Disney Imagineering Showcases Incredible ‘HoloTile Floor’ Which Could Change VR & Theme Park Experiences Forever

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Walt Disney Imagineering has revealed an exciting new piece of technology called the “HoloTile floor” in a video celebrating Disney Research Fellow and Imagineer Lanny Smoot’s induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

In the video, Smoot gives a quick demonstration of the new tech. The floor is made up of small circular pieces that shift and rotate as the user walks upon it, allowing for omnidirectional movement.

Smoot’s induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame marks the second person from The Walt Disney Company to receive the prestigious honor, with the first being Walt Disney himself.

Two users walk around on the HoloTile floor.

According to Smoot, the HoloTile will automatically adjust in order to keep the user on the floor, and can even accommodate multiple people independently.

Two users demonstrate the HoloTile floor with a possible maze featuring BB-8.

The floor can be used to traverse through virtual reality (VR) spaces, allow users (and potentially guests) to move around in the same space collaboratively, and Smoot also suggests its use in theatrical productions for dancers onstage. In one section of the video, Smoot and another user are walking on the HoloTile floor to get BB-8 from the “Star Wars” sequels through what appears to be a maze, with both on-screen visuals and projections on the tile.

A person potentially uses "The Force" to move a box on a section of HoloTile floor.

Another short clip shows someone who, to us, appears to be using “The Force” to move a box around the section of HoloTile.

Ultimately, Smoot says that while there are “so many applications for this type of technology,” Walt Disney Imagineering doesn’t know yet where it will be used.

Smoot sits on a chair as he is moved with "The Force" on the HoloTile Floor.

It gives me an amazing opportunity to use these inventions that I’ve made in service of people having fun.Lanny Smoot, Disney Research Fellow and Walt Disney Imagineer

See this exciting new technology in action in the video below:

Former Imagineering President Bob Weis Leading Gensler’s Entertainment Practice Area

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Former President of Walt Disney Imagineering Bob Weis will be leading the creation of Gensler’s new Entertainment Practice Area, he announced on Instagram Thursday.

Weis retired from Imagineering in early 2023 and then joined design and architecture firm Gensler as their Global Immersive Experience Design leader. He wrote on Instagram that with the Entertainment Practice Area, he, alongside Lexi Barry and their team, will “bring storytelling to life through physical, digital, and sensory engagement.” The team includes former Imagineers Elisabeth Papadopoulos, Greg Ashton, and Eric Robison.

The video Weis shared includes some of his concept art and notes.

When Weis joined Gensler, he said, “At Disney, we often collaborated with Gensler, and I was able to see firsthand its culture of design innovation that transforms the quality of life in our world. This is what visionary companies are seeking, and what we all are yearning for as we interact with the world around us. Gensler’s commitment to leading the future of design is perfectly aligned with my passion for developing unique, immersive experiences with a diversity of creative voices.”

In an interview at the time, Weis laid out what he thinks the three main elements of immersive experience are:

First, these are experiences that people want to do together. We’re tired of being at home in front of our computers. We’re looking for communal celebratory experiences with our friends, family, and other people in our community.

This is why Gensler is so important in the development of immersive experiences. The firm already has such an incredible commitment to the cultural vibrancy of cities and the place where we live, work, and play. It’s exciting to think that we can create great stories that people can experience together in new ways and do them in the spaces Gensler already creates.

The second element is that we are immersing people into the space, meaning we are surrounding them with the theme, the story, and the idea. This is different from what we’re used to, which is watching things on a screen or seeing a piece of sculpture or painting in a museum. In this medium of immersive experiences, we want to break out of the screen and really envelop all the senses — sight, smell, emotion, the feel — all the things that can tell the story in physical ways that you will never forget.

And the last element that is key to an immersive experience — and this is maybe the hardest to accomplish — is that we are giving people agency in the story itself. We want people to feel that these experiences are their story and that the story becomes about them. Think of going to the theater, but instead of watching the play from your seat, you are part of the play. You are impacting how the conflict is resolved or how the art piece is accomplished. You have a real authentic impact on the experience. It’s an active role.

Weis was with Walt Disney Imagineering for 42 years, serving as president of WDI for a time and then Global Imagineering Ambassador. He officially departed Disney on January 2, 2023.

Disney Suffers the Loss of One of Its Most Influential Contributors of All Time

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

“Words may not fully describe designer and Imagineer Rolly Crump. So to get a handle on this spirited, multi-talented Disney designer, think Leonardo DaVinci’s Universal Man.” –D23.com

The entire Disney community has suffered an immense loss as one of the most influential contributors to the wonderful world of all things Disney, Imagineer Roland Fargo Crump, passed away on Sunday, March 12. He was 93 years old. Oh, but he was so young.

