Podcasts about disney imagineers

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets and Millennium Falcon Smuggler's Run (featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu) opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World on May 26, 2026. These new experiences include a heightened degree of Imagineering details, especially Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, which now combines the legacy Disney attraction with Muppet Vision 3D and Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. In this episode, we discuss how Disney updated these attractions in a quick period of time and the easter eggs you won't want to miss from either attraction. Plus, I interview four Walt Disney Imagineers who worked on these experiences, including Bette Lombardi (Producer), Vanessa Huber (Project Manager), Justin DeTolla (Creative Director), and Morgan McDowell (Senior Software Project Manager). Special thanks to James from Guide2WDW for joining me on this episode. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and premium content at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   Read Matt's Imagineering column in WDW Magazine.   Imagination Skyway is a Disney Parks and Imagineering podcast. Episodes explore attraction design, recap Disney news, and dive into the stories behind the magic, including interviews with Disney Imagineers, Disney Legends, and other Disney creators. Not affiliated with or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company. Disney is a trademark of The Walt Disney Company.   Tag me and join the conversation below. Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Email: matthew.krul@imaginationskyway.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Enjoy the show!

Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress is getting a major update in 2027, including a new Audio-Animatronic of Walt Disney and updated show scenes, plus much more. In this episode, we discuss everything Disney just announced about this classic Magic Kingdom attraction upgrade. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and premium content at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   Read Matt's Imagineering column in WDW Magazine.   Imagination Skyway is a Disney Parks and Imagineering podcast. Episodes explore attraction design, recap Disney news, and dive into the stories behind the magic, including interviews with Disney Imagineers, Disney Legends, and other Disney creators. Not affiliated with or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company. Disney is a trademark of The Walt Disney Company.   Tag me and join the conversation below. Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Email: matthew.krul@imaginationskyway.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Enjoy the show!

Cool Kids Summer is back at Walt Disney World in 2026, and it's better than ever. On May 26, all four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom) opened new attractions to kick off the summer season. These include Jessie's Roundup, Goofycore, Soarin' Across America, Bluey's Wild World, Magic of Disney Animation (including Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live), Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu, and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster: Starring the Muppets. This is in addition to Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which recently reopened with major enhancements and upgrades. In this episode, I share my honest review of Cool Kids Summer thanks to a week-long preview hosted by Disney Parks. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and premium content at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   Read Matt's Imagineering column in WDW Magazine.   Imagination Skyway is a Disney Parks and Imagineering podcast. Episodes explore attraction design, recap Disney news, and dive into the stories behind the magic, including interviews with Disney Imagineers, Disney Legends, and other Disney creators. Not affiliated with or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company. Disney is a trademark of The Walt Disney Company.   Tag me and join the conversation below. Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Email: matthew.krul@imaginationskyway.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Enjoy the show!

Walt Disney World Resort hotels include their own medley of music loops, from the cozy acoustic sounds of Disney's Wilderness Lodge to the whimsical, Disney-inspired songs at the Disneyland Hotel. In this episode, we analyze the music loops of the Disney Resort hotels in the EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, and Disneyland resort areas. We also discuss how Walt Disney Imagineering selects music to match the theme of each Disney resort hotel. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and premium content at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   View virtual room tours of Aulani: https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/destinations/list/us-hawaii/aulani-hawaii/points-rooms   Read Matt's Imagineering column in WDW Magazine.   Imagination Skyway is a Disney Parks and Imagineering podcast. Episodes explore attraction design, recap Disney news, and dive into the stories behind the magic, including interviews with Disney Imagineers, Disney Legends, and other Disney creators. Not affiliated with or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company. Disney is a trademark of The Walt Disney Company.   Tag me and join the conversation below. Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Email: matthew.krul@imaginationskyway.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Enjoy the show!

Walt Disney World Resort hotels include their own medley of music loops, from the African medleys of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge to the contemporary jazz played at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort. In this episode, we analyze the music loops of the Disney Resort hotels in the Disney's Animal Kingdom, ESPN Wide World of Sports, and Disney Springs resort areas. We also discuss how Walt Disney Imagineering selects music to match the theme of each Disney resort hotel. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and premium content at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   View virtual room tours of Aulani: https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/destinations/list/us-hawaii/aulani-hawaii/points-rooms   Read Matt's Imagineering column in WDW Magazine.   Imagination Skyway is a Disney Parks and Imagineering podcast. Episodes explore attraction design, recap Disney news, and dive into the stories behind the magic, including interviews with Disney Imagineers, Disney Legends, and other Disney creators. Not affiliated with or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company. Disney is a trademark of The Walt Disney Company.   Tag me and join the conversation below. Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Email: matthew.krul@imaginationskyway.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Enjoy the show!

Denise Chapman Weston is a Playologist, therapist, inventor, and deeply imaginative thinker whose work invites us to look again at one of the most misunderstood parts of being human: play.In Part 2 of this conversation, Denise takes us beyond the story of her own childhood promise and into the deeper question of what play actually is. Not just fun. Not just recreation. Not just something children do before they grow up. For Denise, play is one of the clearest ways we can understand who we are, what comes naturally to us, and how we find our way back to ourselves.She shares a simple but powerful exercise: remember how you played when you were around seven. What did you love doing before you were trying to be impressive, productive, sensible, or useful? Maybe you built things, made up stories, climbed trees, dressed up, organised objects, created worlds, or found joy in something no one else quite understood. Denise believes those memories are not random. They hold clues about your natural skills, your instincts, and the way you were already learning to belong in the world.This conversation moves through so many unexpected places: Tupperware lids, Disney Imagineers, bone flutes, punch cards, theme parks, magic wands, technology, imagination, and what Denise calls the “arm pretzel” — the person who is physically present, but not yet ready to join in.Through it all, Denise returns to a beautiful idea: play is not separate from life. It is woven through how we invent, connect, create, remember, and become more fully human.At its heart, this episode is about play as wisdom. It is an invitation to look back at what once delighted you, not with nostalgia, but with curiosity. Because the way you played may still have something to teach you.In This Episode, You'll DiscoverWhy play is much more than fun, recreation, or something children doHow the way you played at seven may reveal something about who you areWhy childhood memories can hold clues about your natural skills and instinctsWhat a Disney leader's love of matching Tupperware revealed about her workHow play, music, invention, and technology are more connected than we thinkWhy some of humanity's greatest inventions may have begun with pleasure and playHow Denise moved from therapy rooms to museums, toys, attractions, and theme parksWhy imagination is our “original operating system”What Denise means by the “arm pretzel” and why reluctant participants matterHow play can help us remember what makes us humanChapters 00:00 Denise on wisdom, AI, and play as a skill01:31 What role does play have in living a bountiful life?03:28 What childhood play can reveal about your skills05:58 The Disney Tupperware story10:12 Play as a compass13:34 What is play?16:45 Bone flutes, punch cards, code, and invention24:11 Remembering what you loved to do29:03 Denise's work with theme parks and large-scale play experiences33:10 Imagination as our original operating system36:48 The “arm pretzel”41:18 What to do if you are in an arm pretzel moment43:22 Quickfire round47:50 Denise turns the questions back on SianGuest Bio Denise Chapman Weston is a Playologist, therapist, inventor, author, and Adjunct Professor at Purdue University. She is the Director of Imagination at Invent Worlds and founder of Infinite Kingdoms, with more than 150 patents and 30 products to her name. Her work spans play, technology, storytelling, and human connection, including attractions for Disney, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, Six Flags, and children's museums worldwide.About Bountifull Bountifull is a personal growth and wellbeing podcast exploring how to live a joyful and meaningful life through conversations on psychology, science, resilience, connection, and practical wisdom for living well.bountifullworld.com

