Fastpass to the Past: The Theme Park History Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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Fastpass to the Past: The Theme Park History Podcast

Austin Carroll

Society & Culture

History

Society & Culture

Frequency: 1 episode/90d. Total Eps: 18

NEW BOOK! Fastpass to the Past: The Jr. Historian's Guide to Disneyland. Explore the fascinating history behind Disneyland – a theme park history book for kids 9 to 12. Release date: 12/1/2021Join Austin, a former Disneyland Cast Member, as she takes you through the outrageous and sometimes downright strange origin stories of your favorite theme parks, attractions, and shows. The outlandish history of Disneyland, Disney World, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farms, and much more will be explored along with some outrageous stories from former Employees & Cast Members. What are you waiting for? For your safety, remain seated with your hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the podcast at all times.

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🇨🇦 Canada - placesAndTravel
20/08/2025
#70

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_r9wmR3HFM
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP60T-XbUS4
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RSS feed quality

Good

Score global : 73%

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Episode 18: Walt Disney's Childhood in Kansas City City (Exclusive Excerpt From Our New Book!)

Season 3 · Episode 18

Wednesday, December 1, 2021 • Duration 18:10

In this exclusive excerpt from our new book, discover Walt Disney's early life in Kansas City. We'll explore Walt's earliest inspiration for Disneyland, his childhood amusement park. Walk the flower-lined avenues of the lost Electric City park that continued to inspire Walt throughout his career, long after the 100,000 gleaming lights went out.

*Fastpass to the Past: The Jr. Historian's Guide to Disneyland * -Out Now!
Explore the fascinating history behind Disneyland – a theme park history book for kids 9 to 12.

Inspire an interest in history with this fun and immersive journey across 20th century US history through the lens of the happiest place on earth. From awful ideas left on the drawing board to actual flying (and sinking!) ships, Fastpass to the Past: A Jr. Historian's Guide to Disneyland is a thrilling grand circle tour of Disneyland's past and present.

In this California history book, kids will walk in the footsteps of Walt Disney before discovering the inspiring stories and hidden Disneyland secrets behind ALL of their favorite theme attractions, including The Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan's Flight, and even Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

Purchase the Book

Behind the Scenes Content

Links:

Purchase The Book: Fastpass to the Past: The Jr. Historian's Guide to Disneyland — Explore the fascinating history behind Disneyland – a theme park history book for kids 9 to 12.Inspire an interest in history with this fun and immersive journey across 20th century US history through the lens of the happiest place on earth. From awful ideas left on the drawing board to actual flying (and sinking!) ships, Fastpass to the Past: A Jr. Historian’s Guide to Disneyland is a thrilling grand circle tour of Disneyland’s past and present.In this California history book, kids will walk in the footsteps of Walt Disney before discovering the inspiring stories and hidden Disneyland secrets behind ALL of their favorite theme attractions, including The Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan’s Flight, and even Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Behind the Scenes Content | Fastpass to the Past

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Episode 17: Lost Lands of Disneyland Paris: A 1920's Main Street

Season 3 · Episode 17

Saturday, April 18, 2020 • Duration 30:09

Since Disneyland's opening in 1955, every designer who has been tasked with creating a new Main Street for a new Disney park has had to live up to that first nostalgic thoroughfare, the only one Walt actually had a hand in designing, while also setting the scene for the rest of the park. For Disneyland Paris, this task fell to a young brand-new Imagineer and self-proclaimed Disneytologist, Eddie Sotto, who envisioned a very different Main Street USA.

Eddie spent over a year working on a Main Street inspired by the stories of the Roaring '20s, and the jazz, cinema, art deco, and gangsters that populated the decade. His design included a hidden restaurant in a locomotive, a speakeasy jazz club, and police raids. Unfortunately, due to creative and financial reasons, his plans never saw the light of day in Paris. In this new part of the 'Lost Lands of Disneyland' series, we go back to the drawing board, deep in the Walt Disney Company archive, to see what this Roaring 20's entrance sequence would have looked like.

Links:

Episode 8: Lost Lands of Disneyland: Discovery Bay

Season 1 · Episode 8

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 • Duration 34:39

The first part of the 'Lost Lands of Disneyland' - a series of closed attractions, forgotten announcements, and especially those plans that never made it off the drawing board. Discovery Bay is one of those ill-fated plans. Not unlike the Villain theme park and such that has been making the rounds on the internet lately. However, unlike that concept fraught with uncertainties and speculation, Disneyland’s Discovery Bay was officially announced to the Disney loving-public. Why then did it never grace that elusive theme park map? Today, we’ll explore the tumultuous tale leading up to its design, what this magnificent land would’ve contained, and how it settled down in only die-hard Disney fans' memories. So… hold on tight as we uncover the sunken mysteries of Discovery Bay

Links:

Lands That Never Were - Duchess of Disneyland
Discovery Bay | Disney Wiki | FANDOM powered by Wikia
D23 to Celebrate Discovery Bay | HuffPost
Discovery Bay detailed at Destination D | Inside the Magic
Disneyland Then, Now, and Forever: Tim O'Day, Bruce Gordon
Disneyland the Nickel Tour: A Postcard Journey Through a Half Century of the Happiest Place on Earth: Bruce Gordon
T-Shirts by Fastpass to the Past: The Theme Park History Podcast - TeePublic Store | TeePublic — Are you a theme park history expert? Show the world (world showcase that is) with these unique designs and t-shirts inspired by the Fastpass to the Past podcast.

