The Tomorrow Society Podcast (Dan Heaton)

Walt Disney World is a mysterious place for kids; there is so much hiding behind the curtain. For a certain group of fans, that curiosity never goes away. Even as adults, they still look for new ways to explore the parks.… Read more...

The post 11. Philip B. Swift on The Dark Side of Disney appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

I’ve been a fan of theme parks since I was young, but my interest waned during my early 20s. There was no specific reason for the change; other activities just took hold. When I started listening to podcasts in the mid-2000s, I was curious about the Disney shows.… Read more...

The post 12. Doug Barnes, Host of The Season Pass Podcast appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Ever since its opening in Disneyland’s New Orleans Square in 1969, The Haunted Mansion has been one of Disney’s most iconic attractions. I appreciate the Mansion’s achievements a lot more now than I did as a kid. There is so much happening in each scene, and the experience begins well before you even board the ride.… Read more...

The post 13. James H. Carter II on the Foolish Mortals Documentary appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

The dream of living in Orlando with close access to Walt Disney World has always intrigued me. I live in St. Louis and have no plans to move, but it’s a regular “what if” scenario in my mind. As a blogger and podcaster, I’m envious of people like Lou Mongello and Ricky Brigante that have such close access to the parks.… Read more...

The post 14. Tony Cortese, Director of the Dreamfinders Documentary appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

The Disney and Universal parks continue to dominate the news from professional sites, blogs, and podcasts. I typically concentrate on those same resorts, but it’s enjoyable to take some detours to regional parks. I live in St. Louis, so it makes sense to visit my local park.… Read more...

The post 15. My Top 5 Attractions at Six Flags St. Louis appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s been a challenging year for Disney. Attendance is slipping, and attractions haven’t always opened smoothly. They’re still delivering a great experience, but it’s a new world. Universal continues to grab market share thanks to Harry Potter and rapid expansion. For the latest episode of The Tomorrow Society Podcast, Chad Emerson returns to discuss the current landscape and its future.… Read more...

The post 16. Chad Emerson on a New Theme Park Era appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

There’s been so much written about Disney history in books, magazines, and countless online sites. The Universal theme parks are quite different. They’ve had frequent ownership changes in recent years and haven’t sold the legacy in their marketing. Author Sam Gennawey’s recent books help to fill in the gaps of our knowledge.… Read more...

The post 17. Sam Gennawey on JayBangs and Universal’s History appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

FastPass Plus remains a common topic in the online Disney fan community despite being in place for a while. It plays a major role in how guests tour the parks, especially those who want to maximize their visits. I was initially skeptical about the move away from the paper service but have found ways to make it work.… Read more...

The post 18. The Pros and Cons of Disney’s FastPass Plus appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

EPCOT Center opened in October 1982 as an ambitious change of pace from The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. There were no familiar Disney characters (at first), and the tone focused on presenting a broader world to guests. In particular, the optimistic view of the future and remarkable technology at Future World connected with kids like me.… Read more...

The post 19. Tim Grassey on How to Fix EPCOT appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s been a busy time for Walt Disney World news, particularly during the past few weeks. Rivers of Light opened on February 17th at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Pandora: The World of Avatar will arrive there on May 27th. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is in the middle of two major expansions for Star Wars and Toy Story.… Read more...

The post 20. Seven Disney World Questions with Len Testa appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

I cannot overstate how important the sounds of the Disney theme parks are to their success. It’s impossible to separate the soundtracks from iconic rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, and so many more.… Read more...

The post 21. The Sounds of a Walt Disney World Trip appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

There’s so much discussion about how to make the most of your Walt Disney World vacation. The amount of planning that’s needed months before the trip is higher than ever. While preparing for our recent vacation in March, I was nervous about handling the Spring Break crowds.… Read more...

The post 22. Spring Break Disney World Trip Report appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s a strange time in Epcot’s history. Rumors are swirling about major changes in the next five years, but nothing is certain. Guardians of the Galaxy is the most common one, but we’ve also heard about Tron, Ratatouille, and other possibilities.… Read more...

