Have you ever wondered how theme parks do what they do? How Disney Parks get millions of Guests through the gates year after year? How they have created brand loyalty and buzz that has stood the test of time since 1954? There’s a brand new Disney History Podcast that’s inspired by answering these questions — The Carousel Project.

The Carousel Project

The Carousel Project is an audio journey through Disney and theme parks history — through the lens of marketing and public relations. In each episode, we will take a deep dive into the archives of theme park history and explore past events, attractions, and experiences through the campaigns that made them successful. This season on The Carousel Project, take a trip back in time to explore park openings, forgotten attractions and partnerships, and the excitement behind unforgettable activations.

The Carousel Project was inspired by the carousels that have been a part of these parks from the very beginning. From the Griffith Park Carousel that inspired Disneyland to the Carousel of Progress, these classic attractions have become theme park icons. Their round and round movement perfectly represent the never-ending need to spin stories and ideas to allow theme parks to keep moving forward. The “project’ piece comes from the illusive project names given to each attraction, idea, and even theme park prior to the announcement. From the well-known Florida project to the more secretive names never released publicly, this project is our main attraction. 

The Carousel Project launches today on your favorite Spotify and Apple! Before we get into where you can listen, here’s a little bit about us!

Behind The Carousel Project

Josie Maida – @JosieMaida

Hi! I’m Josie! I’m an Orlando local, a public relations professional, and a former Cast Member, and a current Disney history buff. Since I was young, I have loved all things, Disney, sparked by the knowledge that its’ founder, Walt Disney and I share a birthday. That fun fact has inspired a lifetime of exploring the history of the company – and a career. Throughout my time with the Walt Disney Company, I had the profound opportunity to learn incredible things about the parks, attractions, and Walt Disney himself. From 2017 to 2020 when I was a part of the COVID-19 lay-offs, I worked in Fantasyland merchandise, in the American Gardens Theatre, as a Member Experience Liasion at Club 33, and in Cast Communication in EPCOT. 

Prior to my time with the Walt Disney Company, I studied at The University of Rhode Island where I was a double major in public relations and communication studies. Since I have worked on public relations and marketing campaigns for many different brands in a wide variety of industries. 

Check out Josie’s website here and her Instagram here!

Kait Killebrew – @KaitKillebrew

Hi, I’m Kait! Although I’m a lifelong Louisiana native, and an aspiring Disney Historian. Although I call Louisiana home, I consider Orlando and Walt Disney World to be my home away from home. For as long as I can remember, the Disney Parks and its history have been a passion of mine. From grade school to my MBA program, I always worked to add Disney to any case study, assignment, or project. It was especially fun for me when I got into my business courses in college because there’s no better company to use as a reference when it comes to talking marketing, business, and management! 

In 2015 I started my own Disney Lifestyle Blog, Kait Around The Kingdom, with hopes of becoming a go-to source for all things Disney Parks and History. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to write hundreds of articles as a theme park contributor, allowing me to get the most out of my Walt Disney World AP year after year.

Our very first episode is covering the opening of the park that started it all — Disneyland! In this episode, we take a deep dive into the promotional details and efforts, the Disneyland Show, and a breakdown of Black Sunday.

We are so excited to finally launch this passion project of ours that we’ve been dreaming about for the past few years. Give us a follow so you’ll be notified first when our next episode posts!

Find us on Spotify, Apple, Instagram, and Facebook.

What Disney History moments would you like to hear about on The Carousel Project?