AUTHOR: Michael Bowling

Michael Bowling is the Disney Historian for The DIS Unlimited and host of the Connecting with Walt Podcast. He lives in Northern California. With his late wife Carol he has two adult children and one granddaughter who shares her grandfather's love of all things Disney. Michael's passion for Disney began during his first visit to Disneyland as a one-year old when some Pixie Dust got into his bloodstream during Tinker Bell's flight over Sleeping Beauty Castle. Since then he has learned all he could about the Disney magic and shares it freely with his students, family, neighbors, co-workers and pretty much anyone who will listen. Michael is a Disneyland and Walt Disney World annual passholder, D23 Gold Charter Member, DVC owner and The Walt Disney Family Museum Charter Member. With his family he has spent time at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, has traveled with Adventures by Disney and Disney Cruise Line, and relaxed at Aulani. Michael has been been able to visit all the Disney Parks with friends he has met through The DIS Unlimited. When Michael is not at the parks or spending time with his family or in his garden, which is filled with Disney topiaries and statues, you can find him at The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco or at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary where he is a docent. Michael enjoys reading about Disney history and learning all he can about Walt Disney and those who make the magic happen for all of us.



Connecting with Walt: The History of EPCOT’s The Land Pavilion

“Let’s listen to the land we all love, nature’s plan will shine above, listen to the land, listen to the land.” An agricultural pavilion was in the original plans for EPCOT Center and The Land was an opening day EPCOT Center pavilion focused on agriculture, horticulture, and human interaction with the Earth. Whilst The Land Connecting with Walt: The History of EPCOT’s The Land Pavilion





‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ and Disney Parks

A story that has become associated with Halloween, thanks to Walt Disney, is Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. And the story has influenced the architecture, restaurants, shops, parades, and attraction concepts of Disneyland and Walt Disney World. On a recent episode of Connecting with Walt, I talk about the origins of Washington Irving’s ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ and Disney Parks





Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room: Before the Birds Sang Words by Ken Bruce

“I keep telling you, this isn’t a few birds! ~ Melanie Daniels, “The Birds” (1963) If I were to choose one attraction at Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom, and Tokyo Disneyland that captures the imagination, showmanship, and storytelling genius of Walt Disney, it would be Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. This attraction is so significant in Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room: Before the Birds Sang Words by Ken Bruce





New Documentary ‘Walt Disney: Behind the Magic’ featuring Michael Bowling

“The difference between winning and losing is most often not quitting.” ~ Walt Disney This quote from Walt Disney could be the theme of the new documentary Walt Disney: Behind the Magic, which I am proud to be part of. Connecting with Walt listeners know I have been critical of some biographies and documentaries about New Documentary ‘Walt Disney: Behind the Magic’ featuring Michael Bowling





Connecting with Walt – D23 Expo 2024: Entertainment & Experiences

Disney fans from around the world gathered for D23: The Ultimate Fan Event from August 9 – 11, 2024, to celebrate all things Disney and discover what we can look forward to in the coming years from The Walt Disney Company and its affiliates. The most anticipated events are the announcements from Disney Entertainment about Connecting with Walt – D23 Expo 2024: Entertainment & Experiences





Connecting with Walt: Magic Kingdom’s Hall of Presidents

“Ever since I was a small boy in Illinois, I have had a great personal admiration for Abraham Lincoln,” said Walt Disney on the December 18, 1966, episode of his Wonderful World of Color television show. On a recent episode of Connecting with Walt, Craig and I explored how Walt’s patriotism and admiration of Abraham Connecting with Walt: Magic Kingdom’s Hall of Presidents





Connecting with Walt: ‘Call Me Walt’ by Jim Korkis

To understand a person’s accomplishments, you must understand the person. In his recent book, Call Me Walt: Everything You Never Knew About Walt Disney, Disney historian and author Jim Korkis shares stories about the people and experiences that influenced Walt Disney. This book is not about the animated characters, films, technology, and theme parks Walt Connecting with Walt: ‘Call Me Walt’ by Jim Korkis