We keep learning more details about Universal’s Epic Universe, and I can’t wait to experience this new theme park in Orlando. It opens next May, and fans can’t wait to check out its five lands. But will it draw casual guests right from the start?… Read more...

The post 248. Previewing Universal’s Epic Universe with Seth Kubersky of the Unofficial Guide appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

There’s plenty of excitement in the world of theme parks when we think about 2025 and beyond. One of the main reasons is the opening of Universal’s Epic Universe in Florida on May 22nd. The anticipation for Universal Orlando’s third theme park is off the charts.… Read more...

The post 247. Tim Grassey on Universal’s Epic Universe and a Gazillion More Theme Park Topics appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Wow, what a night! Josh D’Amaro and many special guests appeared on stage for several hours on Saturday night’s energetic D23 Disney Experiences Showcase. He promised lots of announcements, and Disney delivered in spades on that front. Now that we know about what’s coming to Disney’s parks and beyond in the near (and far) future, it’s time for the fun part.… Read more...

The post 239. Ranking All of Disney’s D23 2024 Parks and Experiences Announcements appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s still amazing to think about how much Disney expanded its resorts during the early years of Michael Eisner. This growth continued through the ’90s and included the opening of Tokyo DisneySea in 2001. Larry Nikolai started at Walt Disney Imagineering during the height of this era in 1990.… Read more...

The post 150. Larry Nikolai on Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, Tokyo DisneySea, and 28 Years at Imagineering appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Theme parks are more than just passive entertainment; they can inspire us and even change our lives. For a certain type of creative young person, that strong connection with the art plays a huge role. Josh Steadman built a lifelong passion for becoming a theme park designer that led him to Walt Disney Imagineering in 2011.… Read more...

The post 149. Josh Steadman on Shanghai Disneyland, Evermore Park, and Becoming a Theme Park Designer appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary is less than a month away, but that’s not even the biggest news story from Disney. They’ve made several recent announcements that will dramatically change how we experience the parks. Disney Genie+ will replace FastPass Plus with a new paid service using the Lightning Lane.… Read more...

The post 148. Tim Grassey on Disney Genie+, Magic Key, and the Future of Theme Parks appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s been challenging to stay connected with the parks during such an extended time away from them. I haven’t visited Walt Disney World (or any theme park) since late 2019, with no trips currently on the calendar. Even so, we recently discovered a fun solution to this issue after a road trip to Memphis.… Read more...

The post 147. Inside the Walt Disney Archives Exhibition in Memphis appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

We’ve seen major changes in how theme parks function during the past few years, and it’s not just because of the pandemic. In particular, Disney has made significant changes to Walt Disney World that could shift the entire business model. Expected perks are going away, and the arrival of paid FastPass could make a huge impact.… Read more...

The post 146. Theme Park Think Tank with Len Testa appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Some of my favorite podcasts have been the Imagineering Roundtable shows, which explore a variety of theme park design topics. They’re also so much fun to record! This episode of The Tomorrow Society Podcast brings together two of my favorite past guests.… Read more...

The post 145. Imagineering Roundtable with Chris Runco and Don Carson appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

When you think about classic theme park attractions, many are passive experiences. Pirates of the Caribbean, Spaceship Earth, and “it’s a small world” all involve sitting in a vehicle while action happens around you. Interactive experiences have become the norm, and this goes beyond shooting at targets.… Read more...

The post 144. Former Disney Imagineer and Game Designer Scott Rogers appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Back in the Internet’s early days, even a brief attraction clip was incredible. The chance to see the full experience of Horizons, World of Motion, or other past gems was a pipe dream. We’re spoiled today with virtually everything just a few clicks away.… Read more...

The post 143. Martin Smith on Documenting the Disney Parks at Martin’s Videos appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

In today’s world of immersive lands and high-tech thrills, sitting down for a 3D movie could sound quaint. Back in the mid-’80s, creating even a 17-minute attraction represented the cutting edge of what was possible. Disney Imagineers collaborated with Michael Jackson, George Lucas, and Francis Ford Coppola on Captain EO.… Read more...

