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Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

By: The Idiots: Stephen Kaity Marissa Jenny and Amanda
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About this listen

Welcome to Idiot’s Guide to Imagineering, the podcast where big ideas, thoughtful conversations, and a little bit of chaos come together to explore the past, present, and future of Disney Parks.


Hosted by a team of former Cast Members, lifelong Disney fans, and self-proclaimed "Idiots" (a title we wear proudly), we reimagine Disney Parks with original concepts that blend creativity, storytelling, and real-world practicality. From rides and resorts to restaurants and entire lands, each episode features a fresh pitch designed not just to entertain but to spark meaningful conversations about the art of Imagineering.


But this isn't just a podcast, it's an experience. With immersive audio production and narrative-driven segments, we bring our ideas to life in a way that makes you feel like you're right there in the parks with us.


Our projects serve as the launching pad for deeper discussions about design, innovation, guest experience, and the evolving landscape of themed entertainment. Whether we're unpacking the "why" behind a storytelling choice, or digging into the challenges of park planning, we aim to keep it insightful, approachable, and always a little bit idiotic.


And in our Magic Makers series, we sit down with real creatives from across Disney Parks & Experiences to hear their stories, ideas, and the lessons behind the magic.


Whether you're a lifelong Disney fan, an aspiring Imagineer, or just someone who loves a good story well told, Idiot's Guide to Imagineering is your ticket to park talk that's curious, clever, and always a good time. You might just learn something, too.


Step into the story with us, and let's imagine what comes next.


Follow along on Instagram and YouTube @IdiotsImagineering.

© 2026 Idiot's Guide to Imagineering
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Episodes
  • S4 E4: Columbia Harbour House Takeover | Plussing a Classic with the Muppets
    Jan 26 2026

    What happens when a perfectly respectable Magic Kingdom restaurant gets a little… Muppified?

    This week, Stephen pitches a small-scale but high-impact plussing project for one of Liberty Square’s most overlooked classics: Columbia Harbour House. No new rides. No massive construction. Just thoughtful storytelling, operational realism, and a whole lot of Muppet chaos.

    Set during a post–Revolutionary War celebration, this reimagined Harbour House becomes the unofficial headquarters for the classic Muppets, complete with Statler and Waldorf heckling guests from above, the Swedish Chef wreaking havoc in the kitchen, subtle Haunted Mansion tie-ins upstairs, and even a few streetmosphere surprises outside.

    Along the way, the team breaks down what plussing really means, why smaller updates can sometimes matter more than big e-tickets, and how Disney can honor legacy spaces while still evolving them for modern guests, all while filling the MuppetVision-sized hole in the parks.

    It’s a love letter to thoughtful Imagineering, classic Muppet mayhem, and the idea that even one restaurant can become a story-rich experience.

    Don't forget to check us out on Instagram!

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • S4 E3: Into the Hundred Acre Wood | Designing a World That Feels Like Home
    Jan 20 2026

    What if the wilderness of Disney’s Fort Wilderness wasn’t just preserved...but reimagined?

    This week, we wander into the quiet paths of the Hundred Acre Wood with a brand-new proposal: a fully immersive Winnie the Pooh–inspired cabin expansion tucked inside Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Stephen serves as Project Manager, pitching a thoughtful, story-driven experience that blends nostalgia, nature, and experiential design...without sacrificing the soul of the forest. From character homesteads and interactive trails to nighttime firefly strolls and a picnic pavilion with Pooh and friends, this is Imagineering through emotion, not excess.

    Along the way, the Idiots dig into bigger questions: When does storytelling add value, and when does it cross the line? Can whimsical narrative coexist with real wilderness? And who are Disney experiences really for: kids, adults, or anyone looking to feel something again? It’s a cozy, reflective episode about nostalgia, design intent, and why growing up doesn’t have to mean growing out of wonder.

    Don't forget to check us out on Instagram!

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    53 mins
  • S4 E2: The Magical Realm of Narnia | Building a Land Beyond the Wardrobe
    Jan 12 2026

    What if you could truly step into Narnia?

    This week, we imagine what it would look like if Disney brought The Chronicles of Narnia to life as a fully immersive themed land. Stephen takes on the role of Project Manager to explore how Imagineers might translate C.S. Lewis’s world into a physical place guests can walk through, feel, and emotionally connect with.

    We break down the real history between Disney and Narnia, including the film trilogy, the forgotten Journey into Narnia walkthrough at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and why the franchise ultimately stalled. From there, we use Narnia as a case study to explore one of the most important Imagineering concepts of all: world-building.

    This episode dives into how atmosphere, pacing, and environmental storytelling can be just as powerful as big spectacle. From choosing the right entry point into a land, to deciding where the land belongs, to designing a ride that uses quiet moments and sensory detail to drive emotion, this project shows how Imagineers think beyond rides and build entire universes.

    Even if you’ve never read the books or seen the films, this episode is about understanding how themed entertainment creates connection, immersion, and meaning through intentional design.

    Step through the wardrobe, explore the Golden Age of Narnia, and learn how Imagineering turns stories into places.

    Don't forget to check us out on Instagram!

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    1 hr and 5 mins
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