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.
43.75 - A Chat with Jim Sarno
43.65 RetroWDW Special Announcements
43.5 - A Chat with Chris Debiec
43 - Game Shows at the Disney MGM Studios
42 - Communicore West
41.75 - Lake and Lagoon Tour: Discovery Edition
41.5 - A Chat with Chris Smith
41 - Fort Wilderness Railroad
40.5 - WDW Radio Loops Part I
40 - Skyway and Swan Boats
39.5 - Premier of You'll Find me on Main Street
39 - Hotel Plaza Boulevard
38 - Communicore East
37.5 - Working the Waves
37 - Polynesian Dreams Part II
36 - Polynesian Dreams Part I
35 - Christmas Around the World Part II
34.5 - You Can Find me on Main Street
34 - Dreamflight
33.35 - Looking Back at Tomorrow - EPCOT35
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