The post 23. Aaron Wallace on The Thinking Fan’s Guide to EPCOT appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s easy for Disney fans to be protective of the parks, especially our favorite attractions. We’re nervous that management is just looking for an opportunity to change them, and not necessarily for the better. Few of us agree on what’s actually worthy of preservation, however.… Read more...

The post 24. Top 5 Extinct Attractions at Walt Disney World appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

There was so much anticipation among Disney fans heading into the Parks & Resorts presentation at last week’s D23 Expo. How could the announcements possibly live up to all the hype? Amazingly, the news from Bob Chapek and others included some big surprises.… Read more...

The post 25. Nate Parrish of WEDWay Radio on the D23 Expo News appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s easy to look at Walt Disney’s life as one success after another, but it’s hardly that simple. He failed repeatedly and faced serious doubts from his associates and family about every big move. Even a legendary place like Disneyland received a lot of cynicism when it opened.… Read more...

The post 26. Author Jeff Barnes on The Wisdom of Walt appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Few Imagineers are present in the Disney fan community more than Rolly Crump. His work on legendary attractions like It’s a Small World, The Haunted Mansion, and the Enchanted Tiki Room is part of the draw, but it’s more than that.… Read more...

The post 27. Ken Kebow on Rolly Crump, The Whimsical Imagineer appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s an exciting time for theme park fans; rides and shows keep opening across the world. It’s impossible to keep up with all the announcements and rumors. At the D23 Expo, Disney reeled off a huge stream of news about experiences coming in the next five years.… Read more...

The post 28. Top 10 Theme Park Bucket List appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Walt Disney’s reputation comes from Disneyland, Mickey Mouse, and animated features, but his story includes much more. There’s a reason it is so challenging for biographers to chronicle his life. Looking beyond the obvious, Walt’s life offers more for historians. A prime example is the True-Life Adventures, which were revolutionary in the ‘40s and ‘50s.… Read more...

The post 29. Author Christian Moran on the True-Life Adventures appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Some of the biggest recent changes to Walt Disney World have come in the dining realm. Restaurants have become nearly as important to guests as attractions, even more for some. Securing ADRs has become so important for many visitors, particularly at hard-to-find spots.… Read more...

The post 30. AJ Wolfe on The Disney Food Blog and Its Origins appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s rare to connect with other Disney podcasters far outside the tourist havens; many consistent shows work because the hosts have easy access to theme parks in Orlando or Anaheim. This gives them the opportunity to quickly visit the resorts and check out the latest offerings.… Read more...

The post 31. Mike Rahlmann on the Be Our Guest Podcast appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s easy to plan a week-long trip to Walt Disney World. You line up 4-5 days at the parks, spend time at your resort, and maybe check out other spots in Orlando. This process gets a little trickier when the timeframe is shorter, however.… Read more...

The post 32. Planning a Weekend Trip to Walt Disney World appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Composer Bruce Broughton has written the music for many Disney attractions, especially at EPCOT. His theme park work includes Ellen’s Energy Adventure; the current version of Spaceship Earth; Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!; Cinemagique; and The Timekeeper. He also re-tooled Jerry Goldsmith’s iconic score for Soarin’ Over California during the recent change to Soarin’ Around the World.… Read more...

The post 33. Composer Bruce Broughton on Spaceship Earth, Soarin’, and More appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s an interesting time for Disney-Pixar; sequels are the norm in this run of movies. Finding Dory and Cars 3 hit screens during the past few years, and The Incredibles 2 and Toy Story 4 are on the way. The lone exception is Coco, which arrived in theaters on Thanksgiving week.… Read more...

The post 34. A Review of Disney-Pixar’s Amazing Coco appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

I’m fascinated by the early days of the Universal Studio Tour in Hollywood. The trams originated in the mid ‘60s and remain an essential part of the park today. I didn’t visit until 1985 as a kid, but many early special effects like the flash flood and rockslide were still part of it.… Read more...

The post 35. Jerry Green on 25 Years Inside Universal Studios appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

One of Disney’s most enduring attractions is easily The Haunted Mansion, which continues to draw new followers each year. Fans obsess about its every detail, and fresh stories keep emerging about its history. I love The Mansion even more than I did as a kid because there are so many layers to it.… Read more...

