Distory with Kate & Kirk

How many obscure references are hidden in Disney's tiki bars? And what was the original tiki bar on Disney property? In this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we return to civilization and exit the Jungle Cruise attraction, pausing for a moment to analyze some unique features in the signs and props on our way out. We then reward ourselves for making it 18 episodes into this series by go...

Is Little Red the elephant actually in the Jungle Cruise? And why are there so many cameras in Trader Sam's Gift Shop? In this special episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, former Imagineer Kevin Lively joins our chat to share with us some secrets & stories you probably have never heard before about Trader Sam's Gift Shop! We also find out the fate of the original Jungle Cruise gori...

Why was the python scene a disappointment for Marc Davis? And why are the chimps staged differently in Disneyland vs Disney World? In this episode of Distory, Kirk gets mad at Kate for continuously misidentifying primates as we take a look at the intricate details of the newly-added chimpanzee scenes. We also explain why the piranha and water buffalo are our FAVORITE Adventureland mascots, find an...

Why were headhunters in the Jungle Cruise? (And why did they love Disco so much?)In this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we float through the perilous (and oft-times controversial) history of Disney's Jungle Cruise. Wading into the deepest part of the Rivers of Romance, we explore the mechanics of the hippos, the real-life animals that inspired them, and how they were actually a compr...

What is a myrmecoleon and how is it connected with the Jungle Cruise's Trapped Safari? On this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we appreciate the history and nuance of the first gag ever to appear in a Disney attraction (that was, of course, never intended to be IN the ride at all). The trapped (lost?) safari has gone through some changes over the years, but the humor remains. After ex...

Is the plane from Casablanca really in the Jungle Cruise? And what does the zebra's mane have to do with Roy Disney? In this episode of Distory, we visit the downed plane, chatting about its controversial historical connections to Casablanca and its current ties to the Society of Explorers and Adventurers. We then journey into the African Veldt to discuss the (sometimes gory) details of this i...

What happened to the punching gorilla, and why did he never make it into the Jungle Cruise? In this episode of Distory, we travel into the heart of the Congo on the Jungle Cruise, exploring the history of the canoe scene and the ransacked safari camp. Along the way, we tell a few bonus jokes, find some spare piranha that Kirk didn't know existed, and hear a little jungle fashion history. We fi...

Which Jungle Cruise elephant was inspired by Walt Disney? In this episode of Distory, we head into the waters of the sacred elephant bathing pool. Along the way, we find an elephant that started as another animal, hear Blaine Gibson's unfiltered thoughts about the first generation of sculpted elephants, and learn about how some of the elephants were going to have more animation (and why they n...

What hard lesson did Marc Davis learn when he designed the Cambodian Temple of the Jungle Cruise? In this episode of Distory, we dive deep into the history and secrets of the Jungle Cruise's Cambodian Temple. Along the way, we discover how the Imagineers "borrowed" some designs from actual temples in Cambodia, discuss the meaning of the statues, and encounter all kinds of monkeys fro...

What were the singing waterfalls of the Jungle Cruise? And what happened to the giant frogs and hornbill? Kungaloosh! In this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we continue our epic journey by moving scene-by-scene through the history of the Jungle Cruise. We discuss why Marc Davis was brought on the project, the birthplace of the concept of "plussing", and the first laugh ever in...

The backside of water Jungle Cruise joke is not as old as you think, and neither are many other "classic" skipper jokes! In this episode of Distory, we finish our walkthrough of the history of the Jungle Cruise script, comparing how the jokes evolved over the decades. We uncover some problematic jokes that have been (thankfully) retired, relive the glory days of the 1990s, and end our to...

The Jungle Cruise has always been funny... right? Well, not exactly. In this episode of Distory, we walk through the history of the Jungle Cruise script from dry & educational to nothing but jokes! As we journey through the official scripts and spiels throughout the decades, we discover how some fan-favorite jokes evolved over time, and unearth some lines of script that definitely wouldn't...

What Jungle Cruise crew would you want to be sorted into? And who are the talking logs? In this episode of Distory, we adventure into the complicated and detailed history of Walt Disney World's Jungle Cruise queue. Along the way, we find artifacts from the Society of Explorers and Adventurers, vibe to some Albert AWOL radio, make a connection to the Haunted Mansion, and find an original piece...

