The Backside Of Water - A Disneyland History Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 98: Rise of the Resistance Part II Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

The adventure reaches its thrilling conclusion!

Join Alex Stewart, Freddy Martin, and special guest host Mikel Howarth from the Smuggler’s Dispatch podcast for Part II of the incredible story behind Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance—and the thrilling conclusion to our Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge series.

After exploring the origins, development, and staggering ambition behind Rise of the Resistance in Part I, we’re heading deeper into one of the most technologically advanced attractions Disney has ever created. Follow the attraction through the final stages of development as Imagineers attempt to bring an experience unlike anything Disney had built before to life.

Discover how the attraction’s massive sets, trackless ride vehicles, towering AT-AT walkers, advanced animatronics, special effects, and multiple ride systems were brought together to create an experience that feels less like a traditional theme park attraction and more like stepping directly into a Star Wars adventure.

Along the way, Alex, Freddy, and Mikel uncover the engineering challenges, creative breakthroughs, opening-day hurdles, hidden details, and Imagineering ingenuity that ultimately transformed Rise of the Resistance from an impossibly ambitious idea into the spectacular centerpiece of Galaxy’s Edge.

And with Rise of the Resistance finally complete, we bring our journey through the creation of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to a close—wrapping up the remarkable story of how Disney and Lucasfilm set out to build an entire Star Wars world guests could actually step inside.

Whether you’re a lifelong Star Wars fan, a Disney history enthusiast, or simply fascinated by the people who turn impossible ideas into reality, don’t miss the thrilling conclusion to our Galaxy’s Edge series!

We Have Merch!!
Buy: WED Enterprises Inspired BSOW T-Shirt
Check Out Our Other Podcast: Did You Know Disney
Our Star Wars Themed Podcast: The Smuggler's Dispatch
Follow Us On Instagram: @the_backside_of_water
Join Our Facebook Group: The Backside of Water
Production Credits
Directed By: Alex Stewart
Written By: Alex Stewart
Sound Design and Editing By: Daniel Martin

Episode 97: Rise of the Resistance I Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

Join Alex Stewart and Freddy Martin on an epic new episode of Backside of Water as they uncover the incredible true story behind Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance—the groundbreaking Disneyland attraction that forever changed what guests expect from a theme park experience.

This week, they're joined by special guest host Mikel Howarth from the Smuggler's Dispatch podcast, bringing even more Star Wars knowledge and behind-the-scenes insight to one of the most ambitious projects in Disney history.

Travel back to the earliest planning of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and follow the attraction's journey from blue-sky concept to Imagineering masterpiece. Discover the stories behind the awe-inspiring Star Destroyer hangar, the revolutionary trackless ride system, towering AT-AT walkers, cutting-edge animatronics, and the groundbreaking technology that seamlessly blends multiple ride experiences into one unforgettable adventure.

Along the way, Alex, Freddy, and Mikel reveal the creative risks, engineering breakthroughs, unexpected challenges, and hidden details that make Rise of the Resistance one of the most sophisticated and immersive attractions Disney has ever built.

Whether you're a lifelong Star Wars fan, a Disney history enthusiast, or someone who loves learning how impossible ideas become reality, this episode is packed with fascinating stories, Imagineering secrets, and the magic behind one of Disney's greatest achievements.

The Resistance needs recruits… and this is one mission you won't want to miss.

Episode 96: Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

Jump to lightspeed with the latest episode of Backside of Water as we take a deep dive into the creation of one of Disney’s most ambitious attractions: Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. From the earliest plans for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to the challenge of bringing the most famous ship in the galaxy to life, we explore the story, technology, and Imagineering magic behind the attraction that lets guests take the controls of the Falcon themselves. Discover how Disney and Lucasfilm collaborated to create an interactive experience where every flight is different and the incredible engineering required to make thousands of smugglers a day feel like they’re really flying through hyperspace. Whether you're a Star Wars superfan, a theme park enthusiast, or just curious about how Disney builds immersive worlds, this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes stories from a galaxy far, far away.
We Have Merch!!
Buy: WED Enterprises Inspired BSOW T-Shirt
Check Out Our Other Podcast: Did You Know Disney
Our Star Wars Themed Podcast: The Smuggler's Dispatch
Follow Us On Instagram: @the_backside_of_water
Join Our Facebook Group: The Backside of Water
Production Credits
Directed By: Alex Stewart
Written By: Alex Stewart
Sound Design and Editing By: Daniel Martin

Episode 95: Galaxy's Edge III Apr 18, 2026

Show notes

Step into a galaxy far, far away as hosts Alex Stewart and Freddy Martin explore one of the most innovative storytelling frontiers in modern theme parks: immersive retail experiences at Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

In this episode, we break down how Disney has redefined shopping by transforming it into fully interactive, story-driven environments. From Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities and Savi’s Workshop Handbuilt Lightsabers to Mubo's Droid Depot, we analyze how each retail space functions as an extension of the Star Wars universe—blending narrative, design, and guest participation into unforgettable moments.

Whether you’re a theme park enthusiast, Disney fan, Imagineering geek, or experiential design professional, this episode dives deep into how Galaxy’s Edge sets a new standard for immersive storytelling in retail. We also discuss what these innovations mean for the future of themed entertainment, brand engagement, and in-world commerce.

