Although Walt Disney Imagineering's 2011 ImagiNations Design Competition has come to a close, the experiences of all of those who participated will forever be remembered.
Now in its 20th year, ImagiNations provides a showcase for students with a talent for integrating innovative and diverse ideas combined with a passion for Disney. Selected from schools and institutions throughout the United States, participants use their technical, artistic and creative skills to propose a Disney attraction, resort hotel, restaurant or entirely new experience or product.
"ImagiNations brings a talented, unique group of students from different backgrounds, disciplines and regions across the country to Walt Disney Imagineering," said Soledad Boyle of the Diversity and Inclusion team and manager of the ImagiNations program, "which gives Imagineers the opportunity to hear, first hand, a younger generation's perspective on the Disney experience."
After this year's competition was narrowed from 160 initial entries to six final teams, the 20 finalists were invited to Walt Disney Imagineering's campus for a series of exciting events. The week of June 13, contestants traveled from all over the country to Southern California where for five days they interacted with Imagineers, toured Walt Disney Imagineering Glendale campus, and ventured through the Disneyland® Resort before presenting their entries to a panel of Imagineering judges.
During the ImagiNations award luncheon on June 17, the teams anxiously awaited to see who would be awarded the highest honors.
The team from San Diego State University took third place with its haunted-mine themed attraction. With a unique ride sequence and engaging environment, the project earned comments such as "captivating storytelling" and "deep exploration of a theme" from the judges.
Students from North Carolina State University were awarded second place for their interactive concert attraction. With multiple elements to their project, judges described it as a "fantastic high-level concept" with "great product design."
The first place award went to the team from the University of Southern California for their jungle-themed thrill attraction. The judges were impressed with the rotational freedom robotic technology, commenting "nice approach to ride system," and applauded the team for their "excellent presentation skills" and "great use of cultural elements."
"No matter who won a trophy," said Peter McGrath, vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering creative development, "just by being in this room today you made a tremendous achievement." As the 2011 ImagiNations awards ceremony drew to a close, he deemed the students ambassadors to the program and charged them to "keep being dreamers and doers" and "to put no limit on what they achieve."
Several ImagiNations finalists have accepted summer internships at WDI and will continue to work alongside Imagineers, expanding their personal knowledge while providing diverse perspectives and new creative concepts as the next generation of Imagineering.
Application Deadline Completed application must be postmarked between October 1 - 21, 2011.
Project Submission Qualified participants will be notified by November 11, 2011 and asked to submit their project, which must be received by November 18, 2011. (Submission template will be provided upon qualification)
Final Competition Finalist teams will be invited to Walt Disney Imagineering in Glendale, California in late January 2012 to present their projects to a panel of Walt Disney Imagineering executive judges.
All applications and submissions should be sent to the following address:
Walt Disney Imagineering Attn: ImagiNations Design Competition 1401 Flower St. MC: 9030 Glendale, CA 91221-5020
All qualified applicants will be considered for internship opportunities at Walt Disney Imagineering or other Walt Disney Company business units.
