Defunctland

Season 3

TV-G
Documents the culture of the creative minds behind American entertainment, that used the mediums of TV, Film and theme parks to change the industry and the country as a whole. Seasons include multi-part episodes about those involved with the Disney Company and theme parks, Universal Studios theme park & Jim Henson Studios that created the Muppets.
Where to Watch Season 3
12 Episodes
  • A Roundabout History of the Ferris Wheel
    E1
    Episode 1A Roundabout History of the Ferris WheelIn the Season 3 Premiere, Kevin and company go all the way back to the 19th century to explore the origins of World's Fairs, the Ferris Wheel, and much much more.
  • Walt Disney's Childhood Amusement Park, Electric Park
    E2
    Episode 2Walt Disney's Childhood Amusement Park, Electric ParkIn this episode, Kevin discusses the history of Walt Disney's childhood amusement park, Kansas City's Electric Park and all of its attractions, including Hale's Tours of the World, the Loop the Loop Coaster, and Alligator Joe.
  • The Fair That Changed America
    E3
    Episode 3The Fair That Changed AmericaIn this episode, Kevin travels back to the tail end of the Roaring Twenties to look at the development of the Century of Progress fair in Chicago and how the World's Exposition changed the United States and its view of progress
  • The Craziest Party Walt Disney Ever Threw
    E4
    Episode 4The Craziest Party Walt Disney Ever ThrewOne of the single most important stories in theme park history has nothing to do with a theme park. This is Walt's Field Day, the Craziest Party Walt Disney Ever Threw. An Editorial Note on This Production: This video features many quotes from Walt Disney and his staff, read in the video by actors. Some of these quotes, said decades later, are placed in the story as if they are being said in the moment. This was done in such a way as to not change the meaning or intention of the original quote, but it does alter the context. On a few occasions, a dialogue scene is constructed out of past quotes said at different times. Specifically, Walt most likely did not yell "You commie sons of b----" immediately after Babbitt's mocking of him with the megaphone, but Walt did say those words in reference to Babbitt and the protestors. These quotes, and this video as a whole, would not be possible without the work of hundreds of researchers, journalists, and writers. Below are a few and where you can find more of their work:
  • The History of Beverly Park Kiddieland
    E5
    Episode 5The History of Beverly Park KiddielandIn this episode of Defunctland, Kevin follows Walt Disney to a small Kiddieland in Los Angeles named Beverly Park, run by the savvy and multi-talented David Bradley.
  • The History of Mickey Mouse Park
    E6
    Episode 6The History of Mickey Mouse ParkBefore Disneyland, Walt Disney envisioned a smaller theme park, called Mickey Mouse Park, to be placed at his Burbank Studio. In this episode, Kevin discusses the events that led to its creation and the influences it would have on Disneyland.
  • The History of Tomorrowland 1955
    E7
    Episode 7The History of Tomorrowland 1955In this episode, Kevin finally reaches the opening of Disneyland, focusing on the development and history of Tomorrowland 1955, the first, hastily-made version of the famous theme park land, including attractions such famous attractions as Rocket to the Moon, Autopia, Space Station X-1, the Matterhorn, the Skyway, Submarine Voyage, and the Monorail.
  • The History of Coney Island
    E8
    Episode 8The History of Coney IslandIn this fiery episode of Defunctland, Kevin tells five stories from New York's infamous playground of pleasure, Coney Island.
  • The History of Freedomland U.S.A.
    E9
    Episode 9The History of Freedomland U.S.A.In this episode, Kevin remains in New York to discuss the short-lived but elaborate Freedomland U.S.A. designed by Disneyland's former manager, C.V. Wood.
  • The History of the 1964 New York World's Fair
    E10
    Episode 10The History of the 1964 New York World's FairAll roads converge at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair, as the infamous city planner Robert Moses recruits Walt Disney to create the greatest fair in the history of the world.
  • Walt Disney's City of the Future, E.P.C.O.T.
    E11
    Episode 11Walt Disney's City of the Future, E.P.C.O.T.Walt Disney made ambitious plans for a City of Tomorrow named E.P.C.O.T. just before his death in 1966, but the plans were soon abandoned. What were Walt's ideas for his city of the future, what happened to the project, and would it have worked?
  • The History of Disneyland's Adventure Thru Inner Space
    E12
    Episode 12The History of Disneyland's Adventure Thru Inner SpaceIn this episode, Kevin discusses the history of Disneyland's Adventure Thru Inner Space, a ride that shrank guests to the size of an atom and was sponsored by an infamous company.
 
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