Emmy Award-winner Ken Bruce has a storied career in animation across a variety of roles and projects, such as an animation timer for shows like Family Guy and a sequence director for The Fairly OddParents, to a storyboard artist for films like Shrek, Up, and Toy Story 3. He now brings his adoration of the classic Disneyland attraction The Enchanted Tiki Room to spectacular light via his incredible new book: Before the Birds Sang Words. It's a master-class book that disentangles the show's history, including all of the elements that led to its creation. Ken shares how he invested years of effor ..read more

Although many of us are familiar with the Disney artists, including singers and songwriters who have delivered many of our favorite tunes from the Mouse House, there are unsung heroes who also have stories to share. Music producer Bambi Moé discusses her experiences with some top-notch Hollywood talent in a lovely book called Part of the Magic: A Collection of Disney-Inspired Brushes with Greatness. On this episode of Notably Disney, Bambi chats with host Brett Nachman as she relays amazing anecdotes of bringing a dose of pixie dust to Disney music across the 80s, 90, and beyond. Bambi discuss ..read more

The 96th Academy Awards takes place on Sun, March 10, making now a perfect time to think about Disney’s role with the Oscars. Over the years many dozens of songs and scores have been nominated, and even a handful have won for their respective categories. Invariably, though, there have been some significant omissions, in terms of songs and scores that should have been nominated, along with songs that maybe should not have won or even been nominated in the first place. Of course, too, a few great songs missed the opportunity to win an Oscar, even if nominated. On this episode of Notably Disney ..read more

For 37 years The Walt Disney Company has bestowed one of its highest honors – the Disney Legends Award – to 304 contributors to the corporation over its 100-year history, ranging from animators and Imagineers to singers and executives. In Disney Legends: Makers of Magic, Volume 1, author Jamie Hecker highlights many of these notable names. On this episode of Notably Disney, Jamie joins host Brett Nachman to discuss his Disney journey, writing for Celebrations Magazine, and writing two Disney-focused books. Check out more about Jamie's written work via JamieHeckerWriter.com, where you can ..read more

In a special episode of Notably Disney, host Brett Nachman and guest Matthew Hodge (professor and author) discuss some favorite Disney songs and scores, and then offer recommendations if you like those particular selections. It's a fun game of "if you like this, then you love these" other options. Learn more about Matt's work by visiting his website. And be sure to purchase a copy of Cool Cats and a Hot Mouse: A History of Jazz and Disney, his award-winning book about Disney and jazz, by visiting Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Feel free to reach out to Brett via Twitter/X @bnachmanreports, subscr ..read more

A new year brings new opportunity to plan your Disney-related vacation. Travel journalist Seth Kubersky, the longtime author behind The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland series, joins host Brett Nachman to discuss the 2024 iteration of the book and how to best plan your next vacation to The Happiest Place on Earth. The pair discuss touring plans, Genie+, dining and lodging tips, and much more on this episode of Notably Disney. Pick up a copy of The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2024 (written by Seth Kubersky, with Bob Sehlinger, Len Testa and Guy Selga Jr.) via your local bookstore or ..read more

The Marvel Cinematic University has enveloped both the silver screen and television screens for the past 15 years, and now comes the release of a new book that explores the emergence of this Hollywood titan. MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios recently debuted from authors Dave Gonzales, Gavin Edwards, and Joanna Robinson, serving as an in-depth, comprehensive exploration into the studio that has come to rule Tinsel Town and even have some fissures within. On this episode of Notably Disney, past guest and fellow Disney connoisseur Derek Lewis joins host Brett Nachman to discuss what readers can e ..read more

Over the decades The Walt Disney Company has embarked on many projects that never came to fruition. One of those famous endeavors that has rarely been explored in as much depth is Disney’s intent to build a ski resort in the Mineral King Valley in the 1960s and 1970s. On this episode of Notably Disney host Brett Nachman speaks with journalists and writers Greg Glasgow and Kathryn Mayer. Glasgow and Mayer are authors of the new book Disneyland on the Mountain: Walt, the Environmentalists, and the Ski Resort That Never Was, published by Rowman and Littlefield. To learn more about the book, visit ..read more

Dr. Cody Havard is Professor of Sport Commerce and the Director of Research in the Kemmons Wilson School at The University of Memphis and engages in work around sports rivalries and fandom. He has extended his passion for how fans appreciate their topical interests – specifically within the realm of Disney – into many venues, including a class, the Being a Fan of Disney: The Podcast, and now the Being a Fan of Disney: The Book. On this episode of Notably Disney Cody returns and joins host Brett Nachman to discuss how he has translated the lessons from his curricular and podcast experiences int ..read more

Today’s guest has represented Disney beauty and talent from the Broadway stage in New York to the shimmering seas of Disney Cruise Line. On this episode, host Brett Nachman brings on singer, actress, and educator Jennifer Shrader Williams, who played Babette and Belle for Disney on Broadway's Beauty and the Beast and currently teaches at William Peace University. The two talk all about Jennifer’s career and favorite moments, including performing at the extinct Mickey's Starland in the Magic Kingdom and mishaps unfolding while on stage in Beauty and the Beast. Feel free to reach out to Bre ..read more