LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW ON IMAGINEER PODCAST www . imagineerpodcast . com
The Land Pavilion at EPCOT holds a unique place in my heart : Visiting this pavilion in the 1980s when I was merely a toddler was my first memory not only at Disney but also in life . Recalling that mental image as an adult , certain features of the pavilion come to mind : the colorful hot air balloons suspended gracefully from the ceiling , the giant abstract murals arranged above the secondfloor balcony , and the charming geometric fountain grounded as the focal point on the lower level .
To this day , The Land Pavilion is still a place where I feel at home , which is why I was honored to interview two Imagineers who helped bring this pavilion to life : designer Jim Sarno and music composer George Wilkins .
WATER MEETS THE LAND The Land Pavilion has undergone several changes over the years . Long before Soarin ’ joined the pavilion in
2005 , the building originally featured two shows ( Symbiosis and Kitchen Kabaret ), two dining locations , and one ride
( Living with the Land ). The theater that once showed Symbiosis now features Awesome Planet , and the theater that housed Kitchen Kabaret was demolished to make way for the entryway and queue for Soarin ’.
Jim Sarno supported Imagineer Walt Peregoy on various aspects of the pavilion , including the exterior murals , hot air balloons , fountain , and pieces of Living with the Land . While Walt took the lead on most of the designs , Jim physically sculpted a significant portion of these projects . Thankfully , Jim had some great Imagineering mentors , including legendary sculptor Blaine Gibson , who showed Jim various techniques and gifted some tools that Jim still has in his home today . In working with Blaine , Jim said , “ I was shocked ” to have the honor .