How does Disneyland Reflect the American Dream?

UnTextbooked | A history podcast for the future

What does it mean to belong in the American imagination? That’s one question we explore on this week’s episode of UnTextbooked. In another installment of “UnTextbooking the Museum Collections”, we dive into the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History exhibit named “Mirror Mirror: Disney theme parks and American stories”. Producer Victor Ye speaks with original Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr about working with Walt Disney, designing original Disney rides, and queer identity. Smithsonian Curator Bethanee Bemis shares how Walt Disneyland is a microcosm of the American dream.

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Show Notes:

(00:00) - Mirror, Mirror: Disney Theme Parks and American Stories

(4:29) - Bob Gurr, Original Disney Imagineer

(9:29) - Bob Gurr on Designing the Monorail

(14:44) - Bethanee Bemis on Disneyland and American Values

(18:25) - Splash Mountain & Song of the South

(21:07) - “Gay Days” at Disney Parks

(25:33) - Being Gay as an Early Disney Employee

(27:00) - Bob Gurr on the Disney Omnibus for Pride

(31:17) - Iconic Disney Ears

(34:34) - Reflections & Legacy