A Little Thrill: Secrets of the Matterhorn Part 1

After Dark: One Year

Death Kissed Traveler is officially one year old — and what better way to celebrate than by going back to where it all began? In this special anniversary episode, I’m sharing how my lifelong love of theme parks, Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Epcot, RollerCoaster Tycoon, and my strange fascination with ride accidents turned into a podcast about the darker side of the places we travel to escape. What started as a show about amusement park accidents and hauntings has become so much more — hidden history, circus tragedies, fairs, true crime, folklore, mermaids, abandoned parks, environmental rabbit holes, and the eerie stories that still linger after the gates close. And of course, we’re celebrating with one of the strangest stories I’ve ever covered: Sam the Sandown Clown — a seven-foot-tall, part clown, part alien, part robot figure from Isle of Wight folklore. A story that feels like a circus nightmare, a cryptid encounter, and a ghost story all rolled into one. So come celebrate one year of Death Kissed Traveler with me as we look back at the stories, the lessons, the chaos, the hauntings, and the painted faces in the dark. Produced by Sun-Kissed Traveler. Visit sun-kissedtraveler.com [http://sun-kissedtraveler.com/] for a free vacation quote and show sources. Written by Marissa Benson.  Music and Sound Effects Epidemic Sound.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deathkissedtravelerpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/deathkissedtravelerpodcast/] Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deathkissedtravel?_t=ZT-90F2Dn2tEU9&_r=1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@deathkissedtravel?_t=ZT-90F2Dn2tEU9&_r=1] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Da6bkCo3o/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://www.facebook.com/share/1Da6bkCo3o/?mibextid=wwXIfr] Keywords: year one, dark history, ride accidents, haunted, horror, history, sam, sam the sandown clown, sam the clown, amusement parks, theme parks, circus, folklore

Secrets of the Great Salt Lake

A Deep Dive into Its History and Significance The Great Salt Lake has always fascinated those who encounter it. While it looms large in the landscape of Utah, many individuals drive past without fully understanding the mysterious body of water that calls to them. In this post, we’ll explore the history, significance, and the contemporary challenges facing the Great Salt Lake, shedding light on why this unique ecosystem deserves more attention.   Produced by Sun-Kissed Traveler. Visit sun-kissedtraveler.com [http://sun-kissedtraveler.com/] for a free vacation quote and show sources. Written by Marissa Benson.  Music and Sound Effects Epidemic Sound.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deathkissedtravelerpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/deathkissedtravelerpodcast/] Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deathkissedtravel?_t=ZT-90F2Dn2tEU9&_r=1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@deathkissedtravel?_t=ZT-90F2Dn2tEU9&_r=1] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Da6bkCo3o/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://www.facebook.com/share/1Da6bkCo3o/?mibextid=wwXIfr] Keywords: Great Salt Lake. Utah. Theme Parks. Data Center. AI. History. Dark History. Saltair. Lagoon. Lake Park. 1800s. Utah Pioneers. Utah Data Center.

Fatal Fun: The People Mover

The dark history behind Disneyland’s most beloved attraction—the People Mover—will shock you. What seemed like a futuristic, relaxing ride hiding dangerous secrets, tragedies, and ghostly remnants that still linger today. How did Disneyland’s calmest ride become a site of multiple fatal accidents, and why does it sit abandoned yet still towering above Tomorrowland?Long before the current Disney parks, Walt Disney’s obsession with innovation led to the creation of the People Mover—a ride meant to showcase the future of transportation. Built in the 1960s with groundbreaking technology, it was supposed to be a peaceful, inspiring journey above Tomorrowland. But beneath its shiny surface lurked a series of tragedies that changed Disney history forever. From Ricky Yama’s terrifying death just weeks after opening, to injuries and near-misses in the decades that followed, the People Mover’s story is one of human error, engineering overconfidence, and unanswered legal questions. Keywords: People Mover, Disneyland, Disney, Ride Accident, Walt Disney, Dark History, History, New Podcast, Rides, Theme Parks, Amusement Parks   Produced by Sun-Kissed Traveler. Visit sun-kissedtraveler.com [http://sun-kissedtraveler.com/] for a free vacation quote and show sources. Written by Marissa Benson.  Music and Sound Effects Epidemic Sound.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deathkissedtravelerpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/deathkissedtravelerpodcast/] Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deathkissedtravel?_t=ZT-90F2Dn2tEU9&_r=1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@deathkissedtravel?_t=ZT-90F2Dn2tEU9&_r=1] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Da6bkCo3o/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://www.facebook.com/share/1Da6bkCo3o/?mibextid=wwXIfr]

Deadliest Decades (Part 2)

This episode explores the dark history of amusement park accidents, safety lessons learned, and how modern safety measures are shaped by past tragedies. Marissa delves into notable incidents, legal repercussions, and the evolving safety landscape of theme parks, water parks, and fairs.   Produced by Sun-Kissed Traveler. Visit sun-kissedtraveler.com [http://sun-kissedtraveler.com/] for a free vacation quote and show sources. Written by Marissa Benson.  Music and Sound Effects Epidemic Sound.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deathkissedtravelerpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/deathkissedtravelerpodcast/] Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deathkissedtravel?_t=ZT-90F2Dn2tEU9&_r=1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@deathkissedtravel?_t=ZT-90F2Dn2tEU9&_r=1] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Da6bkCo3o/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://www.facebook.com/share/1Da6bkCo3o/?mibextid=wwXIfr]   keywords: amusement park safety, theme park accidents, ride safety, water park risks, amusement park history, safety regulations, ride fatalities, safety lessons, modern theme parks, amusement park laws, dark history, ride accidents, varruckt, ohio state fair

Fatal Fun: Deadliest Decades Part 1

Most amusement parks' darkest secrets are buried beneath bright lights, thrill rides, and cotton candy... but some of their stories end in tragedy. What if the thrill came with a hidden cost? From the early wooden coasters with questionable bolts to modern rides testing the limits of human safety, this episode uncovers the chilling history of amusement park disasters that shaped safety regulations across the decades. Imagine the thrill-seeking chaos of the 1970s and 80s, where bigger, faster, more extreme rides pushed safety to the brink. We break down iconic disasters like the Battersea Park Big Dipper derailment, the Luna Park Sydney Ghost Train Fire, and the infamous Action Park—nicknamed "Traction Park" for a reason. These stories reveal how reckless engineering, misjudged limits, and the wild pursuit of adrenaline led to lives lost, lessons learned, and safety innovations that saved countless others.   * Amusement Parks * Safety Regulations * Thrill Rides * Park Disasters * Action Park * Roller Coaster History * Safety Standards * 1970s and 80s Thrills * Battersea Park * Ghost Train Fire * Dark History  Produced by Sun-Kissed Traveler. Visit sun-kissedtraveler.com [http://sun-kissedtraveler.com/] for a free vacation quote and show sources. Written by Marissa Benson.  Music and Sound Effects Epidemic Sound.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deathkissedtravelerpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/deathkissedtravelerpodcast/] Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deathkissedtravel?_t=ZT-90F2Dn2tEU9&_r=1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@deathkissedtravel?_t=ZT-90F2Dn2tEU9&_r=1] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Da6bkCo3o/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://www.facebook.com/share/1Da6bkCo3o/?mibextid=wwXIfr]