Tag: Imagineering

Disney-Designed Children’s Play Area Opens at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital

Posted on by Debra Martin Koma
The Disney Reef, a colorful, underwater-themed outdoor play area, has officially opened at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London, England, where on June 6 it was revealed for the first time to patients and their families. The Disney Reef, positioned in the heart of the hospital, was designed by Walt Disney Imagineers, in collaboration … Continue reading "Disney-Designed Children’s Play Area Opens at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital"
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Imagineers Create the Most Advanced Audio-Animatronic

Posted on by AllEars
Enjoy this amazing behind-the-scenes look at how Disney Imagineers designed the most advanced Audio-Animatronics figure in Imagineering history — the Shaman of Songs. Guests can encounter the Shaman of Songs inside Na’vi River Journey, after they board a boat and are whisked away on an immersive journey deep into a bioluminescent rainforest on Pandora. There, … Continue reading "Imagineers Create the Most Advanced Audio-Animatronic"
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Marty Sklar had ‘the write stuff’ on many different Disney projects

Posted on by Chuck Schmidt
Walt Disney is seen during the recording of The Epcot Film. The script for the film was written by Marty Sklar. [The Walt Disney Company] Disney Legend Marty Sklar will always be remembered for his contributions to the company as the creative leader of Walt Disney Imagineering. It was his skill as a writer, however, … Continue reading "Marty Sklar had ‘the write stuff’ on many different Disney projects"
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Legendary Disney Animator and Imagineer Francis Xavier ‘X’ Atencio Passes Away at Age 98

Posted on by Laura Gilbreath
Legendary Disney Animator and Imagineer Francis Xavier 'X' Atencio passed away on September 10 at age 98. He began his Disney career in 1938 as an animator, working on films such as Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Mary Poppins. In 1965 he moved to WED Enterprises, where he helped bring to life attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion, including co-writing the iconic "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)" and "Grim Grinning Ghosts." He continued to consult with Walt Disney Imagineering after his retirement in 1984, and was named a Disney Legend in 1996. AllEars.Net joins X's family and the entire Disney community in mourning his passing.
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Legendary Disney Imagineer Marty Sklar Dies at 83

Posted on by Debra Martin Koma
Legendary Disney Imagineer Martin A. "Marty" Sklar passed away in his Hollywood Hills home on Thursday, July 27. He was 83. During an illustrious career spanning 54 years, Marty worked closely with Walt Disney and was instrumental in creating, enhancing and expanding Disney's creative vision. Named a Disney Legend in 2001, he is best remembered and revered by fans around the world for his work bringing Disney's theme parks to life.
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Imagineering’s Kevin Rafferty turned love of cars, fear of bugs into hit attractions

Posted on by Chuck Schmidt
Long-time Imagineer Kevin Rafferty poses for a photo while in attendance at a Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet. [AllEars.Net] As the saying goes, you have to start somewhere. In the case of Card Walker, who was the Walt Disney Company’s CEO from 1971-1983, that “somewhere” was the mail room at the Walt Disney Studios in 1938. … Continue reading "Imagineering’s Kevin Rafferty turned love of cars, fear of bugs into hit attractions"
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Disney Parks Imagineers and Lucasfilm Share Details of Star Wars-Themed Lands

Posted on by Debra Martin Koma
Last week, during a panel discussion at Star Wars Celebration in Orlando, representatives from Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Imagineering discussed their partnership and shared details about the new Star Wars-themed lands being created at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. The panel, Star Wars and Disney Parks: A Galaxy in the Making, featured an exclusive video that gave some insight to this collaboration. The team shared new details about the story behind this mysterious destination somewhere on the Outer Rim -- lying on the edge of the Unknown Regions: The remote village was once a busy crossroads along the old sub-lightspeed trade routes, but the prominence of the outpost has been bypassed with the rise of hyperspace travel. Now home to those who prefer less attention, it has become a thriving port for smugglers, rogue traders and adventurers traveling between the frontier and uncharted space. It's also a convenient safe-haven for others intent on avoiding the expanding reach of the First Order. Unusual characters from across the galaxy have landed here, preferring the "no questions asked" environment as well as easy access to exotic supplies and an abundant supply of ready rogues looking to join a crew for their next adventure. In addition to news about the Star Wars Lands, it was also revealed that Star Tours - The Adventures Continue (at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World) would be adding scenes later this year from the upcoming film Star Wars: The Last Jedi. This new Star Tours adventure will take guests to the planet of Crait in the middle of an epic battle and will be "like nothing that frequent Starspeeder travelers have ever seen." The Star Wars-themed lands are scheduled to open in 2019.
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