The post 142. Rick Rothschild on Captain EO and the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Marvel has become entrenched in our culture, especially through blockbuster movies. That success might seem obvious now, but it wasn’t a sure thing in 2009 when Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment. Marvel Studios’ Iron Man was a huge hit, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe had a long way to go.… Read more...

The post 141. Brian Crosby, Creative Director of Themed Entertainment at Marvel appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s rare to see a new theme park open in the United States, especially one not connected to Universal or Disney. A cool exception is Lost Island Themepark, which opened in June 2022 in Waterloo, Iowa. Owned by the Bertch family (who also own the Lost Island Waterpark), it uses original IP and feels different from your typical regional park.… Read more...

The post 238. Lost Island Themepark Trip Report appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

I’ve really enjoyed talking with former Imagineers that worked on attractions that I enjoyed in the ’80s and ’90s. Their stories have made me appreciate those projects even more. Sadly, many of those classic rides and shows are no longer operating at the parks.… Read more...

The post 140. Imagineer Ethan Reed on Animating Roz, Ursula, the Seven Dwarfs, and Mystic Manor appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s been 57 years since the New York World’s Fair opened in 1964, but it still receives a lot of attention today. In particular, Disney’s strong presence makes it a touchstone for history fans. Carousel of Progress, Great Moments with Mr.… Read more...

The post 139. Author Bill Cotter on the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s an exciting time to be a theme park fan. So many new attractions are on the way, including big ones next month. Disneyland has finally reopened after a nearly 14-month absence, and the COVID vaccine is more available every week.… Read more...

The post 138. Journalist Ashley Carter on the VelociCoaster, Avengers Campus, and More appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

There’s so much to cover from Disney’s rapid expansion during what Michael Eisner named “The Disney Decade”. Beginning in the late ’80s and progressing for more than 10 years, it was an exciting time for both fans and the people that created the parks.… Read more...

The post 137. Disney Imagineer Chris Runco on Typhoon Lagoon and Grizzly River Run (Part 2) appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

When I think about factors that distinguish the best theme parks from the rest, background music ranks near the top. The best examples create the right sense of place and atmosphere. Some of my favorite places click because of the music.… Read more...

The post 136. Russell Brower on the Innoventions Loop and Creating Music for Theme Parks appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has changed a lot during its 32-year history. It’s basically an entirely different park than it was at the start in May 1989. In a time before DVD extras and streaming services, the park offered guests a chance to peek behind the curtain.… Read more...

The post 135. Skipper Ben Rebstock on the Original Disney/MGM Studios appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

One of my favorite parts of doing this podcast is learning stories about the people that created Disney’s theme parks. Their paths to reach Walt Disney Imagineering are always so different. A perfect example is Chris Runco, who started as a portrait artist at Disneyland in 1970.… Read more...

The post 134. Disney Imagineer Chris Runco on the Model Shop, Star Tours’ RX-24, and More appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Tomorrowland has always been one of my favorite lands in any theme park. We grew up mostly visiting Walt Disney World, and I couldn’t get enough of this optimistic view of the “world on the move“. This vibrant atmosphere was everything in the original Tomorrowland in California.… Read more...

The post 133. Improving Tomorrowland at Disneyland appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

When we think about our favorite attractions, it’s easy to just consider the concept designers. That’s just the first step to bring those ideas to life. It takes sculptors and other artists to create the places and attractions we enjoy. A perfect example is Valerie Edwards, who worked as the Director of Sculpture and Chief Sculptor at Walt Disney Imagineering for more than 20 years.… Read more...

The post 132. Valerie Edwards, Director of Sculpture and Chief Sculptor at Walt Disney Imagineering appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Much of the world of theme parks has stopped during the past year due to the pandemic. Exciting projects have been delayed or even shelved, and many parks remain closed. All the news isn’t sad, however. A remarkable trackless dark ride opened in September 2020 and wowed both guests and online fans.… Read more...

The post 131. Disney Imagineer Jim Clark on the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s an interesting time for Disney with a lot happening especially at Walt Disney World. We’ve had several attractions open, and more could be on the way in the future. This is the perfect time for me to speak again with Lou Mongello on the Tomorrow Society Podcast.… Read more...

