Who’s ready for another virtual tour of Walt Disney Imagineering? We’ve been following along and are enjoying seeing the ins and outs of the incredible development and technology that goes along with Imagineering. Check out “Part 4” below from DisneyParksBlog:
Before heading to our last stop on the virtual tour, let’s swing by Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development. Commonly referred to as “R&D,” the research & development arm of Walt Disney Imagineering researches and develops new technology for Disney Parks and across the media and entertainment industry, and in many cases, the latest and greatest tech of our time.
Standing by in the lobby of Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development is Mike Honeck, who will show you some of the scientific know-how (and fun!) going on in their lab.
Be sure to check out our first three episodes of this series on our Disney Magic Moments page:
We’re loving these Virtual Tours of Walt Disney Imagineering! It’s a chance to see the inspirational minds of Disney with a little behind the scenes. Check out the video from DisneyParksBlog below of Part 3:
This week we are heading to the DISH, also known as the Digital Immersive Showroom at Walt Disney Imagineering. The DISH is a tool that Imagineers use to previsualize Disney experiences in a digital setting. This is helpful, among other reasons, to enhance and adjust experiences before they begin construction.
In this video, Garrett Clark will take you from Walt Disney World Resort to Disneyland Resort, all within one room!
Be sure to check out our first two episodes of this series on our Disney Magic Moments page:
Walt Disney Imagineering is known for making the impossible possible. That’s why despite their offices (and the Disney Parks) being closed, they are opening up their headquarters for a full virtual tour!
The next stop on our virtual tour of Walt Disney Imagineering is the Sculpture Studio. This hidden gem within our headquarters is one of the locations that epitomizes the heritage of Walt Disney Imagineering.
Disney Legend Blaine Gibson once supervised the sculpture department, and his sculpts were used to create various figures and bronzes in Disney Parks. Today, the Sculpture Studio continues to house Blaine’s masterpieces, as well as Imagineering’s recent sculptures. Jonathan Friday will show you in this video!
Stay tuned for more insider virtual tours coming soon to the Disney Parks YouTube channel.
Disney Parks fans around the world have enjoyed their work. Soon, you’ll be able to read their stories.
Disney Editions is set to release a new book, Women of Imagineering: 12 Careers, 12 Theme Parks, Countless Stories by Elisabete Erlandson, which celebrates some of the female Imagineers that have brought Disney magic to life.
The official description reads:
“Capturing an era – and preserving the stories they have told their daughters, their mentees, their husbands and their friends – a dozen women Imagineers have written personal stories from their decades designing and building the Disney world-wide empire of theme parks.
Illustrated with the women’s personal drawings and photos in addition to archival Imagineering images, the book represents a broad swath of Imagineering’s creative disciplines during a time of unprecedented expansion. Intertwined with memories of Disney legends are glimpses of what it takes behind the scenes to create a theme park, and the struggles unique to women who were becoming more and more important, visible and powerful in a workplace that was overwhelmingly male.
Each chapter is unique, from a unique Imagineer’s perspective and experience. These women spent their careers telling stories in three dimensions for the public. Now they’ve assembled their stories in print, with the hope that their experiences will continue to entertain and illuminate.”
The author listing suggests the twelve Imagineers to be featured include:
Maggie Elliott, Senior Vice President, Creative Development Administration
Eli Erlandson, Principal Concept Architect
Peggie Fariss, Executive, Creative Development
Paula Dinkel, Principal Lighting Designer
Karen Connolly Armitage, Concept Designer
Katie Olson, Principal Color Concept Designer
Becky Bishop, Area Development Executive
Pam Rank, Principal Show Lighting Designer
Lynne Macer Rhodes, Producer
Kathy Rogers, Executive Show Producer
Julie Svendsen, Concept Show Designer
Tori Atencio McCullough, Director (Interior Design)
The book is set to release on Tuesday, October 13th, 2020, and retails for $29.99. You can currently pre-order the book at retailers including Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.
Many families are currently home together as we quarantine ourselves with the goal of preventing the spread of COVID-19/Coronavirus. Let’s look at the positive side of things as we get to spend more time together as a family! And now, Disney Imagineers are introducing a fun online program to keep us engaged. Check out the details below from DisneyParksBlog:
“Hi, I’m Josh Gorin, a creative development executive with Walt Disney Imagineering, and one of the hosts and contributors to Imagineering in a Box – a free online program created in partnership with the Khan Academy and Pixar.
Imagineering in a Box is a series of interactive lessons in theme park design and engineering, designed to give a behind-the-scenes peek into Imagineering’s development process. It combines 32 videos of actual Imagineers, real-world case studies, and lots of interactive activities to give you the opportunity to dream and design your very own theme park experience!
With so many families at home together right now, we thought this would be an especially useful time to share this program with you. It’s available to all and completely free.
When I was growing up, I would visit the Disney Parks with my family and ask, “how did they do that!?” I watched Disney’s behind-the-scenes TV specials and realized that Imagineering was an actual “job” — it inspired what I studied in school and ultimately led to my current role.
Today, we are so excited to share with learners of all ages the unique ways that science, technology, engineering, and math can be combined with creativity and design to create larger-than-life entertainment for millions all around the world.
And maybe, we’ll be helping the Imagineers of tomorrow to get their first start.
How are you using this program? Use #Disney, #BetterTogether and #ImagineeringinaBox on Instagram and tag @WaltDisneyImagineering to let us know, and for your chance to be featured.”
