LEFT : This map at Tiffins highlights the global journey of Disney Imagineers . PHOTO BY CLIFF WANG . RIGHT : Some of the artwork inside Tiffins Restaurant . PHOTO BY LAURIE SAPP
MAKING A MARK AT DISNEY ’ S ANIMAL KINGDOM Leading the visualization and design of Disney ’ s Animal Kingdom , Joe began this eight-year project in 1990 . To bring the park to life , Rohde realized that you couldn ’ t work with animals without making a commitment to them . Along with the development of Animal Kingdom , Joe Rohde took part in the birth of the Disney Conservation Fund .
Traveling to locations around the world was important in the formation of Animal Kingdom areas . Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain is one of Joe Rohde ’ s favorite attractions because of his love of the Himalayas . In the queue for Kali River Rapids , you can hear music that Joe recorded while in Nepal .
Tiffins , a signature restaurant , is one of the most unique places in Animal Kingdom . According to Rohde , it is “ about the travel and adventure that led to the creation of Disney ’ s Animal Kingdom .” Three galleries in the restaurant focus on animals of the park and the Imagineers ’ adventures in Africa and Asia .
Across the park on a distant moon , Rohde originally thought the idea of Pandora – The World of Avatar was crazy . But as he reflected , he realized that if you look at the message behind the movie Avatar , it ’ s the same as the theme seen throughout Animal Kingdom . They both show the involvement of planetary responsibility , wildlife , indigenous people , and the relationship to nature .
One of his favorite memories at Animal Kingdom happened just prior to bringing