Kevin Perjurer is a contemporary content creator best known as the voice and vision behind Defunctland, a popular documentary-style YouTube channel that explores the history of defunct theme park attractions. Operating under the pseudonym Kevin Perjurer, he has cultivated a dedicated following of theme park enthusiasts and storytellers. Through deep-dive episodes, spin-offs, and podcasts, he resurrects forgotten amusement park experiences on screen, making him a unique figure in both nostalgia-focused media and digital content creation.
Origins and Background
Early Life and Interests
Kevin originally hails from Kansas City, Kansas. His passion for theme parks sparked by childhood visits to Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Worlds of Fun motivated him to pursue documentary-style storytelling focused on themed entertainment.
Online Persona
His real name is rarely used; instead, he operates under the pseudonym Kevin Perjurer. To maintain a degree of anonymity on camera, he often uses an image of a wax Brad Pitt sculpture as his avatar and wore a mask in public appearances until 2022.
Defunctland: Documentary Channel
Concept and Launch
Launched in February 2017, Defunctland is Kevin’s flagship project. Initially conceived as a virtual reality park with extinct attractions, it evolved into a video documentary series that charts the rise and fall of rides and themed spaces from parks like Disney, Universal, and Six Flags.
Series Structure
- In-depth episodes ranging from 12 to 50 minutes.
- Three seasons, dozens of detailed episodes, and occasional minisodes.
- Content explores cultural, financial, and technical reasons behind the closure of attractions.
Achievements and Recognition
With over 2 million subscribers as of mid-2025, Defunctland has become a top resource for theme park history enthusiasts. The channel received a 2024 Peabody Award nomination for its ‘Interactive & Immersive’ storytelling.
Related Projects and Spin-Offs
Debunkedland and DefunctTV
Kevin has expanded his brand with two spin-offs:
- Debunkedland: Focuses on myth-busting and rumors linked to theme park history.
- DefunctTV: Launched in July 2018, exploring forgotten television shows and pop culture artifacts.
Feature-Length Documentaries
Kevin also produced full-length documentaries such as ‘Live from the Space Stage: A Halyx Story’ (2020), ‘Disney’s FastPass: A Complicated History’ (2021), and ‘Disney Channel’s Theme: A History Mystery’ (2022). Another documentary on Disney’s animatronics was released in 2024.
Podcasting: Where We Parked
Podcast Format
Kevin co-hosts ‘Where We Parked’ with Jack (from Theme Parks Shouldn’t Exist). They record late-night conversations about theme parks, blending humor with informed commentary.
Recording Style
Episodes are casual and conversational, recorded on a couch with minimal planning. They prioritize authentic banter and curiosity-driven exploration over rigid formats.
Production Approach
Research and Quality
Kevin places heavy emphasis on thorough research and production quality, with each video reportedly costing between $1,000 and $2,000 to produce.
Creative Decisions
Early episodes featured altered narration tones, like a lower voice pitch, which were later dropped as the format matured. Similarly, the virtual reality park concept was sidelined to focus on documentary content.
Public Engagement and Reception
Fan Interaction
Kevin frequently engages with his audience through Reddit AMAs and social media. In a 2022 AMA, he mentioned that his ‘FastPass’ documentary took about four months to complete.
Media Coverage
Defunctland receives strong support from coverage outlets like Mashable, Syfy Wire, Slate, and Kotaku, spotlighting its insightful take on theme park demise.
Personal Style and Identity
Anonymity and Persona
Kevin’s choice to remain semi-anonymous concealing his face and using a wax-look avatar adds an intriguing mystique to his persona. This aligns with his focus on content rather than celebrity.
Local Lifestyle
While originating from Kansas City, Kevin is now based in the Greater Orlando area, which gives him proximity to major theme park hubs. He is also humorously known for his love of ‘Wawa Mozzarella Sticks’ ($mozzies), an inside joke shared with his community.
Future Direction
Upcoming Projects
Kevin hinted at a new major project possibly his most ambitious as discussed in an April 2025 Reddit AMA.
Community and Content Evolution
Defunctland’s success has fostered a grassroots community supportive of high-quality, narrative-led nonfiction. Kevin’s future focused hybrid of video and podcast content suggests continued innovation.
Kevin Perjurer, the pseudonymous creator behind Defunctland, has carved a unique niche by chronicling the histories of defunct attractions in engaging, well-researched documentaries. Through his YouTube channel, spin-off shows, podcasts, and VR ambitions, he has become a respected figure in nostalgia-driven storytelling and theme park scholarship. As he moves forward with new documentaries and creative ventures, Kevin remains a fascinating example of how passion, precision, and presentation can combine to redefine digital documentary media.
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