Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

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Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

The Idiots: Stephen, Kaity, Marissa, Jenny, and Amanda

119 episodes

22 hours ago

It’s official! Idiot’s Guide to Imagineering is launching the very first D-Ticket Awards: a fan-driven celebration of the best, boldest, and most creative moments in Disney Parks and Imagineering. This week, Stephen, Kaity, and Marissa reveal the full list of 20 categories and nominees and open voting for fans everywhere. From reimagined attractions to iconic park smells, it’s time to decide which Imagineering moments deserve a D-Ticket Award. 🗳️ Vote Here: Voting is open through November 17 ...

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Places & Travel

Society & Culture,

All content for Idiot's Guide to Imagineering is the property of The Idiots: Stephen, Kaity, Marissa, Jenny, and Amanda and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

It’s official! Idiot’s Guide to Imagineering is launching the very first D-Ticket Awards: a fan-driven celebration of the best, boldest, and most creative moments in Disney Parks and Imagineering. This week, Stephen, Kaity, and Marissa reveal the full list of 20 categories and nominees and open voting for fans everywhere. From reimagined attractions to iconic park smells, it’s time to decide which Imagineering moments deserve a D-Ticket Award. 🗳️ Vote Here: Voting is open through November 17 ...

Show more...

Places & Travel

Society & Culture,

Episodes (20/119)

Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

Announcing the 2025 D-Ticket Awards: And the Nominees Are...

It’s official! Idiot’s Guide to Imagineering is launching the very first D-Ticket Awards: a fan-driven celebration of the best, boldest, and most creative moments in Disney Parks and Imagineering. This week, Stephen, Kaity, and Marissa reveal the full list of 20 categories and nominees and open voting for fans everywhere. From reimagined attractions to iconic park smells, it’s time to decide which Imagineering moments deserve a D-Ticket Award. 🗳️ Vote Here: Voting is open through November 17 ...

1 day ago

18 minutes

Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

The Idiot's Guide Grim Grinning Gathering Halloween Special

The Idiots are throwing their first-ever Halloween party, and you’re invited! From ghost stories that send chills down your spine to brand-new Halloween overlays that reimagine Disney classics (including a haunted Jungle Cruise you’ll never forget), this special is packed with tricks, treats, and a little bit of idiotic chaos. Join Spooky Stephen, All Hallows Amanda, Mysterious Marissa, and Kooky Kaity for a frightfully fun night of storytelling, laughter, and Imagineering mischief. 💜 Donate ...

1 week ago

19 minutes

Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

Rewind: Haunted Moon Lagoon (S1 E13)

Rewind time, and this week Amanda picked one of Stephen’s creepiest creations to fit the season. We’re revisiting Season 1, Episode 13: Haunted Moon Lagoon, where Stephen transformed Typhoon Lagoon into an adults-only Halloween event unlike anything Disney has ever attempted. Picture an all-inclusive after-hours party with eerie overlays on water slides, haunted zones inspired by Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Tower of Terror, and Alien Encounter, plus villains roaming the park, specialty food and...

2 weeks ago

21 minutes

Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

Micro Magic: How Did Halloween Events Creep Into Disney Parks?

Amanda is coming to you straight from Halloweentown with a bag full of tricks and maybe a few treats. Join her as she dives into the spooky history of Disney Halloween events from Magic Kingdom’s earliest celebrations to the worldwide parties that have fans dressing up across the globe. From classic parades to eerie overlays and villain-filled festivities this Micro Magic episode is full of surprises and behind-the-scenes tidbits. Tune in if you dare. Halloween has never been this magical. 💜 ...

3 weeks ago

7 minutes

Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

Rewind: The Twilight Zone Bar & Lounge (S2 E18)

Rewind time, and this week we’re stepping back into the eerie glow of the Hollywood Tower Hotel. We’re revisiting Season 2, Episode 18: The Twilight Zone Bar & Lounge, where Kaity imagined a moody, atmospheric space that extended the Tower of Terror story into a place you could sit down, sip a cocktail, and soak in that haunting Hollywood vibe. Kaity reflects on why this idea still gives her chills, and how the ride’s timeless mix of suspense and atmosphere makes it the perfect backdrop f...