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopened at Magic Kingdom on May 3 with a new track, updated trains, and enhanced special effects alongside an updated story from Walt Disney Imagineering. In addition, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets go on sale May 12 (or May 5 for guests with a qualifying Walt Disney World Resort reservation) for party dates spanning August 7 through October 31. In this Disney Parks news episode, we also discuss Disney Week of Wishes, Disney Lakeshore Lodge, and a fourth Seven Seas Lagoon ferry boat launching in 2027. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and premium content at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   Read Matt's Imagineering column in WDW Magazine.   Imagination Skyway is a Disney Parks and Imagineering podcast. Episodes explore attraction design, recap Disney news, and dive into the stories behind the magic, including interviews with Disney Imagineers, Disney Legends, and other Disney creators. Not affiliated with or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company. Disney is a trademark of The Walt Disney Company.   Tag me and join the conversation below. Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Email: matthew.krul@imaginationskyway.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Enjoy the show!

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa opened at Walt Disney World in 1988 in the Magic Kingdom resort area. As the flagship hotel on property, Grand Floridian boasts luxurious accommodations, modern amenities, a full-service spa and health club, and a wide range of dining options. The hotel is a monorail or boat stop away from Magic Kingdom and is inspired by luxury beach hotels of the early twentieth century. In this episode, we discuss the resort's history and Imagineering, and we share everything you need to know for your next Grand Floridian stay. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and premium content at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   View virtual room tours of Aulani: https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/destinations/list/us-hawaii/aulani-hawaii/points-rooms   Read Matt's Imagineering column in WDW Magazine.   Imagination Skyway is a Disney Parks and Imagineering podcast. Episodes explore attraction design, recap Disney news, and dive into the stories behind the magic, including interviews with Disney Imagineers, Disney Legends, and other Disney creators. Not affiliated with or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company. Disney is a trademark of The Walt Disney Company.   Tag me and join the conversation below. Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Email: matthew.krul@imaginationskyway.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Enjoy the show!

The Garden View Lounge afternoon tea room at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa reopened in March 2026. In partnership with Twinings, Disney's culinary team created a dining experience inspired by the Alice in Wonderland tea party scene. In this episode, we review the Garden View Lounge afternoon tea service live from this Walt Disney World restaurant. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and premium content at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   View virtual room tours of Aulani: https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/destinations/list/us-hawaii/aulani-hawaii/points-rooms   Read Matt's Imagineering column in WDW Magazine.   Imagination Skyway is a Disney Parks and Imagineering podcast. Episodes explore attraction design, recap Disney news, and dive into the stories behind the magic, including interviews with Disney Imagineers, Disney Legends, and other Disney creators. Not affiliated with or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company. Disney is a trademark of The Walt Disney Company.   Tag me and join the conversation below. Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Email: matthew.krul@imaginationskyway.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Enjoy the show!

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets will open May 26, 2026 at Disney's Hollywood Studios. In this episode, we discuss the details about the Imagineering and story for the new attraction, which is replacing Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (closed March 2026). We also share our initial reactions to hearing the first two source audio soundtracks at a Disney Parks media event. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and premium content at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   Read Matt's Imagineering column in WDW Magazine.   Imagination Skyway is a Disney Parks and Imagineering podcast. Episodes explore attraction design, recap Disney news, and dive into the stories behind the magic, including interviews with Disney Imagineers, Disney Legends, and other Disney creators. Not affiliated with or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company. Disney is a trademark of The Walt Disney Company.   Tag me and join the conversation below. Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Email: matthew.krul@imaginationskyway.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Enjoy the show!

Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa opened in 2011 on the island of Oahu, bringing the magic of Disney to this tropical Hawaiian paradise. With an array of hotel rooms, Disney Vacation Club studios and villas, amenities, pools, restaurants, shops, and a private beachfront lagoon, Aulani is one of the best Disney experiences you can share with your family away from the theme parks and a top-rated family hotel in Hawai'i. In our conversation, we'll share everything you need to know about Aulani, offer advice for your next stay, and discuss all the reasons to add this location to your Disney travel wish list. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and premium content at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   View virtual room tours of Aulani: https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/destinations/list/us-hawaii/aulani-hawaii/points-rooms   Read Matt's Imagineering column in WDW Magazine.   Imagination Skyway is a Disney Parks and Imagineering podcast. Episodes explore attraction design, recap Disney news, and dive into the stories behind the magic, including interviews with Disney Imagineers, Disney Legends, and other Disney creators. Not affiliated with or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company. Disney is a trademark of The Walt Disney Company.   Tag me and join the conversation below. Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Email: matthew.krul@imaginationskyway.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Enjoy the show!

Before there was Disneyland, Bob Gurr was part of Walt Disney's secret team. One of the original Disney Imagineers, Gurr designed Matterhorn, Autopia, Monorail, Haunted Mansion and anything on wheels at Disneyland. A true Disney legend, he is also an L.A. Native and regales us with stories of how L.A. has changed over his 90+ years - and what he likes best about Disneyland, even if he didn't design it!

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin is concluding a year-long update at Walt Disney World. Inspired by Disney-Pixar's Toy Story, this Magic Kingdom attraction opened in 1998. Its 2026 recharge includes new ride vehicles, enhanced gaming elements, other updates. In this episode, I interview Walt Disney Imagineers Kimberly Alison and Justin DeTolla about their work on the updated ride experience, and I chat with Drew the Disney Dude about his early preview at Magic Kingdom. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and premium content at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   Read Matt's Imagineering column in WDW Magazine.   Imagination Skyway is a Disney Parks and Imagineering podcast. Episodes explore attraction design, recap Disney news, and dive into the stories behind the magic, including interviews with Disney Imagineers, Disney Legends, and other Disney creators. Not affiliated with or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company. Disney is a trademark of The Walt Disney Company.   Tag me and join the conversation below. Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Email: matthew.krul@imaginationskyway.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Enjoy the show!

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event takes place this August 14, 15, and 16 in Anaheim, California, just down the road from Disneyland. Today, Disney D23 announced ticket options for this event, including 1-day and 3-day options for the Anaheim Convention Center and Honda Center locations. D23 Gold Members can purchase tickets next week. Disney also announced details for D23 Day at Disneyland, D23 Night at Angel's Stadium, and other the Disney Legends Ceremony. This year's inductees include Bob Iger, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Anne Hathaway, Susan Egan, Jerry Bruckheimer, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Kim Irvine, and more. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and premium content at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   Read Matt's Imagineering column in WDW Magazine.   Imagination Skyway is a Disney Parks and Imagineering podcast. Episodes explore attraction design, recap Disney news, and dive into the stories behind the magic, including interviews with Disney Imagineers, Disney Legends, and other Disney creators. Not affiliated with or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company. Disney is a trademark of The Walt Disney Company.   Tag me and join the conversation below. Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Email: matthew.krul@imaginationskyway.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Enjoy the show!

