We’re wrapping up Disney Fest 2025 which was held a few weeks ago at the Peoria Riverfront Museum in Peoria, IL. Author JB Kaufman is giving us a history lesson on Donald Duck. He’ll talk about some of his early shorts including The Wise Little Hen (1934), Mr Duck Steps Out (1940) and A Good Time For a Dime (1941.) Then we’ll learn about the final …

Disney authors and historians JB Kaufman and Mindy Johnson join us this week! We’re back at Disney Fest 2025 to hear their presentations from the annual event. Joining them are organizer Steve Spain and our very own Shawn Degenhart. As part of the event there were several classic Disney Films shown. This week we’ll focus on Cinderella, Alice in Won…

We’re five years old today! This week, we’re celebrating half a decade of podcasting by sharing our origin stories. We’re interviewing each other. What were we like as kids? When did we discover Disney? How did we come up with the name for the show? What does the name mean? Find out in this episode. Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and John Redlin…

This week’s show is from Disney Fest at The Peoria Riverfront Museum in Peoria, IL where we sat down with authors Mindy Johnson and JB Kaufman. Our many topics include artist Mary Blair, The Reluctant Dragon from 1941, the history of Tinker Bell and more. We also share our own personal stories and talk about the moment we knew Disney became our pas…

What’s happening in the world of Star Wars? We reach out to our best expert on the subject! Dan Zehr from Coffee With Kenobi is back with us to talk about Seasons of the Force in Disneyland. We’ll also chat about Star Wars Celebration in Japan and Season 2 of Andor. Plus we’ll preview the new show coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney Villai…

We’re less than two weeks away from the annual Disney Fest at the Peoria Riverfront Museum in Peoria, IL. Organizer and avid Disney art collector Steve Spain joins us to preview the event. Disney films Cinderella and Peter Pan will be among the movies shown this year on the enormous screen. Plus guest speakers will talk about the history of the fil…

In the second half of our conversation with Disney Legend Tony Baxter he talks about mentors he had and the importance of mentoring. He shares thoughts on the future of the theme park industry and has some wise advice for all of us. Plus, is the Magical Express coming back to Walt Disney World? We’ll discuss a new service that has us wondering. Hos…

Little did Tony Baxter know when he began scooping ice cream on Main Street U.S.A. he would one day become a Disney Legend. We're thrilled to have the Disney Imagineer on this week. He talks about his early days at Disney and covers some of his biggest projects including EPCOT, and the mysterious, unbuilt Discovery Bay in Disneyland. Plus we're pla…

We have a plethora of topics to cover this week including the next gen animatronics possibly coming to the parks, the new Disney Vacation Club lounge in the Magic Kingdom, Disney/PIXAR’s Elio trailer has us intrigued, D23 is heading back to Marceline, Marvel’s Daredevil: Born Again, and more! Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and John Redlingshafer…

They help bring the parks to life. They're the Disney characters in the parks and they create some of our favorite memories. But they weren't part of the original plan for Disneyland and Walt had to actually borrow costumes for opening day. We'll share that story and talk about our memorable moments. Plus the Disneyland Band surprises Walt Disney W…

Kim Kaufman is back this week to share more stories from her time in Walt Disney World as a Cast Member. Kim was "friends with" a lot of the characters in the parks. She talks about both funny and touching moments from her interactions with guests. Plus we're also talking about the latest additions to author Ridley Pearson's popular Kingdom Keeper …

Seeing Disney characters is a highlight for many Disney park visitors. Our guest this week not only got to meet characters as a kid, she became good "friends" with them. Lifelong Disney fan and former cast member Kim Kaufman shares some of her unique character stories. Plus Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro was on hand at the South By Southw…

New adventures await Walt and his teams in the 1960s. Disney looks to expand its themed entertainment across the country with creations for the New York World's Fair. Walt also plans to build a city on swampland in Florida. At the box office, he produces more live action films than ever before. One of those movies is considered his greatest onscree…

He's back! Long time popular Disney podcaster Lou Mongello from WDW Radio returns for the second half of our conversation with him. He shares more personal stories and talks about some of his favorite Disney things. Plus Disney Fest 2025 is coming to the Peoria Riverfront Museum in Peoria, IL this May 2-4! We have some details on what to look forwa…

Once upon a time, an attorney from New Jersey decided to leave his law practice and pursue his true passion of sharing his love for all things Disney with the world. Twenty years later, Lou Mongello is one of the biggest podcasters and influencers in the Disney fan community. He tells his amazing story this week on The Hyperion Hub. Plus we have a …

We're covering many topics this week including the new Disney Vacation Club Member Cruise coming, the Season of the Force event at Disneyland, Marvel TV shows to look forward to in 2025 including Dare Devil: Born Again in March and more! Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and John Redlingshafer would love to hear from you! Email or send a recorded a…

We're live from the S.T.E.A.M. Into Star Wars event at Washington Community High School in Washington, IL. Three great guests join us including organizer Tom Gross, Greg McLaughlin from the Rebel Base Card Podcast, and Dan Zehr from Coffee With Kenobi. Plenty to talk about at this year's wonderful event plus we can't think of a better way to learn …

