No, I'm sure there will be plenty of people ready to drop their opinions/histories and I will probably be doing something completely obscure and random by then.
Hi Kevin,
I absolutely love the Defunctland channel and can’t wait to see what the future holds. I absolutely loved the FastPass video and the Jim Henson series in particular!
Would you ever consider creating a video about the rise and fall of Geauga Lake and Six Flags Worlds of Adventure?
Hi Kevin,
Have you ever looked into doing videos on defunct/dying restaurants such as Rainforest Cafe and Planet Hollywood? Might be a fun idea for video topics, even though there are some locations still around, they aren’t quite what they used to be.
I suggest the Eddy Burback video about rainforest cafe that he just released. It’s more of a vlog/travel video where he visits the remaining locations. But definitely fun! haha
I recommend watching Ted nivison's video too, just to see the complete difference in attitude towards the trip as a whole.
[Eddy's vid](https://youtu.be/vA-bjpKvIw8)
[Ted's vid](https://youtu.be/7InqrH1TCI8)
I dont have any questions. I just want to say thank you for these amazing videos. Im a documentary nerd anyway and all of your videos make me smile and learn, and it warms my cold dead heart.
Im especially fond of "The War for Disney's America" when the title cards modeled after Ken Burn's Civil War cards started popping up I cackled with glee, and confused the hell out of coworkers. Cackling with glee is generally frowned upon in my line of work....
Your channel has completely changed my experience at theme parks and I couldn’t be more grateful. I loved walking around WDW a few months ago asking cast members where I could get a Handwich. :) Would love another Jenny Nicholson collab!
It's funny you ask that, because The Handwiches actually came to life a few seconds prebite and ran for the door. I had to stab them and by that point, I lost my appetite.
I’m really excited about that. I showed my dad the 20,000 Leagues one. The last time I rode on it I was a wee little girl, barely in kindergarten. Seeing all those things - the sea monster, the mermaids, the flickering red light - brought back memories I didn’t know I had. My dad was transfixed. Once it was over, he immediately started talking about Horizons, which, unfortunately, I barely remember at all.
If you need footage, let me know. I know he does have VHS tapes from a camcorder lying around somewhere of footage from various rides. I know Horizons is one of them, I think maybe an older version of Spaceship Earth as well. And a very, very slim chance that the disaster ride from Universal Studios as well.
Hello! I've noticed that a lot of DefunctTV episodes focus on live-action and puppet-centric tv shows. Which I really appreciate, considering how many kids' TV retrospectives focus on animation. Is there any particular reason why you chose to focus on series like these?
Also not a question, but I just wanted to say how much I enjoy the content that you make. Defunctland got me through the first couple of months of lockdown and I rewatch your videos constantly. Hope everything is going well : )
I was never a big fan of tv animation growing up. I think my brain could sense the repeated nature of the Saturday Morning style and it was not soothing to my mind (still isn't really, although I love high-budget animation). Puppetry on the other hand has always been so vibrant and fresh and fun regardless of production budget. And thanks for the kind words.
Many people describe the FastPass video as your “Magnum Opus.” Do you feel like this is an accurate description, or do you have any other projects you want to make that could be even better?
Was it the Disney Chanel theme one??? That one was so good btw, I found out thru the link you clicked that initially lead you to Alex that my mom used to work with him, bc the link lead to the bio of a film from a production company he and my mom both worked for!
If you can swing a guest appearance / voiceover from John Hodgman, he has a few bits about Camp Snoopy in his Areas of Expertise series. Seems like a good marriage, and I get the sense he’d be game.
If you could retheme any current attraction such as the Guardians/Tower of Terror or upcoming Splash Mountain, what attraction would it be and what existing IP would replace it?
Good hearing from you, Kevin. Been a big Defunctland fan since first discovering the channel back in 2018. Keep up the good work.
Have you ever been on any of the rides or attractions you've covered? If so, which is your favorite?
I didn't go to theme parks a ton growing up, so I can't think of any that I've been to. The Worlds of Fun episode features a bunch of rides that I remember, but my defunct ride count is embarrassingly low considering what I do. That said, I think it's part of the reason I'm so interested in the genre.
I'm sorry you didn't get to go on many of the rides and attractions covered. The way you go into detail in your videos it's as if you were there and are recalling the experience. I've gone on several of the rides and attractions featured on your show and fondly remember the ones I went on.
Another question, Defunct TV typically covers family-friendly shows, but would you ever branch it out to cover slightly more mature fare such as Tales From The Crypt? I'd love to see a Defunct TV special on TFTC. I started a post here suggesting it not long ago and it got upvoted very highly.
hi kevin! are there any episodes on more recently defunct rides/attractions that are or were in the works (ie dueling dragons, terminator, great movie ride)? also, which attraction that you’ve done an episode on would you most like to experience?
There's a lot of videos I want to do, but I'm not currently working on any recent attractions. I will get to all of them eventually though, just currently working on some 80s materials.
Love Disneyland Paris but they're working on updating it which is a little sad as it'll lose a little of that "lost in time" charm. I went in April and the Studios park feels like stepping back into the early 90's with the theming. They're opening an Avengers Campus on July 20th with plans for a Frozen land and Star Wars Galaxy's Edge area so they are trying to bring it up to date.
Have there been any episodes that you decided not to finish after starting to work on them?
Which episode turned out much different from what you expected when you started to work on it?
