Imagineers at Disneyland for "Imagineering the Magic" DVD Release

DisneyDaniel · 04-14-2008, 07:29 PM

Here are some photos I took from the "Imagineering the Magic - Disneyland" DVD release and signing at Main Street Cinema inside Disneyland on April 5, 2008 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. The special guests were Walt Disney Imagineers: Tony Baxter, Dave Fisher, Kevin Rafferty and Michael Sprout. The Imagineers were all friendly and seemed just as enthusiastic to meet Guests who took this rare opportunity to talk briefly with the Imagineers.

"Imagineering the Magic - Disneyland" DVD was released on April 5, 2008.

Guests first purchased a copy of "Imagineering the Magic - Disneyland" DVD inside Disneyana for $24.95. Then, they stood in a steadily-moving line, waiting for their turn to have an "Imagineering the Magic" card signed by Disney Imagineers inside Main Street Cinema.

Inside Main Street Cinema, small tables were set up for Disney Imagineers to sign a card specifically created for the release of the "Imagineering the Magic - Disneyland" DVD. Guests went right to left and were spaced apart to give Imagineers and Guests a chance to chat briefly. The event ran smoothly and was well organized by Cast Members. Main Street Cinema provided a great, intimate setting for the signing. The classic Mickey Mouse cartoons were still playing on the screens, but the sound was turned off and the room's lights were brightened.

DisneyDaniel with Tony Baxter - Senior Vice President, Creative at Walt Disney Imagineering.

Tony Baxter - Senior Vice President, Creative at Walt Disney Imagineering.

TONY BAXTER - Senior Vice President, Creative at Walt Disney Imagineering.
As senior vice president for Walt Disney Imagineering and creative executive in charge of Disneyland Park, Tony Baxter is responsible for providing creative ideas and input for all of the Imagineering projects at Disneyland. Recently, he was creative executive on Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, which opened at Disneyland in June 2007.

During Tony’s long and distinguished career at Imagineering, he worked on the creative concepts for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Star Tours, Splash Mountain and Indiana Jones Adventure, just to name a few. Tony began his Disney career in 1965 at Disneyland while completing his education at California State University, Long Beach, graduating in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in theater design. He was hired by Imagineering in 1970 as a dimensional designer, where he was sent to Florida to work on the Walt Disney World Resort, which opened in 1971.

Tony has won numerous awards including the "Over the Years Award" by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), and most recently the "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA).

David Fisher - Senior Show Writer at Walt Disney Imagineering.

DAVID FISHER - Senior Show Writer at Walt Disney Imagineering.
As a senior show writer, David Fisher works on concepts, scripts and anything else to do with words for attractions, shops and restaurants at the Disney theme parks. His current projects include it’s a small world at Hong Kong Disneyland and the expansion of Disney’s California Adventure. In the 30 years since he started his career at Disneyland as in the Custodial Department, David has worked his way through the Disney organization.

He’s taught Japanese cast members at Tokyo Disneyland how to sweep, wrote brochures, videos and other marketing materials for the Magic Kingdom Club and Disneyland Marketing and, in 1987, landed at Walt Disney Imagineering as a show writer, where he has worked ever since. David’s many projects at Walt Disney Imagineering have included Star Tours, MicroAdventure! ("Honey, I Shrunk the Audience") and Pooh’s Hunny Hunt at Tokyo Disneyland, Circle of Life and Innoventions at Epcot, Pleasure Island at Walt Disney World and much of Hong Kong Disneyland.

He has also been a frequent contributor to Disney Magazine and wrote the commemorative book for the three-CD release from Walt Disney Records, The Music of Disney, A Legacy in Song, as well as the introduction to The Illustrated Treasury of Disney Songs. He also wrote the story treatment for Flik’s Musical Adventure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a sing-along song video for Walt Disney Home Entertainment. David is a graduate of the University of Southern California with degrees in English and journalism.

Kevin Rafferty - Senior Concept Writer, Director at Walt Disney Imagineering.

KEVIN RAFFERTY - Senior Concept Writer, Director at Walt Disney Imagineering.
As a member of Imagineering’s think tank known as the "Blue Sky" group, Kevin Rafferty is currently working as Senior Concept Writer on several exciting new attractions for Disney theme parks around the world including Toy Story Mania! scheduled to open at Disney’s California Adventure and Disney Hollywood Studios in Summer 2008, and Cars Land, a new 12-acre land scheduled to open at Disney’s California Adventure in 2012. Kevin’s most recent projects include The Seas with Nemo and Friends at Epcot and Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage at Disneyland Park.