World of Frozen at Disney Adventure World (Disneyland Paris) opened with an Olaf autonomous robotic character. Developed by Walt Disney Imagineering Research and Development in partnership with Walt Disney Animations Studios, NVIDIA, and Google DeepMind, Olaf was developed in months using Newton, an AI open-source, extensible physics engine that advances robot learning and development. In this episode, I interview Moritz Baecher about his work on this new Disney Parks robotic character inspired by Frozen, and I chat with James Grosch from Guide2WDW about his preview of World of Frozen. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and premium content at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   Read Matt's Imagineering column in WDW Magazine.   Imagination Skyway is a Disney Parks and Imagineering podcast. Episodes explore attraction design, recap Disney news, and dive into the stories behind the magic, including interviews with Disney Imagineers, Disney Legends, and other Disney creators. Not affiliated with or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company. Disney is a trademark of The Walt Disney Company.   Tag me and join the conversation below. Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Email: matthew.krul@imaginationskyway.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Enjoy the show!

Hey there, and happy Friday! This is your Disney News for Friday, March 20th, 2026. I hope you're ready to kick off your weekend with some magical updates! - Disneyland Tokyo announced expansions with a focus on Fantasyland, adding new attractions and experiences inspired by Disney classics. - Disney Imagineers are developing augmented reality experiences for parks, offering interactions with characters like Mickey and Elsa. - New York City is hosting a Disney music extravaganza featuring live performances of Disney classics by a full orchestra. - Disney+ will release remastered classic animated shorts featuring Goofy, Donald Duck, and Pluto. Have a magical day and tune in again tomorrow for more updates.

Josh D'Amaro's is now the CEO of The Walt Disney Company. In this Disney news episode, we recap his first Disney shareholder meeting (held on March 18, 2026), discuss his vision for the future alongside Dana Walden and other Disney executives, analyze how Disney Parks and Walt Disney Studios might be impacted by his tenure, and recap Bob Iger's legacy as CEO between 2005 and 2026. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and premium content at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   Read Matt's Imagineering column in WDW Magazine.   Imagination Skyway is a Disney Parks and Imagineering podcast. Episodes explore attraction design, recap Disney news, and dive into the stories behind the magic, including interviews with Disney Imagineers, Disney Legends, and other Disney creators. Not affiliated with or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company. Disney is a trademark of The Walt Disney Company.   Tag me and join the conversation below. Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Email: matthew.krul@imaginationskyway.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Enjoy the show!

Looking for daily inspiration?  Get a quote from the top leaders in the industry in your inbox every morning.   What's your guest experience strategy?  You probably have a marketing strategy, recruitment strategy, and sales strategy, but what about intentionally turning first-time visitors into loyal advocates?  Liebman Leisure Group helps attractions do exactly that.  From creating a culture of “wow” moments to empowering staff to recover from service failures, great experiences don't happen by chance.   To schedule a consultation call, visit www.liebmanleisure.com/attractionpros.  Don't leave your guest experience to chance.  You should be known for creating memorable experiences… on purpose. Kevin Williams is the Founder of KWP Limited and Publisher of The Stinger Report. A former Disney Imagineer and longtime voice in the immersive entertainment sector, he advises operators, developers, and brands across theme parks, location-based entertainment, and the rapidly growing world of social entertainment. Through his writing and analysis, he's known for digging into what works, what fails, and why, then translating those lessons into practical guidance for leaders trying to keep pace with changing guest expectations. In this interview, Kevin talks about the next phase of immersive technology, transmedia, and embracing your audience. Next phase of immersive technology “What I was talking about seven years ago about the emergence of VR has been superseded by the adoption of XR.” Kevin frames “immersive” as an elastic term that stretches from Pepper's Ghost to projection systems to today's immersive display tech. What's different now isn't that immersion suddenly exists, but that audiences expect more agency inside experiences. He points to the rise of social entertainment and competitive socializing, where gamification is being applied to restaurants, bars, and hospitality concepts because people want more than a place to sit. They want something to do together. He also stresses that the industry is exiting the hype cycle and entering a more disciplined era. The goal is less about chasing shiny tech and more about understanding what works operationally, financially, and emotionally. In his view, the “next phase” is building experiences that hold attention, reduce friction, and create repeat-worthy fun, not just novelty. Transmedia “Transmedia means the ability for a brand or a narrative to circumvent multiple delivery platforms.” Kevin describes transmedia as the movement of a story or brand across formats, from screen to physical place and back again. He points to examples like Netflix House and LEGO Discovery Center as signs that entertainment IP is increasingly becoming something you can step into, not just watch. He also reminds listeners that this isn't a brand-new strategy, using Walt Disney as an early blueprint for extending storytelling across film, television, and the theme park environment. At the same time, he cautions against treating IP like a magic upgrade button. A mediocre experience wrapped in a famous brand is still a mediocre experience, and he argues that investors often favor IP because it feels safer, even when the fundamentals aren't there. The real requirement is a clear guest experience and narrative path people can easily understand and enjoy. Embracing your audience “You don't just chuck it in because everybody's doing it. You're going to have to understand your audience.” Kevin's bluntest point is that many projects fail because leaders build for trends instead of building for guests. He describes “spaghetti moments” where operators throw technologies into a concept hoping something sticks, then quietly move on when it doesn't, without extracting lessons. His post-mortem approach is about finding the real causes, including mismatched business models, poor repeat-visit planning, and ignoring frontline feedback. He also calls out the habit of using technology to mask unresolved fundamentals. If an attraction choice is driven by copying competitors, or if leadership avoids the hard truths in reviews and exit interviews, the problem isn't a lack of gadgets; it's a lack of listening. For Kevin, embracing your audience means designing for who they are, how they behave in groups, and what keeps them coming back, then using data to refine the experience rather than passing judgment.   Kevin can be reached on LinkedIn, as well as by email at kwp@thestingerreport.com. To learn more about his work, including The Stinger Report, visit the LBX Collective and The Stinger Report online. Additional resources: Entertainment Social Arena Wonderverse Closure LBE Zone Social Entertainment: Amusements Competitive Edge (Amusement Expo International 2026) This podcast wouldn't be possible without the incredible work of our faaaaaantastic team:   Scheduling and correspondence by Kristen Karaliunas   To connect with AttractionPros: AttractionPros.com AttractionPros@gmail.com AttractionPros on Facebook AttractionPros on LinkedIn AttractionPros on Instagram AttractionPros on Twitter (X)

Episode 29 – Haunted Mansion News, Oogie Boogie Bash 2026 & Our 2025 Podcast Recap Welcome back, foolish mortals… After drifting through the spirit world for a short hiatus, The Swinging Wake Podcast returns with a brand new episode full of Haunted Mansion news, Disney Parks updates, and a full recap of our 2025 podcast season. Join your grim-grinning hosts Alex and Kris as they materialize the latest Haunted Mansion developments from Disney parks around the world, discuss the expansion of Oogie Boogie Bash at Disneyland Resort, explore the legendary Pepper's Ghost illusion, and revisit the episodes that defined our Haunted Mansion discussions last year. Step into your Doom Buggy and join us on this journey… into regions beyond.

