The first Magic Kingdom in the Middle Kingdom was Hong Kong Disneyland. As a Disney Imagineer, Zeitgeist Executive Creative Director Tom Morris served as the park’s overall show producer and art director, managing its entire portfolio of rides, shows, and attractions over the course of six years. Enjoying the Hong Kong lifestyle, Tom stuck around for a couple more years to oversee the design, construction, and opening of multiple expansion attractions, including “It’s A Small World.”
Ahead of its time in so many ways, DisneyQuest was Disney’s “indoor theme park,” that combined groundbreaking digital, VR, AR and media-based experiences with traditional arcade games and food & beverage. Zeitgeist Executive Creative Director Tom Morris served on the creative team for the project and participated in the design and development of the original Orlando and Chicago locations.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Zeitgeist Executive Creative Director Tom Morris served as one of the five show producers of Disneyland Paris (formerly known as Euro Disneyland). Under the guidance of Disney Legend Tony Baxter, Tom conceived, designed and oversaw the construction and art direction of the park’s Fantasyland, as well as its spectacular fairytale castle, still considered the most beautiful amongst all six Disney citadels. For several years after opening, Tom continued to oversee the design and construction of multiple expansions and improvements to the park.
Carsland/Radiator Springs Racers (Disney California Adventure)
When Walt Disney Imagineering decided to bring Radiator Springs to life from Pixar’s animated “Cars” films, it tapped into the unequaled talents and experience of Zeitgeist Executive Creative Director Tom Morris. As an Imagineer, Tom helped develop the concept and art direction for the land, as well as its signature “E-Ticket” attraction, Radiator Springs Racers — a thrilling indoor-outdoor dark ride that pits two cars against each other for a high-speed race to the finish line!
Typhoon Lagoon is the #1 water park in the United States thanks to the concept and design talents of Zeitgeist Executive Creative Director Chris Runco. As a Disney Imagineer in the 1980s, Chris served as the Orlando park’s concept/show designer and creative director, creating the world’s first story-based/immersive waterpark concept that endures to this day and has delighted millions along the way!
Disneyland’s Tom Sawyer’s Island has always been a destination for those who enjoy more physical adventures inside the park. With the success of Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, the company decided to extend the pirate theme outside its namesake dark ride and across Rivers of America. Zeitgeist Executive Creative Director Chris Runco served as the co-concept and co-show designer for the fun and interactive pirate themed experiences that pepper the island to this day!
When Disney California Adventure cancelled its Superstar Limo dark ride long before cancel culture, it called upon the talents of Zeitgeist Executive Creative Director Chris Runco to field art direct a dark ride based on Pixar’s popular “Monsters, Inc.” franchise. For Tokyo Disneyland, Chris art directed and led the interactive overlay of the family-friendly attraction.
If you’ve ridden this Disney California Adventure attraction and gotten drenched – or dizzy, thank Zeitgeist Executive Creative Director Chris Runco! As an Imagineer, Chris served as the concept and show designer of Grizzly River Run, introducing the first whitewater rafting adventure to a west coast Disney theme park while celebrating California’s national parks!
As a Disney Imagineer, Zeitgeist Executive Vice President and Chief Art Director Joe Lanzisero oversaw the creation and implementation of the world’s first Mickey’s Toontown at the original Disneyland in Anaheim, California. The first park extension outside the berm features the “Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin” dark ride), Gadget’s Go-Coaster, Meet Mickey (Disney’s first permanent character meet and greet), Minnie’s House, Goofy’s Playhouse, Donald’s Boat, and originally, Chip ‘n Dale Treehouse.
Disney’s two cruise ships — the Disney Fantasy and the Disney Dream – feature multiple guest experiences including the Thea Award-winning “Animator’s Palate” restaurant (where guest animations come to life on projected walls and the entire space transforms from black and white to color). The restaurant, the collection of Europa nightclubs, and a family-focused interactive water playground were produced under the oversight of Joe Lanzisero during his time at Imagineering.
The new AquaLab water playground on the Disney Magic is a fun and fanciful area for families to frolic among pop jets, geysers and bubblers. Interactive games keep kids moving, while the Twist ‘n’ Spout water slide gets them delightfully drenched.
One of the most popular restaurants on the Disney ships, Animator’s Palate on the Disney Magic is updated with all-new, animation-adorned walls and larger high-definition flat-screens to provide the best views of the animation magic that takes place all around. At Animator’s Palate, the room comes to life as guests are immersed in the wonder of Disney animation during magical interactive dinner shows. (Jimmy DeFlippo, photographer)
The Disney Dream continues the Disney Cruise Line tradition of blending the elegant grace of early 20th century transatlantic ocean liners with contemporary design to create one of the most stylish and spectacular cruise ships afloat. The Disney Dream offers modern features, new innovations and unmistakable Disney touches. (David Roark, photographer)
