Distory with Kate & Kirk

What if we’ve all been missing the most important storytelling elements of Big Thunder Mountain? In this episode of Distory, we go antiquing in Walt Disney World’s Big Thunder Mountain queue to uncover some mining history that is critical to understanding the storytelling of this iconic attraction. Along the way, we uncover some unsafe mining practices, find items that are from the “future,” comb...

Are there tommy knockers in Big Thunder Mountain? And what movie do you NEED to watch to understand this queue? In this episode of Distory, we inch our way through the queue of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Walt Disney World. But we don’t get very far; in fact, there are so many hidden details and secrets in just the foreman's office that this entire episode is dedicated to that space alone...

What item in Big Thunder's queue has significant ties to both American and Disney history? In this episode of Distory, we go off the rails as we explore the spectacular beginnings of Walt Disney World’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. From unbelievable vistas of an underdeveloped Frontierland to absurd mining jokes, we follow the early history of this iconic attraction through its opening day b...

What parts of Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad were borrowed from somewhere else? In this episode of Distory, we hop aboard Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad for a complete ride-through of the attraction from load to unload, analyzing each scene for the hidden history it holds. From the history of gas lamps to the bones of Dinosaur Gap and everything in between, this episode is...

How is the People Mover (and Indiana Jones) related to Big Thunder Mountain? In this episode of Distory, we chug along in our story of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Disneyland as we highlight some of the unique processes and features of its construction. Though this episode had a few bumps in the rails (our audio/video had a glitch - sorry about that!) we still walk through the stories and secr...

How did Walt Disney inspire the design of Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain? In this episode of Distory, we head back to Disneyland to learn about how Imagineer Tony Baxter had to adapt the design of the iconic Big Thunder Mountain for a park it wasn’t intended for. Along the way, we learn the truth about some fossilized wood, dust off a few old National Geographic magazines for inspiration, a...

How many ideas for Big Thunder Mountain are simply recycled old ones? In this episode of Distory, we keep chugging along in our Big Thunder Mountain series as we start by saying goodbye to Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland (but not before we learn a few lost concepts in an attempt to save it, some of which we see today in the current Big Thunder). After tearing down Cascade Peak and mentionin...

What was the most successful (and disastrous) animatronic that Disney ever made? In this episode of DIstory, we once again hop aboard Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland in Disneyland as we continue this series about the origins of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. After rounding Cascade Peak and learning about a significant waterfall, we head into bear country to spy some itchy bears, piston...

How are the animals of Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland significant to Disney's history? And why did Disney paint the mine train yellow? In this episode of DIstory, we explore the history of Nature's Wonderland in Disneyland as we chug along in this series about the origins of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. We begin with the transition from Rainbow Caverns Mine Train, discussing...

What inspired the little mining town of Rainbow Ridge?  On this episode of Distory, we hold on (loosely?) to our hats and glasses as we embark on the slow-moving Rainbow Cavern’s Mine Train, one of the predecessors of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Along the way, we point out some of our favorite sights in the painted desert, including a bizarre group of 7 Dwarfs, a teeny tiny cabin, dangerous roc...

What mistake did Disney make that changed their plans for Frontierland? On this episode of Distory, we get ready for the wildest ride in the wilderness as we start a new series all about the history of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. But the runaway mine train we all know and love is only part of the story when it comes to Big Thunder. We start our journey at the very beginning in Disneyland’s earl...

Even if you think you’ve heard it all about Disneyland, you’ve probably NEVER heard about this. In the Distorian's Lounge with Kate this week, we do a deep dive into the history of Disneyland’s abandoned Chinatown concept, exploring how it impacted some of the most iconic attractions in Disney history. Along the way we meet an animatronic you’ve likely never heard of, sit down for a meal in a...

What if Disney animation didn’t start with a mouse, but something else entirely? In this episode of Distory, we couldn’t agree on what Disney history to talk about, so we decided to each bring three of our favorite holiday-themed stories to share with you as this Christmas season comes to a close. From a very important pair of boots to some odd-looking costumes, a missing star to the origins of a...