🔍 In this episode:

What makes Galaxy’s Edge retail so immersive and unique
How Disney uses storytelling to drive guest interaction and purchases
The role of cast members, theming, and world-building in retail spaces
Why immersive retail is the future of experiential design

Episode 94: The Backside of Water Holiday Fireside Chat Episode! Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

Happy holidays, everyone!! On this episode, we take a break from exploring Galaxy's Edge to do a little something different from the regular BSOW holiday antics. On this episode, we ditch the scripts and instead choose to chat about our favorite gift this year: You, our BSOW listeners, fans, and friends.
It hit us like a ton of Mandalorian Beskar bricks this week about just how grateful we are to have listeners and friends that we do (thanks to this podcast) and we wanted to devote an entire episode focused on gratitude.
We also wanted to take some time to be intentional about what to expect in our forthcoming final season of the current iteration of The Backside of Water. We talk about what we plan to happen once we reach the end of Main Street U.S.A. and beyond. So for those of you out there who are ride or dies with us, that will be a (hopefully) very meaningful part of this episode.
As always, thank you for everything, without you listeners this show would be two dads yelling into the abyss!!
We wish you and yours the most happy, bright, and blessed holiday season and we look forward to a year of happy surprises, bittersweet endings, and a whole lot of tangents!!!
We Have Merch!!
Buy: WED Enterprises Inspired BSOW T-Shirt
Check Out Our Other Podcast: Did You Know Disney
Our Star Wars Themed Podcast: The Smuggler's Dispatch
Follow Us On Instagram: @the_backside_of_water
Join Our Facebook Group: The Backside of Water
Production Credits
Directed By: Alex Stewart
Written By: Alex Stewart
Sound Design and Editing By: Daniel Martin

Episode 93: Oga's Cantina May 16, 2025

Show notes

The adventure continues as Alex Stewart and Freddy Martin discuss the history of one of the most amazing hives of scum and villainy within the spires of Batuu, Oga's Cantina! Any fans of blue sky Imagineering concepts won't want to miss this episode.
We Have Merch!!
Buy: WED Enterprises Inspired BSOW T-Shirt
Check Out Our Other Podcast: Did You Know Disney
Our Star Wars Themed Podcast: The Smuggler's Dispatch
Follow Us On Instagram: @the_backside_of_water
Join Our Facebook Group: The Backside of Water
Production Credits
Directed By: Alex Stewart
Written By: Alex Stewart
Sound Design and Editing By: Daniel Martin

Episode 92: Meet Up With Freddy Martin at Disneyland This Weekend! Mar 01, 2025

Show notes

It's a Mini-Meetup with Freddy Martin at Disneyland, this Sunday March 2nd at 3:30pm!
Meet Freddy Martin at Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland to shake hands, take pictures, and share stories of Adventure with other fans of the Backside of Water Podcast.
It also happens to be Adventureland Day at the park that day. Adventureland Day is a fun, dress-up day at Disneyland where explorers of all ages follow clues on a park-wide treasure hunt you'll never forget.
To participate in Adventureland Day, text ADVENTURELANDDAY to to (833) 340-0035 for schedule and treasure hunt details.

Follow Freddy on Instagram @skipperfreddy for more info.

See you at Disneyland!

Episode 91: A Star Wars Holiday Special Dec 12, 2024

Show notes

'Tis the season for Fredd and Al to crash a Life Day celebration in Batuu! On this episode, Alex Stewart and Freddy Martin stroll through the marketplace while discussing the strange, bizarre, but downright charming history of The Star Wars Holiday Special. If you've seen the Star Wars Holiday Special, this episode will give you a deeper appreciation for this Star Wars/Holiday themed train wreck! And if you haven't watched the Holiday Special before, well, hopefully this episode inspires you to do just that! From all of us on The Backside of Water, Happy Holidays!
We Have Merch!!
Buy: WED Enterprises Inspired BSOW T-Shirt
Check Out Our Other Podcast: Did You Know Disney
Our Star Wars Themed Podcast: The Smuggler's Dispatch
Follow Us On Instagram: @the_backside_of_water
Join Our Facebook Group: The Backside of Water
Production Credits
Directed By: Alex Stewart
Written By: Alex Stewart
Sound Design and Editing By: Alex Stewart

Episode 90: Galaxy's Edge: Part II (Featuring former Disney Imagineer Kevin Blakeney) Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

Ooooooh, is this episode a doozy!! Alex and Freddy have the absolute pleasure of having former Disney Imagineer Kevin Blakeney with them on the broadcast from Batuu!! Kevin worked as an Imagineer on so many aspects of the creation of Galaxy's Edge that they are too numerous to list! Trust us when we say that this episode is a master class from Kevin on how Galaxy's Edge was created and how you as a guest can best enjoy the artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating this amazing immersive masterpiece!
We Have Merch!!
Buy: WED Enterprises Inspired BSOW T-Shirt
Check Out Our Other Podcast: Did You Know Disney
Our Star Wars Themed Podcast: The Smuggler's Dispatch
Follow Us On Instagram: @the_backside_of_water
Join Our Facebook Group: The Backside of Water
Production Credits
Directed By: Alex Stewart
Written By: Alex Stewart
Sound Design and Editing By: Alex Stewart

Episode 89: Galaxy's Edge: Part I Oct 24, 2024

Show notes

Join us as we discuss the exciting origins of the newest land in Disneyland! In this episode we discuss the early history of Galaxy's Edge, how Bob Iger and crew brought this Star Wars themed land to Disneyland in the first place. Along the way, we also discuss some insane history around what was planned for the backside of the Rivers Of America. This is a super-sized Backside of Water episode you won't want to miss!
We Have Merch!!
Buy: WED Enterprises Inspired BSOW T-Shirt
Check Out Our Other Podcast: Did You Know Disney
Our Star Wars Themed Podcast: The Smuggler's Dispatch
Follow Us On Instagram: @the_backside_of_water
Join Our Facebook Group: The Backside of Water
Production Credits
Directed By: Alex Stewart
Written By: Alex Stewart
Sound Design and Editing By: Alex Stewart

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