Imagination Skyway

Roundup Rodeo BBQ opened in Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios on March 23, 2023. This Walt Disney World restaurant combines casual bbq dining with Toy Story fun, turning guests into their very own cowboy toy set. While you dine, Cast Members and restaurant entertainment make you feel like a toy in Andy's room (you'll even have to watch out for Sid). It's fun for the whole family, and th...

Getting to play armchair Imagineer is one of my favorite pastimes. As a Disney fan, it's fun to imagine what could possibly one day come to the Disney Parks. Blue sky concepts from Walt Disney Imagineering are imaginative, inspiring, and downright exciting, teasing out what we might be able to expect at the Disney Parks one day. In this episode, we test our skills at coming up with ideas for poten...

The Disneyland Resort in California is an amazing place for families of all ages, which includes toddlers and infants. With countless attractions for little ones to enjoy across two parks (Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure), character experiences, dining, and more, Disneyland is worth visiting with the whole family. In this episode, we chat about our most recent Disneyland vacation,...

The Norway Pavilion at EPCOT (including Frozen Ever After and its predecessor, Maelstrom) is full of authentic details that speak to the culture, history, music and cuisine of Norway. Opening in 1988, the pavilion features a table-service restaurant (Akershus), a quick-service bakery (Kringla Bakeri Og Cafe), a main attraction (Frozen Ever After), a meet-and-greet (Anna and Elsa's Royal Sommerhus)...

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort opened at Walt Disney World in 1997 across from Disney's Blizzard Beach water park. Closely situated near Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios, Coronado Springs includes 10 dining locations (Toledo, Maya Grill, Three Bridges, Rix Sports Bar, Barcelona Lounge, Dahlia Lounge and more) and an array of amenities, pools and recreation...

Originally called Countdown to Extinction at Disney's Animal Kingdom, DINOSAUR has been thrilling guests at Walt Disney World since April 22, 1998. As an Enhanced Motion Vehicle (EMV), Walt Disney Imagineering used the same ride design and track layout as Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland. For DINOSAUR, the story instead revolves around the CTX Time Rover, capable of taking guests back to the...

Space Mountain opened at the Magic Kingdom in Walt DISNEY WORLD in 1975, becoming the first indoor tubular steel roller coaster. The original idea was conceived by Walt Disney for Disneyland, but after he passed away, the attraction was shifted to Florida, with Imagineer John Hench leading a team of talented Imagineers to bring this iconic attraction to life. In this episode, we discuss the histor...

Disney Vacation Club offers Disney fans the opportunity to unlock years of magical vacations at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Aulani and beyond. This year, my family finally made the decision to become Disney Vacation Club Members, buying directly from Disney with our home resort set to the Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian. In this episode, we discuss the basics of Disney Vacation Club, includi...

Disney Vacation Club offers Disney fans the opportunity to unlock years of magical vacations at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Aulani and beyond. This year, my family finally made the decision to become Disney Vacation Club Members, buying directly from Disney with our home resort set to the Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian. In this episode, we discuss the basics of Disney Vacation Club, includi...

The Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT (including Gran Fiesta Tour and its predecessor, El Rio Del Tiempo) is full of authentic details that speak to the culture, history, music and cuisine of Mexico. Opening in 1982 with the park, the pavilion now features two table-service restaurants (San Angel Inn Restaurant and La Hacienda de San Angel), a quick-service restaurant (La Cantina de San Angel), a lounge an...

Taking a solo trip to Disney can sometimes seem intimidating, especially if we're used to traveling with our family and friends. In today's episode, we discuss some of the reasons you might want to consider a solo trip to Walt Disney World, whether it be an add-on to a local conference for work, a solo trip for a Disney event, or a relaxing vacation as a party of one. We also discuss some specific...

Expedition Everest opened at Disney's Animal Kingdom on April 7, 2006 and is one of the highest rated Disney Park attractions. At 199 feet 6 inches tall, it's the tallest attraction at Walt Disney World and a thrilling Vekoma-manufactured roller coaster. Complete with a highly detailed Imagineering backstory, authentic story-driven details (many directly purchased in the Himalayas), and a monstrou...

