The Tomorrow Society Podcast

157. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum Trip Report

03 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The life of Abraham Lincoln has played a key role in multiple attractions at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. His connection goes back to the...

156. Improving DinoLand, U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Disney’s Animal Kingdom has grown on me since its early days; I’d argue it’s the most beautiful Disney park in the United States. Its theme ...

155. Imagineering Roundtable with Ethan Reed and Joe Lanzisero

13 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What makes a theme park attraction connect with us emotionally? How do characters stand out when we’re zooming by them in a fast-paced dark ride...

154. Imagineer Ray Spencer on Buena Vista Street, Grizzly Peak Airfield, and a New Disney California Adventure

29 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A love for trains played such a key role in Walt Disney’s life and the creation of Disneyland in 1955. It’s no surprise that a similar passion...

153. Taylor Bybee of Coaster Studios on RMC and “This Is How We Roll”

15 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The world of amusement parks has changed dramatically during recent years, especially with roller coasters. We’ve come a long way from the steel...

152. Dave Bossert on Claude Coats: Walt Disney’s Imagineer

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There have plenty of great books written about the history of Disneyland and the artists that made it happen. However, many of those talented figu...

151. Lauren Staniszewski on Visiting Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando in 2021

18 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been an interesting year at the Walt Disney World resort, and the changes just keep on coming. Some relate to the 50th Anniversary celebrat...

150. Larry Nikolai on Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, Tokyo DisneySea, and 28 Years at Imagineering

04 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s still amazing to think about how much Disney expanded its resorts during the early years of Michael Eisner. This growth continued through t...

149. Josh Steadman on Shanghai Disneyland, Evermore Park, and Becoming a Theme Park Designer

20 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Theme parks are more than just passive entertainment; they can inspire us and even change our lives. For a certain type of creative young person, ...

148. Tim Grassey on Disney Genie+, Magic Key, and the Future of Theme Parks

07 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary is less than a month away, but that’s not even the biggest news story from Disney. They’ve made severa...

147. Inside the Walt Disney Archives Exhibition in Memphis

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been challenging to stay connected with the parks during such an extended time away from them. I haven’t visited Walt Disney World (or any...

146. Theme Park Think Tank with Len Testa

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve seen major changes in how theme parks function during the past few years, and it’s not just because of the pandemic. In particular, Disn...

145. Imagineering Roundtable with Chris Runco and Don Carson

26 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Some of my favorite podcasts have been the Imagineering Roundtable shows, which explore a variety of theme park design topics. They’re also so m...

144. Former Disney Imagineer and Game Designer Scott Rogers

12 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When you think about classic theme park attractions, many are passive experiences. Pirates of the Caribbean, Spaceship Earth, and “it’s a smal...

143. Martin Smith on Documenting the Disney Parks at Martin’s Videos

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Back in the Internet’s early days, even a brief attraction clip was incredible. The chance to see the full experience of Horizons, World of Motio...

142. Rick Rothschild on Captain EO and the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter

14 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s world of immersive lands and high-tech thrills, sitting down for a 3D movie could sound quaint. Back in the mid-’80s, creating even...

141. Brian Crosby, Creative Director of Themed Entertainment at Marvel

07 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Marvel has become entrenched in our culture, especially through blockbuster movies. That success might seem obvious now, but it wasn’t a sure th...

140. Imagineer Ethan Reed on Animating Roz, Ursula, the Seven Dwarfs, and Mystic Manor

24 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I’ve really enjoyed talking with former Imagineers that worked on attractions that I enjoyed in the ’80s and ’90s. Their stories have made m...

139. Author Bill Cotter on the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair

10 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been 57 years since the New York World’s Fair opened in 1964, but it still receives a lot of attention today. In particular, Disney’s s...

138. Journalist Ashley Carter on the VelociCoaster, Avengers Campus, and More

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s an exciting time to be a theme park fan. So many new attractions are on the way, including big ones next month. Disneyland has finally reop...

137. Disney Imagineer Chris Runco on Typhoon Lagoon and Grizzly River Run (Part 2)

26 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There’s so much to cover from Disney’s rapid expansion during what Michael Eisner named “The Disney Decade”. Beginning in the late ’80s ...

136. Russell Brower on the Innoventions Loop and Creating Music for Theme Parks

12 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When I think about factors that distinguish the best theme parks from the rest, background music ranks near the top. The best examples create the ...

135. Skipper Ben Rebstock on the Original Disney/MGM Studios

29 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has changed a lot during its 32-year history. It’s basically an entirely different park than it was at the start in ...

134. Disney Imagineer Chris Runco on the Model Shop, Star Tours’ RX-24, and More

15 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

One of my favorite parts of doing this podcast is learning stories about the people that created Disney’s theme parks. Their paths to reach Walt...