Kevin began his Disney career in 1974 as a dishwasher at the Plaza Inn restaurant at Disneyland. He became an Imagineer in 1978 where he contributed to the development of Epcot. After helping to develop Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, he was show writer for the original Comedy Warehouse live stage show at Pleasure Island at Walt Disney World. For Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park in Florida, Kevin worked with Jim Henson on the story development for MuppetVision 3D and created the story and name for the original The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Along with being a key member of the concept-development teams for each of the following, Kevin was also the show writer for: Test Track and Journey into Imagination with Figment at Epcot, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the new Autopia at Disneyland Park, It’s Tough to be a Bug! at Disney's
Animal Kingdom and Disney’s California Adventure, Flik’s Fun Fair and Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! at Disney’s California Adventure, The Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management, the updated Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Mickey’s PhilharMagic and Stitch’s Great Escape! at Magic Kingdom and Jungle River Cruise at Hong Kong Disneyland. Kevin earned his B.A. degree in Art from California State University, Fullerton.

Michael Sprout - Senior Concept Writer at Walt Disney Imagineering

MICHAEL SPROUT - Senior Concept Writer at Walt Disney Imagineering
A 27-year veteran of Walt Disney Imagineering, Senior Concept Writer, Michael Sprout has contributed to the development and production of numerous Disney Theme Park attractions worldwide. His recent projects include the enhancements to Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland and Walt Disney World and Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island for Disneyland, Crush’s Coaster, Cars Quatre Roues Rallye and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror for Walt Disney Studios Park, Paris.

Michael joined Walt Disney Imagineering in 1981 as a show programmer working on Audio-Animatronics figures for Tokyo Disneyland and Epcot. He made the transition to Show Design in 1983 as a writer and programmer for the Country Bear Christmas Special for both Disneyland and the Walt Disney World Resort, Magic Kingdom. Since that time, he has been involved in the concept, development, script writing and installation of many major attractions, including extensive involvement with attractions for Walt Disney Studio Park (Toon Studio, Crush’s Coaster, Cars Quatre Roues Rallye), Disney’s Hollywood Studios (SuperStar Television; The Great Movie Ride; The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror) Tokyo DisneySea (StormRider, The Magic Lamp Theater, Tower of Terror), and Disney's California Adventure Park (Mission Tortilla, Boudin Bakery, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror).

Michael received his B.A. in English from Michigan State University and studied film at Ohio University. Before becoming an Imagineer, Sprout worked as a film editor, soundman, animator and puppeteer.

PRODUCT INFORMATION:
"Imagineering the Magic - Disneyland"
Join today's Walt Disney Imagineers as they take you behind the scenes of the "Happiest Place on Earth." Learn how your favorite attractions from opening day in 1955 to the newest attractions, including Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage – went from dreams, to sketches, to reality. This 90 minute tribute includes:

Disc 1:
Disneyland Resort - Imagineering The Magic!
Main Street, U.S.A. Area
The Plaza
Adventureland Area
Critter Country
Frontierland
New Orleans Square
Tomorrowland® Area
Mickey's Toontown
Fantasyland Area

Disc 2:
Disney's California Adventure park
What is Imagineering?
Mickey's Trivia Tour
Imagineering New Attractions
Imagineers on Imagineering

cirquelover · 04-17-2008, 08:55 AM

It looks like you had a great time, I'm actually a little jealous!

Morrigoon · 04-17-2008, 09:47 AM

Only 90 minutes? Sounds like the DVD can't cover much more than a Travel Channel special.

Thanks for the photos and bios though!!!

Melonballer · 04-17-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

Only 90 minutes? Sounds like the DVD can't cover much more than a Travel Channel special.

Thanks for the photos and bios though!!!

I was reading some reviews on another site and they were not good. Apparantly the DVD was meant for the casual fan and not the uber-disney geeks that many of us are.

Bornieo: Fully Loaded · 09-01-2008, 04:51 PM

I just got this - I was curious. It's pretty much a tourist marketing tool and I find myself a bit insulted while watching it. It's extremely preachy, especially in the DCA section and it leaves me with the feeling of manipulation. That aside, it's still nice to see footage of the park both now and in the past and some construction stuff. But, it's realy aimed at the tourists.

