Three years in the past, we wrote that it will be the yr of Cleansing Up Chapek’s Expensive Catastrophes and gave a number of particular examples of issues that wanted fixing from in-park at Walt Disney World to visitor satisfaction to Imagineering morale. Oh, how naive we have been.
Getting the Parks & Resorts (or Experiences) division again heading in the right direction would take for much longer, and stays a work-in-progress as of 2026. Issues are very clearly trending in the correct course, although. We’ve discovered as a lot throughout conversations during the last year-plus, and witnessed it together with everybody else throughout public shows, what’s modified, and been introduced since.
From the skin, the shift grew to become seen lower than a yr after Chapek’s ouster with announcement that the corporate deliberate to speculate $60 billion in “turbocharging” Parks & Resorts over the subsequent 10 years, and was cemented by the blockbuster D23 Expo that adopted. Turbocharged development shortly grew to become a punchline with followers, particularly over a yr later as zero (0) shovels had nonetheless but to hit soil. Quick-forward to early 2026 with earth transferring on a number of main initiatives on each coasts, and the joke isn’t as humorous.
Based mostly on every part I’ve seen and heard, I’ve had a publish in my drafts since late final summer time questioning whether or not Walt Disney Imagineering is getting into a brand new golden age. The straightforward motive that I’ve but to publish (and even write greater than 300 phrases and a tough define) is as a result of it feels untimely.
As a lot as I’m satisfied that Imagineering is on course, or not less than a greater course than it was below Chapek, there’s nonetheless the fact that the latest output has been blended. That Imagineering misplaced lots of institutional data, and that’s one thing cash can not purchase. That’s there’s nonetheless loads, ahem, “confidence” in end-results which might be only-okay. That the common age of Imagineers has dropped sharply since 2019.
A few of many positives are that Bruce Vaughn has returned, and is rebuilding morale. That Imagineering has its largest-ever presence at Walt Disney World, and that this occurred principally organically. That the site-level management at each Walt Disney World and Disneyland (Anaheim, not Glendale) is well-pedigreed and as much as the duty.
That the mission groups helming among the extra, ahem, controversial initiatives likewise is true for deftly helming these additions. That Walt Disney World is lastly keen to price range for some ‘singles & doubles.’ That cash isn’t simply being spent freely, however neatly. That there’s nonetheless loads of expertise throughout the halls of WDI.
We’ve touched upon a few of these issues in quite a lot of posts, with out elaborating a lot. Properly, an attention-grabbing new piece simply dropped within the Wall Road Journal, which explores a few of these identical matters. That article is effectively price a studying in full, however I needed to share among the most attention-grabbing takeaways, surprises and disappointments–together with my perspective on every…
A number of Main Marvel Rides Killed
Based on the article, senior parks executives didn’t belief WDI might ship initiatives on time and on price range after Shanghai Disneyland. Because of that, plans for a number of main Marvel points of interest have been killed, individuals conversant in the matter informed WSJ.
I’m skeptical of this declare, not less than as offered. For one factor, the declare that the errors made with Shanghai Disneyland induced senior parks executives to be distrustful of Imagineering lacks nuance. Shanghai Disneyland did undergo value overruns and delays (coated right here) and Bruce Vaughn was most likely the autumn man for that (coated right here) however all of that largely revolved across the moon shot challenges of constructing a theme park in mainland China for the primary time ever.
Parks management isn’t silly. They understand there are apparent variations between constructing in China and Florida. Though Shanghai Disneyland did lead to austerity measures within the home parks and short-term pullback in spending, that wasn’t a few lack of belief. At the very least, not solely. The issues in China have been distinctive to the locality, and in the event that they weren’t, the large spending on Shanghai Disneyland was way back vindicated. Epic Universe owes a debt to Shanghai Disneyland, and I’m not even kidding.