The post 36. Jeff Baham on The Haunted Mansion appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s tricky to sum up a trip to Walt Disney World, even a fairly short one. So much happens during each day that it’s nearly overwhelming to put it all together. This isn’t a bad thing, however. During our four-night stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge over MLK weekend, I barely thought about work, politics, or anything else from everyday life.… Read more...

The post 37. My Walt Disney World Trip Report appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s a busy time at Walt Disney World, and expansion will be rampant in the next three years. Disney is investing serious dollars into all four parks, which hasn’t always been the case. That’s especially true at EPCOT which needs a serious upgrade to reach its past glory.… Read more...

The post 38. Tim Grassey on EPCOT’s Future at Walt Disney World appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s a crazy time for theme parks, especially when you look at Disney’s latest moves. It feels like every week brings a new announcement with news that’s sometimes exciting or unfortunate. There are major expansions on the way, particularly Galaxy’s Edge on both U.S.… Read more...

The post 39. Seven More Questions with Len Testa of Touring Plans appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

So many books have been written about the Disney Company, particularly the heyday for Walt Disney in the ’50s and ’60s. It says a lot when you consider how many unknown stories remain from this time period. Walt employed a large group of talented individuals to help create his films and attractions at Disneyland.… Read more...

The post 40. Author Katy Price on Walt Disney’s Melody Makers appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

I spend a lot of time reading books about Walt Disney, the Disney theme parks, and the many stories and figures surrounding them. There are quite a few great books about Epcot, but there’s still room for a lot more. In particular, I’d love to read more about Walt’s vision for Epcot the city and its evolution into the EPCOT Center theme park.… Read more...

The post 41. Top 5 Disney Books for EPCOT Fans appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Podcasting has changed a lot during the past 10 years, particularly for Disney shows. Initially, it was amazing to even hear from other fans whose passion went far beyond even my own. I enjoyed listening to Ricky Brigante, Lou Mongello, and the WDW Today guys describing their latest trips to Walt Disney World.… Read more...

The post 42. Matt Parrish, WEDWay Radio and The Thirty20Eight appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It fascinates me to hear stories about the construction of EPCOT Center, which was a mad dash nearly on par with the original Disneyland. Some attractions failed to make the opening date of October 1st, 1982, while others barely reached it.… Read more...

The post 43. Steve Alcorn on Building EPCOT Center in 1982 appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Many Walt Disney World fans look back fondly at the early days of the resort in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Many attractions from that era are long gone, yet we still think about them regularly. It’s easy to look upon that enthusiasm as just nostalgia for a past era.… Read more...

The post 44. How Bowers, Retro Disney World Podcast appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Creating a theme park attraction is an insanely complicated process, but it’s easy to think of them as magic. We’ve heard so much about Imagineering, but that is only part of the story. So many individuals beyond the Imagineers help to put together a new attraction.… Read more...

The post 45. Composer Paul Leonard-Morgan on Creating the Score for Test Track appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s an exciting time for theme park fans, and I feel like we’re just getting started. The next 3-4 years will include massive expansions at Walt Disney World and plenty of new attractions from Universal. Following the success of Pandora, Disney should have another popular addition with Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.… Read more...

The post 46. Toy Story Land and the Future of Disney’s Hollywood Studios appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

An underreported theme park story is the activity happening at Universal Orlando. Limited excitement for the Fast & Furious: Supercharged attraction has pushed Universal to the background as Disney opens Toy Story Land. The attention on Disney’s new area makes sense; it’s their first significant expansion at Walt Disney World since Pandora.… Read more...

The post 47. Seth Kubersky on Universal Orlando’s Growth and Toy Story Land appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

My goal with The Tomorrow Society Podcast is to have fun discussions with creative minds in the themed entertainment industry. Guests include authors, filmmakers, and other experts that are part of this medium. It interests me to see how the industry is evolving to include museums, zoos, and other cultural institutions.… Read more...

The post 2. Ryan Ritchey, Director of After the Fair appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s always a thrill to speak with writers and filmmakers that have a passion for Disney history. Thankfully, Christian Moran checks both of those boxes. He’s the author of Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow: Walt Disney and Technology and has created a documentary about the same topic.… Read more...