04-14-2008, 07:29 PM	#1
DisneyDaniel California Adventurer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 537	Imagineers at Disneyland for "Imagineering the Magic" DVD Release Here are some photos I took from the "Imagineering the Magic - Disneyland" DVD release and signing at Main Street Cinema inside Disneyland on April 5, 2008 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. The special guests were Walt Disney Imagineers: Tony Baxter, Dave Fisher, Kevin Rafferty and Michael Sprout. The Imagineers were all friendly and seemed just as enthusiastic to meet Guests who took this rare opportunity to talk briefly with the Imagineers. "Imagineering the Magic - Disneyland" DVD was released on April 5, 2008. Guests first purchased a copy of "Imagineering the Magic - Disneyland" DVD inside Disneyana for $24.95. Then, they stood in a steadily-moving line, waiting for their turn to have an "Imagineering the Magic" card signed by Disney Imagineers inside Main Street Cinema. Inside Main Street Cinema, small tables were set up for Disney Imagineers to sign a card specifically created for the release of the "Imagineering the Magic - Disneyland" DVD. Guests went right to left and were spaced apart to give Imagineers and Guests a chance to chat briefly. The event ran smoothly and was well organized by Cast Members. Main Street Cinema provided a great, intimate setting for the signing. The classic Mickey Mouse cartoons were still playing on the screens, but the sound was turned off and the room's lights were brightened. DisneyDaniel with Tony Baxter - Senior Vice President, Creative at Walt Disney Imagineering. Tony Baxter - Senior Vice President, Creative at Walt Disney Imagineering. TONY BAXTER - Senior Vice President, Creative at Walt Disney Imagineering. As senior vice president for Walt Disney Imagineering and creative executive in charge of Disneyland Park, Tony Baxter is responsible for providing creative ideas and input for all of the Imagineering projects at Disneyland. Recently, he was creative executive on Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, which opened at Disneyland in June 2007. During Tony’s long and distinguished career at Imagineering, he worked on the creative concepts for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Star Tours, Splash Mountain and Indiana Jones Adventure, just to name a few. Tony began his Disney career in 1965 at Disneyland while completing his education at California State University, Long Beach, graduating in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in theater design. He was hired by Imagineering in 1970 as a dimensional designer, where he was sent to Florida to work on the Walt Disney World Resort, which opened in 1971. Tony has won numerous awards including the "Over the Years Award" by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), and most recently the "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). David Fisher - Senior Show Writer at Walt Disney Imagineering. DAVID FISHER - Senior Show Writer at Walt Disney Imagineering. As a senior show writer, David Fisher works on concepts, scripts and anything else to do with words for attractions, shops and restaurants at the Disney theme parks. His current projects include it’s a small world at Hong Kong Disneyland and the expansion of Disney’s California Adventure. In the 30 years since he started his career at Disneyland as in the Custodial Department, David has worked his way through the Disney organization. He’s taught Japanese cast members at Tokyo Disneyland how to sweep, wrote brochures, videos and other marketing materials for the Magic Kingdom Club and Disneyland Marketing and, in 1987, landed at Walt Disney Imagineering as a show writer, where he has worked ever since. David’s many projects at Walt Disney Imagineering have included Star Tours, MicroAdventure! ("Honey, I Shrunk the Audience") and Pooh’s Hunny Hunt at Tokyo Disneyland, Circle of Life and Innoventions at Epcot, Pleasure Island at Walt Disney World and much of Hong Kong Disneyland. He has also been a frequent contributor to Disney Magazine and wrote the commemorative book for the three-CD release from Walt Disney Records, The Music of Disney, A Legacy in Song, as well as the introduction to The Illustrated Treasury of Disney Songs. He also wrote the story treatment for Flik’s Musical Adventure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a sing-along song video for Walt Disney Home Entertainment. David is a graduate of the University of Southern California with degrees in English and journalism. Kevin Rafferty - Senior Concept Writer, Director at Walt Disney Imagineering. KEVIN RAFFERTY - Senior Concept Writer, Director at Walt Disney Imagineering. As a member of Imagineering’s think tank known as the "Blue Sky" group, Kevin Rafferty is currently working as Senior Concept Writer on several exciting new attractions for Disney theme parks around the world including Toy Story Mania! scheduled to open at Disney’s California Adventure and Disney Hollywood Studios in Summer 2008, and Cars Land, a new 12-acre land scheduled to open at Disney’s California Adventure in 2012. Kevin’s most recent projects include The Seas with Nemo and Friends at Epcot and Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage