Imagination Skyway

Ron Clements is a legendary filmmaker from Walt Disney Animation Studios. With a Disney career spanning 45 years, Ron has written and directed such iconic films as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Princess and the Frog, and Moana alongside longtime partner John Musker. Earlier in his career, which included a two-year apprenticeship under Disney Legend Frank Thomas, Ron worked in the animation department on films like The Rescuers and The Fox and the Hound, and he made his writing-directing debut with The Great Mouse Detective. His new book, Making Disney Magic... from a Mermaid to Moana, covers his life and career, as does this interview.

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The Disney Believe sets sail on its inaugural sailing in December 2027. Last week, Disney hosted an announcement show aboard the Disney Wish, sharing new updates about the Disney Believe, including the names of select shows and dining locations, design concepts for the ship's staterooms, and select entertainment. In this episode, I am joined by Steph and Danny from WDW Magazine as we discuss what they learned about the Disney Wish cruise ship about the Disney Believe. We also discuss a few elements of Imagineering aboard Disney Cruise Line and predict what Disney might announce next. 

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Bob Rogers is a former Walt Disney Imagineer and the Founder of BRC Imagination Arts, www.BRCweb.com. He is a master storyteller, film maker, inventor and writer. In this episode, I chat with Bob about his career and about his new book, Deep Story.

BRC’s work has earned over 500 international awards for creative excellence, for some of the most respected and acclaimed brand destinations in the world, including Impressions de France at EPCOT, Back to Neverland (extinct attraction starring Robin Williams and Walter Cronkite) at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and beyond.

Personally, Bob has been awarded his industry’s two highest honors: induction into the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Theme Park Hall of Fame, and the Themed Entertainment Association’s Award for Lifetime Achievement. He has personally been nominated for two Oscars and one Emmy. He’s a current member of the Board of Directors of the Motion Picture Academy (the Oscars). His first job in this industry was as a magician in the Magic Shop in Disneyland.

Deep Story is full of practical, step-by-step tools, techniques, and creative magic from BRC’s proven process for creating truly transformational visitor experiences, that change what people choose, recommend, study, buy, support, and do after they leave.

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The Disney Believe sets sail on its inaugural sailing in December 2027. Yesterday (October 7, 2026), Disney hosted an announcement show aboard the Disney Wish, sharing new updates about the Disney Believe, including the names of select shows and dining locations, design concepts for the ship's staterooms, and select entertainment. In this episode, we discuss what was just announced about the Disney Believe. In addition, we discuss new holiday overlays coming to Walt Disney World this 2026 holiday season.

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Next summer, Disney's Lakeshore Lodge opens at Walt Disney World along Bay Lake, nestled between Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. This week, Disney Signature Experiences invited me and a guest to preview elements of this hotel at a New York City event. We saw new resort concept art, enjoyed a couple of Disney meet-and-greet photo opportunities, and sampled recreational elements of the resort. In this episode, we discuss everything we know so far about Disney's Lakeshore Lodge and analyze what the experience will be like for guests.

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This summer, Disneyland Park unveiled a new animatronic at Pirates of the Caribbean. This figure uses patented technology—made possible with Epic Games Unreal Engine—that projection maps onto an audio-animatronic using real-time feedback. While this addition has been met with some initial controversy online among Disney fans, I had the opportunity to see this in person this summer. In this episode, I break down the new technology created by Walt Disney Imagineering, review the experience, and discuss potential implications.

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Magic of Disney Animation is a new attraction that opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios this month. Reminiscent of both the classic Animation experience at Disney-MGM Studios and the current Walt Disney Studios Lot in Burbank California, this new Walt Disney World experience is inspired by the Once Upon A Studio animated short and the feature films from Walt Disney Animation Studios. In this episode, we discuss this new park experience, share some not-to-miss details, and play a recording of a media panel featuring iconic Disney animators (including recent Disney Legend inductee, Eric Goldberg). Thanks to WDW Magazine for providing the audio and for joining me on this episode.

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Adventures by Disney offers hassle-free, guided tours of various destinations around the globe, led by knowledgeable Disney tour guides. Adventures by Disney Paris Escape is a two-night tour of Paris, France that takes guests to major landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. In this episode, we discuss this particular tour, how it's different than a traditional Adventures by Disney, and who should consider this vacation experience.

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Swan Reserve is part of the Swan and Dolphin collection of hotels at Walt Disney World. In this episode, I review my hosted stay, sponsored by the Swan Reserve. Located steps from EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and the Disney Resorts around Crescent Lake (plus the Disney Skyliner), Swan Reserve is a Marriott Autograph Collection property that shares amenities with Swan and Dolphin and offers the perks of a Disney Deluxe Resort. This episode includes what to expect at Swan Reserve and the reasons to stay there on your next Disney vacation. Learn more about your next stay at https://swandolphin.com/.

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Disney's Beach Club Resort is one of the most popular Walt Disney World hotels, just steps away from EPCOT and a stroll or Friendship boat ride away from Disney's Hollywood Studios. Beach Club is also closely situated by the Disney Skyliner and has direct bus service to Magic Kingdom, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs. Alongside Disney's Yacht Club Resort, these sister properties share the most popular pool at Walt Disney World (Stormalong Bay) and offer a wide range of quick-service and table service dining options. In this episode, we share the reasons we love Disney's Beach Club and offer advice for those looking to stay here on a future vacation.

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