On March 29, Disneyland Paris enters an exciting new chapter with the inauguration of Disney Adventure World, its reimagined and expanded second park that features a thrilling array of innovative new experiences that leverage Disney’s globally beloved stories and franchises.

From the moment guests enter through the majestic Adventure Way to the impressive brand-new World of Frozen — which recreates the kingdom of Arendelle on a life-size scale — they’ll discover an attraction inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Tangled, 14 new dining locations, an immense lake called Adventure Bay, a breathtaking nighttime spectacular, and more. That’s not to mention the new Olaf robotic character, who will be featured as part of the daily Celebration in Arendelle show.

To learn more about the resort’s exciting transformation, which will include a new world and attraction themed to The Lion King still to come, we spoke with Natacha Rafalski, Présidente of Disneyland Paris.

On Mar. 29, the resort’s second park will officially become Disney Adventure World, with World of Frozen as its centerpiece. How did you determine which Disney stories and franchises would best resonate with guests across Europe?

Our strategy was driven by two key pillars: the proven emotional power of our franchises and our ambition to introduce new stories that complemented those already featured in Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris. We chose franchises like Frozen, Marvel, and The Lion King because they offer something for everyone, from young children and families to adult fans. While Pixar already has a beloved presence in both our parks, we recognized that Frozen and Marvel have become absolute cultural phenomena that particularly resonate with our European guests. By pairing these with The Lion King, a story that holds a unique, almost sacred place in the hearts of Europeans, we’ve created a perfectly balanced ecosystem of stories.

While Disneyland Park, our first theme park in Paris, remains the home of classic, timeless storytelling, Disney Adventure World is designed as a place where guests literally step into the stories they know and love. We wanted to move beyond watching the story to living within the familiar environments seen on screen. Whether it’s wandering the streets of Arendelle or immersing yourself in the high-tech world of the Avengers, we are inviting our guests to fully dive into the cinematic worlds they have seen on screen, providing a fresh, distinct contrast to our first park.

These stories clearly travel well beyond their original markets. What does their global appeal say about the enduring strength of Disney’s franchises?

It proves that our stories speak a universal language. Disney’s strength lies in building on themes that are foundational to the human experience: the importance of family and self-discovery in Frozen, the values of heroism and leadership in Marvel, or the responsibility and circle of life in The Lion King.

When you combine those themes with relatable characters and unforgettable music, you create a shared cultural touchstone. These stories connect people across generations and borders, creating an emotional bond that remains vibrant decades after a film’s release.

How did you bring these franchises to life in ways that felt authentic to the region and resonated with local guests?

It is a delicate balance between preserving the DNA of these universal stories and grounding them in an experience that feels authentic to our diverse guests, and weaving it into the cultural fabric of Europe. Many of the stories we tell, from Frozen and Tangled to Peter Pan, are originally based on traditional European stories. Our goal is to honor that heritage while inviting guests into the Disney version of those worlds.

We achieve this by drawing heavily from European artistic traditions. On Adventure Way, for example, we embraced an eclectic architectural style with a strong Art Nouveau aesthetic — and influential school of design that originated here in France. We also know our European guests have a unique appreciation for nature and the traditional stroll. Our landscapes bring this to life through an English-inspired Gazebo Garden and formal French-style parks, offering a more contemplative, distinctly European way to experience a theme park.

That commitment to authenticity carries through to the smallest details of craftsmanship and artistry. In The Regal View Restaurant & Lounge, for example, the decor features striking display plates from the Royal Delft manufactory in the Netherlands — authentic elements that help ground the fantasy in real‑world history. We even localize the experience through sound, collaborating with renowned French composer Philippe Rombi, who created a score for Adventure Way that brings a distinct cinematic sensibility to the land.

Finally, we think carefully about how language plays an important role in making the experience accessible and relatable. In our attractions, guests will hear characters naturally shift between French and English, ensuring the story is clear for everyone while maintaining the grand scale our guests expect. It is truly about honoring the European spirit of these tales while inviting every guest to become a part of the story.

What are some of the most exciting innovations coming to Disneyland Paris as part of this transformation?