133. Improving Tomorrowland at Disneyland

01 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tomorrowland has always been one of my favorite lands in any theme park. We grew up mostly visiting Walt Disney World, and I couldn’t get enough...

132. Valerie Edwards, Director of Sculpture and Chief Sculptor at Walt Disney Imagineering

22 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When we think about our favorite attractions, it’s easy to just consider the concept designers. That’s just the first step to bring those idea...

131. Disney Imagineer Jim Clark on the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast

15 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Much of the world of theme parks has stopped during the past year due to the pandemic. Exciting projects have been delayed or even shelved, and ma...

130. Imagineering Roundtable with Don Carson and Chris Merritt

01 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As a theme park fan, I’ve often made assumptions about what it’s like to work as a Disney Imagineer. The role sounds amazing because it involv...

129. Brian Jay Jones on The Mandalorian: Season Two

25 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When Disney first announced The Mandalorian series for Disney Plus, I wondered if it would capture the magic of Star Wars. Could this smaller front...

128. Disney Composers Draft with Brett Nachman of Notably Disney

18 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brett Nachman of Notably Disney joins The Tomorrow Society Podcast to draft our top composers of music for attractions at Disneyland and Walt Disney W...

127. Disney Imagineer Daniel Joseph on The Hatbox Ghost, Trader Sam’s, and Phantom Manor

11 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

©Disney Few Disney Imagineers take the same road to finding their careers. I’ve learned how many stumbled into their roles and discovered unexpec...

126. Mary Kwiatkowski on Thrills and Charm at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

04 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s easy as theme park fans to just focus on the top players. Consistent news arrives daily from Disney and Universal about their latest update...

125. Lou Mongello on The Disney Interviews: Volume 1

14 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

One of the longest-running Disney podcasts has been WDW Radio, which Lou Mongello started in 2007. He has produced more than 600 episodes about Wa...

124. Filmmaker Jeff Blyth on Wonders of China and The Timekeeper

07 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

One of my favorite parts of visiting Walt Disney World as a kid was experiencing attractions that were unlike anything else out there. You couldn’...

123. Tim Grassey on Creative Ways to Enhance Walt Disney World

30 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Photo by Dan Heaton It’s been a different year for theme parks than anyone could have expected. Disneyland remains closed and will likely not open...

122. Seth Porges, Writer and Co-Director of Class Action Park

16 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I grew up in the ’80s, and it was a different experience compared to what it’s like for kids now. We rode our bikes all over the city, explore...

121. A Listener Q&A Extravaganza

09 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I’ve really enjoyed the chance to interview so many smart and interesting people on The Tomorrow Society Podcast. Whether I’m talking with forme...

120. Rick Harper on Impressions de France and Working with Disney Legends

02 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

One of my favorite conversations on this podcast happened two years ago. My guest was Rick Harper, the director of Impressions de France at EPCOT Cen...

119. Benjamin Lancaster on the Prototype World of Tomorrow

26 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

One of the big unknowns for many Disney fans involves Walt’s original ideas for EPCOT the city. Commonly known as Progress City, this community ...

118. Dan Cockerell, How’s the Culture in Your Kingdom?

12 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The theme park industry is facing serious challenges right now. Disney recently announced layoffs of 28,000 employees, which is a significant perc...

117. Carlye Wisel on Very Amusing and Experiencing Walt Disney World in 2020

05 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

To put it mildly, it’s been a very different kind of year. Cases of COVID-19 remain high as we enter the last quarter of 2020. Even so, Walt Dis...

116. Zofia Kostyrko-Edwards on the Creation of Disney’s Animal Kingdom

21 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Possibly the greatest achievement at Walt Disney World during the Michael Eisner era was Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It’s a beautiful blend of a ...

115. Dave Cobb on Men in Black: Alien Attack and Warner Bros. World

14 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s interesting to note how many theme park designers start with different ideas for their careers. They often work on movies, animation, or th...

114. Imagineering Roundtable with Andy Sinclair-Harris and Don Carson

31 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

There are so many great stories about people working behind the scenes on theme parks. That’s been the focus of many episodes of this podcast. I...

113. Valerie Marino on Walt Disney World During a Pandemic

17 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s definitely a new era for many things in our current world, including theme parks. I did not expect a scenario where I wouldn’t feel comfort...

112. Former Imagineer Rick Rothschild on The American Adventure and Soarin’ Over California

10 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Theme park attractions are usually locked into a particular time. Even the most popular attractions eventually fade. Two exceptions are The Americ...

111. Improving EPCOT (Part 2)

27 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s easy for Disney fans to think of massive changes to our favorite theme parks. For example, replacing entire pavilions at EPCOT could reshape t...