4 weeks ago

34 minutes

Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

2025 Fall Fundraiser: New Hope for Kids

This week, the Idiots are taking a break from rides and characters to focus on something truly meaningful. We’re supporting New Hope for Kids, a Central Florida nonprofit dedicated to helping children facing grief or life-threatening conditions and their families through programs like The Center for Grieving Children and Wishes for Kids. We talk about why this cause is so important, how every donation, big or small, makes a difference, and how you can join us in raising $1,000 to support thei...

1 month ago

3 minutes

Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

Rewind: Re-Animating the Courtyard (S1 E9)

Off-season rewind time, and this week we’re heading back to one of our first few ideas. We’re revisiting Season 1, Episode 9: Re-Animating the Courtyard, where Jenny and Amanda reimagined Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as a vibrant, interactive space celebrating the legacy of Disney animation. Jenny opens with a thoughtful reflection on why this area has always meant so much, and how recent announcements from Disney feel surprisingly aligned with the spirit of this episode....

1 month ago

22 minutes

Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

State of the Kingdom: Q3 2025

The Idiots proudly present the very first State of the Kingdom. In this quarterly address, we step back from our regular content to bring you the big picture: the progress, challenges, and future of Disney Parks and Imagineering. This quarter, we touch on key announcements from Destination D23, major construction updates across the parks including Piston Peak, Tropical Americas, and Monstropolis, as well as the rumors that could shape what comes next. Consider this your official briefing on w...

1 month ago

56 minutes

Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

Micro Magic: What’s the Secret to Disney’s Parade Music?

Ever wonder how Disney parades make their music feel perfectly timed no matter where you stand? In this Micro Magic episode, Stephen dives into the ingenious systems Imagineers use to synchronize floats, speakers, lighting, and effects. The result is a seamless, magical soundtrack that seems to appear out of nowhere. From classic parades to the newest nighttime spectaculars, you’ll get a peek at the tricks behind the scenes that make Disney’s moving shows feel effortless. It is five minutes o...

1 month ago

5 minutes

Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

Rewind: CANCELED: Muppet Studios (S2 E13)

Off-season continues, and this week we’re rewinding to one that hits especially close to home. We’re heading back to Season 2, Episode 13: Canceled: Muppet Studios, a fan favorite from our Canceled series. In this episode, Kaity and Marissa reimagined a full Muppets land for Hollywood Studios, filled with joy, heart, and the kind of humor only the Muppets can deliver. With the recent closure of Muppet Courtyard and the removal of Muppet*Vision 3D, this one feels more timely than ever. Marissa...

2 months ago

43 minutes

Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

Destination D23 Predictions: If There Were a Parks Panel…

It’s almost Destination D23 weekend, but this year something’s missing. For the first time in recent memory, there’s no big Disney Parks panel and that changes everything. Normally this is the moment Disney fans gather for announcements and future park teases. Instead, we’re left with a few scattered panels, a lot of questions, and just maybe a glimmer of hope for a Villains Land reveal. In this off-season episode, the Idiots dig into why Disney might be holding back, how last year’s mixed re...

2 months ago

57 minutes

Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

Micro Magic: Does Disney Have a Theme Park and Casino in Malaysia?

Stephen uncovers the unusual story of a theme park in Malaysia tied to big-name movies and a massive legal battle. It’s a park that’s connected to Disney’s world but isn’t quite Disney, and it’s sitting right next to a casino... This quick Micro Magic episode dives into a strange chapter of theme park history you probably haven’t heard before. Send us a text Support the show Don't forget to check us out on Instagram!

2 months ago

5 minutes

Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

Rewind: North America Land (S1 E17)

Season 3 has wrapped, but you didn’t think we’d leave you hanging, did you? This week, we’re rewinding to Season 1, Episode 17: North America Land, a personal favorite of Stephen’s and one of our most ambitious early projects. In this episode, he and Jenny dream up a brand-new land for Disney’s Animal Kingdom inspired by the landscapes, cultures, and storytelling of North America. Stephen opens with a current-day reflection on why this one still holds up and what makes it feel especially ti...

