Advertise on podcast: The Spirit of the Time

PART II: Flight 48: Author and industry veteran, Thea Lifetime Achievement Recipient, and former President of Walt Disney Imagineering, Bob Weis. When Bob Weis joined WED Enterprise in 1980, Disney owned two theme parks. Forty-five years later, Disney operates twelve parks worldwide and Bob Weis played a role in at least half of them, including Epcot, Tokyo Disneyland, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney Studios Parc, Disney California Adventure, and Shanghai Disneyland. After a short stint at his own firm, (Bob) Weis Design Island (WDI!), and Gensler, Bob is now a successful author, having recently published his autobiography, "Dream Chasing," and his first work of fiction, "Ghost Dog." Set your pocket watch now to join us as Bob climbs aboard the time machine to relive the trials and tribulations of overseeing the design and production of multiple Disney theme parks and being one only four individuals to ever hold the title of president of the world's first and most beloved themed entertainment design company.

Flight 47: Former President & COO, Universal Destinations & Experiences, Tom Mehrmann While the focus of The Spirit of the Time Zoomcast tends to be on the creative minds who have designed some of the world's most beloved theme parks and attractions, equal creedence must be given to those who operate these projects and ensure, day by day, that the design intent is not just maintained, but improved. Tom Mehrmann is one of our industry's most respected operators, having spent some five decades overseeing major theme parks around the globe — from Knott's Berry Farm and Six Flags Marine World to Ocean Park, Warner Bros. Movie World Madrid, and Universal Studios Beijing. Set your timepiece now and plan to join us as we welcome the nicest guy in the industry aboard our time machine for a master class in how to successfully operate a theme park and ensure that both guests and employees are your biggest fans!

Flight 46: Iconic former domestic and international planning and development executive for both Disney and Universal, Frank Stanek. When you view construction photos or videos of Epcot, Tokyo Disneyland, Universal Studios Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Japan and other major themed entertainment projects around the globe, the focus is typically on those crazy creative folks — not the guys in the suits. But the truth is that if it weren't for the guys in the suits who secured the site and the funding, strategically planned the project, and oversaw the budgets and schedules, those crazy creative folks wouldn't have anything to design or build! Frank Stanek is probably the most famous "suit" in our industry today, having worked for Walt and Roy Disney on the New York World's Fair and Mineral King before joining WED Enterprises to oversee business planning and development. He helped to create Walt Disney World, Epcot, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris before working directly with Michael Eisner and Frank Wells as the Walt Disney Company's first Corporate Vice President of Planning. After a stint with the Japanese firm Dentsu, Frank was recruited to MCA/Universal, where he became President of International Business Development and oversaw the Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Japan, and Universal projects in Spain, Korea, and China. Set your timepiece now and plan to join us as one of the themed entertainment industry's most storied planning and development execs shares his wisdom and tales from the trenches in what promises to be Zoomcast for the ages!

Flight 45: Former VP of Interactive Projects, Show Producer & Interactive Designer at Walt Disney Imagineering, Joe Garlington By 1990, it was believed that Disney park guests were tired of passive attractions and so the company brought back former EPCOT Center "Arcade of the Future" designer and the owner of LA-based Art & Technology Joe Garlington to tap into the latest computer hardware and software and transform Disney experiences into communal, personalized, and yes, interactive experiences. If you've ever immersed yourself in Stitch Encounter, Turtle Talk with Crush, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Disneyquest or dozens of early interactive experiences at museums, aquariums and theme parks around the country, you've no doubt enjoyed the creative visions of Joe Garlington. Set your interactive calendar now and plan to join us as USC's Adjunct Professor and Advisor of Themed Entertainment Design climbs aboard the time machine to share his career highlights, collected wisdom, and predictions for the future of interactive technology in themed entertainment. It promises to be, well, interactive!

Flight 44: If it moves on wheels at Disneyland, it was probably designed by 93-year old Disney Legend and Thea Lifetime Achievement recipient, Bob Gurr.   Walt Disney was so impressed with his knowledge and skill, that he invited Bob Gurr to join WED Enterprises to design the very first Autopia cars that debuted at Disneyland in 1955. Over the past 74 years, Bob has made transportation magic worldwide, developing such legendary Disneyland ride vehicles as the Monorail, the Flying Saucers, the Haunted Mansion "Doom Buggies," the Submarine Voyage sub fleet, the PeopleMover, and the Matterhorn Bobsleds. After "retiring" in 1981, Bob went on to co-found Sequoia Creative and design the massive King Kong animatronic for Universal Studios Hollywood. He designed the flying spaceship for the 1984 Olympics opening ceremonies, effects for The Jacksons' Victory tour, and dinosaurs for Steven Spielberg's "Jurassic Park." Plan now to join us as Bob climbs aboard a vehicle with no wheels for a journey across ten decades on one of the most incredible time travel adventures we've ever had!

