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 MacLeodLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/3464-bummin-on-tremeloLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3635-deliberate-thoughtLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Long Stroll by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3997-long-strollLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Tango de Manzana by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/4460-tango-de-manzanaLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Pamgaea by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4193-pamgaeaLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Night In Venice by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5763-night-in-veniceLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Awesome Call by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3399-awesome-callLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

George Street Shuffle by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3800-george-street-shuffleLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Cattails by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3482-cattailsLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Samba Isobel by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4316-samba-isobelLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Apero Hour by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3375-apero-hourLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bossa Antigua by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/3454-bossa-antiguaLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Blippy Trance by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5759-blippy-tranceLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Casa Bossa Nova by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3481-casa-bossa-novaLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Cumbiac by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/6428-cumbiacLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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

Wholesome by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesomeLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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

The Entertainer by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5765-the-entertainerLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3347-airport-loungeLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Crinoline Dreams by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/3560-crinoline-dreamsLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Poppers and Prosecco by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4231-poppers-and-proseccoLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Americana by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3361-americanaLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Happy Bee - Surf by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3852-happy-bee---surfLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3986-lobby-timeLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Del Rio Bravo by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5706-del-rio-bravoLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In Your Arms by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3906-in-your-armsLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wishLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license