The Spirit of the Time

Flight 44: If it moves on wheels at Disneyland, it was probably designed by 93-year old Disney Legend and Thea Lifetime Achievement recipient, Bob Gurr.   Walt Disney was so impressed with his knowledge and skill, that he invited Bob Gurr to join WED Enterprises to design the very first Autopia cars that debuted at Disneyland in 1955. Over the past 74 years, Bob has made transportation magic worldwide, developing such legendary Disneyland ride vehicles as the Monorail, the Flying Saucers, the Haunted Mansion “Doom Buggies," the Submarine Voyage sub fleet, the PeopleMover, and the Matterhorn Bobsleds. After “retiring” in 1981, Bob went on to co-found Sequoia Creative and design the massive King Kong animatronic for Universal Studios Hollywood. He designed the flying spaceship for the 1984 Olympics opening ceremonies, effects for The Jacksons' Victory tour, and dinosaurs for Steven Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park.” Plan now to join us as Bob climbs aboard a vehicle with no wheels for a journey across ten decades on one of the most incredible time travel adventures we’ve ever had!

Flight 45: Former VP of Interactive Projects, Show Producer & Interactive Designer at Walt Disney Imagineering, Joe Garlington By 1990, it was believed that Disney park guests were tired of passive attractions and so the company brought back former EPCOT Center “Arcade of the Future” designer and the owner of LA-based Art & Technology Joe Garlington to tap into the latest computer hardware and software and transform Disney experiences into communal, personalized, and yes, interactive experiences. If you’ve ever immersed yourself in Stitch Encounter, Turtle Talk with Crush, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Disneyquest or dozens of early interactive experiences at museums, aquariums and theme parks around the country, you’ve no doubt enjoyed the creative visions of Joe Garlington. Set your interactive calendar now and plan to join us as USC’s Adjunct Professor and Advisor of Themed Entertainment Design climbs aboard the time machine to share his career highlights, collected wisdom, and predictions for the future of interactive technology in themed entertainment. It promises to be, well, interactive!

Flight 43: Forty-five-year industry veteran, Thea Lifetime Achievement Recipient, and former President of Walt Disney Imagineering, Bob Weis. When Bob Weis joined WED Enterprise in 1980, Disney owned two theme parks. Forty-five years later, Disney operates twelve parks worldwide and Bob Weis played a role in at least half of them, including Epcot, Tokyo Disneyland, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney Studios Parc, Disney California Adventure, and Shanghai Disneyland. After a short stint at his own firm, (Bob) Weis Design Island (WDI!), and Gensler, Bob is now a successful author, having recently published his autobiography, “Dream Chasing,” and his first work of fiction, “Ghost Dog.” Set your pocket watch now to join us as Bob climbs aboard the time machine to relive the trials and tribulations of overseeing the design and production of multiple Disney theme parks and being one only four individuals to ever hold the title of president of the world’s first and most beloved themed entertainment design company.

FLIGHT 42: Veteran media, VFX, and show producer for Walt Disney Imagineering, Universal Creative, Sony, MacGillivray Freeman Films and more, Valerie Johnson-Redrow! Today’s immersive attractions feature tremendous amounts of media - often presented on tremendous screens. While owners and operators often take the credit for these groundbreaking E-Ticket experiences, it’s the media and show producers who make the magic happen. Plan now to join us as veteran media, VFX, and show producer Valerie Johnson-Redrow climbs aboard the time machine to share stories and wisdom accumulated during her 30-year career, including show producing the “King Kong 360-3D” and “Reign of Kong” (media only) attractions at Universal parks, producing media for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot and developing concepts for Conservation Station at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, producing all media for Sony’s Metreon in San Francisco, as well as her work on IMAX films, Chinese flying attractions, TV shows, and her latest project, “Adventures Beneath the Seas!”

Flight 41: Writer, creative director, past TEA president, and founding principal and chief creative officer of Thinkwell Group, Craig Hanna From Iwerks to Kevin Biles Design to Jack Morton to Universal Creative to founding Thinkwell Group, Craig Hanna’s 30+ year career in the location-based entertainment industry has been a thrill ride unto itself. Plan now to join us as Craig climbs aboard the time machine to share his stories, learnings, and humor from such groundbreaking projects as Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter, Ski Dubai, and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.         **Apologies for the technical difficulties. You will notice 2 sections later in the podcast that cut out.

