Tales From The Jungle Crews

So, when we look at our podcast run, we had a lot of Skips from the 00's, and decent representation from almost every era, but only a couple of people from the late 60's. Skipper Joel Halbestadt was one of them, and he was very influential in the time going into the 1970's and in doing some of the first cohesive script editing and input. Most of the jokes that you use today probably had their beginnings in Joel's era. It was a really fascinating conversation, and one that I am definitely glad we captured. I hope you are all having a great New Year, and we can't wait to see what 2019 has in store. Skipper Kyle Originally published November 3rd, 2015 Hey there Skips and Skipperettes!  Lots of big news in the world of the Jungle. It looks like the Jungle Cruise will be closing in January for a rehab, and it will be down until early May to get new docking systems and safety devices. More on this can be found at our Facebook page. (Facebook.com/JungleCrews)   Also, we have wrapped up our Kickstarter for our card game, Jungle Rummy. We had nearly 200 backers pledging for 300 decks of the game. We are so excited at the response, and we'll be shipping in December. Lots of lessons learned, and we'll be doing more exciting stuff like this down the road.   Today's guest is Skipper Joel Halberstadt, and his time in the Jungle during the late 60's and early 70's was impactful to the direction of the Jungle Cruise to say the least. We had a great time chatting with him, and this is the first of a 2 part interview. 

It's that time of year again... time for the yearly "Republishing of the XMas episode". The TFJC Radio Play Xmas episode is one of the favorite things I've done related to the Jungle Cruise, and it's one of the things I get asked most about. Trevor Kelly and Joey Hurley join me for another dive into the world of the Jungle Cruise and it's Skippers. This is a big XMas tradition celebrating it's 5th anniversary... enjoy, and Hippo Holidays!

One of the best things about doing a podcast is that I got to meet and develop friendships with the hosts of other Disney podcasts. The ones that became my closest friends are the guys at The Sweep Spot, a podcast hosted by a pair of custodial CM's who have really turned it into something. They get amazing guests, and they put out a book with their experiences working at Disneyland. They joined us on the show for an episode that was a lot of fun, and gave a different view of working at the Magic Kingdom. Originally Published October 19th, 2015 A couple of times a year, we break format to try something new, or to interview people outside of our Jungle sphere of influence. Today we sit down with the hosts of The Sweep Spot podcast. They have written a new book called "Cleaning the Kingdom", and it's a really interesting read. (available HERE) They come on to help share the perspective of the Custodial cast member, and their favorite stories.

And... here's the second half of our interview with David Koenig as we talk lawyers, mice, and the joys of the Jungle... Originally uploaded October 6th, 2015 We're back, and this week we're bringing you part 2 of our sit down with famed author David Koenig, author of the new "The People vs Disneyland" book, which details the lawsuits that have made Disneyland what it is today. It's a really engaging read, and as always David is an exciting guest. I really enjoy his insights into the parks.  We also are happy to announce that our Kickstarter for Jungle Rummy has funded! (In 45 hours after the launch, nonetheless.) This project has been so much fun, and we created a game that our playtesters and reviewers seem to really be enjoying. We are hoping to make an early December ship date, and we have some super fun rewards over on the Kickstarter site. So, head on over and support your podcast, as well as getting a fun game that will be the perfect alternative to other casual card games like Uno. (and if it's not your cup of tea, please feel free to share with all your Jungle loving friends, and people who love card games...)

One of the best things about doing this podcast has been getting to know David Koenig. One of the few non-Skippers on the pod, but definitely has the pedigree to talk about Disney. His books were formative in the way I viewed the company, and his latest book "The People v Disneyland" was no exception. This was a fascinating interview where we talked about the way that lawyers shape the Disney experience, and the way it permeates into every crack of the theme parks.  (also, this episode marks the 3 year anniversary of Jungle Rummy, our card game. Enjoy!) Originally uploaded September 22nd, 2015 Hey there, Adventurers! This may be our biggest week ever on the podcast. Not only is the illustrious David Koenig rejoining us to chat about his book "The People vs Disneyland", (and it's a great pair of episodes), but we also are very proud to announce the Kickstarter project for our card game "Jungle Rummy". It's going to be going live on October 1st, and details about this super fun game can be found at Facebook.com/JungleCrews or over at Kickstarter on the 1st. (Just search Jungle Rummy.) It's a super fun casual card game, the sort of thing you've played with friends over a couple of drinks, or when you were growing up... a mix of gin rummy, Uno, and hearts, with a super fun scoring twist that is unique to our game. It's a LOT of fun, and we think you're going to enjoy the mix of the art style and the gameplay.   Keep tuned for more updates, and join us over on Facebook or Twitter. (@SkipCast)