Innovation at Disneyland Paris is about elevating every touchpoint of the guest journey, ensuring the magic feels more seamless and alive than ever before. We are particularly thrilled to introduce a next generation robotic figure of Olaf. Developed by Walt Disney Imagineering, this is a true milestone in character technology. Unlike traditional animatronic figures, this Olaf is a free roaming, untethered robotic character that can walk and move with the same whimsical and slightly bumbling gait we know from the films. He can speak and engage with his surroundings in a way that creates a level of character fidelity previously only possible on screen. Guests will be able to see him soon at both Hong Kong Disneyland and right here in Paris as part of our entertainment offerings.

Looking beyond World of Frozen, we are bringing a world first to our nighttime entertainment with the introduction of autonomous aquatic drones. These surface vehicles allow us to use the water of Adventure Bay as a dynamic and choreographed stage. By blending this cutting-edge technology with our classic storytelling, we are creating a multisensory show unlike anything seen in a Disney park before.

We are also evolving the invisible parts of the guest experience. By introducing new digital ways to order food and modernizing our retail environments with intuitive technology, we are removing friction from the day to day. Our goal is to ensure guests spend less time in line and more time immersed in the stories they love.

This transformation is part of a broader €2 billion investment in Disneyland Paris. What does that level of investment signal about Disney’s long-term commitment to the resort and to its growing presence in Europe more broadly?

This investment is a powerful vote of confidence in Disneyland Paris as the leading tourist destination in Europe. It reflects our continued evolution as a world‑class resort, designed to meet the needs of future generations of guests. By significantly expanding our footprint and diversifying our stories, we are reinforcing our commitment to the European region, ensuring that we remain the gold standard for immersive family entertainment for decades to come.

The evolution of Disney Adventure World continues beyond March 29, with a new Up–inspired attraction and an immersive world based on The Lion King still to come. How do these future developments fit into your vision?

Our vision is one of continuous growth and layered storytelling. As we evolve, we are focused on creating a balanced park experience. For instance, the new Up-inspired attraction is a charming, family-style flying carousel that serves as a perfect celebration of the film’s spirit, beautifully complementing the lush greenery and atmosphere of Adventure Way.

Looking further ahead, the upcoming immersive world of The Lion King will be a massive cornerstone for the park’s future. These developments ensure that Disney Adventure World is a place of constant discovery. A destination that grows alongside our guests, offering everything from quiet moments of family fun to epic, large-scale adventures.

Coming April 29, 2026, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort will welcome an expanded timeline that introduces classic, iconic characters — such as Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker — alongside new narrative layers in the award-winning land. These updates will enable guests to experience the classic-era storytelling spanning Return of the Jedi, The Mandalorian, and Ahsoka.

Developed through close collaboration among Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney Live Entertainment, Disneyland, and Lucasfilm, this evolution marks a bold new chapter in how guests step into the Star Wars galaxy.

Extra care was taken in crafting an expanded story for the land as engaging and authentic as the films and streaming series, because, as Asa Kalama, Executive, Creative & Interactive Experiences at Walt Disney Imagineering, explained, “Your first experience with Star Wars might be a film, but it honestly might also be a theme park experience.”

“A Platform for Storytelling”

“Since the very inception of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, we envisioned it as a platform for storytelling,” Kalama noted.

Upon opening in 2019, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge immediately transported guests to Black Spire Outpost on Batuu — a trading port alive with adventure, resistance activity, and the unmistakable hum of starships overhead.

But, the stories within Black Spire Outpost didn’t need to remain static.

“One of the great things about the Star Wars universe and the Star Wars canon is that it is expansive and it continues to grow.”

So, as new Star Wars stories are released across film and television — such as with Lucasfilm’s The Mandalorian and Grogu on May 22 — the concept of expanding the story of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has developed into an abundance of creative opportunities.

As Kalama states, Disney’s unique ability to bring stories on screen to life in physical environments, “allows us to continue to expand the storytelling and the world building.”

And not only are there new stories to incorporate, but the franchise will also be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2027, which will include a rerelease of the film that started it all, Star Wars: A New Hope.

