Disney Cruise Line's newest ship, the Disney Wish sets sail this summer (2022), and I had the opportunity to chat with former Walt Disney Imagineer and Portfolio Creative Executive of Disney Cruise Line, Theron Skees about the design of this newest ship. In this episode, I chat with Theron about the Imagineers' approach to designing a cruise ship, attractions and amenities we can look forward to aboard the Disney Wish (including the Aquamouse, Disney's first ever attraction at sea), and reasons to consider sailing with Disney Cruise Line.

Be sure to learn more about Theron and follow him online by visiting his website.

When will you next set sail with the Disney Wish or another Disney Cruise Line ship? Send me your feedback via email or through direct or public message at any of the following and [with your permission] I'll include your message in a future show:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/imagineerpodcast

Sponsors and Partners:

• WDW Magazine: subscribe to the premier magazine focused on Walt Disney World (print or digital) to read monthly Disney-related content, including an ongoing Imagineering series written by yours truly!

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If you want to take your love of Imagineer Podcast to the next level and help support the show, definitely consider joining us on Patreon for virtual events, bonus content and episodes, exclusive access to our private Passholder communities and more. 

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• Thomas N

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Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opened at EPCOT in Walt Disney World on May 27, 2022. Replacing the Universe of Energy pavilion (Ellen's Energy Adventure), this attraction became the first roller coaster at EPCOT, the first backwards launching coaster for the Disney Parks, the first E-ticket Marvel attraction at Walt Disney World, and one of the longest indoor roller coasters in the world. Featuring six unique soundtracks (Disco Inferno, September, Conga, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, One Way or Another, and I Ran (So Far Away)), this attraction is the first of its kind (an omnicoaster), taking EPCOT travelers to the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion.

In this podcast episode, I chat with Senior Producer of Walt Disney Imagineering, Wyatt Winter, who assumed the same role for Cosmic Rewind. Wyatt and I discuss his role on the attraction, the ride's storyline, the Wonders of Xandar pavilion, the innovative ride system, Easter eggs, and more.

What are you looking forward to most when you next experience Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind? Send me your feedback via email or through direct or public message at any of the following and [with your permission] I'll include your message in a future show:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/imagineerpodcast

Sponsors and Partners:

• WDW Magazine: subscribe to the premier magazine focused on Walt Disney World (print or digital) to read monthly Disney-related content, including an ongoing Imagineering series written by yours truly!

Get Bonus Content

If you want to take your love of Imagineer Podcast to the next level and help support the show, definitely consider joining us on Patreon for virtual events, bonus content and episodes, exclusive access to our private Passholder communities and more. 

How to Support the Show

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Special thanks to our Deluxe Passholder Patreon members!

• Thomas N

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Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is an immersive 2-night adventure that opened at Walt Disney World in March 2022. Disney calls Galactic Starcruiser the most immersive Star Wars story ever created, and it's an accurate statement. This overnight experience combines elements of a cruise, a theme park, and an interactive stage show. Guests who board the Halcyon will truly feel as if they've stepped into a Star Wars story and will be fully immersed nonstop from beginning to end (it might sound like hyperbole but is quite an accurate statement, as you'll find out in this episode).

In this two-part podcast episode, I chat with Stephanie & Danny Shuster, owners of WDW Magazine, to learn about their experience aboard the Halcyon. In our previous episode (Part 1), we discuss their Disney media preview day, the booking process, arrival and departure, and dining. In this episode (part 2), we discuss the state rooms, merchandise, itinerary, story, and recommendations for guests considering Galactic Starcruiser. We also discuss who would find this experience most enjoyable and why if you're a frequent visitor to Walt Disney World it might even be worth replacing one of your Walt Disney World vacations with this revolutionary journey.

What questions or thoughts do you have about Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser? Send me your feedback via email or through direct or public message at any of the following and [with your permission] I'll include your message in a future show:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/imagineerpodcast

Sponsors and Partners:

• WDW Magazine: subscribe to the premier magazine focused on Walt Disney World (print or digital) to read monthly Disney-related content, including an ongoing Imagineering series written by yours truly!

Get Bonus Content

If you want to take your love of Imagineer Podcast to the next level and help support the show, definitely consider joining us on Patreon for virtual events, bonus content and episodes, exclusive access to our private Passholder communities and more. 

How to Support the Show

• Share the podcast with your friends

Special thanks to our Deluxe Passholder Patreon members!

• Thomas N

Enjoy the show!

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is an immersive 2-night adventure that opened at Walt Disney World in March 2022. Disney calls Galactic Starcruiser the most immersive Star Wars story ever created, and it's an accurate statement. This overnight experience combines elements of a cruise, a theme park, and an interactive stage show. Guests who board the Halcyon will truly feel as if they've stepped into a Star Wars story and will be fully immersed nonstop from beginning to end (it might sound like hyperbole but is quite an accurate statement, as you'll find out in this episode).