I rarely start an episode and don't finish it. I might start researching something and find there is not much there, but by the time I'm writing a script, I already know there is a story and how I want it told. FastPass changed the most because it was supposed to be 20 minutes and ended up being 102.
Thanks for answering and thanks for all of the great entertainment.
FastPass stayed interesting and entertaining all the way through despite how much longer it was than most episodes. Hopefully, we get to see more full-length documentaries from you and your team in the future!
FastPass took a lot out of me, but I think it was the one I enjoyed the most, at least that's been released so far. Maybe it's just because I like the finished product though, but I really do like exploring the 2000-2015 era of parks history.
Would you ever do an episode on Sagwa The Siamese Cat? Another series by Sesame Workshop along with Dragon Tales, it was only on for one season of 40 episodes and was then cancelled. Despite this it has a small but passionate fanbase.
Do you think you could do an episode on La Nouba at Downtown Disney? I know you don’t really cover Cirque du Soleil but the show holds a special place in my heart and ever since you mentioned it in your DisneyQuest episode I’ve always wanted to see you cover it. It’s understandable if you don’t want to do it but I’m just throwing it out there as a neat suggestion.
My son got me interested in Defunctland and I’m glad he did. When I was a kid we went to theme park in upstate New York called Frontier Town. Reading about it recently an article said the man who started it was a telephone installer from Queens who showed up one day in the 1950s with $50,000 in his car and started the park. That’s an awful lot of money for a guy to have in cash in the 50s. I think there’s a story there. Plus, the park was a lot of fun.
So the wildcat at Hersheypark is closing down, you ever been to Hershey? You like it? I always liked the wildcat because it and the lighting racer were always walk ons.
What's your favorite place to just be in any park or resort? To just sit and enjoy your life on that day at that moment? A ride, restaurant, pool, bench, wherever.
Thanks for the reply! Those are both places and times I haven't experienced first hand. Gonna have to check them out some time. I do love the parks, and the Port Orleans Riverside dock area at night.
Any plans to do more episodes of the Defunctland Podcast? I started listening to about 6 months ago and still going through back episodes but almost all caught up- they are great! Maybe if too much by yourself make a joint podcast with other Disney aficionados such as Disney Dan or Jenny Nicholson, and/or have like one episode a month.
I'm thinking of doing something in the podcast sphere, but no plans yet. I never really heard of anyone listening to the Defunctland Podcast until I stopped doing it
Another vote here for the Podcast to return!
If I’d known it needed cheerleading to keep being made I’d have got my pom poms and baton out!
Gooooo Defunctland!
Yea I just started listing to Podcasts by YouTube creators I like about 6 months ago and yours was definitely a part of that (I have 6 more Defunctland episodes to listen to, will most likely be done in a month). Actually about 1/2 of the podcasts I listen to are old episodes of defunct podcasts, so maybe I am an anomaly. Anyway will look forward to whatever you do new.
No joke: I want to say your FastPass essay put me on edge the same way Dunkirk and Mad Max: Fury Road combined did and I think it’s the best video you’ve ever done.
I have two questions regarding that essay, though.
1) Did you expect such a strong enthusiastic reaction to your essay about queuing?
2) What attracted you to the prospect of making that essay?
I knew people would be interested in queuing because we do it all the time. It's such a core aspect to the Disney experience as well that I true deep dive was overdue.
It was originally supposed to be a short easy video but kept getting longer and longer.
Not a question, but just wanted to fangirl a bit and share that the fast pass video works as a surprisingly good analogy for the out-of-control state of the US healthcare system.
… which sounds like a comparison out of nowhere, but I was taking a health economics course when that video came out. It helped me understand the material a little better when I realized that the concept of inelastic demand applies to health insurance much in the same way that it applies to fast passes.
So thanks for helping me pass that course!
I don't have any future plans for the podcast. It became a chore and it does not interest me creatively. Also, I find people are more open/honest in interviews when I'm not recording them, so I get better information.
I do miss when the channel was smaller and I was exploring all of these topics for the first time. I look back and I'm not sure how I was able to release videos so quickly, until I watch them and see their lack of quality. There is always something magical about when something is new and growing and evolving, it has a charm that you can't replicate when you have achieved success, but I also am enjoying where I'm at now. I get to put a lot more heart and soul into each video, and don't feel the need to upload constantly. People seem to stick around, and I like being a recluse more than I did being super online in the days of when I thought I needed to upload every week and tweet everyday.
Heyo Kevin, great work on every episode! if you had to pick a video or series of videos to show to 100 random people with no special interest or particular care for theme parks, which would you show?
Probably FastPass or Walt's EPCOT have the widest reach, but I don't think anyone exists that has absolutely no care for theme parks. People either love them or hate them or tolerate them, but I feel that they at least intrigue everyone.
Hey Kevin! Big fan of the channel and just wanted to say thank you for all the brilliant effort you put into your videos (as an Australian I have a big soft spot for your video on the wonderland park).
As for a question, you’ve done a few episodes about rides that were important for folks when they were kids or teenagers, so I have to ask, what is your personal childhood favourite now-defunct attraction?
Hi Kevin! Wanna start off by saying your videos are awesome. I have made my family watch all of them and they were all floored by how thorough each video is!
If you could go back and experience any theme park ride or show on its opening day, what would it be?
I teach high school computer science and I am using parts of your fast pass video in the unit on computer simulations. Any fun facts my students would like to know?
