Kevin Rafferty has spent 40 years developing dimensional storytelling experiences for Disney Parks guests around the world. Kevin began his Disney career in 1974 as a dishwasher at the Plaza Inn restaurant at Disneyland. He joined Imagineering 4 years later, contributing to the development of Epcot. His credits include Typhoon Lagoon, show writer for the original Comedy Warehouse at Pleasure Island. He worked with Jim Henson on Muppet Vision 3D and created the original concept, story, and name for The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Kevin was a vital member of the concept team behind Blizzard Beach and was the co-concept creator of Toy Story Midway Mania!, worked on numerous Animal Kingdom attractions along with Car land, which became Cars land. His latest project, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railrrailway, will open at Walt Disney World Hollywood Studios next spring (2020) and Disneyland in Toon Town in 2021. He also released his first book, Magic Journey, and gave us a preview of the book at the D23 expo 2019 on the archives stage. “Take a fantastical Ride with Imagineer Kevin Rafferty” is the complete panel discussion from that breakout, including highlights of his 40-year Imagineering career from “Disney Washer to World Builder.”
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Check out these other videos from the D23 Expo Archives Stage: 60 Years of the Jungle Cruise , Great Moments with Walt Disney , Digging Deeper Disney History , Making Walls Talk , A conversation with Bill Farmer , Kevin Rafferty , Star Wars Music, Disneyland 1959, Haunted Mansion at 50 , Disney and Pixar did That? , Legacy of Disney Products , Disney Park Maps , Marc Davis goes to WED , Legends of Imagineering, Voices of the Parks or 50 Years of Pirates ! and a Kiss Goodnight with Richard Sherman
A Magical Journey with Kevin Rafferty – From the D23 Expo 2019
D23 EXPO 2019 – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event – brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event, which takes place August 23 – 25 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (The Walt Disney Company/Image Group LA)
D23 EXPO 2019
D23 EXPO 2019 – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event – brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event, which takes place August 23 – 25 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (The Walt Disney Company/Image Group LA)
WENDY LEFKON, KEVIN RAFFERTY
D23 EXPO 2019 – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event – brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event, which takes place August 23 – 25 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (The Walt Disney Company/Image Group LA)
KEVIN RAFFERTY
D23 EXPO 2019 – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event – brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event, which takes place August 23 – 25 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (The Walt Disney Company/Image Group LA)
WENDY LEFKON
D23 EXPO 2019 – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event – brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event, which takes place August 23 – 25 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (The Walt Disney Company/Image Group LA)
WENDY LEFKON, KEVIN RAFFERTY
D23 Expo 2019 Kevin Rafferty Presentation at the D23 Archives Stage – Kevin as a dishwasher at Disneyland
D23 Expo 2019 Kevin Rafferty Presentation at the D23 Archives Stage -Kevin the Imagineer
D23 Expo 2019 Kevin Rafferty Presentation at the D23 Archives Stage – Kevin with The Tower of Terror
D23 Expo 2019 Kevin Rafferty Presentation at the D23 Archives Stage -Kevin’s Magical Journey
D23 Expo 2019 Kevin Rafferty Presentation at the D23 Archives Stage -Kevin started as a Disneywasher at the Plaza Inn at Disneyland
D23 Expo 2019 Kevin Rafferty Presentation at the D23 Archives Stage – Kevin spent some time at Club 33
D23 Expo 2019 Kevin Rafferty Presentation at the D23 Archives Stage -The original location of WED
D23 Expo 2019 Kevin Rafferty Presentation at the D23 Archives Stage – Kevin with Marty Sklry
D23 Expo 2019 Kevin Rafferty Presentation at the D23 Archives Stage – An early book about Disney imaginnering with Kevin and others.
D23 Expo 2019 Kevin Rafferty Presentation at the D23 Archives Stage – One of many historical photos Kevin shared during the Presentation
D23 Expo 2019 Kevin Rafferty Presentation at the D23 Archives Stage -The Tower of Terror, one of Kevin’s many credits
D23 Expo 2019 Kevin Rafferty Presentation at the D23 Archives Stage – Kevin worked closely with Don Rickles during the production of Toy Story Midway mania
D23 Expo 2019 Kevin Rafferty Presentation at the D23 Archives Stage – Kevin was part of the Original Car land… before the Cars theme was applied
D23 Expo 2019 Kevin Rafferty Presentation at the D23 Archives Stage – Early concept art of Cars Land…
D23 Expo 2019 Kevin Rafferty Presentation at the D23 Archives Stage – Kevin with Marty at the Site of Carsland… and with his “car”
D23 Expo 2019 Kevin Rafferty Presentation at the D23 Archives Stage – Kevin and Marty
D23 Expo 2019 Kevin Rafferty Presentation at the D23 Archives Stage – Kevin’s latest concept… Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad
D23 Expo 2019 Kevin Rafferty Presentation at the D23 Archives Stage – Kevin with a model of Carsland
D23 Expo 2019 Kevin Rafferty Presentation at the D23 Archives Stage – Kevin at PhilharMagic
D23 Expo 2019 Kevin Rafferty Presentation at the D23 Archives Stage – Kevin with a model of Carsland