As for the particular claims about Marvel points of interest being killed, not less than two of these are a matter of public report. On the subject of these, my understanding is that elements aside from budgetary “belief” have been at play. There’s additionally the fact that Cosmic Rewind, which had a completely blockbuster price range, got here after Shanghai Disneyland and as a substitute of extra modest options. Given the totality of the circumstances (unrelated to belief), I’m actually shocked that so many Marvel initiatives have progressed via the pipeline.
Disney Journey Means Over Finances
The article opens with the story of the Disney Journey, which was the partially-budget International Dream cruise ship that Chapek acquired for pennies on the greenback–a complete value of simply $40 million. Disney allegedly estimated that it will value about $1 billion to finish, or lower than half what the corporate sometimes spends to construct a brand new ship.
Nevertheless, Imagineers found it was tougher than anticipated to show a ship made for playing right into a family-friendly leisure vessel. “It was like attempting to show a Honda right into a Hummer,” Justin Newton, a former Imagineer who oversaw the retrofit informed WSJ.
The ultimate value of the Disney Journey is about $1.8 billion. Its launch in Singapore was delayed on the final minute from December to March 2026 to finish the ending touches, forcing the corporate to refund and reschedule 1000’s of reservations.
That is principally simply disappointing. We had beforehand thought-about the acquisition of the International Dream as a “Uncommon Chapek W.” And it nonetheless is perhaps, as Vaughn does point out that the retrofit saved Disney time, even when it ended up costing more cash.
Within the final couple of years, increasingly more has come out suggesting the retrofit is a gentle boondoggle. Not coated within the article–however attention-grabbing to me–is the potential marketplace for these Singapore sailings, and the way/when/if Disney can pivot. The corporate has been optimistic concerning the Journey on earnings calls, maybe overly so. I worry the Journey’s issues are simply getting began. In hindsight, this buy may find yourself being a “Widespread Chapek Mistake.”
93% of Tasks Beneath Finances
The article spends appreciable consideration on budgets, with the present-day standing being heightened stress on Imagineering to ship initiatives on time and on price range after years of failing to take action. A Disney spokeswoman stated 93% of Imagineering’s work previously 4 years has are available in under-budget.
I’ve two nearly conflicting ideas on this. The primary is that 93% seemingly relies upon upon the reference level. For instance, is CommuniCore Corridor being in comparison with the unique multi-level competition heart or the scaled-back plans a number of years later? Plenty of plans have been scaled-back post-COVID, which makes that 93% extra attainable.
Absent that, the final 4 years have been a interval of ballooning labor and supplies prices. On that foundation alone–and thru no fault of Imagineering–I’ve a troublesome time believing that 93% stat. This quantity would additionally imply that 37 out of 40 initiatives got here in under-budget, which is a lot of initiatives. It most likely counts issues like resort room reimaginings, restaurant refreshes, lightbulb altering, and different low-hanging fruit that’s simpler for holding prices.
The second thought is that I’ve heard repeatedly that Imagineering has been laser-focused on spending its budgets extra successfully and stretching {dollars} so far as potential. That not solely has this been a purpose, but in addition an final result. And it’s a part of the explanation why smaller initiatives, particularly at Walt Disney World, hold getting greenlit.
Imagineering Used “Progressive Seduction”
Based on the article:
Some Imagineers noticed executives as an impediment that wanted to be overcome. They often used a course of recognized internally as “progressive seduction” to get approval for initiatives at a smaller scale after which recommend one seemingly small enchancment at a time till it was as large as they really needed it to be, an individual with data of the matter stated.
This declare has been so contentious that legendary Imagineer Joe Rohde has weighed in. Right here’s Rohde’s rebuttal:
There’s a paragraph within the Wall Road Journal article about Imagineering that’s just about a fantasy. It mentions the idea of progressive seduction. This refers back to the notion {that a} group presents a mission with an inexpensive price range however totally intends to escalate this price range by including scope and by misrepresenting the true value of unique scope.