MONSTER PARTY GOES FOR IT! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD return to a show format that could quite possibly end all wars! Well, at least the one with your inner monster kid. It's a cavalcade of clever conversation, we're calling... ANYTHING GOES: THE QUEST FOR PEACE!!! As you long-term listeners may recall, our "Anything Goes" episodes are exactly what they sound like—a freewheeling, spontaneous gab-fest where practically any subject is allowed. Sure, we'd prefer they be genre-related, but a good egg salad recipe would definitely not be off limits. Well...  We don't want to give too many episode details away, but if you're into customizing action figures, Gorilla Suit Day, superhero-themed half bathrooms, bucket list cosplay planning, theme park gripes, and a bit of Disney bashing, you might want to give this baby a listen! Joining us for this challenging charcuterie of chat (or chatcuterie) is a return guest and loyal MONSTER PARTY supporter! However, if that is not enough for you, he's also an acclaimed game designer, author, teacher, lecturer, former Disney Imagineer, and a huge Batman fan! Please welcome back our old chum... SCOTT ROGERS! (LEVEL UP! THE GUIDE TO GREAT VIDEO GAME DESIGN, SWIPE THIS! THE GUIDE TO TOUCHSCREEN GAME DESIGN, RAYGUNS AND ROCKETSHIPS, PANTONE THE GAME, ALIEN: FATE OF THE NOSTROMO, I DO MY OWN STUNTS, GAMEMASTER) GIVE PEACE A CHANCE. AND IF YOU CAN'T DO THAT, HOW ABOUT A NICE EGG SALAD? LARRY?

Send a textLong before Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ever thundered through Frontierland, Disney Imagineers had planned something far more massive — an entire frontier land built around one ambitious attraction known as the Western River Expedition.Designed as a sweeping indoor boat adventure through the American West, this project would have taken guests through mining towns, Native American villages, desert landscapes, outlaw hideouts, runaway trains, waterfalls, and a full-scale frontier show building that rivaled Pirates of the Caribbean. Ghost ExecutionersMerchandise! https://www.teepublic.com/user/thehorrificnetwork?utm_source=designer&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=horrificnetwork Follow All Things Horrific Network Here https://linktr.ee/thehorrificnetwork Get Your Sinister Creature Con Tickets Here https://www.sinistercreaturecon.com/thecon

The fog rolls in, the surf pounds the seawall, and a laugh echoes across the Sunset—Playland at the Beach is gone, but its spirit refuses to fade. We head back to San Francisco's Ocean Beach to unpack a park that was equal parts wonder and chaos: the glassy grandeur of Sutro Baths, the Cliff House's many lives, and a bohemian streetcar village that set the stage for a century of seaside amusements. From Charles I. D. Looff's menagerie carousel to the towering Big Dipper and the splash-happy Chutes at the Beach, this was the wild west of parks as far west as you could go.Our old friend Laurie Hollings (Frontier Village) makes a return appearance to the show.Laughing Sal cackles relentlessly, Orson Welles' shatters mirrors, and one of the first Disney Imagineers invents Woody the cowboy... in San Francisco... a half century early.Join us as we stroll along one of the most beautiful and daunting places in America, San Francisco's Ocean Beach, and we try to find traces of the park that lived there for most of the 20th Century: Playland-at-the-Beach.-------------------------------------------------------If this history hit you in the nostalgia, subscribe, share with a friend who loves old-school amusement parks, and leave a review. What artifact or ride would you bring back to a hands-on Playland museum? We'd love to hear your ideas.Thanks for listening!We'd love it if you would give us a review on your podcast platform of choice: iTunes, Spotify, etc... They're really helpful. And get in touch and let us know about YOUR Plus-Ups for the attractions we've talked about! We'd love to tell them on the air.Come visit us on Bluesky, Mastodon, Instagram, or whatever social media you like. Just look up Lowdown on the Plus-Up and you'll probably find us. Or drop us a note to comments@lowdown-plus-up.com and let us know any questions or comments about how YOU would like to plus-something-up! We are a Boardwalk Times production.Boardwalk Times, https://boardwalktimes.net/Boardwalk Times store, https://boardwalktimes.store .

One of great things about Disney is the fact that no detail is overlooked. If there's a chance for Imagineers to add another layer to the story being told, they'll take it, even if it's something as mundane as a simple door. But can doors really be that exciting? In the hands of a Disney Imagineer, the answer is "absolutely!"  So sit back, relax, and join us as we talk about Our Favorite Disney Doors!

Hello and welcome to your Disney News for Wednesday, January 7th, 2026! - Tokyo Disneyland unveils a new "Big Hero 6" themed rollercoaster, promising stunning technology and storytelling. - Walt Disney World Resort in Florida gears up for a grand celebration of Walt Disney's birthday this December with parades and exclusive merchandise. - Disneyland Resort's "World of Color" nighttime spectacular returns with reimagined scenes starring new Disney and Pixar characters. - Disney+ announces "Imagineering Marvels," a documentary series premiering this month, spotlighting the creative process of Disney Imagineers. Have a magical day and tune in again tomorrow for more updates.

Season 4 kicks off with a premiere festival full of adventure! This week, we're exploring Pueblo Esperanza, the land under construction at Animal Kingdom, also affectionately called Tropical Americas. While the land will feature Encanto, we're highlighting two original Imagineering projects we designed: one giving a storyline to an announced Indiana Jones ride and another completely new addition that's a surprise for our listeners.Join the Idiots (Stephen, Kaity, and Marissa) as we soak up festival vibes, storytelling, and the magic of placemaking. From detailed research and cultural inspiration to guest experience design, we'll give you an inside look at how Disney Imagineers bring lands to life. Expect laughs, energy, and surprises along the way, including a fan-favorite IP presented in a way that is completely unexpected for the land.This premiere is bigger and bolder than ever, featuring two full Imagineering projects in a single episode. Whether you're a seasoned Imagineering fan or just love Disney storytelling, this episode sets the tone for an unforgettable Season 4.Don't forget to check us out on Instagram!

