This week on Beyond the Mouse, Craig is joined by his wife Zoey, along with Jacqueline and Meghan from the I Think You’re Gonna Like This podcast, for a festive crossover review of the brand-new holiday movie A Very Jonas Christmas Movie, debuting on Disney+ on November 14.
The group kicks things off with a fun and completely non-spoiler discussion for those who haven’t streamed it yet. Then, once the sleigh bells are ringing, they dive deep into the film—its holiday charm, Jonas-centric surprises, and everything that makes it a new seasonal watch.
Grab some hot cocoa, fire up Disney+, and join in on the holiday cheer with this special episode!
This week on Beyond the Mouse we are plannin' a weddin'! Craig is off this week to get hitched, and Vanessa, Brett and Bea discuss ideas for planning a Disney-themed wedding! Congrats Craig and Zoey!
Featuring: Vanessa, Brett and Bea
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It’s a spooktacular special on Beyond the Mouse! Brett, Vanessa, and Craig are brewing up some frightfully fun ideas as they each design their perfect Disney-themed Halloween party. From eerie attractions to villainous vibes, Disney treats to magical tricks, they’re pulling out all the stops to create the ultimate celebration of spooky season.
But the final say is up to you! After you listen, head over to BTM Podcast Pals on Facebook to vote for your favorite Disney Halloween party. Which host will conjure the most magical night of all? Tune in to find out—if you dare!
The Muppets are celebrating 70 years, and Creative Director of the Muppets Studio, Dani Iglesias, joins Beyond the Mouse to talk about how Disney is honoring the Muppets legacy. We also give love to Bean Bunny and share why the Muppets mean so much to so many.
Featuring: Craig, Vanessa, and Brett
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Join Brett and BTM Guests, Brittney and Jen, as they discuss their experiences on The Official Walt Disney Studios Walking Tour – Presented by D23. Brett and his sometimes alter ego, James Mason, reminisce about his previous visits to The Walt Disney Studios during his time as a WDW Cast Member. Then the trio share more about their “walk through Disney history” on the Official Tour!
Featuring: Brett Rutherford, Brittney and Jen!
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This week on Beyond the Mouse, we’re thrilled to bring you an exclusive interview with the powerhouse songwriting duo Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez!
From creating unforgettable melodies to shaping the emotional core of modern Disney classics, Kristen and Robert have redefined what it means to make magic through music. Their award-winning work includes iconic songs from Disney’s Frozen (“Let It Go”), Frozen II (“Into the Unknown”), and Coco (“Remember Me”), as well as their Emmy-winning contributions to WandaVision.
Robert Lopez holds the extraordinary distinction of being the only person to achieve a double EGOT—earning two Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards—a testament to the duo’s unmatched impact on the world of music and storytelling.
Whether you're a lifelong Disney fan or a lover of musical theater, you won’t want to miss this deep dive into the creative process, inspirations, and behind-the-scenes stories from two of the most influential songwriters of our time.
Featuring: Craig McFarland, Vanessa Ferguson and Brett Rutherford
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Join us this week on Beyond the Mouse as we gallop into another grand installment of our Favorite Disney Things by Letter series — and this week, it’s all about the glorious letter G! From Goofy gags to glittering gowns, we’re diving deep into the greatest, gooiest, and most grin-worthy Disney favorites that start with G.
Whether you're a fan of Genie’s genius, Gaston’s gusto, or the galactic greatness of Guardians of the Galaxy, we’ve got something that’ll make your Disney heart glow. So grab your Mickey ears, get comfy, and geek out with us over all things G!
This week on Beyond the Mouse we are answering your questions! Thank you for submitting your questions. We had a lot of fun! Find out our favorite places, memories and who is most like Winnie the Pooh.
Featuring: Craig McFarland, Vanessa Ferguson and Brett Rutherford
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This week on Beyond the Mouse, Brett and Craig blast off into the world of Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy – Pieces of the Past! They kick things off with a spoiler-free review of the second series before diving into an incredible round of interviews. Hear from stars Gaten Matarazzo (Stranger Things) and Tony Revolori (Spider-Man: No Way Home), who voice the lead characters in this galactic adventure. Then, writers and executive producers Dan Hernandezand Benji Samit join the conversation to share the creative process behind building this hilarious, action-packed Lego Star Wars story.
Whether you’re a lifelong Star Wars fan or just love a good laugh, this episode is one you won’t want to miss!
Featuring: Craig McFarland and Brett Rutherford
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This week on Beyond the Mouse, we sit down with our friend and fellow podcaster Matthew Krul from Imagination Skyway to talk about Destination D23 and what Matthew has been up to since our last chat.