Given these upcoming moments celebrating the entire breadth of the Star Wars saga, “There was this sort of critical mass of more classic leaning characters, and it felt like the right time to celebrate those in the land as well,” Kalama stated.

Disneyland is celebrating these moments with more than just an expanded timeline at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Starting the same day The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives in theaters, guests will also be able to team up with Din Djarin and Grogu on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, showcasing Disney’s unrivaled ability to simultaneously bring stories to fans across linear and experiential storytelling.

A Deep Collaboration with Lucasfilm

Every detail — visual, written, structural, and sonic — has been developed in close partnership with Lucasfilm.

“Since the very beginning, we’ve had the most incredible integrated and blended team with Lucasfilm,” Kalama said.

Rather than Imagineering ideating and then sending proposals to Lucasfilm for approval, the collaboration functioned as true co-creation between the units. “It was the same writing team, the same production design team — everybody was working together,” he explained.

That partnership was especially essential when expanding the land’s timeline.

“We spent a lot of time on every last possible detail,” Kalama noted, ensuring the meticulously crafted original story remained cohesive as it expanded.

The timeline evolution goes far beyond the introduction of beloved characters such as Princess Leia and Han Solo. From architecture and props to background dialogue, Imagineering revisited myriad story cues to ensure alignment with the expanded eras.

As a result, guests will step into a land that “feels refreshed and full of new elements for guests to discover,” according to Kalama.

Key Updates Coming to the Land

• Revitalized Locations and Expanded Backstories
  Several in-land locations will be reimagined to better reflect the broader Star Wars canon. First Order Cargo, will be rethemed as Black Spire Surplus, and will feature artifacts from both the Empire and the Rebel Alliance.
• New Artifacts and Screen-Used Props
  Speaking of artifacts, at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, the expanded timeline will unlock new treasures. Working closely with Lucasfilm, Imagineering is curating authentic, screen-used props from recent streaming series, further grounding the land in the on-screen saga. As Kalama puts it, the props “literally came directly off the screen.”
• An All-New Sonic Landscape
  Music — long central to Star Wars storytelling — will also evolve. Guests will hear a new celebratory soundscape that includes themes from John Williams’ iconic scores from the first six films, adding emotional depth throughout the land. “I think it will take on a different emotional resonance for fans,” Kalama said.

A Park Experience Only Disney Can Deliver

The timeline expansion underscores something uniquely Disney: the ability to bring evolving stories on screen into fully immersive physical environments.

Kalama described Disney as one of the few entertainment companies capable of delivering both linear media and experiential storytelling at this scale.

Through Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, guests don’t just witness the saga — they step inside it.

“The theme park is about embodying a character and truly living the story through your own eyes,” Kalama said.

While the updated timeline will debut only at Disneyland Resort, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World Resort will continue to celebrate the sequel era throughout the land — giving fans distinct ways to experience the saga on each coast.

“Our guests now have two different experiences on either coast where they can explore the full breadth of the canon,” Kalama said.

East Coast guests can engage with stories inspired by The Force Awakens (which takes place during the Rise of the First Order) and beyond, while West Coast fans can immerse themselves in eras of the Galactic Civil War and the New Republic, as well as the Age of the Resistance and the First Order.

Ultimately, the evolution of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge reflects a broader Imagineering philosophy: attractions don’t just bring stories to life — they extend them.

Disney parks exist, Kalama notes, “in the business of creating emotion and memories.” And beginning in late April, guests will discover a reimagined Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge that feels both timeless — and new.

The Walt Disney Company’s Imagineers — the creative minds behind some of the world’s most iconic experiences — are applying their visionary talents to help rebuild and reimagine public spaces that were lost in this year’s devastating wildfires across Los Angeles.

As part of its ongoing $15 million commitment to help LA recover from the disaster, Disney is directing $5 million to support the reopening of Altadena’s Charles White Park, which was destroyed in the January blaze. The revitalized park will feature a new community center and an enhanced playground infused with Disney magic to bring joy to families in the area for its anticipated reopening in 2026.