Episode 7: The Most Hated WDW Attraction of All Time (The Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management)

Season 1 · Episode 7

Tuesday, November 7, 2017 • Duration 25:48

Widely regarded as Walt Disney World's worst attraction of all time, The Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management is the catastrophic 90’s overlay of Walt Disney’s beloved Tiki Room attraction in Florida that included crude humor, Iago from Aladdin, Zazu from The Lion King, and that actually ended its run-in immersed in flames. Even if you never had the misfortune to experience Under New Management, today Austin is going to discuss just how and why such a strange overlay ended up in the middle of Disney World’s Adventureland.

Links:

Episode 6: Part 2: How Disney Stole An Entire Theme Park (JAWS & Universal Studios Orlando)

Season 1 · Episode 6

Sunday, October 29, 2017 • Duration 27:47

In this two-part episode, Austin will discuss one of most innovative and expensive opening day attractions ever to grace a theme park map, Universal Orlando’s Jaws, and how it was the result of the one of theme park history’s darkest and yet most inspiring period – the “arms race for Orlando” between The Walt Disney Company and Universal Studios Hollywood in the 1970’s.

Links:

Pre-Order Our New Book! Fastpass to the Past: The Jr. Historian's Guide to Disneyland
Design: Just for Fun: Bob Gurr, Martin A. Sklar
History of Universal Orlando
Jaws - theStudioTour.com
Jaws: The Ride - theStudioTour.com
1990 Universal Studios Florida - The ORIGINAL JAWS RIDE Training Video! - YouTube
Jaws: How Universal’s Shark Ride Turned into a Real-Life Disaster | Theme Park Tourist
JAWS: The Ride | Universal Studios ORLANDO
The Last Ride Ever on Jaws at Universal Studios Orlando - YouTube
T-Shirts by Fastpass to the Past: The Theme Park History Podcast - TeePublic Store | TeePublic — Are you a theme park history expert? Show the world (world showcase that is) with these unique designs and t-shirts inspired by the Fastpass to the Past podcast.

Episode 5: Part 1: How Disney Stole An Entire Theme Park (JAWS & Universal Studios Orlando)

Season 1 · Episode 5

Thursday, October 19, 2017 • Duration 21:35

Links:

Pre-Order Our New Book! Fastpass to the Past: The Jr. Historian's Guide to Disneyland
Design: Just for Fun: Bob Gurr, Martin A. Skla
History of Universal Orlando | OrlandoVacation.com
1990 Universal Studios Florida - The ORIGINAL JAWS RIDE Training Video! - YouTube
JAWS: The Ride | Universal Studios Orlando
Jaws: The Ride - theStudioTour.com
Jaws - theStudioTour.com
Jaws: How Universal’s Shark Ride Turned into a Real-Life Disaster | Theme Park Tourist
T-Shirts by Fastpass to the Past: The Theme Park History Podcast - TeePublic Store | TeePublic — Are you a theme park history expert? Show the world (world showcase that is) with these unique designs and t-shirts inspired by the Fastpass to the Past podcast.

Episode 4: The Enchanted Tiki Bar (Trader Sam's)

Season 1 · Episode 4

Sunday, October 8, 2017 • Duration 24:59

In this episode, Austin will be taking a deep dive into the history behind a relatively recent addition to the Disneyland and Disney World Resorts - Trader Sam's. Tune in to learn about the origin, design, and tiki inspiration behind one of Disney's most elaborate attractions - and it isn't even technically in a theme park!

Links:

Pre-Order Our New Book! Fastpass to the Past: The Jr. Historian's Guide to Disneyland
The ART(ifacts) of Trader Sam’s – EndorExpress — An Interview with Brandon Kleyla (Lead Set Decorator)
Kevin Kidney: Trader Sam's Tiki Bar — Blog Post by Trader Sam's Set Decorator Kevin Kidney
The Explorium - The Sublimity of Trader Sam’s
Trader Sam's Backstory & Details - Disney Tourist Blog
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto design | The AtomicGrog.com Blog
Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar in Anaheim, CA | Critiki
Complete Guide to Trader Sam's Grog Grotto Tiki Mugs
Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar Has a Tiki Track of Mind | OC Weekly
Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar: Drinking at Disneyland, A Dispatch | L.A. Weekly

Episode 3: Disneyland's Deadliest Attractions

Season 1 · Episode 3

Sunday, October 1, 2017 • Duration 25:05

In this episode, Austin and special guest, Carolyn, discuss (and debate) 3 of the most dangerous rides The Walt Disney Company has ever seen and, yes, one is actually still in operation. Tune in to learn about attractions and incidents that inspired modern-day theme park safety mechanisms and that may or may not be responsible for shuttering the queues of some of Disneyland's most beloved and deadly attractions.

