Prepare for a magical journey! Our official Disney Insider, Hannah Stanley, is back and ready to whisk us away on an adventure through the world of innovation and imagination. In this episode, Hannah shares fascinating examples and delightful references that tie together space exploration and the ever-inspiring Disney spirit of innovation.

From animatronic presidents to the dream of living on the Moon EPCOT-style, discover how Walt Disney's visionary ideas continue to influence the future of space exploration. Whether you're a Disney fan, a space enthusiast, or just someone who loves a good story, this episode is sure to ignite your imagination and leave you inspired.

Don’t miss out on this enchanting episode! Tune in and let the magic of Disney and the wonder of space exploration collide!

There are several books and shows that delve into Walt Disney's inventions and his impact on innovation. Here are some recommendations:

Books

1. "Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination" by Neal Gabler

   • This comprehensive biography provides deep insights into Walt Disney's life, his creative process, and the innovations he introduced.

2. "Walt Disney's Imagineering Legends and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park" by Jeff Kurtti

   • This book highlights the pioneers of Disney Imagineering, the creative force behind Disney's theme park attractions, and discusses various innovations.

3. "Disneyland: The Nickel Tour" by Bruce Gordon and David Mumford

   • A detailed history of Disneyland that covers the evolution of the park and the innovations introduced by Disney and his team.

4. "Walt Disney and the Quest for Community" by Steve Mannheim

   • This book explores Walt Disney's vision for EPCOT and his innovative ideas for community planning and urban development.

5. "Designing Disney: Imagineering and the Art of the Show" by John Hench

   • Written by one of the original Imagineers, this book provides an insider’s look at the design and innovation behind Disney’s attractions.

Shows and Documentaries

1. "The Imagineering Story" (Disney+)

   • This documentary series offers an in-depth look at the history and evolution of Walt Disney Imagineering, featuring interviews and archival footage.

2. "Walt: The Man Behind the Myth"

   • A documentary that covers Walt Disney’s life, his work, and his numerous contributions to animation and theme park design.

3. "American Experience: Walt Disney" (PBS)

   • A two-part documentary that explores Walt Disney's career, focusing on his innovative spirit and the creation of Disneyland.

4. "Behind the Attraction" (Disney+)

   • This series goes behind the scenes of some of Disney’s most iconic attractions and explains the technological innovations and creative processes involved.

5. "One Day at Disney" (Disney+)

   • A documentary series that showcases the daily lives of Disney employees, including Imagineers, and highlights the innovative work that goes into creating Disney magic.

These books and shows provide a comprehensive look at Walt Disney's inventive spirit and the lasting impact of his innovations on entertainment, technology, and beyond.

*Don’t forget!!! You can send your story to space TODAY! The window for STORIES of Space Mission 03 is NOW OPEN! Send your story, for free, to www.storiesofspace.com

Ahh, the precious memories made from summer camp! The adventures, the friendships, the HEAT... they're all fun parts of the camp experience and stories that say with us through the years.

In this episode, we dive into the stories of Space Camp Alumni whose impressive careers within the space industry and as lifelong learners all began when they walked "through these doors" at the historic US. Space and Rocket Center. Whether you're an aspiring astronaut or just a space enthusiast, you'll be inspired by the incredible tales of dreams turned into reality.

Are you a Space Camp alumni? Reconnect with millions of campers who like you, share that space camp experience: https://rocketcenterfoundation.org/about-alumni/

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN TO SHARE YOUR STORY.

Send your story ABOUT space INTO to space for free at www.storiesofspace.com.

Tune in and let your imagination soar!

This week, in our ongoing summer series, “Summer-ease,” we meet at the intersection of innovation, Disney, and space exploration. Our returning and always insightful guest (and Disney insider), Hannah Stanley, joins us to discuss Disney's innovative culture and its profound influence on space-related endeavors.

Why Disney? Disney shares the same pioneering spirit as our nation’s space industry. Like NASA, Disney’s culture from the very beginning has encouraged the application of innovative ideas, leaving unforgettable imprints on various industries, from animation to theme parks and environmental initiatives. We delve into the visionary ideas of Walt Disney, such as the futuristic EPCOT, and the groundbreaking technological innovations that have propelled Disney's unparalleled success. Did you know that Wernher von Braun served as a spokesman for three Walt Disney television programs on space travel, Man in Space?

WATCH: How Disney Built America on the History Channel

https://www.history.com/shows/how-disney-built-america

“How Disney Built America” is a nostalgia-filled ride that paints a vivid picture of the world of Walt Disney and the history-making empire he and his brother Roy Disney built. Each hour-long episode focuses on a different example of game-changing brilliance in Disney’s history, including creating the world’s most recognizable characters, establishing the animated features industry, revolutionizing the concept of merchandising, and using groundbreaking design and engineering to construct Disneyland, Walt Disney World® Resort, and beyond. Viewers will hear from legendary Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr, a direct hire from Walt who developed over 100 designs for Disney theme park attractions, to gain surprising insights into the unique innovations and struggles involved in realizing the dreams of a visionary.

WATCH: Disney Imagineer Lanny Smoot describes the HoloTile (we mention in this episode): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyc33U6f8rk

If you enjoyed this episode and would like to share an innovation you are inspired by, I’d love to hear it! Please share it in the socials,

LinkedIn - @casualspacepodcast

Facebook - @casualspacepodcast

Instagram - @casualspacepodcast

YouTube - @casualspacepodcast83

or email me at beth@casualspacepodcast.com.

*Don't forget!!! You can send your story to space TODAY! The window for STORIES of Space Mission 03 is NOW OPEN! Send your story, for free, to www.storiesofspace.com