January 1, 2025
Martha Blanding was the first Black VIP tour guide at Disneyland in the 1970s. She details her journey in the book, Groundbreaking Magic: A Black Woman’s Journey Through ‘The Happiest PLACE ON EARTH’. PHOTO PROVIDED BY DISNEY BOOKS.
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Book Details Journey of the First Black Disneyland VIP Tour Guide
Martha Blanding grew up in South Central Los Angeles and became the first Black Disneyland VIP tour guide. She details her time as a VIP tour guide and working in various capacities with the Walt Disney Company for 50 years in her book, Groundbreaking Magic: A Black Woman’s Journey Through ‘The Happiest Place on Earth’. She talked to the Citizen Newspaper about her experience and about the book.