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 out of the Tower, but not before we find some incredible hidden gems along the way. We start at the checkout desk, highlighting several hidden connections to the Twilight Zone and finding a Halloween postcard of questionable verbiage. Kate admires the ceiling with some original Imagineering color boards, and we spy a hidden Mickey before pausing outside the locked Sunset Room for some storytelling and secrets. Afterward, we head to Tower Gifts to see how this area changed in both concept and execution from the 1990s, before heading out of the Tower and giving a warm welcome back to all who made it through this long series with us.
Join us LIVE on YouTube every week! Be notified by subscribing to Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Many thanks to Disney historian Joshua at E82 | The Epcot Legacy for contributing resources for this episode!
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 attraction.
With six unique stories in all, this extended episode includes rare concept art, stories you've likely never heard, and even a premiere of a newly restored 35mm video from the 1970s as we delve deeper into the boundless realm of the supernatural.
We begin our tour with a historic Cast Member manual, learning how the Mansion's protocols differed from what we see today. After checking out some vintage costumes, Kate digs up a mummified head from Yale Gracey that inspired a popular ghost, and Kirk brings us back to the days of record stories, complete with a dramatic reading. Along the way, we explore Dorothea Redmond's influence on the Mansion, take a ride on a Mansion knock-off attraction, and celebrate spooky season with a celebration of rare, long-lost ghost concepts that never saw the light of day.
Many thanks to fellow historian and collaborator Joshua L Harris for permitting us to premiere his latest film restoration of a never-before-released 35mm excerpt of Kurt Russell & The Osmonds touring The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland on The Wonderful World of Disney from 1970 in this episode.
You can find more of Joshua’s Disney history work here:
https://www.epcotlegacy.com/overviewhttps://www.jlhomnimedia.com/
And if you'd like to support his digital preservation work, you can join his Locals community at epcotlegacy.locals.com.
Join us LIVE on YouTube every week! Be notified by subscribing to Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
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 details found in the room behind the photo preview area, using Imagineering’s storyboards as our guide.
As we lean in and look closer at the story being told, we explore some historic artifacts from the 1930s and take some side trails to tell stories from a few other Disney parks as well. Kirk gives us a rundown of how switchboards work, Kate finds a Canadian crate she loves, and we both reminisce about a time when technology made us get a little more creative than we are today.
Join us LIVE on YouTube every week! Be notified by subscribing to Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Many thanks to Disney historian Joshua at E82 | The Epcot Legacy for contributing resources for this episode!
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, falling into the fifth dimension by exploring some Imagineering storyboards, concept art, and some bizarre objects in the drop shaft that most people miss.
After we discuss how the epilogue has changed since 1994, we spend some time in the unload hold area, finding some unique connections back to the Twilight Zone series and some of our own nostalgia along the way. We end this episode with some hilarious vintage radio ads, a terrifying chair, and an audio animatronic that almost was.
Join us LIVE on YouTube every week! Be notified by subscribing to Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Many thanks to Disney historian Joshua at E82 | The Epcot Legacy for contributing resources for this episode!
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 up for the beginning of this ride, exploring the Corridor scene before heading into the Fifth Dimension. Along the way, we see an extraordinary amount of rarely-seen storyboards and concept art from Imagineering that help explain the story being told in these scenes. As we move through these two scenes, Kate walks us through the Hollywood Haunted Hotel concept, Kirk educates us about seat belts, and we both explain many of the technical aspects of how the effects are achieved in these scenes. We also discuss a few effects that have changed since 1994, and how the Tower contains some of the most dangerous doors in Walt Disney World, before finding a Hidden Mickey, counting our RPMs and oscillations, and finishing our exploration of the 5th dimension with a celebration of electric fingers.
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 Terror to uncover the story being told by Imagineering in the final queue scene before you load onto the attraction. We begin with a seldom-seen Hidden Mickey and some rare concept art from a previous version of the Tower before moving into the left side of the queue to explore the antiques on display. After waxing nostalgic about steam engines, we explain some old-fashioned fuses, take a tour of the hard-to-see props in the caretaker’s desk area, and find a very dangerous clock. Kate explains some poetry, Kirk makes us some coffee, and we end our episode with a discussion about how the concept art changed for the elevator indicators, and why.
