One of the most influential Imagineers of the 21st century officially became a Disney Legend tonight.
Disney announced the Class of 2024 during a ceremony at the Honda Center tonight, capping off this year’s D23 event. The 14 honorees include Joe Lord Produced by Walt Disney Imagineering.
Rod leads the design team Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme parks, and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa Located on Oahu, Hawaii. He also led Pandora – The World of Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Breakout.
Throughout his career, Rod has inspired colleagues and fans to take a deeper look at theme park attractions. His Instagram account, dubbed “Professor Rod,” is a masterclass in the principles of themed entertainment design. As someone who grew up in Hawaii, Rod has pushed Disney to be more inclusive of Indigenous and marginalized voices in its creative work and to be a thoughtful guardian of the environment.
While Rod has earned considerable fame in Disney fan circles, the Disneyland fans who were inducted with him this year also deserve the attention and gratitude of Disneyland fans. Martha Blanding As a Disneyland cast member, she achieved many “firsts,” including becoming the park’s first Black full-time tour guide and the first Black woman to serve as a park administrator.
She also became the first black performer this century to complete 50 years with the company, and now the first black Disneyland performer to become a Disney Legend.
It’s fitting that Blanding is receiving this honor at D23, as she was the founder of the Official Disney Convention, the precursor to D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, during her time as Senior Manager of Special Events for Disney Parks Merchandise. Throughout her career, Blanding has served as a role model and mentor to countless Disney Parks Cast Members.
Other Disney Legends inducted tonight include Colleen Atwood, Angela Bassett, James Brooks, James Cameron, Jamie Lee Curtis, Miley Cyrus, Steve Ditko, Harrison Ford, Mark Henn, Frank Oz, Kelly Ripa and John Williams.
If you missed tonight’s ceremony in Anaheim, or weren’t able to attend D23, the Disney Legends Awards will stream on Disney+ in the US and Canada starting at 2pm PT on Monday.
For more theme park information, please sign up Theme Park Insider’s Weekly Newsletter.
Reply (1)
