Have you ever entered a theme park and thought, “Wow, I wish I could make something as incredible as this?”
Maybe you haven’t been interested in engineering or architecture, but the seemingly innate talent to bring stories to life in a way that transports people emotionally is something to envy. Yet, most of the skills that make creatives masters of their craft are learned disciplines. In almost every field, there’s something to be said for understanding what creates a memorable experience, how details play into the bigger picture and how the seemingly impossible becomes real.Â
I’ve always been a theme park kid, fascinated by how teams like Disney Imagineering build worlds straight out of fantasy books and use clever tricks to make magic real. Though I’m pursuing a career in communications, most of my inspiration comes from the storytelling I experienced in the parks.Â
A Look Behind the Scenes
To no one’s surprise, I jumped on the opportunity to attend a book signing with former Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde, who recently released “Floating Mountains: The Art of Imagining the Impossible.” Rohde is famous for serving as the creative director of legendary projects including Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and in his book, he distills his real-world experiences into lessons on creativity, personal expression, community building and producing impact. I’m less than halfway through the book, but I already feel empowered to tackle new creative challenges. And at a life stage that’s full of hurdles, I’m sure I’m not alone in needing a fresh take.Â
If you’re interested in diving more into the Imagineering perspective, nearly half a dozen former Imagineers have published books about their own experiences. “Dream Chasing” by Bob Weis recounts four decades of overcoming challenges to bring ambitious concepts to life. In “It’s Kind of a Cute Story,” Rolly Crump shares his life story with hundreds of photos going behind the scenes of his most famous work. Marty Sklar breaks down his organizational flow, better known as “Mickey’s Ten Commandments,” in “One Little Spark!” And if you loved “The Imagineering Story” on Disney+, the book companion by Leslie Iwerks covers the department’s complete legacy.Â
While most of us aren’t going to be creating the next generation of animatronics or award-winning rides, there’s something to be said for learning how to make the impossible possible. We’re all going to face hurdles that seem insurmountable, both professionally and personally, but the more we equip ourselves with the tools to navigate the unknown, the more likely we are to reach the fulfillment and success we imagine for ourselves.Â
Designing the Details
Ideation and development are just one piece of the puzzle, though. Disney art has its own sub-fandom, and for good reason. In “Designing Disney: Imagineering and the Art of the Show,” John Hench details the values, attitudes, aesthetics and logic behind the original design concepts for the Disney parks. Two of my personal collection favorites are the first and second editions of “Poster Art of the Disney Parks,” which give an up-close look at the history, process and artistic interpretation of the designs seen throughout the parks. These titles sit alongside “Maps of the Disney Parks” on my bookshelf, which dives into the art history of the park guide maps.Â
Some might find these titles to be ideal coffee table books to peruse or share with guests, but for creatives, they serve as a well of inspiration. I particularly appreciate how much detail is presented about translating concepts for global audiences, as cultural sensitivities can change the meaning of different thematic elements.Â
Worlds of Yesterday and Today
For a theme park fan, one of the most fun Easter eggs is a recycled concept or element. For the broader public, learning how to reuse good ideas in new contexts can give new life to work projects or personal hobbies. If you’re on Disney Parks social media, you’re probably familiar with The Dapper Danielle, a former cast member, and her snippets of niche park history. Now, she’s also sharing her hidden history and obscure fun facts in “The Lost History of Walt Disney World.” While the book is an excellent companion or pre-read for your next trip to the parks, it reinforces just how surprising the path to success can be.Â
Dream It, Then Do It
Now that you’ve curated your reading list for inspiration, it’s time to start putting pen to page. Walt Disney Imagineering published “The Imagineering Workout” to guide out-of-the-box thinking and new approaches to problem-solving.Â
Even if you’ve never set foot in a theme park before, it’s worth taking a peek behind the curtain to see how world-class designers and creative visionaries transform a “what-if” into wonder for all ages. Creativity is industry-agnostic, after all. Who knows what you’ll dream up?