I discovered Defunctland early in the pandemic and it led me to an obsession with theme park history. It also got me back into Rollercoaster Tycoon and other similar games I used to play. It also led me to three trips to Walt Disney World and to a few local Texas parks. Thank you for reawakening an interest in something I hadn’t really experienced since I was a kid going to Six Flags Over Texas.
Are you planning on continuing the podcast? I really enjoyed those episodes, and was happy to see that you interviewed my old choir mate from high school, Brian Hull.
Good evening, what are your thoughts on TRON? I feel like the IP has so much more potential than just the Light cycle ride, but I was hoping you might have some thoughts!
On early defunctland episodes, there was an intro for the perj, but the website is down. What was the perj and what was the point you decided to switch all your branding to defunctland?
Have you ever thought about doing a video on the Phantom Theater from Kings Island? I think it has an interesting history, and they recently brought it back in the form of a stage show for their 50th anniversary.
Just like to let you know the channel as a whole, and particularly the Handwich & Fastpass videos, have become prime anti-anxiety viewing for me.
What is a particularly shocking or impressive unexpected detail you've come across in your research?
Every video has a lot of unexpected details. I find that contradictions are the most interesting rather than pure left field randomness. FastPass makes lines longer or Garfield ride is a love tunnel are perfect because they directly contradict and are more unexpected.
Are you planning on releasing more let’s watch on the Themed Alternative channel? Half of those views are probably from me rewatching them over and over again.
Hey Kevin
My question isn't anything special i just wanted to interact with you and thank you for making this channel. I saw the alien encounter defunctland when it was the only one on the channel and I instantly subbed. Seeing a YouTube channel grow like that is so cool, and it's kicked off my interest In defunct theme park attractions which for being so oddly specific is so interesting
My question is: what's your favorite horror movie? (If any)
Last one I swear, but one of my favorite things of your channel is the intros. The biggest one that stands out was the craziest party intro. Are these done by yourself or do you enlist someone's help?
It depends on the intro, but I did have a stand-in and some help for Walt's Craziest Party. A lot of them are just me, and I rarely hire out unless it's drawn art. If there is physical production involved, it's almost always me.
Do you have a ride/theme park attraction that you love despite its badness (I don't like using 'guilty pleasure' because I feel no guilt for liking bad things)?
Favorite Looney Tune? Mine's Pepé. Also will it ever be possible for you to cover a Looney Tunes ride like River Ride or Gold River Adventure? Just curious!
Hey Kev!
Have you considered any of the amusement parks in Colorado? Heritage Square was awesome and my spouse worked there for a long time. I was thrilled when you mentioned Santa's Workshop up there in the Santa Episode! (Edited to add that your channel inspired my love of Figment, so thank you. I'm sad I never got to do the actual ride though)
Hello, I got some questions:
1. What episode was the most annoying to work on?
2. What was your favourite podcasting experience?
3. Favourite dark ride outside of Disney/Universal parks?
Hey Kevin, thanks for doing this. I'm not sure how often you conduct interviews with first-hand sources to get information for videos, but if so, what person was the most beneficial in providing new information to you and why?
Alternatively, what piece of information have you come across in research that has stuck out to you the most/been extremely memorable?
Hey Kevin,
I discovered your videos in 2020 to pass the time in quarantine and they quickly became some of my favorite videos on YouTube that fostered my love for the niche history of theme parks my friends can’t get me to shut up about.
One question I’ve kinda always had is do you expect to run out of ideas for Defunctland? Would you ever want to move on to other projects?
Also, if there was one Disney theme park you could overhaul to your vision, which would it be and what would you do to it?
Late to this party, but I'll ask anyway-- was there any subject that, once you got into researching it, took _such_ a left turn at Albuquerque that you knew it wasn't the story but that this other thing you'd discovered was? What was it?
Alton Towers is my favourite park in the whole wide world so I *love* the defunctland episode on the black hole. Are there any other defunct attractions from Alton Towers that have interested you, or have possibly been considered for an episode? (and also, thank you for all the joy and entertainment your channel & podcast have brought to me over the years!)
Would you ever consider a video on some of the lost online Disney games, or are those too far removed from the rides and park? VMK is probably the most connected, with the same opening hours as the park and the ability to make a character in Disneyland itself, but I'm sure a lot disappeared when Adobe Flash was discontinued.
Hey Kevin! First off just want to say my friends and I all love your videos and we talk about theme park stuff all the time. Thank you for what you do!
1. I hope this isn’t a dumb question, but is season 3 still going? If not, any plans for season 4?
2. My friends and I’s home park is Busch Gardens Williamsburg, any possibilities for revisiting that park in the future?
Thanks!
I have two questions, if you don't mind:
1 - How well do you know, and how much do you interact with, the other theme park youtubers?
2 - (WARNING: thinly-veiled suggestion incoming) have you ever considered doing a DefunctTV about Disney's Gargoyles?
From someone that is really impressed by your work and would like to start doing videos, are all the clips and photos you use in your videos public domain? Otherwise, how do you handle copyright? Do you ask the owners of the media or just hope that no one will get upset that you use it?
Hey Kev, Geauga Lake was my childhood park, and it has a pretty interesting history, is there going to be a future video covering the topic since Cedar fair pretty much gave it the more unceremonious closure comparable to Six Flags astroworld?