I noticed this occur as soon as in 40 years. As soon as. Many years in the past. I used to be a really junior member of a group and the producer tried to develop the scope and price range by about 30%. I used to be standing there within the assembly by the mission mannequin once we have been informed to chop the complete third of the mission mannequin off, chuck it and every part it represented, and construct what was left. I cannot say whether or not that mission went on to completion… however I’ll say that it’s psychotic to consider that an individual would hold their job after intentionally deceiving the important thing executives of a serious firm to the tune of 100s of million {dollars}, and surprisingly naïve for a enterprise journal to report it as if it may very well be true.
I’ve been answerable for initiatives which have gone over price range, been on price range, and are available in beneath price range. In all circumstances, the final development is a discount in scope from the preliminary idea. Tasks run over price range due to a mixture of market forces, required adjustments in program after capitalization, and the unpredictability of technical innovation. As a result of there may be already a cultural predisposition to think about artists as irresponsible, it’s exceedingly unproductive for designers to behave as such, and the end result just isn’t some difficult triumph, however the full lack of authority over the mission.
I’d not need any younger designer to assume that progressive seduction was a reliable type of design conduct acknowledged by anybody. Nor would I desire a younger enterprise supervisor to suspect that this was the case, as a result of it will result in unproductive relationships inside a group construction. I don’t know who the interview supply was for this data, however it’s described in a fairly journalistically evasive approach as “an individual with data of this matter.” I’d contend that that is unlikely.
Even earlier than Rohde’s response, that line struck me as a caricature of the inventive course of that leaned into drained tropes about executives and Imagineers. Nearly like bizarre fan-fiction that Disney diehards would write on boards.
I can’t say it higher or with extra credibility than Rohde, however what I’ll add is that this erroneously assumes that the Imagineering groups accountable for these pitches are artists solely. That they’re placing their inventive craft above all else and colluding to deceive administration, to the detriment of their very own future profession prospects.
Like every conspiracy, it falls aside below any diploma of scrutiny when you think about how many individuals must keep a deceive make it work. Folks with households, who have to put meals on the desk and possibly can’t afford to lose their jobs for the “noble” purpose of over-delivering on a pet mission to make followers completely happy.
For no matter it’s price, the model of this story that I’ve heard is basically the alternative of this. Purposefully together with bloat in budgets and superfluous parts for the sake of getting one thing to chop when the inevitable occurs. Whereas I don’t consider this observe is widespread for a similar causes recognized above, it strikes me as extra directionally correct understanding Disney’s course of within the mission pipeline.
A number of Millennium Falcon Missions Axed
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was allegedly designed with 5 totally different missions, however opened with just one because of price range and time constraints.
I’m skeptical of this one because it’s offered. Whereas I don’t doubt for a second that there was an early pitch or blue sky proposal for Smugglers Run to be extra Star Excursions fashion with a number of missions or eventualities, I don’t consider for a second that there are 4 different missions sitting on a shelf someplace, in varied states of completion.
Imagineering would’ve had an inexpensive concept of prices for creating every mission fairly early-on in growth. If there have been concrete plans for a number of missions, a lower would’ve seemingly diminished that from 5 to three, not 5 to 1. Furthermore, we’d’ve seen one (or extra) dusted off in lieu of the upcoming Mandalorian & Child Yoda mission. Disney is aware of that the gameplay in Smugglers Run isn’t a runaway hit; if different missions exist, they’d’ve been utilized by now.
Chapek Targeted on Value-Chopping
Bob Chapek was targeted on conserving Imagineers on-time and on-budget. He “believed WDI had been allowed to function with out the identical self-discipline required of the remainder of the corporate.” This was supposedly an unwelcome tradition shock for a lot of Imagineers.