Ever feel like you're sprinting into the end of the year instead of intentionally stepping into it like the CEO you truly are? In this episode, Lindsay shares one of her FAVORITE year-end traditions—the CEO retreat. And no… it doesn't require a fancy hotel, a five-figure mastermind, or a flight to a tropical destination. A CEO retreat can be as simple as you + a cozy coffee shop + a peppermint latte + a notebook. What makes it magical is not the location—it's the space you give yourself to reflect, dream, plan, and realign. Lindsay breaks down the FIVE steps to hosting your own meaningful, productive, and magical CEO retreat (Disney-style ✨), complete with practical prompts and inspiration from how Disney Imagineers and leadership teams plan, evaluate, and dream up next-level experiences. ✨ In This Episode, You'll Learn: 1. How to Reflect on the Past Year Like a Disney Pro Take inventory of your wins, lessons, and flops—just like Disney evaluates which shows, snacks, or events resonated each season. 2. How to Reconnect With Your Big Vision Revisit your “why” and make sure your business still aligns with the long-term mission you're creating—because just like Walt said, Disneyland will never be finished. 3. How to Choose Your 3 CEO Priorities for the New Year Too many goals = diluted magic. Lindsay teaches you how to set focused priorities that support real momentum. 4. How to Map Out Your Profit Plan for the Year Design a simple quarterly roadmap so you know what you're launching, when you're selling, and how your offers support your revenue goals. 5. Why Fun, Magic, and Joy Should Be a CEO Strategy Sprinkling in more ease, play, and magic isn't optional—it's fuel that helps you create a sustainable business you actually love.

"Guests have become more sophisticated and our product needs to follow suit." Disney Theme Parks have always been at the top when it comes to large scale, interactive entertainment attractions. Doris Hardoon is a legendary Imagineer, and we don't use that term lightly. Her creative vision has graced every Disney Castle Park on the planet, from EPCOT to Disneyland and Disneyland Paris to Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney Cruise Line, and beyond. Doris took a break from Disney to run her own design firm working on museums and other interactive design, but she returned to Disney as the executive creative director and producer for Shanghai Disney Resort. Her career at Disney theme parks and entertainment design has spanned over four decades. She joins us on REPOD to share her design philosophy and some life advice for aspiring designers. She's had a very interesting path in her career, starting with working as a model and becoming a well-known folk singer in Hong Kong in the 1960s and 70s. I especially enjoyed hearing her talk about working on the global theme parks and how “It's important to culturally understand who you're creating the happiest places on earth for.” She talks about how to design spaces that appeal to the local audience while still maintaining an authentic Disney experience. She's now turned much of her time to mentoring the next generation of entertainment designers. In this episode, Doris shares some reflections and advice on how to build the right team to support your creative vision. She also talks about how to manage corporate politics, especially when it comes to large creative companies like Walt Disney Imagineering. Doris Hardoon is a true legend, and I hope you find this episode as inspiring as I did.   Full Show Notes   Episode Sponsors We are immensely grateful to our sponsors this season: REA Patreon Backers, PG's Playhouse, Buzzshot, and COGS. We truly appreciate your support of our mission to promote and improve the immersive gaming community.   Support Us On Patreon Today Love escape rooms as much as we do? At Room Escape Artist, we've been analyzing, reviewing, and exploring the world of immersive games since 2014. We help players find the best experiences, and push the industry forward with well-researched, rational, and reasonably humorous escape room and immersive gaming content and events. By becoming a Patreon supporter, you're not just backing a blog — you're fueling a mission to make the escape room and immersive gaming community stronger, more thoughtful, and more connected. Access exclusive Patreon content such as: The Bonus Aftershow The Spoilers Club Early access to escape room Tour tickets and REA articles. Your Patreon support goes toward our mission: paying our contributors, funding our infrastructure, and supporting deep research and industry advocacy.   PG's Playhouse If you love wordplay, puzzles, and trivia, this is the podcast for you! PG's Playhouse recreates a fun game night, all in a short, 30-minute format. Of course, what's game night without making new friends? We bring on different guests for the different episodes. Each episode features a puzzle packed with wordplay and trivia, a short chat with the guest, and a segment exploring an interesting topic. I hope you'll take a listen and play along with us at PG's Playhouse.   Buzzshot Buzzshot is Escape Room Software, Powering Business Growth, Player Marketing, and improving the Customer Experience. They offer an assortment of pre and post game features including robust waiver management, branded team photos, and streamlined review management for Yelp, TripAdvisor, Google Reviews, and Morty. Buzzshot now has integration with the other REPOD sponsors: Morty and COGS. Special Offer for REPOD Listeners: REPOD listeners get an extended 21-day free trial plus 20% off your first 3 months, with no set-up fees or hidden charges. Visit buzzshot.com/repod to learn more about this exclusive offer.   COGS COGS by Clockwork Dog is an easy to use software/ hardware platform for running interactive events, including escape rooms, and other immersive experiences. They have plug & play hardware that seamlessly integrates with their software so you can create a show with lighting and sound cues without having to write a single line of code. Map all kinds of inputs to outputs by building up simple logic steps which determine what you want to happen and when. Special Offer for REPOD Listeners: REPOD listeners can get the COGS Starter Set for only $130 + free shipping to the USA. This bundle is usually valued at $257. You can learn more and purchase your Starter Set at cogs.show. Use code REPOD at checkout.   Production Credits Hosted by David Spira & Peih-Gee Law Produced by Theresa Piazza Supported by Lisa Spira Edited by Steve Ewing Music by Ryan Elder Logo by Janine Pracht  

From dishwasher at Disneyland to legendary Disney Imagineer. In this episode, Kevin Rafferty shares how a last-minute choice launched his Imagineering career and the storytelling secrets behind some of Disney's most iconic attractions. In this episode you'll hear: How a spur-of-the-moment decision kick-started Kevin's Imagineering journey The original concept for Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway What it was like collaborating with Aerosmith on Rock 'n' Roller Coaster The step-by-step process of developing Cars Land—from blue-sky to grand opening If you love Imagineering history, creative process deep dives, and behind-the-scenes Disney stories, this one's pure pixie dust. Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode. Don't forget to check us out on: -Instagram -Facebook  -Youtube Missing the smell of the parks? Check out Magic Candle Company and use code ENCHANTED at checkout to save 15% off your next order. Check out Kevin's book here Timestamps Welcome 00:00 Kevin's Go To Karaoke Song 02:12 The Start of an Incredible Career 04:19 Learning from the Original Imagineers 15:00 Becoming a Show Writer 17:44 Kevin's Potential Second Career 22:30 Bringing Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway to Life 23:26 How Do Story and Ride Mechanics Work Together? 33:07 Kevin's Favorite Easter Egg 37:59 Kevin's Disney Favorites 40:42 A Disneyland Love Story 44:30 Working with Jim Henson on MuppetVision 3D 47:22 Celebrity Stories from Imagineering 50:22 Creating Cars Land 56:58 Looking to the Movies for Inspiration 1:07:07 Was There an Attraction Kevin Wanted to Build? 1:11:32 Adding Walt to Carousel of Progress 1:13:48 Kevin's Favorite Attraction He Worked On 1:16:49 Kevin's Advice to Future Imagineers 1:23:02

Wishing you a wonderful Thursday! This is your Disney News for Thursday, October 2nd, 2025. I hope you're ready for some enchanting updates! - Disney's Animal Kingdom launches a new conservation initiative in Florida, focusing on endangered species with educational programs and new animal habitats. - Disneyland California plans a new high-tech, interactive ride in Tomorrowland that promises an immersive space journey. - Disney+ announces a new series "Magic Makers," debuting this month, spotlighting Disney Imagineers and the creation process of iconic attractions. - Tokyo Disneyland's Halloween celebrations are underway with themed decorations, special parades, and character meet-and-greets. Thanks for tuning in, and I hope you have a magical day. Remember to check in tomorrow for more Disney updates. See you tomorrow!