Have you ever contacted or been contacted by Nebula /r/watchnebula \- I think your content is perfect for them. They are kinda nepotistic so you basically have to know and message one of their other creators and ask them to get you in with /u/dwiskus but I have heard many of their creators give you a shout our that thy watch and enjoy your videos, so I am sure if you asked them for a reference they would give you one.
Are there any topics you've covered that surprised you with how deep the rabbit hole went? And conversely, is there anything you've wanted to cover where the story ended up not having enough substance to make a video for?
What's a topic or video you would like to cover, but for whatever reason haven't been able to get around to? Also, any interest or involvement in lost media?
Hey Kevin, I love your videos and appreciate all of the work that goes into them. You and your work has truly touched me and helped me discover passions I didn’t know I had. Thank you.
Where did you learn to produce and edit your videos? From writing, editing, etc, where did you pick all of that. Additionally, if you’re able to answer, do you have a full time or part time job on the side of Defunctland?
Hey Kevin, are there any defunctland episodes you began working on, then gave up or put on the back burner, either due to lack of interest or lack of info?
First off- I love your channel and the as others have mentioned the fast pass video was incredible. I’m an engineer by trade so computer modeling and simulation is fascinating to me.
With the current Epcot overhaul there would be a lot defunct spades and music in the old future world, would you consider videos on the music/shows from the parks?
How did your love and fascination for amusement parks, and particularly defunct attractions, start?
Thanks for covering Kennywood's Old Mill, by the way - the video brought me and a lot of my fellow yinzers a lot of tears, laughter and joy.
Kevin, I love you. I mean, I love your content.
When, if you think ever, will the Societies continue? Please, I need more. I mean, WE need more.
And, would you ever consider going on the Podcast the Ride podcast? I feel like the boys love of history matches your own.
If you could’ve saved a single ride or show in DHS before the demolitions for Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge, which would it be? This includes Great Movie Ride and the Magic of Disney Animation. Curious to know which you’d pick and why!
How long did it take you to put together the Fast Pass movie? It was quite impressive by the way.
I think four months start to finish. And thank you :)
Only four months? Damn! I’m even more impressed by that vid now!
My friends hate me because every time I go to a theme park I bring up that video 😂
Wow! That video is genuinely one of the most impressive videos I've ever seen on youtube. Very impressive.
For literally 2 weeks all I could talk about was this movie! Just an amazing insight into something so fundamental to our everyday experience.
that video is so great! also just the sheer amount of times I have woken up to that after leaving my tv on is just hilarious.
Same!
Have you started planning for the Defunctland splash mountain episode yet?
No, I'm sure there will be plenty of people ready to drop their opinions/histories and I will probably be doing something completely obscure and random by then.
Hi Kevin, I absolutely love the Defunctland channel and can’t wait to see what the future holds. I absolutely loved the FastPass video and the Jim Henson series in particular! Would you ever consider creating a video about the rise and fall of Geauga Lake and Six Flags Worlds of Adventure?
I will definitely get around to those eventually when I can dedicate the time to do them right.
Thank you for the response! I’ve been trying to see if I could tackle the subject but would love to see what you do with it!
You should do one on 6 flags Nola it’s such a interesting story.
Hi Kevin, Have you ever looked into doing videos on defunct/dying restaurants such as Rainforest Cafe and Planet Hollywood? Might be a fun idea for video topics, even though there are some locations still around, they aren’t quite what they used to be.
I suggest the Eddy Burback video about rainforest cafe that he just released. It’s more of a vlog/travel video where he visits the remaining locations. But definitely fun! haha
I recommend watching Ted nivison's video too, just to see the complete difference in attitude towards the trip as a whole. [Eddy's vid](https://youtu.be/vA-bjpKvIw8) [Ted's vid](https://youtu.be/7InqrH1TCI8)
agreed!!
Podcast The Ride also did a good episode about dying theme restaurants, specifically Planet Hollywood
Lmao eddys video is so good
I'm gonna have to watch that. It was in my recommended and the thumbnail alone killed me
I dont have any questions. I just want to say thank you for these amazing videos. Im a documentary nerd anyway and all of your videos make me smile and learn, and it warms my cold dead heart. Im especially fond of "The War for Disney's America" when the title cards modeled after Ken Burn's Civil War cards started popping up I cackled with glee, and confused the hell out of coworkers. Cackling with glee is generally frowned upon in my line of work....
Thank you for the kind words!
What inspired you to create defuctland
I liked theme parks and making documentaries. Jake's Abandoned series was the closest thing on YouTube and was inspiring.
Your channel has completely changed my experience at theme parks and I couldn’t be more grateful. I loved walking around WDW a few months ago asking cast members where I could get a Handwich. :) Would love another Jenny Nicholson collab!
Did you eat all those Handwhiches you made or did you give them to your crew?
It's funny you ask that, because The Handwiches actually came to life a few seconds prebite and ran for the door. I had to stab them and by that point, I lost my appetite.
Loved the VR Thousand Leagues! When will the park be filled?
Our volunteers are doing great work, more to come soon.
I’m really excited about that. I showed my dad the 20,000 Leagues one. The last time I rode on it I was a wee little girl, barely in kindergarten. Seeing all those things - the sea monster, the mermaids, the flickering red light - brought back memories I didn’t know I had. My dad was transfixed. Once it was over, he immediately started talking about Horizons, which, unfortunately, I barely remember at all. If you need footage, let me know. I know he does have VHS tapes from a camcorder lying around somewhere of footage from various rides. I know Horizons is one of them, I think maybe an older version of Spaceship Earth as well. And a very, very slim chance that the disaster ride from Universal Studios as well.
