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 WDI headquarters in Glendale, California | |
| Walt Disney Imagineering | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Engineering,architecturedesign |
| Founded | December 16, 1952; 72 years ago (1952-12-16) |
| Headquarters | Grand Central Creative Campus,, United States |
Key people |
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| Products |
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| Services |
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| Parent | Disney Experiences |
| Divisions | |
| Website | Official website |
Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development, Inc.,[1] commonly referred to asImagineering, is theresearch and development arm ofThe Walt Disney Company, responsible for the creation, design, and construction ofDisney theme parks and attractions worldwide. The company also operatesDisney Live Entertainment andThe Muppets Studio and manages Disney's properties, fromWalt Disney Studios in Burbank toNew Amsterdam Theatre andTimes Square Studios Ltd.[2] in New York City. Founded byWalt Disney to oversee the production ofDisneyland, it was originally known asWalt Disney, Inc., thenWED Enterprises, from the initials meaning "Walter Elias Disney", the company co-founder's full name.[3] Headquartered inGlendale, California, Imagineering is composed of "Imagineers", who are illustrators, architects, engineers, lighting designers, show writers and graphic designers.
The term "Imagineering", aportmanteau, was introduced in the 1940s byAlcoa to describe its blending of imagination and engineering, and used byUnion Carbide in an in-house magazine in 1957, with an article by Richard F. Sailer called "BRAINSTORMING IS IMAGination engINEERING". Disney filed for a trademark for the term in 1989, claiming first use of the term in 1962. Imagineering is aregistered trademark ofDisney Enterprises, Inc.[4]
Walt Disney, Inc. (WDI) was formed byWalt Disney on December 16, 1952, with an engineering division tasked with designingDisneyland.[5][6] In light of objections from his brotherRoy as well as those of potential stockholders, WDI was renamedWED Enterprises in 1953 based on Disney's initials.[5][6] In 1961, WED moved into theGrand Central Business Park.[7]WED Enterprises's theme park design and architectural group became so integral to the Disney studio's operations that Walt Disney Productions bought it on February 5, 1965, along with the WED Enterprises name.[8][9][10][11]
The unit was renamed as of January 1986 to Walt Disney Imagineering. In 1996,Disney Development Company, the Disney conglomerate's real estate development subsidiary, merged into Imagineering.[12]
Imagineering createdDisney Fair, a U.S. traveling attraction, which premiered in September 1996. With poor attendance, the fair was pulled after a few stops. Disney Entertainment Projects (Asia Pacific), Inc., a new Disney Asian Pacific subsidiary, selected a renamed fair called DisneyFest as its first project, taking it to Singapore to open there on October 30, 1997.[13]
By 1997, Imagineers were in several buildings in Grand Central Business Park when Disney purchased the park. In September 1999, Disney Imagineering announced the Grand Central Creative Campus redesign of the industrial park with a new office-studio complex anchored by Disney Imagineering. Some of the buildings were demolished to make way for new buildings. The additional space would be for sound stages, production facilities and offices.[2][14]
As part ofThe Walt Disney Company's March 2018 strategic reorganization, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts merged with Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media segments intoDisney Parks, Experiences and Products (DPEP), giving Disney Imagineering oversight of merchandise, games and publishing development.[15][16]
In July 2021, DPEP chairmanJosh D'Amaro announced that approximately 2,000 DPEP positions would be transferred over the next couple of years to theLake Nona area ofOrlando, Florida.[17] In November 2021, it was reported that as many as 90% of the positions to be transferred are Walt Disney Imagineering positions, as DPEP relocates Imagineering's headquarters from Glendale to a new 60-acre corporate campus in Lake Nona.[18] The only Imagineering positions reportedly exempt from relocation were those dedicated to Disneyland or certain international parks.[17] The relocation was reportedly motivated in part by $570 million intax breaks from the state of Florida, as well as Florida's business-friendly climate, lowercost of living, and lack of astate income tax.[17][18] This relocation was cancelled in May 2023 amidsta feud with Florida governorRon DeSantis.[19]
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New concepts and improvements are often created to fulfill specific needs. For instance, theSoarin' Over California ride system was designed to help guests experience the sensation of flight. During development, Imagineer Mark Sumner found anerector set in his attic, which quickly inspired the solution to create this experience. The ride effectively simulateshang gliding.[20][21] One of Imagineering's techniques, "blue sky speculation", is a process in which ideas are generated without limitations.[3] Imagineers may develop a bold idea in extreme detail, initially disregarding budgetary or physical constraints. It can take up to five years for an idea to turn into a finished attraction.[22] The company considers this the beginning of a design process, believing, "if it can be dreamt, it can be built".[23]
WDI partnered with theKhan Academy to create a series of online video classes calledImagineering in a Box, to allow students to "explore different aspects of theme park design, from characters to ride development..." The classes, which are organized into three main categories (Creating Worlds,Designing Attractions, andBringing Characters to Life), are presented by WDI employees using multimedia lessons and exercises.
