The Tomorrow Society Podcast

The Tomorrow Society Podcast episodes:

• 06.17.2024

  234. Fire in the Hole 2.0 Review and Silver Dollar City Trip Report

  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...

  
• 06.03.2024

  233. Updating Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

  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...

  
• 05.20.2024

  232. Ron Fish on Creating Music for Theme Parks and Video Games

  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...

  
• 05.06.2024

  231. My Theme Park Summer Plus Universal Orlando News

  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...

  
• 04.22.2024

  230. Eric Baker on Designing Props for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

  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...

  
• 04.08.2024

  229. Beignets, Buses, and More: A Walt Disney World Trip Report (Part 2)

  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...

  
• 04.01.2024

  228. TRON, Guardians, and More: A Walt Disney World Trip Report (Part 1)

  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...

  
• 03.25.2024

  227. Trevor Bryant on Horizons, Binaural Audio, and Test Track

  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...

  
• 03.18.2024

  226. Bob Holland on Constructing EPCOT Center, the Grand Floridian, and Disney Cruise Line

  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...

  
• 03.11.2024

  225. Walt Disney World 2024 Trip Preview

  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...

  
• 03.04.2024

  224. Susan Bonds on the Indiana Jones Adventure, Alien Encounter, and Mission: Space

  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...

  
• 02.26.2024

  223. Spotlight on Indiana Jones with Brandon Kleyla

  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...

  
• 02.19.2024

  222. Rope Drop Radio’s Doug McKnight and Derek Sasman

  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...

  
• 02.12.2024

  221. Disneyland’s House of the Future with Author Dave Bossert

  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...

  
• 02.05.2024

  220. Jessica Liese’s Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood Holiday Trip

  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...

  
• 01.29.2024

  219. Davy Feiten on Animating Figures for Attractions at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, and More

  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...

  
• 01.22.2024

  218. Tim Grassey on Luminous, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and What’s Next for Disney

  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...

  
• 01.15.2024

  217. What’s New for 2024 with Arthur Levine

  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...

  
• 01.08.2024

  216. Kathryn Mayer and Greg Glasgow on Disneyland on the Mountain

  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...

  
• 12.18.2023

  215. Kevin Perjurer of Defunctland on Journey to EPCOT Center: A Symphonic History

  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...

  
• 12.11.2023

  214. Seth Kubersky on the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland and World of Frozen

  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...

  
• 12.04.2023

  213. J. Jeff Kober on A Century of Powerful Disney Insights

  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...

  
• 11.20.2023

  212. Dr. Jackie Ogden on Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Conservation, and the Seas

  Photo by Jackie Ogden 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...

  
• 11.06.2023

  211. Mary Kwiatkowski on the DarKoaster and Curse of DarKastle at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

  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...

  
• 10.23.2023

  210. Updating Spaceship Earth

  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.…...

  
• 10.09.2023

  209. My First Visit to Kings Island Trip Report

  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...

  
• 09.25.2023

  208. Imagineer Greg Combs on Indiana Jones, Tower of Terror, and Tokyo DisneySea

  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...

  
• 09.11.2023

  207. Five Takeaways from Disney’s Destination D23 Announcements

  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...

  
• 09.05.2023

  206. Imagineer Mk Haley on the Power of Disney Research and Educating the Next Generation

  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....

  
• 08.28.2023

  205. Reviewing a Coaster a Day with Bryant Olivera of Coaster 365

  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...

  
• 08.14.2023

  204. Kevin Sherbrooke on Innoventions, Tokyo DisneySea, and Islands of Adventure

  Photo by Kevin Sherbrooke 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...

  
• 07.31.2023

  REBROADCAST: 84. Glenn Barker on Creating Sound at Walt Disney Imagineering for More Than 45 Years

  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...

  
• 07.24.2023

  203. Bethanee Bemis on Disney Theme Parks and America’s National Narratives

  Photo by the National Museum of American History 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...

  
• 07.03.2023

  202. Eli Erlandson on EPCOT Center, Disneyland Paris, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom

  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...

  
• 06.19.2023

  201. Super Nintendo World and Universal Studios Hollywood Trip Report

  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...

  
• 06.12.2023

  200. The Big Disneyland Resort Trip Report

  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...

  
• 05.28.2023

  199. Archivist Jason Schultz on Documenting the History of Disneyland

  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...

  
• 05.15.2023

  198. Mike Schwalm on Pandora: The World of Avatar and Happily Ever After

  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...

  
• 05.01.2023

  197. Tammy Tuckey on Her New Album Glowing in Timeless Places

  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...

  
• 04.17.2023

  196. Skipper Ben Rebstock on the Second Era for Disney/MGM Studios

  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...

  
• 04.03.2023

  195. Return to Silver Dollar City Trip Report

  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...

  
• 03.20.2023

  194. Steve Tatham on Dinosaur, Cinemagique, Superstar Limo, and Universal

  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...

  
• 03.06.2023

  193. Tom Sze on Developing the Concepts for Disney’s Animal Kingdom

  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,...

  
• 02.20.2023

  192. Morgan Lee Richardson on Avengers Campus and the Power of Conservation Art

  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...

  
• 02.06.2023

  191. Don Dorsey on the Main Street Electrical Parade, Fantasmic!, and Illuminations: Reflections of Earth

  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...

  
• 01.23.2023

  190. Tim Grassey on EPCOT’s Transformation and a Crazy Week of Theme Park News

  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...

  
• 01.16.2023

  189. Alexander Bresinsky on Building a Themed Entertainment Career in Germany

  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...

  
• 01.02.2023

  188. Rick Barongi on the Development of Disney’s Animal Kingdom

  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...

  
• 12.19.2022

  187. Matt Mason on At the Corner of Fantasy and Main: Disneyland, Midlife, and Churros

  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....

  
• 12.12.2022

  186. Carlye Wisel on the D23 Expo, Galactic Starcruiser, and the Return of Bob Iger

  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...