Author Archives: Matthew Krul

Disney vacations in my family are a tradition, a legacy that began long before I was born. Since the time my parents were young children, they have been visiting Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and even the 1964 World’s Fair. After I was born, my family continued the tradition of visiting the Disney Parks and Resorts,ContinueContinue reading “Disney Family Memories: Stories from the 1964 World’s Fair, Walt Disney World, and Disneyland”

If you’ve been to any Disney Park or Resort, you know that Disney Cast Members are the ones who truly make the magic. From designing and building the places we know and love to operating and maintaining those Disney places on a daily basis, both on stage interacting with Guests and behind the scenes, CastContinueContinue reading “A Tribute to Disney Cast Members”

Rolly Crump is a retired Walt Disney Imagineer, Disney Animator, and Disney Legend who began at The Walt Disney Studios in 1952. After working on classic films like Peter Pan, 101 Dalmatians, and Sleeping Beauty, Rolly was recruited by Walt Disney to join WED Enterprises (now called Walt Disney Imagineering). From 1959 until the earlyContinueContinue reading “Rolly Crump: Disney Legend, Imagineer, Animator (Episode 90)”

The most terrifying attraction to ever be constructed at the Disney Parks, and perhaps the most controversial, was the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter. Replacing Mission to Mars at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Alien Encounter had a soft opening in December 1994 and officially opened in June 1995. For the next 8 years, AlienContinueContinue reading “ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter”

In 1964, Progressland debuted at the New York World’s Fair. The original concept dated back to the 1950’s, and new technologies allowed Walt and his Imagineers to finally bring the idea to life. Sponsored by General Electrical, Progressland (which later became known as the Carousel of Progress) was an instant hit and saw waits ofContinueContinue reading “Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress (Episode 88)”

Blaine Gibson was a Disney Legend who worked both at the Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering (then known as WED Enterprises). As an animator, Blaine worked on classic projects that included Bambi, Fantasia, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, and One Hundred and One Dalmatians. Recognizing Blaine’s remarkable talent for sculpting, WaltContinueContinue reading “Blaine Gibson, Disney Legend, Animator and Imagineer (Interview with Son, Wes Gibson) – Episode 87”

George Wilkins is a retired Walt Disney Imagineer who composed a large number of classic songs and area music loops for the Disney Parks and Resorts, especially Epcot. Working alongside iconic Imagineers and composers like Marty Sklar, Kevin Rafferty and the Sherman Brothers, George helped to bring the music to life for Horizons, Journey IntoContinueContinue reading “George Wilkins – Walt Disney Imagineer (Episode 86)”

From the very beginning, Walt Disney always aimed to raise the bar in movies, shows, and family entertainment. With the Disney Parks, that meant creating a tradition of innovation at WED Enterprises and Walt Disney Imagineering (to “plus” an attraction, as Walt would say). Today, the Disney Parks around the world are full of incredibleContinueContinue reading “Disney Illusions Part 2 (Episode 85)”

From the very beginning, Walt Disney always aimed to raise the bar in movies, shows, and family entertainment. With the Disney Parks, that meant creating a tradition of innovation at WED Enterprises and Walt Disney Imagineering (to “plus” an attraction, as Walt would say). Today, the Disney Parks around the world are full of incredibleContinueContinue reading “Disney Illusions Part 1 (Episode 84)”