The post 237. Lou Mongello of WDW Radio on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and What’s Next at Walt Disney World appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

As a theme park fan, I’ve often made assumptions about what it’s like to work as a Disney Imagineer. The role sounds amazing because it involves creating the attractions and places that I love so much. But what is it like to actually be an Imagineer?… Read more...

The post 130. Imagineering Roundtable with Don Carson and Chris Merritt appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

When Disney first announced The Mandalorian series for Disney Plus, I wondered if it would capture the magic of Star Wars. Could this smaller frontier story connect with audiences? Obviously, those concerns were unwarranted, and the show has become a cultural phenomenon.… Read more...

The post 129. Brian Jay Jones on The Mandalorian: Season Two appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Brett Nachman of Notably Disney joins The Tomorrow Society Podcast to draft our top composers of music for attractions at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

The post 128. Disney Composers Draft with Brett Nachman of Notably Disney appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Few Disney Imagineers take the same road to finding their careers. I’ve learned how many stumbled into their roles and discovered unexpected talents. The path was different for Daniel Joseph, who created haunted houses in his basement as a kid.… Read more...

The post 127. Disney Imagineer Daniel Joseph on The Hatbox Ghost, Trader Sam’s, and Phantom Manor appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s easy as theme park fans to just focus on the top players. Consistent news arrives daily from Disney and Universal about their latest updates, even during the pandemic. However, that approach does a disservice to other great parks around the world.… Read more...

The post 126. Mary Kwiatkowski on Thrills and Charm at Busch Gardens Williamsburg appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

One of the longest-running Disney podcasts has been WDW Radio, which Lou Mongello started in 2007. He has produced more than 600 episodes about Walt Disney World and Disney history, including many interviews. Lou recently compiled 12 favorite conversations into The Disney Interviews: Volume 1.… Read more...

The post 125. Lou Mongello on The Disney Interviews: Volume 1 appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

One of my favorite parts of visiting Walt Disney World as a kid was experiencing attractions that were unlike anything else out there. You couldn’t see a Circle-Vision film in St. Louis; there was nothing even close! Films transported us to another place across the world that was only in our imaginations.… Read more...

The post 124. Filmmaker Jeff Blyth on Wonders of China and The Timekeeper appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s been a different year for theme parks than anyone could have expected. Disneyland remains closed and will likely not open until sometime in 2021. Walt Disney World is open but facing restrictions on capacity. As Disney looks to the future, they won’t get too bold with changes beyond projects already in progress.… Read more...

The post 123. Tim Grassey on Creative Ways to Enhance Walt Disney World appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

I grew up in the ’80s, and it was a different experience compared to what it’s like for kids now. We rode our bikes all over the city, explored foundations of houses under construction, and had few boundaries. Playgrounds were dangerous injury makers of concrete and metal.… Read more...

The post 122. Seth Porges, Writer and Co-Director of Class Action Park appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

I’ve really enjoyed the chance to interview so many smart and interesting people on The Tomorrow Society Podcast. Whether I’m talking with former Disney Imagineers, authors, or fellow podcasters, they all have amazing stories. It’s fun to sometimes change up the format, however.… Read more...

The post 121. A Listener Q&A Extravaganza appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

A few weeks ago, Disney announced a major course correction to Disney Genie Plus, their paid line-skipping system. That service is being renamed as Lightning Lane Multipass and will allow reservations up to seven days in advance (for Disney Resort guests).… Read more...

The post 236. Five Things I Like and Dislike About Disney’s New Lightning Lane Multipass Service appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

One of my favorite conversations on this podcast happened two years ago. My guest was Rick Harper, the director of Impressions de France at EPCOT Center. That incredible film was an opening day attraction in 1982 and still plays today.… Read more...

The post 120. Rick Harper on Impressions de France and Working with Disney Legends appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

One of the big unknowns for many Disney fans involves Walt’s original ideas for EPCOT the city. Commonly known as Progress City, this community of the future never happened after Walt died in 1966. EPCOT Center ultimately arrived as an incredible theme park, but it was quite different from the original concept.… Read more...

