• 2.4 PARK HISTORY - Disneyland
    Jan 20 2026

    I’m back! It's been a long time coming, but welcome to this episode on the history of Disneyland. After several rewrites, I have finally finished this episode. It has been a true passion project to research this park since it hearkens back to one of my personal heroes, Walt Disney. I hope you enjoy this episode and the stories it tells. On the heels of the upcoming documentary, Disneyland Handcrafted, this is truly the era of Disneyland.

    Thank you for your patience in getting this episode out. I have been spending every extra moment I had to make it happen, and I finally finished it after a busy holiday season for me. Please continue to have patience for the next episodes, but I should be back on somewhat of a schedule by the next episode. Stay tuned for the next park we will discover!

    Sources:

    • https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/disneyland

    • https://youtu.be/QpM9-zkK4OM?si=_cy-JWRkYlYA-9Ld

    • Remembering Walt - Favorite Memories of Walt Disney by Amy Boothe Green and Howard E. Green (ISBN 0-7868-6348-X)

    • Yesterday’s Tomorrow: Disney’s Magical Mid-Century by Don Hahn (ISBN 978-148473764-4), Pages 40-41

    • Walt Disney Imagineering - A Behind the Dreams Look at Making the Magic Real by The Imagineers (ISBN 0-7868-8372-3), Page 15

    • Walt’s Revolution! By the Numbers by Harrison “Buzz” Price (ISBN 1-893951-06-5), Pages 26-27

    • https://www.disneyhistory101.com/disneyland/2022/1/23/blllw5g4liwzbfix3bt7clfnn4kn8t

    • https://youtu.be/itcrhPh_Pzc?si=arWM2xAumnG8vRTI

    • LIFE Magazine: Inside the Disney Parks: The Happiest Places on Earth, Volume 18, No 7, 2018, Pages 24

    • https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0561265/?ref_=ttfc_ov_bk

    • LIFE Magazine: Walt Disney: From Mickey to the Magic Kingdom, Volume 16, No. 7, 2016, Page 73-75

    • Walt’s Apprentice - Keeping the Disney Dream Alive by Dick Nunis (ISBN 978-1-368-07804-7), Pages 45-48

    • https://youtu.be/1uc_29Qwyx4?si=66c9rMccwYQbpH1i

    • https://mickeyvisit.com/opening-day-at-disneyland/

    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOUyv7tUTDI

    • Dream It, Do It: My Half Century Creating Disney’s Magic Kingdoms by Marty Sklar, Pages 6 and 7

    • http://www.kpolsson.com/disland/dl1966.htm

    • http://www.kpolsson.com/disland/dl1975.htm

    • http://www.kpolsson.com/disland/dl1985.htm

    • http://www.kpolsson.com/disland/dl1990.htm

    • http://www.kpolsson.com/disland/dl2000.htm

    • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disneyland

    • https://youtu.be/FBZe2kbkCGU?si=kHXpDK9xWBO_SMw8

    • http://www.imagineeringdisney.com/blog/2013/5/31/as-long-as-there-is-imagination-left-in-the-world-putting-th.html

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    Find PDF files of all of my episodes, complete with citations and footnotes, as applicable through my GoogleDrive folder HERE. Please note: Episodes 1.1-1.3 do not have footnotes. They were created before I decided to share my notes with the world. Citations are listed, as normal, but exact quotations are unknown from these sources. Episodes 1.4 and beyond include footnotes following each segment of cited text.


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    52 Min.
  • CHIT CHAT - Holidays in the Orlando Theme Parks
    Dec 18 2025

    Welcome to this special edition CHIT CHAT on the Holidays at Orlando Theme Parks. In this episode I chat about many of the holiday offerings available at parks from around the Orlando area. Happy Holidays from me to you and I will see you on the next ride around the carousel for our next episode, Disneyland, somewhere in the new year. Thanks for being a listener of mine and I love you.

    Please subscribe to the podcast on whatever your favorite platform is in order to keep up to date on the latest episodes. Also subscribe to our podcast social channels! Please rate and review the podcast wherever you get your podcast, too!

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    Find PDF files of all of my episodes, complete with citations and footnotes, as applicable through my GoogleDrive folder HERE. Please note: Episodes 1.1-1.3 do not have footnotes. They were created before I decided to share my notes with the world. Citations are listed, as normal, but exact quotations are unknown from these sources. Episodes 1.4 and beyond include footnotes following each segment of cited text.


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    51 Min.
  • 2.3 PARK HISTORY - Busch Gardens Williamsburg
    Dec 13 2025

    Welcome to this week’s (delayed) episode on Busch Gardens Williamsburg! I worked hard to get this one out on time, but alas, I did not. It in fact had a bit more research required than what I expected (oops) but here it is! Enjoy the episode as well as the chat after the history, where I discuss my trip this past summer to the park for the first time and how much I truly loved it (I need to be on Apollo’s Chariot again ASAP)

    The next episode of my Park History series will release in a few weeks after a brief holiday pause and will be about the first Disney park, Disneyland! I have a lot to research by then so please be with me as I really don’t know when I will release that episode. In the meantime, this next episode will be a simple Chit-Chat episode to keep the conversation going, so lookout for that one in the coming week or so. Have a fantastic listen!

