The American Adventure

Disney

One of the most amazing animatronic shows at Disney World is "The American Adventure" in EPCOT. It tells the story of America with multiple scenes and figures from history. This video gives a behind-the-scenes look at the Imagineering that goes into such an incredible show.

There's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow Coming To The Carousel Of Progress

All images: Disney

The Carousel of Progress is one of the classic shows at Disney World. The attraction made its debut at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. It was a passion project of Walt Disney's that included a rotating theater and a song written by the Sherman brothers. The show included four scenes: the early 1900s, the 1920s, 1940s, and a futuristic finale. 

It arrived in the Magic Kingdom in 1975, where it included a different song, "The Best Time Of Your Life". Over the years, the scenes have been updated and altered, especially the final scene which is a vision of the future. The last major update was in 1994, when the original song was restored, so Imagineers have decided it's time for a major refresh. But don't worry: John, Sarah, and the rest of the family won't be going anywhere, just experiencing a new timeline.

The show will close on July 6th and reopen sometime in 2027. An entirely new opening scene will be added, based on the 1964 TV special "Disneyland Goes to the World's Fair". It will include an Audio-Animatronic of Walt Disney himself. Imagineers have been recreating the room, filling it with props like a prototype Tiki Room bird and a doll from it's a small world.

Imagineers also plan to change the other scenes to reflect newer decades that guests may remember. 

• Act 1 1969 - The family is gathered around the TV to watch the moon landing.
• Act 2 1985 - It's Halloween and Sarah gets the chance to show off the new gadgets that make life easier while John hands out candy. Uncle Orville is still in the bathroom with "no privacy around here!"
• Act 3 1999 - The family is preparing for the new millennium on New Year's Eve and exploring that exciting new thing called the internet. Grandpa is already asleep and Grandma is watching wrestling. 
• Act 4 The Future - As always, this scene explores what the future may look like, with a robotic assistant and inspiration from the original sketches for the show.

It's going to be a long wait to experience this new version of the Carousel of Progress, but it sounds quite exciting. What new scene are you looking forward to most?

The Easter Eggs Of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

Disney

The newly reimagined Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets is ready to rock. The queue, and ride, are filled with Easter Eggs from past Muppet movies, TV shows, and of course, Muppet Vision 3D. Join the Imagineers for a sneak peek of these Muppety touches while we wait for the ride to open next week.

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets blasts off on May 26th.

It's The Wildest Ride In The Wilderness

Disney

Join Imagineers for a trip through the newly refreshed Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Imagineers added new lighting and audio, refurbished over 20 figures in the town of Tumbleweed, and added new track and passenger trains for a smoother ride. Are you ready for the "Wildest Ride in the Wilderness"?

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is now open in the Magic Kingdom at Disney World.

We Call It Imagineering Episode 7

Disney

The We Call It Imagineering series is an amazing glimpse behind the magic with Disney Imagineers. The latest episode focuses on the various robotic creations Imagineers have developed for the Parks. Each one is incredible, but that giggly walking Olaf is absolutely amazing!

All 7 episodes of We Call It Imagineering are available on YouTube.

Secrets of the Haunted Mansion

Disney

The Haunted Mansion in the Magic Kingdom is filled with all sorts of wonderful details and effects. In this behind-the-scenes video, Imagineers explain a few of their favorite ghoulish delights.

Welcome, Foolish Mortals

Disney

The Haunted Mansion is one of the most iconic Disney rides. There are five ghostly haunts around the world: Haunted Mansion in Disneyland, Disney World, and Tokyo Disneyland, Phantom Manor in Disneyland Paris, and Mystic Manor in Hong Kong Disneyland. Each mansion is unique, with the Phantom Manor being the spookiest in my opinion. The latest episode of We Call It Imagineering goes behind the scenes of these spectral abodes that have kept us fascinated for over 50 years.

"We have 999 happy haunts here,

but there's room for a thousand. 

Any volunteers?"

We Call It Imagineering - Let's Ride

Disney

The We Call It Imagineering series on YouTube is so fascinating. The latest behind-the-scenes video is about how imagineers create the ride vehicles that make each ride experience spectacular. From the vehicles of Main Street and Autopia to Stark's Flight Lab and the Monsters, Inc door coaster, it's amazing how much thought and design goes into every ride. This episode also includes an interview with Disney Legend and original Imagineer, Bob Gurr.

Space Mountain Turns 50

All images: Disney

Can you believe Space Mountain turns 50 today? In the 1960s, Walt Disney wanted to build a roller coaster that simulated a ride through space in Disneyland. Unfortunately, the computer technology wasn't quite there yet, but when the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, there was more than enough space for a new ride called Space Voyage. Imagineers were inspired by the Matterhorn ride to create a fully enclosed, fully immersive, galactic-themed roller coaster renamed Space Mountain.

Riding Space Mountain became a rite of passage for young Disney fans. With a height requirement of 44", it was something to strive for on a trip to Disney World. It was definitely a ride the kiddo looked forward to experiencing. 

Space Mountain has popped up (with a few variations) at Disney Parks around the world since it first opened in the Magic Kingdom in 1975. It opened in Disneyland in 1977 and is now home of the Season of the Force, a Star Wars overlay, from March to May. Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland are both home to Hyperspace Mountain, and Star Wars-themed adventure through the galaxy that is actually quite fun. And a new version of Space Mountain is scheduled to open at Tokyo Disneyland in 2027.

