Joe Rohde’s 40 years at Walt Disney Imagineering are a testament to his intensive focus on the philosophy of narrative placemaking and experiential storytelling, including as overall creative executive and supervising designer for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. Joe was also instrumental in creating the Disney Conservation Fund, which has disbursed more than $125 million in grants to projects worldwide. He was named a Disney Legend in 2024.
Brian Alters, PhD, FAAAS is a professor who is appointed at Chapman and Harvard Universities, and who lectures about Walt Disney’s use of biological evolution in full feature films, shorts, and TV programs. Dr. Alters created and teaches a wildly popular course at Chapman titled The Pursuit of Happiness and Knowledge: Charles Darwin & Walt Disney which delves into Walt’s facilitation of happiness to untold millions worldwide.
Drew Taylor is a senior film reporter at The Wrap, writing broadly across topics including blockbuster films, production, animation and with a side passion for Hollywood’s theme parks. Before joining the site in 2021, Drew was a film journalist with a keen interest in animation and Disney history. Drew has been covering film, television and theme parks for 15 years, writing for the New York Times, the New York Daily News, Collider, Vulture, and Box Office Magazine.
