According to a June 22 press release from Disney, a group of engineers, scientists , and astrophysicists were recent guests of the Walt Disney Resort for a presentation entitled “Science Behind the Magic,” led by Manager of Simulation and Analysis of Engineering division, Michael Tschanz.

A part of NASA’s 25th annual International Space University Special Space Studies Program, the event was held at the Contemporary Resort and was directed at preparing “post-graduate science and engineering students for careers in aeronautics.”  As Disney explained,  “The nine-week program, sponsored by NASA, exposes professionals in aerospace, aeronautical, and other related fields to an intensive, unique educational experience.”

The 175 participants of the one-day workshop learned about the  “complex mathematical and physical models of ride systems, transportation systems, Audio-Animatronics and other technological innovations at the company.”

The news of this presentation made the teacher in me curious, and made the Wanna-be Imagineer in me daydream…  If I could design an in-depth, educational program at Disney–to be presented to guests–what would I want to teach about?  More importantly, what would guests want to LEARN about in the Walt Disney resort?  History of the American Revolution through an analysis of Liberty Square?  A review of international architectural history with an EPCOT backdrop?  Habitats and ecology at the Animal Kingdom?  Can you imagine the education that younger guests could receive?

So, wanna-be Imagineers, join me in an educational moment: What do YOU wish you could learn about while AT Walt Disney World?  Tell us your ideas and how you think it should be taught!

The post Wanna-be Imagineers: What do YOU Want to Learn about Disney? appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

~Dave Crawford, Principal Mechanical Engineer, Show/Ride Engineering

(quoted in The Imagineering Workout: Exercises to Shape Your Creative Muscles, by the Disney Imagineers)

Our pursuit of the creative and thought-provoking challenges like those that may face Disney’s hallowed Imagineers brings us this week to a new realm: furniture!  As Disney’s Art of Imagination Resort prepares to open, I have pored over the pictures of the new buildings (see here for blog announcements and room images) and marveled at the task of creating not just a hotel room—but a story-telling environment!  Can you imagine the unending supply of ideas that must be evoked during that creative process?

In a nod to those who have created the newest of these amazing “homes away from home,” I have selected this chair as this week’s “wanna-be Imagineer” picture.  And, in the spirit of Dave Crawford’s quotation, I have provided some questions for you to consider when imagineering this chair in to the Disney landscape:

1. In which Disney Resort hotel lobby would this chair fit in as part of the storytelling?  How?

2. Which Disney character could you see hanging out on this chair?  Why?

3. If this chair could become part of the “Living Character Initiative” (think of Push in Tomorrowland), what would it say to guests who walked by?

Don’t miss this opportunity to be creative!!   Share your thoughts and add some questions of your own in the comments section below!

Have a great week, all!  May the Fourth be with you!! 

The post Wanna Be Imagineers: Sit Back and Relax! appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.