Flight 43: Forty-five-year industry veteran, Thea Lifetime Achievement Recipient, and former President of Walt Disney Imagineering, Bob Weis. When Bob Weis joined WED Enterprise in 1980, Disney owned two theme parks. Forty-five years later, Disney operates twelve parks worldwide and Bob Weis played a role in at least half of them, including Epcot, Tokyo Disneyland, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney Studios Parc, Disney California Adventure, and Shanghai Disneyland. After a short stint at his own firm, (Bob) Weis Design Island (WDI!), and Gensler, Bob is now a successful author, having recently published his autobiography, "Dream Chasing," and his first work of fiction, "Ghost Dog." Set your pocket watch now to join us as Bob climbs aboard the time machine to relive the trials and tribulations of overseeing the design and production of multiple Disney theme parks and being one only four individuals to ever hold the title of president of the world's first and most beloved themed entertainment design company.

FLIGHT 42: Veteran media, VFX, and show producer for Walt Disney Imagineering, Universal Creative, Sony, MacGillivray Freeman Films and more, Valerie Johnson-Redrow! Today's immersive attractions feature tremendous amounts of media - often presented on tremendous screens. While owners and operators often take the credit for these groundbreaking E-Ticket experiences, it's the media and show producers who make the magic happen. Plan now to join us as veteran media, VFX, and show producer Valerie Johnson-Redrow climbs aboard the time machine to share stories and wisdom accumulated during her 30-year career, including show producing the "King Kong 360-3D" and "Reign of Kong" (media only) attractions at Universal parks, producing media for Disney's Hollywood Studios, Epcot and developing concepts for Conservation Station at Disney's Animal Kingdom, producing all media for Sony's Metreon in San Francisco, as well as her work on IMAX films, Chinese flying attractions, TV shows, and her latest project, "Adventures Beneath the Seas!"

Flight 41: Writer, creative director, past TEA president, and founding principal and chief creative officer of Thinkwell Group, Craig Hanna From Iwerks to Kevin Biles Design to Jack Morton to Universal Creative to founding Thinkwell Group, Craig Hanna's 30+ year career in the location-based entertainment industry has been a thrill ride unto itself. Plan now to join us as Craig climbs aboard the time machine to share his stories, learnings, and humor from such groundbreaking projects as Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter, Ski Dubai, and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.         **Apologies for the technical difficulties. You will notice 2 sections later in the podcast that cut out.

Episode 40: Forty-year veteran concept designer and creative leader in the location-based entertainment industry, including both Disney and Universal, Christian Hope.   For four decades, Christian Hope has been instrumental in the creative development of world-class theme parks and attractions around the world. His clever and witty drawings are reflections of his clever and witty brain — passionate, humorous, and always ready with another original idea. Plan now to join us as Christian boards the time machine to discuss his years as a Disney Imagineer, designing new lands and attractions for Universal Creative, as well as tales from the trenches on the dozens of innovative projects he's conceived, designed, and shepherded to successful realities! If you know Christian, you'll know this may be the funniest journey yet!

Flight 39: Forty-one-year veteran of Walt Disney Imagineering who has overseen design, engineering, production, construction and project management of Disney parks and resorts all over the world, Craig Russell.   Craig Russell joined WED Enterprises in 1980 as a project coordinator on Tokyo Disneyland. After a brief stint with Sequoia Creative and the 1984 LA Olympics, he returned to oversee project engineering of the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park and design management of Tokyo Disney Sea. He later ran a number of divisions before spending nine years co-leading WDI as Design and Project Delivery Executive. Craig returned to project management for the completion of Shanghai Disneyland, as well as Star Wars Galaxy's Edge before managing all projects in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Plan to join us on a time travel journey for the ages as Craig shares his experiences leading the design and execution of some of Disney's biggest, most complex, and highly successful projects from concept to opening day!