Disney Archives Director Becky Cline is back with us this week continuing our conversation about collecting Disney history. We’ll hear how the archives began and she shares stories about finding treasured items the Studio forgot existed. Plus what are we looking forward to in the Disney Parks? Find out in Our Disney Views. Hosts John Alois, Shawn D…

We’re back and we’re starting off 2025 with a very special guest! Director of the Walt Disney Archives Becky Cline joins us on the Hyperion Hub. She has fantastic stories to share including one about how one of the most treasured film props was saved by a janitor. Plus what movies and TV shows are we looking forward to in 2025? Find out in Our Disn…

We’re looking back at 2024. Bloopers from us and the best from of our guests as we recap a wonderful year at The Hub! Thanks to all of our guests who joined us and to those who sent in reports. They include: Mark Silverman Dan Zehr Tom Gross Jesse Mann Zak Kalina Dan Abraham Trent Correy Brad Simonsen Dave Metzger Steve Spain JB Kaufman Ted Thomas …

It's holiday time and we're sharing some of our favorite park traditions! We're also looking back at our top Disney moments in 2024. In our opening segment we'll talk about The Walt Disney Family Museum's official statement regarding the upcoming Walt Disney audio-animatronic figure coming to Disneyland next year. Thanks for joining us at The Hub! …

Bri Bertolaccini and Chris Mullen from The Walt Disney Family Museum are with us. We’re talking about the museum in San Francisco, a new exhibit focused on early directors at the studio, and a new book. Walt Disney Treasures: Personal Art and Artifacts from The Walt Disney Family Museum chronicles the legacy of Walt through iconic objects that repr…

Cinderella’s full orchestral score is now available from our very own Shawn Degenhart and Degenhart Music! Shawn talks about his new published book and all that went into the process of producing it. Visit degenhartmusic.com to purchase the book. Plus, our very own John Redlingshafer takes another step in his Star Wars journey by watching The Empir…

Dan Zehr from Coffee with Kenobi and Greg McLaughlin from The Rebel Base Card Podcast are with us this week to talk Star Wars. This is Greg’s first time on The Hyperion Hub and he shares details about his awesome podcast. We’ll talk about collecting cards, pins, toys, you name it. Why do we do it? Why do we love it? Dan has a new book available now…

Bob Weis is back! The former president of Disney Imagineering is with us again this week and has details about his two new books. Dream Chasing (Disney Editions) - My four years of success and failure with Disney Imagineering https://books.disney.com/book/dream-chasing/ Ghost Dog (Old Mill Press) His first novel about a boy who has a ghost dog foll…

With an opportunity to lead at the highest level of theme park design, Bob Weis oversaw Disney projects all over the world. The former Disney Imagineer sits down with us to talk about his four decades of experience. From selling popcorn on Main Street to managing a 5-year redesign of Disney California Adventure and more. Bob has 2-new books! Dream …

Happy Halloween! We have a spooktacular show for you! Each year, Jack Skelington and his friends help transform the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland into the very popular Haunted Mansion Holiday. Join us as we take a deep dive into the attraction that celebrates the moment when two holidays collide. We'll also take a scary spin in a Doom Buggy. Plus w…

Inspired by Disney animation, artist James C. “Jimmy” Mulligan has spent his career celebrating the classics. He’s on the Hyperion Hub this week to talk about his two decades worth of experience creating Disney art. Today you can find his work on the covers of Disney comics and in the popular card game, Lorcana. Plus John, John and Shawn discuss th…

In the second half of our conversation with Disney Legend Martha Blanding and author Tim O'Day, we'll hear more stories from Martha's 50-plus years at Disney. Tim and Martha's new book's Groundbreaking Magic - A Black Woman's Journey Through The Happiest Place On Earth is available in wide release. https://books.disney.com/book/groundbreaking-magic…

Disney Legend Martha Blanding’s inspirational story is wonderfully told in the new book, Groundbreaking Magic - A Black Woman’s Journey Through The Happiest Place on Earth. She and co-author Tim O’Day join us this week to talk about the new book. They’ll also share their personal stories about working for Disney. Plus it’s not too early to talk abo…

We're taking a trip to the Peoria Riverfront Museum to tour The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited featuring the work of the creative genius and Disney Legend, Jim Henson. The exhibit has Muppets, puppets, character sketches, storyboards, scripts, photos, film and tv clips, behind-the-scenes footage, iconic costumes, and interactive exper…

In the second half of our conversation with authors JB Kaufman, Ted Thomas and Didier Ghez we'll hear about why Walt's trip down to South America was so important to studio, North and South America. Order their monograph Walt Disney and El Grupo in Latin America at Stuartngbooks.com Walt Disney & El Grupo in Latin America (Hyperion Historical Allia…

In 1941 Walt and a group of artists, writers, and musicians from the studio traveled to South America on a goodwill tour per a request from the US Government. They were known as El Grupo. From that trip, the company produced two feature length films and shorts. Authors JB Kaufman, Ted Thomas and Didier Ghez along with the Hyperion Historical Allian…

