In the vast world of entertainment, few names are as synonymous with imagination, creativity, and innovation as Disney. The magic of Disney is not just a result of its captivating stories or beloved characters but also of the intricate and immersive worlds in which these tales unfold. Behind the scenes, there exists a group of highly skilled and passionate individuals responsible for crafting these worlds, blending art with technology, and turning fantasy into reality. They are the Imagineers, a unique collective of dreamers and doers who have shaped the Disney experience for decades.
Who Are the Imagineers?
The term "Imagineer" is a fusion of two words: imagination and engineering. This blend perfectly encapsulates the essence of what these individuals do. Imagineers are the creative force behind Disney's theme parks, attractions, resorts, and more. They are the masterminds who take an idea—often just a glimmer of inspiration—and transform it into a tangible experience that can be seen, touched, and felt by millions of visitors each year.
As Walt was planning the creation of Disneyland, he envisioned a putting together a team that could combine creative storytelling with cutting-edge technology to create a new kind of entertainment experience—one that was fully immersive and could transport guests to other worlds. This vision led to the formation of WED Enterprises (named after Walt's initials), the precursor to what we now know as Walt Disney Imagineering. Although the term “Imagineering” was first introduced in the 1940s by Alcoa aluminum company, it began to be used by members of WED Enterprises and Disney himself during the early days of the company to describe the work of this gifted team and would become forever linked to them.
Today, Imagineers come from a wide array of backgrounds, including architecture, art, engineering, design, writing, and more. In all, there are over a hundred disciplines that work together to bring extraordinary ideas to life. This diversity is the key to their success, as it allows for a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving and creativity. Whether they are designing a ride system, creating a character animatronic, developing a narrative, or perfecting the smallest details of a themed environment, each Imagineer brings a unique skill set and perspective to the table.
What Do Imagineers Do?
The work of an Imagineer is as varied as it is fascinating. Their responsibilities can be broken down into several key areas, each critical to the creation of Disney's magic.
1. Concept Development: This is where the magic begins. Imagineers start with an idea—sometimes as simple as a sketch or a single sentence—and build upon it. They brainstorm, collaborate, and refine their concepts, considering the story they want to tell, the experience they want to create, and how they can push the boundaries of what's possible. This phase often involves extensive research, creative exploration, and iterative design.
2. Design and Planning: Once a concept is solidified, Imagineers move on to the design phase. Here, they develop detailed plans and blueprints for the project. This involves architectural design, landscape planning, engineering, and more. Imagineers must consider both the creative and practical aspects of their designs, ensuring that every element works together to create a cohesive and immersive experience. They also think about how guests will interact with the environment, considering factors like flow, sightlines, and accessibility.
3. Engineering and Technology: Imagineering is as much about innovation as it is about creativity. Many of Disney's most iconic attractions would not be possible without cutting-edge technology. Imagineers are responsible for developing and implementing the systems that bring their designs to life, whether it's a state-of-the-art ride system, advanced animatronics, or new forms of media and interactive experiences. They often work closely with external partners and suppliers to develop custom solutions that meet the unique needs of each project.
4. Construction and Production: Once the designs are finalized, it's time to build. Imagineers oversee the construction and production process, ensuring that everything is executed to the highest standards. This can involve working with contractors, artisans, and other specialists to bring the project to life. Imagineers are known for their attention to detail, ensuring that every element—no matter how small—contributes to the overall experience.
5. Storytelling and Theming: At the heart of every Imagineering project is a story. Imagineers are master storytellers, weaving narratives into every aspect of their work. They use visual cues, sound, lighting, and other sensory elements to create environments that not only look amazing but also convey a deeper meaning or emotion. This attention to storytelling is what sets Disney apart from other theme parks and attractions.
6. Innovation and Problem-Solving: One of the hallmarks of Imagineering is its commitment to innovation. Imagineers are constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible, whether it's developing new technologies, creating new forms of entertainment, or reimagining classic experiences. They are also expert problem-solvers, often finding creative solutions to challenges that arise during the design and construction process.
The Legacy of Imagineering
Over the years, the work of Disney’s Imagineers has left an indelible mark on popular culture. They have created some of the most iconic and beloved attractions in the world, from the original Disneyland in California to the sprawling Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and beyond to the parks in Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Each of these destinations is a testament to the power of imagination and the skill of the Imagineers who brought them to life.
Yet Imagineering is not just about creating theme parks; it's about crafting experiences that resonate with people on a deep, emotional level. Whether it's the thrill of a roller coaster, the excitement of a dark ride, or the simple joy of walking down Main Street, U.S.A., every element of a Disney park is designed to evoke a sense of wonder and delight. This is the true magic of Imagineering—the ability to take dreams and make them real, in ways that touch the hearts and minds of people all around the world.
And that is exactly what great teachers do as well. Every day, in schools and classrooms around the world, educators are touching the hearts and minds of students and empowering them with the knowledge and skills required to take their dreams and make them a reality. At first glance, the roles of the Imagineers and classroom teachers may seem worlds apart—one group crafting magical experiences in theme parks, the other shaping young minds in schools. However, a closer look reveals a striking parallel between the two professions. You’re closer to being an Imagineer than you may think! At Imagineering Education, we explore those parallels in depth and discover how many of the best practices of Imagineering can be used to enhance and improve our classrooms and our schools as we discover the shared artistry and dedication that defines both fields.
