Former Imagineer, writer, and Jungle Cruise Skipper Kevin Lively joins me again this week to share the secrets behind creating unforgettable experiences in the Disney Parks, as he shares fascinating stories and insights as he answers my 10 questions about attractions, backstories, history, and nostalgia, technology, and what’s next for the Disney theme park experience.
“Adapt, embrace what has already been accepted, and make it even better.” – Kevin Lively
Innovations and Inspirations with Former Walt Disney Imagineer Kevin Lively
Do you want to gain valuable insights into how to balance nostalgia and innovation in Disney parks? Former Imagineer Kevin Lively shares his expertise on how to achieve that perfect blend of cherished nostalgia and groundbreaking innovation in the world of Disney. Get ready to discover the secret behind creating unforgettable experiences that capture the essence of the past while embracing the possibilities of the future.
With a rich repertoire of acclaimed Disney attractions like the the 2020 refresh of the Jungle Cruise, Hyperspace Mountain, Jingle Cruise, Jungle Navigation Company Ltd. Skipper Canteen, the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (the S.E.A.), Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree, and the upcoming Zootopia Land in Shanghai under his belt, Kevin Lively has a long history in the world of Disney Parks storytelling. Starting out as a Disneyland cast member, Kevin worked his way up to Imagineering where he began designing narratives for Disney attractions. Capable of marrying the charm of nostalgia with a sense of modernity, Kevin is known for crafting narratives that remain timeless in their appeal.
- Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of Disney Imagineering with Kevin Lively.
- Discover how to strike the perfect balance between retaining nostalgia and forging innovation in amusement attractions.
- Uncover the significant role of storytelling and character creation in creating unforgettable experiences.
- Gain behind-the-scenes knowledge of devising special overlays and music for holiday rides.
- Explore forthcoming advancements in theme park technology and the future direction of park experiences.
You can learn more about Kevin and his work on his website at kevinlively.com, on Instagram @Livelyland, and Check out his art @skipperkevinart
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 – Introduction,
00:02:35 – Kevin’s Work at Disney,
00:04:30 – El CapiTOON Theater Queue,
00:09:28 – Haunted Mansion Projects,
00:10:44 – Balancing Nostalgia and Innovation,
00:15:04 – Introducing the Characters of the Haunted Mansion,
00:16:42 – Creating Backstories for Haunted Mansion Characters,
00:18:10 – Crafting a Backstory for Alberta Falls,
00:19:41 – Designing for Different Audiences,
00:28:58 – Recording with Disney for the Holidays,
00:30:02 – Introspective Pride and Sharing with Family,
00:33:12 – Balancing Technology and Classic Attractions,
00:35:43 – Embracing Technology for Storytelling,
00:39:32 – Walt’s Legacy and Nostalgia,
00:43:59 – The Power of Silly Ideas,
00:44:58 – The Unfinished Project,
00:45:45 – Impostor Syndrome,
00:47:20 – Personal Connection to Zootopia,
00:51:47 – The Future of Theme Parks,
00:59:00 – Introduction and Side Hustle,
00:59:51 – Lightning Round,
01:00:26 – Best Restaurant and Food,
01:00:52 – Favorite Character and Dream Disney Trip,
01:01:55 – Next Show Idea,
Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:00 – Introduction,
Lou welcomes Kevin Lively back to the show to share more stories and insights from his time with Disney.
00:02:35 – Kevin’s Work at Disney,
Kevin shares a brief overview of his work at Disney, including his role as a writer for attractions like the Jungle Cruise and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
00:04:30 – El CapiTOON Theater Queue,
Kevin discusses the ideation process and placemaking for the El CapiTOON Theater queue at Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Disneyland, which pays tribute to Mickey’s career through the years.
00:09:28 – Haunted Mansion Projects,
Kevin talks about his involvement in Haunted Mansion projects, including the 50th anniversary celebration and the collaboration with the Muppets for Muppets Haunted Mansion. He emphasizes the balance of preserving the attraction’s history while introducing new elements.
00:10:44 – Balancing Nostalgia and Innovation,
Kevin explains the challenge of balancing nostalgia and innovation when working on classic attractions like the Haunted Mansion. He emphasizes the importance of respecting the original while also keeping the attraction relevant for new generations.
00:15:04 – Introducing the Characters of the Haunted Mansion,
Professor Phineas Plump and Gus are two characters in the Haunted Mansion. The decision to name them was made by Kevin Lively, who worked with other imagineers familiar with the attraction. They wanted to respect and embrace the names that fans had already given the characters.
00:16:42 – Creating Backstories for Haunted Mansion Characters,
Fans had given the characters of the Haunted Mansion last names, such as Phineas Pac. Kevin Lively explained that there was a lot of fan-created content related to the attraction, but no one was monitoring it. They had to make a decision on the name for the tightrope walker character and went with Sally Slater.