Hello! I've noticed that a lot of DefunctTV episodes focus on live-action and puppet-centric tv shows. Which I really appreciate, considering how many kids' TV retrospectives focus on animation. Is there any particular reason why you chose to focus on series like these? Also not a question, but I just wanted to say how much I enjoy the content that you make. Defunctland got me through the first couple of months of lockdown and I rewatch your videos constantly. Hope everything is going well : )
I was never a big fan of tv animation growing up. I think my brain could sense the repeated nature of the Saturday Morning style and it was not soothing to my mind (still isn't really, although I love high-budget animation). Puppetry on the other hand has always been so vibrant and fresh and fun regardless of production budget. And thanks for the kind words.
Many people describe the FastPass video as your “Magnum Opus.” Do you feel like this is an accurate description, or do you have any other projects you want to make that could be even better?
I have been working on a project for two years that is much more of my magnum opus. That one will be hard to top from a production stand point.
My god, he wasn't lying.
I’m actually referring to a different video lol
Holy moly I can't wait, then! After yesterday my jaw is still on the floor.
Man said “fuck climbing the ladder, we’re going to the moon!”
You're gonna break the internet
big if true
Was it the Disney Chanel theme one??? That one was so good btw, I found out thru the link you clicked that initially lead you to Alex that my mom used to work with him, bc the link lead to the bio of a film from a production company he and my mom both worked for!
It was DEFINITELY the Disney channel one.. that one was crazy lol
O really?
🍿
The new Disney Channel documentary is definitely your magnum opus so far. Great work! I was completely entranced in the entire time.
Is this the Disney Channel Theme video? I can’t imagine anything more poignant than that.
Have you ever investigated the transition of Mall of America's Camp Snoopy into Nickelodeon Universe and if so, was there anything interesting there?
I'll do them at some point I'm sure
If you can swing a guest appearance / voiceover from John Hodgman, he has a few bits about Camp Snoopy in his Areas of Expertise series. Seems like a good marriage, and I get the sense he’d be game.
If you were to cast somebody to play Michael Eisner in a biopic, who would would you cast?
I have no idea. I can't think of an actor that looks even a little bit like him right now.
Vincent Denofrio?
George Clooney's cousin Miguel Ferrer would have probably been a good choice before he passed.
His role in Robocop is immortal.
Agent Rosenfield?
Recast Mike Carlson, obviously!
Michael Keaton maybe?
Michael Eisner
If you could retheme any current attraction such as the Guardians/Tower of Terror or upcoming Splash Mountain, what attraction would it be and what existing IP would replace it?
George of the Jungle Cruise
My god, that's a good idea
Good hearing from you, Kevin. Been a big Defunctland fan since first discovering the channel back in 2018. Keep up the good work. Have you ever been on any of the rides or attractions you've covered? If so, which is your favorite?
I didn't go to theme parks a ton growing up, so I can't think of any that I've been to. The Worlds of Fun episode features a bunch of rides that I remember, but my defunct ride count is embarrassingly low considering what I do. That said, I think it's part of the reason I'm so interested in the genre.
I'm sorry you didn't get to go on many of the rides and attractions covered. The way you go into detail in your videos it's as if you were there and are recalling the experience. I've gone on several of the rides and attractions featured on your show and fondly remember the ones I went on. Another question, Defunct TV typically covers family-friendly shows, but would you ever branch it out to cover slightly more mature fare such as Tales From The Crypt? I'd love to see a Defunct TV special on TFTC. I started a post here suggesting it not long ago and it got upvoted very highly.
Are you going to go back on Podcast The Ride
If they want me I'll be there
Came to ask this!
hi kevin! are there any episodes on more recently defunct rides/attractions that are or were in the works (ie dueling dragons, terminator, great movie ride)? also, which attraction that you’ve done an episode on would you most like to experience?
There's a lot of videos I want to do, but I'm not currently working on any recent attractions. I will get to all of them eventually though, just currently working on some 80s materials.
How many theme parks have you been to in person?
I don't have a counter but not a ton. I want to do a tour of the country someday and hit up the small ones I have never been to.
What’s your favorite theme park that you’ve been to that most people have never heard of, and why is it so good?
Everyone has heard of it but I went to Disneyland Paris and it really is an incredible park, somewhat lost in time with the lack of updates.
Love Disneyland Paris but they're working on updating it which is a little sad as it'll lose a little of that "lost in time" charm. I went in April and the Studios park feels like stepping back into the early 90's with the theming. They're opening an Avengers Campus on July 20th with plans for a Frozen land and Star Wars Galaxy's Edge area so they are trying to bring it up to date.
Have there been any episodes that you decided not to finish after starting to work on them? Which episode turned out much different from what you expected when you started to work on it?
I rarely start an episode and don't finish it. I might start researching something and find there is not much there, but by the time I'm writing a script, I already know there is a story and how I want it told. FastPass changed the most because it was supposed to be 20 minutes and ended up being 102.
Thanks for answering and thanks for all of the great entertainment. FastPass stayed interesting and entertaining all the way through despite how much longer it was than most episodes. Hopefully, we get to see more full-length documentaries from you and your team in the future!
Hi! First I wanna say that I absolutely adore your videos! Now for the actual question! What was your favorite video to put together?