Since early this year, the Imagineers have been working closely with County staff to help reimagine the park in several ways, including site planning, landscape architecture, and playground design. Some Imagineers tragically lost their own homes in the fires, making their contributions to the community’s recovery even more meaningful. In addition to Charles White Park, Imagineers are supporting recovery efforts at two additional severely damaged Altadena parks.

“Los Angeles has been home to The Walt Disney Company since its founding more than a century ago, which is why we felt a special responsibility to help this community rebuild in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires earlier this year,” said Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “I’m incredibly proud of our Imagineers who are volunteering their time and talents to help reimagine cherished public spaces like Charles White Park. Their work is not only a testament to Disney’s creative spirit, but also to our deep commitment to our neighbors throughout this region. We hope this effort brings comfort, joy, and a sense of renewal to the Altadena community for years to come.”

The park enhancements will include play areas inspired by Altadena’s iconic Deodar Cedar pinecones, a whimsical splash pad, bridges, boulders, slides and swings that will create opportunities for imaginative play for kids of all ages. A new amphitheater will serve as a gathering place for performances and community events. Portions of the park that survived the fire will be carefully preserved, creating a meaningful blend of history and renewal.

“Knowing that Disney’s Imagineers will pour their time, talent, and compassion into Altadena’s recovery is truly inspiring,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “Their work on Charles White Park and other community spaces is more than restoration. It is a gift of hope, joy, and healing for families who have endured so much this year.”

This initiative reflects Disney’s enduring, multi-year commitment to helping restore Los Angeles — a city the company has proudly called home for over 100 years. Disney’s response began immediately after the fires and included initial and immediate response and rebuilding efforts as teams across the company mobilized to provide urgent support. Employees organized donation drives, assembled hundreds of comfort kits and care packages, and honored local first responders with complimentary tickets to Disneyland Resort.

“Charles White Park continues to be an integral part of the Altadena community,” said Emily Dow, Studio Executive, Architecture and Design for Disney Imagineering. “Disney is honored to partner with Los Angeles County to help restore and reimagine this special place, ensuring families can gather, play, and make memories for generations to come.”

“I want to express my appreciation to the Los Angeles County Department of Parks & Recreation and Disney for their tremendous efforts in making this transformative moment possible,” said Ian White, son of Charles White. “Having a place and space for gathering with friends and neighbors to exchange ideas and share reflections is incredibly meaningful, as our community has been spread across the Los Angeles County area due to the devastating and tragic Eaton Fire. What this building will represent in terms of programming possibilities and community engagement is monumental to the spirit of the park and Charles White’s life’s work.”

Disney is also supporting one of Altadena’s most cherished traditions: The Christmas Tree Lane Lighting Ceremony and Winter Festival on December 6. First organized in 1920, this event is one of the oldest large-scale outdoor Christmas light displays in the world. The company will bring some signature Disney Magic to the lighting event, including character appearances, festive moments, and meaningful volunteer opportunities to support families in need during the season. Disney also will help support the community’s annual toy drive with a donation of more than 1,000 toys that evening.

In addition, Disney has been bringing joy to local students in Pacific Palisades, Brentwood and Altadena through “Disney Field Days.” These highly immersive experiences featured themed activities from Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Marvel Studios, and Lucasfilm, offering hands-on activities, interactive games, and visits from classic Disney characters. Disney also provided its films for 60 family movie nights across locations in LA county during September and October.

Learn more about Disney’s support for Los Angeles following the wildfires here.

For 70 years, live entertainment has been at the heart of the Disney parks experience. From the first parade down Main Street, U.S.A. on July 17, 1955, to today’s dazzling nighttime spectaculars, Disney Live Entertainment (DLE) continues to evolve the art of storytelling — blending timeless theatrical traditions with cutting-edge technology to create unforgettable moments for guests around the world.

David Lightbody, SVP, Disney Live Entertainment, notes that as the theatrical arm of Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI), DLE works very closely with WDI from the early days of each project as it develops new and exciting live experiences.