Flight 45: Former VP of Interactive Projects, Show Producer & Interactive Designer at Walt Disney Imagineering, Joe Garlington By 1990, it was believed that Disney park guests were tired of passive attractions and so the company brought back former EPCOT Center “Arcade of the Future” designer and the owner of LA-based Art & Technology Joe Garlington to tap into the latest computer hardware and software and transform Disney experiences into communal, personalized, and yes, interactive experiences. If you've ever immersed yourself in Stitch Encounter, Turtle Talk with Crush, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Disneyquest or dozens of early interactive experiences at museums, aquariums and theme parks around the country, you've no doubt enjoyed the creative visions of Joe Garlington. Set your interactive calendar now and plan to join us as USC's Adjunct Professor and Advisor of Themed Entertainment Design climbs aboard the time machine to share his career highlights, collected wisdom, and predictions for the future of interactive technology in themed entertainment. It promises to be, well, interactive!

Hey there, and happy Wednesday! This is your Disney News for Wednesday, September 24th, 2025. Let's jump right into today's magical happenings! - Disneyland Resort in California to update the Haunted Mansion with new characters, enhanced visuals, and a storyline twist, perfect for Halloween. - Tokyo Disneyland plans "Autumn Harvest Festival" with parades, meet-and-greets, and seasonal treats, celebrating fall. - Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World announces spring 2026 dates from March 2nd to July 4th, featuring topiaries and outdoor kitchens. - Disney+ to launch "Magic Makers," a docu-series highlighting Disney Imagineers and cast members behind park magic worldwide. Thanks for tuning in, and I hope you have a whimsical day ahead. Remember to check in tomorrow for more Disney updates. See you tomorrow!

Charlie is back from the Venice Film Festival Immersive, where he also judged the Reply AI Film Festival. His standout was Blur, which he shared with Ted and Rony, though the Grand Prize went to The Clouds Are 2000 Meters Up. He also praised Doug Liman's Asteroid on Samsung's Moohan headset and noted growing work on Apple Vision Pro.In the news: Anthropic raised $13B at a $183B valuation, Replit secured $250M, Viture raised $100M, Mojo Vision closed $75M, and Higgsfield raised $50M. Rony highlighted Rivet's Army award and Brainlab's ML2 FDA clearance. Apple AirPods added live translation.Don Carson joined to discuss Walkabout Mini Golf and the upcoming Alice in Wonderland course, set for December. Carson, a former Disney Imagineer and now senior art director at Mighty Coconut, explained how each hole is designed as a vignette to guide players through the story. Amazon is preparing new smart glasses, and TwinMind is testing lifelogging concepts.Thank you to our sponsor, Zappar!Don't forget to like, share, and follow for more! Follow us on all socials @TheAIXRPodcasthttps://linktr.ee/thisweekinxr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here's your Disney News for Sunday, August 31st, 2025! - Disneyland Tokyo unveils a brand-new interactive experience with iconic Disney characters, offering visitors an immersive adventure akin to stepping into a Disney movie. - Disney Cruise Line introduces "Castaway Cay 2.0," an enhanced private island experience in the Bahamas with expanded activities, exclusive dining, and family-friendly attractions. - "Zootopia Land" is opening soon at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom, featuring thrilling attractions inspired by the bustling city of Zootopia. - New documentary series "Behind the Magic: Disney Imagineering" premieres on Disney+, showcasing the creativity and innovation of Disney Imagineers. Have a magical day and tune in again tomorrow for more updates.

Don Carson started as an illustrator, but soon his work expanded beyond the sketchbook to focus on the design of physical and virtual spaces. He worked as a Senior Show Designer, as an Imagineer, he designed entire lands for the Disney Parks and he is now Sr. Art Director at Mighty Coconut, the team behind Walkabout Minigolf, one of the most popular and loved apps on the Meta Quest. In this conversation we look at:How the team has embraced the low-poly graphics to create worlds people loveSome of the major challenges when it comes to building worlds and telling storiesHis secret for engaging and keeping players hookedDon offers me a guided tour of Raptor's Cliff to experience firsthand some of the storytelling techniques that make Walkabout's worlds so popular and of course, I get the chance to showcase my terrible golfing skillsSubscribe to XR AI Spotlight weekly newsletter

Here is your Daily Disney News for Monday, August 11th, 2025 - New immersive experience in development at Animal Kingdom, featuring "The Lion King" characters and innovative storytelling. - Tokyo Disneyland to debut a fresh "Fantasyland Forest Theatre" show, blending Disney tales with modern stage effects. - Halloween preparations underway at Disneyland Paris with vibrant decorations, themed treats, and a lively parade. - Disney+ to release "Behind the Magic: Disney Imagineering," offering a look into the creative process of Disney Imagineers. Have a magical day and tune in again tomorrow for more updates.

On this episode I talk with Todd McCartney and Brian P Miles of the Retro Disney World podcast and the Lake Buena Vista Historical Society. We talk about picture and video restoration, creating their podcast, putting on an incredible fan event, and the coldest water fountain in all of Walt Disney World. Join The Zac Brown Show Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheZacBrownShow Get Zac Brown Brown Show merch: https://tinyurl.com/3kwfzxcn Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thezacbrownshow/ https://www.instagram.com/corey.jess.productions/ Listen to the full version of our outro music here: https://tinyurl.com/fet4mba7   Check out the Retro Disney World podcast: https://tinyurl.com/32dxdrkz Explore the Lake Buena Vista Historical Society's archives: https://www.retrowdw.com  

Hey there, and a very happy Thursday to you! This is your Disney News for Thursday, July 31st, 2025. I hope you're ready to dive into some enchanting Disney happenings today! - Major buzz at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom with the opening of "The Enchanted Forest Adventure" this weekend, featuring immersive scenes, animatronics, and classic Disney characters - Disneyland Resort's "Galactic Starcruiser" experience is now open for booking; a two-night Star Wars immersive adventure with ships and lightsaber battles - Tokyo Disney Resort is launching a new nighttime show called "Tokyo Dreams," featuring fireworks, projections, and music against Cinderella Castle - Disney+ introduces "Behind the Magic: Imagineering Secrets Revealed," a documentary series on Disney Imagineers' creative process That's a wrap for today! Thanks for tuning in, and may your day be filled with a little extra pixie dust. Don't forget to check in tomorrow for more Disney magic.

