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Welcome to Idiot’s Guide to Imagineering, the podcast where big ideas, thoughtful conversations, and a little bit of chaos come together to explore the past, present, and future of Disney Parks.
Hosted by a team of former Cast Members, lifelong Disney fans, and self-proclaimed "Idiots" (a title we wear proudly), we reimagine Disney Parks with original concepts that blend creativity, storytelling, and real-world practicality. From rides and resorts to restaurants and entire lands, each episode features a fresh pitch designed not just to entertain but to spark meaningful conversations about the art of Imagineering.
But this isn't just a podcast, it's an experience. With immersive audio production and narrative-driven segments, we bring our ideas to life in a way that makes you feel like you're right there in the parks with us.
Our projects serve as the launching pad for deeper discussions about design, innovation, guest experience, and the evolving landscape of themed entertainment. Whether we're unpacking the "why" behind a storytelling choice, or digging into the challenges of park planning, we aim to keep it insightful, approachable, and always a little bit idiotic.
And in our Magic Makers series, we sit down with real creatives from across Disney Parks & Experiences to hear their stories, ideas, and the lessons behind the magic.
Whether you're a lifelong Disney fan, an aspiring Imagineer, or just someone who loves a good story well told, Idiot's Guide to Imagineering is your ticket to park talk that's curious, clever, and always a good time. You might just learn something, too.
Step into the story with us, and let's imagine what comes next.
Follow along on Instagram and YouTube @IdiotsImagineering.
132 Episodes
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What happens when a land gets rethemed but an existing attraction no longer fits the story? This week, Stephen is joined by Kaity and Jenny as we head to Disneyland to reimagine The Rescuers in Bayou Country. We explore how Imagineering uses story cohesion, ride systems, and immersive details to make a space feel intentional and alive. It is about using every element of a land from lighting to animatronics to emotional beats to tell a story that guests can fully believe in without relying on ...
What would it look like if the Olympic Village became a place you could actually stay? With the Winter Games officially underway, this week on Idiot’s Guide to Imagineering, Stephen is joined by Marissa and Jenny to imagine the Olympic Village as a fully realized resort experience at Walt Disney World. How do you capture the spirit of global competition, human achievement, and iconic Olympic moments and translate them into a destination that feels immersive, emotional, and believable year-rou...
What if you could venture beyond Arendelle? This week, we imagine what it would look like if Disneyland Paris expanded its new World of Frozen with a bold concept called Northuldra. Stephen takes on the role of Project Manager to explore how Imagineers might bring the mystical forests, elemental spirits, and the Nokk to life in a way that’s immersive, emotional, and entirely unique to this park. We break down the importance of risk appetite in Disney Imagineering, exploring why parks balance ...
What happens when a perfectly respectable Magic Kingdom restaurant gets a little… Muppified? This week, Stephen pitches a small-scale but high-impact plussing project for one of Liberty Square’s most overlooked classics: Columbia Harbour House. No new rides. No massive construction. Just thoughtful storytelling, operational realism, and a whole lot of Muppet chaos. Set during a post–Revolutionary War celebration, this reimagined Harbour House becomes the unofficial headquarters for the c...
What if the wilderness of Disney’s Fort Wilderness wasn’t just preserved...but reimagined? This week, we wander into the quiet paths of the Hundred Acre Wood with a brand-new proposal: a fully immersive Winnie the Pooh–inspired cabin expansion tucked inside Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Stephen serves as Project Manager, pitching a thoughtful, story-driven experience that blends nostalgia, nature, and experiential design...without sacrificing the soul of the forest. From character ...
What if you could truly step into Narnia? This week, we imagine what it would look like if Disney brought The Chronicles of Narnia to life as a fully immersive themed land. Stephen takes on the role of Project Manager to explore how Imagineers might translate C.S. Lewis’s world into a physical place guests can walk through, feel, and emotionally connect with. We break down the real history between Disney and Narnia, including the film trilogy, the forgotten Journey into Narnia walkthrough a...
Season 4 kicks off with a premiere festival full of adventure! This week, we’re exploring Pueblo Esperanza, the land under construction at Animal Kingdom, also affectionately called Tropical Americas. While the land will feature Encanto, we’re highlighting two original Imagineering projects we designed: one giving a storyline to an announced Indiana Jones ride and another completely new addition that’s a surprise for our listeners. Join the Idiots (Stephen, Kaity, and Marissa) as we soak up f...
After seven months of chaotic brainstorming, feral laughter, and over two dozen wildly ambitious blue-sky projects, Season 3 of Idiot’s Guide to Imagineering wraps with a high-stakes showdown between Marissa and Stephen for the title of Idiot Imagineer of the Year. In this season finale, the Idiots bring all the imagination, storytelling, and unhinged creativity they’ve honed across three seasons into one last head-to-head pitch challenge. There are surprises, unexpected strategies, and a jud...