110. Improving EPCOT (Part 1)

20 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Disney fans have strong opinions when it comes to the parks, and EPCOT is a prime example. Many of us connected with the original version in the ’8...

109. David Green on Building a Better Mouse and Engineering for EPCOT Center

13 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

One of my favorite books about Walt Disney World is Building a Better Mouse: The Story of the Electronic Imagineers Who Designed Epcot. David Green...

108. Garner Holt on Creating Animatronics for Fantasmic!, Haunted Mansion Holiday, and Knotts Berry Farm

29 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Garner Holt doesn’t work at Walt Disney Imagineering, but his company has played a key role in creating many of Disney’s most popular attract...

107. Former Imagineer Tom K. Morris on the Early Days of WED Enterprises

22 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

There is so much history to uncover about Disney’s theme parks, especially the more distant past. We’ve heard many of the stories about the work...

106. Todd McCartney on Horizons Revisited and the Retro Disney World Podcast

08 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Many of us visited Walt Disney World as a kid in the ’70s, ’80s, and beyond. My first trip that I remember clearly was in 1984, just two years ...

105. Shannon Albert on WDW Prep School and the Reopening of Walt Disney World

01 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s such a challenging time in every field, and that includes businesses connected to Walt Disney World. The shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemi...

104. Ryan Ritchey on the Future of Immersive Entertainment

25 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We have come full circle this week on The Tomorrow Society Podcast with the return of my first interview guest from Episode 2. Ryan Ritchey appeared...

103. Michael Crawford on Progress City U.S.A., Horizons, and EPCOT the City

18 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When you look beyond official histories of Walt Disney World and the Walt Disney Company in general, so many other interesting stories are out the...

102. Lesley Iwerks, Executive Producer and Director of The Imagineering Story

04 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s difficult to explain the allure of theme parks. Regular guests enjoy them but don’t have the obsessive need for details from behind the sce...

101. Bran Ferren, Former President of R&D at the Walt Disney Company

27 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

One of my favorite aspects of this podcast is learning about how attractions really work. The technical hurdles to make them function properly eve...

100. My Theme Park Story and Listener Questions

20 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been an incredible five years since I started The Tomorrow Society back in June 2015. I started the site as a blog focused largely on EPCOT...

99. Imagineering Roundtable with Don Carson and Joe Lanzisero

06 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When I started The Tomorrow Society Podcast back in 2015, I had few expectations about getting the chance to speak to guests that worked at Walt D...

98. Skipper Ben Rebstock on the Disney/MGM Studios, The Jungle Cruise, and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures

30 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I love hearing stories about what it’s actually like to work at theme parks. We all can assume that each day is glorious, but the reality is a lot...

97. Jessica Liese on the Underrated Charms of Universal Orlando

16 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Back in 2015 when I started The Tomorrow Society, I didn’t expect to start a podcast alongside the blog. I planned to write regularly about Disney ...

96. Media Designer Joe Herrington on How to Create Sound Effects at Walt Disney Imagineering

09 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We sometimes over use the term “magic” when referring to Disney’s theme parks. However, I often get that sense when thinking about sounds t...

95. Joe Lanzisero on Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo’s Splash Mountain, and Disney Cruise Line

24 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s easy to just focus on Disney’s latest offerings at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. That only tells part of the story, especially when yo...

94. Nathalia Holt on The Queens of Animation

10 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

So much has been written about Disney’s animated films and the life of Walt Disney, and it’s easy to think we know the whole story. There are ...

93. Carlye Wisel on Rise of the Resistance and Becoming a Theme Park Journalist

27 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

92. Brian Jay Jones on The Rise of Skywalker and Becoming Dr. Seuss

13 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

91. Imagineer Don Carson on Splash Mountain and Mickey’s Toontown

06 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When I’ve talked to former Disney Imagineers about colleagues they admire, a name that comes up frequently is Don Carson. His expertise in th...

REBROADCAST: 64. Peggie Fariss on 50 Years at Disney and Producing Spaceship Earth

30 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 rol...

90. Dustin Engels, Around the Worlds in 80 Days

16 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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...

89. Andy Sinclair-Harris on Imagineering, Dr. Who: The Experience, and Hong Kong Disneyland

09 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 w...

88. Former Imagineer Mark Rhodes on Maelstrom, Splash Mountain, and 25 Years at Disney

25 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 real...

87. My Latest Disney and Theme Park Reads

18 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 ther...

86. Tim Grassey on Pandora, Galaxy’s Edge, and A Changing Epcot

11 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Photo by Dan Heaton It’s a hectic time for Disney’s theme parks, especially at Walt Disney World. I visited Orlando in early September, and we’...

85. Ted Linhart on Disney Docs.net and Preserving Disney History

28 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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...

