Evolution Of Maleficent In Disney Parks & Beyond - DIStory Ep. 37

Maleficent has been terrorizing Disney Parks for decades, going up against the forces of good. Check out her evolution in Disney Parks and Beyond!
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Edited by @kenjohnson1028
DIStorian Research Assistant - Chad "Future Dwight" Johnson
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*Research And Writing Special Thanks to Sam from Pupepepets
*Voice Over & Audio Assistance by Nate Begle
*Character Resources thanks to great blogs like Character Central

[@philipdarrenellwell1994]

"A bunch of drag queens in green paint throwing fireballs at a rodent" sounds like either the best season of Rupaul's Drag Race or the worst, can't decide.

[@thepeternetwork]

I used to have drag queens as friends. Each time they played in my city, I would attend their shows to support them. I was even hired as an announcer for a public access cable tv show starring one half of the act. It was a wonderful time.

[@philipdarrenellwell1994]

@@thepeternetwork Drag queens are good people

[@isaiasjeremy7579]

Dont know if anyone gives a shit but if you guys are stoned like me atm you can watch pretty much all of the new series on InstaFlixxer. Been watching with my gf for the last few weeks :)

[@shilohbrian870]

@Isaias Jeremy yup, I've been watching on Instaflixxer for since november myself :)

[@SarahJareth]

I would watch that challenge so hard on Drag Race

[@perpetuallyuncomfortable]

Maleficent in the movie: *is implied to be the literal devil* Maleficent in the parks: *dances to Burn Baby Burn*

[@KeepCalmContemplateYourChoices]

Okay, I know this isn't the comment to do it, but I need somewhere to rant about the 2014 Maleficent: Basically what Maleficent tries to do for Maleficent is what Wicked tried to do for the Witch of The West/Elphaba. But even then the whole point of the movie becomes redundant. Because what Wicked tried to do is give the witch personality, and backstory, and make the audience feel something for her, the witch of the west in the movie and books was bland, without much personality other than wanting to ruin things. Maleficent was already a charming, cunning villain, who would do what she needed to do to get what she wanted. If it meant killing infants, or kidnapping princes. And Maleficent didn't just curse Aurora because she wasn't invited, she cursed Aurora because she wanted to bring hopelessness and despair to the kingdom, make them feel miserable. Maleficent cursing Aurora just because of a grudge with Stefan doesn't give off 'I am the mistress of all evil and I will make you suffer' vibe. It gives off crazy ex-girlfriend vibes. And making Maleficent care about Aurora?!? She's the EMBODIMENT OF EVIL AND SUFFERING, not a babysitter! I know it's an adaption and you can do what you want, but defacing a perfectly fine character to an Elphaba wannabe, just doesn't sit right with me. And I've met so many people who take Maleficent as canon to the Sleeping Beauty story, it infuriates me. And there's no changing my mind, but Maleficent turning into a dragon will always beat the dark angel aesthetic. I know she turned the bird-man into a dragon in the 2014 one, but why couldn't she just turn into a dragon herself?!?!?!?!?!?!? *_aaaaAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH_*

[@perpetuallyuncomfortable]

@@KeepCalmContemplateYourChoices go off fam you're right and you should say it

[@urrsys9765]

Bold to assume that Satan himself wouldn't disco down to the grooves of the 70's

[@lourdeswhitener9713]

@@KeepCalmContemplateYourChoices you are so right.

[@bitwawesome1]

Romance girl

[@emilypeduto981]

"okay guys, we want maleficent to be so drastically distinct from lady tremaine that we're willing to make her a martian bug lady for the sake of standing out." "but we are going to use the same voice actress for both, right?" "oh of course."

[@jennifer_m.8613]

My thoughts exactly!

[@jamessparkman6604]

@@jennifer_m.8613 Elenor audley

[@youtubewontletmetypeagoodu8128]

@@jamessparkman6604 she didn’t ask

[@princessqueen6881]

​@@youtubewontletmetypeagoodu8128 it's the voice actor of the characters

[@michell3insf]

Curious how the Evil Queen's and Ursula's costumes have changed through the years. But dang, never realized Maleficent had so many variations in outfits.

