The Official Disney Park Blog interviewed Imagineer Joe Rohde on the occasion of his receiving the Buzz Price Thea Award recognizing a career of distinguished achievements. Those include: The Adventurers’ Club, leading the creation of Animal Kingdom, Expedition Everest, stepping in to help with Aulani,… Read More »Joe Rhode Interview on Avatar and Animal Kingdom
When Disney parks chair Tom Staggs announced a partnership with James Cameron to bring Avatar to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, I sort of assumed that Cameron and his production partner Jon Landau had already toured the park with its chief creative influence Joe Rohde. Apparently, they… Read More »James Cameron walks the future site of Avatar-land with Joe Rohde and Tom Staggs
Senior Vice President, Executive Designer, and Walt Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde takes a break from his work on Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii to share his excitement about the Wild Africa Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The trek’s private safari camp has been expanded to… Read More »Imagineer Joe Rohde for Disney’s Wild Africa Trek
On a recent walk through the construction site at Aulani, Djuan Rivers, Vice President of Disney Vacation Club and Resort, Hawaii, talked about Pu’u Kino, the lava outcropping which is probably the most imposing and eye-catching landmark in the Waikolohe Valley recreation and activity area… Read More »Aulani details begin to emerge
Compare the 10th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom to that of Disneyland or the Magic Kingdom and you’ll be disappointed in the company’s failure to property celebrate the wonder and magic created by this unique theme park. But taken on its face, the events on April 22nd were very well done and enjoyed by all who participated.
I took a few quick video snippets throughout the day and have compiled them into three videos. The first two are off the morning ceremony and a few moments from Joe Rohde’s speech on the creation of the DAK. The third is a “long photo” or mood piece (a genre I’m experimenting with to capture some of the details of the Disney experience). If the camera work is a little shaky, I apologize, but the text and meaning is there.
Part I: Morning Procession.
Part II: Morning Speeches — Erin Wallace, Jane Goodall and Joe Rohde.
That hooting by Dr. Goodall… that was the Chimpanzee call for “Thank You”. Being that close to Dr. Goodall is a bit like being in the presence of royalty. Her seal of approval means a lot to the staff of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and its well deserved.
For those of you with the inclination and time on your hands, LaughingPlace.com has the full 45-minute talk given by Imagineer Joe Rohde. Joe is quite a good speaker and I learn many new things every time I hear him speak, this talk was no exception.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Reflections is below the cut:
I don’t know of too many other Walt Disney Imagineers who have their own fan website, but Joe Rohde, the moving force behind much of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, has one. Sadly it hasn’t been kept current for 2007, but there are plenty of good nuggets… Read More »Imagineer Joe Rohde Fan Site