Groundbreaking Magic

MARTHA BLANDING began her extraordinary run with Disney in May 1971 as Disneyland’s first-ever Black Tour Guide, launching an impressive five-decades-long career at “The Happiest Place on Earth” in Anaheim, California. She was promoted to VIP Tour Hostess in less than a year, touring legendary entertainment notables and numerous domestic and international dignitaries. Martha soon became the first-ever Black female in management at Disneyland, eventually becoming the Senior Manager of Disneyland Resort Merchandise Special Events, where she worked with world-renowned artisans, celebrities, and Disney Legends. Along the way, she helped pioneer and produce the Official Disneyana Convention, a forerunner of today’s D23- The Ultimate Disney Fan Experience. She co-founded PULSE, a Business Employee Resource Group (BERG) for Black cast members and employees. Upon her retirement in 2022, Martha became the first-ever Black employee to achieve a half-century-long career with The Walt Disney Company and was named a Disney Legend in 2024.

TIM O’DAY is an award-winning public relations executive, best-selling author, ideation consultant, and event producer. His creative spark was behind creating an Olympic-sized lap pool down Main Street USA at Disneyland for U.S. Olympian swimmers, procuring a Disneyland star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, placing “Dumbo” in the Smithsonian, and having the pardoned White House Thanksgiving turkeys retire to the Disney Parks (among the most successful PR stunts in Disney history), in addition to helping establish D23- The Official Disney Fan Club. He also helped secure the National Medal of Arts from President George W. Bush for the legendary Sherman brothers. His career has included work and projects with the Museum of Science + Industry Chicago, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences, PIER 39 of San Francisco, and others. He is currently seen on the popular Disney+ series “Behind the Attraction,” produced by Dwayne Johnson.