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In this episode, we sit down with Jeanette Lomboy, Vice President, Executive Producer, Creative, at Walt Disney Imagineering. Jeanette has led the development of some of Disney’s most beloved modern experiences, from the serene beauty of Aulani to the immersive worlds of Pandora – The World of Avatar and Avengers Campus. Her journey from Disneyland…
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Our guest this episode is audiovisual visionary and Global Ambassador, Chris Conte. Chris is a legend in audiovisual technology design with over 30 years of experience creating immersive, location-based experiences. As Global Ambassador for Electrosonic, Chris has played a pivotal role in shaping some of the world’s most iconic projects, including theme parks, museums, theaters,…
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Our guests this episode are collaborators on the new book How Does Disney Do That?: How Disney Makes Us Feel and Why It Matters, James Warda and Theron Skees. Many books cover Disney, but James Warda and former Imagineering executive Theron Skees take a unique approach: exploring “why” and “how” Disney creates such powerful, emotional…
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Our guest is Architect and Theme Park Master Planner, Kevin Blakeney. In this episode, we’ve invited master planner and landscape architect, Kevin Blakeney to join us. Kevin’s been on the frontlines of planning and area development for the top themed attraction lands people are talking about today. We’re talking about Shanghai Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland,…
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There’s no shortage of big ideas when you’re with our guest today, Creative Executive Jason McManus. Jason’s journey has taken him around the world from Disney’s magic factory to the themed entertainment frontier of the Middle East bringing the seeds of ideas to fruition in some of the most innovative projects we can think of.…
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Today, we’re focusing on “designing with purpose” with my friend and mentor, Anthony Esparza. Anthony is an expert in creating unforgettable guest experiences. With a career spanning SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, and more, he’s known for infusing every project with purpose. Join us for our second interview with Anthony as we explore…
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Our guest is Architect and Theme Park Master Planner, Jeff Damron. Jeff is a 30+ year veteran of themed entertainment and destination design providing his expertise as an architect, designer and master planner in theme park projects, hotels, resorts, casinos, and many other mixed-use projects where people can live, work and play. Most recently he…
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Our guests are David and Valeria Beaudry of Beaudry Interactive. This dynamic duo of dynamic experiences have developed the technology to bring to life in voice and personality some of our most beloved walk-around characters in parks today, including that tallest of yellow friends, Big Bird. They were honored with a TEA Thea Award for…
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Our guest is TEA Master and founder of The Bezark Company, Adam Bezark. His storied career from WDI to Landmark Entertainment Group allowed him opportunities to conceive and design monstrous IP attractions such as Jurassic Park: The Ride, the JAWS ride, and Terminator 2:3D for Universal. For WDI, he co-directed the beloved IllumiNations nighttime spectacular…
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In this episode of the Themed Attraction Podcast, our guest is Sina Bahram, the founder of Prime Access Consulting, and one of the Themed Entertainment Association’s first ever Catalyst Award recipients. Sina’s inclusive design firm helps attraction designers implement accessible solutions that make knowledge, culture, and technology available to the widest possible audience. Connect with…
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Our guests are Bob Rogers of BRC Imagination Arts, Mike West from Universal Creative, and John Wood of Sally Dark Rides. They share their perspectives on ride capacities and THRC. Connect with Bob at BRCweb.com, Mike via his company’s LinkedIn “Innovative West,” and John at SallyDarkRides.com. Show hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy Martin Show design…
Immersion has been the buzzword of the themed entertainment industry for a little over a decade or so. We’re in an arms race where every new project attempts to one-up the last by increasing the ‘immersiveness’ by another factor. Bigger, more enveloping, more detailed, and especially: more real. While some of the projects this has…
Photo Credit: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/26/theater/stephen-sondheim-dead.html Stephen Sondheim, famed musical theatre composer, lyricist, genius, and a personal idol of mine recently passed away. His death has recently caused me to reexamine a thought I’ve had from time to time: that rides are akin to songs. It might sound a bit strange at first to suggest that rides and…
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Our guest is Tony Bruno, former VP of the Disneyland Resort Hotels & the Downtown Disney District. Under his guidance, over 4000 cast members operated The 4 Diamond Grand Californian Hotel & Disneyland Hotel – as well as the 49 unique brands that comprise Downtown Disney. Today he leads Hospitality Development at Storyland Studios helping…
Pale Blue Dot Ventures has partnered with Orlando-based experience design firm IDEAS to design an all new space-themed entertainment and education destination in coastal Santa Barbara County, CA.
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Ben Thompson is a global themed entertainment and marketing strategist who spent the last 20 years in leadership roles at global monoliths like Mars Inc., The Walt Disney Company, and the Merlin Group, where he was responsible for opening 4 LEGOLAND®️ Parks and 40 location-based entertainment sites worldwide. Ben is now the Chief Strategy Officer…
Join The Time Watcher as he recruits you on a thrilling mission to save the very fabric of time on this one of a kind roller coaster. . . adriangr.com .
Immersive experiences have surged in popularity across many different sectors of the economy as industries have shifted away from traditional goods and services and toward opportunities for customer engagement with a brand or institution. These interactions can take place across a spectrum of social dynamics, which this paper will quantify based on the types of relationships and levels of agency that individuals encounter in an experience—group active, group passive, individual active, and individual passive. In doing so, this paper aims to investigate how these social dynamics impact the factors of immersion previously outlined by looking towards examples of existing immersive experiences.
At first glance it may not seem like there is that much in common between film editing and theme park design – but it turns out there’s a lot in common.
Taking a look at 5 Act Structure and how it might apply to themed attractions.
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In this episode, Joe Pine is going to help us trace the history and evolution of the world’s economies to what the themed entertainment industry currently knows as the “Experience Economy.” Besides being one of Mel’s thought leadership heroes, Joe Pine’s work has influenced much of his design philosophy and consequently many of the experiences…