Imagination Skyway

Ron Clements is a legendary filmmaker from Walt Disney Animation Studios. With a Disney career spanning 45 years, Ron has written and directed such iconic films as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Princess and the Frog, and Moana alongside longtime partner John Musker. Earlier in his career, which included a two-year apprenticeship under Disney Legend Frank Thomas, Ron worked in the animation department on films like The Rescuers and The Fox and the Hound, and he made his writing-directing debut with The Great Mouse Detective. His new book, Making Disney Magic... from a Mermaid to Moana, covers his life and...

The Disney Believe sets sail on its inaugural sailing in December 2027. Last week, Disney hosted an announcement show aboard the Disney Wish, sharing new updates about the Disney Believe, including the names of select shows and dining locations, design concepts for the ship's staterooms, and select entertainment. In this episode, I am joined by Steph and Danny from WDW Magazine as we discuss what they learned about the Disney Wish cruise ship about the Disney Believe. We also discuss a few elements of Imagineering aboard Disney Cruise Line and predict what Disney might announce next.  Get ad-free e...

Bob Rogers is a former Walt Disney Imagineer and the Founder of BRC Imagination Arts, www.BRCweb.com. He is a master storyteller, film maker, inventor and writer. In this episode, I chat with Bob about his career and about his new book, Deep Story. BRC’s work has earned over 500 international awards for creative excellence, for some of the most respected and acclaimed brand destinations in the world, including Impressions de France at EPCOT, Back to Neverland (extinct attraction starring Robin Williams and Walter Cronkite) at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and beyond. Personally, Bob has been...

The Disney Believe sets sail on its inaugural sailing in December 2027. Yesterday (October 7, 2026), Disney hosted an announcement show aboard the Disney Wish, sharing new updates about the Disney Believe, including the names of select shows and dining locations, design concepts for the ship's staterooms, and select entertainment. In this episode, we discuss what was just announced about the Disney Believe. In addition, we discuss new holiday overlays coming to Walt Disney World this 2026 holiday season. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and premium content at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. To plan a trip, be sure...

Next summer, Disney's Lakeshore Lodge opens at Walt Disney World along Bay Lake, nestled between Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. This week, Disney Signature Experiences invited me and a guest to preview elements of this hotel at a New York City event. We saw new resort concept art, enjoyed a couple of Disney meet-and-greet photo opportunities, and sampled recreational elements of the resort. In this episode, we discuss everything we know so far about Disney's Lakeshore Lodge and analyze what the experience will be like for guests. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and...

This summer, Disneyland Park unveiled a new animatronic at Pirates of the Caribbean. This figure uses patented technology—made possible with Epic Games Unreal Engine—that projection maps onto an audio-animatronic using real-time feedback. While this addition has been met with some initial controversy online among Disney fans, I had the opportunity to see this in person this summer. In this episode, I break down the new technology created by Walt Disney Imagineering, review the experience, and discuss potential implications. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and premium content at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. To plan...

Magic of Disney Animation is a new attraction that opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios this month. Reminiscent of both the classic Animation experience at Disney-MGM Studios and the current Walt Disney Studios Lot in Burbank California, this new Walt Disney World experience is inspired by the Once Upon A Studio animated short and the feature films from Walt Disney Animation Studios. In this episode, we discuss this new park experience, share some not-to-miss details, and play a recording of a media panel featuring iconic Disney animators (including recent Disney Legend inductee, Eric Goldberg). Thanks to WDW Magazine for providing t...

Adventures by Disney offers hassle-free, guided tours of various destinations around the globe, led by knowledgeable Disney tour guides. Adventures by Disney Paris Escape is a two-night tour of Paris, France that takes guests to major landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. In this episode, we discuss this particular tour, how it's different than a traditional Adventures by Disney, and who should consider this vacation experience. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and premium content at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   Read Matt's I...

Swan Reserve is part of the Swan and Dolphin collection of hotels at Walt Disney World. In this episode, I review my hosted stay, sponsored by the Swan Reserve. Located steps from EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and the Disney Resorts around Crescent Lake (plus the Disney Skyliner), Swan Reserve is a Marriott Autograph Collection property that shares amenities with Swan and Dolphin and offers the perks of a Disney Deluxe Resort. This episode includes what to expect at Swan Reserve and the reasons to stay there on your next Disney vacation. Learn more about your next stay at https://s...

Disney's Beach Club Resort is one of the most popular Walt Disney World hotels, just steps away from EPCOT and a stroll or Friendship boat ride away from Disney's Hollywood Studios. Beach Club is also closely situated by the Disney Skyliner and has direct bus service to Magic Kingdom, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs. Alongside Disney's Yacht Club Resort, these sister properties share the most popular pool at Walt Disney World (Stormalong Bay) and offer a wide range of quick-service and table service dining options. In this episode, we share the reasons we love Disney's Beach Club and...