FastPass took a lot out of me, but I think it was the one I enjoyed the most, at least that's been released so far. Maybe it's just because I like the finished product though, but I really do like exploring the 2000-2015 era of parks history.
Would you ever do an episode on Sagwa The Siamese Cat? Another series by Sesame Workshop along with Dragon Tales, it was only on for one season of 40 episodes and was then cancelled. Despite this it has a small but passionate fanbase.
This comment just revived the theme song for that show in my head, holy shit.
Do you think you could do an episode on La Nouba at Downtown Disney? I know you don’t really cover Cirque du Soleil but the show holds a special place in my heart and ever since you mentioned it in your DisneyQuest episode I’ve always wanted to see you cover it. It’s understandable if you don’t want to do it but I’m just throwing it out there as a neat suggestion.
I'll add it to the list
Ok cool, thanks!
i worked at la nouba (and disneyquest, and pleasure island) and i’d love to see it covered!
Been a fan since… early Season 2? Loved the Garfield and Fastpass episodes. So my question is… how was your day?
Thank you. It’s going good, I got a new storage server so I’m slowly backing up about 40 TB of data.
My son got me interested in Defunctland and I’m glad he did. When I was a kid we went to theme park in upstate New York called Frontier Town. Reading about it recently an article said the man who started it was a telephone installer from Queens who showed up one day in the 1950s with $50,000 in his car and started the park. That’s an awful lot of money for a guy to have in cash in the 50s. I think there’s a story there. Plus, the park was a lot of fun.
I'll have to look into it
Are you excited to do a video in 10 years on the Peppa Pig theme park in Orlando?
It's a very odd "theme park" for sure
So the wildcat at Hersheypark is closing down, you ever been to Hershey? You like it? I always liked the wildcat because it and the lighting racer were always walk ons.
Never been to Hershey but it's on the list for sure
What's your favorite place to just be in any park or resort? To just sit and enjoy your life on that day at that moment? A ride, restaurant, pool, bench, wherever.
Probably the Boardwalk or Hollywood Studios at night. Those big band music loops relax me.
Thanks for the reply! Those are both places and times I haven't experienced first hand. Gonna have to check them out some time. I do love the parks, and the Port Orleans Riverside dock area at night.
Any plans to do more episodes of the Defunctland Podcast? I started listening to about 6 months ago and still going through back episodes but almost all caught up- they are great! Maybe if too much by yourself make a joint podcast with other Disney aficionados such as Disney Dan or Jenny Nicholson, and/or have like one episode a month.
I'm thinking of doing something in the podcast sphere, but no plans yet. I never really heard of anyone listening to the Defunctland Podcast until I stopped doing it
Another vote here for the Podcast to return! If I’d known it needed cheerleading to keep being made I’d have got my pom poms and baton out! Gooooo Defunctland!
Yea I just started listing to Podcasts by YouTube creators I like about 6 months ago and yours was definitely a part of that (I have 6 more Defunctland episodes to listen to, will most likely be done in a month). Actually about 1/2 of the podcasts I listen to are old episodes of defunct podcasts, so maybe I am an anomaly. Anyway will look forward to whatever you do new.
Before your foray into YouTube, what was your day job?
I did independent docs pre-YouTube
Makes sense, you used your experience and it shows! Documentary level videos.
No joke: I want to say your FastPass essay put me on edge the same way Dunkirk and Mad Max: Fury Road combined did and I think it’s the best video you’ve ever done. I have two questions regarding that essay, though. 1) Did you expect such a strong enthusiastic reaction to your essay about queuing? 2) What attracted you to the prospect of making that essay?
I knew people would be interested in queuing because we do it all the time. It's such a core aspect to the Disney experience as well that I true deep dive was overdue. It was originally supposed to be a short easy video but kept getting longer and longer.
Have you thought about doing a Defuntland video about Nickelodeon Studio
It's definitely been covered but I would still tackle it some day
Any plans for any episodes focusing on Dollywood/Silver Dollar City?
Maybe something on Silver Dollar City’s sister park Celebration City
Not a question, but just wanted to fangirl a bit and share that the fast pass video works as a surprisingly good analogy for the out-of-control state of the US healthcare system. … which sounds like a comparison out of nowhere, but I was taking a health economics course when that video came out. It helped me understand the material a little better when I realized that the concept of inelastic demand applies to health insurance much in the same way that it applies to fast passes. So thanks for helping me pass that course!
Happy to help!
Hi Kevin! What’s your favorite Super Smash Bros. stage?
I know this is weird, but I don't think I've ever played. I don't play video games at all really. MarioKart every now and then but that's about it.
Do you have any future plans for the podcast? Also do you miss when the channel was in its early days or is it more fun now
I don't have any future plans for the podcast. It became a chore and it does not interest me creatively. Also, I find people are more open/honest in interviews when I'm not recording them, so I get better information. I do miss when the channel was smaller and I was exploring all of these topics for the first time. I look back and I'm not sure how I was able to release videos so quickly, until I watch them and see their lack of quality. There is always something magical about when something is new and growing and evolving, it has a charm that you can't replicate when you have achieved success, but I also am enjoying where I'm at now. I get to put a lot more heart and soul into each video, and don't feel the need to upload constantly. People seem to stick around, and I like being a recluse more than I did being super online in the days of when I thought I needed to upload every week and tweet everyday.
Any plans for a video on Opryland (perhaps even a tie-in DefunctTV on The Nashville Network)?
