Aarin Richard served as a Walt Disney Imagineer starting in the 1990s working in the music group. His projects included the first synchronized on-board audio track for Space Mountain at Disneyland and Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris, as well as the music for the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Indiana Jones Adventure, and beyond. In this episode, I chat with Aarin about his early career, his work at Disney, and his favorite projects beyond Imagineering.

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Bob Weis spent his career at Walt Disney Imagineering across four decades before retiring from Disney in 2023. Beginning at WED Enterprises in 1980 right out of college, Bob worked on Tokyo Disneyland before taking a lead role on Disney-MGM Studios (now known as Disney's Hollywood Studios). Later in his career, Bob's design work extended to Tokyo DisneySea and the revitalization of Disney California Adventure. He also led the development of Shanghai Disney Resort and spent 6 years as the President of Walt Disney Imagineering. He concluded his Disney career as the Imagineering Global Ambassador.   In this episode, I chat with Bob about the history and Imagineering of The Haunted Mansion and his latest work of fiction inspired by this Disneyland attraction, Ghost Dog, available for purchase October 15, 2024.   Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.   Book your next Disney vacation with our partners at KMV Travel.   Tag me and join the conversation below.

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The EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival blooms at Walt Disney World every spring, and this year's festival includes many fresh new offerings. With over 20 outdoor kitchens featuring hundreds of food and drink options, dozens of character topiaries and gardens, two scavenger hunts, limited-time merchandise, and the Garden Rocks Concert Series, there's a lot to discover at this annual festival.   In this two-part episode, I chat with AJ from Disney Food Blog about this year's festival. We discuss some of the highlights of this EPCOT event, share recommendations for how to make the most of Flower and Garden, and recap our favorite experiences. Be sure to also check out the DFB Festival Guide.   Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.   Book your next Disney vacation with our partners at KMV Travel.   What is your favorite EPCOT Festival? Tag me and join the conversation below.

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Martha Blanding is the first Black Disney Parks employee inducted as a Disney Legend (2024). Starting with the company in 1971, Martha became the first ever full-time Black Tour Guide at Disneyland, the first Black female in management at Disneyland, and the co-founder of PULSE, a resource group for Black cast members. She’s also an official pioneering producer of the Official Disneyana Convention, a forerunner of today’s D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. Tim O’Day is a producer, publicist, and consultant, and a popular host you have likely seen on such popular series as Behind the Attraction, live at D23 events and so much more.   In this episode, I chat with Martha and Tim about Martha's career and their latest book, Groundbreaking Magic, available for purchase October 1, 2024.   Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.   Book your next Disney vacation with our partners at KMV Travel.   Tag me and join the conversation below.

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Bob Weis spent his career at Walt Disney Imagineering across four decades before retiring from Disney in 2023. Beginning at WED Enterprises in 1980 right out of college, Bob worked on Tokyo Disneyland before taking a lead role on Disney-MGM Studios (now known as Disney's Hollywood Studios). Later in his career, Bob's design work extended to Tokyo DisneySea and the revitalization of Disney California Adventure. He also led the development of Shanghai Disney Resort and spent 6 years as the President of Walt Disney Imagineering. He concluded his Disney career as the Imagineering Global Ambassador.   In this episode, I chat with Bob about his career and his latest book, Dream Chasing, available for purchase September 24, 2024.   Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.   Book your next Disney vacation with our partners at KMV Travel.   Tag me and join the conversation below.

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World Showcase at EPCOT currently features eleven pavilions, representing eleven countries around the world: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, American Adventure, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom, and Canada. Disney fans often speculate what could be a twelfth World Showcase pavilion at Walt Disney World. In this episode, we brainstorm new ideas for countries that could be added to EPCOT.   Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.   Book your next Disney vacation with our partners at KMV Travel.   Which country would you like to see added to World Showcase? Tag me and join the conversation below.