[@anitasuwito4062]

Yes i now

[@clarktooncrossing3975]

5:28 Forget cheap-seats, these horns could be seen from outer-freak'n space! Those horns have been known to pick up stray radio signals! One moment Maleficent will be monologuing then all of a sudden you hear John Denver playing out of her horns!

[@KeepCalmContemplateYourChoices]

how does this not have more likes???

[@dorkinabubble7772]

John Denver 😂😂😂

[@Thomas_H._Smith]

1:54 Fun Fact: Marc Davis was given Maleficent because, one he always wanted to do a villain, and two because he was basically their number one guy when it came to female characters, he drew Cinderella, Alice, Tinkerbell, Aurora, and Cruella De Vil, so he was given Maleficent because they wanted here to look more beautiful.

[@datt7398]

and that he did, a great job

[@AuthorZaraHoffman]

Cruella was also a villain, though

[@Thomas_H._Smith]

@@AuthorZaraHoffman That was after Maleficent though.

[@AuthorZaraHoffman]

@@Thomas_H._Smith Right! True. I was just confused by the phrasing.

[@Thomas_H._Smith]

@@AuthorZaraHoffman Yeah I just threw that in there, because I knew if I didn't, I'd get a ton of replies about it

[@LindsayTVFilm]

Comparing Japanese Maleficent to Rita Repulsa makes legit sense

[@AJ17_]

Rita Repulsa was probably inspired by Maleficent.

[@kronemerj]

Potentially yeah...

[@LindsayTVFilm]

@@AJ17_ Her army is based off fairytale creatures (Goldar is themed to a griffin, Finster a Leprechaun for example)

[@kronemerj]

@@LindsayTVFilm so even if she's not based on maleficent directly she is definitely based on the fairytale tropes that inspired maleficent

[@GroundedPlotProductions]

What about zyuranger where the footage for Rita came from wouldn’t make sense because it’s overseas in Japan

[@rasmusdegn9690]

"Michael Eisner is in full force and has partnered with Maleficent" How has this not been mentioned on Defunctland?

[@missybarbour6885]

I know! Usually any mention of Mike summons him like the bat signal

[@kronemerj]

Or yesterworld...... Either one really

[@gabrielladiaz6933]

Oh god not Eisner

[@Kiterpuss]

The fact the Maleficent is so recognizable that you can change her dress, her head piece, her staff, her color scheme, or her face shape/color and STILL know it's her immediately is truly a testament to how good her design is. Imagine throwing a brunette Cinderella into a completely different color and costume; you'd probably assume it's Belle. But Maleficient is genuinely iconic.

[@ShanKatOD]

Re: wet greasy Maleficent: Glitter reads on camera as sweat. She was covered in green and silver glitter ✨

[@darreylhenderson702]

Yes, it's clearly green and silver face glitter. I like it

[@jess7611]

You should do elevation of Tinker bells appearance in Disney parks

[@moonprincesst.s.h.4ever115]

I would love to know how they make Tinkerbell fly in the parks. I saw her fly when I was ten and I still can't figure it out now. And now I am thirty-seven years old. 🧚🏼‍♀️😁😂

[@lydias376]

Yes! I would like to see that

[@josequezada7142]

@@moonprincesst.s.h.4ever115 si it is a sip line on top of Cinderella castle to Tomorrowland terrace in WDW and on dL it is a fur character and the secret is tinker bell is played by a man when she flys.

[@josequezada7142]

Do the evolution of tinker bell

[@moonprincesst.s.h.4ever115]

@@josequezada7142 Thanks for the information 💗

[@whatdoyousuppose]

7:58 Aurora’s dress here looks almost identical to the one Ariel wears in The Little Mermaid (you know, the blue Kiss The Girl dress?). I wonder if they were inspired by Aurora!