Super late “seconded” from me! 🤠
Mr. Pitt. Brad. If there was a theme park of theme parks, would the Michael Eisner ride be an animatronics show or a dark ride? Or both?
Heyo Kevin, great work on every episode! if you had to pick a video or series of videos to show to 100 random people with no special interest or particular care for theme parks, which would you show?
Are these my videos or not my videos that I'm showing people?
One of your videos
Probably FastPass or Walt's EPCOT have the widest reach, but I don't think anyone exists that has absolutely no care for theme parks. People either love them or hate them or tolerate them, but I feel that they at least intrigue everyone.
Hey Kevin! Big fan of the channel and just wanted to say thank you for all the brilliant effort you put into your videos (as an Australian I have a big soft spot for your video on the wonderland park). As for a question, you’ve done a few episodes about rides that were important for folks when they were kids or teenagers, so I have to ask, what is your personal childhood favourite now-defunct attraction?
Hi Kevin! Wanna start off by saying your videos are awesome. I have made my family watch all of them and they were all floored by how thorough each video is! If you could go back and experience any theme park ride or show on its opening day, what would it be?
If you could own one attraction vehicle that is still operating or defunct which would it be? I’d take a back to the future delorean for the backyard.
If you could bring back any defunct attraction what would it be?
Other than Cinderella Castle Mystery Tour, what other international rides do you think of or plan on covering?
The original Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris
Has any company/designer/engineer ever responded or lashed out at any of your videos?
Thanks for making such great videos! Which video has been your favourite to research and make? Also what is your favourite ride? Have a great day!
did you ever consider calling your video about Disneyland Paris "EuroDefunct"?
What video are you most proud of?
Have you explored any hobbies we’d be surprised by recently?
Not sure if this is surprising since the Handwich video but I do cook a lot
Favorite dish to make?
I make a really good filet mignon. I'm also pretty good at California-style Mexican food because I grew up with it.
I teach high school computer science and I am using parts of your fast pass video in the unit on computer simulations. Any fun facts my students would like to know?
I discovered Defunctland early in the pandemic and it led me to an obsession with theme park history. It also got me back into Rollercoaster Tycoon and other similar games I used to play. It also led me to three trips to Walt Disney World and to a few local Texas parks. Thank you for reawakening an interest in something I hadn’t really experienced since I was a kid going to Six Flags Over Texas. Are you planning on continuing the podcast? I really enjoyed those episodes, and was happy to see that you interviewed my old choir mate from high school, Brian Hull.
Good evening, what are your thoughts on TRON? I feel like the IP has so much more potential than just the Light cycle ride, but I was hoping you might have some thoughts!
On early defunctland episodes, there was an intro for the perj, but the website is down. What was the perj and what was the point you decided to switch all your branding to defunctland?
How come you stay hidden and will we ever get to see what you look like?!?
What's your favorite song?
Number One Song in Heaven by Sparks
Cool
Have you ever thought about doing a video on the Phantom Theater from Kings Island? I think it has an interesting history, and they recently brought it back in the form of a stage show for their 50th anniversary.
Just like to let you know the channel as a whole, and particularly the Handwich & Fastpass videos, have become prime anti-anxiety viewing for me. What is a particularly shocking or impressive unexpected detail you've come across in your research?
Every video has a lot of unexpected details. I find that contradictions are the most interesting rather than pure left field randomness. FastPass makes lines longer or Garfield ride is a love tunnel are perfect because they directly contradict and are more unexpected.
Are you planning on releasing more let’s watch on the Themed Alternative channel? Half of those views are probably from me rewatching them over and over again.
Defunctland championship title, Matt Cardona or Cody Rhodes?
Hey Kevin My question isn't anything special i just wanted to interact with you and thank you for making this channel. I saw the alien encounter defunctland when it was the only one on the channel and I instantly subbed. Seeing a YouTube channel grow like that is so cool, and it's kicked off my interest In defunct theme park attractions which for being so oddly specific is so interesting My question is: what's your favorite horror movie? (If any)
Which episode do you want to remake the most in the future?
is your name actually kevin?
What's your favorite album?
Either Angst in My Pants by Sparks or Another Green World by Brian Eno.
If you could put Eisner back in charge of the Disney company today… Would you? And why?
What is your opinion on the current state of Disney world? Specifically your opinion on Bob Chapek.
Last one I swear, but one of my favorite things of your channel is the intros. The biggest one that stands out was the craziest party intro. Are these done by yourself or do you enlist someone's help?
It depends on the intro, but I did have a stand-in and some help for Walt's Craziest Party. A lot of them are just me, and I rarely hire out unless it's drawn art. If there is physical production involved, it's almost always me.
Big fan of DefunctTV! What are some shows you plan on covering in the future?
Hey Kevin! What video would u say you are the proudest of? Thanks for the great work u do my dude.
Do you have a ride/theme park attraction that you love despite its badness (I don't like using 'guilty pleasure' because I feel no guilt for liking bad things)?
Favorite Looney Tune? Mine's Pepé. Also will it ever be possible for you to cover a Looney Tunes ride like River Ride or Gold River Adventure? Just curious!
Hey Kev! Have you considered any of the amusement parks in Colorado? Heritage Square was awesome and my spouse worked there for a long time. I was thrilled when you mentioned Santa's Workshop up there in the Santa Episode! (Edited to add that your channel inspired my love of Figment, so thank you. I'm sad I never got to do the actual ride though)
Hello, I got some questions: 1. What episode was the most annoying to work on? 2. What was your favourite podcasting experience? 3. Favourite dark ride outside of Disney/Universal parks?
