Those Happy Places

In this wild episode, Buddy and Alice explore the connection between Disneyland's Jungle Cruise and Colonialist Literature. How are these influences presented uncritically by Adventureland's oldest ride? What is the role of the Skipper in interpreting its current meaning? Featuring a voicemail from Charles Gustine of the Iconography Podcast! Those Happy Places is produced by Alice White and edited by Buddy Duquesne. Our theme music is "Golden Gate" by The California Feetwarmers, featuring Phil Alvin. Additional music comes from Podington Bear, available through the Free Music Archive. Buddy's Twitter: https://twitter.com/buddy_duquesne Alice's Twitter: https://twitter.com/AliceWhiteTHP The California Feetwarmers: http://www.californiafeetwarmers.com/ Check Out Podington Bear at the Free Music Archive: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/

In this biting episode, Alice and Buddy take on the soon-to-be-refurbished Jurassic Park River Adventure. They discuss Universal's penchant for strange Intellectual Property choices, the history of the ride's development, its relationship to Transmedia storytelling, and its use of a popular ride trope.  Plus, an aside on the Lysine Contingency!  Those Happy Places is produced by Alice White and edited by Buddy Duquesne. Our theme music is "Golden Gate" by The California Feetwarmers, featuring Phil Alvin. Additional music comes from Podington Bear, available through the Free Music Archive. Buddy's Twitter: https://twitter.com/buddy_duquesne Alice's Twitter: https://twitter.com/AliceWhiteTHP The California Feetwarmers: http://www.californiafeetwarmers.com/ Check Out Podington Bear at the Free Music Archive: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/

In this telling episode, Buddy and Alice are joined by YouTuber and recently minted author Kevin Perjurer to talk about his upcoming book, Defunctland: Guide to the Magic Kingdom. We discuss the process of writing literature about Theme Parks, Storytelling within them, and the nature of preserving attractions. Other Topics: Dole Whip's unlikely origins, the philosophy of closure, and the pitfalls of writing in the second person. Those Happy Places is produced by Alice White and edited by Buddy Duquesne. Our theme music is "Golden Gate" by The California Feetwarmers, featuring Phil Alvin. Additional music comes from Podington Bear, available through the Free Music Archive. Buddy's Twitter: https://twitter.com/buddy_duquesne Alice's Twitter: https://twitter.com/AliceWhiteTHP The California Feetwarmers: http://www.californiafeetwarmers.com/ Check Out Podington Bear at the Free Music Archive: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/

In this historic episode, Alice and Buddy examine the story of Knott's Berry Farm--its origins as an actual Berry Farm, its early role in preserving local buildings and histories, and its ongoing (and unearned) reputation as a second-fiddle competitor to Disneyland. Featuring an interview with "Iron-Horse Steve," a docent at the Knott's Berry Farm museum, on the origins of the Boysenberry. Those Happy Places is produced by Alice White and edited by Buddy Duquesne. Our theme music is "Golden Gate" by The California Feetwarmers, featuring Phil Alvin. Additional music comes from Podington Bear, available through the Free Music Archive. Buddy's Twitter: https://twitter.com/buddy_duquesne Alice's Twitter: https://twitter.com/AliceWhiteTHP The California Feetwarmers: http://www.californiafeetwarmers.com/ Check Out Podington Bear at the Free Music Archive: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/

In this thrilling episode, Buddy and Alice return from a research expedition to Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, to talk a little about Tension--Literary, Narrative, and Physical--in the Roller Coaster experience.  How do Xcelerator: The Ride, Hangtime, Silver Bullet, and Jaguar employ principles of tension in their design? When is tension healthy and welcoming, versus unhealthy and dangerous? How do stories, thrill rides, and catharsis relate to each other? Listen in to find out!  Those Happy Places is produced by Alice White and edited by Buddy Duquesne. Our theme music is "Golden Gate" by The California Feetwarmers, featuring Phil Alvin. Additional music comes from Podington Bear, available through the Free Music Archive.

In this very special episode-versary, Buddy and Alice sit down in the same room for the first time in the show's history to pitch ride ideas at each other, and to take ride design challenges from three very special call-in guests--Charles Gustine, T.H. Ponders, and Gavin the Podcat! Topics include: Portal: The Ride, Mad Max and the Warcoaster, Lilo and Stitch's Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride, Broadway Land, and a final idea that's too good to reveal here. Give a listen! Those Happy Places is produced by Alice White and edited by Buddy Duquesne. Our theme music is "Golden Gate" by The California Feetwarmers, featuring Phil Alvin. Buddy's Twitter: https://twitter.com/buddy_duquesne Alice's Twitter: https://twitter.com/AliceWhiteTHP The California Feetwarmers: http://www.californiafeetwarmers.com/ Check Out Podington Bear at the Free Music Archive: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/ Tracks Used: Clair de Lune Variations, Bit Rio, Conveyor Belt, Tropical Sunrise, Rumble Seat, Wonder Happens, Breezin'.

In this episode, join Alice and Buddy as they discuss the finer points of Star Tours (1987) and Star Tours: The Adventures Continue (2011), and their relationship to the concept of Canon in the Star Wars Universe.  Topics: Narrative Continuity, Canon Defined, Star Tours and the Death Star, Captain Rex and Droid Sentience, The Adventures Continue and Time Travel, Galaxy's Edge Hopes, and a surprise appearance by Mickey's Toontown.

In this minisode, Alice White takes a family trip to Orlando for five days at the most magical place on Earth. Listen as she ponders coastal differences, adults making their own fun at Disney parks, and covers her best and worst experiences at each park she visited. Plus, she invites you to @ her on Twitter about the Carousel of Progress (bold strategy, Alice)! Buddy edited this episode in Hindenburg Journalist, which was a new experience for him. He's not jealous that he wasn't there.

In this episode, Alice and Buddy discuss the Disneyland Resort's two game-type rides--Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and Toy Story: Midway Mania! How do these rides compare to actual games? What is their storytelling goal? How much trash talk can they fit into a one-hour podcast episode? Will they be able to avoid becoming a Toy Story Podcast? Find out by listening today!

In this episode, Alice and Buddy tackle the oft-maligned presence of screens in rides and attractions. When do they work? When don't they? Plus, they ruminate on the role of the fourth wall in theme parks, and have an aside about 3D glasses.