[@melskunk]

Me: no I don't remember ever having a lesbian awakening as a kid Also me: mom let's watch Sleeping Beauty again the dragon lady is so...cool

[@calliemyersbuchanan6458]

Totally agree!! 😈That dungeon scene on repeat though!! When done right, It's one of the most flattering costumes/makeups of any female face characters. Like talk about hot! Also I think that film is what planted the seed of me being intrigued by the f**ish of hypnotism.

[@LaviniaDeMortalium]

She was my first female crush too!

[@cursedcancersurvivor]

Lesbians are like vegans. They can't resist telling you they're a lesbian.

[@bitwawesome1]

Romance girl

[@bitwawesome1]

That would make you more of a furry

[@coolguyhino92]

"They're always smiling. They're *Always* smiling" Looks who's calling the Cauldron black, Dan.

[@DaxIsAName]

18:12 is my favorite part of the video. When you say "She looks so angry" and cut to that still shot! Hysterical! I totally see it! She's a scary Maleficent cut off at the knees! I love her!

[@ashleysimmons3210]

You should do the evolution of Ariel from the little mermaid. Or better yet, Ursula

[@javierescuella2917]

I never imagined Maleficent doing a dance number on burn baby burn 😂😂😂 what a time to be alive :')

[@morganmiller5413]

Even villains gotta get down and funky lol

[@bitwawesome1]

Romance girl

[@bitwawesome1]

Technicality AMV anything and everything

[@DaxIsAName]

Sleeping Beauty is my favorite princess movie. Maleficent is my favorite villain. The background forests are some of my favorite animated sets of all time. Maleficent IS the ultimate Villain. Every word she said in the original is perfect. Thank you for going in as deep as you did with her character design. This was surely worth the wait.

[@Knight-of-Sarcasm]

Totally agree 100%. She is my abso fav villain. I even had a Happy Meal pen with her in her dragon form that sat on my desk besides Merlin lol! (he's my fav "good guy") Had to represent you know?

[@bitwawesome1]

Romance girl

[@gabbygrace100]

You really called back to “burn, baby burn” 😂

[@minnymoon1360]

Maleficent was always my favorite villain, I love how that she can turn into a giant black dragon that breaths green flame

[@KathrynBurke713]

I've always loved Maleficent's character design! It's so perfect, elegant and iconic. While I"m not opposed to the occasional red in the costume, I still prefer the pinks or purples being there. I do LOVE that flame version of it from Disney's Once Upon a Dream parade and that Steampunk Maleficent dragon from Festival of Fantasy is amazing!

[@tophat_ted]

Let us not forget Maleficent in Twisted The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier

[@InvaderSamXD]

That Club Villain Maleficent is GORGEOUS. That's got to be my favorite! Beautiful, refined and regal but still threatening. What a bombshell.

[@maldon3659]

I hope you do a Disney Parks evolution for Captain Hook next

[@alishanightshade3270]

29:11 Queen of heart finally be a normal human not a plastic angry doll with large head but small and thin body

[@CooperE.]

I have the ORIGINAL VHS of the Disneyland Singalong and that part scared the crap out of me as a kid. It still kind of creeps me out today.

[@happilyeverafterhanna]

That scared the crap out of me too!😂

[@JAKECOT_CENTER]

From what I’ve gathered, sometimes men play Maleficent in Fantasmic

[@sketchnotes2246]

It's true! My mom has a friend who played both maleficant in the show and Prince charming as a walk around character!

[@AJ17_]

Dan mentions this in the video.

[@MichaelNelsonandFam]

Omg wow I’m so amazed by this that’s cool and somehow very weird and disturbing

[@rattyeely]

It makes sense because for a show that far away they'd want someone really tall to play her

[@angusthepangus1]

For some reason it never occurred to me that maleficents horns were actually a contemporary headpiece. Obsessed.

[@andyhames4727]

Wow Paris really does get the better character costume designs. Absolutely stunning work. Wish some of that integrity would spread back to the original parks once again as well. Kudos, Paris!