    Sources:

    • Back to Williamsburg - Kerry A. O'Brien - Google Books

    • Busch Gardens History « BGW Memories

    • Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Wikipedia

    • Roman Rapids - Wikipedia

    • Escape from Pompeii - Coasterpedia - The Amusement Ride Wiki

    • Alpengeist - Wikipedia

    • Story of Curse of Dark Kastle - YouTube

    • Curse of DarKastle - Wikipedia

    • Griffon - Coasterpedia - The Amusement Ride Wiki

    • Verbolten - Wikipedia

    • DarKoaster: Escape The Storm - Wikipedia

    • Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge - Wikipedia

    Please subscribe to the podcast on whatever your favorite platform is in order to keep up to date on the latest episodes. Also subscribe to our podcast social channels! Please rate and review the podcast wherever you get your podcast, too, as I really appreciate it.

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    Find PDF files of all of my episodes, complete with citations and footnotes, as applicable through my GoogleDrive folder HERE. Please note: Episodes 1.1-1.3 do not have footnotes. They were created before I decided to share my notes with the world. Citations are listed, as normal, but exact quotations are unknown from these sources. Episodes 1.4 and beyond include footnotes following each segment of cited text.


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    54 Min.
  • 2.2 PARK HISTORY - SeaWorld San Diego
    Dec 5 2025

    Welcome to this week’s episode where I chat about SeaWorld San Diego! This episode what a complicated one to research, as there is really not a lot of information out there about the park. I also made the decision to include a bit about the controversy that SeaWorld has been included in over the years, but tried to keep it as neutral as possible. Thank you for your understanding, and please excuse me rambling on about nothing at the end. Regardless, enjoy the episode and thank you for those who alerted me that I MADE YOUR SPOTIFY WRAPPED! That is so amazing and wild since this is such a new podcast. I love you all and thank you for supporting this little dream of mine!

    Sources:

    • https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201307/3552/

    • https://www.biographies.net/people/en/george_millay

    • https://www.gmtoday.com/travel/timeline-how-seaworld-grew-from-a-22-acre-park-to-a-nearly-200-acre-tourist/article_34f54172-fb3b-11ee-99e5-c323ebadc427.html

    • https://www.themeparkinsider.com/art/news/seaworld-sd-1960s.jpg

    • https://behindthethrills.com/2019/03/seaworld-san-diego-from-1964-to-2019/

    • https://allthatsinteresting.com/shamu

    • https://populartimelines.com/timeline/SeaWorld-San-Diego/full

    • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SeaWorld_SkyTower

    • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission:_Bermuda_Triangle

    • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Arctic

    • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journey_to_Atlantis

    • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manta_(SeaWorld_San_Diego)

    • https://theconversation.com/blackfish-how-captive-killer-whale-documentary-ended-seaworlds-orca-breeding-programme-161775

    • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Eel_(roller_coaster)

    • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_(roller_coaster)

    • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SeaWorld_San_Diego

    Please subscribe to the podcast on whatever your favorite platform is in order to keep up to date on the latest episodes. Also subscribe to our podcast social channels!

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    Find PDF files of all of my episodes, complete with citations and footnotes, as applicable through my GoogleDrive folder HERE. Please note: Episodes 1.1-1.3 do not have footnotes. They were created before I decided to share my notes with the world. Citations are listed, as normal, but exact quotations are unknown from these sources. Episodes 1.4 and beyond include footnotes following each segment of cited text.


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    53 Min.
  • 2.1 PARK HISTORY - Knott's Berry Farm
    Nov 27 2025

    Hello everyone! I am back with this week’s episode on Knott’s Berry Farm. In this episode I discuss the history of this iconic park and the history of the boysenberry. So sit back and listen to this week’s stories! Thank you for hanging on while I have been away at Dollywood (as usual) and I will have plenty more episodes coming up soon as we dive deep for the second season of my podcast and the next lap around the carousel of theme parks.

    Sources:

    • Knott’s Preserved by Christopher Merritt and J. Eric Lynxwiler (ISBN-13: 978-1-99-1-883318-97-0)

    • Knott's Berry Farm - Wikipedia

    Please subscribe to the podcast on whatever your favorite platform is in order to keep up to date on the latest episodes! Also subscribe to our podcast social channels!

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    Find PDF files of all of my episodes, complete with citations and footnotes, as applicable through my GoogleDrive folder HERE. Please note: Episodes 1.1-1.3 do not have footnotes. They were created before I decided to share my notes with the world. Citations are listed, as normal, but exact quotations are unknown from these sources. Episodes 1.4 and beyond include footnotes following each segment of cited text.


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    1 Std. und 6 Min.
  • CHIT CHAT - Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas
    Nov 13 2025

    Welcome to this week’s Chit-Chat episode on my recent visit to Dollywood for their Smoky Mountain Christmas festival. I had a fantastic time experiencing the shows and seeing the lights here at the park for this event and it brought back a lot of memories for me. Join me as I discuss my park experience as well as my resort experience at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa.

