Distory with Kate & Kirk

Is there a superior version of Pirates of the Caribbean in the US Disney parks? In this episode of Distory, things get a little heated as we debate which version of Pirates of the Caribbean is best: Disneyland or Walt Disney World. Using historical stories, statistical facts, and present-day perspectives, we both try to prove that one ride clearly comes out ahead. Along the way, we have some fun t...

What joke is present in Disneyland Paris's Big Thunder that most guests don't notice? We’ve come to the end of our epic 20-episode series featuring Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, but we have time for one final ride on a runaway train as we hop aboard the best version of this attraction in Disneyland Paris. As promised, Kirk packs us some miner's lunches before we talk about a mistake T...

How is the Tower of Terror connected to Disneyland Paris's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad? In this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we continue our exploration of the "crown jewel" of all the Big Thunder Mountain Railroads, the one in Disneyland Paris. After a brief discussion of concept and construction, we check out all of Pat Burke’s amazing antiques in the queue, including...

What hidden stories can be found in the trees in Disneyland? In the Distorian's Lounge with Kate this week, we tell some tree-mendous tales of unique trees in Disneyland that all have stories to tell. From secret tributes to almost-stolen trees, trees acquired on a budget, and others that hold special meaning for all of us, this episode is full of unique, obscure Disneyland landscaping that wi...

What makes Disneyland Paris's Frontierland the BEST version of all Disney parks? In this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we arrive at the "crown jewel" of all the Big Thunder Mountain Railroads in our series, the one that graces an island in Disneyland Paris. But in order to understand what makes this mountain the best version that Tony Baxter and the Imagineering team ever...

What secret tributes can be found in Big Grizzly Mountain to several attractions that came before it? In this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we laugh our way through the creative storytelling of Hong Kong Disneyland's Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars. Starting with the backstory of Grizzly Gulch's resident bears (and a huge gold nugget), we then move through into the ride t...

What piece of Disney history is hanging in Tokyo's Big Thunder Mountain? On this episode of Distory, we wrap up our visit to Westernland in Tokyo Disneyland as we hop aboard a runaway train and compare the layout of this version of Big Thunder Mountain with the ones found in Disneyland and Magic Kingdom parks. Along the way, we talk homesteading, sludgy pancakes, cowboy coffee, and bats (both...

What celebration in Disney history wasn't really a celebration? We’re celebrating 100 episodes of Distory with Kate & Kirk with a fun episode dedicated to six unique celebrations throughout all of Disney history! Kirk’s three stories take us (via a few hats) to a galaxy far, far away, a nauseating (or creative?) overlay, and a long-forgotten magical tribute. Kate’s three stories head back...

Walt insisted on having THIS on main street USA... and now it’s gone. In the Distorian's Lounge with Kate this week, we explore the unique history of Disneyland’s West Center Street. Starting with some beautiful (but plastic) displays, we discover the reason for the pickle cart on East Center Street, take a ride in the Carnation milk truck with Walt, find some bizarre cheeseburgers, and discus...

Is Tokyo Disneyland's Big Thunder really just a copy of the U.S. Disney parks? On this episode of Distory, we head overseas to the wilds of Westernland in Tokyo Disneyland to attempt to dig up some history of Disney’s third iteration of Big Thunder Mountain. Along the way, we briefly discuss how this park came to be, find some new mining equipment we haven’t seen before (and some we have), get...

What story is the mining equipment telling us on Big Thunder Mountain? On this episode of Distory, we complete our ride through of Walt Disney World’s Big Thunder Mountain, pausing to notice all the details and history along the way. We begin by discussing what Kirk calls the “Ram Trick” (and Kate insists is not a thing) before discovering an abandoned mine, a dangerous saw, and a few somewhat lac...

Why is the mine in Big Thunder named Dave V. Jones? And who exactly is dancing in the Gold Dust Saloon? On this episode of Distory, we step aboard the Big Thunder Mountain trains in Walt Disney World to ride through the attraction, pointing out obscure history, details, and hidden gems along the way. After dodging some rubber bats and admiring some old cacti, we make a U-turn into the Town of Tumb...

Is there a hidden canary in Big Thunder’s queue? This episode of Distory is truly for the birds as we head into the ventilation room of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Walt Disney World. As we finish our exploration of the queue, we discuss one of the oldest popular forms of animation from the 1800s, resuscitate some canaries, and find some very dangerous rocks. Kate discovers a few more connecti...

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...