Imagination Skyway

Jim Sarno (Walt Disney Imagineer)

Jim Sarno was a Walt Disney Imagineer working on the opening team for Epcot. He worked in the model shop with Harriet Burns, Joe Rohde, and many more classic Imagineers. Working on many of the pavilions we know and love at Epcot - including The Land Pavilion, Imagination Pavilion, Communicore, and Spaceship Earth - Jim was responsible for creating SMRT-1, the fountain that once lived in the center of the Land Pavilion, and much more.
In this episode, I interview Jim as we discuss how he came to work at Walt Disney Imagineering, the projects he worked on, and advice he has for those looking to work for Walt Disney Imagineering in the future.
Which of Jim's creations at Epcot do you love most? Send me your feedback via email or through direct or public message at any of the following and [with your permission] I'll include your message in a future show:
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Share your feedback via voicemail: 516-406-8376
Huge thank you once again to Jim for being my special guest on this podcast episode!
Be sure to check out our sponsor WDW Magazine, the premier magazine focused on Walt Disney World, available in print or digital.
Disney news and travel tips: Be sure to visit our Disney news partner, The Kingdom Insider:
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Bret Iwan (the Voice of Mickey Mouse)

Bret Iwan has been the official voice of Mickey Mouse for the last 10 years and is only the fourth voice actor in Mickey's lifetime to officially play the role (first was Walt Disney, then Jimmy MacDonald, then Wayne Allwine). Whether it's Disney on Ice, a new attraction in the Disney Parks, a video game, TV show or animated short, Bret is the one who gets to bring Mickey's voice to life.
In this episode, I have the honor of interviewing Bret as we discuss his love of Disney from the time he was a kid, his original career interests, how he came to play the role of Mickey, and what it means to play the most iconic character in history. You're not going to want to miss this one!
What do you love most about Mickey Mouse? Send me your feedback via email or through direct or public message at any of the following and [with your permission] I'll include your message in a future show:
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Huge thank you once again to Bret for being my special guest on this podcast episode! Be sure to follow him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/bret_iwan/  
Be sure to check out our sponsor WDW Magazine, the premier magazine focused on Walt Disney World, available in print or digital.
Disney news and travel tips: Be sure to visit our Disney news partner, The Kingdom Insider:
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Bonus Episode: We Go On (IllumiNations Final Show)

This episode is my love letter to IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. On September 30, 2019, I was lucky enough to be in attendance of this Epcot nighttime spectacular's final curtain call. In the spirit of nostalgia, I turned on the mics and stood in the back of the crowd to record the best audio I possibly could for YOU, the Imagineer Podcast listener, so you could be with me at the final showing through this episode! So grab some headphones, pull up your favorite armchair, and enjoy this bonus episode of Imagineer Podcast, featuring my longest end credit audio ever (a grand exit for a grand show).
How many times have you seen IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth? What's your favorite part? Where does it rank on your list of favorite nighttime shows? Send me your feedback via email or through direct or public message at any of the following and [with your permission] I'll include your message in a future show:
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Be sure to check out our sponsor WDW Magazine, the premier magazine focused on Walt Disney World, available in print or digital.
Disney news and travel tips: Be sure to visit our Disney news partner, The Kingdom Insider:
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McNair Wilson (Walt Disney Imagineer, Author of "Hatch!")

McNair Wilson is a retired Walt Disney Imagineer who coined the term "Streetmosphere" (now commonly used in the theme park industry) and created street theater performances across the Disney Parks, especially at Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios (at the time it was still called Disney-MGM Studios). McNair is also responsible for creating the name "Downtown Disney" and for creating the Adventurers Club at Pleasure Island. In addition, NcNair developed concepts for many of the Disney attractions we know and love today, most notably the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
In this podcast episode, I have the pleasure of chatting directly with McNair about his work at Walt Disney Imagineering and his experiences meeting and working with Claude Coats, Marty Sklar, Michael Eisner, Frank Wells, Mel Brooks, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and even Walt Disney.
Which of McNair Wilson's creations do you love most? Send me your feedback via email or through direct or public message at any of the following and [with your permission] I'll include your message in a future show:
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Huge thank you once again to McNair for being my special guest on this podcast episode! You can learn more about him and his book (which I have read and recommend) at the links below.
Website: https://teawithmcnair.typepad.com 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmcnair/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hatch-by-McNair-Wilson-118700724892370/ 
Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1938512014/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_KBOCDb8NQQ9DT 
Be sure to check out our sponsor WDW Magazine, the premier magazine focused on Walt Disney World, available in print or digital.
Disney news and travel tips: Be sure to visit our Disney news partner, The Kingdom Insider:
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Harriet Burns, First Lady of Walt Disney Imagineering (Interview with Granddaughter Haley Clair)