Flight 44: If it moves on wheels at Disneyland, it was probably designed by 93-year old Disney Legend and Thea Lifetime Achievement recipient, Bob Gurr.   Walt Disney was so impressed with his knowledge and skill, that he invited Bob Gurr to join WED Enterprises to design the very first Autopia cars that debuted at Disneyland in 1955. Over the past 74 years, Bob has made transportation magic worldwide, developing such legendary Disneyland ride vehicles as the Monorail, the Flying Saucers, the Haunted Mansion “Doom Buggies," the Submarine Voyage sub fleet, the PeopleMover, and the Matterhorn Bobsleds. After “retiring” in 1981, Bob went on to co-found Sequoia Creative and design the massive King Kong animatronic for Universal Studios Hollywood. He designed the flying spaceship for the 1984 Olympics opening ceremonies, effects for The Jacksons' Victory tour, and dinosaurs for Steven Spielberg's “Jurassic Park.” Plan now to join us as Bob climbs aboard a vehicle with no wheels for a journey across ten decades on one of the most incredible time travel adventures we've ever had!

Hey there, and a very happy Sunday! This is your Disney News for Sunday, June 29th, 2025. I hope you're ready to sprinkle some pixie dust into your day! - Disneyland Tokyo's "Under the Sea Adventure" ride is soon to open, offering an immersive dive into Ariel's world with stunning visuals and interactive elements. - At Walt Disney World, the "Frozen Ever After" show is captivating audiences in the newly renovated Fantasyland Theater with performances of favorite songs from Arendelle. - Disney Imagineers are developing "Magic Bands 3.0," promising enhanced features such as personalized interactions and improved navigation to enrich park experiences by next year. - Disney+ announces "Pixie Hollow Chronicles," a new original series featuring Tinker Bell and her fairy friends in adventures beyond Neverland, set to enchant families with beautiful animation and stories. That's all for today! Thanks for tuning in, and I hope you have a magical day. Remember to check in tomorrow for more Disney updates. See you tomorrow!

In this engaging conversation, MD3 Donovan III shares his extensive journey through the realms of architecture, real estate, and creativity. From his early aspirations of becoming an Imagineer at Disney to his current role as a licensed architect and broker, MD3 emphasizes the importance of persistence, creativity, and community impact in his work. He discusses his transition from theme park design to real estate development, his dream projects, and the legacy he aims to build through education and mentorship. The conversation highlights valuable lessons learned throughout his career and offers insights for aspiring professionals in the industry. Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true ‘white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a “mini-mastermind” with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming “Retreat”, either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas “Big H Ranch”? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

Flight 43: Forty-five-year industry veteran, Thea Lifetime Achievement Recipient, and former President of Walt Disney Imagineering, Bob Weis. When Bob Weis joined WED Enterprise in 1980, Disney owned two theme parks. Forty-five years later, Disney operates twelve parks worldwide and Bob Weis played a role in at least half of them, including Epcot, Tokyo Disneyland, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney Studios Parc, Disney California Adventure, and Shanghai Disneyland. After a short stint at his own firm, (Bob) Weis Design Island (WDI!), and Gensler, Bob is now a successful author, having recently published his autobiography, “Dream Chasing,” and his first work of fiction, “Ghost Dog.” Set your pocket watch now to join us as Bob climbs aboard the time machine to relive the trials and tribulations of overseeing the design and production of multiple Disney theme parks and being one only four individuals to ever hold the title of president of the world's first and most beloved themed entertainment design company.

In this episode of Persistence U, Maggie Parr joins us to explore the often overlooked topic of self-harm in adulthood. A celebrated artist and longtime Disney Imagineer, Maggie shares her deeply personal journey from childhood trauma and relapse in midlife to recovery through art, therapy, and self-love. She candidly discusses how self-harm was once her survival tool, and how she eventually learned to listen to the inner child driving the behavior—and love her back to life. Maggie's message is clear: healing is possible at any age, and creativity can be a vital tool on that path. Thank you, Maggie, for your courage, your artistry, and your commitment to helping others find light through darkness.You Will Learn:Why self-harm isn't just a teenage issue—and why adult experiences deserve more attention.How childhood trauma and high achievement can intertwine with self-destructive coping mechanisms.Why embracing all parts of ourselves, even the ones we fear, can lead to lasting healing.Call for Entries:Are you a woman who used solo travel to heal or increase resilience after the age of 40? Would you like to write about it? Consider submitting an essay for my forthcoming anthology! Details HERELizbeth's links Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold! Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X Sign up to stay in the know on Lizbeth's latest podcast episodes, books, and appearances at https://lameredith.com

Disney Imagineer Tom Mulally supported the media and video production team as a Principal Media Designer between 1991 and 2016. Installing media at Tower of Terror, Spaceship Earth, Star Tours, Conservation Station, Rafiki's Planet Watch, Enchanted Books of Mystery, and various projects at Disneyland, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Shanghai Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Walt Disney World, Tom helped bring these projects to life. In this episode, we chat about Tom's career at Walt Disney Imagineering and his advice for aspiring Imagineers.   Create your own Disney travel memories with our sponsor KMV Travel.   Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.   Tag me and join the conversation below. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook Group (ImagiNation): https://www.facebook.com/groups/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@imaginationskyway  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@imaginationskyway Twitter: www.twitter.com/skywaypodcast Email: matt@imagineerpodcast.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-imagineerpodcasts-podcast/id1244558092 Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Purchase merchandise - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/imagineer-podcast?ref_id=8929 Enjoy the show!

