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.
33 - Retro Food
32.5 - Mike McKee of Delta Rae talks Retro Disney with us
32 - Riding on Sunshine - Universe of Energy
Ep 31.35 - RetroWDW EPCOT35 Event Details and Ticket Information
31 - Mission to Mars
30 - Prime Time Specials: Part I
29.35 - Planning for EPCOT 35
29 - Listen to the Land - The Land
28 - Whoop 'N Holler: River Country
27 - Tomorrow's Child - Spaceship Earth
26 - Tiny Bubbles - 20k Leagues Under the Sea
25 - Anniversary Special
24.5 - Destination: Retro
24 - The Golf Resort
23.5 - Dave Perillo at Wonderground Gallery
23 - Carousel of Progress
22.5 - David Coolidge talks Lake Buena Vista
22 - Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village
21 - Listener's Choice Q&A
20 - America on Parade
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West
Concrete Pastures Podcast
The Atlas Obscura Podcast
Travel with Rick Steves
Frequent Miler on the Air
Takeoff: A Points and Miles Podcast by 10xTravel