at Disneyland Park. Kevin began his Disney career in 1974 as a dishwasher at the Plaza Inn restaurant at Disneyland. He became an Imagineer in 1978 where he contributed to the development of Epcot. After helping to develop Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, he was show writer for the original Comedy Warehouse live stage show at Pleasure Island at Walt Disney World. For Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park in Florida, Kevin worked with Jim Henson on the story development for MuppetVision 3D and created the story and name for the original The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Along with being a key member of the concept-development teams for each of the following, Kevin was also the show writer for: Test Track and Journey into Imagination with Figment at Epcot, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the new Autopia at Disneyland Park, It’s Tough to be a Bug! at Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney’s California Adventure, Flik’s Fun Fair and Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! at Disney’s California Adventure, The Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management, the updated Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Mickey’s PhilharMagic and Stitch’s Great Escape! at Magic Kingdom and Jungle River Cruise at Hong Kong Disneyland. Kevin earned his B.A. degree in Art from California State University, Fullerton. Michael Sprout - Senior Concept Writer at Walt Disney Imagineering MICHAEL SPROUT - Senior Concept Writer at Walt Disney Imagineering A 27-year veteran of Walt Disney Imagineering, Senior Concept Writer, Michael Sprout has contributed to the development and production of numerous Disney Theme Park attractions worldwide. His recent projects include the enhancements to Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland and Walt Disney World and Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island for Disneyland, Crush’s Coaster, Cars Quatre Roues Rallye and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror for Walt Disney Studios Park, Paris. Michael joined Walt Disney Imagineering in 1981 as a show programmer working on Audio-Animatronics figures for Tokyo Disneyland and Epcot. He made the transition to Show Design in 1983 as a writer and programmer for the Country Bear Christmas Special for both Disneyland and the Walt Disney World Resort, Magic Kingdom. Since that time, he has been involved in the concept, development, script writing and installation of many major attractions, including extensive involvement with attractions for Walt Disney Studio Park (Toon Studio, Crush’s Coaster, Cars Quatre Roues Rallye), Disney’s Hollywood Studios (SuperStar Television; The Great Movie Ride; The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror) Tokyo DisneySea (StormRider, The Magic Lamp Theater, Tower of Terror), and Disney's California Adventure Park (Mission Tortilla, Boudin Bakery, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror). Michael received his B.A. in English from Michigan State University and studied film at Ohio University. Before becoming an Imagineer, Sprout worked as a film editor, soundman, animator and puppeteer. PRODUCT INFORMATION: "Imagineering the Magic - Disneyland" Join today's Walt Disney Imagineers as they take you behind the scenes of the "Happiest Place on Earth." Learn how your favorite attractions from opening day in 1955 to the newest attractions, including Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage – went from dreams, to sketches, to reality. This 90 minute tribute includes: Disc 1: Disneyland Resort - Imagineering The Magic! Main Street, U.S.A. Area The Plaza Adventureland Area Critter Country Frontierland New Orleans Square Tomorrowland® Area Mickey's Toontown Fantasyland Area Disc 2: Disney's California Adventure park What is Imagineering? Mickey's Trivia Tour Imagineering New Attractions Imagineers on Imagineering __________________ Yes, I do LOVE Disney California Adventure. Disneyland is not so bad either ;-)
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04-17-2008, 08:55 AM	#2
cirquelover Cruising around in my automobile... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,617	It looks like you had a great time, I'm actually a little jealous!
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04-17-2008, 09:47 AM	#3
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	Only 90 minutes? Sounds like the DVD can't cover much more than a Travel Channel special. Thanks for the photos and bios though!!! __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
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09-01-2008, 04:51 PM	#5
Bornieo: Fully Loaded Lego Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Disneyland, USA Posts: 3,704	I just got this - I was curious. It's pretty much a tourist marketing tool and I find myself a bit insulted while watching it. It's extremely preachy, especially in the DCA section and it leaves me with the feeling of manipulation. That aside, it's still nice to see footage of the park both now and in the past and some construction stuff. But, it's realy aimed at the tourists.
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