Bruce Vaughn will return to Disney to co-lead Walt Disney Imagineering, the division responsible for designing and building the company’s theme parks and attractions.
Vaughn will return as chief creative officer and head the division alongside Barbara Bouza, president of Walt Disney Imagineering. The two will report to Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.
The longtime executive previously worked at Disney for more than two decades and co-led Walt Disney Imagineering for nine years as chief creative executive. He left the company in 2016 to become CEO and Cco of Dreamscape Immersive, a company that creates location-based virtual reality experiences. He joined Airbnb in 2021 as vp experiential creative product, where he led a team responsible for designing immersive offerings for Airbnb stays and experiences.
“I’ve remained an Imagineer at heart, so I’m thrilled to join Barbara and reunite with this phenomenal global team of creators...
Vaughn will return as chief creative officer and head the division alongside Barbara Bouza, president of Walt Disney Imagineering. The two will report to Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.
The longtime executive previously worked at Disney for more than two decades and co-led Walt Disney Imagineering for nine years as chief creative executive. He left the company in 2016 to become CEO and Cco of Dreamscape Immersive, a company that creates location-based virtual reality experiences. He joined Airbnb in 2021 as vp experiential creative product, where he led a team responsible for designing immersive offerings for Airbnb stays and experiences.
“I’ve remained an Imagineer at heart, so I’m thrilled to join Barbara and reunite with this phenomenal global team of creators...
- 3/7/2023
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Bob Weis joined the Disney Imagineers 42 years ago, working his way up the ranks to become the current Global Imagineering Ambassador and former President of Walt Disney Imagineering. After years of culture-defining contributions, Weis has announced he will retire at the opening of 2023. For the uninitiated, Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development, Inc., aka "Imagineering," is the research and development department responsible for the global creation, design, and construction of Disney theme parks and attractions.
"I will always be proud to have led Imagineering from 2016-2021, and to be your Global Ambassador in 2022," Weis wrote in an email sent today and obtained by Deadline. "I am proud to have been an Imagineer, a collaborator, and someone who loves to do impossible things with impossibly talented people." The official Disney Imagineering Instagram account also posted a statement to confirm the news, outlining just how pivotal Weis has been to the Imagineers after all these years.
"I will always be proud to have led Imagineering from 2016-2021, and to be your Global Ambassador in 2022," Weis wrote in an email sent today and obtained by Deadline. "I am proud to have been an Imagineer, a collaborator, and someone who loves to do impossible things with impossibly talented people." The official Disney Imagineering Instagram account also posted a statement to confirm the news, outlining just how pivotal Weis has been to the Imagineers after all these years.
- 10/21/2022
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
Forty-two years after first joining Disney Imagineering Bob Weis, the current Global Imagineering Ambassador and former President of Walt Disney Imagineering, announced today that he will retire at the end of the year.
“I will always be proud to have led Imagineering from 2016-2021, and to be your Global Ambassador in 2022,” Weis wrote in an email sent today to colleagues. “I am proud to have been an Imagineer, a collaborator, and someone who loves to do impossible things with impossibly talented people.”
There was a company statement posted on the official Imagineering Instagram page that recognized the scope of Weis’ contribution.
“Forty-two years after first joining Imagineering, Bob Weis has announced his retirement,” it read. “Serving most recently as Global Imagineering Ambassador and before that as president of the organization, Bob cemented his legacy as a leader and creative force – helping to bring to fruition countless attractions, lands, resort hotels,...
“I will always be proud to have led Imagineering from 2016-2021, and to be your Global Ambassador in 2022,” Weis wrote in an email sent today to colleagues. “I am proud to have been an Imagineer, a collaborator, and someone who loves to do impossible things with impossibly talented people.”
There was a company statement posted on the official Imagineering Instagram page that recognized the scope of Weis’ contribution.
“Forty-two years after first joining Imagineering, Bob Weis has announced his retirement,” it read. “Serving most recently as Global Imagineering Ambassador and before that as president of the organization, Bob cemented his legacy as a leader and creative force – helping to bring to fruition countless attractions, lands, resort hotels,...
- 10/20/2022
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix announced the second season of “The Baby-Sitters Club” will premiere on Oct. 11.
