Imagineering Shake-up: Bruce Vaughn Leaving WDI; Bob Weis Named New President

If today's news wasn't enough for you it appears as there has been a major shake-up today at Walt Disney Imagineering. In a memo today by Walt Disney Parks & Resorts chairman Bob Chapek, it was revealed that current president of WDI, Bruce Vaughn is stepping down and Bob Weis will step into the lead role at Imagineering. Vaughn will stay on to help the transition and then look for other career opportunities.

Weis was currently working on Shanghai Disneyland which just this week was announced to be opening on June 16. Weis was also the creative lead for the major renovation of Disney California Adventure, Tokyo DisneySea, and the Hollywood Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Craig Russell, who has served as co-executive leader of WDI, will be taking on a new role focusing on project execution and integration around the world.

Today's news at Imagineering came upon the multiple closures at Disney World's Hollywood Studios today that were announced in preparation for Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land. Also the closures at Disneyland for the preparation of Star Wars Land. Additionally, Kathy Mangum has added Disney Cruise Line and Disneyland Paris to her creative responsibilities along with her leading role at Walt Disney World.

It sure has been a crazy day as the changes of the theme parks are just beginning. Bob Weis seems to be just the right person to lead Imagineering as the major push for new attractions across all the parks begins.

New Artist Renderings and Details for Frozen Ever After and Royal Summerhus at Epcot

We have a little bit more info on the Norway pavilion expansion for Frozen Ever After and the Royal Summerhus that was announced during this past weekend's D23 EXPO. Today on the Disney Parks Blog, they spoke with Portfolio Creative Executive Kathy Mangum about the project.

Guests will be transported to Arendelle just in time for the 'Winter in Summer' celebration. According Mangum, the project team is currently partnering with many of the talented individuals at Walt Disney Animation who helped bring "Frozen" the film to life along with award-winning composers Bobby and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. 

Mangum said, "We're also expanding the Norway pavilion with the addition of the Royal Summerhus  - a charming cabin where guests will be able to meet with Anna and Elsa. This cabin is based on an actual historic log cabin in Norway. In fact, in order to make sure we get the character and detailing right, we just sent our project team to Norway on a research trip to study the country and its cultural arts and crafts in person, just as the film team did. We're confident that this attraction will bring more guests to the Norway pavilion and increase their interest and knowledge of Scandinavian culture, just as the World Showcase was intended to do."

Frozen Ever After and the Royal Summerhus are scheduled to open in the Norway pavilion at Epcot in May of 2016.