2 months ago

28 minutes

Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

S3 E25: Season 3 Finale: Idiot Imagineer Showdown

After seven months of chaotic brainstorming, feral laughter, and over two dozen wildly ambitious blue-sky projects, Season 3 of Idiot’s Guide to Imagineering wraps with a high-stakes showdown between Marissa and Stephen for the title of Idiot Imagineer of the Year. In this season finale, the Idiots bring all the imagination, storytelling, and unhinged creativity they’ve honed across three seasons into one last head-to-head pitch challenge. There are surprises, unexpected strategies, and a jud...

3 months ago

57 minutes

Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

S3 E24: Elemental: Wetro Washout

Do you really need animals for something to make sense in Disney’s Animal Kingdom? This week, Stephen explores that question with a proposal inspired by a Pixar movie you might have skipped. While it did not make a huge cultural splash, Elemental has more in common with Animal Kingdom than you might think, thanks to its themes of nature, balance, and environmental connection. Set in one of the park’s most overlooked areas, this concept reimagines the space with color, creativity, and just the...

3 months ago

42 minutes

Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

S3 E23: Sherwood Forest Renaissance Faire

This week, we return to Magic Kingdom carefully. It’s a park we rarely touch out of respect and a healthy fear of Disney purists, but this week, we’re not taking anything away; we’re only adding. Tucked behind Storybook Circus lies a triangular patch of unused land, and today we’re turning it into the Sherwood Renaissance Faire, a playful, tongue-in-cheek addition to Fantasyland inspired by Robin Hood. We dig into why this underused classic deserves the spotlight, how IP plays a role in guest...

3 months ago

44 minutes

Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

S3 E22: Disneyland Entertainment Revival (with Kim Millspaugh)

To celebrate Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, Stephen, Kaity, and Disneyland expert Kim Millspaugh (@disney.sme) take a deep dive into the world of live shows at the park. From beloved classics to recent closures, we explore the surprising decline in stage entertainment and what it means for Disneyland’s storytelling future. Why are so many theaters sitting empty? What challenges and choices have shaped this shift? And does live entertainment still hold the same magic it once did? Stephen share...

3 months ago

56 minutes

Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

S3 E21: Idiot's Guide to Imagineering's 100th Episode: A Celebration of Wishes

We made it to 100, ImaginIdiots! This episode is a full-blown celebration of everything we’ve dreamed up, laughed through, and created together over three wild seasons. From day one, we never imagined we’d make it this far, but thanks to you, here we are: triple digits, baby! To mark the occasion, we’re doing things a little differently. Instead of designing a new attraction, we’re reimagining Wishes (the beloved nighttime spectacular) as a heart-filled, voice-driven tribute to dreams, chaos,...

4 months ago

1 hour

Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

Idiot's Guide to Epic Universe: Park Recap

We just spent a whirlwind day exploring Epic Universe—and we’re here to give you our honest first impressions. From checking in at one of the brand-new hotels to navigating early entry, portal strategy, and ride experiences, we’re breaking down what surprised us, what impressed us, and what we think still needs a little fine-tuning. Stephen, Kaity, and Jenny were on the ground for it all. Whether you’re planning a future trip or just curious about what Universal’s newest park really feels lik...

4 months ago

1 hour 21 minutes

Idiot's Guide to Imagineering

S3 E20: Brazil Joins World Showcase

Summer’s heating up—and so is Epcot! This week, Project Manager Kaity leads the charge as the Idiots head to South America to dream up a long-awaited addition to World Showcase: a brand-new Brazil pavilion! Complete with Baroque-inspired architecture, vibrant street markets, a churrascaria with sunset views, and an interactive attraction starring a mythical forest protector (and yes—giant flying capybaras), this proposal brings Brazil’s food, folklore, and festive spirit to life like never be...

4 months ago

43 minutes