Narrative Director
Creative Leader
Pun Master

Meet Kevin Lively

Are you looking for a writer who’s worked with ghosts, starfighter pilots, talking cars, and even jungle explorers? How about a themed entertainment professional who has contributed to projects all around the world? Well, you’d never believe where you’ve landed!

While working with Walt Disney Imagineering, I was honored to contribute to attractions, lands, restaurants, and more. Other highlights include collaborating with partners on books, games, products, television, and motion pictures. I’ve also appeared on stage and screen to discuss these fantastic experiences.

Where will my next adventure take me?

Writing Samples

Disclaimer: Given the nature of my work at Walt Disney Imagineering, I cannot share the bulk of my work with the general public. The following are some samples that have been made public and are approved for sharing.

Project Highlights

  • Zootopia (Shanghai Disneyland)

    Role: Writer

    • Worked with Disney Feature Animation to expand the story from the motion picture into an actual immersive land for Guests to explore

    • Original scripts (later translated to Mandarin)

    • Worked with Chinese counterparts to translate intent and humor for the Shanghai market

    • Parody and original copy for storefront windows, billboards, jumbotron commercials, event posters, and detailed props

  • Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway (Disneyland)

    Role: Writer

    • Copywriting and ideation for a museum dedicated to the “real-life” Mickey Mouse

    • Backstory and placemaking for the El CapiTOON Theater queue

  • Mickey's Toontown Refresh

    Role: Writer

    • Stories for land-wide refresh

    • Partnership with creative director for vision of a new, inclusive take on the animated world of Mickey

    • Placemaking copy (signs, labels, misc. labels, etc.)

    • Story-driven construction walls

  • Jungle Cruise Refresh (2021)

    Role: Writer/Creative Lead

    • Worked with Diversity & Inclusion partners on cultural representation throughout the attractions

    • Expanded attraction’s backstory/lore

    • Worked with Disney Animal Programs partners on animal depiction throughout the attraction

    • Spiel update

    • Cast re-training

  • Disney Jungle Cruise (2021)

    Role: Jungle Cruise expert

    • Worked with director and producers to determine film tributes and Easter eggs

    • Provided and wrote puns

  • MonteZOOMa (Knott's Berry Farm — Coming Soon)

    Role: Writing Consultant

    • Story and gag work for attraction refresh

  • Muppets Haunted Mansion (2021)

    Role: Haunted Mansion story/franchise advisor

    • Worked with Muppets team on gags and attraction tributes

  • Hyperspace Mountain (Disneyland Park)

    Role: Writer

    • Script and story

    • Directed vocal talent

  • Behind the Attraction (2021)

    Role: Jungle Cruise and Haunted Mansion subject matter expert

    • Onscreen talent (Episodes 1 & 2)

  • Tropical Hideaway (Disneyland)

    Role: Writer

    • Story and world-building

    • Prop copy

    • Script and voice recording direction for Rosita

  • Winchester Mystery House

    Role: Writer

    • Scipt update for the “Explore More Tour”

  • Cinertain Drive-In

    Role: Creative Consultant

    • Assisted with creative and operational development of a pop-up drive-in movie theater

An Interview with the Hatbox Ghost

©Disney

“Ghost” Writing

I’m dead serious when I say I had the honor to write for the Haunted Mansion’s most beloved spirit in his very first interview! Other contributions to the attraction’s legacy include giving official full names to the infamous Hitchhiking Ghosts.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/10/interview-with-the-hatbox-ghost-in-the-haunted-mansion-at-disneyland-park/

 

Meet Alberta Falls

Alberta.jpeg

©Disney

Character Creation

As part of the 2021 refresh to the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom Park, my original character, Alberta Falls, was brought front and center to the attraction’s backstory. Creating an original character worthy of the attraction’s adventurous legacy was essential while reflecting the world around us better. Guests’ first real introduction to the character came from this in-character interview.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/03/jungle-cruise-adds-new-characters-mischievous-wildlife-and-skipper-humor-to-classic-attraction/

 

Shapes and Animals

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©Disney

Children’s Books

Following the success of the Disney Parks Presents book series, Disney Publishing asked me to pen a pair of toddler board books that reused artwork from previous publications. Writing to existing artwork was a fun challenge, and I am thrilled with how they turned out.

Available on Amazon:

Jungle Cruise ANIMALS! - https://www.amazon.com/Disney-Parks-Presents-Jungle-Animals/dp/1368039316

“it’s a small world” SHAPES! - https://www.amazon.com/Disney-Parks-Presents-Small-Shapes/dp/1368039308/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=it%27s+a+small+world+shapes&qid=1632609398&sr=8-1

 

Making of Jungle Cruise Postscript

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©Disney

A Heartfelt Tribute

I was asked to pen the postscript to an official book about the making of Disney’s Jungle Cruise that accompanied the film’s release in 2021.

Ebook available on Amazon.

 

Mater & Luigi’s Haul-O-Ween and Holiday Lyrics

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©Disney

Road Trip Tunes

One of the unique projects I tackled was rewriting existing lyrics to fit Halloween and Christmas attraction overlays. As a kid who grew up listening to “Weird” Al Yankovic, I felt I had spent my whole life preparing for that moment. During the recording sessions, I worked with my partner at Pixar to direct the vocal performances of Tony Shalhoub and Larry the Cable Guy. All the songs are available on Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Spotify. Here are some quick links to YouTube versions to put you into the holiday spirit.

Graveyard Jamboree https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dpx22hhB7k

Chop Top of Carsoli https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN8Ihl9m5RE

The Gifts of Mater https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OEcopkwTDU&list=PLiNVoBckLqLkBijjFtBz7lZ0y5yp3AXPP&index=3

Tractors, Tractors, Tractors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOe5zXN32tM&list=PLiNVoBckLqLkBijjFtBz7lZ0y5yp3AXPP&index=4

Jolly Joyous Santa Car https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hxVPUWV5PA&list=PLiNVoBckLqLkBijjFtBz7lZ0y5yp3AXPP&index=11

 

The Haunted Mansion Ghost Post

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©Disney

Copywriting from Beyond

The Thea Award recipient, “Haunted Mansion Ghost Post,” brought the world of the beloved attractions outside the perm and into fans’ living rooms with interactive subscription boxes. In addition to writing the script for the entire radio play-style show, I was responsible for writing found in newspapers, letters, game pieces, and more. A highlight was directing the vocal performances of Edie McClurg, Dee Bradley Baker, Steve Stanton, and Pete Renaday.

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Adventure Trading Company

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©Disney

World Building

In an effort to make the theme park merchandise experience more immersive, our team launched the Adventure Trading Company. Guests in Adventureland at Disneyland Park were invited to purchase a tangible publication that would launch them on their own adventure to find a “Juju Charm.” It was a fantastic opportunity to help transform a land representing a genre into a living, breathing environment. Stories and publications were created for all the attractions, shops, and dining locations.

Juju1.jpeg
Juju2.jpeg
Juju3.jpeg

Making Fun

From faux movie posters to book spines, there are many places to add small details that place your guests deeper into the immersive story.

 

Note:

All works on this site are the property of others and are featured here with their permission.

Let’s Work Together

Need some help with words and stuff? Let me know how I can help. I have all the words. If I don’t have all the words, I’ll make them up for you!

 

writelively@gmail.com