What remnants from the Jingle Cruise can you still find in Disneyland? In this episode of Distory, we wrap our Jingle Cruise series with some festive stories of the origins of Christmas traditions that the skippers have carried on in the jungle. After visiting some beribboned snakes, new years babies, and festive headhunters in Disneyland, we sail on over to Disney World where we talk eggnog, wass...

What secrets are hidden in the fruitcake of the Jingle Cruise? In this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we go a wasSAILing into the festive waters of Disneyland’s Jingle Cruise history. Along the way, we find some unique period staging, a VERY long naughty list, some changing boat names, and a few mischievous baboons. This episode is also stuffed full of fruitcake facts you never knew you...

What do pigeons, gingerbread, aliens, ghosts, snoap, & rotting fish all have to do with each other? Well, not much, except for the fact that they all have their place in Disney history. In this madcap ride of a Distory episode, we celebrate Thanksgiving by taking a journey through Disney history, sampling a few of our favorite stories along the way. From pigeon mishaps to the origins of snoap,...

How did Disney Studios inspire a national Christmas tradition? And when was “Mele Kalikimaka” first used? In this episode of Distory, we discuss the history of Disney’s It’s a Small World Holiday overlay and explore the fascinating origins of many of our favorite holiday traditions! From gingerbread to pinatas, ribbon candy to poinsettias, this episode is stuffed with Christmas history facts sure...

What does a lost black cat, angry neighbors, and a Supreme Court case have to do with one of Hollywood Studio's extinct attractions? In this episode of Distory, we bring back the much-missed Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights for one more glimpse of Holiday magic. Starting with its humble beginnings of 1,000 lights in Arkansas, this spectacle had its share of growing pains (and lawsuits) befo...

Why do all the characters in Phantom Canyon look so familiar? In this episode of Distory, we mosey on into the town of Phantom Canyon where playful spooks are having a (western-themed) swinging wake. As we inch through this fascinating alternative to the Haunted Mansion graveyard scene, we compare Marc Davis’s and Mary Blair’s original concept art for Western River Expedition to what made it into...

What secrets are hidden in the shadows of the Phantom Manor? And why should you pay attention to a specific tree? In this episode of Distory, we waltz into the ballroom of Disney’s Phantom Manor in Disneyland Paris, investigating some moldy cakes, scary makeup, and a moving Phantom. We then move into Melanie Ravenswood’s boudoir, finding hidden storytelling around the room cloaked in shadow and of...

How does Disney make an old manor look new again? And what elements did Phantom Manor borrow from the US Parks? In this episode of Distory, we step into the decrepit halls of Phantom Manor, finding secrets, stories, and spectral beings along the way. After analyzing how the special effects are achieved in both the foyer and doorless chamber, we then take some time in the portrait gallery (both old...

How are the Beatles, Michael Jackson, & Hocus Pocus connected to Disney’s Phantom Manor in Paris? Welcome back, foolish mortals, for a journey into the complicated backstory and history of Phantom Manor in Disneyland Paris! In this episode of Distory, we discuss the concepts, story, music, narration, inspiration, and origins of this iconic spooky attraction. We also dig deep into the backgroun...

Why did Disney make a ride so bad that it didn’t even last a year? Buckle up for a cruise down the streets of Hollywood as we explore the history of Disney California Adventure’s Superstar Limo! If you’re confused (and horrified) by this short-lived Disney attraction, you’re not alone. We attempt to explain why how this ride came to be, including some budget cuts, drastic changes, and what it coul...

Is everything at Disney actually fake? Or is there more to the story? In this episode of Distory, we hop into the Distorian's Lounge with Kate the Disney Cicerone to chat about five things in the Disney parks that used to be real but have been altered from their original state into something a little less so. We spend some time knocking on lampposts and carousel horses, find out how an antique...

Why was Tony Baxter so disappointed in Alice in Wonderland as a child? In this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we say farewell to our Alice in Wonderland series (and make it go out with a bang!). After learning what delayed Alice from opening with New Fantasyland in 1983, we compare the enhancements with the original 1958 version, hear about Tony Baxter's vision for the updates, disco...