Cirque du Soleil: Drawn to Life at Disney Springs represents the first collaboration between Disney and Cirque du Soleil. The show celebrates the 100-year history of Walt Disney Animation Studios, including references to Walt Disney's Nine Old Men, Disney animators, and Disney stories, characters, and musical scores. Blending acrobatics, choreography, and special effects, this show is one you will not want to miss on your next trip to the Walt Disney World Resort. In this #hosted episode, I review Cirque du Soleil: Drawn to Life after seeing it for the first time. Learn more about this show...

D23 The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026 included a Disney Parks and Experiences presentation called Horizons, a showcase led by Walt Disney Imagineering and hosted by Neil Patrick Harris. In this episode, we'll recap the August 15 showcase, including updates coming to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Tokyo Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland. Highlights include a fixed yeti animatronic at Expedition Everest, the return of Dreamfinder to Journey into Imagination at EPCOT, details about Piston Peak and Villains Land coming to Magic Kingdom, details about Tropical Americas coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom, and more. <...

Bret Iwan might be best known for his iconic voice work, but his creative endeavors extend beyond the studio. As a painter, a designer, and a restoration artist, Bret is currently pursuing several personal projects, including a ranch he's building up north (Terbeau Ranch), an historic railroad he's restoring, ongoing antique restoration, and other creative endeavors. In this episode, we discuss the personal side of Bret Iwan, including his projects, his home, his aspirations, and his thoughts on ways to stay creative and engaged. You can follow Bret Iwan on Instagram and YouTube. Get ad-free episodes, bonus...

Disney's Lakeshore Lodge opens summer 2027, and today's Disney Parks Blog article confirmed new dining and fireworks spaces coming to the resort, including a new table-service restaurant, a quick-service restaurant, a pool bar, and a terrace. Disney's Lakeshore Lodge will be inspired by Pocahontas (from Walt Disney Animation Studios) and the natural landscape surrounding Bay Lake at the Walt Disney World Resort. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and premium content at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   Read Matt's Imagineering column in WDW Magazine.   Imagination Skyway is...

For many Disney fans, choosing a trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland often comes down to proximity—travelers on the east coast default to Walt Disney World, and west-coasters often select Disneyland—but there are numerous advantages to vacationing at the resort farther from your home. Removing the distance factor from our travel plans, we compare what it's like to vacation at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, staying on property in each case, and how traveling with young kids changes the experience. We also discuss our favorite attractions, food, and memories from our most recent trip to the Disn...

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa is the flagship hotel of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. Opening in 2001, Grand Californian is the closest hotel to a Disney theme park, just steps away from Disney California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney District, or a brief walk to Disneyland Park. Inspired by the craftsmanship of California architecture and the natural beauty of the golden state, the Grand Californian Hotel offers spacious accommodations, luxurious amenities, fine dining, and more, with the quickest access you can get to both Disneyland Resort theme parks. In this episode, I'm joined by Philander Butler to...

D23 The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026 is happening in Anaheim, California—just next door to the Disneyland Resort—on August 14, 15, and 16. The schedule for this D23 Expo was just announced. In this episode, I'll highlight the panels and events you won't want to miss, and I'll share my predictions for the Disney Experiences Showcase, which will include announcements for the Disney Parks from Walt Disney Imagineering. You can learn more at D23.com. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and premium content at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. To plan a trip, be sure to work with...

In this listener question-and-answer episode, we discuss our thoughts about the latest changes to Walt Disney World bus transportation and removal of the Grand Floridian ginger bread house, new resort hotels, annual pass breakeven points, how Disney transitions guests between lands, what we would want to take Roy Disney to see, and more listener questions. Thanks to Carly Caramanna for joining me on this episode! Make sure to pre-order her new book: The Unofficial Disney Parks Retro Cookbook. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and premium content at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. To...

The United States of America turns 250 this July 4, 2026. In many ways, Disney embodies, reflects, and propels American culture, and Walt Disney himself was a patriotic American who volunteered in World War II, admired Abraham Lincoln, and created stories based on American lore. Today, many Disney Parks experiences celebrate various aspects of American history, geography, and psychology. For this special two-part episode, we share our favorite patriotic experiences at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, including many that might surprise you. Special thanks to Philander Butler for joining me on this episode. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes...

Disney's BoardWalk is getting new experiences starting this summer 2026 (plus a quick-service location to be announced later this summer). Disney Lakeshore Lodge (opening 2027) has a confirmed recreation area called The Wetlands with views of Magic Kingdom fireworks. Disney Transportation bus and ferry boat departures from Disney Springs will be limited to those with specific reservations beginning June 28, 2026. In this episode, we discuss all this news and my analysis and opinions. Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, in-depth news analysis, and premium content at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   R...