New ‘Imagineer That!’ – Dream and Design with Tom Morrow 2.0

Ever wonder how Disney dreams become reality? It’s something called Imagineering!

If you’re inspired to become a future Walt Disney Imagineer and want to learn more about the stories behind some of your favorite Disney Parks attractions, you’re in the right place. This blog is your direct route to new episodes of Imagineer That, available now on the Walt Disney Imagineering YouTube channel.

Check back often – we’ll be providing previews of the latest episodes as Tom Morrow 2.0 uses his inside access at Walt Disney Imagineering to help answer questions and explain more about what’s happening behind-the-scenes.

Here’s the scoop on the latest episode of Imagineer That! Michelle Khare, the super popular host of Challenge Accepted on YouTube, is a huge fan of Tom Morrow 2.0 and Walt Disney Imagineering. After 25 years of waiting, Tom helps answer Michelle’s question – “How do Imagineers make mountains?”

Turns out, building a Disney Mountain is more complicated than you might think. Tammy, a Rockwork Engineer, explains the long process that begins with story.

Disney Mountains come in all shapes and sizes. Some are based on real mountains like the Matterhorn at Disneyland or Expedition Everest at Walt Disney World. Others are more fantastical like the floating mountains in Pandora – The World of Avatar.

Once Imagineers develop the story they want to tell, they make models that are scanned into digital structures. Tammy’s team designs the steel structures that are eventually covered in bent rebar, lath, and concrete. An important part of this step is rockwork integration – the process of incorporating lights, speakers, foliage and technology seamlessly into the mountains and rocks. Finally, artisans make the mountains look real by carving and painting fine details into the concrete plaster.

Tom Morrow 2.0 is back and ready to answer your questions about Imagineering and how the Imagineers bring Disney magic to life. The first question from Ellie in Florida – “How do Imagineers think up the new rides?”

No, the ideas for Disney attractions don’t just come out of thin air. New rides are carefully considered during a period called Blue Sky. This step in the creative process isn’t just a bunch of Imagineers sitting in a room throwing around ideas.

Not every idea makes it out of Blue Sky, but at Walt Disney Imagineering, no good idea ever goes away completely. Attractions that make it out of Blue Sky move to the Concept phase where Imagineers decide how an experience will look, sound, smell and feel through sketches, sculptures, and visualizations. Imagineers then make sure they can bring to life what they want to make in the Feasibility phase and then the details come together in the Design phase.

The last step in the creative process is Production. The designs become reality, as everything is constructed, installed, tested, and adjusted before guests are able to experience the new attraction. The life of a project can be anywhere from 3 to 5 years and sometimes even longer.

Imagineer That! was a Disney Channel short series from the late 1990s/early 2000s hosted by Tom Morrow 2.0, a mini-matronic figure, before being rebooted for the Walt Disney Imagineering YouTube channel. Tom Morrow 2.0 was also the host of Innoventions at EPCOT from 2000 to 2007.

If you want Tom to answer your question about Imagineering, drop it in the YouTube comments. You can hear more about what’s being dreamed up, designed and created by following the Imagineers on Instagram and reading more behind-the-scenes stories on the Disney Parks Blog.

“Ever wonder how Disney dreams become reality? It’s something called Imagineering!”

It’s the year 2000, and you’re watching Disney Channel. If you have the sudden urge to draw Mickey ears with an imaginary wand, you also probably know who I am and I’m so excited to tell you I’m back. Yes, It’s me, Tom Morrow 2.0! I’m just as curious, chatty, and full of questions as ever and ready to answer what’s on your mind in the year 2025.

But, if you’re brand new here, and not a millennial (I hear that’s what they call them), you’re probably wondering who I am, and why my return is so exciting. Well good news, because I’m here to bring you up to speed on my glorious return faster than you can say “any questions?”

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!

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!

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.

Check out the first episode of “Imagineer That!” and check back here for more adventures with yours truly: Tom Morrow 2.0, Imagineering’s tiniest, talkiest, and most inquisitive host.

Want to hear more about what’s being dreamed up, designed, and created? Follow the Imagineers every step of the way on YouTube and Instagram and stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes stories on the Disney Parks Blog.