My 3rd class in Disney Heritage explored all about Walt Disney Imagineering and how it has grown and changed over the years.

Imagineering is the implementation of creative ideas in practical form. It combines dreaming up new ideas and the engineering and creation of those ideas into reality. This segment of the Walt Disney company was created by Walt when he started building Disneyland. This role in the company started off as WED enterprises, which were Walt Disney’s initials. However, they had a lot of people calling them asking if they performing weddings, so it changed to Walt Disney Imagineering. “The name has changed… but the magic shines on & on”

Disneyland

The first inspiration for Disneyland began when Walt went over to one of his animator’s houses where he had a model train set in his backyard. Walt had always loved trains and at this time he was getting antsy to try something new after the success of his animated films. This spark of inspiration carried along with him until he thought of the perfect idea for a new project

Walt always brought his daughters to the local amusement park, and one day while they were riding the carousel Walt sat on a park bench and thought that there should be a place where both the parents and the kids could have fun together. In early 1952 Walt liquidated his family assets to finance his newest project Disneyland. However, he needed a whole team of storytellers, artists, and engineers to make this dream a reality

People Behind Disneyland

• Herb Ryman– Was an animator for Walt and worked on projects such as Dumbo and Fantasia.  He had a knack for taking things from Walts visions and turning them into sketches. Ryman was responsible for the 1st sketches of Disneyland which included the original drawing of Sleeping Beauty Castle and the Jungle Cruise. He would then go on to create the sketches for New Orleans Square and Pirates of the Caribbean

• John Hench – Was also another animator at the studios and he worked on characters such as Peter Pan & Tinkerbell but was also the source behind the original sketches and concept artists of Tomorrowland. Some of the most iconic architectural designs at Disney were created by Hench as well, such as Space Mountain and Cinderella Castle

• March Davis– yet another animator for the studios who worked with Walt from the beginning on Snow White. Was one of the 9 old men, who contributed immensely to Disney’s animated feature film’s. Was pulled from animation to work on Disneyland and its attractions. He was a brilliant draftsman and created a lot of the characters and auto-animatronics for attractions at Disneyland.  His more famous projects included Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion.

 

Imagineering Process

At the Walt Disney Company, there is a lot that goes into an attraction, hotel, or recreation area. Everything is carefully thought out before construction even begins. Imagineering has to make sure of many things like if there is a solid storyline to the project and the actual capability of it before the concept is even announced to the public. A lot of great ideas that were going to be made didn’t even make it because something along the lines didn’t make it possible.

1.WDI Pre-Development

Collaborate with business, marketing, and operations partners to identify needs and Opportunites for the parks and resorts

2. Blue Sky

Part of the process where creative concepts, storylines, and experiences are explained in a free and open-minded environment –> What do the guests want?

Anything is possible and you don’t have to worry about the budget, setbacks of limits

3. Research

Visit locations and leverage authentic content. Develop new tools, techniques, and technologies

4. Concept

Develops an idea in greater detail

• Artwork (day vs night)
• Models (physical or visual)
• Specific storyboards that play out an idea scene by scene
• Floor plans and ride paths

5. Feasibility

Strategies are developed on how to build the projects and minimize risks

• Detailed Budget
• Vendor Research
• Site Plan and Architectural Program

6. Design

All various disciplines translate the creative intent into actual components

• Full-scale models brought to the sight
• Virtual modeling

7. Build

Ground Breaking

Construction and building begin

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Like Snow White, Disneyland was an amazing original success and broke all kinds of boundaries as to what can be accomplished. After Opening Day in 1955, Walt and the Imagineers went to go on and outdo even themselves over time and create many of the attractions that we know and love today at Disneyland including the Monorail, the Matterhorn Bobsleds coaster, and 20,000 Leagues under the Sea Submarine Voyage attraction (Now Finding Nemo Submarines)

As stated, Walt was always trying to do something new and even push his very limits. So after he tinkered with Disneyland for about 10 years, creating new lands and attractions, he starting thinking up of a new project, one that wouldn’t be limited to the small amount of space he had in Anaheim. So he started looking into other destinations for a new park and started dreaming up his Florida Project. Once they found the perfect location and started acquiring the land incognito, so no one would find out and raise the price of land, word got out about a possible Disney involved project. So, in 1965 Walt held a press conference officially announcing that he was planning to create a new park in Central Florida, Disney World.