Joe Rohde and the creation of Disney's Animal Kingdom

4

4 Park Central

Member
Original Poster
Hey -

Just came across a great article about the creation of DAK that was an interview with the park's executive producer Joe Rohde on Laughingplace.com. A great article and there is some great artwork that accompanies it:

http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID512520.asp

I especially liked his comment that Beastly Kingdomme and its ilk are more a "mantra" about the need to bring imaginary creatures into the park rather than a specific notion. Joe is certainly very eloquent.

Enjoy!

MJ
 
CBOMB

CBOMB

Active Member
Lee MacDonald is an excellent writer. He also has loads of insight into the day to day operations of Disney around the World. He's also a very cordial gentleman ,very willing to share what knowledge he is allowed to with anyone. I know I try to pick his brain every chance I get.
 
DisneyDellsDude

DisneyDellsDude

New Member
I had a quick question. I know that's from the Tales from the Laughing Place Magazine.
I already get the Celebrations Magazine and the Orlando Attractions Magazine and like them both. How is Tales? Is it worth the somewhat higher price?
 
CBOMB

CBOMB

Active Member
As I said Lee is an excellent writter, but only you can decide if it's worth the cost. I would suggest you look up some more of his articles, and you can then decide for yourself. Most of his articles like that are abbreviated versions when posted on the net.
 
WDW1974

WDW1974

Well-Known Member
Just a few words on Lee MacDonald and Tales.

It is absolutely a high quality publication that covers many aspects of Disney indepth in a way no one else can/does. But it also should be stated for the record that Lee is a contractor for TWDC in some beancounting capacity and at a fairly high level. That's not an attack on the man, he has brought some of the most interesting discussions to any Disney Internet forum I've found. But it does mean he has friends (and the opposite) in the company, especially at WDI. That means some things need to be taken with a proper understanding for the politics of the organization and the company and also one must realize there won't be any criticism of Disney in any regard.

And I hate to bury the key news, but there are rumors that Joe Rohde may be (amongt a few big names) leaving WDI next year. This isn't a fact and doesn't come from any of my sources directly, just that people at WDI are saying this could happen.

It would be a very sad day if in fact it is true.
 
Horizonsfan

Horizonsfan

Well-Known Member
This is a great read.

WDW1974 said:
And I hate to bury the key news, but there are rumors that Joe Rohde may be (amongt a few big names) leaving WDI next year. This isn't a fact and doesn't come from any of my sources directly, just that people at WDI are saying this could happen.

It would be a very sad day if in fact it is true.
Click to expand...

Any reason as to why he and other big names would leave?
 
Missing20K

Missing20K

Well-Known Member
Horizonsfan said:
This is a great read.



Any reason as to why he and other big names would leave?
Click to expand...

Cause they didn't promote him to head of WDI??? He seems like he would have been a great choice at least in terms of vision and creativity, I know nothing of his inter-office skills, or the politics that no doubt goes on at such a large corporation. Maybe he didn't lick the right boots? :shrug:
 
hoke2007

hoke2007

Active Member
WDW1974 said:
And I hate to bury the key news, but there are rumors that Joe Rohde may be (amongt a few big names) leaving WDI next year. This isn't a fact and doesn't come from any of my sources directly, just that people at WDI are saying this could happen.

It would be a very sad day if in fact it is true.
Click to expand...

I'd hate to see Joe leave. He has done great things for WDW and would be missed terribly. I really hope that isn't true... :(
 
HMF

HMF

Well-Known Member
hoke2007 said:
I'd hate to see Joe leave. He has done great things for WDW and would be missed terribly. I really hope that isn't true... :(
Click to expand...
I would hate to see him leave because that would give more power to "Creative Executives" like Fitzgerald or Jacobson.
 
jt04

jt04

Well-Known Member
Maybe he is as disgusted with the lack of progress at WDW as we all are. There must be tons of other opportunities he passes up to stay at WDI. I don't know if anyone else here has seen the pics of Atlantis in Dubai but it takes theming to a level even OLC can't match. IF Joe had a chance to work with those kinds of budgets (unlimited) I am sure he would have trouble saying no. I am sure he is possibly frustrared with having few projects but that is just a guess. If he does leave it will be the old "creative differences" problem.
 
4

4 Park Central

Member
Original Poster
WDW1974 said:
Just a few words on Lee MacDonald and Tales.

It is absolutely a high quality publication that covers many aspects of Disney indepth in a way no one else can/does. But it also should be stated for the record that Lee is a contractor for TWDC in some beancounting capacity and at a fairly high level. That's not an attack on the man, he has brought some of the most interesting discussions to any Disney Internet forum I've found. But it does mean he has friends (and the opposite) in the company, especially at WDI. That means some things need to be taken with a proper understanding for the politics of the organization and the company and also one must realize there won't be any criticism of Disney in any regard.

And I hate to bury the key news, but there are rumors that Joe Rohde may be (amongt a few big names) leaving WDI next year. This isn't a fact and doesn't come from any of my sources directly, just that people at WDI are saying this could happen.

It would be a very sad day if in fact it is true.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the insight, WDW1974. I'm not sure that his occupation has any impact on the quality of the piece - but if that is how he gets access then power to him. I was amazed at the level of artwork that appears to be given to Tales - stuff I've never seen elsewhere. Their dedicated website has copious quantities of original artwork that I presume is in the publication:

http://www.talesfromthelaughingplace.com

And I guess he must be someone to have both friends and enemies at WDI. :ROFLOL:
 
4

4 Park Central

Member
Original Poster
tirian said:
This image is for the naysayers who have insisted Beastly Kingdomme was never actually planned:

http://www.laughingplace.com/ShowPic.asp?Filename=files/TFLPDak/big/Z0009.jpg&caption=

Yeah, the roller coaster would have been amazing. :cry:

Rohde's very generic, politically-safe comment regarding Beastly Kingdomme is disappointing, but it's fun to read his comment when a picture of the planned land is right above the paragraph. ;)
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Pretty cool, huh? I guess it ties into his earlier comment that you have to trade stuff on and off the menu when you are trying to build a theme park. They gave up the walk-through in the Tree of Life for the theater and took out the ampitheater (which would have been a great spot) for the Flame Tree BBQ. I guess I've never head imagineers talk like that to "the public" before. I guess that ties into WDW1974's comment.

I saw on the message thread that accompanied the article that the version on the site is only about 50% of the final piece so I'm off to buy the mag. An early Christmas present for me!
 
CBOMB

CBOMB

Active Member
Lee said:
Ummmm....that's good how?
I don't get it.....:shrug:
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I just don't see anything good coming from lay-offs. They need all the best of creative minds for the future. Joe Rohde would be a devasting loss.

Lee, you know Lee MacDonald don't you, even though he is from across the pond?
 
WDW1974

WDW1974

Well-Known Member
hoke2007 said:
I'd hate to see Joe leave. He has done great things for WDW and would be missed terribly. I really hope that isn't true... :(
Click to expand...

I can only say that I agree with that.

I can't imagine DAK without his stewardship. Considering the shape of the other WDW parks, it is a very scary thought.

But Disney, and WDI in particular, has a history of chasing talent out the door.
 

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