Project Horizons

Mike
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Places & Travel

Welcome to the Project Horizons podcast, an affiliate of WDW Connection and your gateway to the rich history and meticulous planning behind Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney theme parks worldwide. Join me (Mike) as I sit down with the brilliant designers, artists, engineers, and storytellers who transform blue-sky concepts into the immersive worlds we love. Together, we explore the creative triumphs, engineering marvels, and personal stories from inside Imagineering. This show is your ultimate backstage pass to Disney history where you'll learn the secrets of Imagineering storytelling directly from the creative sources who were there in the boardroom. WDW Connection and Project Horizons are an unofficial, independent fan site and podcast. They are not affiliated with, authorized, associated, endorsed, or in any way officially connected with The Walt Disney Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.

  1. 3d ago

    Epcot and Eisner Stories | Disney Imagineer Hugh Darley

    Former Walt Disney Imagineer Hugh Darley shares untold stories from the construction and opening of Epcot Center, his years working with Michael Eisner and Dick Nunis, and a career that took him to 78 countries. Hugh joins Mike on WDW Connection’s Project Horizons podcast to talk about his work as a show designer, art director, and graphics designer on Epcot's World Showcase and on other projects at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Hugh recalls watching a show about Pirates of the Caribbean that made him want to be an Imagineer. From there, he covers presenting “Fort Wilderness Town” to Disney's board of directors with no preparation, and working with Wathel Rogers and John Hench. He also tells the Michael Jackson story behind “Thriller”, what happened on Epcot's opening day, the Living Seas cannon test that soaked the mural painters, and the layoffs that hit Imagineering.  Along the way, Hugh talks about Horizons, Journey into Imagination, Captain EO, restoring Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland, and World Showcase pavilions that were never built, including Africa and Switzerland.  If you love Disney history, Imagineering, and behind-the-scenes theme park stories, this conversation is for you! Be sure to Subscribe to WDW Connection to see more interviews with the creative talents behind Walt Disney World and Disney parks worldwide. Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 1:08 Meet Imagineer Hugh Darley 1:37 A Pirates of the Caribbean TV episode sets his career path 2:31 From Georgia Southern and Hilton Head to Epcot 4:39 First look at the Epcot Center construction site 5:30 Meeting Dick Nunis without knowing it 7:58 Presenting “Fort Wilderness Town” to the Disney board 11:03 Why authentic storytelling matters 12:06 Fort Wilderness Town details 13:02 Where Disney’s parks are losing the story 14:19 The detail behind the show scenes 15:36 Restoring Pirates of the Caribbean and the real skulls 16:49 Peter Pan and storytelling 17:42 Meeting Wathel Rogers 18:16 The shooting gallery and the first CD player 19:41 Michael Jackson and Thriller 20:32 Captain EO and working with Michael Jackson 21:26 Horizons and Journey into Imagination 22:48 Epcot Center opening day and the all-night rush 23:57 Turning Spaceship Earth cars by hand 25:04 The Imagineering layoffs 27:35 Michael Eisner stories 29:03 “Without the castle, you wouldn’t have a Magic Kingdom” 30:26 Adventureland’s planters 31:38 Resigning from Disney 33:01 Later projects 33:57 Epcot changes and what shouldn’t change 35:44 Working with Tishman and the union grievances 37:09 The Living Seas cannon test 39:52 John Hench and the blue-and-white tent 41:41 Unbuilt pavilions: Africa and Switzerland 44:01 Star Trek, George Lucas, Steve Wynn and Michael Jackson 45:19 Meeting astronauts and Prince Charles 46:09 Closing thoughts #Epcot #DisneyImagineer #WaltDisneyWorld #DisneyHistory #Imagineering

  2. Aug 21

    Epcot Sinkhole Stories Revealed | Imagineer Alastair Dallas

    Former Walt Disney Imagineer Alastair Dallas shares insights from his amazing career at the WED Architectural Department, where he contributed to the design of Disneyland’s Space Mountain, the Epcot Center entrance plaza, and the Odyssey Restaurant.

  3. Aug 21

    Epcot Maelstrom Construction | Disney Imagineer Alan Arena

    Former Walt Disney Imagineer Alan Arena shares insights from his impressive engineering career. He was the lead engineer for the installation and commissioning of Epcot's Norway Pavilion and its attraction, Maelstrom. Serving as the Vice President of Engineering for Maelstrom at Ride & Show Engineering, Inc., Alan later joined Walt Disney Imagineering in 2010 as a project engineer for various attractions.

  4. Aug 16

    The Person Behind Disney's Most Famous Quote Tells Her Story

    Welcome aboard Horizons at Epcot Center! The quote, "If you can dream it, you can do it," was created by Sheralyn Silverstein for General Electric (GE) recruitment ads. GE was the sponsor of Epcot's Horizons attraction from 1983 to 1993.

  5. Aug 15

    Imagineer Interview: Scott Girard | Disney Park Landscaping

    Let's talk about Disney's Polynesian Village Resort tropical atrium! Former Walt Disney Imagineer Scott Girard shares insights from his incredible career as a landscape architect, playing a crucial role in making Walt Disney World a beautiful destination. Scott had the opportunity to meet Walt Disney and worked closely with Roy Disney during the construction of Walt Disney World.

  6. Aug 13

    Imagineer Kirk Hanson Interview: Disney Feature Animation

    Former Walt Disney Imagineer Kirk Hanson began working at Hanna-Barbera and then Walt Disney Feature Animation. Kirk served as a Storyboard Artist, Layout Artist, and Character Designer, shaping many classics like Aladdin, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Hercules.

  7. Aug 11

    Imagineering Interview: Mark Eades | Star Wars | Disney

    Former Walt Disney Imagineer Mark Eades played a major role in producing some of the most memorable shows we remember from the early days at Epcot Center, Disney-MGM Studios, and Disneyland.

  8. Aug 10

    Imagineer Bill Cotter Interview: Disney and World's Fairs

    Former Walt Disney Imagineer Bill Cotter contributed to the designs of several major computer-controlled attractions at Disney parks. He is also a person of great knowledge about World’s Fairs, especially the 1964 New York World’s Fair, which has great relevance to Walt Disney World in Florida.

See All (13)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Project Horizons podcast, an affiliate of WDW Connection and your gateway to the rich history and meticulous planning behind Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney theme parks worldwide. Join me (Mike) as I sit down with the brilliant designers, artists, engineers, and storytellers who transform blue-sky concepts into the immersive worlds we love. Together, we explore the creative triumphs, engineering marvels, and personal stories from inside Imagineering. This show is your ultimate backstage pass to Disney history where you'll learn the secrets of Imagineering storytelling directly from the creative sources who were there in the boardroom. WDW Connection and Project Horizons are an unofficial, independent fan site and podcast. They are not affiliated with, authorized, associated, endorsed, or in any way officially connected with The Walt Disney Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.

Information

  • Creator
    Mike
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Mike
  • Show Website
    Project Horizons