Step back into the age of sword and sorcery as we unravel the untold story of Universal Studios' most dangerous and innovative attraction: the Conan the Barbarian Sword and Sorcery Spectacular. This legendary stunt show wasn't just entertainment—it was a revolution that forever changed how theme parks approach live experiences.

From Robert E. Howard's complex literary character to Frank Frazetta's iconic artistic vision and Arnold Schwarzenegger's silver screen portrayal, we trace Conan's evolution before diving deep into the attraction that dared to use real fire, military-grade lasers, and death-defying stunts to wow audiences. The show's creation marked the moment Universal deliberately established itself as the "anti-Disney," poaching Imagineers and pushing boundaries Disney wouldn't touch.

What forgotten theme park attractions do you wish would return? Share your memories with us on our Facebook group or at [email protected]!

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Notes: de Camp editing - http://www.barbariankeep.com/issues.html
Planet of the Apes article: https://boardwalktimes.net/disney-drops-the-finest-science-fiction-film-series-of-all-time-on-hulu-4c1a03f1329d

Chronology of the Castle Theater: The Land of a Thousand Faces (1975-1980), Castle Dracula Live (1980-1983), The Adventures of Conan: A Sword and Sorcery Spectacular (1983-1993), Beetlejuice's Rock and Roll Graveyard Review (1991-1999), Spider-Man Rocks (2002-2004), Fear Factor Live (2005-2008), Creature from the Black Lagoon: The Musical (2009), Special Effects Show (2010-2023), Theater Closed for Fast & Furious coaster.

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Join us for part two of the strangest story we've told thus far.
The 1990s launch with a particularly charming story about jet packs, The Rocketeer. But then Kinnie Gibson, Brad Barker, Larry Stanley and Bill Suitor return to pick up a story that involves assault, murder, kidnapping and a giant flying beer can.
Strap in! And remember, when the helmet vibrates, you only have 14 seconds to find a place to land!

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Notes:
Rondo Hatten - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rondo_Hatton
The RB 2000 - http://www.inventordoug.com/07RocketBelt/Rocket02.htm
Jaxxon - https://screenrant.com/star-wars-jaxxon-special-ewoks-mignola-cover/

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What if I told you that the man who flew above Disneyland's Tomorrowland in the 1960s wasn't on wires, but strapped to actual jet engines? The remarkable true story of the rocket belt at Disney parks is more fascinating—and bizarre—than you might imagine.

Kelly and Pete explore the surprising origins of personal flight technology, beginning with Wendell Moore of Bell Aeronautics, who adapted stabilization jets from Chuck Yeager's sound barrier-breaking X-1 aircraft into a wearable rocket pack. Though limited to just 21 seconds of flight time and powered by 90% pure hydrogen peroxide, these devices captured worldwide imagination, appearing not just at Disneyland and Disney World, but at presidential demonstrations, the 1984 Olympics opening ceremony, and in James Bond's "Thunderball."

The rocket belt's journey through entertainment history connects fascinating dots between science fiction and reality. From Buck Rogers' "jumping belt" of 1920s comics to Commando Cody's rocket adventures in 1950s film serials, America had been primed to embrace personal flight long before it became technically possible. When Disney showcased these devices above Tomorrowland, they were fulfilling dreams decades in the making.

But this is just the beginning of a story that grows increasingly strange. As competing rocket belt designs emerge, the narrative takes unexpected turns involving lawn-mowing teenagers who became rocket men, alleged drug smuggling operations, baseball bat confrontations, stolen equipment, and the birth of troubling rivalries that will ultimately lead to truly startling consequences.

This first installment of a two-part rocket belt saga lifts off from the Flight Circle of yesterday's Tomorrowland and soars through a landscape where Disney history intersects with one of technology's most persistently appealing—yet perpetually impractical—dreams. Join us next time as the story grows even more unbelievable.

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Show Notes: Bill Suitor is his name, not Robert as Kelly says early on.

Dr. Theopolis on Buck Rogers was voiced by Howard F. Flynn.

It's actually unclear if Tommy Walker booked the Bell Rocketbelt team for the 1964 World's Fair. He did, however, book Suitor to fly the RocketBelt for the 1984 Olympic Games opening as well as the team's 1965 and 1967 appearances at Disneyland.
Walker, by the way, also composed the six-note "Charge!" fanfare heard at American sporting events.

Astronaut Charles Duke: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Duke

Kelly is playing fast and loose with the attraction naming. Rocket to the Moon (1955), Flight to the Moon (1967), Mission to Mars (1975).

The Jetbelt guys actually could have launched from the location of the former Flying Saucers ride in 1967 because it had been converted to the Tomorrowland stage.

Technical Debt at Disneyland article - https://boardwalktimes.net/the-cost-of-endless-magic-theme-parks-and-technical-debt-73a4bb29bb24

Jaxxon!  https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Jaxxon_T._Tumperakki

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A quick note between talking about the Prince of Darkness and the Darkness of the Future!
Full episode coming very soon.

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In part two of Transylvanian Tumbleweeds we explore the legacy of Dracula-themed attractions, particularly focusing on the Castle Dracula experience at Universal Studios. We discuss the concept of the "JayBang" introduced by Jay Stein and the challenges faced as audience tastes shifted, leading to innovative adaptations in modern amusement parks.

• Exploration of Universal Studios' background 
• Delving into the concept of "JayBang" 
• Nostalgia surrounding Castle Dracula 
• The impact of cultural changes on horror representation 
• Insights into Bill Tracy's influence in theme park design 
• Upcoming Universal Horror Land discussions 

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In part one of our exploration of the Transylvanian tyrant turned tourist trap, we break down some of Dracula's origins. Don't worry, this is not going to be that same old "Dracula is based on Vlad the Impaler" lecture that you've already heard. It's much stranger than that. And much more wonderful.
Then we start to place the good Count into some of his earliest theme park appearances.
Part 2 should be up next week!

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Ken Bruce spent 16 years researching and writing about the most important piece of theme park pop art ever made: Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room. The resulting book not only tells the history of that attraction, but serves to show how its story is the story of how we see the modern theme park as a whole.
Ken was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his book and the stories and myths surrounding Walt Disney's most personal attraction which, over six decades later, is still delighting audiences at Disneyland.

His book "Before the Birds Sang Words" is available at Amazon or from his website, https://www.tikiroom63.com.

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An opening day attraction in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, Mr. Toad is surprising fan favorite given that it plays like an outtake of a film that not that many people have seen and ends in punishment.
We love it.
Join us for an exploration of the ride that started Claude Coats' theme park career: Mr. Toad's Wild Ride!

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It's one of the quirkiest theme park attractions of all time. Disneyland, for the first time ever, took on pure science fiction and hit it out of the park. It was like riding through an episode of "Outer Limits" or "Twilight Zone" (and was notably influenced by "Twilight Zone" writer Richard Matheson) and was unique in its effective simplicity and brilliance of design.
Join us as we revisit one of our favorite attractions of all time, Monsanto's "Adventure Thru Inner Space!"
 “For though your body will shrink, your mind will expand!”

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Another amuse-bouche one between the big shows.
Let us know if you like these.
And review us on your podcast platform of choice, please.  We'd really appreciate it.

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