Join us LIVE on YouTube every week! Be notified by subscribing to Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Many thanks to Disney historian Joshua at E82 | The Epcot Legacy for contributing resources for this episode!
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 story being told by Imagineering in this creepy, anticipatory space. We explore all the dials, furnaces, antiques, and warnings you might have missed on your way to load into the elevator of the Tower of Terror in the first half of the Boiler Room. Along the way, Kate gives cultural context of why we find furnaces scary, Kirk gives us a technical rundown of all the equipment we see, and we take the right path to the load area, finding some ominous foreshadowing as we go.
Join us LIVE on YouTube every week! Be notified by subscribing to Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Many thanks to Disney historian Joshua at E82 | The Epcot Legacy for contributing resources for this episode!
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 pre-show room, exploring the details and artifacts along the way. As we make our way around the room, we discuss the meaning of tapestry patterns, explore Greek pottery, and hypothesize why some props were added based on historical context. Kate accidentally shows some inappropriate instruments, Kirk schools us on birds of the world, and we breathe a collective sigh of relief as we (finally!) step out of the library into the entrance to the Boiler Room.
Join us LIVE on YouTube every week! Be notified by subscribing to Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Many thanks to Disney historian Joshua at E82 | The Epcot Legacy for contributing resources for this episode!
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 details and artifacts you may have missed. Along the way, we find some art with hidden meanings, a few unique Twilight Zone references, and some ancient artifacts with a fascinating history. After analyzing the notes, books, and objects on the desk, we discuss some Egyptian artifacts, discover a few prop errors, and go on a convoluted journey with some changing trumpet music. Kate finds ANOTHER connection between Nixon and Disney, Kirk teaches us how to not get burned by candle wax, and we both dance, laugh, and sing our way through this wacky Antiques Roadshow of a Disney preshow inside the Hollywood Tower Hotel.
Join us LIVE on YouTube every week! Be notified by subscribing to Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Many thanks to Disney historian Joshua at E82 | The Epcot Legacy for contributing resources for this episode!
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 Echo library preshow room, exploring the details and artifacts you may have missed. Along the way, we discover some props that have changed, explore women’s fashion in the 1930s, and discover a unique way of keeping the Hollywood Tower Hotel guests sober. Kate explains a few Twilight Zone connections, Kirk teaches us about Napoleon and some odd golden shoes, and we both ponder the greater meaning behind the props, the story they are telling, and their location within the library.
Join us LIVE on YouTube every week! Be notified by subscribing to Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Many thanks to Disney historian Joshua at E82 | The Epcot Legacy for contributing resources for this episode!
How many references to the Twilight Zone can you find in the library of the Hollywood Tower Hotel?
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 one half of the Echo library preshow room, discovering what this space is telling you that you might have missed in the dark. Along the way, we encounter a confusing cannon and bell combination, a fortune-telling mystic seer, clocks that are all telling a story, and Egyptian artifacts that have a creepy Twilight Zone reference. We also take a seat at the desk to try to decipher who was researching plants, and why. As we wrap up this episode, we identify some of the antiques on the upper shelf, Kirk makes some...Victorian?... cowboy coffee, and Kate gives the kids something to do (if they were in ancient India).
Join us LIVE on YouTube most Thursdays at 10:30am Pacific/1:30pm Eastern for more Distory!
Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Many thanks to Disney historian Joshua at E82 | The Epcot Legacy for contributing resources for this episode!
There are details of the Hollywood Tower Hotel story that even the most seasoned Tower fans miss, but the key to understanding them is all hidden within the attraction’s preshow video.