Do you really need animals for something to make sense in Disney’s Animal Kingdom? This week, Stephen explores that question with a proposal inspired by a Pixar movie you might have skipped. While it did not make a huge cultural splash, Elemental has more in common with Animal Kingdom than you might think, thanks to its themes of nature, balance, and environmental connection. Set in one of the park’s most overlooked areas, this concept reimagines the space with color, creativity, and just the...
This week, we return to Magic Kingdom carefully. It’s a park we rarely touch out of respect and a healthy fear of Disney purists, but this week, we’re not taking anything away; we’re only adding. Tucked behind Storybook Circus lies a triangular patch of unused land, and today we’re turning it into the Sherwood Renaissance Faire, a playful, tongue-in-cheek addition to Fantasyland inspired by Robin Hood. We dig into why this underused classic deserves the spotlight, how IP plays a role in guest...
To celebrate Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, Stephen, Kaity, and Disneyland expert Kim Millspaugh (@disney.sme) take a deep dive into the world of live shows at the park. From beloved classics to recent closures, we explore the surprising decline in stage entertainment and what it means for Disneyland’s storytelling future. Why are so many theaters sitting empty? What challenges and choices have shaped this shift? And does live entertainment still hold the same magic it once did? Stephen share...
We made it to 100, ImaginIdiots! This episode is a full-blown celebration of everything we’ve dreamed up, laughed through, and created together over three wild seasons. From day one, we never imagined we’d make it this far, but thanks to you, here we are: triple digits, baby! To mark the occasion, we’re doing things a little differently. Instead of designing a new attraction, we’re reimagining Wishes (the beloved nighttime spectacular) as a heart-filled, voice-driven tribute to dreams, chaos,...
We just spent a whirlwind day exploring Epic Universe—and we’re here to give you our honest first impressions. From checking in at one of the brand-new hotels to navigating early entry, portal strategy, and ride experiences, we’re breaking down what surprised us, what impressed us, and what we think still needs a little fine-tuning. Stephen, Kaity, and Jenny were on the ground for it all. Whether you’re planning a future trip or just curious about what Universal’s newest park really feels lik...
Summer’s heating up—and so is Epcot! This week, Project Manager Kaity leads the charge as the Idiots head to South America to dream up a long-awaited addition to World Showcase: a brand-new Brazil pavilion! Complete with Baroque-inspired architecture, vibrant street markets, a churrascaria with sunset views, and an interactive attraction starring a mythical forest protector (and yes—giant flying capybaras), this proposal brings Brazil’s food, folklore, and festive spirit to life like never be...
This week, the Idiots tackle the heat—and the lack of hydration—at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As the only Florida Disney park without a water ride, the team agrees it’s time to make a splash. Stephen steps into the project manager role with a bold proposal: bring The Incredibles into the spotlight with a high-energy, super-soaked attraction that blends thrills, laughs, and retro-futuristic flair. With input from Kaity, Marissa, and Jenny, the team explores how to give new life to an underuti...
With the announcement of Disney’s first-ever theme park in the Middle East, Imagineering faces a rare opportunity: building a brand-new Disney destination from the ground up. But what does it really mean to design a park for an entirely new audience—one shaped by different cultural norms, expectations, and stories? In this episode, Stephen takes the lead as Project Manager to explore what Disney Abu Dhabi could become. From blending beloved IP like Aladdin into a culturally respectful and ful...
For the first time ever, the Idiots are stepping aside and handing the mic to a special guest. This week, Stephen welcomes multi-talented creative and Broadway star Tyler Davis for a guest-led episode that flips our usual format on its head. Instead of pitching our own idea, we’re reacting to a fully imagined, fully epic attraction inspired by Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Tyler brings the kind of big ideas we wish Disney would greenlight—think advanced animatronics, bre...
What if you could relive the magic of all four Walt Disney World parks—without a park ticket, without standing in line, and yes, without leaving your dinner table? This week, Stephen is pitching a dazzling new experience that’s part dinner show, part skating spectacular, and all Disney magic. Think parade floats gliding across ice, a cameo from the Disco Yeti, and a nighttime finale that just might rival Happily Ever After. From Magic Kingdom to Animal Kingdom, this idea fuses nostalgia, camp...
It’s opening week at Epic Universe, and the buzz is palpable! The park is finally here, and fans are flooding in to experience all that Epic has to offer. But before you get lost in the crowds, we’ve got something else exciting—an original concept that could take Epic Universe to the next level! This week, Stephen steps outside the Disney bubble to craft an incredible expansion idea for Dark Universe. Think monsters, legends, and stories waiting to come to life in thrilling new ways. We’re ta...
Stephen is back from Japan and sharing his full experience at Tokyo Disney Resort. From the sleek nostalgia of the Disney Ambassador Hotel to the stunning new Fantasy Springs Hotel, plus days spent at both Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea—this episode unpacks the details, the atmosphere, and what makes this resort feel completely different from anywhere else. Don't forget to check us out on Instagram!
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Just subscribed and I love the show. Episode 3 trivia bit, Tom Fitzgerald played the "Beach boy" in the Seabase Alpha part of Horizons at Epcot! Neat!