Kevin Rafferty out in April 2021

[Rteetz]

 

[Surferboy567]

Woah...it is sad to see another great talent go but we have known this was likely for a while. I hope he enjoys his well earned retirement.

 

[Rteetz]

I believe he did announce when they wrapped MMRR that it would be his final large project so this has been in the works.

 

[Surferboy567]

I believe he did announce when they wrapped MMRR that it would be his final large project so this has been in the works.

Yep, he said something to the effect of this during an episode of DisInsider on Disney + that is at least what I remember. He could of said it elsewhere.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Imagineering retirements tend to come in bunches and are not good signs for consumers

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Imagineering retirements tend to come in bunches and are not good signs for consumers

Prediction - Bob retires next to be replaced by Zach.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Prediction - Bob retires next to be replaced by Zach.

 

[rreading]

Turnover is always to be expected, while unfortunate. My concern would be that the turnover at this point in our climate could make it difficult for the new imagineers to learn from the older ones if there's too much current attrition. Hope that those retiring continue to pop in and check on the young ones

 

[tirian]

Prediction - Bob retires next to be replaced by Zach.

 

[bcoachable]

Turnover is always to be expected, while unfortunate. My concern would be that the turnover at this point in our climate could make it difficult for the new imagineers to learn from the older ones if there's too much current attrition. Hope that those retiring continue to pop in and check on the young ones

My take on this is Imagineering as it was is toast. The model going forward is a few project managers in house who outsource projects to design firms (Or whatever job specific company can get x done).
A front will continue to sell Imagineering to the public for perception, but it ain’t gonna be the same “Hey fans! Here is super star imagineer Joe Rhode” ever again.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Turnover is always to be expected, while unfortunate. My concern would be that the turnover at this point in our climate could make it difficult for the new imagineers to learn from the older ones if there's too much current attrition. Hope that those retiring continue to pop in and check on the young ones

My take on this is Imagineering as it was is toast. The model going forward is a few project managers in house who outsource projects to design firms (Or whatever job specific company can get x done).
A front will continue to sell Imagineering to the public for perception, but it ain’t gonna be the same “Hey fans! Here is super star imagineer Joe Rhode” ever again.

Those are great theories...

But the reality is they know that there will be no cap ex money for 5+ years and they’ll just sit around spinning wheels...and many underlings will be let go.

Jack Welch time

 

[HauntedPirate]

Prediction - Bob retires next to be replaced by Zach.

But then who will handle the WDI Instagram posts???

Congrats to Kevin on his career and best wishes on his retirement. Happy day for him, I’m sure, but a sad day for Disney Theme Parks.

 

[Smooth]

Not to worry. Disney has a great new group of Imagineers coming on board.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Not to worry. Disney has a great new group of Imagineers coming on board.
View attachment 523956

That's not true at all. Those 3 argued non-stop and disagreed. Only 100% consent is now allowed!

 

[Parker in NYC]

Those are great theories...

But the reality is they know that there will be no cap ex money for 5+ years and they’ll just sit around spinning wheels...and many underlines will be let go.

Jack Welch time

But DME is toast and resort rates will go up even further, we're saved!

Yeah, probably not. I KNOW, I know. Just trying to be optimistic for once in the last ye-... my life.

 

[Lilofan]

42 years in Disney and if all at WDI is a miracle with all the regular WDI layoffs.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

42 years in Disney and if all at WDI is a miracle with all the regular WDI layoffs.

He started at Disneyland, when he moved to WDI he took a pay cut from hourly at Disneyland in food service.

He was a part of the big layoff after Epcot opened but was hired back. Thankfully.

Pick up his book “Magic Journey” if you haven’t already - great read.

 

[Brer Oswald]

I believe he did announce when they wrapped MMRR that it would be his final large project so this has been in the works.

I’m reading his book, and he implied in the Foreword that he was basically done.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

42 years in Disney and if all at WDI is a miracle with all the regular WDI layoffs.

The axe always tends to land in the middle. He managed to make his jump with good timing

 

[ToTBellHop]

That’s too bad (for us) but congratulations to him!