This week, Disneyland 2025 Half Marathon details announced, the next After Dark Nite tickets are going on sale, a new option for the plush headbands, an iconic Disney Imagineer is being featured in an upcoming documentary, an update to the Jolly Holiday sign, we finish our talk with Amanda and Kevin from Where in the Park, and more! Please support the show if you can by going to https://www.dlweekly.net/support/. Check out all of our current partners and exclusive discounts at https://www.dlweekly.net/promos. News: We are still almost a year away from the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend 2026, but there are some new details that were released this week. The weekend will take place during the 70th anniversary celebration “Celebrate Happy” and will be called the “Celebrate Happy” Half Marathon Weekend. The dates are January 29th through February 1st, 2026. The 5k “Celebrate Joy” race will take place on January 30th, the 10k “Celebrate Imagination” race will take place January 31st, and the “Celebrate Togetherness” half-marathon will round out the weekend on February 1st. Racers who complete the 10k and half-marathon will get the “Celebrate Achievement” medal. Finally, there is the “Celebrate Laughter” race on January 31st for kids 9 and under. “Celebrate Smiles” will feature yoga in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle on January 29th. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2025/04/12/new-details-just-announced-for-2026-disneyland-half-marathon-weekend/ https://www.rundisney.com/events/disneyland/ The next Disneyland After Dark Nite tickets are about to go on sale! Pride Nite – in our opinion one of the best after hours events – tickets will go on sale April 16th for Magic Key Holders, and April 17th for general admission. This year, Pride Nite itself takes place on June 16th and 18th. – https://mickeyblog.com/2025/04/10/disneyland-after-dark-pride-nite-tickets-go-on-sale-soon/ Weeklyteers who aren't a fan of a headband style create your own headwear now have an alternative! Guests can now create their own HAT instead! The hat is black with the D resort logo on the front, also in black. All the existing plushes that you can add to the headbands can be added to the hat as well. The hat itself is $14.99 and can be purchased at the Mad Hatter on Main Street, or at World of Disney in Downtown Disney. – https://mickeyblog.com/2025/04/13/get-a-new-create-your-own-hat-at-the-disneyland-resort/ One of our favorite Imagineers will be featured in an upcoming documentary about their life and legacy. “Bob Gurr: Living by Design” will premiere at the Alex Theatre in Glendale on April 26th to a red carpet arrival with celebrity guests, and a Q&A after with Bob himself! Doors open at 5:30pm and the film begins at 7pm. The event is scheduled to last 2 hours and 40 minutes, including the intermission and Q&A. Visit the link in the show notes to get tickets! – https://www.micechat.com/413124-bob-gurr-disney-legend-movie-premiere/ A small thing at Disneyland that we have been following is the sign at the Jolly Holiday on Main Street. When the location reopened recently from its refurbishment, there was a temporary sign covering the popcorn lights underneath. The temporary sign has been removed, and the decorative elements have returned, but the popcorn lights are still problematic. – https://www.micechat.com/413111-disneyland-news-crowds-construction-bob-gurr-star-wars-nite/ For the past 66 years, the Ernest S Marsh locomotive has taken guests around Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom. What you may not know is that it is much older than that! For 100 years the locomotive has been in operation and Disneyland has commemorated this with green 100 year celebration flags on the front of the locomotive. – https://www.micechat.com/413111-disneyland-news-crowds-construction-bob-gurr-star-wars-nite/ There are some small things happening around the resort that we wanted to mention. “it's a small world's” return has been delayed until May 9th. A new permit for Porto's includes the removal of two of the ticket booths in the esplanade to make room for the expanded location. Also, there was some testing on Lightning Lane removal from Pirates this week. SnackChat: Port of San Fransokyo Cervecería – https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disney-california-adventure/port-of-san-fransokyo-cerveceria/menus/ Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill – https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disney-california-adventure/cocina-cucamonga-mexican-grill/menus/ Discussion Topic: Kevin and Amanda Richards https://shop.whereinthepark.com https://www.instagram.com/whereinthepark

Little did Tony Baxter know when he began scooping ice cream on Main Street U.S.A. he would one day become a Disney Legend. We're thrilled to have the Disney Imagineer on this week. He talks about his early days at Disney and covers some of his biggest projects including EPCOT, and the mysterious, unbuilt Discovery Bay in Disneyland. Plus we're playing a little game called blind ranking.Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and John Redlingshafer would love to hear from you! Email or send a recorded audio message at podcast@thehyperionhub.com. Find us on social media. The Hyperion Hub is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company or its subsidiaries.  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100063622463796 https://www.instagram.com/hyperion_hub/ https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2FHubHyperion

For more than 70 years Walt Disney Imagineering has been at the forefront of creating unforgettable experiences for theme park guests around the world, and one individual has played a crucial role in spearheading a vision filled with ingenuity and experimentation. Bob Weis, who presided over WDI from 2016-2012, chronicles four decades of self-described success and failure in Dream Chasing: My Four Decades of Success and Failure with Walt Disney Imagineering, a fantastic autobiography recently published by Disney Editions. In this episode of Notably Disney, Bob speaks with host Brett Nachman about a range of topics, from dealing with tight budgets for park attractions to bringing new lands to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Throughout Bob explains the commitment that Disney Imagineers have in developing rich experiences based on classic storytelling. Bob also shares a bit about his new fiction title entitled Ghost Dog. Follow Bob on Instagram @bobweis! Learn more about Dream Chasing on Disney Books and Ghost Dog: A Novel from Old Mill Press. Feel free to reach out to Brett via Bluesky @drnachman and Instagram @drnachman, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to notablydisney@gmail.com  New episodes of Notably Disney debut on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

819 · Designing Disney with Former Imagineer Jason Surrell Imagine starting as a Jungle Cruise skipper and ending up helping to shape some of Disney's most legendary attractions! Join me as I sits down with former Disney Imagineer and master storyteller Jason Surrell, whose creative work spans Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, Star Tours, New Fantasyland, and much, much more. Jason shares his origin story, behind-the-scenes insights, and the future of immersive Disney storytelling, plus lessons from Marty Sklar, Tony Baxter, and other Disney legends. If you love Disney history, Imagineering secrets, and hidden details, this episode on Designing Disney is hopefully the first in a series of episodes you won't want to miss!

Send us a textJoin us for Part 2 of our interview with former Disney Imagineer Matt McKim as we discuss lands reimagined, how he started with Imagineering and his creative process, and some key factors when designing the parks. We end the show with rapid fire questions and the biggest advice for up-and-coming Imagineers. If you're interested in theme parks and park design, you won't want to miss this episode of Imagine That!Check Out  All Of Our Amazing Sponsors!!Getaway Todayhttps://www.getawaytoday.com/?referrerid=8636If you want to book a Disney Vacation please use our friends at Getaway Today. Also if you call 855-GET-AWAY and mention Walt's Apartment you will get a special dose of magicThe Themepark Scavenger Hunt Game - Where In The Parkhttps://shop.whereinthepark.com/?ref=waltsaptpodcastCheck Out Sunken City Designs - from the mind of Louis Medinahttps://sunkencitydesigns.bigcartel.comWe are proud to be part of the Disney Podcast Family , checkout all the other great shows below https://linktr.ee/DisneyPodcastFamily

Disney Imagineer Daniel Joseph has been developing Disney Parks illusions and special effects for Walt Disney Imagineering since 2006. As a part of the Illusioneering Lab, Daniel has created effects used in The Haunted Mansion (including the Hatbox Ghost installations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World), Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Trader Sam's, Space 220, and Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast (Tokyo Disneyland), among countless others. In this episode, we chat about his work at Walt Disney Imagineering, his admiration for Imagineer Yale Gracey, and his thoughts about the future of Disney Parks.   Be sure to follow Daniel on Instagram at instagram.com/imagineerdaniel   Create your own Disney travel memories with our sponsor KMV Travel.   Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.   Tag me and join the conversation below. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook Group (ImagiNation): https://www.facebook.com/groups/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@imaginationskyway  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@imaginationskyway Twitter: www.twitter.com/skywaypodcast Email: matt@imagineerpodcast.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-imagineerpodcasts-podcast/id1244558092 Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Purchase merchandise - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/imagineer-podcast?ref_id=8929 Enjoy the show!

In this episode of The Disney Dish Podcast, Len and Jim explore more of Epcot's rich history with part two of their series on the Mexico Pavilion's beloved boat ride, El Rio del Tiempo. Join them as they delve into the ride's development challenges, the inspiration behind its immersive scenes, and how Disney Imagineers used clever design and technology to bring Mexican culture to life in World Showcase. Tune in for: The latest on Epic Universe's ticket launch and sold-out opening day Behind-the-scenes of Disney's Cake Bake Shop pricing A dive into the fascinating design details and lesser-known facts of El Rio del Tiempo's original storyline Don't miss this captivating episode filled with Disney lore, Epcot nostalgia, and exclusive theme park insights! SHOW NOTES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices