In this contemplative episode, join Buddy and Alice as they attempt to draw the line between the wildly popular trend of Immersive Theater and Theme Parks, Rides, and Attractions. Can we really say that Theme Parks are a form of immersive theater? What qualities do the two entertainment forms share? What, if anything, separates them?

Special thanks to listener Joe W. for the email that inspired this episode!

Talking Points include: Sleep No More, Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, Sweeny Todd, Melodrama Theater, Dinner Theater, Galaxy’s Edge, Ghost Town: Alive, Rise of the Resistance, Flashmobs, The Jungle Cruise, Shrek 4-D, Muppetvision 3-D, Terminator 2: 3-D, and many, many other attractions.

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 Tremolo, Midnight Tale, Danse Morialta, Deliberate Thought, Organ Filler, Maple Leaf Rag, Covert Affair, Long Stroll, Celtic Impulse, Five Card Shuffle, Casa Bossa Nova, Blippy Trance, Folk Round, In Your Arms

In this collaborative episode, join Buddy and Alice as they attempt to answer the question of just who we can consider the “Author” of our favorite theme parks, rides, and attractions. What can we learn from the history of Film, Television, and Video Games? Where does the identity of each major Theme Park company come from? Can any individual truly be said to be the direct architect of a themed attraction?

Content Warning: This Episode contains a discussion about the transphobic remarks made by the author of the Harry Potter franchise, and its effects on the connected themed lands and attractions.

Trans Lives Matter. Donate to The Trevor Project to protect LGBTQ+ Youth.

Other topics include: The Auteur Theory of Filmmaking, the Studio Theory of Filmmaking, The Duquesne Theory of Theme Park Authorship, the Role of Famous Imagineers, Walt Disney as Author or Studio Head, Death of the Author, and the Appeal of the Imagineer as a concept.

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 Tremolo, Secret of Tiki Island, Crinoline Dreams, Awesome Call, No Good Layabout, George Street Shuffle, Mighty Like Us, Samba Isobel, Fireflies and Stardust, Mining by Moonlight, Court of the Queen, Universal, Pale Rider, Floating Cities, Poppers and Prosecco, Long Stroll, In Your Arms, Off to Osaka

In this sporting episode, join Alice and Buddy as they reminisce about the Walt Disney Company’s first forays in the realm of professional sports as they attempt to unravel the source of a team’s identity and legacy. Can a trilogy of films, an animated series, and an upcoming sequel series on Disney+ make an NHL expansion team an instant success? How can we tie our local identity to a sports franchise—even brand-new ones? Just how similar are sports teams and theme parks, really?

All this and more on this episode 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 Tremolo, No Good Layabout, Samba Isobel, Long Stroll, Mister Exposition, Opportunity Walks, Apero Hour, Casa Bossa Nova, Bossa Antigua, Smooth Lovin, Awesome Call, Mining by Moonlight, Off to Osaka, In Your Arms

In this Mighty episode, join Alice and Buddy as they discuss the similarities between Sporting Events and Theme Parks. Just how closely related are these two seemingly disparate forms of entertainment? What is the significance of the Dodger Dog? Have you ever heard the tragedy of the Long Beach Ice Dogs? Why is Gritty?

All this and more on this episode 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 Tremolo, Hyperfun, Casa Bossa Nova, Mighty Like Us, No Good Layabout, Samba Isobel, Getting it Done, Quirky Dog, Opportunity Walks, Hep Cats, Off to Osaka

Donate to Black Lives Matter

Donate to The Trevor Project

Join Buddy and Alice as they cover the rise of Tiki Culture in the United States—from its origins in post-prohibition Tiki Bars, to its relationship with soldiers returning from World War II, to the invention and somewhat artificial spread of the Aloha Shirt. How do we collectively imagine Tiki Culture—and how much of Tiki Culture is even distinctly Hawaiian?

All this and more on this fourth episode of Birds of Paradise: A New Miniseries from Those Happy Places!

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains frank descriptions of colonialist actions. While we do not graphically describe violence, its effects within the story are evident. All told, it’s a bit of a downer, and may warrant some discretion.