The post 3. Christian Moran, Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

We live in a theme park universe. Designers, engineers, and architects mold public spaces to create specific moods. Tactics that Walt Disney and his artists used to shape Disneyland in the ‘50s and ‘60s are everywhere. Museums and zoos have moved beyond educating the public and become themed entertainment.… Read more...

The post 1. An Introduction to The Tomorrow Society appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Sam Gennawey is one of the premier authors covering the world of theme parks. His books explore both Disney and Universal history in greater detail than most titles. Sam’s urban planning expertise gave him a unique perspective to cover Walt’s plans for the city of EPCOT in Walt and the Promise of Progress City.… Read more...

The post 4. Sam Gennawey on the Rise of Universal appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Seth Kubersky has a unique perspective on Universal Orlando from working there as a stage technician and entertainment supervisor in the late ‘90s. More recently, he covered theme parks as a writer for the Orlando Weekly and Touring Plans.com. Kubersky lives in Orlando and visits the parks regularly.… Read more...

The post 5. Seth Kubersky on the Success of Universal Orlando appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s a fascinating time for Disney’s theme parks, especially Walt Disney World. They are seeing unprecedented attendance at The Magic Kingdom this fall and are prepping several major expansions. Can Disney keep up with the capacity demands of being the world’s most popular resort?… Read more...

The post 6. Chad Emerson on Walt Disney World’s Promising Future appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

One of my favorite urban legends about Walt Disney is the myth that he was cryogenically frozen. It’s fun because it paints a picture of a grumpy old man waking up to find that his parks are quite different today. The Further Adventures of Walt’s Frozen Head uses the legend as the premise for a fiction film.… Read more...

The post 7. Ben Lancaster on The Further Adventures of Walt’s Frozen Head appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Planning a vacation to Walt Disney World is so complex, even for frequent guests. When you consider FastPass Plus, ADRs, and larger crowds, building the right strategy is a necessity. The last thing we want is to spend our trip waiting in long lines instead of riding our favorite attractions.… Read more...

The post 8. Len Testa on His Background and Touring Plans.com appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

I’ve visited Walt Disney World many times over the years, but I still feel like a novice in a lot of areas. Our most recent trip over MLK weekend included a rare stay at an on-site resort — The Animal Kingdom Lodge.… Read more...

The post 9. Seven Lessons from My Walt Disney World Trip appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Walt Disney is renowned for his movies and theme parks, but there is a limited supply of strong films about him. The PBS documentary Walt Disney was good but tried to tackle so much. A more singular approach helps Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow: The Futurism of Walt Disney work better.… Read more...

The post 10. Christian Moran, Director of Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s an interesting time in the world of theme parks, especially for Disney. Their parks are still drawing large crowds, but not everything is going so well. Following the announcements at the recent D23 Expo, I had a lot of questions about Disney’s future.… Read more...

The post 183. Len Testa on the Future of Disney’s Theme Parks and Universal’s Epic Universe appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Many of us have dreamed about working for Walt Disney Imagineering, especially during the massive expansions of the parks in the ’80s and ’90s. This goal actually happened for Ryan Harmon while he was still in college in 1987. He joined Disney as a 20-year-old and worked on projects like the Disney/MGM Studios during his five-year stint.… Read more...

The post 185. Ryan Harmon on Carving a New Path After Walt Disney Imagineering appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Everyone just loves Disneyland; even Santa wants to visit! He has a lot of stops to make for Christmas, and he still has time to swing by the Happiest Place on Earth. That’s the premise of Santa Stops at Disneyland, the new Little Golden Book written by Ethan Reed.… Read more...

The post 184. Ethan Reed on Santa Stops at Disneyland appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s hard to predict when Disneyland will connect with you. Some of us became fans early on as kids, while others got the bug as adults. Matt Mason visited the park when he was young but wasn’t a diehard fan. More recently, he found himself becoming obsessed with Disneyland.… Read more...