Passenger 37: Disney Legend, Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated producer, director, writer, painter — and drummer — who produced two of the world's most popular animated films: Disney's "Beauty & the Beast" and "The Lion King," Don Hahn.   Don Hahn is a true renaissance man, beginning his career in music, moving into producing some of Disney's most beloved animated features, before directing live action films and documentaries, writing popular books on Disney Animation and creativity, and attempting to capture the real world through "dabs of colored mud" in his iPad paintings. From "Beauty & The Beast," The Lion King," "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," to "Maleficent," "The Haunted Mansion" and "Howard," Don has created intellectual properties and characters that have inspired many beloved location-based entertainment projects. Plan now to join our first Oscar-nominated guest (who also holds two honorary doctorate degrees!) aboard the time machine for what promises to be an epic journey with an extraordinary talent!

Passenger 36: Former creative director/show producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, Universal Creative, Sony Development, Knott's Berry Farm, and Hildene, who played a primary role on the creation of the Disney-MGM Studios and then oversaw the design, installation, and construction of the original Tower of Terror attraction at the park, Laine Dunham White (former Houser and Akiyama)!   Laine Dunham White has spent over three decades conceiving, designing, and producing world-class theme park attractions and compelling museum exhibits. Known to many as Laine Houser and Laine Aikyama, she is an ArtCenter grad who, since childhood, has excelled at tapping into her skills of observation, communication, composition, and storytelling to paint, draw, and bring immersive environments to life. Now in retirement on Cape Cod, we've lured Laine back into the spotlight for a ride on the time machine! Set your timepiece now to join us for an exciting journey with one of the industry's best and brightest women!

Passenger 35: Former technical director and senior show & ride executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, former president of Spectra Entertainment and Auriga Entertainment, and current president of Contour Entertainment, Chris Brown.   Chris Brown is what happens when technical prowess, extreme creativity, and business acumen all collide in a purple explosion of talent and humor! Plan now to witness the final flight of year three as this accomplished former Disney Imagineer and president of Contour Entertainment climbs aboard the time machine to share his history and wisdom acquired from such projects as Spaceship Earth and the Imagination pavilion at Epcot, Star Tours at Disneyland, the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, Tokyo Disneyland, Magic World (Dubai), Sony Music Box (Berlin), Doha Entertainment District, Star Trek: The Tour, Imagica Park (Mumbai), and many more!

Passenger 34: Former Disney Imagineer & creative exec at Universal, Sony, SpectraFX & Contour involved in such classic projects as EPCOT Center, Catastrophe Canyon/Disney-MGM Studios, Blizzard Beach, Poseidon's Fury/UIOA, & The Beatles' Yellow Submarine simulator, Richard Vaughn.   Richard Vaughn is an artist, a designer, and an articulate creative leader who has been involved in some of the most exciting immersive entertainment projects around the world. He has lead teams and overseen projects for big owner/operators like Disney, Universal, and Sony, as well as two start-ups, SpectraFX and Contour Entertainment. Richard has brought his clever and intellectual artistic abilities to EPCOT Center, the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, Universal's Islands of Adventure, Sony's Metreon and its German sister in Potsdamer-Platz, Berlin. He developed a longstanding relationship with Apple Corps that lead to a number of Beatles-themed projects. And he lead his father's band, The Billy Vaughn Orchestra, on multiple tours of Japan. Set your clocks now to travel back in time with one of our industry's most talented designers!

Passenger 33: Former creative leader at SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Herschend Family Entertainment, Paramount Parks, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Landmark Entertainment Group, Anthony Esparza! Few have so successfully established and executed the creative vision for so many owner/operators in the immersive entertainment world as Anthony Esparza. One of the industry's few Latinx executives, Anthony began his career in the model shop at Landmark Entertainment Group in 1980. He was soon elevated to oversee the company's design department before moving to Charlotte, NC to head up the theme park development division for Paramount Parks. Anthony then moved to Atlanta, GA to do the same for Herschend Family Entertainment before relocating to Orlando, FL to modernize the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks. As if that wasn't enough, he then helped to bring the first roller coaster to the high seas for Carnival Cruise Lines! Plan now to join us as Anthony climbs aboard the time machine for a journey back to all of these iconic roles, stories of the hundreds of projects he's developed, and the wisdom he's collected throughout his illustrious 40+ year career.