164. Jonathan Ackley on Creating Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, Menehune Adventure Trail, and Play Disney Parks

Jonathan Ackley designed games like Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, the Menehune Adventure Trail, and more for Walt Disney Imagineering.

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Theme park attractions largely began as passive experiences where guests observed action from a safe distance. Even a classic like Pirates of the Caribbean largely occurs separate from our experience. This changed with the growing popularity of gaming in the ’90s and beyond. Shooting attractions like Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin evolved into more complex games that used the parks differently. Jonathan Ackley is a key figure in many of those experiences that changed the guest experience. His background at LucasArts as a game designer fit perfectly with this new wave of interactivity.

Jonathan is my guest on this episode of The Tomorrow Society Podcast to talk about his nearly 20 years at Disney and beyond. After six years at LucasArts and several at Lego Mindstorms, he joined Walt Disney Imagineering in 2001. His work on new technologies ultimately led to Kim Possible’s World Showcase Adventure, which effectively used existing pavilions in a new way. Jonathan describes the process of developing this project and its follow-up based on Phineas and Ferb. He also designed the Menehune Adventure Trail, which was put in place along with the construction of Aulani: A Disney Resort & Spa.

Another major attraction created by Jonathan was the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, which opened in 2012. He talks about the development of this ambitious game and its card-based system. Jonathan also designed A Pirates Adventure: Treasure of the Seven Seas, and it helped to enhance what guests could enjoy in Adventureland. We also talk about the Play Disney Parks app and technologies that will change how we visit the parks. Jonathan also recently wrote a book, Off by One: Serious Games, and he talks about that very different undertaking. I really enjoyed the chance to talk with Jonathan about his work on so many cool attractions.