This mini-episode is a compliment to our 2022 holiday episode. We promised we'd eventually track down the fellow responsible for bringing the Lights of Winter to EPCOT Center. Brian and Todd talk to Jim Heffelfinger whose 20 year career with Walt Disney World began as stage manager at the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review at Pioneer Hall (where he met and shares a great story about our friend Billy Flanigan).
Over the next two decades he worked with Disney Legend Ron Logan and the rest of the entertainment team to bring Christmas as we know it to EPCOT, Fantasmic to Florida, the Muppets to Hollywood Boulevard, the holidays and a parade to Animal Kingdom and the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights to Disney-MGM Studios.
Some of his shows, like Beauty & The Beast Live on Stage are still running today much as he designed them while others are very fondly remembered.
This is a fun interview where you’ll learn a lot and, of course, we ask him for memories of Ron Logan and Dick Nunis and invite him to a future RetroMagic event.
Jim Heffelfinger is an unsung hero of holidays in Walt Disney World and many beloved live shows. Enjoy the interview.
89 Pleasure Island - Part IV
88 - Back to the Future: The Ride
87 - Hungry for Hollywood
86 - RetroMagic Retrospective
85 - Mickey Mouse Revue
84.5 - DVC Feedback
83.5 - Glowing in Timeless Places
84 - The Disney Vacation Club
83 - The Disney Institute
82 - Remembering Rolly
81 - Wonders of Life Part IV - Cranium Command
80 - Holiday Time at WDW
79 - Wonders of Life Part III - Body Wars and Making of Me
78 - Wonders of Life Part II - The Pavilion & Exhibits
77 - Wonders of Life - Part I - History and Concept
76 - The Spirit of America - 1988 July 4th Spectacular
75.5 - A chat with Ray DeForest
75 - Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure
74.5 - RetroMagic50 Recap
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