Amongst many different issues, Chapek changed co-heads of Imagineering, Bruce Vaughn and Craig Russell, with one other veteran Imagineer, Bob Weis, and introduced in new individuals to handle prices. “Senior monetary executives have been visiting WDI each day, sitting right down to approve or disapprove price range objects, even tiny ones, line by line,” Weis wrote in his memoir Dream Chasing.
The article shares that Shanghai Disneyland value almost $2 billion greater than initially estimated and opened a yr later than scheduled. Pandora – The World of Avatar value $1.2 billion in contrast with an unique price range of $850 million.
Later within the piece, Vaughn provides an oblique protection: “We’re very disciplined and we handle the price range and schedule, I believe, excellently.” He defined that the problem is, “There’s not a science to this. We don’t ever construct the identical factor.”
Chapek being a cost-cutter is hardly breaking information. It’s such widespread data that I nearly dismissed this complete WSJ article as one other Chapek smear piece. Enjoyable and correct as these are, we’ve been down that path numerous occasions. This time, the Chapek complaints appear extra incidental. (My guess is that the article’s writer heard loads of ranting about Chapek when interviewing present and former Imagineers. There’s no love misplaced there.)
If something, one of many goals of the article, not less than from Imagineering’s perspective, is to exhibit that it’s a extra environment friendly and fiscally-responsible group and fewer mistake-prone. That they’re nonetheless dreaming large and pushing the envelope, however are additionally able to restraint and deploying budgets successfully.
Based mostly on conversations I’ve had, I consider the entire issues above to be true. However the jury continues to be out on whether or not this purpose interprets to actual outcomes. It’s one factor to ship Beak & Barrel or Take a look at Monitor 3.0 on time and price range. It’s one other completely to do the identical with Piston Peak or Pandora 2.
Imagineering is honest on this purpose, however I’ll nonetheless consider it after I see it. I can’t think about it’s straightforward with these complicated initiatives–it’s not as if WDI previously has mindlessly spent cash and is simply now getting its head out of the clouds. There are legitimate causes initiatives like these routinely go approach over price range, and have for years.
Tomorrowland Reimagining Rejected
Based on the article: “proposals by Imagineers to refurbish Disneyland’s getting old Tomorrowland have been additionally turned down, as executives calculated it wouldn’t do sufficient to extend attendance.”
Again in November 2019, Disney introduced “A Nice, Huge, Stunning Tomorrowland Entrance Coming Quickly to Disneyland.” That entrance nonetheless has not come to fruition. The idea artwork had change into so light that they lately changed–however didn’t take away–it. Regardless of persistent rumors, there have been no different bulletins for Tomorrowland.
This one passes the odor take a look at for me. Each that there have been pitches for Tomorrowland (most likely a number of, given the credible rumors) and that executives have rejected them as a result of they wouldn’t transfer the needle relative to value and development impacts. The unhappy actuality is that Tomorrowland at Disneyland is insanely standard regardless of its big-time useless mall vibes.
I’ve misplaced hope in a wholesale reimagining of Tomorrowland. However I really feel just like the latest ‘singles & doubles’ initiatives underway in Tomorrowland and Animation Courtyard at Walt Disney World might function the template for a “make it much less embarrassing and worthy of the Disney model” caliber mission out at Disneyland. The actual mistake right here can be letting Tomorrowland additional rot in plain sight for one more decade.
Imagineers Need to Construct Unique Points of interest
It’s no secret that Disney CEO Bob Iger has an IP mandate for main theme park growth, to deal with key franchises, whether or not from the corporate’s vaults or Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm. For proof, see each home addition at Walt Disney World or Disneyland within the final decade, or Iger’s personal feedback.
Additionally unsurprising is that this quote from the article: “At each all-hands assembly, I’d be requested if we’d get to create new Imagineering unique tales once more,” stated Barbara Bouza, who was president of WDI from 2020 to 2024 and is now an govt at structure agency CannonDesign.