The post 187. Matt Mason on At the Corner of Fantasy and Main: Disneyland, Midlife, and Churros appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s a surprisingly busy time for Disney as we approach the end of 2022. Several weeks ago, they made the shocking decision to replace CEO Bob Chapek with former leader Bob Iger. This decision has raised questions about the next steps for Disney in every medium.… Read more...

The post 186. Carlye Wisel on the D23 Expo, Galactic Starcruiser, and the Return of Bob Iger appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Few theme parks existed in West Germany when Alexander Bresinsky grew up during the ’80s. An interest in technology and engineering led him to an industry that was just getting started. He formed his first company Lichtwerk in 1986 for laser show technology, and that was just the beginning.… Read more...

The post 189. Alexander Bresinsky on Building a Themed Entertainment Career in Germany appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Rick Barongi was one of the key figures in bringing Disney’s Animal Kingdom to life in the 1990s. As the top animal executive for the creative development, planning, and construction of the park, Rick played an important part in making it successful.… Read more...

The post 188. Rick Barongi on the Development of Disney’s Animal Kingdom appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s an exciting and surprising time in the world of theme parks, which typically starts the new year at a slow pace. Instead, both Universal and Disney just keep announcing major changes. Disney has been consistently making updates ever since Bob Iger returned as CEO.… Read more...

The post 190. Tim Grassey on EPCOT’s Transformation and a Crazy Week of Theme Park News appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

If you’ve enjoyed nighttime entertainment at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, there’s a good chance that Don Dorsey helped create it. During more than 45 years working with Disney and other companies, he has played a key role in shaping parades and fireworks shows at theme parks and beyond.… Read more...

The post 191. Don Dorsey on the Main Street Electrical Parade, Fantasmic!, and Illuminations: Reflections of Earth appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

There’s so much potential in themed entertainment to change minds and influence our world. A perfect example is Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which encourages conservation while also providing great entertainment. The art of Morgan Lee Richardson takes a similar approach and gives a positive view of wildlife and the natural environment.… Read more...

The post 192. Morgan Lee Richardson on Avengers Campus and the Power of Conservation Art appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

I’m fascinated to learn more about the development of Disney’s Animal Kingdom during the 1990s. Joe Rohde and his team built concepts that would ultimately lead to Walt Disney World’s fourth theme park. This year represents the park’s 25th anniversary, and it’s the perfect time to speak with Imagineers from that group.… Read more...

The post 193. Tom Sze on Developing the Concepts for Disney’s Animal Kingdom appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

When Steve Tatham arrived at Walt Disney Imagineering in 1987, the Disney Decade was ramping up following the arrival of Michael Eisner. Expansion happened constantly during that time, and Disney added new theme parks, resorts, and massive attractions. He has faced a similar situation after joining Universal Creative in 2015.… Read more...

The post 194. Steve Tatham on Dinosaur, Cinemagique, Superstar Limo, and Universal appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

My appreciation for Silver Dollar City just keeps growing with each visit. I had a great time on our last trip to this wonderful regional park back in 2019. Located near Branson, Missouri, it provides thrills for coaster lovers mixed in with small-town charm.… Read more...

The post 195. Return to Silver Dollar City Trip Report appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has become a popular theme park due to headliners like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash, and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Most of us remember its early days as the Disney/MGM Studios, but we typically focus on classics like the Great Movie Ride and Studio Backlot Tour.… Read more...

The post 196. Skipper Ben Rebstock on the Second Era for Disney/MGM Studios appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

There are so many different ways to showcase our fandom for Disney and theme parks. We host podcasts, connect with other fans, and sing attraction songs. Tammy Tuckey has been doing all these activities plus a lot more. She has interviewed guests on her podcast since 2011 and has performed at several RetroMagic events.… Read more...

The post 197. Tammy Tuckey on Her New Album Glowing in Timeless Places appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Mike Schwalm was obsessed with Disneyland and theme parks from a young age. He even built a Jurassic Park-themed attraction for a swim team event after The Lost World premiered. This interest led him to study set design in college and work on developing his illustration and design skills.… Read more...

The post 198. Mike Schwalm on Pandora: The World of Avatar and Happily Ever After appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Disneyland is nearing the park’s 70th anniversary, which will occur on July 17th, 2025. So much has changed during its history, and it’s easy to focus on a small fraction of that background. The official company stories typically fall into the same buckets and don’t veer beyond regular narratives.… Read more...

