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.