“It’s a symbiotic relationship,” Lightbody said. “Imagineers build these phenomenal places and invent amazing new technologies, and we bring those spaces to life and weave technology into our storytelling.”

Bruce Vaughn, President and Chief Creative Officer, Walt Disney Imagineering, praised the work of Lightbody’s team that forges strong emotional connections for guests to the experiences they create.

“We have an exceptional group of show directors, producers, choreographers and designers all over the world who really give it their all,” Vaughn noted. “They love Disney and they love to tell stories — and that passion shines through in everything they create, from our massive nighttime spectaculars to the most intimate character greetings.”

Pushing the Boundaries of Live Entertainment

This collaborative spirit has led to a new generation of live shows that push the boundaries of what’s possible.

In 2025 alone, DLE has launched a slate of ambitious productions across the globe, a few of which are highlighted in the latest episode of We Call it Imagineering.

“Friendtastic!” at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort — the biggest parade in the park’s history — features large LED screens, animation, and special effects.

At Disneyland Paris, “Disney Tales of Magic” uses projection mapping, lighting, pyrotechnics, and drones to tell an emotionally resonant story.

And, “Disney Starlight” at Walt Disney World lights up the night beginning July 20 with nods to classic electrical parades sprinkled into a dazzling display of the latest lighting technology.

There are even more exciting new productions from Disney Live Entertainment, now showing around the world, such as “World of Color Happiness!,” “Paint the Night,” and more, in honor of The Disneyland Resort 70 Celebration; a new castle stage show and enhanced “Momentous: Party in the Night Sky” spectacular for the 20 anniversary of Hong Kong Disneyland; two new theatrical presentations at Disney World — “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” and “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure”… plus an entire menu of new live entertainment productions opening this fall aboard the Disney Destiny and Disney Adventure cruise ships.

“We are continuously improving and enhancing the experiences we bring to our parks and cruise ships and looking for ways to incorporate the latest technological advancements,” Lightbody said. “And ‘Disney Starlight’ is the latest evolution in our legacy of nighttime parades.”

Technology in Service of Story

While technology plays a key role, it’s always in service of the story.

“We never really use technology for the sake of technology,” Lightbody said. “We consider all these innovations among the tools in our kit as storytellers. The craft of live theatre is thousands of years old, but the goal of theatre remains the same today as it’s always been. We strive to tell a good story, to engage our audience, and to touch their hearts.”

That emotional connection is what sets Disney apart, especially when it comes to creating connections in different places with different cultures.

Stories for Every Fan

“Each of our parks has different needs and a different audience. We take all those factors into account,” Lightbody explained. “At Hong Kong Disneyland, ‘Friendtastic!’ features characters and stories from films that are very popular in the region, including Zootopia and Turning Red, and incorporates design motifs customized for Hong Kong, like the giant Bauhinia flowers on the floats.”

And as Vaughn explains, WDI and DLE have a world-class list of brands at their disposal to suit whichever stories fans love.

“We work closely with partners at Lucasfilm, Marvel, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and we also do extensive research at each of our sites around the globe to understand which franchises and characters resonate with the local audience,” Vaughn said. “Then we blend our unique brand of immersive storytelling with cutting-edge technology to make those dreams into reality.”

“That’s the joy of being in the live entertainment business,” Vaughn continued. “We’re constantly looking for new and creative ways to share the stories our guests love.”

New Magic with Every Visit

Live entertainment also brings a unique kind of magic to the parks — one that changes with every visit.

“By definition, ‘live’ means a vibrant, dynamic environment,” Vaughn added. “Our attractions are fantastic, of course, but people tend to experience them in a similar way. But live entertainment enables highly personal connections — on any day you might see Ariel blow you a kiss, Moana waving at your kids, or even Stitch offering a high-five. And that’s something you and your family can’t experience anywhere else and will remember forever.”

As Disney Live Entertainment looks to the future, it remains grounded in the ideals that Walt Disney himself envisioned.

“This organization that we know today as Disney Live Entertainment has roots going back to Walt Disney and the opening of Disneyland 70 years ago,” Lightbody reflected. “We present [those experiences] in new ways that incorporate new and innovative techniques and technology that resonate with today’s audiences and perhaps surprise people with something they’ve never seen before.”