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. The Theme of Birds of Paradise is The Lonely Bull by Scotch & Soda (Max McMillan)

Additional Tracks: Pingpong Voodoo by Narcotic Syntax. Acapulco 2000 by Jack Fetterman and the in Hi-Fi Music Direction, Bongo Avenger by Eric and Ryan Kilkenny, Exotica Revisited by Jeff Chenault and Andrew Izold, Shaken Not Stirred by Br. Cleve and His Lush Orchestra, Drift by Jan Fornell, Spy Perfume by Skip Heller’s Hot Seven, Jungle Village by Der Plan, and Venom by Hybe

All Tracks Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

Join Alice and Buddy as they attempt a somewhat comprehensive look at the history of the Hawaiian islands as they relate to the United States—from re-discovery in the late 1700’s to the eventual Annexation and Statehood of Hawaii in 1959. They also talk about the rise of the Hawaiian Pineapple Company—known today as the Dole Pineapple Company.

After all that, they get back to Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room to ask the question—knowing the history, how does the attraction avoid confronting its colonialist roots? What would audiences in 1963 have thought about the show? How are we meant to feel about it today?

All this and more on this third episode of Birds of Paradise: A New Miniseries from Those Happy Places!

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains frank descriptions of colonialist actions. While we do not graphically describe violence, its effects within the story are evident. All told, it’s a bit of a downer, and may warrant some discretion.

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. The Theme of Birds of Paradise is The Lonely Bull by Scotch & Soda (Max McMillan)

Additional Tracks: Pingpong Voodoo by Narcotic Syntax. Acapulco 2000 by Jack Fetterman and the in Hi-Fi Music Direction, Bongo Avenger by Eric and Ryan Kilkenny, Exotica Revisited by Jeff Chenault and Andrew Izold, Shaken Not Stirred by Br. Cleve and His Lush Orchestra, Drift by Jan Fornell, Spy Perfume by Skip Heller’s Hot Seven, Jungle Village by Der Plan, and Venom by Hybe

All Tracks Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

Join Alice and Buddy as they talk a bit more about what makes Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room such a unique attraction. How does it engage every sense—even taste? How does it present its sponsorship by Dole? How do the Pre-Show and Show relate to one another? Why, pray tell, are the hosts Birds?

All this and more on this second episode of Birds of Paradise: A New Miniseries from 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. The Theme of Birds of Paradise is The Lonely Bull by Scotch & Soda (Max MicMillan)

Additional Tracks: Pingpong Voodoo by Narcotic Syntax. Acapulco 2000 by Jack Fetterman and the in Hi-Fi Music Direction, Bongo Avenger by Eric and Ryan Kilkenny, Exotica Revisited by Jeff Chenault and Andrew Izold, Shaken Not Stirred by Br. Cleve and His Lush Orchestra, Drift by Jan Fornell, and Jungle Village by Der Plan

All Tracks Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

Welcome to our tropical hideaway! Join Alice and Buddy as they embark on a journey to discover the history, cultural impact, and storytelling implications of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. The classic, beloved attraction opened in 1963, and has delighted guests since then with its catchy melodies and vibrant cast of Audio-Animatronic performers. What makes the show so magical? Perhaps more importantly, what can it tell us about its era, its aesthetics, and its intended meaning?

All this and more on this first episode of Birds of Paradise: A New Miniseries from 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. The Theme of Birds of Paradise is The Lonely Bull by Scotch & Soda (Max MicMillan)

Additional Tracks: In Your Arms by Kevin Macleod. Acapulco 2000 by Jack Fetterman and the in Hi-Fi Music Direction, Bongo Avenger by Eric and Ryan Kilkenny, Exotica Revisited by Jeff Chenault and Andrew Izold, and Jungle Village by Der Plan.

All Tracks Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

Join Alice and Buddy as they explore a new way of thinking about guests at a theme park—dubbed lovingly (and somewhat jokingly) the Duquesne Taxonomy of Theme Park Guests. This idea comes to us from Richard Bartle, a game designer and researcher, who coined his popular Bartle Taxonomy of Players in 1996. How do parks differ from games through this lens? How can categorizing guests aid in design choices?

