JOE ROHDE ’ S WORLD : In November of 2020 , Joe Rohde had finally reached a peak of his life ’ s journey . After a long career full of creation and wonder , he retired from Walt Disney Imagineering .
When hearing Joe ’ s name , many picture a man with an extravagant earring dangling from his left ear . This tradition began when , on his fifth anniversary as an Imagineer , he put the anniversary pin he was given in his ear and wore it as an earring .
You can feel Joe ’ s presence all throughout Walt Disney World , in Disneyland , and in California Adventure , as well as in Disney ’ s Hawaiian resort , Aulani .
However , many consider Rohde ’ s masterpiece to be the work he did as lead designer of Disney ’ s Animal Kingdom . Shingle by shingle , brick by brick , he helped build a theme park so immersive that it is easy to suspend disbelief .
Standing in Disney ’ s Animal Kingdom , you can ’ t help but feel surrounded by the wild of nature . Yes , you know that you are in a theme park , but if you look around , if you listen , for a moment , you might not be so sure .
This connection to nature is also evident in Rohde ’ s work on Pandora - The World of Avatar . This land , which changes as dusk approaches , captures the essence of Animal Kingdom — but really , it captures the genius of an Imagineer at the top of his game .
OUR WORLD : As I carried our tray to our table at Satu ’ li Canteen , my wife , Amy , waited at the counter for our beverages . A Cast Member asked her , “ Are you going to all of the parks ?” and after Amy said yes , he added , “ Which one is your favorite ?”
At this , Amy ’ s voice caught in her throat ; she wished she could tell him that Animal Kingdom was her favorite — but it wasn ’ t . She figured that guests didn ’ t typically say “ Animal Kingdom ” when Cast Members asked this question .
“ Probably Hollywood Studios ,” she responded . “ Toy Story Land and Galaxy ’ s Edge are just so immersive ...” her voice trailed off , struck by a thought in the middle of her sentence . “ But I guess
Animal Kingdom kind of started all of that , with Africa and Asia , and now Pandora .”
What Amy realized mid-sentence was that we only have the new immersive lands because someone pushed the boundaries with Animal Kingdom . That person was Joe Rohde . What Joe realized was that the beauty of nature tells a story . Sometimes the story told by the peaks of Everest is more powerful than any fairytale .
When Joe was discussing the folklore behind the popular attraction , Expedition Everest , he said , “ During my expedition to the Himalayas , I was surprised to learn that the Yeti is looked upon as a creature that guards the mountain ’ s pristine environment .”
What Joe Rohde has given us with Animal Kingdom , with Pandora , with every project he has worked on , is a connection point . Next time , as you trek up the snowy mountain , take a moment to feel the meaning , to experience the enlightenment , to celebrate the beauty — the Yeti is protecting an endless adventure .
BY BRIAN MCCUMSEY
Sunrise at Pandora . PHOTO BY RICH RAMOS