What dangerous live animal was almost on display in the Jungle Cruise queue? In this episode of Distory, we walk through the fascinating history of Disneyland's Jungle Cruise, beginning with what it looked like in 1955 through all of its major renovations throughout the years. Along the way, we discuss some secret references, meet three friendly birds (both real and animatronic), and make an i...

How is a name from the Lion King tied to the Jungle Cruise? And did rhinos really moon guests once upon a time? In this wild Distory episode, we monkey around with the animals of the Jungle Cruise as we learn about their inspiration, creation, and the unique challenges the Imagineers faced in bringing them to life. We'll also chat about some very cheeky rhinos, discover how the elephants know...

Is there a deeper meaning behind the backside of water? In this episode of Distory, we continue our adventure into the history of Disney's Jungle Cruise by rolling up our sleeves and discussing the nitty gritty details of the ride's construction. Along the way we explore a historic operating procedures guide, read Imagineer Harper Goff's notes to Walt Disney, and talk about the meaning...

The Jungle cruise boat canopies were always meant to be canvas... right? Well, not quite. And their original purpose is different than what you might think. In this episode of Distory, we continue our journey through the history of the Jungle Cruise as we look through the oddities of the attraction's original concept art, hunt down trees in unlikely places with Bill Evans and Harper Goff, and...

Do you remember when Neptune starred in the Jungle Cruise? ... Ok, so that concept didn't ever end up in the actual ride, but it almost did! In this episode of Distory, we begin our multi-part series on the history of the Jungle Cruise by taking a cruise back in time to encounter the original inspiration for this iconic attraction. Along the way, we'll encounter some exotic trips sponsored...

Why are some people who helped build Disneyland never mentioned at Disney? In the Distorian's Lounge with Kate this week, we spill ALL the tea about four scandalous and shocking stories from Disney's past. We chat about two people who should have windows on Main Street but don't (and why), as well as learn about how an insult to Walt contributed to the loss of a major deal, and why tin...

The restaurants, shops, and even sidewalks of Sunset Boulevard are telling you a story with every step you take, some of which even speak to places that no longer exist.  In this episode of Distory, we walk you down this fascinating street in Disney's Hollywood Studios (or rather Disney-MGM Studios, as it was originally called), to highlight some of historical context built into the designs. W...

The best Disney attraction was one that was never built, but did leave pieces of its legacy in almost all of the Disney Parks. In this episode of Distory, we discover the planned (but never created) Western River Expedition and its heartbreakingly incredible home of Thunder Mesa, the missing mountain of Frontierland in Disney World's Magic Kingdom. We'll walk step-by-step though Marc Davis...

Why did Walt Disney create Disneyland? We've all heard the Walt-on-a-bench-in-Griffith-Park origin story of Disneyland, and while that was one of the influences behind Walt's decision to make Disneyland, it wasn't the only one. In this episode of Distory, we dig deep into the history of the many influences in Walt's life and travels that impacted the design of this iconic theme par...

The hitchhiking ghosts take a hike for Disneyland's Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay in favor of Oogie Boogie... right?  Well, not quite. In this episode of Distory, we return to the Haunted Mansion for a look at the making of the Nightmare before Christmas & some other mansion overlay possibilities that never came to pass. We then hop in our dark carriages and go on a hunt in every nightma...

Were Doritos really invented in Disneyland? Well, sort of. Kinda. Mostly.  In this episode of Distory, we make our home in Casa de Fritos for a salty journey through the history of golden corn chips in the Disney parks. After learning about how the golden chips of corn got their start, we talk taco prices in 1955, meet a lost mascot who delivered fresh snacks via a fancy vending machine, and disco...

Do you remember when Mickey Bars had a face?  On this episode of Distory, we treat ourselves to the history of Disney's iconic snack foods, including churros, Mickey ice cream bars, and turkey legs. We time travel back to the 90s when Chip n' Dale used to have a starring role as a frozen treat, and find out how a popular Disneyland dance club inspired one of the most beloved Disney snacks...