Episode
The Art of Storytelling: Inside Disney Imagineering with Kevin Rafferty
- Published
- Nov 11, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 5440
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Summary
From dishwasher at Disneyland to legendary Disney Imagineer. In this episode, Kevin Rafferty shares how a last-minute choice launched his Imagineering career and the storytelling secrets behind some of Disney’s most iconic attractions. In this episode you’ll hear: How a spur-of-the-moment decision kick-started Kevin’s Imagineering journey The original concept for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway What it was like collaborating with Aerosmith on Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster The step-by-step process of developing Cars Land—from blue-sky to grand opening If you love Imagineering history, creative process deep dives, and behind-the-scenes Disney stories, this one’s pure pixie dust. Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode. Don’t forget to check us out on: -Instagram -Facebook -Youtube Missing the smell of the parks? Check out Magic Candle Company and use code ENCHANTED at checkout to save 15% off your next order. Check out Kevin's book here Timestamps Welcome 00:00 Kevin’s Go To Karaoke Song 02:12 The Start of an Incredible Career 04:19 Learning from the Original Imagineers 15:00 Becoming a Show Writer 17:44 Kevin’s Potential Second Career 22:30 Bringing Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway to Life 23:26 How Do Story and Ride Mechanics Work Together? 33:07 Kevin’s Favorite Easter Egg 37:59 Kevin’s Disney Favorites 40:42 A Disneyland Love Story 44:30 Working with Jim Henson on MuppetVision 3D 47:22 Celebrity Stories from Imagineering 50:22 Creating Cars Land 56:58 Looking to the Movies for Inspiration 1:07:07 Was There an Attraction Kevin Wanted to Build? 1:11:32 Adding Walt to Carousel of Progress 1:13:48 Kevin’s Favorite Attraction He Worked On 1:16:49 Kevin’s Advice to Future Imagineers 1:23:02