When Bob Iger returned to head up the Walt Disney Company last year, he promised a return to creativity and putting creative people in charge of parts of the company. Anyone who has seen the new Buena Vista Lounge at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort or the new facade at Ralph Brennan’s knows that hasn’t been happening…until now.
Disney just announced that creative Imagineer Bruce Vaughn is returning to co-lead Walt Disney Imagineering, and fans of immersive storytelling can breathe a sigh of relief. Barbara Bouza, known for her minimalist designs, will still be with the company, but Bruce will be Chief Creative Officer alongside Bouza as President.
About Bruce Vaughan
During his career, Vaughn has worked on numerous high-profile projects, including:
- Tokyo DisneySea: Vaughn served as the Creative Executive for this beautiful park, which opened in 2001. DisneySea is known for its stunning design and immersive storytelling, and it quickly became one of the most popular theme parks in Japan.
- Hong Kong Disneyland: Vaughn oversaw the creative development of this theme park, which opened in 2005. He worked closely with local partners to create a park that would appeal to both local visitors and international tourists, and oversaw the additions of Grizzly Gulch, Toy Story Land and Mystic Manor.
- Shanghai Disney Resort: Vaughn played a key role in the development of this massive resort, which includes a theme park, two hotels and a shipping district. He helped to bring Chinese culture and storytelling to the forefront of the resort’s design.
- Disney California Adventure: Vaughn was part of the team that redesigned this theme park, which re-opened in 2012. The park underwent a massive transformation that included the addition of new lands like Cars Land, new attractions and the incorporation of more Disney characters and stories.
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue: Vaughn was the executive producer of this updated version of the classic Star Tours ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The ride features new destinations and storylines inspired by the Star Wars universe.
Bruce Vaughn’s Return to Imagineering
Vaughn left Disney in 2016 to take his place as Chief Executive officer and Chief Creative Officer of Dreamscape Immersive, a virtual-reality company, then moved to Airbnb in 2021.
“I’ve remained an Imagineer at heart, so I’m thrilled to join Barbara and reunite with this phenomenal global team of creators and innovators during this pivotal time,” Vaughn said.
“With so many exciting projects under way and tremendous opportunities ahead of us, I look forward to partnering with Bruce to fuel creativity and deliver next-level experiences,” Bouza said.
Bruce Vaughn has had a significant impact on the world of theme park design and immersive storytelling. His projects have entertained and delighted millions of guests around the world. We are optimistic about his return to Disney and are glad to see Imagineering in the creative spotlight as Bob Iger restructures the Disney Company.
Bruce starts his new job on March 20, so let’s wish him all the best, and a successful partnership at the head of Walt Disney Imagineering!
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Let’s Hear From You
This is a great update from Imagineering and we think that very impactful things could be happening in the future. Are you excited about the return of Bruce Vaughn at Imagineering? Do you expect that the direction of Imagineering will take a turn back toward creativity under new guidance? Do you have a favorite project that Bruce has worked on at Disney? Share your thoughts below!
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