In this two-part podcast episode, I chat with Stephanie & Danny Shuster, owners of WDW Magazine, to learn about their experience aboard the Halcyon. Part 1 includes a discussion of their Disney media preview day, the booking process, arrival and departure, and dining. In part 2, we'll discuss the state rooms, merchandise, itinerary, story, and recommendations for guests considering Galactic Starcruiser. We also discuss who would find this experience most enjoyable and why if you're a frequent visitor to Walt Disney World it might even be worth replacing one of your Walt Disney World vacations with this revolutionary journey.

What questions or thoughts do you have about Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser? Send me your feedback via email or through direct or public message at any of the following and [with your permission] I'll include your message in a future show:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/imagineerpodcast

Sponsors and Partners:

• WDW Magazine: subscribe to the premier magazine focused on Walt Disney World (print or digital) to read monthly Disney-related content, including an ongoing Imagineering series written by yours truly!

Get Bonus Content

If you want to take your love of Imagineer Podcast to the next level and help support the show, definitely consider joining us on Patreon for virtual events, bonus content and episodes, exclusive access to our private Passholder communities and more. 

How to Support the Show

• Share the podcast with your friends

Special thanks to our Deluxe Passholder Patreon members!

• Thomas N

Enjoy the show!

The Seas with Nemo and Friends opened at Epcot in 1986 as The Living Seas Pavilion. The original version of this Walt Disney World attraction took guests to the depths of the ocean via hydrolators to an underwater research facility known as SeaBase Alpha. Up until 2005, the pavilion featured the world's largest saltwater tank, home to 3,000 oceanic creatures representing 200 species. Between 2003 and 2007, the pavilion began to transform to The Seas with Nemo and Friends as the Imagineers added Turtle Talk with Crush, replaced the original seacab omnimover ride with an updated Finding Nemo experience, and replaced the hydrolators and preshow with an expanded queue and ride experience.

In this podcast episode, we discuss the history of The Living Seas Pavilion, including early concepts, and its ultimate transformation to today's attraction experience.

Special thanks to Martin Smith for lending audio recordings to this episode. Be sure to check out Martin's full Living Seas video and subscribe to his YouTube channel.

What is your favorite memory of The Living Seas or The Seas with Nemo and Friends? Send me your feedback via email or through direct or public message at any of the following and [with your permission] I'll include your message in a future show:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ImagineerPodcast

Sponsors and Partners:

• WDW Magazine: subscribe to the premier magazine focused on Walt Disney World (print or digital) to read monthly Disney-related content, including an ongoing Imagineering series written by yours truly!

Get Bonus Content

If you want to take your love of Imagineer Podcast to the next level and help support the show, definitely consider joining us on Patreon for virtual events, bonus content and episodes, exclusive access to our private Passholder communities and more. 

How to Support the Show

• Share the podcast with your friends

Special thanks to our Deluxe Passholder Patreon members!

• Thomas N

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In hosting Imagineer Podcast, I receive many questions about how to best plan for and make the most of a Disney vacation, whether it's a trip to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, or any other Disney destination. To further complicate planning, Disney has created many new systems, procedures, and options in recent years. Despite these changes and additions, a trip to Disney can still be just as magical, if not even more. It just requires knowing what to expect and planning out the optimal vacation experience for you and your family.

In this podcast episode, I chat with Colleen Bentley from WDW Park Planners and Kim Collins from Magical Park Vacations to answer your questions about traveling to Disney. We discuss such topics as Disney Genie+, traveling to Disney on a budget, choosing a resort, making the most of a one-day park visit, selecting dining options, and more.

When is your next trip to Disney? Send me your feedback via email or through direct or public message at any of the following and [with your permission] I'll include your message in a future show:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ImagineerPodcast

Sponsors and Partners:

• WDW Magazine: subscribe to the premier magazine focused on Walt Disney World (print or digital) to read monthly Disney-related content, including an ongoing Imagineering series written by yours truly!

Get Bonus Content

If you want to take your love of Imagineer Podcast to the next level and help support the show, definitely consider joining us on Patreon for virtual events, bonus content and episodes, exclusive access to our private Passholder communities and more. 

How to Support the Show

• Share the podcast with your friends

Special thanks to our Deluxe Passholder Patreon members!

• Thomas N

Enjoy the show!

"How do I become an Imagineer?" Not surprisingly, it's one of the most common questions I'm asked on Imagineer Podcast. As I've continued to interview Walt Disney Imagineers, I've found there's no easy answer to this question, but there are a few pieces of wisdom that can help get you started, whether you want to work with this legendary Disney team as an engineer, artist, architect, programmer, project manager or beyond.

In this podcast episode, I compile some of the advice I've received from Imagineers interviewed on the show, including advice from McNair Wilson, Jim Sarno, Bob Gurr, Leslie Iwerks, Russell Brower, Brian Collins, Timmy Britt, Theron Skees, Brian Crosby, Tony Baxter, and more. Whether you're an aspiring Imagineer or just need some career advice, I hope this episode will provide you with some inspiration and wisdom on your journey to accomplish your career goals. I also strongly encourage you to head back to previous Imagineer Podcast episodes to listen to the full discussions with each of these Imagineers.