Also featuring the second appearance of Duquesne’s Mad Labyrinth!

All this and more on this scholarly episode 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 Tremolo, Long Stroll, Folk Round, Apero Hour, Babylon, No Good Layabout, Bossa Antigua, Samba Isobel, Awesome Call, Mighty Like Us, Deuces, Off to Osaka

Buddy and Alice have been doing this show for two years! In that time, they’ve produced 40 full episodes, dozens of smaller works, and countless tweets. Join them as they explore the idea of rides that could use a few updates, refurbishments, or rebuilds! Featuring submissions from Charles Gustine, Nick Hoffman, Aslam Choudhury, AJ, Liz Lee, and Jim Capron! Plus, entries from Buddy and Alice!

All this and more on this celebratory episode 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 Tremolo, Bossa Antigua, Casa Bossa Nova, Long Stroll, Secret of Tiki Island, In Your Arms, Off to Osaka, No Good Layabout, Awesome Call, Midnight Tale, Lobby Time, Crinoline Dreams, Royal Banana, Airport Lounge, Netherworld Shanty, Jellyfish in Space, Drankin Song, Samba Isobel, Ultralounge, Opportunity Walks, Local Forecast, Plain Loafer, Future Cha Cha, Floating Cities, Vicious

Since 2008, The Simpsons Ride and its surrounding themed area has delighted guests in both Hollywood and Orlando. That said, one question remains: would we consider it a good episode of The Simpsons? Join the nation’s foremost Simpsons Scholar, Buddy Duquesne, and recently-minted fan of the show Alice White as they dig deep to find an answer.

Featuring: A trip to two separate offices! A pretty good Professor Frink impression! The sinking realization that The Simpsons has been on television for literally our entire lives!

All this and more on this wacky episode 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 Tremolo, Bossa Antigua, Casa Bossa Nova, Long Stroll, Secret of Tiki Island, Deuces, Mining by Moonlight, No Good Layabout, Thief in the Night, Apero Hour, Babylon, In Your Arms

Everyone’s gotta shop. Everyone’s gotta eat. That said, we’d love to enjoy doing these things while we did them, right? Join Alice and Buddy as they take close looks at themed dining and shopping experiences to answer the question—what makes a place worthy of a theme? Why do we theme otherwise mundane spaces? What, pray tell, is Applebees Plus, and how can we sell that idea for money?

All this and more on this unique episode 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 Tremolo, Crunk Knight, Folk Round, Netherworld Shanty, Vicious, Village Consort, Captain Scurvy, Mining By Moonlight, Secret of Tiki Island, Bossa Antigua, Fretless, No Good Layabout, Long Stroll, Off to Osaka, In Your Arms

Buddy and Alice are here with a special update about—wow—their four ongoing shows, and some exciting updates about their Patreon! Stick around to the end for a preview of our next episode and some information about how you can be part of it.

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! And fill out our survey!

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: Off to Osaka, Poppers and Prosecco, In Your Arms, Crunk Knight, and Space 1990.

The Theme of Giving the Gift of Murder is by Devin Coats!

In this space-age episode, join Buddy Duquesne and special guest host Kate Prince as they recap their recent trip to Seattle, a city with a surprisingly unified sense of theme. How does it compare to other tourist destinations? How do the sights of the city tell its story? What is the local name for the Space Needle?

All this and more on this unique episode 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 Tremolo, Deuces, Deadly Roulette, Magic Scout Cottages, Airport Lounge, Future Cha Cha, Jazz Brunch, Jellyfish in Space, Off to Osaka, Breaktime

In this dynamic episode, Buddy and Alice take a deeper look at Autopia, a beloved Opening-Day Disneyland Attraction. What is its role in Tomorrowland? What are its unique appeals? What does its nature as a corporate-sponsored attraction say about our present, and our imagined future? What would an overhaul of this attraction look like?

