The Tomorrow Society Podcast

It’s a busy, chaotic time for the world of theme parks. More news updates keep arriving every day, and the pace rarely lags. Covering the parks as a journalist has become a full-time job, especially when you consider Disney’s rapid expansion in the next few years.… Read more... The post 93. Carlye Wisel on Rise of the Resistance and Becoming a Theme Park Journalist appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s been three weeks since Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker premiered in theaters, and we’ve seen a major split among fans. Many appreciate the return to more familiar ground, while others complain of the safe approach. Rian Johnson broke the mold with The Last Jedi, and certain moments here feel like a response to fan criticism.… Read more... The post 92. Brian Jay Jones on The Rise of Skywalker and Becoming Dr. Seuss appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

When I’ve talked to former Disney Imagineers about colleagues they admire, a name that comes up frequently is Don Carson. His expertise in theme park design is evident through his diverse career at Disney and well beyond. Carson joined Walt Disney Imagineering in 1989 and quickly began work as the lead show designer on Splash Mountain in Florida.… Read more... The post 91. Former Disney Imagineer Don Carson on Splash Mountain and Mickey’s Toontown appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

One thing I love about doing this podcast is hearing the wide range of stories about how Imagineers came to Disney and progressed through various roles there. Back in February, I really enjoyed the chance to talk with Peggie Fariss about her 50 years at Disney.… Read more... The post REBROADCAST: 64. Peggie Fariss on 50 Years at Disney and Producing Spaceship Earth appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s common for Disney fans to dream about the perfect trip. It could involve doing all four Walt Disney World parks in one day or visiting Walt’s original park at Disneyland. More ambitious souls look overseas to Tokyo, Shanghai, and beyond for an epic worldwide trip.… Read more... The post 90. Dustin Engels, Around the Worlds in 80 Days appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

When we consider all Disney’s resorts around the world, the one that receives the least attention is Hong Kong Disneyland. It opened in 2005 with a limited number of attractions and has struggled to draw crowds. Disney has added three lands to the park — Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point, and Toy Story Land.… Read more... The post 89. Andy Sinclair-Harris on Imagineering, Dr. Who: The Experience, and Hong Kong Disneyland appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

I’m fascinated by the different ways that people have become Imagineers. Very few plan for that role at a young age, and many don’t even realize it’s a possibility. Former Imagineer Mark Rhodes is a perfect example. He had written several novels and sold a screenplay prior to working at Disney.… Read more... The post TTSP #88: Former Imagineer Mark Rhodes on Maelstrom, Splash Mountain, and 25 Years at Disney appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s a great time for Disney fans when it comes to learning more about theme parks and their history. There are so many valuable resources out there, especially online. Former Imagineers are now actively telling their stories through podcasts and social media.… Read more... The post TTSP #87: My Latest Disney and Theme Park Reads appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s a hectic time for Disney’s theme parks, especially at Walt Disney World. I visited Orlando in early September, and we’ve had several major openings since that point. Epcot Forever started playing every night, and the Skyliner began operating. Both have had missteps, especially Disney’s new transportation system.… Read more... The post TTSP #86: Tim Grassey on Pandora, Galaxy’s Edge, and A Changing Epcot appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

We’ve all heard the major stories about Walt Disney, the opening of Disneyland, and the Florida Project that appear in official histories from The Disney Company. But what about the history beyond the general story line? A valuable resource to dig further into Disney’s past is DisneyDocs.net, which offers a treasure trove of materials from owner Ted Linhart.… Read more... The post TTSP #85: Ted Linhart on Disney Docs.net and Preserving Disney History appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

I’m always interested to learn more about how Disney Imagineers got started early in their careers. Few take the predictable route to a job in theme parks. Glenn Barker played drums in parades at Disneyland before ultimately joining Disney’s sound department.… Read more... The post TTSP #84: Glenn Barker on Creating Sound at Walt Disney Imagineering for More Than 45 Years appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

I’ve enjoyed the chance to dig further into how attractions are developed by Walt Disney Imagineering. I learn something new every time I speak with someone that worked for Disney behind the scenes. I originally spoke with sound designer Greg Meader on Episode 67 back in March.… Read more... The post TTSP #83: Sound Designer Greg Meader on the Disney/MGM Studios, On-Board Audio, and the Carousel of Progress appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

When my mind wanders, it often drifts towards ideas on visiting the parks. It’s easy to remember past trips and think about ways that I’d change our touring strategy. Walt Disney World is so complicated, and I have the type of brain that wants to maximize the visit.… Read more... The post TTSP #82: Galaxy’s Edge and 30 Hours at Walt Disney World appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

It’s an exciting time for Disney history fans. Many Imagineers from the ’80s and ’90s finally have the chance to tell their stories. This second generation joined the company for the opening of EPCOT Center and worked directly with legends from Walt’s time.… Read more... The post TTSP #81: Former Imagineer Tom K. Morris on The Haunted Mansion, Journey Into Imagination, and Disneyland Paris appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

There was so much anticipation heading into the D23 Expo on announcements for the parks. During Bob Chapek’s presentation on Sunday, there were both pleasant surprises and shocking omissions. Many of the rumors we heard before this fan event were either wrong or just premature.… Read more... The post TTSP #80: My D23 Expo News Reactions appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Following the massive opening of EPCOT Center in 1982, the transition to a new crop of Imagineers took hold at Disney. This shift led to a more ambitious park with Disneyland Paris in 1992. Show producers like Jeff Burke and Tom K.… Read more... The post TTSP #79: Former Disney Imagineer Tim Delaney on The Living Seas and Discoveryland at Disneyland Paris appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

Later this month, Disney will unveil the latest plans for Epcot’s “transformation” at the D23 Expo in Anaheim. I’m nervous about what we’ll hear during that event, but I realize that EPCOT Center was a product of its time.… Read more... The post TTSP #78: How Bowers on Retro Magic, EPCOT Center, and the Opening Day of the Disney/MGM Studios appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

St. Louis, Missouri is not exactly a mecca for theme parks. I’m envious of podcasters and bloggers that live close to Orlando or Anaheim and can easily visit those Disney resorts. That doesn’t mean there’s nothing to visit nearby, however. Six Flags St.… Read more... The post TTSP #77: Silver Dollar City Trip Report appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

There is so much to appreciate when you think about the original EPCOT Center. For its second Walt Disney World park, Disney took a completely different approach and built something remarkable. Looking beyond the massive pavilions and stunning attractions, there are so many little touches that made EPCOT Center a success.… Read more... The post TTSP #76: Former Imagineer Jim Sarno on Disney’s Model Shop, SMRT-1, and The Land Pavilion Fountain appeared first on Tomorrow Society.

The 1970s were a tricky period for the Walt Disney Animation Studios. Legendary artists were getting older, and there wasn’t a new crop to take their place. The Character Animation Program at CalArts would help to fix that trend. Beginning in 1975, the first class included familiar names like Tim Burton, Brad Bird, and John Musker.… Read more... The post TTSP #75: Former Imagineer Joe Lanzisero on Mickey’s Toontown, Tokyo DisneySea, and Mystic Manor appeared first on Tomorrow Society.