Martha Blanding spent her five decade career working at Disneyland. She was the first Black VIP Tour Guide and also the first Black Female leader at Disneyland. Throughout her career she was a trailblazer and an inspiration for others. On Sunday, August 11, 2024, Martha Blanding was inducted into this year’s class of Disney Legends at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. Her induction was nothing short of magical and inspiring. This included the Dapper Dans, Disneyland Band, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and her incredible story.
The tradition of Disney Legends goes back 37 years. It honors individuals who have made significant contributions to The Walt Disney Company and its legacy. This year’s Disney Legend class includes Colleen Atwood, Angela Bassett, Martha Blanding, James L. Brooks, James Cameron, Jamie Lee Curtis, Miley Cyrus, Steve Ditko, Harrison Ford, Mark Henn, Frank Oz, Kelly Ripa, Joe Rohde, and John Williams.
Ahead of the Disney Legends Award Ceremony, Martha shared about her career and what it means to her to become a Disney Legend. This interview was shared by Disney and can be read below.
How does it feel to have been the first Black VIP Tour Guide and the first Black female leader at the Disneyland Resort—to know you paved the way for others?
Being the first Black Permanent Tour Guide, VIP Hostess and becoming the first Black Female in Management in my eyes was amazing. I felt that I had achieved a challenge that for some would have felt uncomfortable being the only one. My parents taught me to always put my best foot forward and always do my best, and that’s what I did.
What are some of the highlights from your 50-year Disney career?
I have witnessed many changes in the company, [like] adding new lands and attractions in the park. I am most proud of being part of the growth of cultural diversity, equity, and inclusion for young Cast Members of color coming behind me. I saw the evolution of BERG diversity groups and was one of the founders of PULSE (People, United, Lead, Serve, Excel), which is the Black diversity group.
What about working for Disney has stood out the most to you?
Creating the magic for our guests and Cast Members. Designing events that our guests will remember and share with family and friends. Meeting all kinds of people from Hollywood and all over the world.
What’s it been like to chronicle your experiences in the book Groundbreaking Magic?
Being able to relive my journey has been interesting, and now it is on paper for people to read. Hopefully they will be inspired to reach their goal in life and help others.
What does it mean to you to be honored as a Disney Legend?
Becoming a Disney Legend was not something that I thought would happen to me. I was totally surprised when I received the call. I [began at Disneyland as an hourly] Cast Member and moved up the ladder, working hard with many wonderful co-workers along the way. This makes me proud because I am proof that an hourly Cast Member can become a Disney Legend.
Martha Blanding and Tim O’Day also write a book that shares about her life and career. The book is called Groundbreaking Magic and will be available in stores on October 1, 2024.
Groundbreaking Magic Description
An empowering and moving story of a young woman from South Central Los Angeles (Watts and Compton) who took a chance, defied the odds, and became the first-ever Black American to achieve a half-century-long career with The Walt Disney Company.
Disneyland was groundbreaking when it opened in 1955 and continues to possess a legacy of being a trend setter in both the world of themed, immersive, entertainment and workplace culture, experiences, and training. Although change was inevitable it didn’t always come easy.
Here is the incredible story of a young woman from South Central Los Angeles (Watts and Compton) who took a chance, defied the odds, and became the first-ever Black American to achieve a half-century-long career with The Walt Disney Company.When Martha Blanding started working at Disneyland Park in 1971, it was already a wildly successful and internationally beloved travel destination that had welcomed more than 100 million guests. This book is a personal journey through fifty years of Disneyland as told like never before . . . through the eyes and perspective of a successful Black woman who was indeed an example of Groundbreaking Magic.
This book tells how a twenty-year-old college student came to work in Walt Disney’s original theme park during the racially charged era of the early 1970s, starting as the park’s first Black tour guide and eventually overseeing multi-million dollar generating merchandise-based events, many featuring globally acclaimed artists and celebrities. Martha also had a unique vantage point as she saw how societal changes impacted and changed Disneyland while she helped make much of that change possible.
In addition to all the Disney pixie dust, an incredibly loving, resilient, and close American family is at the heart of this book. With her bedrock parents who had joined the Great Migration out of the Deep South, her family witnessed firsthand some of our country’s most shameful events while never faltering in their faith or pride in being Black Americans.
Part memoir and part cultural history, Groundbreaking Magic is sweet, insightful, sometimes blunt, occasionally heartbreaking, and often funny and surprising, providing the first-ever account of Disney history as seen through the eyes of “Martha B.”
