Episode 50: Theme Parks as Literature -or- Thesis, Revisited

Jun 27, 2021

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In this extravagant episode, join Alice and Buddy as they revisit the central thesis of Those Happy Places—the very idea that Theme Parks, Rides, and Attractions can (and should) be treated with the same critical care and depth as other forms of storytelling and literature. They’re joined with submissions by Cynthia Sharpe, Rob Yeo, Liam Findlay, Aslam Choudhury, and Andrew Spohn, all of whom weigh in on the central questions of what draws them to themed entertainment as a storytelling medium, what’s missing from our current analysis and conversations, and where they hope themed entertainment might be heading. Then, Buddy and Alice ask themselves those same questions—and set a course for a new era of Those Happy Places.

It’s a 50th Episode Extravaganza, and you won’t want to miss it!

Topics Include: Accessibility in Theme Parks, Including and Elevating Guests, The Importance of Frontline Cast Members, Team Members, and Employees, Build-it-Yourself Narrative Spaces, Travel, the Environmental and Economic Impacts of Theme Parks, Theme Park Scents, The Alice White Themed Scent Categorization System, Motion as Metaphor, Motion as Literal Motion, The Limits of Motion in Attractions, The Speed of Theme Park Change Versus Social, Political, and Economic Change, The Enduring Legacy of Theme Park Intellectual Properties, Themed Spaces and Belonging, Themed Spaces and Community Buy-In, Themed Spaces and Exclusivity, The Newness of Themed Entertainment, The Importance of Domes, Theme Parks as Literature, Buddy and Alice as Scholars and Analysts, The Future of Themed Entertainment and Social Media, Themed Entertainment in Conversation, The Future of Those Happy Places.

Be sure to visit our Patreon for all of the cool Passholder benefits, stretch goals, and an exclusive, long-lost episode of Those Happy Places! Join us on our Discord Server!

Those Happy Places is Produced by Alice White and Edited By Buddy Duquesne. Our theme song is Golden Gate by the California Feetwarmers, Featuring Phil Alvin.

Additional music comes from Kevin Macleod. All Tracks Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. Tracks in this Episode:

Bummin on Tremelo by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3464-bummin-on-tremelo
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3635-deliberate-thought
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Long Stroll by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3997-long-stroll
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Tango de Manzana by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4460-tango-de-manzana
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Pamgaea by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4193-pamgaea
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Night In Venice by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5763-night-in-venice
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Awesome Call by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3399-awesome-call
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

George Street Shuffle by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3800-george-street-shuffle
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Cattails by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3482-cattails
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Samba Isobel by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4316-samba-isobel
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Apero Hour by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3375-apero-hour
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bossa Antigua by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3454-bossa-antigua
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Blippy Trance by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5759-blippy-trance
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Casa Bossa Nova by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3481-casa-bossa-nova
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Cumbiac by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/6428-cumbiac
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Kumasi Groove (plus flugelhorn) by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3957-kumasi-groove-plus-flugelhorn-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Jazz Brunch by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3937-jazz-brunch-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

The Entertainer by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5765-the-entertainer
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3347-airport-lounge
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Crinoline Dreams by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3560-crinoline-dreams
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Poppers and Prosecco by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4231-poppers-and-prosecco
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Americana by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3361-americana
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Happy Bee - Surf by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3852-happy-bee---surf
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3986-lobby-time
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Del Rio Bravo by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5706-del-rio-bravo
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In Your Arms by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3906-in-your-arms
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license