Idiot's Guide to Imagineering – Details, episodes & analysis

You're invited to the first-ever D-Ticket Awards!

The Idiots have tallied the votes and gathered the fan-powered results for a one-night celebration of the boldest, most inventive, and most memorable moments across Disney Parks. From major updates to beloved classics, we’re honoring the attractions, surprises, and standouts that defined the year and beyond.

Join Stephen, Kaity, Marissa, Jenny, and Amanda as they host the 2025 D-Ticket Awards, featuring listener-voted categories, thoughtful discussion, surprise announcements, and a special segment shining a light on the wonderfully questionable choices only Disney could make.

Whether you’re here for the wins, the deep cuts, or the park-nerd commentary, this is the Disney Parks celebration you’ll want to be part of.

The 2025 D-Ticket Awards starts now.

Don't forget to check us out on Instagram!

It’s Thanksgiving in the Disney Parks...and chaos is on the menu.

For the second year in a row, Kaity, Stephen, and Marissa are celebrating the holiday Idiot-style for the ultimate Disney Parks Thanksgiving Roulette. Each spin of the wheel determines a part of their theme park feast, from the location and co-host character, to the main course and after-dinner attraction.

Will someone end up dining in the Utilidors with Constance Hatchaway, sipping LeFou’s Brew, and riding Mission: SPACE on repeat? Probably.

Because at this Thanksgiving table, the only thing guaranteed is laughter… and maybe a turkey leg.

Don't forget to check us out on Instagram!

Off-season rewind time, and this week we’re heading back to one of our first few ideas.

We’re revisiting Season 1, Episode 9: Re-Animating the Courtyard, where Jenny and Amanda reimagined Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as a vibrant, interactive space celebrating the legacy of Disney animation.

Jenny opens with a thoughtful reflection on why this area has always meant so much, and how recent announcements from Disney feel surprisingly aligned with the spirit of this episode.

If you love animation, park history, or the feeling of seeing dreams slowly come to life, this one is worth a listen.

Don't forget to check us out on Instagram!

Welcome to the grand Season 1 Finale of the Idiot's Guide to Imagineering! This episode is a SUPER-SIZED showstopper, starting with an exclusive interview featuring former Disney Imagineer, the incredible Stevie Griffith. Prepare for an insider's look into the captivating world of Imagineering, including highlights of his work on Mission: SPACE, Tower of Terror, Space Mountain, and many more classic Disney staples.

But the excitement doesn't end there! Gear up for the Imagineering Showdown, where two teams of Idiots take on the challenge of reimagining Stitch's Great Escape at Magic Kingdom. You don't want to miss these projects themed around Wreck-It Ralph and Wall-E. The competition heats up with special guest judges Johnny J from the DMSW podcast and Idiot's Guide super fans, Meg & Emely! Find out if your favorite project wins!

As we bid farewell to Season 1, this isn't goodbye. Stay tuned for Imagineering Rewinds over the next few weeks, reliving cherished moments. And don't forget to mark your calendars because we'll be back for Season 2 in March, bringing more magic, imagination, and surprises. Thank you for being part of this extraordinary journey. Remember, if you can dream it, you can make a podcast about it! See you in Season 2! 

Don't forget to check us out on Instagram!

Welcome aboard the Great Holiday Movie Ride, where the fate of Christmas rests in your hands! The Wet Bandits are at it again with a mission to destroy our beloved holiday films!  Santa and his trusty elf Bernard need your help to ensure the magic of the holiday season remains intact. 

'Tis the season for our favorite holiday flicks as we relive some iconic scenes from movies like Miracle on 34th Street, Home Alone, and The Santa Clause, just to name a few. Embark on your journey, teaming up with your Nutcracker Guide to visit iconic movie moments, ensuring our holiday films go off without a hitch, all while restoring order before an impending blizzard begins!

But fear not! If you succeed in restoring jolly order, there might just be a warm cup of hot cocoa waiting for you at the end of this exhilarating attraction. So, brace yourselves for an action-packed adventure to save Christmas!

Don't forget to check us out on Instagram!

Unwrap the magic of Disney Springs' newest holiday attraction (that we made up, of course). Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Dickensian London as we explore the intricacies of this limited-time experience.

