Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

Rewind time, and this week we’re stepping back into the eerie glow of the Hollywood Tower Hotel.

We’re revisiting Season 2, Episode 18: The Twilight Zone Bar & Lounge, where Kaity imagined a moody, atmospheric space that extended the Tower of Terror story into a place you could sit down, sip a cocktail, and soak in that haunting Hollywood vibe.

Kaity reflects on why this idea still gives her chills, and how the ride’s timeless mi...

This week, the Idiots are taking a break from rides and characters to focus on something truly meaningful. We’re supporting New Hope for Kids, a Central Florida nonprofit dedicated to helping children facing grief or life-threatening conditions and their families through programs like The Center for Grieving Children and Wishes for Kids.

We talk about why this cause is so important, how every donation, big or small, makes a differen...

Off-season rewind time, and this week we’re heading back to one of our first few ideas.

We’re revisiting Season 1, Episode 9: Re-Animating the Courtyard, where Jenny and Amanda reimagined Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as a vibrant, interactive space celebrating the legacy of Disney animation.

Jenny opens with a thoughtful reflection on why this area has always meant so much, and how recent announcements from Disne...

The Idiots proudly present the very first State of the Kingdom. In this quarterly address, we step back from our regular content to bring you the big picture: the progress, challenges, and future of Disney Parks and Imagineering.

This quarter, we touch on key announcements from Destination D23, major construction updates across the parks including Piston Peak, Tropical Americas, and Monstropolis, as well as the rumors that could sha...

Ever wonder how Disney parades make their music feel perfectly timed no matter where you stand? In this Micro Magic episode, Stephen dives into the ingenious systems Imagineers use to synchronize floats, speakers, lighting, and effects. The result is a seamless, magical soundtrack that seems to appear out of nowhere.

From classic parades to the newest nighttime spectaculars, you’ll get a peek at the tricks behind the scenes that mak...

Off-season continues, and this week we’re rewinding to one that hits especially close to home.

We’re heading back to Season 2, Episode 13: Canceled: Muppet Studios, a fan favorite from our Canceled series. In this episode, Kaity and Marissa reimagined a full Muppets land for Hollywood Studios, filled with joy, heart, and the kind of humor only the Muppets can deliver.

With the recent closure of Muppet Courtyard and the removal of Mup...

It’s almost Destination D23 weekend, but this year something’s missing. For the first time in recent memory, there’s no big Disney Parks panel and that changes everything. Normally this is the moment Disney fans gather for announcements and future park teases. Instead, we’re left with a few scattered panels, a lot of questions, and just maybe a glimmer of hope for a Villains Land reveal.

In this off-season episode, the Idiots dig in...

Season 3 has wrapped, but you didn’t think we’d leave you hanging, did you?

This week, we’re rewinding to Season 1, Episode 17: North America Land, a personal favorite of Stephen’s and one of our most ambitious early projects. In this episode, he and Jenny dream up a brand-new land for Disney’s Animal Kingdom inspired by the landscapes, cultures, and storytelling of North America.

Stephen opens with a current-day ...

After seven months of chaotic brainstorming, feral laughter, and over two dozen wildly ambitious blue-sky projects, Season 3 of Idiot’s Guide to Imagineering wraps with a high-stakes showdown between Marissa and Stephen for the title of Idiot Imagineer of the Year. In this season finale, the Idiots bring all the imagination, storytelling, and unhinged creativity they’ve honed across three seasons into one last head-to-head pitch ch...

Do you really need animals for something to make sense in Disney’s Animal Kingdom? This week, Stephen explores that question with a proposal inspired by a Pixar movie you might have skipped. While it did not make a huge cultural splash, Elemental has more in common with Animal Kingdom than you might think, thanks to its themes of nature, balance, and environmental connection.

Set in one of the park’s most overlooked areas, this conc...

This week, we return to Magic Kingdom carefully. It’s a park we rarely touch out of respect and a healthy fear of Disney purists, but this week, we’re not taking anything away; we’re only adding. Tucked behind Storybook Circus lies a triangular patch of unused land, and today we’re turning it into the Sherwood Renaissance Faire, a playful, tongue-in-cheek addition to Fantasyland inspired by Robin Hood.

We dig into why this underused...

To celebrate Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, Stephen, Kaity, and Disneyland expert Kim Millspaugh (@disney.sme) take a deep dive into the world of live shows at the park. From beloved classics to recent closures, we explore the surprising decline in stage entertainment and what it means for Disneyland’s storytelling future.

Why are so many theaters sitting empty? What challenges and choices have shaped this shift? And does live enter...

We made it to 100, ImaginIdiots! This episode is a full-blown celebration of everything we’ve dreamed up, laughed through, and created together over three wild seasons. From day one, we never imagined we’d make it this far, but thanks to you, here we are: triple digits, baby!

To mark the occasion, we’re doing things a little differently. Instead of designing a new attraction, we’re reimagining Wishes (the beloved nighttime spectacul...

We just spent a whirlwind day exploring Epic Universe—and we’re here to give you our honest first impressions. From checking in at one of the brand-new hotels to navigating early entry, portal strategy, and ride experiences, we’re breaking down what surprised us, what impressed us, and what we think still needs a little fine-tuning.

Stephen, Kaity, and Jenny were on the ground for it all. Whether you’re planning a future trip or jus...

Summer’s heating up—and so is Epcot! This week, Project Manager Kaity leads the charge as the Idiots head to South America to dream up a long-awaited addition to World Showcase: a brand-new Brazil pavilion! Complete with Baroque-inspired architecture, vibrant street markets, a churrascaria with sunset views, and an interactive attraction starring a mythical forest protector (and yes—giant flying capybaras), this proposal brings Bra...

This week, the Idiots tackle the heat—and the lack of hydration—at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As the only Florida Disney park without a water ride, the team agrees it’s time to make a splash. Stephen steps into the project manager role with a bold proposal: bring The Incredibles into the spotlight with a high-energy, super-soaked attraction that blends thrills, laughs, and retro-futuristic flair.

With input from Kaity, Marissa, and...

With the announcement of Disney’s first-ever theme park in the Middle East, Imagineering faces a rare opportunity: building a brand-new Disney destination from the ground up. But what does it really mean to design a park for an entirely new audience—one shaped by different cultural norms, expectations, and stories?

In this episode, Stephen takes the lead as Project Manager to explore what Disney Abu Dhabi could become. From blending...

For the first time ever, the Idiots are stepping aside and handing the mic to a special guest. This week, Stephen welcomes multi-talented creative and Broadway star Tyler Davis for a guest-led episode that flips our usual format on its head. Instead of pitching our own idea, we’re reacting to a fully imagined, fully epic attraction inspired by Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Tyler brings the kind of big ideas we ...