The Dreyer Drive Podcast Episode #027 - Show Notes

Walt and Roy Disney: The Brothers Behind the Magic

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(00:00:05 - 00:01:00) Introduction

- Episode overview: Walt and Roy Disney sibling story

- Teaser of upcoming stories about measurements, directions, and a Disneyland worker kiss

- Promise of an unhinged family text about a special guest at art class

(00:01:01 - 00:06:30) Gordy the Golden Kings Mascot

- Ryan's Okinawa basketball team shirt (Ryukyu Golden Kings)

- Meet Gordy: the beer-loving llama-bear mascot sponsored by Orion Beer

- Japanese cultural differences around alcohol advertising

- Gordy visits schools with a pitcher of beer (allegedly)

(00:06:31 - 00:15:15) Measurements, Directions, and Life Confusion

- Jacqueline's 64-ounce Diet Coke disaster story

- Both hosts' struggles with measurements and GPS directions

- Apple Maps vs Google Maps preferences ("go two sets of lights" vs "13 degrees longitude northwest")

- Formula counting rituals and The Checklist Manifesto discussion

Japanese railway workers' pointing safety protocols

(00:15:16 - 00:29:00) Disneyland Preparation and Anxiety

- Tomorrow's 5:45 AM Disneyland trip preparation

- Jacqueline's first traumatic Disneyland experience (crying over credit card rejection)

- Evolution from Disneyland hater to three-times-a-year visitor

- The fist-bump-instead-of-change incident at the cone restaurant

- Rise of the Resistance kiss with cast member story

(00:29:01 - 00:39:30) Never Again Stories

- Ryan's backpacking through Honduras during a military coup

- "I am a first-class passenger" moment at the airport

- Getting Wendy's and a micro bus ride during political chaos

- Jacqueline's helicopter terror in Hawaii (watching pilot dismiss red warning lights)

(00:39:31 - 00:44:00) Question of the Week

- "What is something you would never do again that you've done and why?"

- Roy vs Walt word association game setup

(00:44:01 - 01:02:00) The Disney Brothers Deep Dive

- Roy Disney (born 1893) - the unsung hero, 8 years older than Walt

- Roy's Navy service, tuberculosis diagnosis, and social stigma

- Walt Disney (born 1901) - the dreamer who bankrupted his first company

- Disney Brothers Company formation - Roy's $200/month disability pension funded Walt's start

- Oswald the Rabbit - their first success that Universal stole from them

- Mickey Mouse creation (1928) - originally named Mortimer

- Steamboat Willie - first post-production sound animation

(01:02:01 - 01:08:00) Snow White and Theme Park Dreams

- Snow White budget: $250K estimate, $1.5M actual cost, $8M revenue

- Still highest-grossing animated film when adjusted for inflation ($2.2 billion)

- Disneyland concept (1950) - Roy's initial resistance and eventual funding strategy

- ABC partnership deal: $4.5M for 34.5% ownership and TV licensing

- Stanford Research Institute location selection (hence Anaheim)

- Final Disneyland cost: $17M (almost 4x over budget)

(01:08:01 - 01:15:30) Disney Legacy and Brother Dynamics

- Roy's opening day story: "God bless them, let them pee"

- Walt's death during Disney World construction

- Roy completing Disney World and naming it after Walt

- Walt's quote about Roy: "I don't know what I'd do without him"

- Modern Disney critique: repetitive endings and "don't want dad's job" plots

(01:15:31 - 01:23:17) Unhinged Text of the Week

The Dead Fish in Art Class Story

- Little girl brings actual dead fish in Ziploc bag to art class

- Mid-class realization: "I think it's dead"

- No water in bag, fish on full display during painting

- Parental negotiation speculation: "Fine, bring the fish if we leave NOW"

- Fish makes it onto art academy Instagram

- Connection to vintage craft show fish-printing technique

Key Takeaways

- Roy Disney deserves more recognition as the financial genius behind Disney empire

- Sibling partnerships can work when roles are clearly defined (Walt = dreamer, Roy = money manager)

- Sometimes the best family dynamics happen when one person handles the spotlight and the other works behind the scenes

- Dead fish in Ziploc bags are apparently acceptable art class accessories in Japan

Next Episode Goal: Stop talking about peeing and become proud enough of the podcast to actually promote it at baby showers.

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