Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
Few Disney Imagineers take the same road to finding their careers. I’ve learned how many stumbled into their roles and discovered unexpected talents. The path was different for Daniel Joseph, who created haunted houses in his basement as a kid. His passion for creating effects and illusions fit perfectly with Walt Disney Imagineering. Daniel’s interest in The Haunted Mansion and Yale Gracey also helped drive his journey to WDI. His innovative effects and designs help make the attractions work.
Daniel is my guest on this episode of The Tomorrow Society Podcast to talk about his extensive career. We discuss his original interest in working at Disney and participation in the Imaginations Design Competition. Daniel has worked on many cool projects for Disney, including Trader Sam’s, Test Track, and Phantom Manor. He also helped create The Hatbox Ghost, added to Disneyland’s Mansion in 2015. I loved hearing the stories of how the Imagineers designed this effect.
Beyond specific attractions, Daniel gives helpful advice to younger artists hoping to become Imagineers. He works for Disney today and has experience joining as a young designer. Daniel also chats about his favorite theme park attractions, Yale Gracey’s inspiration, and what excites him about the future of theme parks. I really enjoyed the opportunity for such a deep dive with Daniel about his story and Disney career.
Show Notes: Daniel Joseph
Learn the background of the Hatbox Ghost from Daniel Joseph and other Imagineers on this clip from the Disney Parks Blog YouTube channel.
Watch Daniel talk about the creation of the Hatbox Ghost at the Scare LA panel on The Haunted Mansion in 2015.
Follow Daniel on Instagram and learn more about his inventions. He also creates inventive effects on his free time at home.
Support the podcast and become a Member of The Tomorrow Society on Patreon! It makes a huge difference to keep the show going.
Photos in this post are used with the permission of Disney and Daniel Joseph.
Scott Rogers says
Daniel became a friend of mine through our mutual love of the Haunted Mansion while I worked for WDI. Visiting his office was always magical – he always had something amazing going on there! I wished we could have worked officially on a project together, but sadly, that never happened. Thanks for the great interview.
Dan Heaton says
Scott, I’m so glad you enjoyed the interview! Daniel has had such an interesting and cool career at WDI and worked on so many great projects. Thanks for the comment!