Villains, Funhouses, and the Alice Ride That Was Almost Too Dangerous to Build (Ep. 528)

Apr 21, 2025

Join former Walt Disney Imagineering executive Jim Shull as he dives into the thrilling and perilous history of the never-built Alice in Wonderland walkthrough. Discover why this attraction faced the axe—was it skyrocketing costs or safety concerns? Learn about the eccentric Funhouse that never came to fruition and the bizarre challenges faced by Buzz Lightyear's costume. Plus, get the latest on the elusive Disco Yeti and its impact on Expedition Everest. From whimsical concepts to forgotten ventures, prepare for a wild ride through Disney's imaginative history!

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INSIGHT

Everest Yeti Fix Challenges

Fixing Expedition Everest’s broken Yeti is complex and costly.
Major repairs might coincide with track replacement, likely years away due to park capacity concerns.

ADVICE

Epic Universe Early Entry Strategy

Use the first hour of Epic Universe early entry for lesser crowded rides in Super Nintendo World.
Prioritize Minecart Madness first, then Yoshi; then head to more popular rides like Monsters or Ministry with Express Pass.

ADVICE

Disney Dining Plan Sharing Tips

Sharing Disney Dining Plan credits is a gray area but often tolerated.
Try sharing credits among family members; servers usually allow flexibility though policies aren’t formally defined.

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Len Testa, Jim Hill, and Imagineer Jim Shull dig into the wild, weird, and wonderfully unsafe history of Disney’s unbuilt Alice in Wonderland walkthrough attraction—complete with collapsing stairs, spinning barrels, and push-bag trees.

Also in this episode:

Disneyland’s Funhouse That Never Was – Concept art and site plans reveal a walkthrough filled with rotating platforms, disorienting ramps, and a healthy disregard for OSHA.
Why Alice’s Walkthrough Got the Axe – Was it the cost, the chaos, or the fact that guests might leave with concussions and playing cards in their pockets?
Alice’s Maze Lives On – How elements of the walkthrough survived in Paris and Shanghai—hedges, live-action inspiration, and all.
Buzz Lightyear’s Costume Was a Health Risk – The original walk-around suit nearly wrecked cast members’ backs and required Disney to cover chiropractor visits.
Everest and the Yeti (Still Broken) – Jim Shull gives the latest on Disco Yeti, ride longevity, and why any real fix won’t happen until Expedition Everest hits its track expiration date.
Universal’s Deep Survey Dive – A guest poll so long and personal it should’ve come with a HIPAA notice.

From fantasy to funhouse nightmares, and from Buzz to barrel rolls, this week’s show explores the wildest ideas Disney never built—and the things they probably shouldn't have.

SHOW NOTES

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