Episode Details

It’s one of the most breathtaking and iconic scenes of any Disney attraction. But how did the Imagineers ACTUALLY come up with the idea for bombarding the fort in Pirates of the Caribbean? 

In this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we buckle our swashes and explore the history, design, technology, and possible inspirations behind Disneyland’s famous Bombarding the Fort scene.

We’ll trace the battle from early Marc Davis, Claude Coats, Bruce Bushman, and Colin Campbell artwork through models, construction photographs, rare footage, and the finished 1967 attraction. Along the way, we’ll investigate a fascinating possible connection to a 1935 film and how it may have inspired the Imagineers to create this scene.

Then we’re climbing aboard the Wicked Wench to uncover the history of the legendary pirate ship, and what it was called before the attraction opened. As we pillage and plunder our way through this Pirate scene, we also investigate a mysterious coat of arms, meet the original Blackbeard-inspired pirate captain, explore pirate codes and superstitions, and look at how Captain Barbossa eventually took command of the Wicked Wench.

Across the harbor, we’ll examine Puerto Dorado, the soldiers defending it, and some Imagineering effects that make the entire battle come alive.

So climb aboard as we duck under flying cannonballs and uncover the obscure history hiding inside this incredible scene in Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean.

Resource links:Kate's books & Substackhttps://disneycicerone.com/WalrusCarp T-shirts & Merch⁠https://walruscarp.com/MOWD apphttps://mowd.io/

Wayback WED Disney History Fan Eventhttps://waybackwed.com/

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Many thanks to Disney historian Joshua at  E82 | The Epcot Legacy for contributing resources for this episode!

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