And... here's the second part of our interview with Skipper Danielle Ernest. (We are still working to be on track to have all of our reruns finished by the end of the year.) Originally Published September 8th, 2015 This week we finish up our conversation with Skipper Danielle Ernest, and her unconventional way she found her way into the Jungle... We had a lot of fun chatting, and her website (DisneyDarlings.net) is absolutely a fantastic blog.   We also chat a bunch at the start of our podcast about our Kickstarter campaign that is starting up in just a month. (give or take.) For more details, keep your eye peeled here, and over at Facebook.com/JungleCrews   More exciting news and podcasts will keep coming in the following weeks. Now, Hit It, Skip!

So much happening out there in Podcast land... We're going to put up a few new episodes today, and I'll be off air for a week or so while I head out of the country with the wife. Exciting times in Australia!  Our online store, the Skipper Store, is getting beefed up with a lower cost shirt selection over at TeePublic. It will take us a bit to get it up and running, but it's going to change the costs our shirts are offered at dramatically. We are also working on new Xmas cards for the season. This episode rerun is the first of two with Skipper Danielle Ernest, and we had such a good time recording this. (She could have taken over this gig from me, no issues. She's incredibly knowledgeable on Disney, and a great personality.)  Originally Published August 25th, 2015 Boy, have the Jungle Drums been busy beating out a lot of new Jungle and Disney news. This episode we are joined by Skipper Danielle Ernest, one of the Darlings of the DisneyDarlings.net website. Danielle has an amazing social media following, and she helps us make sense of the D23 Expo, as we discuss Star Wars Land, the Jungle Cruise movie, and other theme park developments. Skipper Danielle was a recent Skipper, and had a very short time in the jungle, but this lady is a Skipper, through and through, and I really loved chatting with her. We flipped the script this week, and we’re going to be doing our normal “Skipper” interview with Danielle in 2 weeks. So stay tuned for that. 

When I make a list of my top 5 episodes that we have produced, this one is definitely in it. We get to speak to Disney Legend Bill "Sully" Sullivan. Sully was a fixture at Disneyland as an original 1955 Skipper, and transitioned to a position working closely to Walt on projects like the Squaw Valley Olympic Games and the 1964 Worlds Fair. He then became the first operating Manager of both Magic Kingdom and Epcot. He's an amazing person, and it all started with his time in the Jungle.. 

Part 2 of the interview with the Skipperette herself, Jen Chavez.    Originally Published on July 27th, 2015 Hey Skips, we're back! This week we present the second episode of our 5th season, concluding our chat with the fantastically funny Jen Chavez. We talk about the Skipper Standup show, which already has happened now, and was a fantastic success. I had such a great time getting to know her, and I am sure you will too.   You can see some of the content that Jen curates for us over at the Jungle Crews Facebook page.   Facebook.com/JungleCrews   Our next episode is going to be a doozie for us. We chat with a genuine Disney Legend, learn about Disneyland in the 50's and 60's, and go on an incredible trip with a fantastic character. Come back August 11th for that exciting epsiode!

Well, 2/3 of the way through our cavalcade of reruns, and we're still putting up the old content for you to listen to. This week we sit down with our very own Skipperette, Jen Chavez. Jen took over the reins of the Jungle Crews podcast and Facebook page when Skipper Kyle went back to Disneyland, and she has done a remarkable job over the last year. She continually finds new vintage photos and content, and has just been amazing. I love her Podcast time, too, so we hope you enjoy... Originally published July 13th, 2015 So, the clock keeps turning, and our fourth year of Skippertainment comes to a close. We had such an amazing year with you all, and our 5th season looks to be even better. New podcasts, new guests, new t-shirts, and some amazing surprises. Thanks, everyone for joining us on this ride.  In this week's episode, we sit down and chat with our very own Skipperette Jen Chavez. Jen is our content manager for our Facebook page, and she does an amazing job. Her tale at Jungle has some fun twists and turns, and her views on vintage Disney are great. She also just made her stand-up comedy debut on July 12th (hence the title) and she totally killed. We hope you enjoy her episode, and we'll be back in 2 weeks with the conclusion of her interview.