[@johnroberts6018]

THIS VIDEO WAS EVERYTHING! thank you! As a huge Maleficent fan, there has always been one thing that irritates me about her costumes. The spikes either side of her horns are actually supposed to be all the way around her head, similar to her dragon counterpart. I don't know if that is because of health and safety but they have NEVER done it right, there is even a clay sculpt that Marc Davis used which has the spikes on there so I know it definitely was used as reference for the film. thank you again, this was fascinating stuff! as a bitter gothy adult myself I say keep the villains coming! :)

[@emmaenglish274]

Fantasmic at Hollywood studios is my favorite! I cry or almost cry every time!

[@margaretfranks5709]

I'd love to see Dan as a parade dancer with them moves

[@MsDisneylandlover]

I can c it lol

[@bradleyh7582]

Why have we not Shamed Disney into revamping Florida’s Fantasmic!?

[@stewartsinclair4059]

Because it’s perfect the way it is.

[@bradleyh7582]

@@stewartsinclair4059 then I presume you haven’t seen the versions in Japan or California

[@kronemerj]

Because then Disney would probably just remove it.... Better to have a subpar Fantasmic than no fantasmic at all.

[@maxkull2899]

I think at this rate it might never reopen...it’s an extremely expensive show and with all the additions to DHS, I’m afraid that once entertainment gets back on track at the parks, the theater will be scrapped for a new ride/future expansion. It’s a pretty big area it sits on all alone, and is never utilized during the day. I’m praying for a refurb/Fantasmic 2.0 though.

[@maxkull2899]

@@bradleyh7582 Also Japan’s closed permanently last year :(

[@ChicoDiamante]

The Legend. The Icon. The one and only Maleficent. I loved this video so much! Also, even as a toddler I identified with Maleficent. She was the first Disney villain that I found cool.

[@luthientinuviel3883]

Same, she was the villain every time I played pretend and I used to think a tree near my house looked like the Forbidden Mountain

[@laurenhodges6411]

I loved the sing along VHS with the spooky song! That was one of my staple songs in childhood.

[@DaxIsAName]

Shocking no one, Disneyland Paris gets the costume and design choices right with Maleficent.

[@KeepCalmContemplateYourChoices]

I mean, Rita Repulsa Maleficent from Tokyo is pretty great too!

[@samboi123]

"It's easier to empathize with villains as you get older and bitter." Me, who has been a fan of bad guys since playing Mario Kart Wii as a child: :-|

[@DistoryDan]

What happened to you!?!? Jk jk I get it.

[@samboi123]

@@DistoryDan I just think they’re neat.

[@sianwallace5910]

Now you’ve put the thought in my mind I’m pretty sure Maleficent alone is the reason hot topic exists 😂

[@dooba84]

I remember that Maleficent fire outfits from disneyland Paris parade and It was so beautiful in real life, with all the color, and the movements of the fabrics!

[@graygiraffe3690]

I remember watching that exact Disney sing-along in 3rd grade 😂

[@ninas3882]

I remember watching that in 1st and 2nd grade

[@bellal3270]

you are the most relatable and hilarious Disney KZbinr out there and honestly you have some of the best content out there. keep doing what you are doing, because your videos are like THE highlight of my days.

[@DistoryDan]

💜

[@bellal3270]

Oh and yes, Disneyland Singalong Songs is one of the most iconic things e.v.e.r. 😆 literally my childhood was spent watching it over and over again. The songs are still stuck in my head to this dayy

[@pink-a-palouza7888]

Maleficent went hard on the highlighter for that haunted Mansion music video

[@RyGuy2332]

I always called the Disneyland Fun Maleficent to be an avocado face mask lol Also props to the actor portraying Prince Phillip with Eleanor Audley all tied up and gagged. Phillip was silent the rest of the movie anyways lol

[@FieryArtemis]

So, here's a fantasmic detail that I just spontaneously remembered. In the DisneyWorld version, Ariel is sitting on the bow of the river boat with her fins. However, there's a point where all the actors have to take shelter inside the boat because all the fireworks go off... everyone except for Ariel who can't move... because her fins. So what do they do? They throw a fire repellant blanket over her and call it good. Edit: It's the Disney World version. And apparently her fins are attached the boat itself.

