The 2012 ImagiNations Design Competition has drawn to a close. Sponsored by Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI), this annual program challenges college students from around the country to conceive and propose a new Disney theme park, attraction, restaurant, resort hotel, product or other themed entertainment experience. The goal of the competition is to encourage participants to exhibit their creative and technical skills and ability to collaborate, not to solicit ideas that will actually be developed.
For the first time ever, participants were given a specific scenario around which to build their project: how would Disney entertain humans living on the moon in the year 3011? From 130 initial submissions, 21 finalists making up six teams arrived at WDI headquarters in Glendale, California, on January 30th. For several days they met with Imagineers, went behind the scenes at Imagineering and toured the Disneyland® Resort, as well as presented their concepts to a panel of WDI judges. The week culminated with a February 3rd ceremony that announced the three prize-winning projects, which were rated on criteria that include collaboration, level of guest engagement, and addressing diversity and inclusion.
Taking third place was the Utah State University team with its project called "Disney Galactic Cruiseline: The Oneiro", a guided tour company that explores the solar system. The judges called the proposal "highly imaginative yet technically feasible," and said it had a, "fantastic environmental message."
Second place went to students from Carnegie Mellon University for "Create the Night", a nighttime spectacular set in an underground lunar city. For this project, judges commented, "makes the experience personal for guests," and, "exhibits core Disney values."
Finally, the team from North Carolina State University won first prize for "The Mind of Molly Mouse". Of this interactive adventure that tells the story of a descendant of Mickey Mouse, judges declared, "inventive and different," and, "great approach to diversity."
The top three teams took home trophies and cash prizes, and all finalists, regardless of how they placed, had the opportunity to interview for paid Disney internships.
"Imagineering is constantly searching for diverse talent to help us dream up and create new experiences that appeal to our guests around the globe, and ImagiNations is critical to that effort," said Soledad Boyle of WDI Human Resources, who leads the program. "This was one of our most successful competitions yet with an impressive range of participants, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s program."
2012 Disney ImagiNations Design Competition Finalists
Application Deadline Completed application must be postmarked between September 17th - October 12th, 2012.
Project Submission Qualified participants will be notified by October 22nd, 2012 and asked to submit their project, which must be received by November 9th, 2012. (Submission template will be provided upon qualification)
Final Competition Finalist teams will be invited to Walt Disney Imagineering in Glendale, California in late January 2013 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.