Past Disney Imagineers have shared 15 principles of Disney Imagineering, divided into five tiers. These are:[24][25]
Tier 1: Foundations of Imagineering
1. It All Begins with a Story
2. Creative Intent
3. Attention to Detail
4. Theming
5. Long, Medium, and Close Shots
Tier 2: Wayfinding
6. Wienies
7. Transitions
8.Storyboards
9. Pre-Shows and Post-Shows
Tier 3: Visual Communication
10.Forced Perspective
11. "Read"-ability
12. Kinetics
Tier 4: Making It Memorable
13. The "It's a Small World" Effect
14.Hidden Mickeys
Tier 5: Walt’s Cardinal Rule
15. Plussing
Walt Disney coined the term "plussing" for the process of constantly striving to perfect Imagineering work. Disney believed that there is always room for innovation and improvement, stating, "Disneyland will never be completed as long as there's imagination left in the world."[20] This sometimes takes the form of returning to previously abandoned ideas, such as the rework of the Museum of the Weird wax museum concept into the presentThe Haunted Mansion.[20]
Disney theme parks are storytelling and visual experiences, also known as “The Art of the Show.” The use of theming, atmosphere, and attention to detail are essential in the Disney experience. Creative directorJohn Hench noted the similarities between theme park design and film making, such as the use of techniques, includingforced perspective.[26] One notable example of forced perspective isCinderella Castle inMagic Kingdom atWalt Disney World. The scale of architectural elements is much smaller in the upper reaches of the castle compared to the foundation, making it seem significantly taller than its actual height of 189 feet.[3][27]
The attraction,Pirates of the Caribbean, evokes a “rollicking buccaneer adventure,” according to Hench. In contrast, theDisney Cruise Line ships create an elegant seafaring atmosphere. Minor details in theme park shops and restaurants are crucial; these include the menus, names of the dishes and theCast Members’ costumes.[26] When guests walk down the area ofMain Street, U.S.A., they are likely to notice a bakery fragrance,[27] reminiscent ofsuburban America in the 1900s. In addition to theme parks, Imagineering has devised retail stores, galleries, and hotels which have "stories" and create a specific mood. For instance, theDisney's Contemporary Resort features anA-frame structure, modern décor and futuristic features including a quietmonorail in the lobby. These details reinforce the hotel's contemporary nature.[23]
In 2010, Disney Educational Products produced a series of videos calledThe Science of Disney Imagineering. Each video was presented by Imagineer Asa Kalama and focused on a different science subject.[28] Each video featured at least one Disney attraction, to show how science was used in them. These science subjects includeGravity,Trajectory,Levers &Pulleys,Fluids,Energy,Design &Models,Magnetism,Motion,Animal Adaptations: Communication,Friction, andElectricity.[29]
In 1991,Marty Sklar (then-president of Imagineering) presented ten commandments attributed to Mickey Steinberg (the vice president of Imagineering). They are:[30]
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Imagineering has been granted over 300 patents[31] in areas such as advanced audio systems,fiber optics, interactive technology, live entertainment, ride systems and special effects.[2] Imagineering pioneered technological advances such as theCircle-Vision 360° film technique and theFastPass virtual queuing system.