Liking the Guest
Before we move on, let’s look for a moment at the core purpose behind Imagineering, its driving force and fundamental reason to exist. According to legendary Imagineer John Hench, the core purpose all comes down to serving the guests. In his book Designing Disney: Imagineering and the Art of the Show, Hench explains, “Liking the guest is the key to everything we do.” It's the heart of Imagineering. He goes on to explain that Walt Disney had a genuine concern for his guests, always prioritizing their experience, taking their interests to heart, even when others might have dismissed it as unimportant.
Walt himself often disguised his appearance, tousling his hair and donning sunglasses, to walk through Disneyland unnoticed. He quietly mingled with guests, stood in line with them, and listened to their conversations, gathering invaluable insights that he would later share with his team of Imagineers in order to improve the products they were providing. To truly understand the guests, Imagineers must step into their shoes and see the world from their perspective. That’s exactly what Walt was doing—walking through the park and experiencing it as a guest.
To Imagineers, it’s not just the rides that are important. The design considerations for the parks have to go beyond the attractions themselves to the service and operations staff, transportation, restaurants, restrooms, even the trash cans. All need to be thoughtfully designed to create an incredibly rich experience. Imagineers understand that, even with their wealth of knowledge and vast experience, the guests themselves can teach them so much more than they would know on their own. So, at the heart of it all, Imagineering is really about serving their guests with excellence.
Think about that for a moment. How might we as educators demonstrate this same concept of "liking the guest" when it comes to our students? How much time do we spend seeking to fully understand them, to understand their backgrounds and their point of view, in order to better meet their needs? What actions can be taken to begin or strengthen this process?
When I was a classroom teacher, I always sought to get to know my students as much as possible. Of course, it’s incumbent upon us to identify our students’ academic strengths and weaknesses, but I’m talking about getting to know who they are beyond simply being a student. The more you can know about a child’s background, the better prepared you are to help meet their needs. That said, I would ask questions about their family, their pets, their friends, their dreams for the future, as well their interests outside of school. I always looked for ways to connect. If I saw a student who was drawing, I’d encourage them to use that talent and even ask them to illustrate or create something for me that was related to what we were learning in class and then use it in my lessons if I could.
And if I had students that were athletes at our school, I would frequently go to their games and let them know, "Hey, you may not have seen me, but I was at the game last Friday, and you did a great job. Tough game, though. I can tell you guys played your hearts out, and I was impressed with that catch you made!" I never had a student not light up, if even just a little, when they realized that I genuinely cared about them and their success enough to encourage them in areas of life that they cared about beyond the classroom walls. Over more than 30 years in education, I’ve discovered that the old saying is true: “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Demonstrating interest in students as the unique individuals that they are goes a long way toward building a relationship of trust. You’ll find that, once that trust is built, they will begin to open up more, listen more, and apply themselves more in your class. No significant learning can occur without the establishment of a significant relationship.
In Imagineering terms, this is a powerful example of “liking the guest”—serving them in such a way that they feel safe, seen, heard, and appreciated. Whether they’re guests at a theme park or customers of any business, the more appreciated people feel, the more exceptional the service they receive, the more loyal and dedicated they will become to that organization. The same applies to any student in any school. Regardless of who they are, if we treat others as we would like to be treated, if we serve others as we would like to be served, then we move beyond simply “liking the guest” and move closer to demonstrating care and compassion. And what student wouldn’t want that?
A Team Approach to Excellence
As we’ve noted, Disney parks are famous for the excellent level of service to their guests. The expectation is that every cast member (employee), from transportation drivers to restaurant workers to the attraction attendants that run the rides, all are working together to provide an unforgettable experience.
In schools, this would mean that teachers are not the only ones who play an important role in in supporting students, but also administrators, custodians, cafeteria workers, guidance counselors—anyone who's engaging with students at all and in a positive and supportive way can really have a lasting impact on a student's life. Therefore, we need to thoughtfully consider all of those interactions amongst the entire staff.
With this in mind, on a scale of 1-10, where would you currently rate your school in the practice of having every staff member intentionally focused on providing support to all students, from the cafeteria manager to each custodian, the guidance counselors, the principal, and yourself? How would you rank your staff as being “all in” on providing the most excellent quality of service for your students? Now, consider what steps can be taken to increase this score.
An important part of the guest experience at every Disney Park is cleanliness, attractiveness, and functionality of all areas. Cast members are taught that every task is important and that everyone should work together to ensure these goals are met. For instance, no one is above picking up trash, it’s everyone’s responsibility.
When thinking of the school in which you work, to what extent are all areas clean, attractive and functional? Like before, on a scale of 1-10, how would you currently rate your school in these areas? What could you personally do to improve this score and how might you include others in the process as well? You may think, “This isn’t my responsibility.” Yet if you identify an area that needs improvement, then why isn’t it? Don’t feel that you can’t or shouldn’t attempt to make a difference by handling matters yourself or reaching out for assistance to those whose actual job responsibility it may be. It may just be your actions or your voice that begins the process needed to implement change that positively impacts the entire learning environment. “If not you, then who? If not now, then when?”
In future posts, we'll continue to explore more Imagineering principles and practices such as these that can help improve the teaching and learning that occurs in your classroom or school. Or, sign up for The Imagineering Education Course to jump join our community of dreamers and doers who are working to become the change that we want to see in education. Hope to see you there!
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