Episode 40: Forty-year veteran concept designer and creative leader in the location-based entertainment industry, including both Disney and Universal, Christian Hope.   For four decades, Christian Hope has been instrumental in the creative development of world-class theme parks and attractions around the world. His clever and witty drawings are reflections of his clever and witty brain — passionate, humorous, and always ready with another original idea. Plan now to join us as Christian boards the time machine to discuss his years as a Disney Imagineer, designing new lands and attractions for Universal Creative, as well as tales from the trenches on the dozens of innovative projects he’s conceived, designed, and shepherded to successful realities! If you know Christian, you’ll know this may be the funniest journey yet!

Flight 39: Forty-one-year veteran of Walt Disney Imagineering who has overseen design, engineering, production, construction and project management of Disney parks and resorts all over the world, Craig Russell.   Craig Russell joined WED Enterprises in 1980 as a project coordinator on Tokyo Disneyland. After a brief stint with Sequoia Creative and the 1984 LA Olympics, he returned to oversee project engineering of the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park and design management of Tokyo Disney Sea. He later ran a number of divisions before spending nine years co-leading WDI as Design and Project Delivery Executive. Craig returned to project management for the completion of Shanghai Disneyland, as well as Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge before managing all projects in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Plan to join us on a time travel journey for the ages as Craig shares his experiences leading the design and execution of some of Disney’s biggest, most complex, and highly successful projects from concept to opening day!

Passenger 37: Disney Legend, Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated producer, director, writer, painter — and drummer — who produced two of the world’s most popular animated films: Disney’s “Beauty & the Beast” and “The Lion King,” Don Hahn.   Don Hahn is a true renaissance man, beginning his career in music, moving into producing some of Disney’s most beloved animated features, before directing live action films and documentaries, writing popular books on Disney Animation and creativity, and attempting to capture the real world through "dabs of colored mud" in his iPad paintings. From “Beauty & The Beast,” The Lion King,” “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame," to “Maleficent,” “The Haunted Mansion” and “Howard,” Don has created intellectual properties and characters that have inspired many beloved location-based entertainment projects. Plan now to join our first Oscar-nominated guest (who also holds two honorary doctorate degrees!) aboard the time machine for what promises to be an epic journey with an extraordinary talent!

Passenger 36: Former creative director/show producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, Universal Creative, Sony Development, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Hildene, who played a primary role on the creation of the Disney-MGM Studios and then oversaw the design, installation, and construction of the original Tower of Terror attraction at the park, Laine Dunham White (former Houser and Akiyama)!   Laine Dunham White has spent over three decades conceiving, designing, and producing world-class theme park attractions and compelling museum exhibits. Known to many as Laine Houser and Laine Aikyama, she is an ArtCenter grad who, since childhood, has excelled at tapping into her skills of observation, communication, composition, and storytelling to paint, draw, and bring immersive environments to life. Now in retirement on Cape Cod, we’ve lured Laine back into the spotlight for a ride on the time machine! Set your timepiece now to join us for an exciting journey with one of the industry’s best and brightest women!

Passenger 33: Former creative leader at SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Herschend Family Entertainment, Paramount Parks, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Landmark Entertainment Group, Anthony Esparza! Few have so successfully established and executed the creative vision for so many owner/operators in the immersive entertainment world as Anthony Esparza. One of the industry’s few Latinx executives, Anthony began his career in the model shop at Landmark Entertainment Group in 1980. He was soon elevated to oversee the company's design department before moving to Charlotte, NC to head up the theme park development division for Paramount Parks. Anthony then moved to Atlanta, GA to do the same for Herschend Family Entertainment before relocating to Orlando, FL to modernize the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks. As if that wasn’t enough, he then helped to bring the first roller coaster to the high seas for Carnival Cruise Lines! Plan now to join us as Anthony climbs aboard the time machine for a journey back to all of these iconic roles, stories of the hundreds of projects he's developed, and the wisdom he’s collected throughout his illustrious 40+ year career.