Imagineering is known for its development of Audio-Animatronics, a form of robotics, used in shows and theme park attractions that animate objects inthree dimension (3D). The idea originated from Walt Disney's fascination with a mechanical bird that he purchased inNew Orleans, which later led to the development of the attraction,The Enchanted Tiki Room. The attraction, which featured singing Audio-Animatronic birds, was the first to use this technology. In the1964 World's Fair, a 3D figure ofAbraham Lincoln was represented. The animated Lincoln delivered part of theGettysburg Address for the "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" exhibit, the first human Audio-Animatronic figure.[32]
Today, Audio-Animatronics are featured in many attractions, includingPirates of the Caribbean,The Haunted Mansion,The Hall of Presidents,Country Bear Musical Jamboree,Star Tours—The Adventures Continue, andTiana's Bayou Adventure. Guests sometimes have the opportunity to interact with Audio-Animatronic characters. Some of these characters have beenLucky the Dinosaur,WALL-E, and Remy fromRatatouille.
WEDway is apeople mover system usinglinear induction motor (LIM) technology to propel vehicles along a pair of steel rails. This system was developed in the company's early years. The system is in operation atWalt Disney World Resort'sMagic Kingdom andGeorge Bush Intercontinental Airport inHouston,Texas,United States. From 1967 to 1995,Disneyland utilized a version of this system which had rubber wheels placed every 9 feet along the guide-way.
Since 1952, Imagineering has created twelve theme parks, a town, six cruise ships, dozens of resort hotels, water parks, shopping centers, sports complexes and various entertainment venues.[3]
Former creative directorJohn Hench designed the "Tower of Nations" for the opening and closing ceremony of the1960 Winter Olympics, whilst Walt Disney served as Pageantry Committee chairman.
Imagineering has collaborated withDisney Consumer Products on a number of projects forDisney Stores. The first store, inGlendale, was designed and constructed by a group of architectural Imagineers. Imagineering developed the now-defunct Walt Disney Gallery at the Main Place Mall inSanta Ana, California, and aRoman themed Disney Store atThe Forum Shops at Caesars inLas Vegas. After the purchase of the Disney Stores byThe Children's Place in 2004, Imagineering helped design an exclusive chain of flagship stores, calledWorld of Disney. These are located in resorts,Lake Buena Vista, Florida andAnaheim, California, as well as New York City. Another flagship store arrived atDisneyland Paris in 2012. An overhaul ofDisney Stores was planned in 2009 with the help ofApple CEOSteve Jobs. Disney hoped to transition from a traditionalretail model to aninteractive entertainment hub.[35]
In the 1990s, Imagineering designed the 24,000 square feet (2,200 m2)Club Disney interactive family fun center inThousand Oaks, California. Although now closed, it was the first of several location-based entertainment (LBE) venues. In 1998,DisneyQuest, an 80,000 square feet (7,400 m2) high-tech, virtual reality arcade was launched atDisney Springs inLake Buena Vista, Florida. Another DisneyQuest inChicago was launched a year later. In 2007, Imagineering oversaw design and construction of ships,Disney Dream andDisney Fantasy. They also helped design exhibitions for theAutry Museum of Western Heritage inLos Angeles and developed the Encounter Restaurant, which is located at the top ofTheme Building inLos Angeles International Airport. Moreover, they provided exhibits for thePort Discovery children's museum at theInner Harbor inBaltimore,Maryland, as well as the "Below Deck" sound show depictingBlackbeard's final battle as part of the Pirate and Treasure Museum inSt. Augustine, Florida.
From 1995 to 1997, Imagineering oversaw the renovation of theNew Amsterdam Theatre in New York City.[36] Imagineering also remodeled theTimes Square Studios inNew York City in 1996, following the acquisition ofABC. In 1997, Disney purchased theCalifornia Angels and renamed the team to Anaheim Angels. Shortly after, Imagineering renovated theAnaheim Stadium. Imagineering worked with a charity,For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, to create the teaser video and the story, as well as the theming of the 2016FIRST Robotics Competition,FIRST Stronghold.[37][38]
Since the 1960s, Imagineering's headquarters have been located in nondescript office buildings on the site of the formerGrand Central Airport inGlendale, California, about two miles (3.2 km) east ofDisney's corporate headquarters inBurbank. Many of these employees were set to be relocated to a new facility inLake Nona, Orlando, Florida.[39] There are field offices atEpcot andDisney's Hollywood Studios at theWalt Disney World Resort. There are also offices located at:
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)Of course, we had tremendous help in doing all of this from our friends at Walt Disney Imagineering. Not only did they produce the teaser for us, but they helped us keep the story of this game front and center.
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