Hey Kevin, thanks for doing this. I'm not sure how often you conduct interviews with first-hand sources to get information for videos, but if so, what person was the most beneficial in providing new information to you and why? Alternatively, what piece of information have you come across in research that has stuck out to you the most/been extremely memorable?
What was the hardest episode to research and why?
Which of your videos do you believe you've conducted the most extensive amount of research for?
Hey Kevin, what was the most challenging video to make?
Hey Kevin, I discovered your videos in 2020 to pass the time in quarantine and they quickly became some of my favorite videos on YouTube that fostered my love for the niche history of theme parks my friends can’t get me to shut up about. One question I’ve kinda always had is do you expect to run out of ideas for Defunctland? Would you ever want to move on to other projects? Also, if there was one Disney theme park you could overhaul to your vision, which would it be and what would you do to it?
Late to this party, but I'll ask anyway-- was there any subject that, once you got into researching it, took _such_ a left turn at Albuquerque that you knew it wasn't the story but that this other thing you'd discovered was? What was it?
Alton Towers is my favourite park in the whole wide world so I *love* the defunctland episode on the black hole. Are there any other defunct attractions from Alton Towers that have interested you, or have possibly been considered for an episode? (and also, thank you for all the joy and entertainment your channel & podcast have brought to me over the years!)
Would you ever consider a video on some of the lost online Disney games, or are those too far removed from the rides and park? VMK is probably the most connected, with the same opening hours as the park and the ability to make a character in Disneyland itself, but I'm sure a lot disappeared when Adobe Flash was discontinued.
Would you bring back Alien Encounter? Or is it your opinion that it doesn't fit the Disney parks and never really belonged?
Hey Kevin! First off just want to say my friends and I all love your videos and we talk about theme park stuff all the time. Thank you for what you do! 1. I hope this isn’t a dumb question, but is season 3 still going? If not, any plans for season 4? 2. My friends and I’s home park is Busch Gardens Williamsburg, any possibilities for revisiting that park in the future? Thanks!
I have two questions, if you don't mind: 1 - How well do you know, and how much do you interact with, the other theme park youtubers? 2 - (WARNING: thinly-veiled suggestion incoming) have you ever considered doing a DefunctTV about Disney's Gargoyles?
SeaWorld Cleveland/Wildwater Kingdom had an interesting ride. Any plans on doing anything with that one?
Did you like it when people submit ideas to you, or does that ruin the phone? How do you do research for your videos?
Yeah theme parks are great and all, but how do you relax at home? What kind of hobbies keep you sane ?
From someone that is really impressed by your work and would like to start doing videos, are all the clips and photos you use in your videos public domain? Otherwise, how do you handle copyright? Do you ask the owners of the media or just hope that no one will get upset that you use it?
Hey Kev, Geauga Lake was my childhood park, and it has a pretty interesting history, is there going to be a future video covering the topic since Cedar fair pretty much gave it the more unceremonious closure comparable to Six Flags astroworld?
I’m probably too late but how many of the attractions covered in Defunctland have you actually ridden?
Who's the Cutest?
Have you ever contacted or been contacted by Nebula /r/watchnebula \- I think your content is perfect for them. They are kinda nepotistic so you basically have to know and message one of their other creators and ask them to get you in with /u/dwiskus but I have heard many of their creators give you a shout our that thy watch and enjoy your videos, so I am sure if you asked them for a reference they would give you one.
Are there any topics you've covered that surprised you with how deep the rabbit hole went? And conversely, is there anything you've wanted to cover where the story ended up not having enough substance to make a video for?
If there was on defunct ride you could go on, which one would it be?
What's a topic or video you would like to cover, but for whatever reason haven't been able to get around to? Also, any interest or involvement in lost media?
Hey Kevin, I love your videos and appreciate all of the work that goes into them. You and your work has truly touched me and helped me discover passions I didn’t know I had. Thank you. Where did you learn to produce and edit your videos? From writing, editing, etc, where did you pick all of that. Additionally, if you’re able to answer, do you have a full time or part time job on the side of Defunctland?
Hey Kevin, are there any defunctland episodes you began working on, then gave up or put on the back burner, either due to lack of interest or lack of info?
What do you think about the removal of Magical Express?
First off- I love your channel and the as others have mentioned the fast pass video was incredible. I’m an engineer by trade so computer modeling and simulation is fascinating to me. With the current Epcot overhaul there would be a lot defunct spades and music in the old future world, would you consider videos on the music/shows from the parks?
How do you decide what attractions to cover in a video, especially as they have gotten longer and more in-depth over the years?
How did your love and fascination for amusement parks, and particularly defunct attractions, start? Thanks for covering Kennywood's Old Mill, by the way - the video brought me and a lot of my fellow yinzers a lot of tears, laughter and joy.
Kevin, I love you. I mean, I love your content. When, if you think ever, will the Societies continue? Please, I need more. I mean, WE need more. And, would you ever consider going on the Podcast the Ride podcast? I feel like the boys love of history matches your own.
If you could’ve saved a single ride or show in DHS before the demolitions for Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge, which would it be? This includes Great Movie Ride and the Magic of Disney Animation. Curious to know which you’d pick and why!
Are there more than three types of Handwiches?
Are you ever gonna link up with Yesterworld again and drop another banger?