In 1971, Martha Blanding started working at California's Disneyland as the park's first Black tour guide. Throughout the next 50+ years, Martha actually accomplished a lot of "firsts" with the Disney company.

In "Groundbreaking Magic," Martha has shared her journey from being a young Black girl in South Central Los Angeles to becoming the first Black Disney Parks employee named a Disney Legend.

Martha's story is not only her personal story, it is very much a history of Disneyland, a history of race relations in the United States, and a glimpse at a time in America and how world events and celebrities affected the day-to-day. (Although I wasn't familiar with everyone she mentions, it was fun to hear Martha's up-close-and-personal experiences with some well-known people.)

It's a fascinating story and once you accept that it's written by someone who is not really a writer (I just imagined myself sitting on a porch with Martha drinking lemonade while she told me her stories), it becomes a good read.

I really do wish I could meet Martha and hear some of her stories in person--she's an impressive woman.

Book: Groundbreaking Magic: A Black Woman's Journey Through The Happiest Place on Earth
Author: Martha Blanding and Tim O'Day
Format: Digital
Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, History
Places Featured: Disneyland, California, United States 🇺🇸
Review Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*I was given a version of this book for free in exchange for an honest book review. Thank you to @netgalley and @hyperionavebooks.

Groundbreaking Magic is a compelling read that shares the remarkable journey of Martha, a true Disney legend who proves how an everyday Cast Member can make an extraordinary impact. Spanning a 50-year career with The Walt Disney Company, Martha achieved amazing milestones in VIP hosting, management, merchandise, and business. Co-written by Tim O'Day, this autobiography feels personal and charming, almost like hearing a story from a good friend, and it’s as deeply moving as it is inspiring.

Groundbreaking Magic goes beyond Disney; it’s also the story of a resilient Black American family, situating Martha’s life against the broader backdrop of American history in the 20th and early 21st centuries. It’s truly a snapshot of Los Angeles’ societal history and Disney’s evolution wrapped into one.

If you are a Disney fan or someone who appreciates stories of perseverance, Groundbreaking Magic will not disappoint. The book offers a real behind-the-scenes glimpse into Disneyland’s magic, capturing moments that made me laugh, and get a close-up view of someone who had a storied career at the Walt Disney Company. It’s well-written, surprising in the best ways, and an absolute must-read for any current or future Cast Member looking for career inspiration. Congratulations to Martha on an extraordinary story and a fantastic book!

Yet another interesting story of someone that worked hard and found their way to a great Disney adventure. Well written and extremely detailed

Groundbreaking Magic is an extraordinary and deeply moving memoir that beautifully captures the resilience, courage, and triumph of Martha Blanding, a true pioneer in every sense of the word. From the moment she stepped into Disneyland in 1971 as the park’s first Black tour guide, Martha defied the odds and broke barriers in an era that was far from welcoming to change. Her story is not just a testament to her strength and perseverance but also a vibrant chronicle of fifty years of Disneyland history, as seen through the unique lens of a trailblazing Black woman.
Martha’s journey from South Central Los Angeles to becoming a key figure at The Walt Disney Company is both inspiring and empowering. Her ability to navigate and influence a predominantly white, male-dominated industry during the racially charged 1970s is nothing short of remarkable. This book does more than recount her professional achievements; it delves into the personal sacrifices, challenges, and victories that defined her career and life.
What makes Groundbreaking Magic truly special is its blend of memoir and cultural history. Martha’s narrative is filled with rich, often humorous anecdotes about her time at Disney, but it also offers a poignant reflection on the broader societal changes that influenced and, in some cases, were influenced by her work. Her account of how she helped drive diversity and inclusion within Disneyland, while remaining steadfast in her identity and values, is particularly powerful.
At its core, this book is a celebration of family, faith, and the unshakeable pride in being Black Americans. Martha’s story is one of hope, determination, and the belief that with hard work and a little magic, anything is possible. Groundbreaking Magic is not just a must-read for Disney fans or those interested in cultural history—it’s a compelling narrative for anyone who believes in the power of breaking barriers and making history. Martha Blanding’s legacy is truly magical, and her story will inspire generations to come.

This is an enjoyable read detailing the author's time working various positions at Disneyland, from the 1970s to the present. She provides great examples of the many important aspects of either customer service or merchandizing while also detailing the struggles she faced rising through the ranks as both an African American and a woman.

The book is chronological and begins with her strong family and and their move from the South to Watts in the 1960s. Despite family setbacks, she was able to work her way up to acceptance to a Southern California University. It was a chance occurrence that she would end up applying for what she thought would be a short term/part time job at Disneyland while attending college. But she ended up working for a dynamic unit as a tour guide/hostess, eventually giving up the University and doing a variety of positions at the Park over 50 years.

The accounts are fascinating - from behind the scenes with celebrities visiting the Park to fancy parties for attraction openings or holidays. The merchandising chapters (she was a buyer for the Park) are also great - interesting asides on various products that worked and didn't work - and the 0bstacles she encountered as tastes and materials/vendors changed. Along with the behind-the-scenes of Disneyland Park, she also provides some poignant insights into the changes of management of both the Park and the Disney Company over the years.

Also interesting were the observations and experiences being both a woman and African American j in management. Casual racism was still problematic even at Disneyland. While she doesn't go into too much detail, there are some very sad examples from both behind the scenes and also from Park guests of poor behavior.

I found it interesting that this isn't just about old history in the 1970s and instead she has great observations all the way through the current leadership. She clearly is a strong, intelligent, and kind person who faced many challenges but created a legacy in the process. She has a great personality and the writing is clean, fun, and easy to follow.

Those looking for Disneyland history will find a lot here. And those looking for biographies of inspiring individuals will also find a lot to love. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC!
What a fitting time for this book. It was incredibly inspiring to read about Martha Blanding's life and accomplishments. I had been somewhat familiar with her significance within Disneyland, even more so when she was announced as a 2024 Disney Legend, so I knew I had to read this book as soon as it popped up on my radar. It was so fascinating to read about the history of Disneyland through the lens of someone who lived through decades of its history. Well deserved honors and accomplishments! Looking forward to the release of this book.