By and enormous, Imagineers love Disney historical past and theme parks. Ask their favourite points of interest, and also you’re going to listen to lots of situations of Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, “it’s a small world,” Jungle Cruise, Huge Thunder, and disproportionately different classics. Perhaps even a number of situations of Mystic Manor, Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage, and different deep cuts from OG EPCOT Middle and Tokyo DisneySea.
The ‘drawback’ is that points of interest and lands primarily based on mental property are decrease threat and better reward. They’re simpler to market. They’ve colossal pre-existing audiences. Simpler for the merchandising machine. They’re very clearly what most people desires.
Many followers level to Mystic Level and Grizzly Gulch (Disney’s final unique lands) as success tales, however that’s a false impression. It’s been Toy Story Land and World of Frozen which might be hottest at HKDL. (Duffy actually is perhaps the higher instance there.) For extra, see our commentary: Is Anybody Stunned Disney’s $60 Billion Park Investments Will Be ‘Nearly All’ IP?
Imagineers Most Excited for Villains Land
From the article:
Some Imagineers say what they’re most enthusiastic about is Villains Land, an growth of Orlando’s Magic Kingdom at the moment below development. Although it would function characters from “Snow White,” “Peter Pan” and “Aladdin,” it’s not primarily based on a selected movie. That makes it the closest factor to an unique land in Disney’s U.S. parks in 25 years.
Ideas for this sort of land have floated round for many years, and it’s most likely a dream come true for a lot of Imagineers to work on Villains Land. It’s rather more open-ended, and has lots of potential for inventive freedom. It additionally presumably has an enormous price range, so there’s that.
One factor I’d be aware right here is that, by this identical logic, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is fairly near an unique land. When that land launched, we referred to it as Area Morocco. I don’t assume we have been the one ones who seen it as extra of a clean slate, with Imagineers having a ton of autonomy. (We now view that rather less positively–see Star Wars Land Must Break the Guidelines.)
Native-Stage Delegation
From the article:
Vaughn has delegated energy and sources to Imagineers who work on the firm’s resorts in Orlando and abroad to allow them to deal with extra work themselves, from designing fashions to fixing high quality points. He stated the transfer was impressed by Imagineers in Shanghai designing a brand new Zootopia land largely on their very own when bosses in California couldn’t journey in the course of the pandemic.
He’s additionally together with colleagues from park operations, advertising and marketing and pricing earlier in planning in order that they’re aligned from the outset.
Whereas there are lots of attention-grabbing tidbits within the WSJ piece, the final two factors are what prompted this text.
This delegation is totally occurring, and it might seem to be a bit of factor, however I think that is going to be massively fruitful within the long-term. It arguably already has been for Walt Disney World in lots of little methods.
Delegating this authority is a great transfer as a result of it empowers the site-level portfolio executives to get stuff achieved with out the involvement of Glendale. Amongst different issues, it signifies that Imagineers who’re truly in Orlando can develop a rapport with Walt Disney World management.
Followers have this inflated opinion of each Imagineering’s stature and authority, presuming that park management maintain the creatives in the identical excessive esteem as followers do. Even when the article isn’t correct as to each particular person level, it ought to disabuse us of this false impression. There isn’t a mythologizing or adulating WDI inside TDO.
On the contrary, it’s not laborious to think about a (purely hypothetical) state of affairs the place animosity may exist. The place the Walt Disney World group may develop weary of the hotshots from Glendale flying in with their costly and operationally-unrealistic proposals. Tasks that they gained’t even be round to cope with after the hand-off occurs, leaving future fallout and issues (together with the price of fixing them) to the parks themselves. That is to say nothing of tradition clashes, ego, and so forth. of the California and Florida groups.
Now distinction that with an empowered local-level portfolio group that lives in the neighborhood, and has a vested curiosity within the native parks the place they take their youngsters. This group focuses solely on Walt Disney World, understands the distinctive wants and circumstances of this operational setting, and is ready to foster relationships with these leaders. There’s most likely nonetheless some battle and unaligned incentives, nevertheless it’s however a recipe to scale back friction and facilitate collaboration.