Disney Revival (2009-2021) films include The Princess and the Frog, Tangled, Winnie the Pooh, Wreck It Ralph, Frozen, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, Moana, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Frozen 2, Raya and the Last Dragon, and Encanto. These 12 films span a range of just 12 years and represent some modern favorites in Disney history. Like with our Disney Renaissance episodes, we argue that the music is perhaps...

Disney Revival (2009-2021) films include The Princess and the Frog, Tangled, Winnie the Pooh, Wreck It Ralph, Frozen, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, Moana, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Frozen 2, Raya and the Last Dragon, and Encanto. These 12 films span a range of just 12 years and represent some modern favorites in Disney history. Like with our Disney Renaissance episodes, we argue that the music is perhaps...

If you're planning a trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland this year (2023), this podcast episode is for you, but the advice we offer is not strictly limited to this year alone, as several points we offer can be applied to any Disney vacation. In this podcast episode, we share some advice about what's new at Disney for 2023 (including planned attraction refurbishments, seasonal events, and more)...

Ride vehicles at Disney Parks are more than just a form of transportation. In every instance they are an integral part of the story. Disney's Imagineers work to create ride vehicles that fit within the theme of the attraction, efficiently transport guests to keep wait times low, and provide a safe and comfortable journey through the experience. For Disney fans, these ride vehicles also provide a s...

Ride vehicles at Disney Parks are more than just a form of transportation. In every instance they are an integral part of the story. Disney's Imagineers work to create ride vehicles that fit within the theme of the attraction, efficiently transport guests to keep wait times low, and provide a safe and comfortable journey through the experience. For Disney fans, these ride vehicles also provide a s...

Important Update: Imagineer Podcast will be known as Imagination Skyway starting with our next podcast episode. Learn more at imaginationskyway.com . Disney Renaissance films include The Little Mermaid, The Rescuers Down Under, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, Mulan, and Tarzan. They span a range of just 10 years but include some of t...

Disney Renaissance films include The Little Mermaid, The Rescuers Down Under, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, Mulan, and Tarzan. They span a range of just 10 years but include some of the most beloved films of all time. Arguably, the music is perhaps the most memorable aspect of these Disney Renaissance films, and collectively, the m...

Pirates of the Caribbean is considered to be the last attraction that Walt Disney personally oversaw from beginning to end. This Disneyland classic opened in March of 1967, just a few months of Walt's passing, and has been an integral part of the park for over 55 years. Located in New Orleans Square, this iconic ride has inspired a blockbuster movie series and four additional Pirates of the Caribb...

Disney often provides us with inspiration throughout the year, and the same can be said as we turn the clocks to the New Year. As we begin the year 2023, a few Disney friends, Imagineers and I wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year and provide some Disney-inspired magic for the year ahead. Thanks to my special guests on this episode. Brian Crosby (Marvel):  https://www.instagram.com/wizardofcroz2...

Doris Hardoon became a Disney Legend in 2022 and was recognized at the D23 Expo that same year. Starting at Walt Disney Imagineering (WED Enterprises at the time), Doris worked on the development of EPCOT alongside folks like Rolly Crump, Marty Sklar, and John Hench. As a designer and stylist, Doris's first official project was The Land Pavilion. Over the span of her 40-year career at Imagineering...

Rob't Coltrin became a Disney Legend in 2020 (inducted at the D23 Expo 2022 ceremony) after spending 30 years at Walt Disney Imagineering. As a show set designer, concept artist, art director, and creative executive, Rob't became a go-to artist at Walt Disney Imagineering for concept work, storytelling, and ride layouts. Rob't is famous for helping design such noteworthy attractions as Expedition...

Disney attractions are incredible during the day, but certain Disney rides and shows take on new life after dark. Whether you're visiting Walt Disney World or Disneyland, we want to share a few of our favorites at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disneyland Park, and Disney California Adventure, plus some bonus answers beyond the parks. These attractions a...

Disneyland Paris offers Disney fans the unique opportunity to visit a familiar destination (Disney) while experiencing French culture and cuisine. With two parks (Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park) plus a half dozen Disney-owned resort hotels, Disney Village, and more, Disneyland Paris Resort offers attractions that are similar to ones you will find at Disneyland and Walt Disney World,...