00:18:10 – Crafting a Backstory for Alberta Falls,
Kevin Lively explained that the elaborate backstory for Alberta Falls, the proprietor of the Jungle Navigation Company Limited, came out of necessity. They needed to create a different vibe and empower different types of characters in Adventureland. Alberta is the rambunctious child of Dr. Albert Falls, raised by Jungle Cruise Skippers, and represents the unconventional family theme of the Skipper Canteen.
00:19:41 – Designing for Different Audiences,
When creating a backstory, Kevin Lively considers three different audiences: the casual visitors who just want to enjoy the attraction, those who are aware of the story and its connections, and the hardcore geeks who dig deep into the details. Designing for all three groups ensures
00:28:58 – Recording with Disney for the Holidays,
The guest discusses his experience recording songs for Disney and the excitement of getting the green light for the holidays. He shares his travels to Nebraska and New York and recalls the bitter cold weather. Despite his children not fully understanding his work, he plays the songs for them.
00:30:02 – Introspective Pride and Sharing with Family,
The guest talks about wanting to show his kids the importance of his work and the challenge of getting them interested. His youngest is starting to show curiosity through YouTube videos, while his oldest remains uninterested. He hopes that someday they will appreciate his work.
00:33:12 – Balancing Technology and Classic Attractions,
The guest discusses the balance between incorporating cutting-edge technology and preserving the timeless charm of classic attractions. He mentions the importance of tangible figures and audio animatronics, while also acknowledging the use of screens when done in the right way. He emphasizes the need for seamless integration of different technologies.
00:35:43 – Embracing Technology for Storytelling,
The guest highlights the importance of using technology to enhance storytelling rather than using it for its own sake. He gives examples of how technology can bring characters to life, such as Stuntronics and projection mapping. He encourages embracing technology while being smart with its implementation.
00:39:32 – Walt’s Legacy and Nostalgia,
The guest reflects on Walt Disney’s legacy and how it influences his work. He imagines Walt’s
00:43:59 – The Power of Silly Ideas,
Kevin shares how his silly ideas in meetings sparked creativity and led to unexpected attractions.
00:44:58 – The Unfinished Project,
Kevin reveals his excitement about a project that was close to fruition before COVID-19 hit but unfortunately didn’t come to fruition. He expresses his passion and disappointment.
00:45:45 – Impostor Syndrome,
Kevin discusses the lingering feeling of impostor syndrome and how he realized his value as a creative contributor during a meeting with his colleagues.
00:47:20 – Personal Connection to Zootopia,
Kevin shares his deep personal connection to the Zootopia project in Shanghai. He describes the process of starting from scratch and the anticipation for its opening.
00:51:47 – The Future of Theme Parks,
Kevin discusses the future of theme park experiences, emphasizing the importance of personalization, interactivity, and technology. He highlights the rebound of the industry and the potential for new and exciting developments.
00:59:00 – Introduction and Side Hustle,
Kevin Lively discusses his side hustle of selling paintings, prints, and stickers that funds itself.
00:59:51 – Lightning Round,
Kevin answers rapid-fire Disney-related questions, including his favorite Disney park and attraction worldwide.
01:00:26 – Best Restaurant and Food,
Kevin shares his favorite restaurant, Skipper Canteen, and the best dessert, the Kungaloosh.
01:00:52 – Favorite Character and Dream Disney Trip,
Kevin reveals his favorite character, Goofy, and discusses his dream trip with Walt Disney, mentioning Tokyo Disney Sea and other Disney properties.
01:01:55 – Next Show Idea,
The host and Kevin plan to do a movie review of A Goofy Movie in the next episode.
Role of storytelling and characters
At the heart of every Disney park lies the powerful tool of storytelling, paired with an enchanting cast of characters. Stories offer a unique lens to view the world, igniting imaginations and stirring emotions, while characters provide a relatable, engaging element. Kevin emphasizes this as the essence of Disney Imagineering, proving that storytelling and character development continue to be instrumental in delivering memorable experiences.
- Check out the original El Capitan Theater in Hollywood, operated by Disney, for a unique movie-going experience.
- Watch Mickey’s Runaway Railway in Disneyland and experience the new El Capitune Theater queue.
- Explore the history of Mickey Mouse through the years at the El Capitune Theater queue.
- Discover the different sections of Mickey’s career, from the old rubber hose arms to the newer animation styles.
- Visit the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland and Walt Disney World to experience the classic attraction.
- Watch Muppets Haunted Mansion on Disney+ for a fun and spooky original series.
- Stay updated on the latest changes and updates to the Haunted Mansion, while still honoring its original intent.
- Learn about the official names of the Hitchhiking Ghosts at the Haunted Mansion and their backstories: Professor Phineas Plump, Ezra Bean, and little Gus.
Episode Transcript
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