Eddie Sotto, a former Disney Imagineer, has sadly passed away.
from @sottostudiosla on Instagram
According to Deadline, the former Senior Vice President of Concept Design at Walt Disney Imagineering was 67 at the time of his passing. He worked on key projects like Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland.
Sotto worked on over $500 million in built projects throughout his time with the company, according to the Walt Disney Family Museum. He worked on projects from E-Ticket attractions to shops, restaurants, websites, and mobile technology. In Disneyland Paris, he led the design on Main Street U.S.A.
Disneyland Paris
Over in Tokyo Disneyland, he led master planning and described it as a “wonderful playground.” At Tokyo Disneyland, he worked specifically on Pooh’s Honey Hunt, which was a groundbreaking trackless ride during its development. This ride is still hugely popular at the park.
from @sottostudiosla on Instagram
He described working on that attraction as one of the hardest projects he had ever worked on. He also “launched” Mission: SPACE at EPCOT, which remains at the park to this day.
Mission: SPACE
He even played a part over at Disneyland in Anaheim with projects like the Indiana Jones attraction, the refurbishment of Adventureland, and the refurbishment of Main Street. According to Deadline, Sotto said, “Pirates of the Caribbean blew my mind, and I knew I wanted to design stuff like that.”
from @sottostudiosla on Instagram
He worked at Walt Disney Imagineering from March 1986 until September 1999, according to his LinkedIn. Other experience includes work at Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal, Six Flags, VH1, and more. Be sure to keep following DFB for more Disney news and updates.
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