5 ms·

I've worked with Imagineers on some projects in the last few years. Not a lot I can say publicly, other than it really was interesting to see how much effort go

by brk 2y ago

I've worked with Imagineers on some projects in the last few years. Not a lot I can say publicly, other than it really was interesting to see how much effort goes into creating and preserving a specific theme/mood/vibe for the rides. Textures, colors, smells, finishes. Stuff that usually only gets a passing acknowledgement in other projects (eg: we'd prefer if the [thing] could be painted to match the walls) becomes "Can we completely disassemble [thing] and embed its components into [other thing]?" Guest experience, and safety, receive a lot of attention, which creates some fun problems to solve.

borski 2y ago
How did you get into this? How does one get into it?
- financetechbro 2y ago
  With the power of imagination
- dagmx 2y ago
  I have several friends who are or were imagineers. The question you ask is very wide unfortunately because it is such a wide job. Imagineers cover everything from software engineers working on robotics, to machine learning, computer vision, or data management. There’s hardware engineers, rendering engineers, people responsible for traditional costume design with fabric etc, animators, civil engineers etc… Like any other job, there’s no real secret to getting in though. You just need to know what roles are there and see what fits you. Coming from an entertainment background certainly helps (games, feature animation, visual effects) but isn’t a hard requirement either. There are Imagineering documentaries and behind the scenes on YouTube and Disney+ that give you an insight into what goes into it.
- krisoft 2y ago
  One would think visiting their career page is a good start: https://sites.disney.com/waltdisneyimagineering/careers/ https://sites.disney.com/waltdisneyimagineering/careers/
  - borski 2y ago
    One would think I might have already looked there previously, and was asking about personal experience from someone who has worked as an imagineer, not looking for a generic list of bullet points in a job req. :) But thanks.
- brk 2y ago
  In my domain I am known as a bit of a problem solver/out of the box thinker. So when people get into a scenario they don't have a ready answer to, they reach out to me. In this case, a contact of mine works closely with Disney, and other theme parks, and when they ask his company for something unusual he typically calls me up (it also helps that I'm in Tampa, not too far away). IOW, I guess the answer, as it often is, is "networking".
  - borski 2y ago
    Thanks, that makes sense. I’m similarly “that guy” that gets called for scenarios like that, but in CA, which is why I asked about Disney specifically. Thank you for the insight!
- kjkjadksj 2y ago
  With a good deal of luck, they seem to hardly ever have any openings in that dept, and when they do its for senior roles.
duxup 2y ago
Disney's secret sauce when it comes to parks / experiences always seems to be that extra layer of polish and effort. One of those things that you maybe couldn't list all the details you did, but you absolutely know is there in the background somehow.
- dhosek 2y ago
  There’s also the fact that (a) the line experience is usually an entertainment in itself and (2) the rides last longer than typical theme park rides (on this last, I remember being at Magic Mountain chaperoning a youth field trip and I started timing the ride experiences and the big rides (rollercoasters, etc.) lasted around 60 seconds. I never timed any of the equivalent rides at Disneyland,¹ but I’m pretty sure they lasted longer. ⸻ 1. I took my kids to Disney World last year and found the Magic Kingdom to be disappointing compared to Disneyland. With the exception of Space Mountain, the ride experience of the equivalent Disneyland ride was better at Disneyland. Pirates of the Caribbean in the Magic Kingdom is actually only half the ride that it is in Disneyland.
  - Reubachi 2y ago
    You are officially the only person in disney park-going history to prefer orlando Space Mountain over DL Space mountain. So painful, old, dark, and rusty.
    - duxup 2y ago
      I can't compare, but I like Disney World Space Mountain out of a sense of nostalgia. Some of the rides are sort of neat time capsules.
      - a1o 2y ago
        It's a great experience if you went young and later with kids
    - dhosek 2y ago
      DL Space Mountain is a kiddy rollercoaster in a dimly lit room. MK Space Mountain goes faster and harder and is completely dark.

by brk 2y ago

borski 2y ago

How did you get into this? How does one get into it?

financetechbro 2y ago
With the power of imagination
dagmx 2y ago
I have several friends who are or were imagineers. The question you ask is very wide unfortunately because it is such a wide job. Imagineers cover everything from software engineers working on robotics, to machine learning, computer vision, or data management. There’s hardware engineers, rendering engineers, people responsible for traditional costume design with fabric etc, animators, civil engineers etc… Like any other job, there’s no real secret to getting in though. You just need to know what roles are there and see what fits you. Coming from an entertainment background certainly helps (games, feature animation, visual effects) but isn’t a hard requirement either. There are Imagineering documentaries and behind the scenes on YouTube and Disney+ that give you an insight into what goes into it.
krisoft 2y ago
One would think visiting their career page is a good start: https://sites.disney.com/waltdisneyimagineering/careers/ https://sites.disney.com/waltdisneyimagineering/careers/
- borski 2y ago
  One would think I might have already looked there previously, and was asking about personal experience from someone who has worked as an imagineer, not looking for a generic list of bullet points in a job req. :) But thanks.
brk 2y ago
In my domain I am known as a bit of a problem solver/out of the box thinker. So when people get into a scenario they don't have a ready answer to, they reach out to me. In this case, a contact of mine works closely with Disney, and other theme parks, and when they ask his company for something unusual he typically calls me up (it also helps that I'm in Tampa, not too far away). IOW, I guess the answer, as it often is, is "networking".
- borski 2y ago
  Thanks, that makes sense. I’m similarly “that guy” that gets called for scenarios like that, but in CA, which is why I asked about Disney specifically. Thank you for the insight!
kjkjadksj 2y ago
With a good deal of luck, they seem to hardly ever have any openings in that dept, and when they do its for senior roles.

duxup 2y ago

Disney's secret sauce when it comes to parks / experiences always seems to be that extra layer of polish and effort. One of those things that you maybe couldn't list all the details you did, but you absolutely know is there in the background somehow.

dhosek 2y ago
There’s also the fact that (a) the line experience is usually an entertainment in itself and (2) the rides last longer than typical theme park rides (on this last, I remember being at Magic Mountain chaperoning a youth field trip and I started timing the ride experiences and the big rides (rollercoasters, etc.) lasted around 60 seconds. I never timed any of the equivalent rides at Disneyland,¹ but I’m pretty sure they lasted longer. ⸻ 1. I took my kids to Disney World last year and found the Magic Kingdom to be disappointing compared to Disneyland. With the exception of Space Mountain, the ride experience of the equivalent Disneyland ride was better at Disneyland. Pirates of the Caribbean in the Magic Kingdom is actually only half the ride that it is in Disneyland.
- Reubachi 2y ago
  You are officially the only person in disney park-going history to prefer orlando Space Mountain over DL Space mountain. So painful, old, dark, and rusty.
  - duxup 2y ago
    I can't compare, but I like Disney World Space Mountain out of a sense of nostalgia. Some of the rides are sort of neat time capsules.
    - a1o 2y ago
      It's a great experience if you went young and later with kids
  - dhosek 2y ago
    DL Space Mountain is a kiddy rollercoaster in a dimly lit room. MK Space Mountain goes faster and harder and is completely dark.