Discover the captivating journey that awaits as participants step into the shoes of holiday detectives tasked with finding the mysteriously vanished Scrooge McDuck on Christmas Eve. The immersive escape room unfolds in three distinct challenge rooms, each representing the past, present, and future, complete with nods to beloved Disney characters and captivating challenges.

As the clock ticks down, participants must decode clues from Jiminy Cricket, navigate a festive feast with Willie the Giant, and alter the course of time in a ghostly graveyard overseen by Pete. 

But that's not all! Stick around for the surprise finale as participants are treated to an exclusive character meet & greet.

Whether you successfully escape or not, every participant leaves with a special Mickey’s Christmas Carol Escape ornament, ensuring a cherished memento of this festive journey. So, don your holiday spirit and join us for a merry and sometimes scary escape room experience at Disney Springs, where the magic of Christmas comes to life.

Be sure to send us your ideas for an escape room theme on our Instagram (@idiotsimagineering)!

Don't forget to check us out on Instagram!

Join us as we dust off the archives to explore Disney's abandoned plans for a magical ski resort. Nestled in the snowy embrace of the California mountains, this forgotten chapter in Disney history reveals a dream of slopes, adventure, and winter wonder. Discover the ambitious vision, the hurdles faced, and the ultimate fate of Disney's unrealized alpine paradise.

But wait, there's more! Inspired by the spirit of Disney magic, we've concocted our very own version of a ski village and resort that might have been. From thrilling slopes to warm lodges, tune in as we weave our imaginative threads through the snowy landscapes and dream up a winter wonderland only Disney could imagine.

Grab your virtual snow gear, sip on some hot cocoa, and journey with us through the frosty peaks of Disney's past and our cozy vision for a ski resort that exists only in our dreams. 

Don't forget to check us out on Instagram!

"Password?" "Walt sent me."

Welcome to Ink & Paint Club Mystery Dinner starring none other than the mischievous Roger Rabbit at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Immerse yourself in the whimsy of a reimagined Hollywood & Vine Restaurant, where a delectable meal meets a dazzling array of toon acts that'll leave you in stitches.
 
But that's not all – brace yourselves for a special appearance by the sensational Molly Douglas- honorary idiot and co-project manager for this animated episode!
 
From mar-TOON-i cocktails to the toon-tastic performances, this episode serves up a delightful blend of culinary delights and larger-than-life laughs. Get ready for a night of mystery, magic, and a touch of toon wonder!

Don't forget to check us out on Instagram!

"This ain't your grandmother's willow..."

Join us as we unveil the newest addition to the Disney's Animal Kingdom - the breathtaking and immersive land of North America! Inspired by the rich tapestry of Native American cultures, the spirit of Pocahontas and Brother Bear, and this majestic landscapes of the continent, allow us to take you on a thrilling exploration of the magic that awaits.

In this one-of-a-kind land, guests are transported into the dense forests, cascading waterfalls, and rugged terrains that pay homage to the animated classics that have captured our hearts along with some original creations we hope will become classics.

The thrills and surprises are monumental in this new area with two brand new e-ticket attractions, live animal encounters, a full service and a quick service restaurant, entertainment, and more. 

We invite you to experience the wonder and enchantment of North America at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Don't forget to check us out on Instagram!

In a galaxy not so far, far away, we embark on a thrilling adventure to a brand-new Star Wars-themed hotel at Walt Disney World, located on the legendary home planet of Chewbacca, Kashyyyk. Join us as we dive into the enchanting world of the Kachiro Outpost Resort.

Our special guest, Johnny J, from the DMSW Podcast, joins us for an in-depth exploration of this one-of-a-kind immersive experience. We'll discuss every exciting detail, from the moment you step foot into the resort's lobby, where a droid concierge welcomes you, to the combat classes where you can hone your lightsaber skills with the guidance of skilled Jedi trainers.

But that's not all! Keep your eyes peeled around the resort for Mando and Grogu as they invite you on an exhilarating and white-knuckle mission through the galaxy. You won't want to miss the chance to be part of this unique adventure.

Prepare to be transported to a galaxy of excitement, intrigue, and endless possibilities. Join us as we unravel the secrets of the Kachiro Outpost Resort and discuss the unparalleled Star Wars experience it promises to offer.

Tune in for a journey to the stars! May the Force be with you!

Don't forget to check us out on Instagram!