84. Glenn Barker on Creating Sound at Walt Disney Imagineering for More Than 45 Years

14 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

83. Sound Designer Greg Meader on the Disney/MGM Studios, On-Board Audio, and the Carousel of Progress

30 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I’ve enjoyed the chance to dig further into how attractions are developed by Walt Disney Imagineering. I learn something new every time I spea...

82. Galaxy’s Edge and 30 Hours at Walt Disney World

16 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

81. Former Imagineer Tom K. Morris on The Haunted Mansion, Journey Into Imagination, and Disneyland Paris

09 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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...

80. My 2019 D23 Expo News Reactions

26 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

There was so much anticipation heading into the D23 Expo on announcements for the parks. During Bob Chapek’s presentation on Sunday, there were bo...

79. Former Disney Imagineer Tim Delaney on The Living Seas and Discoveryland in Paris

19 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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...

78. How Bowers on Retro Magic, EPCOT Center, and the Opening Day of the Disney/MGM Studios

05 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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’l...

77. Silver Dollar City Trip Report

29 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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...

76. Former Imagineer Jim Sarno on Disney’s Model Shop, SMRT-1, and The Land Pavilion Fountain

22 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Photo by Jim Sarno There is so much to appreciate when you think about the original EPCOT Center. For its second Walt Disney World park, Disney took...

75. Former Imagineer Joe Lanzisero on Toontown, DisneySea, and Mystic Manor

08 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 ta...

74. David Snyder on Programming the Computer Systems for Walt Disney World and EPCOT Center

24 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve all heard stories of talented designers at Walt Disney Imagineering that created iconic attractions. Figures like Joe Rohde, Tony Baxter...

73. Disney Legend Tom Nabbe on Opening EPCOT Center, Managing the Monorail, and Being Hired by Walt Disney

10 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We’re approaching the 64th anniversary of Disneyland’s opening, and the number of former cast members remaining from 1955 keeps getting s...

72. Courtney Guth and Emily McDermott, Book of the Mouse Club Podcast

27 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In our tech-driven world, there are so many options to stay connected. Podcasts, YouTube videos, and Instagram stories are just a small part of wha...

71. Former Imagineer Bob Baranick on Disneyland Paris and Indiana Jones

13 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Photo by Bob Baranick It’s easy to look at Walt Disney Imagineering as a small group of brilliant designers that put their amazing dreams into the...

70. Lou Mongello on the Origins of WDW Radio

29 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It’s not that hard to start a podcast, but doing one regularly for 14 years is another matter. When a passion project becomes a business, the p...

69. Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa (Part 2)

15 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When I started outlining my thoughts about Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa for a trip report, I realized there was far too much to contain within a ...

68. Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa (Part 1)

08 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

There was far too much to cover at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa within a single podcast episode. It’s one of those amazing places that seems pre...

67. Greg Meader on Sound Design for Spaceship Earth, Tower of Terror, Splash Mountain, and Phantom Manor

25 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It’s easy to look at theme parks as the product of just a small group of brilliant designers. Creative leaders definitely lead projects at Walt D...

66. Brian Jay Jones, Author of Jim Henson: The Biography and George Lucas: A Life

11 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When I think about monumental pop culture landmarks like Star Wars or The Muppets, it’s easy to feel like they’ve always existed. Both were a p...

65. Len Testa on Galaxy’s Edge, Disney Dining, and the Future of Disney World Transportation

25 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

There is so much happening right now at Walt Disney World and beyond, and we’re on the cusp of massive changes. Theme parks continue to grow and lo...

64. Peggie Fariss on 50 Years at Disney and Producing Spaceship Earth

11 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Photo by Peggie Fariss I’m regularly amazed by the random chance that goes into the careers of even the biggest names in theme parks. Few had gran...

63. Skipper Ben Rebstock on Working at Walt Disney World, Inside the Magic, and the Disney/MGM Studios

28 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I’ve closely studied theme parks by visiting in person, reading books, and talking with experts. That information still pares in comparison to wo...

62. Rand Boyd, Author of Elbow Grease and Pixie Dust

14 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When we visit theme parks, part of the magic is how well everything works. Broken attractions and bad show stand out because they are so rare. Whe...

61. Rick Harper, Director of Impressions de France

17 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We all take the artistry of theme park attractions for granted, especially ones with less obvious work. We marvel at animatronics on Pirates of the...

60. Producer John Walker on Disney’s Tomorrowland, The Incredibles, and The Iron Giant

03 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Disney’s history with theme park movie adaptations is mixed. Pirates of the Caribbean charmed audiences, but The Haunted Mansion and The Countr...

59. Dan Cockerell, Former Vice President of The Magic Kingdom

19 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It’s easy as theme park fans to focus solely on the design process when thinking about the parks. Walt Disney Imagineering excites us because it ...