Roland “Rolly” Crump was born in Alhambra, California, on February 27, 1930, and officially stepped into his role at The Walt Disney Studios when he was only 22 years old in 1952.

rolly crump and Walt Disney with Disneyland Ambassador

In 1959, Rolly joined the show design team at WED Enterprises, now known as Walt Disney Imagineering. His young age was no deterrent for Walt Disney, who saw ingenuity, greatness, and promise in the young Crump. Disneyland was only four years old at the time, and Rolly became one of Walt’s key designers for many of the park’s new attractions and shops. He was especially instrumental in the development of the Haunted Mansion attraction and the Enchanted Tiki Room. He also lent his unique brand of creativity and insight to the Adventureland Bazaar at Disneyland.

disneyland enchanted tiki room

Per D23:

Rolly served as a key designer on the Disney attractions featured at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, including it’s a small world, for which he designed the Tower of the Four Winds marquee. When the attraction moved to Disneyland in 1966, Rolly designed the larger-than-life animated clock at its entrance, which sends puppet children on parade with each quarter-hour gong.

After contributing to the initial design of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida, and developing story and set designs for NBC’s Disney on Parade in 1970, Rolly left the Company to consult on projects including Busch Gardens in Florida and California, the ABC Wildlife Preserve in Maryland, and Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus World in Florida, among others.

He returned in 1976 to contribute to EPCOT Center, serving as project designer for The Land and the Wonders of Life pavilions. He also participated in master planning for an expansion of Disneyland until 1981, when he again departed to lead design on a proposed Cousteau Ocean Center in Norfolk, Virginia, and to launch his own firm, the Mariposa Design Group, developing an array of themed projects around the world, including an international celebration for the country of Oman.

In 1992, Rolly returned to Imagineering as executive designer, redesigning and refurbishing The Land and Innoventions at Epcot Center. Rolly “retired” from The Walt Disney Company in 1996, but continued to work on a number of creative projects. He released his autobiography, “It’s Kind of a Cute Story,” in 2012.

Rolly is honored along Main Street, U. S. A., at Disneyland Resort in California with a sign that reads, “Fargo’s Palm Parlor.” Guests can see the sign along Main Street, U. S. A., at the front of Disneyland Park.

Rolly will be forever remembered for his kindness, brilliance, ingenuity, insight, and humor, and for his contributions to the history and development of the Disney Parks, and fans of Rolly, this writer included, will look back on his memory fondly for years to come.

Walt Disney Imagineering Pushes Forward on 2024 Move to Florida From California

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

Last year, Walt Disney Imagineering announced it would officially move its iconic headquarters from Anaheim, California, to Lake Nona, Florida, located right near the Orlando International Airport and nearby the Disney Parks. Over 2,000 jobs will reportedly move to what Disney describes as a master-planned working community.

Over the past few months, fans have questioned whether the move was still on. Some Imagineers left the company following the announcement, not wanting to relocate their families from California to Florida.

Orlando Sentinel reported in July of 2021 that Disney could receive over $570 million in tax breaks from the state of Florida for building the campus and cited this as a significant reason for the move. This tax break would be among the largest for a major American corporation.

However, the Walt Disney Company’s relationship with the state of Florida has weakened over the past few months after the company publicly spoke out against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s Parental Rights in Education Act, also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law.

Many wondered if this controversy would affect Disney Imagineering’s move to Lake Nona. California Governor Gavin Newsom even asked Disney to reconsider the move, recommending they stay in a more supportive state for LGBTQ+ employees. After all, Disney only made a statement against the law after protests from LGBTQ+ Cast Members and fans.

A few weeks later, Governor Ron DeSantis announced retaliation against The Walt Disney Company, introducing and successfully passing legislation to dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement District. In 1967, the Reedy Creek Improvement Act passed, allowing Disney to operate private municipal services like roads, fire prevention, and water surrounding Walt Disney World.

Considering this hostile environment, fans continued to speculate on the scheduled Disney Imagineering move to Lake Nona. As of this week, it seems the move is still on.

mickey proposing to minnie in front of cinderella castle at disney world

Disney’s Careers website continues to post high-level Imagineering positions in the Orlando area, with the most recent position posted on May 10. Two job postings in Glendale, California, even note that “the team will relocate to Orlando, FL in late 2024.”

A Virtual Tour of Walt Disney Imagineering-Part 1

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

Disney has created lots of ways to bring magic into your home with #DisneyMagicalMoments. We’ve already shared some posts such as the Imagineering in a Box, learning how to draw the true original Mickey Mouse, learning about the amazing animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a virtual viewing of the all-new “Magic Happens” parade at Disneyland, and free Disney content to enjoy. Now Disney has shared a virtual tour of Walt Disney Imagineering.

From a Disney Cast Member;

Walt Disney Imagineering is known for making the impossible possible. That’s why—despite our offices being closed—we are opening up our headquarters virtually for a tour.

Tours of Walt Disney Imagineering are rare. So rare, in fact, we are excited to bring you this video series to show you some of the unique spaces where innovation and storytelling combine to bring Disney stories, characters, and worlds to life.

A creative force, a historical treasure, a dream factory,

and a hub of science and technology, Walt Disney Imagineering is a place of legend and the only think tank created by Walt Disney himself. Ann Myers is ready to welcome you—let’s go!

Stay tuned for the next video in our virtual tour series.