Distory with Kate & Kirk

What scenes did Imagineering decide to eliminate from Peter Pan’s flight… and what characters disappeared in the process? On this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk , we fly back in time to explore the history of Disneyland’s 1983 version of Peter Pan’s Flight. Using rare Imagineering documents and behind-the-scenes photos, we break down the design of each scene in the attraction and reveal s...

The details of the Darling nursery tell a deeper story than most people realize. But what details did Imagineering decide NOT to include in this opening scene? On this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we fly back in time to tell the history of Disneyland’s 1983 Disney's Peter Pan’s Flight. Through rare Imagineering documents and behind-the-scenes photos, we deep-dive into the details o...

In the 1980s, Imagineering completely tore apart Walt Disney's original Fantasyland. But how did they decide on what should replace it? And what did they decide NOT to build? On this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we fly back in time to Disneyland’s 1983 opening of New Fantasyland and Disney's Peter Pan’s Flight. Through rare Imagineering documents and vintage photos, we deep-div...

Why did the mermaids change in Walt Disney World’s Peter Pan’s Flight, and how is their scandalous past connected to a classic Disneyland attraction? On this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we fly back in time to the Walt Disney World 1971 version of Disney's Peter Pan’s Flight. Through rare Imagineering documents and interior attraction photos, we deep-dive into the details of what m...

Peter Pan's Flight wasn't planned to be in Walt Disney World at all... in fact, Disney's Imagineers had an entirely different Fantasyland mapped out for their new Magic Kingdom. So, what changed? On this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we fly back in time to the Walt Disney World 1971 version of Disney's Peter Pan’s Flight. Before we can step aboard our pirate galleon for...

How was the ending of Peter Pan’s Flight more terrifying (and disappointing) in 1955?  And what object did guests tend to tear off the attraction to keep as a souvenir? On this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we fly back in time to the 1955 version of Disneyland’s Peter Pan’s Flight. Through rare Imagineering documents and interior attraction photos, we explore the concepts, creation, and...

What bizarre technique did Disney's artists use to make Tinker Bell glow? And what disturbing story elements did Disney change from the original novel when they created their feature film? On this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we follow the second start to the right as we explore the fascinating art, history, animation, and development of Disney’s Peter Pan animated feature film. Al...

Marc and Alice Davis’s love story is one for the ages, intertwined as it is with Disney history. But they also loved us through their imaginative, creative work in some of Disney’s most iconic attractions. On this special Kate-only episode of Distory, we explore some historical stories of Disney Imagineers Marc and Alice Davis, highlighting not only some unique tales about their life as a couple,...

How did lost concepts from the Haunted Mansion inspire the Tower of Terror? Drop in with us on this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk as we check into California Adventure's lost Hollywood Tower Hotel to decipher the history, secrets, and stories hidden within its design. In this final episode in our 29-part Tower of Terror series, we check out of the DCA and DLP versions of the Tower of...

There were hidden secrets in the Boiler Room of the DCA Tower of Terror that made it the most TERRIFYING version of all, but most people walked right past them without noticing the detailed storytelling. Drop in with us on this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk as we check into California Adventure's lost Hollywood Tower Hotel to decipher the history, secrets, and stories hidden within i...

How did the Imagineers alter the storytelling of the Tower of Terror libraries for the California and Paris versions? Drop in with us on this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk as we check into California Adventure's lost Hollywood Tower Hotel to decipher the history, secrets, and stories hidden within its design. In this episode, we check into the DCA and DLP versions of the Tower of Ter...

Christmastime in the Disney parks is a wonder to behold, but its history is something even more magical than snow falling on Main Street. But there are a few less-than-magical things in Disney’s holiday past as well. In this episode, we bring you 6 unique stories from the history of Disney at the most wonderful time of the year, beginning with a behind-the-scenes look at a Muppet Christmas Carol,...

