Cataloguing Yesterland
History is important at Imagineering. The art history archives are part of a wing devoted to preserving the parks' past. There is also a slide library with over 2 million actual and digitized images of attractions as well as the research that went into developing them. For example, Diane Scoglio, who oversees the slide library, said that there were many photos of Africa chronicling the trips that Joe Rohde and other Imagineers took as they were designing Disney's Animal Kingdom.A separate show documentation library included a dossier of information for each Disney attraction with things like color samples, design references, and unusual items such as Tiki Bird feathers and fur patterns from the Yeti who resides inside the Expedition Everest coaster. There were even undergarments worn by the animatronic characters--who knew?--stored here.
Georges pointed out some color swatches of bright paints and said that they were for one of the dark rides that incorporated black light effects. "We include samples of what the paint looks like in natural light and how it appears under black lights," he noted. "Black light painting is becoming a lost art." Georges said that the libraries, particularly the show documentation library, help Imagineering and the Disney parks maintain the attractions. It's known as "show quality standards," or SQS in Disney-speak. I guess when it's time to trade out Richard Nixon's undergarments in the Hall of Presidents, it helps to have a record of what size and brand he wears.
From Blue Sky to Gray Patio
Of course, the libraries aren't used to exclusively focus on the past. Imagineers frequent them to explore new concepts and do research for attractions under development as well. Georges used another hallway display to take me through Imagineering's development process. The walls were filled with photos, illustrations, and text depicting the stages, including: blue sky (the department that Georges oversees), which provides the seeds that evolve into attractions; concept development and feasibility, where ideas take shape in the form of two- and three-dimensional renderings as well as computer-generated models; design and production, during which capital is approved, play-testing is conducted, and systems are developed; construction and installation, where all of the Imagineering disciplines work collaboratively to build the actual attraction; test and adjust, to tweak the attraction; grand opening; and patio party, when the team members celebrate the completion of the project (and doubtless hang out in the old Skyway vehicles).As he was showing me displays of Disney's 11 parks, Georges talked a bit about some possible future developments. For example, he said that Disney's California Adventure would probably be expanding. Given the property's tight footprint, Georges indicated that one of the surface parking lots would likely be appropriated for the expansion. The Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom will be getting some of the enhancements that its counterpart at Disneyland recently received. The Circlevision film at Epcot's China pavilion will be upgraded. Also at Epcot, The Three Caballeros characters will be inserted into the Rio del Tiempo ride at the Mexico pavilion. And the "MAPO" building (named for Mary Poppins), which Imagineers use to work on projects for the Tokyo and Hong Kong parks, had an intriguing display for a new interactive attraction called Ride and Go Seek. Based on the Monsters. Inc. film, passengers will have onboard flashlights that they will use to shine on monsters hidden throughout the ride and score points. The attraction is scheduled to open in early 2009 at Tokyo Disneyland.
I didn't get any additional information about other parks or attractions that may be in the Disney pipeline, but I did get the feeling that great things are brewing. There is a palpable sense of optimism and creativity emanating from the nondescript Glendale buildings. "Disneyland will never be completed...as long as there is imagination left in the world," is another famous Walt-ism. Thankfully, there appears to be plenty of imagination to go around among today's Imagineers.
By the way, you too can now visit Walt Disney Imagineering. Adventures by Disney, a guided tour company, includes a stop on its Hollywood and Disney Resort trip.