While the classic ride with its particular soundtrack will always be fun, at Disney World there are a few seasonal variations that are only available during parties. At Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, it becomes Deep Space Mountain, and you ride in complete darkness to a Halloween soundtrack. It is unexpectedly exciting because you can't see where the track is going next! At Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, it becomes Space Mountain Holiday Run, with a soundtrack of Christmas music and Christmas colored lights as well. I've also ridden once with all the lights on, and I'm honestly not sure which is more thrilling, all the lights on or all the lights off. Whichever version you ride, Space Mountain is a real blast!

We Call It Imagineering - Soundscapes

Disney

The second episode of We Call It Imagineering has arrived on YouTube and it is just as amazing as the first. This episode takes a listen to the magic of music in creating scenes and moods within the Parks, rides, and shows. The episode features the new soundtracks for three attractions: the Country Bears, the Dreams That Soar drone show at Disney Springs, and Tiana's Bayou Adventure. And, of course, they share some footage of classic rides like the Haunted Mansion, as well as highlighting the contributions of the Sherman Brothers. This series is fantastic and I'm looking forward to seeing the next episode.

We Call It Imagineering - Episode 1

Disney

Disney has created a new behind-the-scenes series that was inspired by the TV specials Walt Disney made to introduce Disneyland. This new series, which is available exclusively on YouTube, gives fans a chance to see the imagineering that goes into creating the magic at Disney Parks and the Disney Cruise Line. The first episode is called "Audio-Animatronics" and provides a sneak peek at the characters that will soon be a part of Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

This series is fascinating. Walt Disney once said, "There’s really no secret about our approach. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious. And curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." That doesn't make it any less amazing. Keep an eye out for new episodes coming to Walt Disney Imagineering's YouTube channel soon.

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway Queue Walkthrough

Disney

I love how creative the Disney Imagineers are when it comes to designing ride queues. The queue for Disneyland's latest ride, Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway, is a real delight. As you enter the El Capitoon Theatre, you discover that it is filled with an amazing assortment of all things Mickey. There are scenes and costumes from so many of my favorite Mickey Mouse movies and shorts. My favorite prop may be the "Lonesome Ghosts" dresser. I love how the ghost appears in the mirror and blows the propeller on the plane above him with his fireplace bellows.

Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway is now open in Disneyland.

The World Famous Jungle Cruise Reimagined

Disney

In both Disneyland and Disney World, the Jungle Cruise is a classic attraction that I just can't resist. It's filled with terrible jokes and rather corny animatronics, but it always makes me laugh. Recently, Disney Imagineers have reimagined this ride to create a new backstory involving their beloved Skippers. It looks like a fun new addition to an old favorite.

Coco Comes To Mickey's PhilharMagic

All images: Disney

Mickey's PhilharMagic is one of my favorite shows in the Magic Kingdom. Guests head into the theater, don their "opera glasses" and travel alongside Donald Duck on a musical trip through favorite Disney animated movies. The story is a lot of fun and it's a perfect spot to beat the summer heat or sudden downpours of hurricane season.

While the show is already great, Disney Imagineers have decided to "plus it" with a new scene from Pixar's Coco. The "Un Poco Loco" scene will be added to the show in Disney's California Adventure and Disneyland Paris on July 17. It will appear in the Magic Kingdom later in the year as part of the 50th anniversary celebration. I can't wait to see how this new scene fits in. I'm sure it will be hilarious!

Disneyland's King Arthur Carrousel Is Beautiful

No matter how old I am, I'll always love going for a ride on a carousel. On of my earliest Disney memories is of riding the King Arthur Carousel in Disneyland. Recently, Disney ImagineersImagineers took time during the parks closure to repaint and gild each of the 68 unique horses on this beloved attraction. The result is something beautiful. 

Disneyland is scheduled to reopen, to California residents only, on April 30.

Changes Are Coming To The Jungle Cruise

Disney

The Jungle Cruise is the latest Disney ride to receive a bit of "plus-ing." It sounds like the Imagineers had a lot of fun keeping the silliness of the original ride intact while adding a little more skipper inspired story. I can't wait to see the end result.

I hope all the new jokes are just as bad as the old ones! The new Jungle Cruise is coming to Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom at Disney World later this year.

Learn to Draw The Haunted Mansion

Disney

Ready for another spookily delightful "Learn to Draw" from the Disney Parks? This time, Imagineer Stephanie Jazmines will teach us how to draw our own version of the Haunted Mansion. 

There are 999 happy haunts here, but there's room for 1000. Any volunteers?

The Happily Ever After Fireworks At Disney World Are Truly Magical

Disney

One of the things I miss most between visits to Disney World are the nightly fireworks shows. There's something truly magical about the way the Imagineers have put it all together: the projected scenes that flow across the castle, the rousing music, and the fireworks that flash across the sky. One of my favorite shows is "Happily Ever After" in the Magic Kingdom. Disney recently released a wonderful video of the show so that it can be enjoyed from home. I hope it brings a little Disney magic to your day. (This video has since been removed.)

There's A Merry Menagerie At Animal Kingdom

Disney

Disney Imagineers have created fantastic new puppets as part of the winter celebrations at Animal KingdomAnimal Kingdom. The winter animal puppets form their Merry Menagerie and can be found on Discovery Island.

Disney

The life-sized reindeer, foxes, polar bears, penguins, and more are handmade using natural materials and fabrics. They arrive, accompanied by musicians, to interact with guests in an all-new way.

These creatures look incredible and I can't wait to see them.

Secrets Behind the Tombstones of the Haunted Mansion

Disney

Did you know that many of the names on the tombstones outside the Haunted Mansion are references to legendary Disney Imagineers? "Master Gracey", "Grandpa Marc", and "Haunting Harriet" are just a few of the designers of this spooktacular ride.