From the first trumpet blast of a parade to the final burst of fireworks in the night sky, Disney Live Entertainment continues to deliver joy, wonder, and innovation — one live moment at a time.

Disney+ has released the trailer and key art for Lucasfilm’s Light & Magic, which were both unveiled today at Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo. Attendees heard from director Joe Johnston and producer Ron Howard via videotaped greetings and also enjoyed a highlight reel from the first season of Light & Magic.

A panel discussion followed, moderated by Sam Witwer, and included actor Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks), Lynwen Brennan (President and General Manager Lucasfilm Business), Doug Chiang (Senior Vice President & Executive Design Director, Lucasfilm), Janet Lewin (Senior Vice President, General Manager and Head of ILM), John Knoll (ILM Executive Creative Director, Senior Visual Effects Supervisor), and Rob Coleman (ILM Creative Director and Senior Animation Supervisor).

Lucasfilm’s Light & Magic Season 2 is a three-part series produced by Imagine Documentaries that follows Lucasfilm’s visual effects company, Industrial Light & Magic, as it enters its most challenging and revolutionary period: the dawn of digital. From creating the first fully realized CG character to solving the challenge of digital water, it is an era that finds ILM scaling new heights of innovation despite dramatic setbacks.

In addition to directing, Johnston executive produces alongside Brian Grazer, Howard, Justin Wilkes, Sara Bernstein, Lawrence Kasdan, Kathleen Kennedy, and Carrie Beck. Jacqui Lopez, Ted Schillinger, and Michael Garcia are the co-executive producers; Meredith Kaulfers and Christopher St. John are the producers’ and Nicole Pusateri is the supervising producer.

All three parts of Light & Magic are now streaming, exclusively on Disney+.

The second episode of Walt Disney Imagineering’s YouTube series is now available to watch.

This series showcases Disney Imagineers — the brilliant creatives who make the impossible possible — as they take viewers through how they’re designing, innovating, and crafting new experiences.

For episode two, We Call it Imagineering is going behind-the-scenes of how music is created for attractions and entertainment across Disney Experiences — including a first look reveal at the finale of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, a sneak peek at new music for Country Bear Musical Jamboree, and more.

For Disney Experiences’ newest attraction — the highly anticipated Tiana’s Bayou Adventure — the Imagineers called on Grammy® winners PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard to helm new music for the attraction and queue, respectively.

“We really wanted to showcase New Orleans music, give people who are going to be in the queue line an experience of being in New Orleans,” Blanchard — a featured musician in the Disney Animation Studios film The Princess and the Frog — said. “It will hopefully create a lasting memory and a relationship with the city.”

Morton wrote an all-new original song, “Special Spice” — with vocals by Anika Noni Rose, the original voice of Princess Tiana — as a lyrical love letter to New Orleans.

Not only does the latest episode of We Call It Imagineering feature a sneak peek of this catchy new tune, but the full version will also debut this Friday, May 31, across all streaming platforms.

Musical accompaniment at Disney Experiences goes way back, including the work of songwriters like the Sherman Brothers.

The duo was among the first songwriters for Disneyland attractions, creating classics like “The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room” and “It’s A Small World (After All),” which debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair and has been an earworm ever since.

Follow Imagineers every step of the way in this engaging series on the Walt Disney Imagineering YouTube channel.

With more than 100 lifetime patents, The Walt Disney Company’s most prolific inventor, Lanny Smoot—the Disney Research Fellow and Imagineer behind numerous astonishing special effects at Disney parks around the world—was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame last week.

Smoot is the first Disney Imagineer to receive this prestigious recognition and only the second individual from The Walt Disney Company to be inducted—the first being Walt Disney himself, honored posthumously in 2000 for the multiplane camera.

“I am proud and excited, and at the same time humbled, because this amazing honor has also been bestowed upon the likes of Thomas Edison,” Smoot says. “Bringing it a little closer to home, it was also given to personal heroes of mine, like Jim West, inventor of the electret microphone that we all carry in our cell phones and laptops—and, bringing it even closer, to Walt Disney himself, whose vision is still the guiding light for all of my colleagues at The Walt Disney Company.”