Harriet Burns was known as Walt Disney's First Lady of Imagineering, not only because of her contributions to the organization but also because she truly was the first woman hired at WDI in a creative capacity. Harriet is a Disney Legend and even has a window on Main Street U.S.A. at Disneyland. Working directly with Walt Disney, Harriet helped to create many of the classic attractions we know and love today, including Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Matterhorn Bobsleds, the Carousel of Progress, and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. She also built the robin that Mary Poppins sings "Spoonful of Sugar" to in the original film. Harriet passed away in 2008, but her legacy still lives on today.
In this episode, I have the distinct privilege of interviewing Haley Clair, the granddaughter of Harriet Burns. Haley and I chat about her grandmother's life, legacy, work at Walt Disney Imagineering, and interactions with Walt Disney.
Which of Harriet Burn's creations do you love most? Send me your feedback via email or through direct or public message at any of the following and [with your permission] I'll include your message in a future show:
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Share your feedback via voicemail: 516-406-8376
Huge thank you once again to Haley Clair for being my special guest on this podcast episode! You can learn more about Haley and about her family's book (all about Harriet Burns) at the links below.
Website: http://www.haleyclair.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haley.clair/
Book: http://www.imagineerharriet.com 
Be sure to check out our sponsor WDW Magazine, the premier magazine focused on Walt Disney World, available in print or digital.
Disney news and travel tips: Be sure to visit our Disney news partner, The Kingdom Insider:
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Enjoy the show!

Bonus Episode: D23 Expo 2019 Recap

This year, The Walt Disney Company made hundreds of announcements at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California. Even as I was preparing this list of major announcements, I was amazed at how much Disney news was revealed between Disney Plus, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation, Disney Studios, Disney Legends, and the Disney Parks and Resorts. Some of the biggest highlights include updates about Epcot's future, Marvel Avengers Campus coming to Disney California Adventure, two new Pixar films, incredible new shows coming to Disney Plus, and so much more. In this bonus episode, we'll recap the major highlights from D23 Expo 2019 and share our thoughts and opinions about the future of Disney.
Which of these announcements are you most excited about? Send me your feedback via email or through direct or public message at any of the following and [with your permission] I'll include your message in a future show:
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Huge thank you to Kristi of The Kingdom Insider for lending her expertise to this episode of Imagineer Podcast. You can follow The Kingdom Insider in several places:
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First Target Stores to open October 4, 2019: https://www.instagram.com/p/B1opFdiJF3e/ 
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The American Adventure at Epcot (and the Voices of Liberty)

The American Adventure was an opening day attraction at Epcot on October 1, 1982, and has been a part of the park's history ever since. Whenever I take a trip to Walt Disney World, I always enjoy experiencing this attraction, so in today's episode, we'll talk about the history of the show, share some fun facts and details you might not have known about this attraction and pavilion, and share a binaural 360-degree audio recording of the American Adventure and the Voices of Liberty.
What do you love most about The American Adventure? If you haven't experienced it before, which show in World Showcase at Epcot is your favorite? Send me your feedback via email or through direct or public message at any of the following and [with your permission] I'll include your message in a future show:
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The Haunted Mansion (Walt Disney's Masterpiece)

The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park just celebrated its 50th anniversary, so now more than ever seems the perfect time to discuss this classic attraction. Of all the attractions at Disney Parks around the world, there are few that can beat The Haunted Mansion's popularity. Although there have been a few incremental updates to the original versions at Disneyland Park in California and Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, the rides remain virtually the same as they were when they first opened, including the special effects. In today's episode, we'll dive into the history and details of The Haunted Mansion, and we'll ride through the attraction together via binaural audio.
What do you love most about The Haunted Mansion? Which version of this attraction is your favorite? Send me your feedback via email or through direct or public message at any of the following and [with your permission] I'll include your message in a future show:
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Share your feedback via voicemail: 516-406-8376
Huge thank you to Kristi of The Kingdom Insider for lending her expertise to this episode of Imagineer Podcast. You can follow The Kingdom Insider in several places:
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Vacation Planning: Planning a trip to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, or another Disney destination? Visit our trusted partner, Academy Travel: 
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Be sure to check out our sponsor WDW Magazine, the premier magazine focused on Walt Disney World, available in print or digital.
How to Support the Show
Share the podcast with your friends
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Enjoy the show!