Disney Legend Carl Bongirno Passes Away at Age 86

Carl Bongirno with Disney Legend handprints

Disney Legend Carl Bongirno, a financial leader who began his Disney career in 1963, passed away this week at 86. Carl Bongirno Bongirno’s roles at Disney included treasurer for WED Enterprises and director of the Finance Division during the development of Walt Disney World Resort. He retired in 1989. The Walt Disney Company shared the … Read more

VIDEO: Walt Disney Imagineering Marks 70th Anniversary

Disney is celebrating 70 years of Walt Disney Imagineering with a behind-the-scenes look at the creative team behind Disney Parks. Walt Disney Imagineering was officially formed on December 16, 1952, 70 years ago today, as Walt Disney, Inc. A group of Disney filmmakers was chosen to design and develop Disneyland. The group was later named … Read more

REVIEW: ‘The Imagineering Story’ Book Celebrates Creativity, Thinking, and Doing

This post may contain affiliate links; please read the disclosure for more information. In November 1942, the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) published an ad in a number of newspapers to encourage the purchase of war bonds. The ad featured a drawing of the Alcoa plant and on one building was a sign that read “The Place … Read more

DREAMFINDERS: Rick Harper Talks Directing “Impressions de France”

dreamfinders-rick-harper

Welcome to the final bi-weekly episode of “Dreamfinders.” With this episode, the podcast has interviewed 50 guests. It’s been quiet a ride and the fun is not over just yet! Rick Harper’s work for Disney has certainly left an…Impression. Starting in the model shop at WED, Rick soon moved his way up into the design … Read more

Get a Glimpse of Walt Disney Productions in the Mid-1960’s With this 1965 Annual Report – Part Three

With Disney Parks around the world closed for the foreseeable future, WDWNT is dipping into our archives of vintage materials for a look back into Disney history! It’s time for the third and final part of our look at Walt Disney Productions’ 1965 Annual Report with a glimpse into the company’s plans for 1967 and beyond, … Read more

Get a Glimpse of Walt Disney Productions in the Mid-1960’s With the 1965 Annual Report – Part One

With Disney Parks around the world closed for the foreseeable future, WDWNT is dipping into our archives of vintage materials for a look back into Disney history! And this one is a treat for lovers of Disney in the 1960’s, as we take a look at the Walt Disney Productions 1965 Annual Report! Note: This article … Read more

See EPCOT Center Under Construction in 1980 With This Article From Orlando-land Magazine

With Disney Parks around the world closed for the foreseeable future, WDWNT is dipping into our archives of vintage parks materials for a look back into parks history! Today, we’re heading back to before the beginning of EPCOT Center with an 1980 article from Orlando-land magazine! Note: This article will detail the magazine piece page … Read more

DISNEY+ REVIEW: The Imagineering Story – Episode 1 – “The Happiest Place on Earth” Will Put a Smile on Any Fan’s Face

For years, we have anxiously awaited Leslie Iwerks’ documentary about Walt Disney Imagineering. Well, it’s finally here as part of the launch of Disney+. The first episode spans the course of an hour and basically covers the advent of WDI through to the end of Walt Disney’s life. In the course of the program, we … Read more

“Marc Davis in His Own Words: Imagineering the Disney Theme Parks” to Release September 3rd, 2019

The story of one of Disney’s most prolific animators and Imagineers will be shared in a brand-new book this September… with the help of another prolific animator and an Imagineer. “Marc Davis in His Own Words: Imagineering the Disney Theme Parks,” written by Pete Docter and Christopher Merritt, will chronicle Davis’ time at WED Enterprises, … Read more

Ford’s Magic Skyway: The Origin of the PeopleMover

Of all the extinct Disney attractions, nothing truly compares to Ford’s Magic Skyway. On paper, the attraction closed with the World’s Fair in 1965; however, it has a legacy that extends well beyond Flushing Meadows. The Skyway was the first attraction that WED Enterprises (WED) developed for the 1964 World’s Fair. After approaching several other … Read more

The New York World’s Fair at 50: “Anything But a Small World’s Fair”

At WDWNT: The Magazine, we are always looking to deliver great content to our readers.  In many instances, we writers enjoy collaborating on a specific topic or theme. One very popular theme among Disney enthusiasts is the 1964 World’s Fair.  The genesis for many Disney parks’ attractions were conceptualized and realized at this World’s Fair.  … Read more