Today In Disney History: Goofy’s How to Be a Sailor Released

The Goofy animated cartoon short film How to Be a Sailor is released on this day in 1944. Produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. 

In the film, Goofy demonstrates methods of sea navigation from early vessels to modern ships, and engages in a battle with the Japanese fleet.

Directed by Jack Kinney and produced by Walt Disney. Starring the voices of Pinto Colvig (Goofy) and John McLeish (Narrator). Animated by Edwin Aardal (Aninator), Don DaGradi (Layout Artist), Andy Engman (Animator), Becky Fallberg (Ink & Paint Artist), Hugh Fraser (Animator), Jeanne Lee Keil (Ink & Paint Artist), Hal King (Animator), Cliff Nordberg (Assistant Animator), John Sibley (Animator), Edna Smith (Ink & Paint). 

Disney’s 2026 Upcoming Movie Releases

Here is the latest list of Disney movies releasing in 2026, that we will no doubt be talking about. Some movies are coming that we really want to see, and others we do not really care to see, but will for the sake of the blog. I am including all movies and films that fall under The Walt Disney Studios banner, including Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, Searchlight Pictures, and 20th Century Studios. 

Send Help (January 30, 2026) - 20th Century Studios

• Directed by Sam Raimi
• Written by Damian Shannon, Mark Swift
• Produced by Sam Raimi, Zainab Azizi
• Starring Rachel McAdams, Dylan O'Brien

Psycho Killer (February 20, 2026) - 20th Century Studios

• Directed by Gavin Pollen
• Written by Andrew Kevin Walker
• Produced by Roy Lee, Matt Berenson, Andrew Kevin Walker, Arnon Milchan
• Starring Georgina Campbell, James Preston Rogers, Malcolm McDowell

Today In Disney History: Toy Story Funhouse Opens at Disneyland

Toy Story Funhouse opened at Disneyland on this day in 1996. During Pixar’s Toy Story run from November 19, 1995 through January 1, 1996, at the El Capitan Theatre, audiences were also treated to a three-level amusement center, themed to the first fully computer-generated feature film. After its run, elements of the amusement center were then moved to Disneyland.

Located in the building that previously housed Mission to Mars (closed on November 2, 1992), the area featured opportunities to interact with the Toy Story characters, learn the two-step from Woody, tackle the Green Army Men obstacle course (while wearing a “base” on your feet like the toys), and play with a giant Lite Brite and Spirograph walls. Guests were also treated to a live stage presentation, Hamm’s All Doll Revue. 

Toy Story Funhouse would close on May 27, 1996, and the location would sit empty for nearly two years before Redd Rocket’s Pizza Planet opened on May 22, 1998, and later renamed Alien Pizza Planet on April 13, 2018. 

Newspaper ad featuring Toy Story Funhouse. 

Episode 198 - Smooth Sailing & Locked-In Shenanigans: A Disney Cruise Tale with Joey and Amalia

Welcome to Episode 198 of the Talking Disney Podcast.

 

In this episode, we talk about Zootopia 2's success in theaters, plus a little MiceChat Gumball Rally. We also welcome two special guests, Joey and Amalia, to talk about their recent Disney Cruise.

Thanks for listening!

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Talking Disney Podcast: 2026 Disney Movie Fantasy Draft

Welcome to the Talking Disney Podcast: 2026 Disney Movie Fantasy Draft. The Talking Disney Podcast hosts are taking a page from the world of fantasy sports and applying it to Disney movies. Instead of players and stats, we are drafting Disney movies and tracking their success throughout 2026. 

In our 2026 Disney Movie Fantasy Draft conducted during Episode 197 - The Bear and the Bow, each host selected three upcoming Disney releases from the year's slate. Once a film is drafted, it's off the board, creating a competitive framework that rewards strategic thinking, release timing, franchise strength, and audience appeal. The goal is simple: determine which host assembles the most successful lineup by the end of the year. Below are the the results of our draft:

Round One

1. James - Avengers: Doomsday (December 18, 2026)

2. Jason - Toy Story 5 (June 19, 2026)

3. Cody - Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31, 2026)

Round Two 

1. Cody - Moana (July 10, 2026)

2. Jason - Mandalorian and Grogu (May 22, 2026)

3. James - Hoppers (March 6, 2026)

Round Three

1. James - The Devil Wears Prada 2 (May 1, 2026)

2. Jason - Hexed (November 25, 2026)

3. Cody - The Dog Stars (August 28, 2026)

Throughout 2026, we'll revisit these picks on the podcast and on the blog, evaluating how each film performs. By the end of the year, we'll crown a Disney Movie Fantasy Draft winner. Whether you are interested in some industry insights, friendly competition, or just another way to talk about Disney movies, this fantasy draft adds a new layer of perspective to the year ahead, and we hope you enjoy it!

Episode 197 - The Bear and the Bow

Welcome to Episode 197 of the Talking Disney Podcast.

 

In this episode, we talk about some changes coming to Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, an update on the cast member who was injured during the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular Show at Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland reaches 900 million visitors and Orange County Register has also reported that Disneyland recently went over 900 million guests (can that be right?), plus much more. We continue our journey of watching and discussing the Disney-Pixar animated films, with Brave. Finally, we visit Cody's Corner, where we conduct a fantasy-style draft of the 2026 Disney Movies, and follow along during the year as a winner is crowned. 

Thanks for listening!

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Episode 196 - Walt Disney World For New Years! How Was It Kaylee?

Welcome to Episode 196 of the Talking Disney Podcast.

In this episode, we talk about some casting announcements for the Disney live-action Tangled, early entry is gone, some new "Pink" milk at the parks, what's going on at Indiana Jones at Disneyland and Walt Disney World?, and a new documentary about Disneyland coming to Disney+, plus more. Finally, our special guest, Kaylee, shares her thoughts on her first trip to the Walt Disney Resort.

Thanks for listening!

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