[@moonprincesst.s.h.4ever115]

Disney love them some scissor lifts, don't they? 😁😂🤣

[@BloodylocksBathory]

Magic Lives On Maleficent: Ahh! After 10,000 years, I'm free!

[@kronemerj]

Its time to concur Disney world!!

[@rachelmarinelli4415]

I love the first Fantillusion outfit and fire Malificent. Generally I think purple looks better on her, but those two looks were so cool with the red

[@bitwawesome1]

Romance girl

[@KatCrit]

She terrified me but I loved her. She’s fantastic. And the music 😚. Love Tchaikovsky.

[@bitwawesome1]

Romance girl

[@averyeml]

Honestly I’ve been waiting for this episode ever since you uploaded those sing along VHS rips and I saw that WILD version of Maleficent in one of the songs. I forgot just how crazy they’ve done her throughout

[@bitwawesome1]

Romance girl

[@tjbelton4041]

Can you do the goofy parade next?!?!

[@rolandalbertbangayan2098]

Seventeen

[@CoaTravelNut]

Glad someone agrees with me on the Disneyland Sing-Along VHS tape! I grew up on that with the Disneyland Paris version (in French) as well as Mickey Fun Songs!

[@douglasfreer]

One thing’s for sure Maleficent is a fabulous queen of darkness.

[@bishoppossiblyexist1450]

Who else wants to see Disney Dan do a rant on the Hollywood studios fantasmic?

[@henriquejambu]

Oh my glob yes! The fact that Maleficent is a drag queen makes perfect sense, I love it

[@Ireton06]

Thank you this was fun to watch on a rainy day lookin forward to the next episode

[@TokuandThomas]

I'm gonna be that guy who got super excited when you mentioned Let's Go to Disneyland Paris. I'm probably the only person who can claim it's their favorite Disney thing ever.

[@TravisChickenCoop]

For some reason I thought you’d already done this one lol

[@janelleweed2853]

I forgot what a gem the sing along songs were until you mentioned them. I haven't seen them since I was so young. Maleficent in that movie looks like she's sweaty rather than glittery lol.

[@abadventures5977]

It’s so interesting how much the costume has changed. I did a video on this a few months ago, and love seeing your perspective on it too. Great job! -Amanda

[@DodgeBearUK]

Recently got into this channel and I have to say I love Dan's laugh its so infectious and sets me off

[@Pianoman25624]

This guy has gotta love his job ! Love the evolution vids btw

[@corrinerocco1724]

I swear ur happy energy, you’re hilarious comparisons, and ur laugh is so contagious! I love ur videos so much because of ur opinions, energy, and ur humor! ❤️❤️👏👏👏👏

[@KaiDrawsShit03]

I went to Disney World in 2015 with my family and we walked in while Festival of Fantasy was happening. I got an amazing picture of the Maleficent float breathing fire. Its still my favorite picture I've taken at a Disney park.

[@sketchnotes2246]

Omg fantasmic scared me so bad as a kid because the only seat we could get was right next to the speakers. Imagine having to hear Maleficant cackle at 10 times the volume.

[@megangeorge9257]

I always loved the villains, even when I was younger. I had so much Evil Queen stuff growing up, so I love that Disney is expanding the villains in the parks and not just making them a Halloween thing.

[@AngelinaQuintero_2006]

Maleficent is such an icon AUgh. I love her.

[@carriekayak8530]

You can make the creepiest Maleficent interesting, with all your historical details.

