Groundbreaking Magic with Disney Legend Martha Blanding and Disney Historian Marcy Carriker Smothers

Join us this Black History Month for a discussion of Groundbreaking Magic: A Black Woman’s Journey Through The Happiest Place on Earth with author Martha Blanding and moderated by Disney historian Marcy Carriker Smothers. Groundbreaking Magic tells the story of how Blanding became the first Black tour guide at Disneyland in 1971 and went on to achieve a half-century long career with The Walt Disney Company, earning the prestigious Disney Legend distinction in 2024.

Tickets for Groundbreaking Magic with Disney Legend Martha Blanding and Disney Historian Marcy Carriker Smothers will be available as follows:

• Walt’s Circle Donors: Purchase tickets beginning Wednesday, January 21 at noon PT by emailing membership@wdfmuseum.org.
• Founding, Supporter, and Friend-level members: Purchase tickets beginning Thursday, January 22 at noon PT by emailing membership@wdfmuseum.org.
• All member levels: Purchase tickets online beginning Friday, January 23 at noon PT via the Member Portal.
• Public (non-members): Remaining tickets available online beginning Saturday, January 24 at noon PT.

Upgrade your membership to receive priority access to purchase tickets. For more information, please email the Membership Department at membership@wdfmuseum.org.

Martha Blanding began her extraordinary run with Disney in May 1971 as Disneyland’s first Black Tour Guide, launching an impressive five-decades-long career at THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH® in Anaheim, California. She was promoted to VIP Tour Hostess in less than a year, touring legendary entertainment notables and numerous domestic and international dignitaries. Blanding soon became the first Black woman in management at Disneyland, eventually becoming the Senior Manager of Disneyland Resort Merchandise Special Events, where she worked with world-renowned artisans, celebrities, and Disney Legends. Along the way, she helped pioneer and produce the Official Disneyana Convention, a forerunner of today's D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Experience. She also co-founded PULSE, a Business Employee Resource Group (BERG) centering the experiences of Black Cast Members and employees. Upon her retirement in 2022, Blanding became the first Black woman to achieve a half-century-long career with The Walt Disney Company and was named a Disney Legend in 2024.

Marcy Carriker Smothers is the author of the fan favorite Eat Like Walt: The Wonderful World of Disney Food (Disney Editions, 2017), a New York Times “New & Noteworthy” selection. A former radio personality, she hosted several programs, including The Food Guy and Marcy Show with the Food Network’s Guy Fieri. In celebration of Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary, she co-authored Delicious Disney: Walt Disney World—Recipes & Stories from The Most Magical Place on Earth (Disney Editions, 2022). Her love of all things Disney―especially Disneyland―inspired her to write Walt’s Disneyland: A Walk in the Park with Walt Disney (Disney Editions, 2021). In anticipation of The Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary in 2023, National Geographic’s 100 Disney Adventures of a Lifetime: Magical Experiences from Around the World was published in October 2022. When not strolling on Main Street, U.S.A., Marcy can be found exploring food and planning her next adventure.

Guests of The Walt Disney Family Museum can request American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters on-demand for our Talks, Workshops, School Experiences, Tours, and Storytimes. If you would like to request an ASL interpreter, please fill out the form linked below. Please note: Interpreter availability is not guaranteed and requests must be submitted at least two weeks in advance.

The museum is proud to partner with Bay Area Communication Access (BACA) for our ASL interpreter needs. For more information on their services, please visit BACA's website.

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