Disney Legend: Joe Rhode Gets His Moment in the Spotlight
D23: The Ultimate Fan Event was capped off last night with the Disney Legends ceremony. It was a star-studded affair that encompassed every aspect of The Walt Disney Company.
On a night that featured the inductions of household names, including Harrison Ford, Angela Basset, and Miley Cyrus, however, it was former Imagineer Joe Rhode who perhaps shone brightest.
Disney Legends
It is impossible to visit Walt Disney World today without feeling Rhode’s impact.
The Beginning of Rhode’s Career
Joe Rhode’s Disney story began with a chance meeting. After graduating from Occidental College, Rhode went back to his old high school, Chaminade College Preparatory, to teach art, art history, and set design.
Photo: Disney
One day, a Disney executive (and parent of one of his students) talked to him about joining Walt Disney Imagineering. Though Rhode was hesitant at first, he eventually put together a portfolio of his set design work.
Disney was impressed enough with Joe’s work to offer him an entry-level job in the Imagineering model room. Eventually, Rhode would work as a scenic painter and be assigned to the Mexico pavilion at EPCOT Center.
Photo: Disney
Later, Rhode would work on numerous Disney projects at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, including the Norway pavilion at EPCOT and New Fantasyland at Disneyland Park.
Creating Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The crowning jewel of Rhode’s career would occur when he was named lead designer for Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Under Rhode’s watchful eye, Walt Disney World’s fourth park would come to life, allowing guests to explore the natural world in an unprecedented fashion.
Photo: Disney
Following the opening of Animal Kingdom in 1998, Joe would go on to work on numerous projects, including Aluani, A Disney Resort and Spa, Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission: BREAKOUT! and Pandora.
Photo: Disney
A Lasting Legacy
Throughout his career, Joe was known for his environmentalism and dedication to conservation. In addition to his work in the Disney Parks, Rhode will be remembered as one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Disney Conservation Fund. The environmental charity has raised over $125 million for conservation efforts around the world.
Photo: Also Disney
In 2021, Joe Rhode retired from The Walt Disney Company. Since then, however, he has continued to work as a strategic advisor for Walt Disney Imagineering.
Joe Rohde
Now officially a Disney Legend, Rhode’s work will continue to amaze and inspire guests and fellow Imagineers for generations to come.
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