How Does Walt Disney World Create New Rides?

Organizing a Team

Disney hires a team that includes a cross section of wildly different disciplines in order to handle the construction of a new ride . These people are called "imagineers," a word that combines "engineers" and "imagination."

Blue Sky

"Blue Sky" is the name that imagineers give to the theoretical planning process--the bouncing around of ideas about how to design, why to design and what to design. It is the idea board stage of imagineering.

Design

Design is the next stage of the process, and possibly the most lengthy because it involves exceptionally detailed and technical planning. This is where the "engineer" part of "imagineering" really comes into play. Computer and 3D models are constructed to make the ride move from idea to reality.

Storytelling

The ride then moves on to the storytelling phase--unlike most theme parks, Disney prides itself on telling stories throughout its entire enterprise. The theme parks are no exception. This can also encompass or lead into a research and development phase.

Engineering and Effects

The engineering team then takes the models and story and makes it all into a physical reality, building the ride and designing the lighting, sound and special effects.

Testing and Closeout

From there the ride is extensively tested and checked from every point, angle, location and experience. Once the testing is satisfied, it's time for closeout, where everything is finalized and the imagineers move on to their next project.