What goal are you hoping to accomplish this year? Send me your feedback via email or through direct or public message at any of the following and [with your permission] I'll include your message in a future show:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ImagineerPodcast

Be sure to check out our sponsor WDW Magazine, the premier magazine focused on Walt Disney World, available in print or digital.

Get Bonus Content

If you want to take your love of Imagineer Podcast to the next level and help support the show, definitely consider joining us on Patreon for virtual events, bonus content and episodes, exclusive access to our private Passholder communities and more. 

How to Support the Show

• Share the podcast with your friends

Special thanks to our Deluxe Passholder Patreon members!

• Thomas N

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Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar opened at Disney Springs in September 2015 just prior to the formal renaming of this part of Walt Disney World from Downtown Disney. This Indiana Jones themed bar is the only one of its kind in the world, and it's loaded with Easter eggs from Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom, The Last Crusade, and even Indiana Jones Adventure. The backstory of this restaurant focuses around Indy's friend and pilot, Jock Lindsey, who was featured in the first Indiana Jones film. Whether you visit this dining location for the food, drinks, or atmosphere, it's worth putting on your checklist for a future Disney vacation.

In this podcast episode, I chat with Theron Skees, the lead Imagineer for Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar and Disney Sprigs, about this part of Walt Disney World (live on location). We discuss the location's backstory and many details, plus the food and connection to the rest of Disney Springs. Be sure to learn more about Theron and follow him online by visiting his website.

What's your favorite detail, food or beverage at Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar? Send me your feedback via email or through direct or public message at any of the following and [with your permission] I'll include your message in a future show:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ImagineerPodcast

Be sure to check out our sponsor WDW Magazine, the premier magazine focused on Walt Disney World, available in print or digital.

Get Bonus Content

If you want to take your love of Imagineer Podcast to the next level and help support the show, definitely consider joining us on Patreon for virtual events, bonus content and episodes, exclusive access to our private Passholder communities and more. 

How to Support the Show

• Share the podcast with your friends

Special thanks to our Deluxe Passholder Patreon members!

• Thomas N

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Brian Crosby is the current Creative Director of Marvel Themed Entertainment for Disney, and it's a role he was practically destined to hold. Growing up near Disneyland in Southern California, Brian developed both a Disney and Marvel fandom from an early age. After winning the Imaginations competition from Walt Disney Imagineering, Brian began as an Imagineering intern before making the jump to a full-time role, where he spent the next decade of his career. A few years after the Marvel acquisition, Brian made the jump to working in Marvel Themed Entertainment, where he currently ideates how to bring Marvel characters and stories into the real world, both at the Disney Parks and beyond the berm.

In this podcast episode, I chat with Brian about his Marvel and Disney fandom, his work on projects like the Iron Man Experience at Hong Kong Disneyland and Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout at Disney California Adventure, and his more recent work at Marvel. Be sure to also follow Brian on Instagram for Marvel content and beyond.

Which themed Marvel experience is your favorite, and which Marvel story would you turn into a new Marvel experience if you were in Brian's role? Send me your feedback via email or through direct or public message at any of the following and [with your permission] I'll include your message in a future show:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ImagineerPodcast

Be sure to check out our sponsor WDW Magazine, the premier magazine focused on Walt Disney World, available in print or digital.

If you want to take your love of Imagineer Podcast to the next level and help support the show, definitely consider joining us on Patreon for virtual events, bonus content and episodes, exclusive access to our private Passholder communities and more. 

How to Support the Show

• Share the podcast with your friends

Special thanks to our Deluxe Passholder Patreon members!

• Thomas N

Enjoy the show!

Joe Lanzisero began working at Disney as a Feature Animator just a few days after graduating from CalArts in 1979, working on movies like the Fox & and the Hound and The Great Mouse Detective. Less than a decade later, Joe made the jump to Walt Disney Imagineering, where he eventually rose to the rank of a Creative Senior Vice President. Perhaps what’s most amazing about Joe is that his projects literally span the globe. He developed attractions at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Disney Cruise Line. Some of Joe's most notable attractions include Toontown, Mystic Manor, Tower of Terror at Tokyo DisneySea, Grizzly Gulch, Toy Story Land (Hong Kong Disneyland), and more. After nearly three decades at Imagineering, Joe retired from Disney in 2015, but his work continues today through his own company, Lanzisero Creative.

In this podcast episode, I chat with Joe about his early years growing up near Disneyland, his time at Disney Animation, and his many years at Imagineering, plus his work since retiring from Disney. Be sure to also follow Joe on Instagram for some inspiring and educational content about Disney and beyond.

Which of Joe's attractions is your favorite? Send me your feedback via email or through direct or public message at any of the following and [with your permission] I'll include your message in a future show:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ImagineerPodcast

Be sure to check out our sponsor WDW Magazine, the premier magazine focused on Walt Disney World, available in print or digital.

If you want to take your love of Imagineer Podcast to the next level and help support the show, definitely consider joining us on Patreon for virtual events, bonus content and episodes, exclusive access to our private Passholder communities and more. 

How to Support the Show

• Share the podcast with your friends

Special thanks to our Deluxe Passholder Patreon members!

• Thomas N

Enjoy the show!