The post 199. Archivist Jason Schultz on Documenting the History of Disneyland appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

There’s so much to cover from even a few days at the Disneyland resort. This helps explain why this episode of the Tomorrow Society Podcast is easily the longest in the show’s existence. My family recently spent four nights and three days in Anaheim enjoying Disney’s California parks.… Read more...

The post 200. The Big Disneyland Resort Trip Report appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Following three days at the Disneyland resort over Memorial Day weekend, we couldn’t leave California without one more theme park stop. Our trip concluded with a fun day at a very busy Universal Studios Hollywood. Super Nintendo World was a major draw, but that was only part of what interested me about this evolving park.… Read more...

The post 201. Super Nintendo World and Universal Studios Hollywood Trip Report appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

When Eli Erlandson joined WED Enterprises in 1975, it was a different place from the Walt Disney Imagineering we know today. Iconic figures like Marc Davis and Harper Goff worked alongside young designers on the next phase for Disney’s theme parks.… Read more...

The post 202. Eli Erlandson on EPCOT Center, Disneyland Paris, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Disney’s parks and films have played an important role in how we consider American history and our culture. They’re more than just casual entertainment and have connected with our core identities. In her book Disney Theme Parks and America’s National Narratives, Bethanee Bemis explores Disney’s impact on this country’s stories going back to Mickey Mouse and the opening of Disneyland.… Read more...

The post 203. Bethanee Bemis on Disney Theme Parks and America’s National Narratives appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

I recently learned the sad news that Disney Imagineer Glenn Barker passed away several weeks ago. Glenn had an incredible career as a sound designer for Disney’s theme parks for more than 45 years. Beyond his career accomplishments, he was also a genuine and friendly man who downplayed his success.… Read more...

The post REBROADCAST: 84. Glenn Barker on Creating Sound at Walt Disney Imagineering for More Than 45 Years appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s easy to forget how much goes into every aspect of theme parks. The work involved moves well beyond concept art. The design and construction require intricate planning including the restrooms, trash cans, and building layouts. Kevin Sherbrooke has worked closely on a wide range of theme park projects for Walt Disney Imagineering, Universal Creative, and more.… Read more...

The post 204. Kevin Sherbrooke on Innoventions, Tokyo DisneySea, and Islands of Adventure appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

My bucket list of new parks and roller coasters from around the world just keeps expanding. The reason is a group of great YouTube channels that provide lots of info and reviews of such cool rides. A perfect example is Coaster 365, which includes a new coaster review every day in 2023.… Read more...

The post 205. Reviewing a Coaster a Day with Bryant Olivera of Coaster 365 appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Walt Disney Imagineering draws the most attention from its big theme park attractions, but there’s a lot more happening beyond the headliners. For example, they have worked closely with educational institutions and industry organizations on research and many other activities. Imagineer Mk Haley worked at the center of many of these projects during more than 25 years at Imagineering.… Read more...

The post 206. Imagineer Mk Haley on the Power of Disney Research and Educating the Next Generation appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

After so much speculation, Disney has finally released their vision for the future at the Destination D23 event. A lot of the news was expected, but there were still a few big surprises after Josh D’Amaro took the stage. On this episode of the Tomorrow Society Podcast, I sum up my five takeaways from Disney’s announcements this past weekend at Destination D23.… Read more...

The post 207. Five Takeaways from Disney’s Destination D23 Announcements appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

When Greg Combs was studying Theatre in college in the early 1980s, he could not have predicted his ultimate destination at Walt Disney Imagineering. After moving to California, he took a temporary job at Disney as a Show Set Designer and stayed there for more than 30 years.… Read more...

The post 208. Imagineer Greg Combs on Indiana Jones, Tower of Terror, and Tokyo DisneySea appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

About 14 years ago after my daughter was born, I developed a strong desire to check out more coaster parks near St. Louis. I wrote down a short list of places that I hoped to visit in the next few years.… Read more...