Drop in with us for this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk as we head back to the Tower of Terror in Hollywood Studios, this time focusing on the library preshow for this iconic attraction. Along the way, we take some fascinating detours, including the history of Mickey Mouse doll manufacturing, an infamous governess who spilled the tea, and some nostalgic paper cups. After uncovering some behind-the-scenes footage of shooting the preshow, we view some bizarre guest concept art, and explain how Rod Serling was brought back to life (sorta) by the artistry of voice actor Mark Silverman. We end this episode with an extensive walk through of the Imagineering storyboards for the preshow, including finding some fascinating ways they changed the story of this attraction for the final version.
Join us LIVE on YouTube most Thursdays at 10:30am Pacific/1:30pm Eastern for more Distory!
Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Many thanks to Disney historian Joshua at E82 | The Epcot Legacy for contributing resources for this episode!
What questionable (and triggering) statues were once proposed for the lobby of a version 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 the library hold area where guests wait to enter the preshow. After exploring some early art from the never-created Hollywood Haunted Hotel concept and finding how pieces of it made their way into the tower, we find a “secret” room (that’s not a room), discover the story behind the statues, and discuss some words that changed over the years (and why). Kate explains the meaning behind the elevators (in Twilight Zone context), Kirk takes us on a tour of the display case and the history of perfume, and we discuss with our Distory audience what the Tower’s signature scent would be. As we creep closer to the library, Kirk shows us something that most people would ignore, but we deep dive into its history anyway (because that’s what we love to do!).
Join us LIVE on YouTube most Thursdays at 10:30am Pacific/1:30pm Eastern for more Distory!
Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Many thanks to Disney historian Joshua at E82 | The Epcot Legacy for contributing resources for this episode!
What seemingly innocuous prop in the Hollywood Tower Hotel lobby is actually foreshadowing our future in the Tower of Terror?
On this episode of Distory with Kate and Kirk, we take a seat on some dusty couches to discuss symbolism, history, and meaning in the Tower’s lobby. After discovering some bizarre faces and the hidden meaning of the Hollywood Tower Hotel logo, Kirk teaches us how to make some alligator suitcases, Kate unearths a Hollywood scandal, and we both step up to the front desk to check in for our stay. But the reception desk has secrets of its own, from nods to Imagineers, some (very) old chocolate, hidden Mickeys, references to the Twilight Zone, and one special feature that will change the way you see a prop forever, as it foreshadows what’s to come.
Join us LIVE on YouTube most Thursdays at 10:30am Pacific/1:30pm Eastern for more Distory!
Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Many thanks to Disney historian Joshua at E82 | The Epcot Legacy for contributing resources for this episode!
How are some of the lobby props in the Hollywood Tower Hotel connected to an iconic Walt Disney show from the 1950s?
In this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we check into the lobby of the Hollywood Tower Hotel to uncover what secrets have been decaying before us right in plain sight in the center of the room.
After finding some stickers on the ceiling and discovering the origin of the chandeliers and sconces, we explain the presence of the creepy bronze owl (and the flowers below him), and even tell you where you can buy your own replica of the statue. We then wander over to the couple’s table, where we make an amazing discovery about the chairs, and discuss wine servers and dining etiquette (and also find ANOTHER connection to Richard Nixon for Kate). We wrap up this episode digging into the history of Hollywood’s favorite lipstick, learning some glove love language, and untangling the myth (and reality) of flapper dress fringe.
It’s no secret that Cast Members are the heart and soul of Disney’s attractions, and the Hollywood Tower Hotel Bellhops are no exception. But how does their etiquette, performance, elaborate costumes, and community make the bellhops truly special?
Drop in with us on this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk as we check into the Hollywood Tower Hotel and are greeted by a living artifact of the Tower of Terror... a former bellhop. This episode features history and stories from a special guest, fellow Disney historian Joshua Harris of the E82 Project, who has special insight into the Tower from 20 years with the company, many of them as a bellhop at the Hollywood Tower Hotel. As we explore the origin and the art of Disney’s performance theming, Joshua teaches us about bellhop etiquette, Kirk and Kate try their hand at becoming bellhops, and we gather quite a few fun stories and behind-the-scenes secrets to take with us the next time we enter the Twilight Zone.
Many thanks to Disney historian Joshua at E82 | The Epcot Legacy for being our special guest this episode! You can find more about his preservation work and soundtracks HERE.