Passenger 35: Former technical director and senior show & ride executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, former president of Spectra Entertainment and Auriga Entertainment, and current president of Contour Entertainment, Chris Brown.   Chris Brown is what happens when technical prowess, extreme creativity, and business acumen all collide in a purple explosion of talent and humor! Plan now to witness the final flight of year three as this accomplished former Disney Imagineer and president of Contour Entertainment climbs aboard the time machine to share his history and wisdom acquired from such projects as Spaceship Earth and the Imagination pavilion at Epcot, Star Tours at Disneyland, the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, Tokyo Disneyland, Magic World (Dubai), Sony Music Box (Berlin), Doha Entertainment District, Star Trek: The Tour, Imagica Park (Mumbai), and many more!

Passenger 34: Former Disney Imagineer & creative exec at Universal, Sony, SpectraFX & Contour involved in such classic projects as EPCOT Center, Catastrophe Canyon/Disney-MGM Studios, Blizzard Beach, Poseidon’s Fury/UIOA, & The Beatles' Yellow Submarine simulator, Richard Vaughn.   Richard Vaughn is an artist, a designer, and an articulate creative leader who has been involved in some of the most exciting immersive entertainment projects around the world. He has lead teams and overseen projects for big owner/operators like Disney, Universal, and Sony, as well as two start-ups, SpectraFX and Contour Entertainment. Richard has brought his clever and intellectual artistic abilities to EPCOT Center, the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Sony’s Metreon and its German sister in Potsdamer-Platz, Berlin. He developed a longstanding relationship with Apple Corps that lead to a number of Beatles-themed projects. And he lead his father’s band, The Billy Vaughn Orchestra, on multiple tours of Japan. Set your clocks now to travel back in time with one of our industry’s most talented designers!

Passenger 32: The long-awaited return of the former Disney Imagineer responsible for leading the design of such beloved parks and attractions as EPCOT Center, Star Tours, Sleeping Beauty Castle and Fantasyland at Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Carsland at Disney California Adventure, Tom Morris!   Our very first time machine passenger climbs aboard again to complete the incredible journey we began back in 2021! Plan now to join us as we transport Disney icon Tom Morris back to where we left off in the 1980s and onward to the present. Along the way, Tom will share untold stories and insights into his many built and never-realized projects, including Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, DisneyQuest, Carsland, Radiator Springs Racers, and his upcoming book on the history of Walt Disney Imagineering and the design of Disneyland! Don’t miss this epic adventure with one of Disney’s most prolific (and funny) Imagineers!

Passenger 31: Forty-year industry veteran; writer, director, and producer of over 80 themed entertainment projects for both Walt Disney Imagineering and Universal Creative, Mike West. From The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter, to the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, The Simpsons Ride to Skull Island: Reign of Kong, Mike West is one of just a handful of creatives who has contributed to the global success of both Disney and Universal theme parks. Set your watch now to join us as Mike climbs aboard the time machine to discuss his quarter century as a writer, director and producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, as well as his 14 years as an executive producer at Universal Creative - including leading the initial blue sky development of the upcoming Epic Universe theme park!

PASSENGER 30:  Veteran art director, designer and illustrator of physical and virtual worlds whose projects include Mickey’s Toontown, Splash Mountain (WDW), San Francisco’s annual Dickens Fair, and theme parks and attractions for Universal, THG, The Jim Henson Company, Herschend Family Entertainment, and Walkabout Mini Golf for Mighty Coconut, Don Carson. Few designers have the talent and skills to find success creating both theme parks and video games, but Don Carson easily transitions between physical and virtual; pen and stylus; concrete and pixels. Starting his career as a show set designer at Walt Disney Imagineering in the 1980s, Don soon traded the glamor of Hollywood for the backwoods of Oregon where he began freelancing for the major owner/operators and design firms in the location-based entertainment industry. Then he played the CD-ROM game “Myst” and discovered a whole new medium in which he could use all his storytelling techniques in an experience that could last for days! Join us as Don climbs aboard the time machine for a fascinating journey through his unique career of marrying the freedom of exploration found in video games with the design process used for creating physical environments!