The post 209. My First Visit to Kings Island Trip Report appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Disney has invested quite a bit in transforming EPCOT into a modern park, but they haven’t focused on updating the classic pavilions. A perfect example is Spaceship Earth, which looks great on the outside and has an awesome lighting package.… Read more...

The post 210. Updating Spaceship Earth appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg continues to evolve as a regional park with a solid ride lineup. It became a full-day park in January 2021 and has added several new attractions in the past few years. The highly anticipated Pantheon coaster finally opened last spring after delays from the pandemic.… Read more...

The post 211. Mary Kwiatkowski on the DarKoaster and Curse of DarKastle at Busch Gardens Williamsburg appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Jackie Ogden, PhD, played a key role in the development and evolution of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Her educational background in psychology and animal behavior made her the right choice to work on this complicated new park. She joined Disney in 1997 just eight months prior to opening and became the Curator for Conservation Station.… Read more...

The post 212. Dr. Jackie Ogden on Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Conservation, and the Seas appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It seems nearly impossible to sum up 50 years of Walt Disney Company history in a single book, yet J. Jeff Kober has looked to do just that in his new book. A Century of Powerful Disney Insights: Volume 1 focuses on 1923-1973 with takeaways for inspiration.… Read more...

The post 213. J. Jeff Kober on A Century of Powerful Disney Insights appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

There’s a lot happening at the Disneyland Resort, especially as Disney prepares for major investments in their parks in the next decade. They just added the Adventureland Treehouse, which takes a classic approach to the longtime attraction. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure should open next year to replace Splash Mountain, and plenty more changes are on the way.… Read more...

The post 214. Seth Kubersky on the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland and World of Frozen appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

We’ve all heard the stories about Walt Disney’s original ideas for EPCOT the city and how they evolved into EPCOT Center. But how much do we really know about that process following Walt’s passing? We might enjoy a straightforward documentary about those 16 years with talking heads explaining the milestones.… Read more...

The post 215. Kevin Perjurer of Defunctland on Journey to EPCOT Center: A Symphonic History appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

When you think about projects from Disney history that never happened, Mineral King is one of the most interesting examples. The concepts for this California ski resort were a serious dream for Walt Disney in the 1960s. Those plans ultimately led to a conflict with environmentalists in the Sierra Club who had concerns with developing the pristine land.… Read more...

The post 216. Kathryn Mayer and Greg Glasgow on Disneyland on the Mountain appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s an interesting time in the world of theme parks as we look to 2024. Major attractions and a new Universal theme park are opening in 2025 and beyond, so it’s easy to look ahead. This feels like a transition year that will set the stage for larger projects down the road.… Read more...

The post 217. What’s New for 2024 with Arthur Levine appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

EPCOT’s major transformation is finally completed! Well, it’s mostly finished. The construction walls are finally down, and we can see Disney’s vision for Walt Disney’s World second park. How does it all look today? Tim Grassey just visited the parks in December and saw the latest nighttime spectacular, Luminous: The Symphony of Us.… Read more...

The post 218. Tim Grassey on Luminous, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and What’s Next for Disney appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

When I think about which past versions of lands that I’d love to visit in Disneyland, early Tomorrowland is near the top of that list. Despite lacking the high-tech headliners, the mix of weirdness and ambitious visions of the future in the ’50s and ’60s are fascinating.… Read more...

The post 221. Disneyland’s House of the Future with Author Dave Bossert appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

We’ve all marveled at audio-animatronic technology at Disney’s theme parks, particularly at the original EPCOT Center. But we rarely think about how much work it took to bring them to life. Davy Feiten was a key part of animating figures around the world for Walt Disney Imagineering.… Read more...

The post 219. Davy Feiten on Animating Figures for Attractions at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, and More appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Holiday crowds are no joke at theme parks, and many fans avoid them completely in late December. That wasn’t the case for Jessica Liese, who visited both Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood before and after Christmas, respectively. She still had a great time and checked out nearly all the big attractions at the two parks.… Read more...

The post 220. Jessica Liese’s Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood Holiday Trip appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

There’s so much to learn when planning a Walt Disney World trip, particularly if you’re not a frequent guest. It’s not easy to explain the complexities of that visit to people that aren’t experts. A solid resource to help is Rope Drop Radio, a weekly podcast from two guys that regularly travel to the parks.… Read more...

