Behind the Scenes with Joe Rohde Creating a New Land at Walt Disney World
Exciting things are happening at Walt Disney World, and legendary Imagineer Joe Rohde recently offered a glimpse into the creative process behind a brand-new land coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Let’s go behind the scenes with Joe Rohde!
While visiting the park, Rohde attended a special Maya archaeological conference that brought together historians, archaeologists, and Disney Imagineers working on the Tropical Americas project.
Photo: Disney
A Commitment to Authenticity and Detail
Rohde, known for his work in bringing Animal Kingdom to life, praised the efforts of Imagineer Kyle Price and his team, along with the maintenance and operations teams, for keeping the park as immersive and detailed as ever. But the real highlight of his visit was participating in the Maya at the Mouse conference, a gathering of experts dedicated to ensuring cultural authenticity in the upcoming Tropical Americas expansion.
One of the biggest takeaways? The new land’s Maya temple will be rich in symbolism, carefully designed to honor the history, culture, and architecture of the Maya civilization. Team leader Joan Hartwig presented the concept to a room full of archaeologists, who responded with thunderous applause—a great sign that Disney is getting the details right!
Photo: Disney
How Archaeology and Imagineering Work Together
The conference emphasized how archaeological research and storytelling go hand in hand. Renowned archaeologists and researchers shared fascinating insights that could directly influence how guests experience the new land.
Prof. Iván Batún-Apulche highlighted the richness of pre-Columbian agriculture, including how certain plants could only be pollinated by native bees once raised by the Maya in huge numbers—an intriguing detail that could add depth to the land’s natural environments.
Dr. George Bay discussed how much of an archaeological site’s appearance is actually carefully curated for visitors. While many ancient ruins start as piles of rocks, experts shape what guests ultimately see—a process that mirrors how Imagineers craft themed lands in the parks.
Professor Marc Zender, an expert in Maya linguistics, led a fascinating session on deciphering Maya glyphs—including a particularly mischievous rabbit with some salty language that had to be left out of photos!
Bringing the Magic of the Maya to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Tropical Americas expansion is still in development, but it’s clear that the team is deeply committed to authentic storytelling, cultural respect, and breathtaking design. With collaboration from leading experts in archaeology, history, and linguistics, this new land is shaping up to be an incredible addition to Animal Kingdom.
Photo: Disney
From what we’ve seen so far, Disney is not only crafting a visually stunning environment but also one that will educate, inspire, and immerse guests in the wonders of the Maya world. We love that we can go behind the scenes with Joe Rohde even in the early stages of development to learn about the depth and breadth of a project like this! See below to read Rohde’s full post.
Photo: Disney
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Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project!
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