For Smoot, getting to attend the dinner, ceremony, and after party with other luminaries was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A standout moment “was to walk across the stage and have the (very heavy) medal bestowed upon me, topping off the event and making it ‘real’ in some ways,” he says. Smoot adds that another highlight “was that I might become a better role model for young people, especially those who look like me, to consider careers in engineering, the sciences, and invention and have as much fun as I have had in doing so.”

In choosing which patent to list during his National Inventors Hall of Fame induction, Smoot selected one related to “Where’s the Fire?”. The interactive exhibit—which was featured in the Innoventions Pavilion at EPCOT for nearly 10 years—aimed to educate guests on both fire safety and the importance of fire prevention through engaging challenges.

“‘Where’s the Fire?’… was almost completely based on this single patent, which demonstrates the power of invention!” Smoot explains. “The interactive attraction allowed guests and families to use ‘X-Ray flashlights’ to see through the walls of faux homes, and to root out safety hazards. It was, of course, entertaining for our guests, but it also contributed towards them having safer lives. The combination of Disney entertainment, and the novel use of cutting-edge technology is always a part of the ‘Disney difference.’”

In the past 45 years, Smoot has demonstrated both imagination and skill, working as a theatrical technology creator, inventor, electrical engineer, scientist, and researcher, resulting in an impressive collection of 106 patents—74 of which were created during his 25 years at The Walt Disney Company.

Smoot is also the recipient of multiple awards and honors, including three Thea Awards from the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) for his work on fan-favorite attractions and experiences, such as Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage at Disneyland Park and Kim Possible: World Showcase Adventure at EPCOT. His expertise in theatrical technology earned him the esteemed title of TEA Master in 2020.

Needless to say, Smoot’s inventions—from the state-of-the-art extendable lightsaber used by Disney Live Entertainment to the Magic Playfloor aboard Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy ships—have created a multitude of magical moments for guests.

“One of the mottos of the Imagineers is, ‘We make the magic!’ We continuously use our imagination, and our technical skills in service of creating the entertaining, exciting, and often educating attractions that our guests enjoy,” Smoot says. “Before coming to Imagineering, I enjoyed a successful career in telecom research [at Bell Labs and later Bellcore in New Jersey], and I valued the freedom to create based on my continuing curiosity about what technology can do. Imagineering turbocharges that type of freedom and gave me an even wider canvas for my technical skills. Being a Fellow recognizes that I have made significant contributions to the Imagineering mission, and that I am trusted to continue in that crusade. Having the title means, ‘Keep doing what you are doing! We trust you that it will be good!’”

Currently, Smoot is working with other Disney Imagineers on the HoloTile Floor—the world’s first, and only, multi-person, omni-directional, modular, expandable treadmill floor.

“Its ability to move an unlimited number of people or objects on its surface in any direction, enables whole new applications,” Smoot says. “For instance, multiple persons in virtual reality headsets can stroll through real or fantastical locations, all in a physically small space, without bumping into each other or walking off the Floor. The HoloTile Floor could also be embedded in theatrical stages to allow performers to dance in ways that would elude the most talented performers standing on an ordinary stage. It can also be used as a design tool, to allow Imagineers to walk through their creations before they are even built.”

And Smoot is just getting started. “I love getting the ‘How do they do that?’ reactions from our theme park guests, and I remain curious about how far we can take technology in service of entertainment, so I’ll just keep on doing what I’m doing,” he says. “Next project!”

Just like when Walt Disney personally guided TV viewers through the development of various new attractions at Disneyland before they even opened, Disney Imagineers are inviting you back inside as they work on all-new experiences.

As the company embarks on ambitious efforts to turbocharge Disney Experiences, now is your chance to go “behind the curtain, so that you can see what our Imagineers are working on, and to learn how these amazing people do what they do,” Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, said in the first episode of a new YouTube series titled We Call It Imagineering.