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D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2024 raised the bar for D23 Expo in Anaheim. This year's list of announcements for the Disney Parks and Experiences (Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Disney Cruise Line, and beyond) and Disney Entertainment (Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios) included some noteworthy updates. Noteworthy parks updates include the additions of a new Villains land and reimagined Frontierland at Magic Kingdom, Tropical Americas with Indiana Jones and Encanto at Disney's Animal Kingdom, four new Disney Cruise Line ships, expanded Avengers Campus and Coco attraction at Disney California Adventure alongside a new Avatar land, new Spider-Man attractions at Shanghai Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland, and a Lion King themed area at Disneyland Paris. New films and series include Incredibles 3, Frozen 3, Toy Story 5, Elio, Hopper, Moana 2, Skeleton Crew, The Mandalorian and Grogu, Fantastic Four, Agatha All Along, and so much more.   In this episode, we chat through the updates from D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2024 and share our thoughts about these announcements.   Thanks to my special guests Brooke and Philander for joining me on this episode.   Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.   Which country would you like to see added to World Showcase? Tag me and join the conversation below.

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D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2024 raised the bar for D23 Expo in Anaheim. This year's list of announcements for the Disney Parks and Experiences (Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Disney Cruise Line, and beyond) and Disney Entertainment (Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios) included some noteworthy updates. Noteworthy parks updates include the additions of a new Villains land and reimagined Frontierland at Magic Kingdom, Tropical Americas with Indiana Jones and Encanto at Disney's Animal Kingdom, four new Disney Cruise Line ships, expanded Avengers Campus and Coco attraction at Disney California Adventure alongside a new Avatar land, new Spider-Man attractions at Shanghai Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland, and a Lion King themed area at Disneyland Paris. New films and series include Incredibles 3, Frozen 3, Toy Story 5, Elio, Hopper, Moana 2, Skeleton Crew, The Mandalorian and Grogu, Fantastic Four, Agatha All Along, and so much more.   In this episode, we chat through the updates from D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2024 and share our thoughts about these announcements.   Thanks to my special guests Brooke and Philander for joining me on this episode.   Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.   Which country would you like to see added to World Showcase? Tag me and join the conversation below.

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Tiana's Bayou Adventure officially opened on June 28, 2024 at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World and is scheduled to open later in 2024 at Disneyland. Replacing Splash Mountain, Tiana's Bayou Adventure offers the same ride layout and system with an entirely reimagined storyline. Complete with incredible details from The Princess and the Frog, New Orleans culture, and the story of Leah Chase (the real-life inspiration for Princess Tiana), Tiana's Bayou Adventure provides a depth that takes Walt Disney Imagineering to new heights. Between the animatronics, original music, and special effects, along with the same famous 50-foot plunge as its predecessor, Tiana's Bayou Adventure offers joyful moments and iconic thrills for the entire family. In this episode, I'm joined by Nick (The Theme Park Dad) to discuss our thoughts about riding Tiana's Bayou Adventure as well as the Imagineering details and storyline that make the attraction an incredible addition to Magic Kingdom (and Disneyland).   Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.   What do you enjoy most (or are most looking forward to) about Tiana's Bayou Adventure? Tag me and join the conversation below.

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Shiki-Sai opened at the EPCOT Japan pavilion in 2023 as a replacement to the former Walt Disney World dining experience, Tokyo Dining. Offering fine dining, sushi, and an authentic izakaya experience, Shiki-Sai is a culinary and cultural experience. In this episode, we review this restaurant live on location. Plus, we offer some insightful travel tips for those wanting to visit Japan.   Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.   Which World Showcase restaurant should we review next? Tag me and join the conversation below.

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D23 The Official Disney Fan Club is the first official club of its kind, helping bring Disney fans closer to the magic since 2009, offering members one-of-a-kind experiences, quarterly publications, special events, unique merchandise offerings, and exclusive online content. As part of D23's biannual tentpole event, this year's D23 The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California will prove to be an even bigger and better version of D23 Expo. With Disney exhibits, panels, and showcases that celebrate the worlds of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, National Geographic, and beyond, Disney fans can expect to hear exciting updates about The Walt Disney Company, including updates and deep dives about the Disney Parks, movies, shows, consumer products, and more.   In this episode, I am joined by Michael Vargo, Vice President of D23 The Official Disney Fan Club, live from the Walt Disney World Resort, as we discuss his 32+ year career at Disney, D23 Membership, and D23 The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.   If you're a Disney fan, definitely consider joining D23, which you can learn more about at https://d23.com/.   What is your favorite D23 event, experience, or member benefit? Tag me and join the conversation below.

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