    Sources:

    • Learn more about the festival -> Dollywood Festivals & Events | Smoky Mountain Christmas

    • Learn more about Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa -> DreamMore Resort & Spa | Dollywood Parks & Resorts | Pigeon Forge

    Please subscribe to the podcast on whatever your favorite platform is in order to keep up to date on the latest episodes! Also subscribe to our podcast social channels:

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    55 Min.
  • 1.6 PARK HISTORY - Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
    Nov 7 2025


    Welcome to this week’s episode on Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari. In this episode we journey through the history of ‘America’s First Theme Park’ from its origins as Santa Claus Land to the park celebrating holidays that it is today. Then, chat with me about visiting the park and exploring all things Holiday World (and getting unlimited soft drinks!)

    This episode also marks the conclusion of one turn around the Carousel of Theme Parks Podcast. I hope that you have enjoyed the stories so far and continue to listen as we explore other parks coming up such as Knott’s Berry Farm! Keep up to date over the next few weeks as we begin our next turn of the carousel.

    Sources:

    • Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari: 75 Years of America’s First Theme Park by Jim Futrell, Ron Gustafson, Dave Hahner, Nell Hedge and Leah Koch (ISBN 9780253062895)

    • Timeline: Santa Claus Land, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Holiday World Theme Park & Splashin' Safari Water Park

    • Good Gravy! Family Coaster | Holiday World Theme Park & Splashin' Safari Water Park


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    Find PDF files of all of my episodes, complete with citations and footnotes, as applicable through my GoogleDrive folder HERE. Please note: Episodes 1.1-1.3 do not have footnotes. They were created before I decided to share my notes with the world. Citations are listed, as normal, but exact quotations are unknown from these sources. Episodes 1.4 and beyond include footnotes following each segment of cited text.


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    1 Std.
  • 1.5 PARK HISTORY - Phantasialand
    Oct 30 2025

    Welcome to this week's episode on Phantasialand. I was really excited for this episode to share some of the lore of this unique theme park in Germany. Please forgive any mispronunciations of names in this episode. ENJOY!


    NEW THIS WEEK: View my script with footnote sources. Find it HERE


    I had to use nearly 30 SOURCES for this episode, so check them out if you would like!

    Sources:

    • https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/themenbereiche/themenbereich-berlin/

    • https://parkworld-online.com/gottlieb-loffelhardt-1934-2011/

    • https://zauber-pedia.de/index.php?title=Richard_Schmidt

    • https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/attraktionen/maerchenwald/

    • https://www.britannica.com/science/lignite

    • https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/themenbereiche/themenbereich-fantasy/

    • https://www.ksta.de/region/rhein-erft/bruehl/phantasialand-als-die-gruender-familie-noch-im-park-wohnte-4-908847

    • https://cheeseepedia.org/wiki/hofmann-monkey-show/

    • https://youtu.be/RNGHXoA8QPI

    • https://www.anderswohin.de/phantasialand-mal-historisch-alte-plaene/

    • https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/themenbereiche/themenbereich-china-town/

    • https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/attraktionen/geister-rikscha/

    • https://www.ksta.de/region/rhein-erft/bruehl/phantasialand-gruender-ueber-delphin-drama-und-entlaufene-loewen-946194

    • https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/phantasialand-chronik/

    • https://coasterpedia.net/wiki/Crazy_Bats

    • https://coasterpedia.net/wiki/Colorado_Adventure

    • https://youtu.be/mGCOr6Iv4PU

    • https://ga.de/region/koeln-und-rheinland/phantasialand-mitgruender-richard-schmidt-mit-93-jahren-gestorben_aid-51361381

    • https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/attraktionen/mystery-castle/

    • https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/themenbereiche/themenbereich-deep-in-africa/

    • https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/shows/die-6-drachen/

    • https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/attraktionen/maus-au-chocolat/

    • https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/themenbereiche/themenbereich-mystery/

    • https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/attraktionen/fly/

    • https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/hotels/hotel-charles-lindbergh/

    • https://themeparkguide.co.uk/news-page/Phantasialand-A-New-Mystery-Begins

    • https://www.wartezeiten.app/en/phantasialand/news/phantasialand-expansion-targeting-short-stay-visitors-2000.html#:~:text=The%20goal%20is%20to%20establish%20Phantasialand%20as%20a,with%20its%20unique%20themed%20worlds%20and%20personal%20experiences.


    Please subscribe to the podcast on whatever your favorite platform is in order to keep up to date on the latest episodes! Also subscribe to our podcast social channels!

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    Find PDF files of all of my episodes, complete with citations and footnotes, as applicable through my GoogleDrive folder HERE. Please note: Episodes 1.1-1.3 do not have footnotes. They were created before I decided to share my notes with the world. Citations are listed, as normal, but exact quotations are unknown from these sources. Episodes 1.4 and beyond include footnotes following each segment of cited text.


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    1 Std. und 8 Min.