A doll, brochure, and magazine in the DCA Tower of Terror Lobby were all telling a story, but no one has ever fully understood their significance... until now. Drop in with us as we check into California Adventure's lost Hollywood Tower Hotel to decipher the history, secrets, and stories hidden within its elegant (yet terrifying) design. In this episode, we check into the lobby of the DCA and...

What is the REAL reason the DCA version of the Hollywood Tower Hotel used to feel so creepy when you stepped inside? Drop in with us on this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk as we check into California Adventure's lost Hollywood Tower Hotel to decipher the history, secrets, and stories hidden within its design. In this episode, we check into the DCA and DLP versions of the Tower of Terr...

Why did Disney’s Tower of Terror change its design when it moved locations? And who was Buddy the Bellhop? Drop in with us on this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk as we check into California Adventure's lost Hollywood Tower Hotel to decipher the history, secrets, and stories hidden within its design. In this episode, we travel to Disneyland Resort to visit the California Adventure vers...

Picture if you will a most unusual attraction exit, as the Tower of Terror’s final scenes hold controversy, history, and a mystery we still have yet to solve. Drop in with us on this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk as we check into Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Tower Hotel one last time to decipher the history, secrets, and stories hidden within its design. In this episode, we make our way...

What roles were women not allowed to do in the Haunted Mansion in 1975? And why was Imagineer Dorothea Redmond once forced to work alone in a walled-off office? Welcome, Foolish Mortals, to this special Halloween episode of Distory where we head back to the Haunted Mansion to explore some details, secrets, and history we didn't previously unearth in our 16-episode series on this iconic Disney...

What hidden ties to both Disneyland and Epcot are found in the exit of the Tower of Terror? Drop in with us on this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk as we check into the Hollywood Tower Hotel to decipher the history, secrets, and stories hidden within its design. In this episode, we unload from our ride vehicle and step into the photo preview area, examining and explaining many of the detai...

There are more details in the dark in the Tower of Terror’s drop than you've likely ever noticed before... but once you see them, the ride will never be the same. Drop in with us on this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk as we check into the Hollywood Tower Hotel to decipher the history, secrets, and stories hidden within the design. In this episode, we buckle up for the big drop, fallin...

There was another Hollywood Hotel designed before the Tower of Terror that inspired most of the corridor and fifth dimension scenes, but hardly anyone has ever seen its concept art... until now. Drop in with us on this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk as we check into the Hollywood Tower Hotel to decipher the history, secrets, and stories hidden within the design. In this episode, we buckle...

The Imagineers tucked hidden messages of danger in the Tower of Terror Boiler Room that most guests miss… but we are finding them, one prop at a time. Drop in with us on this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk as we check into the Hollywood Tower Hotel to decipher the history, secrets, and stories hidden within the design. In this episode, we head back into the Boiler Room of the Tower of Ter...

The Boiler Room of Disney’s Tower of Terror is holding more danger than it appears on the surface… but only if you know where to look. Drop in with us on this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk as we check into the Hollywood Tower Hotel to decipher the history, secrets, and stories hidden within the design. In this episode, we head into the Boiler Room of the Tower of Terror to uncover the st...

The props tucked inside the shadowed corners of the Tower of Terror library have an ominous meaning most people miss.  Drop in with us on this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk as we check into the Hollywood Tower Hotel to decipher the history, secrets, and stories hidden within the design. In this episode, we focus on identifying the artifacts found in the second half of the Foxtrot library...

What unique themes are hidden in the dark corners of the libraries of the Tower of Terror? Drop in with us on this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk as we check into the Hollywood Tower Hotel to decipher the history, secrets, and stories hidden within the design. In this episode, we focus on identifying the artifacts found in the first half of the Foxtrot library preshow room, exploring the...

Are the antiques in the Tower of Terror just a bunch of old junk, or are they actually telling a story you haven’t noticed before? Drop in with us on this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk as we check into the Hollywood Tower Hotel to decipher the history, secrets, and stories hidden within the design. In this episode, we focus on identifying the artifacts found in the second half of the Ech...