The post 222. Rope Drop Radio’s Doug McKnight and Derek Sasman appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

With the release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny last year, the popular franchise has concluded with Harrison Ford donning his trademark hat for the last time. This feels like the perfect time to discuss everything Indy for Disney’s theme parks.… Read more...

The post 223. Spotlight on Indiana Jones with Brandon Kleyla appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s amazing to look back at how much growth happened at Disney’s theme parks under Michael Eisner and Frank Wells. During the “Disney Decade”, they added new attractions that have become classics. Imagineer Susan Bonds worked in the middle of this exciting and busy time period.… Read more...

The post 224. Susan Bonds on the Indiana Jones Adventure, Alien Encounter, and Mission: Space appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

I’m going to Walt Disney World! It’s been two years since our last Florida trip, and we’ll be returning during Spring Break this year. I’m sure it will be packed like usual at this time of year, but we’re limited to when my daughter is out of school.… Read more...

The post 225. Walt Disney World 2024 Trip Preview appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

An unappreciated reason for the success of Disney’s theme parks and resorts is the brilliant architecture. It creates that feeling of reassurance and immersion that keeps us coming back every year. Imagineer Bob Holland worked closely on a wide range of projects as an architect, project manager, and executive during a period of rapid growth.… Read more...

The post 226. Bob Holland on Constructing EPCOT Center, the Grand Floridian, and Disney Cruise Line appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Horizons remains my all-time favorite attraction despite closing more than 24 years ago. It combined everything that I loved about EPCOT Center during the ’80s and ’90s. Trevor Bryant joined WED Enterprises in 1979 and quickly started on Horizons. He worked closely on this pavilion throughout its creation including at the installation in Florida.… Read more...

The post 227. Trevor Bryant on Horizons, Binaural Audio, and Test Track appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s been about two years since I visited Walt Disney World, so a return trip was long overdue. It finally happened a few weeks ago during my daughter’s Spring Break. I expected the huge crowds we typically see this time of year, but the result was a big surprise.… Read more...

The post 228. TRON, Guardians, and More: A Walt Disney World Trip Report (Part 1) appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

We’re back for Part 2 of my Walt Disney World trip report, and there’s still a lot more to cover! This episode of the Tomorrow Society Podcast finishes up my park days and then looks at other aspects of our Spring Break vacation.… Read more...

The post 229. Beignets, Buses, and More: A Walt Disney World Trip Report (Part 2) appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

We’ve entered a new world of immersive theme park lands that just keep getting more detailed every time. It’s easy to forget that expansions on this scale basically started with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Opening in 2010 at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Hogsmeade set the standard.… Read more...

The post 230. Eric Baker on Designing Props for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s hard to believe it, but we’re nearing the summer season at theme parks. Last year, I had a great time visiting Kings Island and Silver Dollar City along with Disneyland and Universal Hollywood. What’s next for 2024? On this episode of the Tomorrow Society Podcast, I dive into the parks that I hope to visit this summer and beyond.… Read more...

The post 231. My Theme Park Summer Plus Universal Orlando News appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s easy to overlook how important sound design is to the success of theme parks. Music in particular lifts our experience beyond what we see on the attractions. Composer Ron Fish worked closely at Walt Disney Imagineering for eight years on many classic rides and shows.… Read more...

The post 232. Ron Fish on Creating Music for Theme Parks and Video Games appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

When Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened in May and August of 2019, Star Wars fans were thrilled at the chance to pilot the Millennium Falcon, escape from the First Order, and interact with Stormtroopers on Batuu. Five years later, both lands are still popular and draw big lines for the two attractions.… Read more...

The post 233. Updating Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Fire in the Hole was the first coaster at Silver Dollar City in 1972 and operated for more than 50 years. When the park finally decided to replace it, they made such an interesting choice. Also named Fire in the Hole, this updated version brings modern effects and a smoother ride to the original model.… Read more...

The post 234. Fire in the Hole 2.0 Review and Silver Dollar City Trip Report appeared first on Tomorrow Society.