The post 119. Benjamin Lancaster on the Prototype World of Tomorrow appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

The theme park industry is facing serious challenges right now. Disney recently announced layoffs of 28,000 employees, which is a significant percentage of its workforce. Dan Cockerell was a leader at Disney in past difficult times including 9/11, and he has an interesting perspective.… Read more...

The post 118. Dan Cockerell, How’s the Culture in Your Kingdom? appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

To put it mildly, it’s been a very different kind of year. Cases of COVID-19 remain high as we enter the last quarter of 2020. Even so, Walt Disney World was able to reopen in July and is starting to draw more guests.… Read more...

The post 117. Carlye Wisel on Very Amusing and Experiencing Walt Disney World in 2020 appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Possibly the greatest achievement at Walt Disney World during the Michael Eisner era was Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It’s a beautiful blend of a theme park and zoo that expands on both concepts. We can joke about the “NAHTAZU” ad campaign, but it’s also true!… Read more...

The post 116. Zofia Kostyrko-Edwards on the Creation of Disney’s Animal Kingdom appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s interesting to note how many theme park designers start with different ideas for their careers. They often work on movies, animation, or theater before taking an indirect route to the industry. A perfect example is Dave Cobb, who started on the Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood.… Read more...

The post 115. Dave Cobb on Men in Black: Alien Attack and Warner Bros. World appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

There are so many great stories about people working behind the scenes on theme parks. That’s been the focus of many episodes of this podcast. I also love the chance to talk about topics facing the industry. It’s the idea behind the Imagineering roundtable shows.… Read more...

The post 114. Imagineering Roundtable with Andy Sinclair-Harris and Don Carson appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s definitely a new era for many things in our current world, including theme parks. I did not expect a scenario where I wouldn’t feel comfortable visiting Walt Disney World. It’s open with light attendance, which is enticing to a fan used to dealing with crowds.… Read more...

The post 113. Valerie Marino on Walt Disney World During a Pandemic appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Theme park attractions are usually locked into a particular time. Even the most popular attractions eventually fade. Two exceptions are The American Adventure and Soarin’ Over California. Both examples generate a strong emotional response from guests. Former Disney Imagineer Rick Rothschild created those and a lot more during his 41 years working at Disney.… Read more...

The post 112. Former Imagineer Rick Rothschild on The American Adventure and Soarin’ Over California appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s easy for Disney fans to think of massive changes to our favorite theme parks. For example, replacing entire pavilions at EPCOT could reshape the park into something very different. It’s trickier when I think about smaller updates that could slightly alter attractions.… Read more...

The post 111. Improving EPCOT (Part 2) appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

During the late ’90s and early 2000s, we saw a wave of interactive attractions that went beyond just shooting games. Along with separate destinations like DisneyQuest, a new take on interactivity arrived with Turtle Talk with Crush; Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor; and more.… Read more...

The post 235. Imagineer Joe Garlington on Creating Interactive Disney Attractions appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Disney fans have strong opinions when it comes to the parks, and EPCOT is a prime example. Many of us connected with the original version in the ’80s and ’90s. It’s changed so much during the past 38 years, and some updates have made it better.… Read more...

The post 110. Improving EPCOT (Part 1) appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

One of my favorite books about Walt Disney World is Building a Better Mouse: The Story of the Electronic Imagineers Who Designed Epcot. David Green and Steve Alcorn co-wrote the book, which gives us an insiders’ look at the atmosphere during EPCOT Center’s construction.… Read more...

The post 109. David Green on Building a Better Mouse and Engineering for EPCOT Center appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Garner Holt doesn’t work at Walt Disney Imagineering, but his company has played a key role in creating many of Disney’s most popular attractions. Garner Holt Productions is the leader in building animatronics and other figures at theme parks, including Disneyland.… Read more...

The post 108. Garner Holt on Creating Animatronics for Fantasmic!, Haunted Mansion Holiday, and Knotts Berry Farm appeared first on Tomorrow Society.