By JACKIE MOE
Disney park employees, also known as “cast members,” are the impetus for keeping the magic alive for guests.
In order to do so, they must abide by a list of rules – from the way they talk, point, do their hair, and even how they pick up (“scoop up”) trash from the floor. And the performers have an even longer list of Disney do’s and don’ts.
Married co-hosts Matt Gourley (Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend co-host) and producer Amanda Lund (Drunk History) launched an eight-part, weekly docuseries “Keys to the Kingdom,” which goes behind-the-scenes to explore the experiences of past and current Disney performers.
The rules may seem somewhat bizarre in comparison to other workplaces, but to Disney, they are strict and necessary to maintain the park’s clean and happy environment.
The couple are former Disney “cast members” and met while working as characters at Universal Studios – so they know their stuff in the theme park world. The two share their strange and personal anecdotes of the decades they spent working at Disneyland and how it led to them meeting and having their own fairytale ending.
Focused on the sometimes strange and often heartwarming stories of current and past Disney performers, the podcast has a documentary tone that includes fake voice-overs for those who want to remain anonymous to protect their theme park jobs.
Notable guests include Taran Killam, Scott Aukerman, Sona Movsesian, Jeff B. Davis, and more – making this podcast a must-listen for everyone from Disney enthusiasts to cynics. The stories reveal the good, the bad, and – yes, even, the ugly – of working at the Happiest Place on Earth.
Gourley discussed “Keys to the Kingdom” in a recent video interview with Jackie Moe of Backstage SoCal.
(Side note – interview begins with Lund joining in on the interview, but had to tend to their adorable 2-year-old daughter!)
Get 8 full-length, bonus companion episodes featuring numerous extended and unheard interviews and more at https://plus.acast.com/s/keystothekingdom
About The Author
 and producer Amanda Lund (Drunk History) launched an eight-part, weekly docuseries “Keys to the Kingdom,” which goes behind-the-scenes to explore the lives of past and current Disney performers. ){kind=link}