If you’ve ever wondered who dreamed up your favorite Disney attractions, designed iconic lands, or created the spectacular shows that defined generations of vacations, Wayback WED is the event you’ve been waiting for.

Hosted by WDW News Today on October 2 and October 3, 2026, at Disney’s Contemporary Resort at the Walt Disney World Resort, Wayback WED is the largest-ever gathering of former Disney Imagineers, creatives, and industry legends assembled in one place. This extraordinary celebration offers Disney fans a rare opportunity to hear firsthand stories from the people who created the magic.

What is Wayback WED?

This one-of-a-kind annual event invites you behind the curtain to discover the untold stories behind your favorite parks, attractions, resort hotels, shows, and parades. Hear firsthand from the minds who brought these experiences to life as they share rare insights, creative journeys, and unforgettable moments from Disney history.

Explore never-before-seen artwork, concept designs, and archival video footage that reveal how iconic experiences evolved from imagination to reality, and even discover some that never made it off the drawing board. Plus, enjoy the rare opportunity to meet and connect with the very people who created “The Most Magical Place on Earth.”

This year, the focus is on the 55th anniversary of Walt Disney World and the 250th anniversary of America with the Americana attractions that have celebrated our great country.

Whether you’re a lifelong Disney Parks fan, an aspiring creative professional, or simply fascinated by themed entertainment, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Meet Disney Legends and Imagineering Icons

Wayback WED features an incredible lineup of former Disney leaders, Imagineers, artists, and storytellers whose work spans decades of Disney history.

Bob Weis – Retired President of Walt Disney Imagineering

Former President of Walt Disney Imagineering, Bob Weis helped shape some of Disney’s most ambitious projects around the globe. His career includes leadership roles on Shanghai Disney Resort, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Tokyo DisneySea, and Cars Land at Disney California Adventure.

Tony Baxter – Senior Vice President of Creative Development at Walt Disney Imagineering

Tony Baxter is a Disney Legend and one of the most influential creative leaders in the history of Walt Disney Imagineering, with a career spanning more than four decades. He helped shape Disney parks around the world as the creative force behind iconic attractions including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the original Journey Into Imagination, Star Tours, Splash Mountain, Indiana Jones Adventure, and the reimagining of Disneyland’s Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

Tom Morris – Senior Creative Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering

Tom Morris is a former Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Creative Executive whose Disney career spanned more than 35 years. During his tenure, he helped develop iconic projects including Journey Into Imagination, Star Tours, Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris, Cars Land, concepts for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and DisneyQuest, and served as Executive Producer for the development of Hong Kong Disneyland.

Joe Lanzisero – Creative Senior Vice President at Walt Disney Imagineering

Joe Lanzisero began his Disney career as an animator before rising to become one of the company’s top creative leaders at Walt Disney Imagineering. He has served as the creative lead on more than $9 billion in built projects, including Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland, Toy Story Land, Mystic Manor, Grizzly Gulch at Hong Kong Disneyland, and numerous attractions, shows, and experiences in Disney parks and aboard Disney Cruise Line.

Disney Legend Tom Nabbe was personally hired by Walt Disney to portray Tom Sawyer on Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland. His remarkable Disney career later included leadership roles on Walt Disney World attractions including Space Mountain, Tom Sawyer Island, and EPCOT.

Rick Rothschild – Senior Creative Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering

Rick Rothschild spent more than three decades leading creative teams at Imagineering. His portfolio includes beloved attractions such as Soarin’ Over California, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, The American Adventure, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, and Star Tours: The Adventures Continue.

Eric Jacobson – Senior Vice President at Walt Disney Imagineering

From building attraction models for EPCOT Center to leading creative development at Walt Disney World that fostered the creation of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, MuppetVision 3-D, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith, Toy Story Mania!, Test Track, and Mission: SPACE, Eric Jacobson’s career spans nearly every era of modern Disney Parks.

Paul Osterhout – Creative Vice President at Walt Disney Imagineering

Paul Osterhout helped shape EPCOT Center, Disney-MGM Studios, Star Tours, MuppetVision 3D, New Tomorrowland, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, leaving an indelible mark on Disney storytelling and attraction design.

Kathy Rogers – Executive Creative Show Producer

After beginning her Disney career at Disneyland in 1972, Kathy Rogers went on to help create iconic experiences including MuppetVision 3D, Blizzard Beach, Expedition Everest, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, Pirates of the Caribbean enhancements featuring characters from the hit film series, and the mid-2000’s Haunted Mansion refurbishment.

Jim Bockstall – WDI Graphic Designer

Known for his work in graphic design, branding, and environmental storytelling, Jim Bockstall contributed to Muppet Studios, Disney-MGM Studios Paris concepts, Disney’s America, Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith.

Jerry Schneider – WDI Photographer

Jerry Schneider spent 18 years documenting Disney projects as a photographer for Walt Disney Imagineering. His images captured the design process behind attractions and experiences, preserving Disney history from behind the scenes.