PASSENGER 29: Former senior vice president of concept design at Walt Disney Imagineering, whose projects include Main Street USA at Disneyland Paris, Space Mountain, trackless dark rides, and consulting to Virgin Galactic, Porsche and Aston Martin, Eddie Sotto. The hair; the voice; the sweet seduction of another brilliant idea. Of course we’re talking about Eddie Sotto, who got his start at Knott’s Berry Farm and Landmark Entertainment Group before shaking things up at Walt Disney Imagineering with his blacklight-bathed office, vision for pushing Main Street USA in Paris from the turn-of-the-century to the 1920s, reimagining the Theme Building at LAX to Encounter Restaurant, and work on Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, Mission Space, and Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom. Join us as Eddie climbs aboard the time machine to revisit these groundbreaking projects, as well as the award-winning work he’s done since 2004 at SottoStudios for the likes of Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, Aston Martin, Porsche, and Universal Studios.

PASSENGER 28: Walt Disney Animation director (“Oliver & Company," “The Prince & the Pauper"), Walt Disney Imagineer (“Mickey’s PhilharMagic,” “Gran Fiesta Starring the Three Caballeros”), and fine artist (Panama Canal Expansion, Shanghai Disneyland, Disney Cruise Lines”), George Scribner!   Renaissance artist George Scribner lives three distinct lives: traditional animator and former Walt Disney Animation director, responsible for the classic “Oliver & Company,” Walt Disney Imagineering attraction director, whose projects include “Mickey’s PhilharMagic” worldwide, the Magic Lamp Theater at Tokyo Disneyland, and “Gran Fiesta Starring the Three Caballeros” inside Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion, and fine artist extraordinaire, who from 2007 to 2016 documented in breathtaking oil paintings the expansion of the Panama Canal (his place of birth), the construction of Shanghai Disneyland, and now the Disney Cruise Lines. Plan now to join us as George boards our time machine for an unforgettable journey through his fascinating career, including stops for leading the story and concept designs for Disney’s “The Lion King,” and “Fantasia 2000,” and working for legendary animators Chuck Jones and Hanna-Barbera!

PASSENGER 27: Industry icon, Thea Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, Professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of the Arts, tutor of 3rd grade reading at an underserved inner-city school, and the founder and namesake of Cincinnati's JRA, part of RWS Global, Dr. Jack Rouse.   Jack Rouse rides a motorcycle, holds a Ph.D., founded the musical theater program at the University of Cincinnati, ran live entertainment for Kings Island, founded JRA (Jack Rouse Associates), created award winning experiences around the globe, sold JRA, and now teaches at Columbia University in New York. And that’s just the beginning! Set your favorite timepiece now to experience the energy, creativity, and leader amongst leaders that is the co-founder and namesake of one of our industry’s most prolific experiential design firms!

PASSENGER 26: Thirty-three year veteran of Universal Destinations & Experiences who served as creative lead on dozens of groundbreaking parks and attractions, including Universal’s Islands of Adventure, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, and the upcoming Universal’s Epic Universe, Dale Mason.   Dale Mason is often referred to as “the Tony Baxter of Universal.” He is a creative visionary in his own right who has played a significant role in transforming Universal from a regional studio tour to an owner/operator of world-class immersive experiences around the globe featuring attractions that push the boundaries of storytelling and technology. Set your timepieces now to be there as Dale boards the time machine and takes us back to experience first hand how his talents, skills, and intuition resulted in some of the most beloved and successful parks, rides, and shows on the planet today!

Flight 26: How do you time travel to all of the milestone moments in Tony Baxter‘s nearly five-decade career in one hour? You don’t. Join us as we continue our journey with the most famous theme park and attraction designer in the world in a special two-hour adventure full of untold stories and infinite wisdom! Passenger 25: Forty-seven-year Disney Imagineer, Disney Legend, Thea Lifetime Achievement recipient, and Main Street Window honoree responsible for creating some of Disney’s most beloved parks and attractions, Tony Baxter.   For nearly five decades, Tony Baxter has been the most famous theme park designer on earth. Starting as an ice cream scooper at Disneyland when he was 17, Tony moved north to WED Enterprises to join first generation Imagineers for the design of Epcot Center and to share his model for what became Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Over the decades, Tony’s inspired intuition, artistic talents, endless creativity, and unequalled attention to detail allowed him to create more successful Disney attractions than any Imagineer before, including Disneyland Paris, Disneyland’s New Fantasyland, Indiana Jones & the Temple of the Forbidden Eye, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, Star Tours, and Journey into Imagination. Plan now to journey back in time with our longtime colleague, friend, and mentor for what promises to be one of the most viewed Spirit of the Time Zoomcasts ever!