185. Ryan Harmon on Carving a New Path After Walt Disney Imagineering

The Fantasy Harbor project in Saudi Arabia is a big project for Ryan Harmon and Zeitgeist Design & Production.

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Many of us have dreamed about working for Walt Disney Imagineering, especially during the massive expansions of the parks in the ’80s and ’90s. This goal actually happened for Ryan Harmon while he was still in college in 1987. He joined Disney as a 20-year-old and worked on projects like the Disney/MGM Studios during his five-year stint. But that’s just the start of Ryan’s story. After being let go by Disney, Ryan took a different road to a career in themed entertainment.

Ryan Harmon of Zeitgeist Design & Production is my guest on this episode of the Tomorrow Society Podcast.

Ryan is my guest on this episode of the Tomorrow Society Podcast to talk about his work at Walt Disney Imagineering and beyond. After WDI, he joined companies like Landmark Entertainment Group, Universal Creative, and BRC Imagination Arts. His work for Universal included developing concepts for a very different version of Islands of Adventure in Florida. Ryan also worked with Tim Delaney as part of Delaney-Harmon and worked again for WDI on Shanghai Disneyland and Disney Cruise Line. He ultimately became the President and Chief Creative Officer for Zeitgeist Design & Production.

We conclude the podcast by talking about what excites Ryan today about the industry. He describes how immersion and physical spaces are still so important to guests at theme parks and other spaces. Ryan also explains how the gap between the big players and the small vendors offers an opportunity going forward. I really enjoyed the chance to talk with Ryan and learn more about his story in this evolving industry.