Don Dorsey – Show Designer

Eli Erlandson – Principal Concept Architect

Elisabete “Eli” Erlandson worked on 11 of Disney’s 12 theme parks worldwide and was the only woman at Imagineering to hold an architectural license during much of her career. Her work includes EPCOT’s World Showcase and early development for Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Peggie Fariss – Executive, Creative Development

With more than 50 years at Disney, Peggie Fariss contributed to projects ranging from Storybook Land Canal Boats and Spaceship Earth to Disneyland Paris, where she led Creative Design and Show Quality teams.

Paula Dinkel – Principal Lighting Designer

Paula Dinkel spent three decades designing show lighting for Disney destinations including Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney Studios Park Paris, Shanghai Disneyland, DisneyQuest, and Club Disney, helping create unforgettable nighttime experiences.

Tim Delaney – Former Walt Disney Imagineering Executive

Tim Delaney helped define Disney’s future through projects such as EPCOT, The Living Seas Pavilion, Disneyland Paris’ Discoveryland and Space Mountain, Disney California Adventure, Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland concepts, and Aulani Resort.

Kym Murphy – Senior Vice President of Environmental Policy

Kym Murphy began his Disney career at Imagineering working on The Land and The Living Seas before leading projects including Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and later overseeing environmental initiatives across The Walt Disney Company.

And many more to be announced! Visit the event’s website for the latest update: waybackwed.com

Rare Artwork, Unseen Concepts, and Disney History

Beyond the presentations, Wayback WED offers guests access to an extraordinary collection of Disney history.

See rare concept artwork and archival materials, discover attractions that never made it off the drawing board, and explore the creative process behind some of Disney’s most beloved experiences. It’s a unique chance to witness how ideas evolved from sketches and models into attractions enjoyed by millions.

Most importantly, attendees will have the opportunity to meet and connect with the Imagineers and creatives themselves, while hearing their stories directly and celebrating the legacy they’ve created.

Event Schedule

Wayback WED is a two-day celebration packed with presentations, stories, and opportunities to connect with some of the most influential figures in Disney history.

Friday, October 2, 2026

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Morning Panels & Presentations

• The Original Walt Disney World You Thought You Knew – Never-Before-Seen Media and Unheard Stories from Making The Vacation Kingdom of the World
  • with Tom Morris, Tony Baxter
• Class of ’71: Stories from Walt Disney World’s Early Years
  • with Peggie Fariss, Tom Nabbe, and more
• The Perseverance of Singing Bears & Birds: The Evolution of The Country Bears Jamboree and Enchanted Tiki Room
  • with Joe Lanzisero, Mike West, Paul Osterhout, and more

1:00 PM – 2:15 PM: Catered Lunch

2:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Afternoon Panels & Presentations

• The Women of Walt Disney Imagineering
  • with Kathy Rogers, Peggie Fariss, Eli Erlandson, Paula Dinkel, and more
• Discovery Bay and Unrealized Magic of Walt Disney World
  • with Tony Baxter
• All-American Entertainment – A Celebration of America on Parade, Electrical Water Pageant, and the Main Street Electrical Parade
  • with Don Dorsey, Eric Jacobson, and more

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Dinner (On Your Own)
8:00 PM – 10:30 PM: Friday Evening VIP Dessert Reception (VIP Tickets Only)

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Saturday, October 3, 2026

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Morning Panels & Presentations

• Disney’s America: The Glory and Controversy of The Unbuilt Theme Park
  • with Bob Weis, Rick Rothschild, Jim Bockstall, and more
• DisneySea – From Long Beach to Tokyo Bay
  • with Joe Lanzisero, and more
• 25 Years of Adventure in California: The Fall & Rise of Disneyland’s 2nd Gate
  • with Bob Weis, Tim Delaney, Rick Rothschild, and Tom Morris

1:00 PM – 2:15 PM: Catered Lunch
2:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Afternoon Panels & Presentations

• Demystifying the Manor: The Secrets, Lore, and Artistry of Mystic Manor
  • with Joe Lanzisero
• Big Thunder and the American Frontierland
  • with Tony Baxter
• Recounting The Hall of Presidents: 55 Years of Liberty’s Leaders (and It Almost Didn’t Happen)
  • with Eric Jacobson, Kathy Rogers, Paul Osterhout, and more
• Golden Dreams: The Creation of Disney’s Ultimate American Attraction – The American Adventure
  • with Rick Rothschild, and more

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Dinner (On Your Own)
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Meet & Greet / Autograph Session with Special Guests

An Exclusive Event for Disney Fans

Wayback WED is exclusive to members of the WDWNT Inner Globe Society, but joining is completely free.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn the stories behind Disney’s most iconic attractions, meet the people who created them, or simply immerse yourself in the rich history of Disney Parks, there’s never been an event quite like this.

Mark your calendars for October 2–3, 2026, at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and prepare to step back in time with the legends who helped create the magic.

Wayback WED isn’t just an event; it’s a celebration of imagination, storytelling, and the enduring legacy of Disney creativity.

The post Meet Walt Disney Imagineering Legends Tony Baxter, Bob Weis, & Many More at Disney’s Contemporary Resort appeared first on WDW News Today.