Well, we come to the end of another season in our recap-a-rama. As we keep moving through the years, this episode is a strange one. It's a recap episode for Season 4, and it is a little bit of me just telling my story. Things are good and busy in the Skipcast world, and there's a lot of interest in the Jungle Cruise movie. (Coming out Oct 11, 2019.) We are super excited for the story that Disney is going to be telling, and everything we have seen is pretty amazing. So, here's an episode for you for today, and I'm hoping you are all enjoying the trips through the past that we've been taking while Skipper Kyle is back at the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland.   Originally Published June 30th, 2015 Our 4th year is wrapping up, and we had a busy busy weekend. We met with 120 cm's from the 80's and 90's. We had our Sunday Social at Sam's, and we got to hang out with a bunch of podcast listeners.   So, this is a different episode, in the same way the Disney Family Museum episode was. This one is just me. I have been in a lot of discussions lately with people who ask me why I do the podcast, what I get out of it, why the Jungle has stuck with me the way I have, and if I am just an egocentric narcissistic maniac who can't hear enough of his own voice. (For the record, no...) So, as a way of wrapping up the first 4 years of this little experiment in niche podcasting, I just wanted to take 20 minutes and let you know a little about me, why Jungle is such a thing for me, and what the podcast means to me. This may totally not be your thing, and if it isn't, we'll have a new episode in 2 weeks to get you back in the stream and the regular Jungle Crews merriment. 

The second half of our interview with the fantastic Dr David Marley and Skipper Trevor Kelly. This is confusingly named, but my consistency was always a bit suspect. We tried a new feature to the podcast called "Disney Lies", and it pretty much fell flat. So, there's that. Enjoy!   Originally published June 9th, 2015 The second half of our chat with Skippers David Marley and Trevor Kelly is here, and we are so excited to share stories of Skipper Standup, Jungle Cruise hijinks, and a little semi-failed comedy bit I tried called "Disney Lies"... great in concept, maybe not as good in execution. So, there is that...    

Once upon a time, two great Skipper kingdoms collided, and Skipper David Marley joined us on the Jungle Crews podcast. This was a time before Skipper Stories, back in the hey-day of Skipper Standup. Marvel at the random appearance of Skipper Trevor Kelly. Wonder at the tales of the early 00's. Basically, it's a lot of ooh-ing and aah-ing, is what I am saying. Enjoy this trip back into podcast history! Originally posted May 26th, 2015 Time for more Skippertainment? This week, it's even more entertain-y than usual. We welcome Skipper David Marley to the podcast. Host and driving force behind the Skipper Standup shows, Dr Marley is also a Disneyland historian, having taught classes on the history of the park, as well as being in the process of writing a book on everyone's favorite attraction, the Jungle Cruise. We're excited to have him, and it has been a long time coming.  

Not a big bunch of text on this one. The second half of our sit down with DJ Elliot

So, the really crazy thing about this episode was that it happened *before* The Force Awakens. Wait, was that even a thing? Has the last few years gone by SO fast?Skipper Elliot is living the dream. Former Skip, amazing DJ, and getting to travel and go to a ton of really exciting nerd events. Oh, also, he's a really cool guy too. This was a fun episode set, and we hope you enjoy! Originally posted April 28th, 2015 We're headed back to Orlando! WDW is where the adventures of our latest Skipper Interviewee happened. Skipper Elliot was at the Jungle East, but his adventures span more than just his time in the Jungle. We have a fantastic discussion about the differences between Anaheim and Orlando, as well as his exciting times behind the wheel of the boats in both places. So, pull up a chair, or a car, or wherever you consume your podcasts from, and enjoy!