At the 2025 Themed Entertainment Awards Gala, the THEA’s, the Buzz Price Life Achievement Award Recognizing a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements was awarded to Rick Rothschild.

Our host Jessica Gardner was granted an impromptu sit-down with this legend who helped create memorable theme park attractions like Soarin’, The American Adventure, The Adventurers Club, Captain EO, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, and ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter. Hear about Rothschild’s storied career as a Walt Disney Imagineer and beyond.

2:30 - Meet Rick Rothschild and learn how he got his first job at Disney.

20:25 - Captain EO

26:57 - ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter

37:17 - Soarin’ and the FLY theatres

46:01 - Advice for working in the Themed Entertainment Industry

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Podcast Episode Team

Host: Jessica Gardner

Producers: Derek Perry and Doug Perry

Editors: Bob Randolph

Correspondent: Gerik Gooch

Production Manager: Corey Wooten