“The Baby-Sitters Club,” based on the best-selling book series of the same name by Ann M. Martin, follows a group of friends as they start a baby-sitting business in Stoneybrook, Conn. As they juggle their new responsibilities as local caregivers, they also face friendship challenges with each other, various pressures from their home lives and unique situations that include diabetes (for Stacey), an absentee father (for Kristy) and parents who are dating each other (for Mary Ann and Dawn).
“In Season 2, we really get to see a maturation of the club and of the girls,” said creator and showrunner Rachel Shukert in a statement. “There are two new members [and] they’re all a year older and have more experience running a business, deeper friendships and are growing into a deeper understanding of themselves as people.
“We also...
“The Baby-Sitters Club,” based on the best-selling book series of the same name by Ann M. Martin, follows a group of friends as they start a baby-sitting business in Stoneybrook, Conn. As they juggle their new responsibilities as local caregivers, they also face friendship challenges with each other, various pressures from their home lives and unique situations that include diabetes (for Stacey), an absentee father (for Kristy) and parents who are dating each other (for Mary Ann and Dawn).
“In Season 2, we really get to see a maturation of the club and of the girls,” said creator and showrunner Rachel Shukert in a statement. “There are two new members [and] they’re all a year older and have more experience running a business, deeper friendships and are growing into a deeper understanding of themselves as people.
“We also...
- 8/26/2021
- by Jennifer Yuma
- Variety Film + TV
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“Jungle Cruise,” the new adventure movie based off the Disney Parks ride starring Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson, sailed into movie theaters on Friday. For those who want to watch from home, you can order the movie on Disney+ Premier Access and stream it from multiple devices.
Not familiar with Premier Access? It’s a bit different than Disney+ in that you pay $29.99 for new releases the same day that they hit theaters. The cost is in addition to the $7.99 monthly subscription fee (unless you’ve already signed up for a free Disney+ subscription for up to six months). Disney+ Premier Access can be a little confusing if you’re new to the interface,...
“Jungle Cruise,” the new adventure movie based off the Disney Parks ride starring Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson, sailed into movie theaters on Friday. For those who want to watch from home, you can order the movie on Disney+ Premier Access and stream it from multiple devices.
Not familiar with Premier Access? It’s a bit different than Disney+ in that you pay $29.99 for new releases the same day that they hit theaters. The cost is in addition to the $7.99 monthly subscription fee (unless you’ve already signed up for a free Disney+ subscription for up to six months). Disney+ Premier Access can be a little confusing if you’re new to the interface,...
- 7/29/2021
- by Latifah Muhammad
- Indiewire
Disney+ announced today that they will premiere all episodes of Behind the Attraction on July 16.
The original series, narrated by Paget Brewster (Criminal Minds), looks to give viewers a peek ‘behind the curtain’ of Disney Parks and Resorts’ most beloved attractions and destinations. While rides including Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Star Tours, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Space Mountain and it’s a small world will each get their own episode, the other four are dedicated to the iconic Disneyland Hotel, the Hall of Presidents attraction, and the castles at Disney’s parks, along with their unique system of trains, trams and monorails.
The story of each attraction is brought to life through the use of archival and never-before-seen footage and photography, as well as rare interviews with Walt Disney. Also appearing in the docuseries to divulge a secret or two are Disney Legends and an assortment of (past and present) Imagineers,...
The original series, narrated by Paget Brewster (Criminal Minds), looks to give viewers a peek ‘behind the curtain’ of Disney Parks and Resorts’ most beloved attractions and destinations. While rides including Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Star Tours, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Space Mountain and it’s a small world will each get their own episode, the other four are dedicated to the iconic Disneyland Hotel, the Hall of Presidents attraction, and the castles at Disney’s parks, along with their unique system of trains, trams and monorails.
The story of each attraction is brought to life through the use of archival and never-before-seen footage and photography, as well as rare interviews with Walt Disney. Also appearing in the docuseries to divulge a secret or two are Disney Legends and an assortment of (past and present) Imagineers,...
- 6/8/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Bob Weis, the president of Walt Disney Imagineering and creative executive of the Shanghai Disney Resort, has outlined a cooperative rather than competitive view of newcomers to China’s theme park industry.
“A rising tide raises all boats,” Weis told Variety on the sidelines of the Asia Society’s U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit in Los Angeles. “The more there is a theme park industry here, the more we can all work together to make it safer for rides and for the public. We welcome the quality of everything coming up.”