One last look back at our Disney vacations from Walt Disney World, to Disney Cruise Line, to Hilton Head, to Disneyland, to The Walt Disney Family Museum, we’re sharing tips and stories from our summer trips. Plus we take a closer look into the history of Walt’s family name. We'd love to hear from you! You can email or send us a recorded audio mess…

John, John and Shawn are back in the studio following a busy summer of visiting various Disney sites. This week we're talking about the big park and Disney Cruise Line announcements from D23. We'd love to hear from you! You can email or send us a recorded audio message at [email protected]. Find us on social media. The Hyperion Hub is not …

John Alois and his family take you on a personal tour of the wonderful Walt Disney Family Museum in the historic Presidio in San Francisco. You'll hear about highlights from the museum and they share their thoughts on all it has to offer. We're also making a quick visit to the land of Star Wars at nearby LucasFilm. We'd love to hear from you! You c…

The Alois family is in Disneyland! We're bringing you sounds from the Happiest Place on Earth along with dining, attraction and hotel reviews. We tried some different restaurants on this trip including River Belle Terrace and Rancho Del Zocalo in Disneyland Park, Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney California Adventure and Great Maple Modern Americ…

D23 2024: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is the premiere location for fans from all over the world. Sporting his mouse ears, Shawn Degenhart has a full report from from D23 and Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. He also welcomes back friends of the show Dan Zehr from Coffee with Kenobi and uber Disney fan, Joseph Zakrzewski. There's a lot to talk about this…

In this bonus episode, John Alois shares news and announcements from the D23 Disney Experience Showcase from Saturday August 10th. New attractions featuring Disney, PIXAR, Star Wars and Marvel are coming to parks all over the world. They include a Walt animatronic inside Disneyland and new lands inside Walt Disney World parks. One land in particula…

John Redlingshafer is in Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort this week! He has a trip report from the DVC property plus he and his family spent a couple of days in Walt Disney World recently and experienced some new attractions, including Tiana's Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom. He provides a review and shares some of the backstory about this reima…

We're setting sail this week on Disney Cruise Line! John Redlingshafer and family are aboard the Disney Fantasy. John talks about his trip and shares tips on everything from preparing for a vacation on the high seas to the activities on the ship and more. We'd love to hear from you! You can email or send us a recorded audio message at podcast@thehy…

Composer Richard Allen joins us to share personal stories about his longtime friend, Disney Legend, Richard Sherman. Richard and Bob Sherman wrote award winning music for Disney films, TV Shows and theme parks. Richard Sherman passed away in May of this year at the age of 95. He spent the better part of 7-decades composing and performing. Plus list…

We're exploring one of the most productive decades in Disney company history. With World War II behind him and the economy booming, Walt eyes bigger challenges in the 1950s with live action filmmaking and designing theme parks. He paves the way for the new endeavors by returning to his roots with a princess film that saves his company. It's a true …

We're going inside the house Elias built! Touring The Walt Disney Birthplace in Chicago, Il this week. We'll hear from Walt Disney Birthplace Director Rey Colon. We're also asking the question, How has Disney+ changed your viewing habits? We'd love to hear from you! You can email or send us a recorded audio message at [email protected]. Fi…

This week we're going back to where it all began. We're listening to Episode 1! Plus the new Disney Cruise Line itineraries are out. Disney has released information for sailings in 2025 and early 2026. We break it down. We'd love to hear from you! You can email or send us a recorded audio message at [email protected]. Find us on social med…

In the second half of Collector's Corner with Steve Spain and Debbie Weiss we'll hear more about cel animation art and how to find the pieces you may want to display. Plus we'll talk about the upcoming virtual runDisney virtual summer series of events.We'd love to hear from you! You can email or send us a recorded audio message at podcast@thehyperi…

Disney is founded on art. This week we're talking with two prominent art collectors. Recurring guest Steve Spain has collected and displayed Disney animation drawings and cels for decades. We'll hear how he found the hobby. Debbie Weiss left a successful career on Wall Street to start a gallery based on her passion for hand drawn animation. She's a…

In episode 2 with voice over artists Camille Dixon and Bill Rogers we hear more about their many years at Disneyland and they’ll share stories of working with other top Disney voice talent. Plus the official conversation of a 5th Walt Disney World park has finally begun!We'd love to hear from you! You can email or send us a recorded audio message a…

He was the voice of Disneyland for 32-years. She was the voice of Disney California Adventure for 11-years. Voice over artists and married couple Bill Rogers and Camille Dixon join us this week to share their Disney stories. We'll also talk about the passing of the legendary Richard Sherman. He and his brother Robert created some of the most famous…

Ahead of the attraction update, we're taking a deep dive into Country Bear Jamboree. You'll learn more about the Bear Band who plays in the good ol' key of G with Zeke, Zeb and Ted and Fred and a bear named Tennessee.What exactly is D23? We'll provide a brief description on the club and what it means to be a member. Get your stopin' boots on and jo…