kellee's blog: Disney Decompression

This past Sunday, a number of us attended Andrew Sacher's class, Theme Park 101a. Soon after class began, I realized it would be an extremely valuable experience I would never forget.

I have heard Andrew speak before on Disney Imagineering design concepts, and am probably more familiar with the Disney theme parks then I would like to admit. However, it was incredible to experience the application of those design concepts while simultaneously learning them. Not a revolutionary teaching method; it felt similar to a film studies class, in which a filmic technique is discussed and then shown. However, it is rare that I get to experience location-based entertainment with colleagues and engage in critical-theory discussion whilst screaming as I'm being dropped 13 stories.

It was certainly the most intense class I have attended while at USC. To go from debating the validity of Tomorrowland's dystopia to singing Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Da and getting soaked has left me still reeling.

I hope this post can act as a forum for more attendees to share their experiences as well. I'm still processing everything that happened, but I wanted to get things started and, of course, give props to Andrew.

My number one take-away was the benefit of putting together a cross-disciplinary team. For instance, so many of the spacial-design concepts we touched upon can apply to the design of game worlds. Even though game programs at schools are encouraging students from different backgrounds to apply, this attitude has yet to be translated to the industry, which still only allows gamers to design games. Andrew - is Disney Interactive looking to change the dynamic of their game design teams?

Comments

Picture of me and erin on Astro Blasters:

http://static.flickr.com/24/51629888_fd448cd107.jpg

Posted by: kellee | October 11, 2005 12:09 PM

This was quite possibly the most mind blowing day I've had @ USC. I'm still sorting out all the ideas and feelings I walked away with.

DisneyLand is really an incredible place, driven by immersive family experiences. I was amazed the even I lost all my baggage when I crossed the berm and entered Disneys Magic Circle, it was amazing. Now I've been to Disney World, but given the expertise of Andrew he was able to get me to think of the experience on a whole different level.

Thanks for the post, Kellee, my is soon to come as I have some images and experiences I'd love to share with the community.

Thanks to Andrew for facilitating this amazing lesson in location based entertainment. I advise everyone to make sure to take advantage of the opportunity next time it surfaces!

Posted by: SEDinehart | October 11, 2005 1:35 PM

I’m extremely pleased that everyone enjoyed “Theme Park 101a” @ Disneyland Resort. Although we covered the material I prepared for the day, we have only scratched the surface! There is so much more to experience, contemplate, and discuss!! That said, it was a thrill to see the light bulbs go off comparing augmented reality with the Haunted Mansion, finding spatial triggers on Pirates of the Caribbean, and discovering visual magnets at the Hub (Cinderella’s Castle). As I had hoped, the day confirmed, that many theme park design principles are universal and translate to interactive media.

Kellee, Walt Disney Imagineering (formerly WED Enterprises) was an interdisciplinary division founded for the creation of Disneyland and theme park development. Many of the methodologies and principles @ WDI have influenced other divisions in the Disney Company, including Disney Interactive. However, each has unique management styles, team cultures, and business models.

Posted by: andrew | October 11, 2005 4:06 PM

I would just like to thank Andrew for setting up an amazing day and presentation. That said, I found it interesting how the imagineering department is kinda setup like our IM department, with people from many backgrounds specialized with different skills trying to create something new.

Posted by: Matt Korba | October 11, 2005 9:04 PM

Wow, Kellee - that picture of you and Erin is intense!
This trip was an absolute blast, in terms of both fun and broadening perspectives on LBE. Thanks Andrew!

Posted by: Jess | October 12, 2005 2:19 AM

There needs to be something floating in that picture. Right now it looks like we were posing for it (and some of us just might have... Matt, I'm looking at you...)

Thanks again Andrew for one hell of a day! :)

Posted by: Mike Brazil | October 12, 2005 12:57 PM

haha yeah, mike - it looks best when you scroll up past it!

Posted by: kellee | October 12, 2005 1:04 PM

While seeing how Disney had leveraged their IP into a successfull theme park, I got to thinking about other companies setting up theme parks of their own. I think Nintendo could pull it off. They've got world wide recognition (never mind devotion) of multiple characters, and I think people would jump at the chance to run through a level of a Mario game.
Certainly, Nintendo could do far more with a theme park than Lego can.

Posted by: Mike Stein | October 12, 2005 3:18 PM

I think that I accidentally took a picture of one of the hidden cameras!

Snake's head

Zoomed in

Posted by: Mike Brazil | October 17, 2005 4:03 PM

kellee's blog

welcome

Disney Decompression

Comments

Post a comment