
Feb 07, 2025•48 min
Craig is joined by the captains of the DDP Sorcerers Run Club to discuss, in detail, their run on Marathon Weekend 2025, Featuring: Craig McFarland JOIN OUR PATREON: patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse __________________________________________ Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot! blog.feedspot.com/disney_podcasts FIND US ON NPR ILLINOIS! https://www.nprillinois.org/programs/front-row-network JOIN PODCAST PALS! – https://www.facebook.com/groups/186691492980265...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr 32 min
Craig and Zoey dive into their trip to WDW Marathon Weekend. This will work more as a first part to discuss the aspects of the weekend outside of the run on Sunday. On this episode , we discuss the runDisney Expo, The Boardwalk, the Epcot fireworks cruise, a perfect day in Hollywood Studios and Zoey's experience cheering on thousands of runners. Craig also makes an announcement on his recent signing with Away with Me Travel to be a part time travel agent, helping you secure all sorts of vacation...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr 4 min
This week on Beyond the Mouse we explore our favorite Disney things that start with the letter "C"! Cinderella's Castle, Clarabelle Cow, Coco... Featuring: Vanessa, Craig and Brett JOIN OUR PATREON: patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse __________________________________________ Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot! blog.feedspot.com/disney_podcasts FIND US ON NPR ILLINOIS! https://www.nprillinois.org/programs/front-row-network JOIN PODCAST PALS! – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1866...
Jan 20, 2025•50 min
We are back for 2025! Some of our friends recently went to Walt Disney World over the holiday break, and they are here to share their experiences. We had fun welcoming Lindsey, DJ and Anna to the show to discuss their pre-travel planning, time in the parks and much more! This was the first trip for Lindsey and DJ and the first trip that Anna brought her son. Hopefully this helps with your 2025 trips! FEATURING: Craig McFarland and Zoey Zara JOIN OUR PATREON: patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse ________...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 7 min
The Beyond the Mouse team looks back at our favorite episodes, trips and memories from 2024. And we discuss what we are looking forward to in 2025! Happy New Year! FEATURING: Brett Rutherford, Vanessa Ferguson and Craig McFarland JOIN OUR PATREON: patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse __________________________________________ Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot! blog.feedspot.com/disney_podcasts FIND US ON NPR ILLINOIS! https://www.nprillinois.org/programs/front-row-network JOIN PODC...
Dec 28, 2024•46 min
Brett is joined by Craig Williams II to talk all things Disneyland Paris. They discuss their trips, and what they are hoping to see once the construction is complete. FEATURING: Brett Rutherford JOIN OUR PATREON: patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse __________________________________________ Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot! blog.feedspot.com/disney_podcasts FIND US ON NPR ILLINOIS! https://www.nprillinois.org/programs/front-row-network JOIN PODCAST PALS! – https://www.facebook.c...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Jeff Galloway, official training consultant to runDisney, discusses his training method and his historic running career with Beyond the Mouse. Jeff also discusses how he qualified for the 10,000 meter race in the 1972 Munich Olympics, and also why he didn't qualify for the marathon in the same year. Craig is joined in this episode by Ankur and John of the DDP Sorcerers Run Club as they all prepare for their future runs. DDP Sorcerers Run Club are raising money for BASE Camp, a local Orlando char...
Dec 13, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Brett and Craig break down the newest Walt Disney Animation Studios feature- Moana 2. The movie is an absolute juggernaut at the box office, but it was not originally meant to be a movie. We chat about the film's animation, voice cast, songs and so much more! FEATURING: Craig McFarland and Brett Rutherford JOIN OUR PATREON: patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse __________________________________________ Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot! blog.feedspot.com/disney_podcasts FIND US ON NP...
Dec 06, 2024•45 min
The Princess and the Frog is a 2009 film which has now taken a more prominent position in the park with the opening of Tiana's Bayou Adventure. Vanessa and guests Bea and Brooks talk about the film, their favorite scenes, New Orleans and how they would like Princess Tiana incorporated into the Disney parks. JOIN OUR PATREON: patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse __________________________________________ Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot! blog.feedspot.com/disney_podcasts FIND US ON N...
Nov 30, 2024•55 min
