at
Magic Kingdom in 1973 New concepts and improvements are often created to fulfill specific needs. For instance, the
Soarin' Over California ride system was designed to help guests experience the sensation of flight. During development, Imagineer Mark Sumner found an
erector set in his attic, which quickly inspired the solution to create this experience. The ride effectively simulates
hang gliding. One of Imagineering's techniques, "blue sky speculation", is a process in which ideas are generated without limitations. The company considers this the beginning of a design process, believing, "if it can be dreamt, it can be built". WDI partnered with the
Khan Academy to create a series of online video classes called Imagineering in a Box, to allow students to "explore different aspects of theme park design, from characters to ride development..." The classes, which are organized into three main categories (
Creating Worlds,
Designing Attractions, and
Bringing Characters to Life), are presented by WDI employees using multimedia lessons and exercises.
The Imagineering Pyramid Past Disney Imagineers have shared 15 principles of Disney Imagineering, divided into five tiers. These are: Tier 1: Foundations of Imagineering 1. It All Begins with a Story 2. Creative Intent 3. Attention to Detail 4. Theming 5. Long, Medium, and Close Shots Tier 2: Wayfinding 6. Wienies 7. Transitions 8.
Storyboards 9. Pre-Shows and Post-Shows Tier 3: Visual Communication 10.
Forced Perspective 11. "Read"-ability 12. Kinetics Tier 4: Making It Memorable 13. The "
It's a Small World" Effect 14.
Hidden Mickeys Tier 5: Walt’s Cardinal Rule 15. Plussing
Walt Disney coined the term "plussing" for the process of constantly striving to perfect Imagineering work. Disney believed that there is always room for innovation and improvement, stating, "Disneyland will never be completed as long as there's imagination left in the world." One example of forced perspective is
Cinderella Castle in
Magic Kingdom at
Walt Disney World. The scale of architectural elements is much smaller in the upper reaches of the castle compared to the foundation, making it seem significantly taller than its actual height of 189 feet. The attraction,
Pirates of the Caribbean, evokes a “rollicking buccaneer adventure,” according to Hench. In contrast, the
Disney Cruise Line ships create an elegant seafaring atmosphere. Minor details in theme park shops and restaurants are crucial; these include the menus, names of the dishes and the
Cast Members’ costumes. Each video featured at least one Disney attraction, to show how science was used in them. These science subjects include
Gravity,
Trajectory,
Levers &
Pulleys,
Fluids,
Energy,
Design &
Models,
Magnetism,
Motion,
Animal Adaptations: Communication,
Friction, and
Electricity.
Mickey's Ten Commandments In 1991,
Marty Sklar (then-president of Imagineering) presented ten commandments attributed to Mickey Steinberg (the vice president of Imagineering). They are: • Know your audience • Wear your guest's shoes (don't forget the human factors; try to experience the parks from the guests' point of view) • Organize the flow of people and ideas (ensure experiences tell a story that is organized and logically laid out) • Create a "Wienie" (Walt Disney's term for a "visual magnet") • Communicate with visual literacy (use a dominant color or shape or building to reinforce a theme) • Avoid overload—create turn-ons (do not offer too much detailed information) • Tell one story at a time (put one 'big idea' in each show so guests leave with a clear understanding of the theme) • Avoid contradictions—maintain identity (avoid irrelevant or contradicting elements; make sure the audience has a clear idea of what is being said) • For every ounce of treatment, provide a ton of treat (take advantage of the distinction of the theme park, which is that it encourages active participation, compared to passive entertainment) • Keep it up (do not become complacent or allow things to run down) ==Innovation==