No. 18: Interviews with Imagineer Kevin Rafferty and three Disney Legends

·1 hr 23 min·5 clips

Imagineer Kevin Rafferty explains how a CEO's note led to the 'shoulder high waist' song about insect pollination and waste.

The episode is a curated 'Best Ear Ever' encore of Mousetalgia's 2013 episode 245, recorded live at the Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet. Hosts Dave, Scott, Joe, Jeff, Kristen, and Becky set the scene by describing the event's buzz, including a $3 Dole Whip stand, a real Toad car from Disney World, and raffle prizes. The first interview is with Disney Legend Dave Smith, the company's chief archivist for over 40 years. Smith recounts how he started the Disney Archives after Walt's death by proposing the idea and using a master key to find hidden materials. He discusses collecting items like a Mickey Mouse gas mask from WWII and the challenges of preserving Disney history. Next, Imagineer Kevin Rafferty joins, sharing his start as a dishwasher at Disneyland in 1974. Rafferty explains his rise to Imagineer, working on attractions like 'It's Tough to Be a Bug'—whose song came from insect pollination and waste—and Cars Land. He reveals that Cars Land was initially pitched as 'Carland' before aligning with Pixar's film. The final segment features Disney Legends Bill Farmer (voice of Goofy) and Tony Anselmo (voice of Donald Duck). They banter about their careers, recording sessions often filled with laughter that forces Disney to separate them, and their protective approach to character voices. Farmer mentions voicing Goofy in 'A Goofy Movie,' while Anselmo recalls animating Donald in 'The Prince and the Pauper.' The episode wraps with host sign-offs and contact information.

As heard by us

A lively Disneyland chat that keeps landing on real behind-the-scenes history.

This July 2013 episode is a Disneyland-centered conversation that feels like a clear favorite revisit, with plenty of information and laughter along the way.

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Why you'd press play

For Disneyland fans who like their lore with a little chaos and a lot of Kevin Rafferty.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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