[@origamidragoon6094]

I swear Dan’s laugh is so contagious it’s great

[@MsDisneylandlover]

Yes it is I been saying it lol when I watch is blogs lol

[@sugarshaz7854]

Greatest Disney villain of all time 🙂👑

[@8BitGabe]

It took about two years but it’s here

[@Ihavethreeaxolotls]

Maleficent is my favorite Disney Princess 🥰

[@mikeyblaise18]

Maleficent is not a Disney Princess she’s an Evil Fairy and the mistress of all Evil

[@kristindemaria2327]

I loved this and you had my cracking up about fantasmic ! Also had no idea the performer was a drag queen in green makeup

[@Dobi714]

Some of those were rough, but it all led to how it is now... they finally got the best looking version in the end.

[@DepthTravel]

Yeah I’ve watched that sing along video for Disneyland, back in preschool when we had to watch it. All I remember was “who was that rabbit following mickey?”. After I found out Who Framed Roger Rabbit exists, i was in shock.

[@Thomas_H._Smith]

Here we go I've been waiting for this one since Halloween 2018.

[@morgannichole2020]

I would love to see a comparison of the Fantasmics. As someone who has only seen the Hollywood Studios version, I’m curious.

[@mihile4631]

20:26 Frick, NOT THOSE THREE, THEY’RE THE BEST OF MY CHILDHOOD

[@sasamichan]

I sort of want videos on obscure costumes or one shots or same costume reused as different characters

[@pirateprincess1997]

i would love to see an evolution of sleeping beauty's outfits

[@bitwawesome1]

Romance girl

[@angryragegaming6091]

I laughed so hard at that 0:09 part😂😂

[@kyocat999Tasuki]

Omg I love your laugh!! This is great!

[@dericprieskorn]

Let see Evil Queen next! She’s seen so many variations too! 🍎

[@lyssacohen4085]

5:14 holy cow.... he is ROCKIN THAT MAKEUP GIRLYYYYYY!!!! PLEASE HE IS LIVINGGGGGGG

[@saintfighteraqua]

Can't spell Maleficent without "Male"! XD

[@julianwidjaja]

When the comments pop up and mine is on the bottom right. Senpai noticed me! XD More villains please...

[@hopejordan2997]

I would honestly be interested in seeing an evolution video on the Lion King characters

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Maleficent, the best part of Fantasmic! *Now you will deal with me, and all the powers of my imagination!*

[@HaywardEntertainment]

That 20 seconds of performance time she gets Dopest part of the show💚🖤💜

[@jolliwoodstudios]

i think you should one day do a video on the backup dancers' costumes for the parades and stage shows, some of them are fantastic!

[@CeltycSparrow]

Maleficent is easily near the top of my list for favorite villains.

[@TjSamson]

I always knew you will love the Once Upon a Dream Parade Maleficent version.

[@josiea3353]

How did I just find your channel? I love these type of videos giving you a history of Disney! You just earned a new follower! :) And I love how you narrate and laugh I needed some cheering up today! Perfect thank you!

[@malindamay3661]

Please do a video of your opinions with the Ian and Barley character in Disneyland and your opinion with the film, Pixar Onward,please.

[@batmankitty8284]

The costume I love the most is definitely the fire version of maleficent

[@jaydenwassink2038]

I love these videos and the amazing puns in them

[@DatOneCat]

I like a lot of the later versions of the costumes since they didn't have to mess with very stylized features and proportions that made it just look off.

[@laurenjcoates]

24:25 I LOVE THE BACKUP DANCERS

[@connorplisga3718]

Maleficent: "I am the Ultimate Disney Villain!!! HA HA HA!!! Scar: "Am I a joke to you?!"

[@rattyeely]

Can Scar turn into a dragon?

[@connorplisga3718]

@@rattyeely Did Maleficent straight up kill her own brother on screen?

[@amyyy298]

When you said she looks gooey I LOST IT. My dog came to check if I was ok, I was crying laughing.

[@redgirlfive]

"She's wicked" well she is green.. also oh my gosh he mentioned once upon a time :0 MY FAVOURITE SHOWWW

[@emmagrund3647]

The biggest and most major quip I have about the Walt Disney World Fantasmic is truly that dragon. After watching the updated version at Disneyland in 2017, that animatronic version of Maleficent is spectacular. That puppet at Hollywood Studios does not do the show justice....