Featuring: Brett and Vanessa
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This week on Beyond the Mouse, we’re joined by two-time Tony nominee Gavin Lee! Gavin recently stepped into the iconic role of Scar in Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway, and he shares what it’s been like joining such a beloved production. We also dive into his incredible career, including originating Bert in Mary Poppins and bringing Squidward to life in The SpongeBob Musical. Whether you’re a Disney fan, a Broadway lover, or both, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss!
Featuring: Craig McFarland and Brett Rutherford
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Set sail with us on this magical episode of Beyond the Mouse as we welcome Amy and Paul Krieger, hosts of The DVC Show and The Cruising Compass! These seasoned Disney Cruise Line experts join us to share their top tips, insider tricks, and must-know hacks to help you make the absolute most out of your Disney cruise vacation. Whether you're a first-time cruiser or a Castaway Club veteran, Amy and Paul offer advice that will elevate your experience—from stateroom selection and dining secrets to excursion planning and hidden gems on board. Don’t miss this deep dive into Disney cruising magic!
Featuring: Craig McFarland and Brett Rutherford
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This week on Beyond the Mouse Vanessa and Brett try to remember all their favorite things about Disney that start with the letter "F." Can they do it? Or will they get an "F" as in "FAIL!"
Featuring: Vanessa Ferguson and Brett Rutherford
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This week on Beyond the Mouse, Jeremy joins Craig for a deep dive into the current state of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With three new MCU films hitting theaters this year, the duo breaks down what’s working, what’s not, and where the franchise might be headed next. From shifting storylines and character arcs to box office performance and fan reception, it's an honest and insightful look at a universe in transition. Whether you're a longtime Marvel fan or just curious about the hype, this episode is your all-access pass to the pulse of the MCU in 2025.
Featuring: Craig McFarland and Jeremy Goeckner
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This week on Beyond the Mouse Brett is joined by super travelers Danny and Kara to talk about their recent Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea trip, and of course, the popcorn!
Featuring: Brett Rutherford.
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This week on Beyond the Mouse podcast we are joined be the voice behind Disney Food Blog, AJ Wolfe. Not only do we learn about AJ and the origin story of DFB, but we also talk about her new book "Disney Adults: Exploring (And Falling In Love With) A Magical Subculture," which comes out Aug. 5.
Featuring: Craig McFarland, Vanessa Ferguson, and Brett Rutherford.
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Craig sits down with none other than Joshua Colley, who plays Captain Hook in Descendants: The Rise of Red. Joshua dives into what it’s like to take on one of Disney’s most iconic villains, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, character insights, and his excitement about stepping into the wicked world of Auradon.
This exclusive interview is part of the lead-up to the highly anticipated Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour, where fans will experience music, dancing, and unforgettable moments with cast members from both beloved franchises. The tour is making its way to St. Louis on August 2 and Rosemont on August 6—and while Rosemont is completely sold out, there are still tickets available for St. Louis, so don’t miss your chance to be part of this magical experience!
This week on Beyond the Mouse, we’re thrilled to welcome Donnie Jacob, the creator behind the heartwarming and wildly popular TikTok and Instagram series that shines a spotlight on Disneyland cast members. Donnie shares what inspired him to start highlighting the magic-makers behind the scenes, how his love for the park blossomed, and what it’s been like connecting with the Disney community online.
We also dive into his recent adventure covering the Zombies 4 premiere — from the green carpet glam to behind-the-scenes moments. Whether you're a die-hard Disney fan or just love hearing stories that spread joy, this episode is full of heart, pixie dust, and a whole lot of cast member love.
Featuring: Craig McFarland
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It's the battle we've all been waiting for...again: Disneyland Resort versus Walt Disney World Resort. In this episode of Beyond the Mouse, Vanessa again wreaks havoc on her co-hosts and guests by forcing them to choose which resort does various aspects of the theme park experience the best. In our last round, Disneyland just barely took home the prize, winning by one point. Will it be victorious again? Find out!
Featuring: Vanessa, Brett, Craig, Jonathan, Savannah and Tristan
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This week on Beyond the Mouse, Craig and Zoey are fresh off their June adventure to Walt Disney World—and they brought their moms along for the fun! Join them as they share highlights from a whirlwind trip that included stays at four incredible resorts: Drury Plaza Hotel (Disney Springs), Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian Village Resort, and Old Key West.
They dive into their first impressions of Geo-82, EPCOT’s new adults-only lounge, and give a full review of the high-energy Villains Unleashed stage show at Hollywood Studios. Plus, hear about memorable meals, magical moments, and the unique experience of traveling with their mothers through the Most Magical Place on Earth.
Whether you're planning your own multi-resort trip or just dreaming of your next Disney vacation, this episode is packed with tips, laughs, and Disney magic.
Featuring: Craig McFarland
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