Join us LIVE on YouTube most Thursdays at 10:30am Pacific/1:30pm Eastern for more Distory!
Kate’s YouTube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Hidden under layers of dust and cobwebs, the objects on the Concierge Desk of the Tower of Terror have their secrets, scandals, and connections to the Twilight Zone that most people completely miss.
In this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we check into the lobby of the Hollywood Tower Hotel to uncover what secrets have been decaying before us right in plain sight at the Concierge Desk. After discussing the history of fedoras, phones, and ink blotters, we meet a Disney baroness and make a connection between the lamp and a difficult painting technique also featured in Disneyland. Kate discusses scandalous celebrity relationships, Kirk sits in the most uncomfortable chair ever, and, after naming several of the antiques in the area, we are finally ready to pick up our (purposefully creepy) suitcases and depart from the Concierge Desk.
Join us LIVE on YouTube most Thursdays at 10:30am Pacific/1:30pm Eastern for more Distory!
Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Many thanks to Disney historian Joshua at E82 | The Epcot Legacy for contributing resources for this episode!
Theft, true crime, and unbelievably expensive antiques… the lobby of the Hollywood Tower Hotel holds more incredible stories than are evident on the surface.
Drop in with us on this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk as we check into the lobby of the derelict Hollywood Tower Hotel to decipher the history, secrets, and stories hidden within the design. In this episode, we focus solely on the left front corner of the room: the mahjong table and tea cart. While it seems, at first glance, pretty straightforward, there is a large amount of hidden storytelling in this small area alone. Kate spills the tea of a subtle Twilight Zone connection before unfolding the newspaper on the lower level of the tea cart to share a bone-chilling true crime story. Kirk then gives us some history of mahjong and explains why this game exists in the lobby. After offering some explanation about why players today are confused by the game being played, we discuss fake cobwebs, peer inside of a porcelain pot, and pause just before turning to the Concierge desk because we sadly run out of time.
Join us LIVE on YouTube most Thursdays at 10:30am Pacific/1:30pm Eastern for more Distory!
Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Many thanks to Disney historian Joshua at E82 | The Epcot Legacy for contributing resources for this episode!
The Hollywood Tower Hotel has a few secrets on its verandah, and odds are you’ve walked by them without even knowing they were there.
Drop in with us to the Hollywood Tower Hotel as we saunter through the patio, verandah, and balcony of this iconic Disney attraction! In this episode of Distory, we explore the Imagineering details most guests miss while waiting in line for the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, including the meaning behind the statues in the garden, the storytelling of the dry pond, and some plants (both real and fake). Along the way, we will take a closer look at some Imagineering color boards, discuss the hidden meaning of the Tower of Terror’s logo, and find a cornerstone that holds greater meaning than more guests realize. Kate illuminates a connection to the Twilight Zone for the lamps on the front porch, Kirk tells us some… odd… plant names, and we end this episode with a rare piece of concept art from the front porch of an earlier version of the Tower.
Many thanks to Disney historian Joshua at E82 | The Epcot Legacy for contributing resources for this episode!
Being a Disney content creator is a profession that might look fun from the outside... but what is it REALLY like?
On this special bonus episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we dive into the "Distory of your Distorian hosts" to have a candid chat about how we got to be creators, what our daily lives look like, and some advice for anyone who is trying to pursue their own dream. Along the way, we spill some tea about the Disney creator community, give some encouragement to people in creative professions, and talk about our own metrics for how we gauge success. We also take a few moments to be honest about what we struggle with, what we've learned in the marathon, and how to be authentic as you share pieces of yourself with the world. Kate chats a bit about her life as an author, Kirk gives us some insight into the reality of running his own clothing company, and we wrap up this discussion with some of our hopes and dreams for the future as we keep moving forward.
We hope this episode is a fun addition to our history podcast to help frame what we do. We will resume our Tower of Terror series next week!
Join us LIVE on YouTube most Thursdays at 10:30am Pacific/1:30pm Eastern for more Distory!
Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.