Distory with Kate & Kirk

What happened to the fireflies in Pirates of the Caribbean? Has the old man always lived in the bayou? And who is Charles T., anyway? On this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we enter the doors of Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean and head into the bayou to find some lost history of this iconic attraction.  Along the way, we discover the origins (and changes) of the buried treasure tab...

Which Disney attraction had the greatest impact over time, Pirates of the Caribbean or the Haunted Mansion? On this week’s episode of Distory Nite Shift, we meet our newest addition to our Distory co-host team before diving into the design philosophy and creation of Pirates of the Caribbean and New Orleans Square, all leading to a question that has sparked debate among Disney history fans for deca...

What storytelling do most people miss in the Pirates of the Caribbean queue while they are waiting in line? And what bizarre detail dates back to Disneyland’s opening day? On this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we examine the history of the exterior facade and queue for Disneyland’s iconic Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Along the way, we find some history that most people overlook,...

What character in Pirates of the Caribbean is secretly a tribute to an Imagineer's friend? And what inspired the iconic song Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)? On this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we watch the creative process unfold as the figures in Pirates of the Caribbean are shaped, dressed, and animated to create life-like scenes in this iconic attraction.  Along the way, we...

What changed from Disney's original model to the final attraction? And what critical piece of Pirate culture was altered in those changes? On this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we explore the fascinating creation process of Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean. Along the way, we hear from Arrow Dynamics about their bateaux design, visit the original model to see some significant ch...

How did a small wax museum tucked under the Blue Bayou Mart evolve into one of Disney’s most iconic rides? On this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk , we set sail for adventure as we uncover the fascinating origins of Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean. Beginning before Disneyland even opened and continuing throughout the 1950s and 60s, we explore rare early concepts for the Rogues Gallery Wa...

Have you ever wished you could go back to 1966 and wander the original streets, shops, and restaurants of Walt Disney’s New Orleans Square? On this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk , we continue our new Pirates of the Caribbean series with a visit to a nostalgic version of New Orleans Square in Disneyland. Along the way, we take a historical walking tour through the quaint shops and fabulou...

New Orleans Square is a unique feature of Disneyland… but was it originally Walt Disney’s idea? On this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we begin our new Pirates of the Caribbean series with a visit to Walt Disney’s original 1966 New Orleans Square in Disneyland. Along the way, we take a historical walking tour through Imagineering’s early concepts, design, and the evolution of this exquis...

Being a Disney creator isn’t always easy. While there are plenty of magical and memorable moments, there are also struggles, failures, and opportunities to grow, many of which happen behind the scenes and go unseen by our audience. On this special bonus episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk , we share a deeper look into our lives as Disney podcasters, creators, app developers, and authors. We ta...

What history is hiding in plain sight in Disneyland’s central plaza hub? And what two favorite Disney parade songs have stories behind them that you’ve likely never heard before? On this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we explore 6 unique springtime stories throughout Disney history. Kate heads to Disneyland and takes a seat in the central plaza to observe some historic details you may no...

Disneyland Paris is known for having some of the most beautiful and elaborate attractions of any Disney park. But is that also true for Peter Pan’s Flight? On this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk , we fly across the pond to explore the Disneyland Paris version of Peter Pan’s Flight. Using historic photos, Imagineering design concepts, and primary source documents, we uncover how this attra...

The details in Disney's updated Peter Pan’s Flight queue are incredible, but most of them are overlooked by guests… and not all of them are accurate.  On this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk , we explore the queue of the Walt Disney World version of Peter Pan’s Flight. Using rare Imagineering documents and attraction photos, we break down the history, artistry, and design of this uniqu...

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...