Walt Disney Imagineering has shared the first episode of the rebooted Imagineer That! hosted by Tom Morrow 2.0.
Imagineer That! Returns
Imagineer That! originally aired on Disney Channel as interstitials circa 2000. It was hosted by Tom Morrow 2.0, mascot of Innoventions at EPCOT.
The rebooted series will air on the Imagineering YouTube channel, with the first episode answering the question, “How do Imagineers think up the new rides?” To answer the question, Tom interviews Jonathan Friday, Senior Creative Director at Walt Disney Imagineering. Watch the episode below.
The next episode of Imagineer That! will premiere on Monday, September 15.
Tom Morrow 2.0 FAQ
Tom Morrow 2.0 also answered some questions about himself on Disney Parks Blog.
Who is Tom Morrow 2.0?
Why, that’s a very philosophical question. I assume you want to know my history, right?
I’m a mini-matronic robot who enjoys hosting educational shows, making puns, and exploring the magic behind Disney Experiences. I made my debut at EPCOT’s Innoventions, where I used to live, and quickly became a fan-favorite for my curiosity and my car. My car is back, but the Imagineers say that Innoventions is not.
You may also remember me from the early-2000s Disney Channel segment “Imagineer That!” Back then, I got to hang out with Imagineers and uncover the science, storytelling, and engineering behind rides, fireworks, Audio-Animatronics… basically, anything that goes boom or whoosh or sparkles!
Where Have I Been?
My Innoventions days wrapped up in 2007, and I retired to the not-so-quiet halls of Walt Disney Imagineering in Glendale, California. I spent my days recharging, running diagnostics, and occasionally eavesdropping on Imagineers (while silently critiquing their coffee habits).
Sounds like some pretty good downtime, yeah? You may be thinking, “Wow, Tom, why’d you decide to come back now?”
Well, Imagineers have been cooking up more magic than ever— with projects currently in development around the world. With so much going on, people have more questions than ever about what’s going on at Walt Disney Imagineering, so the Imagineers got to work on “rebooting the ol’ circuits” — their words, not mine — because I’m the right robot for the job.!
A team of dreamers and doers from all over Imagineering assembled to bring me back online. First, they caught me up on what’s trending and what all the kids are saying these days. Then they teamed me up with our research and development techies to update my design and motion programming — aka, a system upgrade with extra charm installed.
They even refurbished my iconic car, redecorated my workspace, and basically made sure I’m ready for my big comeback. And with that, I’m here!
What’s Next for Tom?
With a shiny new parking spot, I’m ready to ask more questions, make bad puns, and dive deep into the magical minds of Imagineers everywhere.
In this reboot of “Imagineer That!,” you’ll hear directly from the creative minds behind Disney Experiences. And yes, I’ll be there every step of the way, asking the your questions and some you didn’t even know you had — and maybe cracking a joke or two while I’m at it.
Oh, and here’s a clue (you didn’t hear from me,) be sure to keep your eyes peeled during each episode. You never know what you might spot in the background.
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