His remarks Tuesday came a day before the U.K.’s Merlin Entertainments and China Media Capital announced plans to launch a Legoland Resort by 2023 near Shanghai, encroaching on the local catchment area of Disney’s first mainland park. About 55 million people live within two hours’ travel time of Shanghai Disney. The regions of metropolitan Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu,...
“A rising tide raises all boats,” Weis told Variety on the sidelines of the Asia Society’s U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit in Los Angeles. “The more there is a theme park industry here, the more we can all work together to make it safer for rides and for the public. We welcome the quality of everything coming up.”
His remarks Tuesday came a day before the U.K.’s Merlin Entertainments and China Media Capital announced plans to launch a Legoland Resort by 2023 near Shanghai, encroaching on the local catchment area of Disney’s first mainland park. About 55 million people live within two hours’ travel time of Shanghai Disney. The regions of metropolitan Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu,...
- 11/7/2019
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Crossover film and music superstars, Wang Leehom and Jung Ji-hoon are to be honored by the Asia Society next month in Los Angeles. Bob Weis, president of Walt Disney Imagineering and Zhang Wei, president of Alibaba Pictures, will also receive prizes.
The inaugural Game Changer Awards will be presented on Nov. 5 at a gala dinner to follow the U.S.–Asia Entertainment Summit. The summit is in its tenth year. And, where previous editions had concentrated on U.S.-China relations, the event this time has been given a broader focus examining the wider connections between the U.S. and Asia entertainment businesses.
“Lost” star, Daniel Dae Kim, who has broadened his operations from acting to directing and producing through his 3Ad Media company, will be a highlight of the conference section. He will be quizzed by “Late Night” director Nisha Ganatra on The New Hollywood: Have the Asians Arrived?...
The inaugural Game Changer Awards will be presented on Nov. 5 at a gala dinner to follow the U.S.–Asia Entertainment Summit. The summit is in its tenth year. And, where previous editions had concentrated on U.S.-China relations, the event this time has been given a broader focus examining the wider connections between the U.S. and Asia entertainment businesses.
“Lost” star, Daniel Dae Kim, who has broadened his operations from acting to directing and producing through his 3Ad Media company, will be a highlight of the conference section. He will be quizzed by “Late Night” director Nisha Ganatra on The New Hollywood: Have the Asians Arrived?...
- 10/8/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The pilot who died Monday in a small plane crash in Sylmar has been identified as Scott Watson, a research and development executive at Walt Disney Imagineering.
Watson was described as the quintessential imagineer: someone who was both creative and technically savvy. Those who worked with him said he left his mark on scores of Disney’s theme park attractions, from Indiana Jones to Soarin’ Over The World to the upcoming Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge.
“He had a million ideas and was just a brilliant person to be around,” said Phil Lelyveld, who worked on projects with Watson over his 10-year tenure at Disney and now runs the Immersive Media Program at the USC’s Entertainment Technology Center, a think tank within the school of Cinematic Arts. “He came up with a number of novel ideas for the theme parks and other things in Disney, but he also had...
Watson was described as the quintessential imagineer: someone who was both creative and technically savvy. Those who worked with him said he left his mark on scores of Disney’s theme park attractions, from Indiana Jones to Soarin’ Over The World to the upcoming Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge.
“He had a million ideas and was just a brilliant person to be around,” said Phil Lelyveld, who worked on projects with Watson over his 10-year tenure at Disney and now runs the Immersive Media Program at the USC’s Entertainment Technology Center, a think tank within the school of Cinematic Arts. “He came up with a number of novel ideas for the theme parks and other things in Disney, but he also had...
- 8/14/2018
- by Dawn C. Chmielewski
- Deadline Film + TV
X Atencio, the legendary animator and imagineer behind classic Disney films such as “Pinocchio” and “Fantasia,” died on Sunday. He was 98. “X was an enormous talent who helped define so many of our best experiences around the world,” Bob Weis, president of Walt Disney Imagineering, said in a statement. “His brilliant work continues to inspire Imagineers and bring joy to millions of guests every year.” Atencio retired from Disney in 1984, but continued working as a consultant to Walt Disney Imagineering for many years, and was inducted as a Disney Legend in 1996. Also Read: Disney Commits $1 Million for Hurricane...
- 9/12/2017
- by Debbie Emery
- The Wrap
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