I’ve no clue what’s occurring behind closed doorways in Florida. However I do know that the kind of ‘singles & doubles’ initiatives that used to occur nearly solely at Disneyland are actually occurring at Walt Disney World (and with larger frequency). The kind of initiatives that was once rumored as pitched, however shot down. Whereas the large new lands and rides are implausible, it’s truly this smaller stuff that has my consideration, because it suggests there’s larger belief (or one thing) between Imagineering and Walt Disney World.
Mentorship is Again
One other element from the article is that Vaughn has introduced again retired Imagineers, similar to Craig Russell, the previous Chief Design & Venture Supply Govt, as consultants to mentor youthful staffers.
That is one thing that’s been hinted at elsewhere, with Joe Rohde’s return in addition to that of different high-profile ex-Imagineers returning as consultants or to help with initiatives. We’ve heard that there’s lots of this occurring, past simply probably the most prolific situations.
We’ve additionally heard that one of many largest impediments to gearing again up for giant initiatives–and a number of of them across the globe–is that Imagineering didn’t have sufficient individuals with the requisite expertise. That a lot institutional data had been misplaced, together with the individuals able to helming these initiatives. That WDI wanted to workers up, and quick, with lots of on-the-job coaching.
We’ve repeatedly mentioned this (potential future) drawback because the parks closed and furloughs started. From November 2020:
A lot of the previous guard with sturdy connections to Walt Disney Imagineering’s historic legacy are gone. A number of the new public faces–together with these in excessive positions–don’t have many initiatives on their resumes. To make sure, there are little doubt many extremely proficient people nonetheless working in Glendale and Imagineering’s different workplaces. It’s additionally not the worst factor for recent faces with new concepts and methods of doing issues to be given an opportunity at innovating.
As with Walt Disney World, it’s just a bit disconcerting how a lot institutional data Walt Disney Imagineering has misplaced within the final a number of months (even the final a number of years). It additionally doesn’t precisely bode effectively for the event cycle and what’s on the horizon within the decade to return. We already knew that not many new initiatives can be began at Walt Disney World or Disneyland anytime quickly, however the downsizing at Imagineering solely additional reinforces that.
Comparable sentiment was expressed in numerous different articles, together with the mistake of pressured relocation to Lake Nona. The unfavorable ramifications of shedding seasoned staff have been evident at Walt Disney World and Disneyland during the last ~6 years. The lack of institutional data has resulted in perplexing choices, from the usage of non-durable supplies in designs to upkeep woes.
This isn’t simply an Imagineering problem–it has additionally resulted in upkeep and different woes as these groups have been decimated. As a substitute of the previous timers who had honed their craft within the subject over the course of a long time retiring in an orderly vogue and mentoring the youthful technology on-the-job over time, a number of years’ price of retirements have been accelerated right into a multi-month window that was abrupt.
Following the furloughs and botched Lake Nona transfer, it’ll take years to rebuild sure departments, Imagineering included. There can be rising pains alongside the way in which. The upside is that, a decade from now, there may be going to be a technology of seasoned Imagineers who’re nonetheless younger and simply getting into the prime of their careers with a ton of expertise below their belts. If that expertise is correctly cultivated, the 2040s and past may very well be just like the run earlier generations had constructing Disneyland ’66, Walt Disney World and Magic Kingdom, EPCOT Middle, and Tokyo Disneyland.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about resorts on our Walt Disney World Lodges Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every part you want to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you concentrate on these Imagineering ‘revelations’? Is what we’ve discovered from this WSJ article principally optimistic or unfavorable–or a mix of each–for the way forward for Imagineering and Disney followers? Or is all of it a bunch of fan-fic from spurious sources? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is attention-grabbing to us and may convey a recent perspective to the desk, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
Get our free e-newsletter!
Join information, Disney offers & free planning suggestions