Links:

Pre-Order Our New Book! Fastpass to the Past: The Jr. Historian's Guide to Disneyland
Mouse Tales: A Behind-The-Ears Look at Disneyland: David Koenig (Book)
Incidents at Disneyland Resort
Abandoned: Why One of Disney's Best Ever Attractions is Rotting in Plain Sight- Theme Park Tourist
Disneyland Skyway Death
T-Shirts by Fastpass to the Past: The Theme Park History Podcast - TeePublic Store | TeePublic — Are you a theme park history expert? Show the world (world showcase that is) with these unique designs and t-shirts inspired by the Fastpass to the Past podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Episode 2: The Sunken Boat Rides of Disneyland

Season 1 · Episode 2

Monday, September 25, 2017 • Duration 23:52

In this episode, Austin will be talking about the origin and eventual demise of all four(!) defunct boat rides of Disneyland. Tune in to learn about The Phantom Boats, the Mike Fink Knell Boats, The Canal Boats Around the World, and the Motor Boat Cruise. All attractions that have been lost to the past (and one that sunk to the bottom of the river).

Links:

Pre-Order Our New Book! Fastpass to the Past: The Jr. Historian's Guide to Disneyland
Canal Boats Of The World - Duchess of Disneyland — Fantasyland – The Canal Boats of the World were located in the rear of Fantasyland, between Tomorrowland and the Autopia track. It’s re-themed replacement, the Storybook Land Canal Boats, occupies the exact same location today.
Disney Afternoon Avenue at Yesterland — Take the Motor Boat Cruise to Gummi Glen to learn how Gummi Berry juice is made.
Mike Fink Keelboats — Article on the Walt Disney World attraction.
Mike Fink's Gullywhumper - Disneyland Facts & History — All about the Gullywhumper.
(1) Mike Fink Keel Boats--Disneyland History--1950's--TMS-489 - YouTube — Based on the Davy Crockett television series, guests ride around the river aboard the "Gullywhumper" or the "Bertha Mae."
Mike Fink Keel Boats
Mike Fink Keel Boats - Duchess of Disneyland
Mike Fink Keel Boats at Yesterland
Phantom Boats! - Disney History Institute — The boats in Tomorrowland were the first attraction to be removed from Disneyland. To put this in perspective, another troublesome Tomorrowland attraction, the Rocket Rods lasted nearly three years. The Phantom Boats lasted just one.

Episode 1: America's First Theme Park: Berries, Chicken, & Ghost Towns

Season 1 · Episode 1

Sunday, September 24, 2017 • Duration 18:19

In this episode, Austin will tell the origin story and explain the legacy of America's First Theme Park - Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA. The tale of Walter Knott, a poor berry farmer, who lifted his family out of poverty and the Great Depression through ingenuity and an unbelievable work ethic is a great one. Their roadside berry stands quickly evolved to a full-scale chicken restaurant and later into a theme park in its own right. Austin will also discuss Walter Knott's tumultuous friendship with Walt Disney, that later descended into a rivalry with the opening of Disneyland, which was just a couple miles away. Check out the show notes on themeparkhistorypodcast.com for more information, fun facts, and resources!

Links:

Historic Knott's Berry Farm — A few relics of Knott's earliest days still survive - if you know where to look for them.
Knott’s Preserved Book — A great book for everything you ever wanted to know about Knott's Berry Farms and more.
Knott's Preserved — Photos of Different Times in Knott's Berry Farm's History
The History of Knott's Berry Farm: From Roadside Pie Stand to Theme Park - Entertainment Designer — Sifting through the history of Knott’s Berry Farm, one discovers a uniquely American tale of ingenuity and perseverance. What began as a small berry stand on highway 39 through Buena Park, California is now “The Theme Park Californians Call Home.” Unlike nearby Disneyland, which was organized around a very specific vision, Knott’s Berry Farm grew organically from a combination of hard work, the right location, and a commitment to family fun into what is arguably America’s first theme park.
Interview of Walter Knott
Venice Amusement Pier

Fastpass to the Past: The Theme Park History Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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Fastpass to the Past: The Theme Park History Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other99+

Amazon7

Youtube10

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other99+

Amazon7

Youtube10