This series showcases Imagineers — the folks who make the impossible possible — and the sky’s the limit as they take viewers through how they’re designing, innovating, and creating new experiences.

The inaugural episode spotlights the constant innovation in Audio-Animatronics figures, advancing one of Imagineering’s most prolific technologies.

“As Imagineers we know our end product isn’t gears or circuits or revolutionary robotic figures that engage with guests in brand new ways, it’s actually emotion in its truest form,” Bruce Vaughn, Chief Creative Officer at Walt Disney Imagineering, explained. “That’s why we do what we do, and we’re excited to be sharing this with you.”

“Walt challenged us to stay curious, to dream big and to always be thinking about the future,” D’Amaro said. “And that’s what’s happening right here, every day, as we turbocharge our destinations around the globe.”

Follow the Imagineers every step of the way in this brand-new series on the Walt Disney Imagineering YouTube channel.

Lanny Smoot, a Disney Research Fellow and longtime member of Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development, is being inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. He is the first Disney Imagineer to receive this prestigious recognition and only the second individual from The Walt Disney Company to be inducted—the first being Walt Disney, honored posthumously in 2000 for the multiplane camera. Smoot and his fellow Class of 2024 inductees will be formally honored in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, May 9.

Upon learning of his induction, Smoot said, “I was honored and humbled at being inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. With all of the inventing greats, however, I caught a true lump in my throat when I realized that I was only the second person at The Walt Disney Company being presented with this honor, and the first person was Walt Disney himself.”

For nearly three decades, Smoot has continued to push the boundaries of technology to bring to life awe-inspiring, one-of-a-kind experiences to Disney guests around the world. Throughout his illustrious career, he has worked as a theatrical technology creator, inventor, electrical engineer, scientist, and researcher, resulting in more than 100 patents—an incredibly rare feat that makes Smoot one of the most prolific Black inventors in American history, based on patents issued, according to Disney patent attorney Stuart Langley. Of that total, 74 of his patents were created during his 25 years at The Walt Disney Company.

“At Disney Experiences, we’re committed to world-class storytelling, creativity, and innovation in everything we do, and Lanny Smoot embodies every one of those ideals,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences. “As Disney’s most prolific inventor, Lanny continues to amaze all of us with his artistic ingenuity, technical expertise, and endless imagination.”

Among his many accomplishments, Smoot is credited with giving Madame Leota her ability to “float” in the Séance Room at the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park; crafting the state-of-the-art extendable lightsaber used by Disney Live Entertainment; inventing the Magic Playfloor interactive game experience on the Disney Cruise Line; producing the immersive Fortress Explorations adventure at Tokyo DisneySea; and designing the virtual and interactive koi ponds at the Crystal Lotus Restaurant at Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.

When deciding which of his patents to highlight as part of his National Inventors Hall of Fame induction, Smoot selected “Where’s the Fire?” at Innoventions, previously featured at EPCOT. This interactive exhibit promoted fire prevention through engaging challenges; guests “shined” a special flashlight on the walls of a house and, through the magic of his technology, exposed hidden fire dangers and learned how to prevent them from happening.

Smoot is the recipient of many awards and honors, including three Thea Awards from the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) for his work on the attractions Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage and Kim Possible: World Showcase Adventure, as well as the Ghost Post limited-time experience inspired by the Haunted Mansion. In 2020, Smoot’s expertise in theatrical technology earned him the esteemed title of TEA Master.

Smoot’s forward-thinking inventions have also empowered the theatrical community to create new entertainment, illusions, and magic. He is currently working on the HoloTile floor, the world’s first multi-person, omni-directional, modular, expandable, treadmill floor. It allows any number of people to have a shared virtual reality (VR) experience, walk an unlimited distance in any direction, and never collide or walk off its surface. The HoloTile floor can also be an insert in a theatrical stage, allowing performers to move and dance in new ways, or stage props and structures to move around or appear to set themselves up.

Prior to joining Disney, Smoot completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering at Columbia University. Before Disney, he worked at Bell Laboratories, followed by Bell Communications Research. While at Bell, he received patents for his role in the early development of video-on-demand technology, video conferencing, and more.