All this and more in this fantastic episode 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 Tremolo, No Good Layabout, Future Cha Cha, George Street Shuffle, Apero Hour, Suave Standpipe, Airport Lounge, Mining by Moonlight, Babylon, Vivacity, Surf Shimmy, In Your Arms

In this Live, Spectacular Episode, Alice and Buddy return from an unplanned hiatus to discuss one of the most enduring, entertaining, surprising shows in all of Themed Entertainment. What makes this now-25-year-old show so relevant today? What are its secrets, both narrative and thematic? Is the plane stunt on a wire, or on a track or something?

All this and more in this fantastic episode of Those Happy Places!

Editor’s Note: Due to scheduling conflicts, work projects, and life’s sometimes downright ridiculous pace, this episode is being released fully two months after the originally slated start of Waterworld Month. The scale of the month’s events had to be scaled down, and references to additional material might be overly ambitious to say the least. Even so, we hope you enjoy the episode!

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 Tremolo, Awesome Call, Crinoline Dreams, No Good Layabout, Babylon, Captain Scurvy, Deuces, George Street Shuffle, Royal Banana, Surf Shimmy, Walking Along, Feather Waltz

October is Sensory Awareness Month, and Alice and Buddy were honored to meet with two fantastic guests to talk about this increasingly important aspect of themed attraction design! Join Tami Brown, Executive Director of the Soon-to-be-Opened Saint Louis Aquarium, and PGAV Destinations Vice President Emily Howard, as they walk us through the inclusive design choices being made in the construction of what may be one of the world’s most adaptive attractions for guests with various sensitive needs. What sorts of additions are being made to ensure every guest can enjoy the Aquarium successfully? How can staff training and technology unite to create an inclusive experience?

All this and more on this latest episode 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 Tremolo, Awesome Call, George Street Shuffle, Apero Hour, Crinoline Dreams, Samba Isobel, Bossa Antigua, Fireflies and Stardust, Casa Bossa Nova, Crunk Knight

Join Alice and Buddy on another fantastic interview with two amazing themed entertainment professionals from PGAV Destinations! April Neal is a Designer and Retail Expert, and A.D. Gladu is a Creative Writer. What kinds of advantages does a themed space have over other forms of media for storytelling? Where do stories begin in the planning process? How does one write the story beats of an attraction before it’s even built? How do designers and writers ensure they convey their stories to every guest? What drives us to take evidence of our trips with us, and how do we find ourselves telling our own stories about them? How do parks form their own mythologies and histories?

All this and more on this latest episode 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!

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 Tremolo, Awesome Call, Long Stroll, George Street Shuffle, Apero Hour, Crinoline Dreams, Off to Osaka, No Good Layabout, Mining By Moonlight, Airport Lounge, Samba Isobel, Lobby Time, Nowhere Land

Join Alice and Buddy for a very special interview with John Kemper and Dave Cooperstein of PGAV Destinations, the team behind some of the world’s most famous Animal Attractions, including Zoos and Aquariums! What are some of the challenges and goals of working with animals? How do these places differ from more traditional theme parks? What are the roles of education and technology in considering the design choices made?

All this and more on this excellent interview!

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!

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 Tremolo, Awesome Call, Long Stroll, George Street Shuffle, No Good Layabouts, Apero Hour, Airship Serenity, Covert Affair, Crinoline Dreams, Secret of Tiki Island, Off to Osaka, Mister Exposition, Samba Isobel

In this long-awaited episode, Buddy and Alice tackle the complex relationship of the Disney Parks and their fans. What are some unique ways in which fans engage with parks versus other forms of media? Can a business like Disney ever really give as good as it gets from the fans? To what extent is Disney’s involvement in fan communities necessary, or even welcome?

Also featuring a conversation on Gay Days, Rainbow Capitalism, and Disney’s historic relationship and ongoing growth towards the LGBTQ+ community. Can a major corporation with a history of problematic behavior genuinely do the work of increasing inclusion and diversity?

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!

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 3.0 License. Tracks in this Episode: Bummin on Tremolo, Awesome Call, Long Stroll, Dark Hallway, No Good Layabouts, Glitter Blast, Opportunity Walks, Covert Affair, Crinoline Dreams, George Street Shuffle, Airport Lounge, Bossa Antigua, Off to Osaka, Feather Waltz, Midnight Tale