Joe Rohde confirms he is working with Walt Disney Imagineering

Mar 25, 2024 in "Walt Disney Imagineering"

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Posted: Monday March 25, 2024 11:45am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Famed Imagineer Joe Rohde has confirmed recent speculation that he is once again working with Walt Disney Imagineering.

While his exact employment status remains unclear, Joe posted a short video of himself entering the famous Walt Disney Imagineering building on Flower Street, with the caption "Do a bit of work at the old farm."

Shortly after Joe's post, Walt Disney Imagineering posted to say that Joe is leading a series of master class work sessions for current Imagineers. It remains unknown if he may be involved with any projects at least on a consultancy basis, if not full-time employment. The most likely assignments would be the AVATAR attraction coming to Disneyland Resort in California, and the major overhaul of DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Joe's return to Imagineering follows news last week that he will be honored as a Disney Legend at the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event on Sunday, August 11.

Joe Rohde Disney Legend

Most recognized as the creator of Disney's Animal Kingdom, Joe retired from the company in 2020 after a 40-year career and created some of Imagineering's finest work—most recently as the lead on Pandora—The World of AVATAR.

James Cameron, Joe Rohde, Tom Staggs, Meg Crofton tour Animal Kingdom

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DisneyHead123Aug 13, 2024

I think - and I mean this in a very positive sense - that Rohdes is both a great designer and a brilliant salesman. That’s a rare combination, and the latter actually enhances the former. Imagine if you buy a ring that you think is beautiful, and the designer says “Oh, yeah, I designed it that way because I thought it was like, kinda pretty.” Then imagine buying the same ring, but the designer has a passionate, philosophical, interesting web of reasons for the design. The intent, story, and rationale behind it actually enhances the value of the design (or it would to many people.) I will say that outside of AK, sometimes my preference in design is more over-the-top, a bit more feminine, sometimes even more “cutesy”. (I’ve been very into the Tokyo parks lately.) But I appreciate that Rohdes brings both a design and a narrative / philosophy to the parks - there’s a different level of buy-in at that level, to my mind. It feels like experiencing something more substantial on a psychological level when the intent was to create something transformative. Maybe that’s just me - before I was visiting Disney, I was spending my vacation budget on meditation retreats, so the idea of transformation is probably particularly appealing to me. But I do think a fair number of people in my age cohort have similar feelings and interests.

Splash4evaAug 12, 2024

Told you why already in my 1st post…

TrainsOfDisneyAug 12, 2024

why do you keep dodging the question? Haha

Splash4evaAug 12, 2024

Im gonna end this here but if boards are stressful to you or anyone please remember these are just that forums and boards and should be fun not stress. After all we are talking about theme parks not life threatening illnesses….

TrainsOfDisneyAug 12, 2024

Are you not the one who’s always insulting Joe? I may have you mixed up - sorry! It’s a stressful time on these boards! But I would like some clarification on your comment - do you think Joe was a bad imagineer? Every imagineer, film director, etc. is “spending other people’s money” at Disney and they pretty much all go over budget frequently.

Splash4evaAug 12, 2024

I insulted him by saying dont say anything bad and by saying he was a great spender of other peoples money?!? Wow. Someone is a little sensitive. Im still trying to figure out how you took that as me referring to his politics.

TrainsOfDisneyAug 12, 2024

I don’t know…. What are your issues with Joe? I asked a question since you insulted him.

Splash4evaAug 12, 2024

Politics? What are you talking about…

TrainsOfDisneyAug 12, 2024

well currently you are insulting someone with no explanation. Does that mean you don’t like his politics? Just say that then.

Splash4evaAug 12, 2024

Really dont wanna derail the thread…

TrainsOfDisneyAug 12, 2024

Can you honestly put into words what your issue is with Joe?

networkproAug 12, 2024

He did ok, when he personally thought that Pandora would end his career.

PizzaSpringRoll2017Aug 12, 2024

Because what better way to honor the newest "Disney Legend" than to have Deadpool come on stage and make fun of the fact that Disney is too cheap and lazy to repair what is probably one of the pinnacles of his career, and then completely disregard his direct statements about DAK by putting Zootopia in the parks icon? Very cool, guys...