Joe Rohde
Joe Rohde | |
|---|---|
 Rohde in 2016 | |
| Born | Joseph Rohde September 10, 1955[1][2] |
| Alma mater | Occidental College[3] |
| Awards | Disney Legend,2024 |
Joseph Rohdeis the Experience Architect forVirgin Galactic.Rohde was previously a veteran executive atWalt Disney Imagineering,the division ofThe Walt Disney Companythat designs and builds Disney's theme parks and resort hotels. Rohde's formal title was Executive Designer and Vice President, Creative.
Rohde was born inSacramento,Californiaand raised inHawaii.He graduated fromChaminade College Preparatory,Canoga Park, Calif., in 1973, where he starred in student dramatic productions and was Class Salutatorian. Rohde received abachelor's degreein Fine Arts fromOccidental CollegeinLos Angeles.
Rohde's trademark is a large collection of earrings he wears in his left ear, all of which are souvenirs from decades of travel to remote corners of the world. This tradition began when he stuck his 5-year anniversary pin into his ear.[4]
Career at Walt Disney Imagineering
[edit]Rohde was the lead designer ofDisney's Animal Kingdom,[5]one of four theme parks atWalt Disney World ResortinFlorida,and the principal creative force behind the park'sExpedition Everestthrill ride, which debuted in 2006. He was one of the lead designers behind theDisney Vacation ClubpropertyAulaniinOʻahu,Hawaii.He was chosen for the role because of his experience with the island and its native people, having grown up in Hawaii.
Rohde joined Disney Imagineering in 1980 during the development ofEpcotas a model designer and scenic painter for the theme park'sMexicopavilion. He later worked as a designer on the refurbishment ofFantasylandatDisneyland,theCaptain EO3-D filmattraction starring singerMichael Jackson,theNorwaypavilion at Epcot, and theAdventurers Club,a 1930s-themed bar and lounge that opened in 1989 within thePleasure Islandentertainment district at Walt Disney World Resort.
Rohde was featured in an April 2006Travel Channeldocumentary titledExpedition Everest: Journey to Sacred Lands.The program was produced byDiscovery Networksduring expeditions toChinaandNepalin 2005 calledMission Himalayas.The treks were sponsored by Discovery, Disney, andConservation Internationalto promote theExpedition Everesttheme park attraction and conduct scientific and cultural research in remote areas of theHimalayas.Rohde served as the model for Harrison Hightower, the owner of the fictional "Hightower Hotel" which houses theTower of Terrorattraction atTokyo DisneySeaoutsideTokyo, Japan.
After designing Aulani in Hawaii, Rohde was tasked with creatingPandora – The World ofAvatarat Disney's Animal Kingdom. The project took six years to complete and opened in May 2017. Most recently, Rohde led the team that transformed the former Tower of Terror atDisney California AdventureintoGuardians of the Galaxy– Mission: Breakout!.The attraction opened in May 2017.[6][7]This new project is part of the expansion of his role as global creative leader of theMarvelproperty.[8]In February 2020, Rohde served as the lead developer on Disney's second private island,Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.[9]
On November 23, 2020, Rohde announced his retirement fromWalt Disney Imagineeringeffective January 4, 2021.[10]On February 22, 2021,Virgin Galacticannounced Joe Rohde had been hired as their Experience Architect.[11]
References
[edit]- ^@joe_rohde (September 15, 2015)."A 60th birthday present from the GM of the Disneyland resort, a good friend and valued colleague"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
- ^"Jambo Everyone: Let's Send Joe Rohde a Birthday Gift!".jamboeveryone.RetrievedJuly 25,2016.
- ^"Joe Rohde | Faculty/Staff Directory".directory.calarts.edu.Archived fromthe originalon August 15, 2016.RetrievedJuly 25,2016.
- ^Doyle, Gavin."Interview with Joe Rohde, Imagineer Behind Animal Kingdom, Aulani, and More".Disney Dose.RetrievedSeptember 27,2016.
- ^Lancaster, Cory (April 10, 1998)."A Disney Executive With Big Earrings?".Orlando Sentinel.RetrievedJuly 25,2016.
- ^"'Guardians Of The Galaxy' Disney Theme Park Ride Set For Summer 2017 – Comic-Con ".Deadline.RetrievedSeptember 27,2016.
- ^Glover, Erin (February 15, 2017)."Step into Blockbuster Super Hero Stories at Disney California Adventure Park! Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Opens May 27 with Summer of Heroes and All-New Epic Experiences".Disney Parks Blog.RetrievedFebruary 15,2017.
- ^"High ranking Imagineers Joe Rohde and Bob Weis expand their roles with Walt Disney Imagineering".WDW Magic.RetrievedSeptember 27,2016.
- ^Storey, Ken (February 11, 2020)."Disney Cruise Line gives new details on its upcoming, game-changing private Bahamian port of call".Orlando Weekly.Archived fromthe originalon October 20, 2021.RetrievedNovember 4,2022.
- ^Bevil, Dwayne (November 23, 2020)."Disney: Joe Rohde, Imagineer who designed Animal Kingdom, is retiring".
- ^"Virgin Galactic Announces Legendary Former Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde as Experience Architect".February 22, 2021.