The Imagineering Story Season 1 Episode 3

Ep 3. The Midas Touch

  • November 22, 2019
  • 9.1  (254)

In episode 3 of The Imagineering Story, entitled "The Midas Touch," viewers are taken on a journey through the early 1990s when Disney was struggling to remain profitable. This episode focuses on Michael Eisner and his newly appointed creative partner, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and their efforts to revive the company through the creation of new attractions.

The episode begins with a look at the evolution of Disneyland through the 1980s, including the creation of the attractions "Star Tours" and "Indiana Jones Adventure." However, by the early 1990s, attendance at Disneyland had plateaued and the company was in dire need of something new and exciting to draw guests in.

Enter Jeffrey Katzenberg, who had recently left his job as head of production at Paramount to join Disney. Working together with Eisner, Katzenberg proposed a radical idea – to create a new park in Florida that would be dedicated solely to movie-themed attractions. This new park, which eventually became known as Disney's Hollywood Studios, was a risk, but Eisner and Katzenberg were confident it would pay off.

As the episode progresses, viewers are taken behind the scenes as Disney's Imagineers work to create a new attraction that would become the centerpiece of the new park – "The Great Movie Ride." This ride would take guests on a journey through some of the most iconic films of all time, including "The Wizard of Oz" and "Casablanca." The creation of this ride was a massive undertaking, requiring the construction of massive sets and the use of cutting-edge technology.

However, as the park was being built, Disney was hit with a crisis. Euro Disney, the company's new park in France, was struggling to attract guests and was hemorrhaging money. This put immense pressure on Eisner and his team to ensure that the new Florida park was a success. Despite the stress, the Imagineers were able to complete the park on time and on budget, and it opened to great fanfare in May of 1989.

The episode then shifts its focus to the Walt Disney World resort in Florida, where Imagineers are hard at work on yet another ambitious project – "Splash Mountain." This ride, based on the characters from Disney's "Song of the South," would take guests on a thrilling water-based journey complete with animatronic animals and a 50-foot drop.

Viewers are shown the painstaking process of creating the ride, from the initial concept art to the creation of the animatronics and the construction of the massive log flume. The Imagineers faced numerous challenges along the way, including problems with the water pumps and issues with the ride's safety system.

Despite the challenges, "Splash Mountain" was a massive success, drawing huge crowds and boosting attendance at the park. The ride would go on to become one of Disney's most beloved attractions and would even inspire a popular video game franchise.

As the episode concludes, viewers are left with a sense of awe at the massive creativity and dedication that went into creating these incredible attractions. The Imagineers' hard work and ingenuity paid off, helping to revitalize Disney and cement the company's position as a leader in the entertainment industry.

Overall, "The Midas Touch" is a fascinating look at a pivotal era in Disney's history. Through interviews with key players and never-before-seen archival footage, viewers get a glimpse into the creative process that drives the company and the incredible work that goes into creating its iconic attractions. It's a must-watch for anyone who loves Disney or is interested in the art of Imagineering.

Description
Watch The Imagineering Story - The Midas Touch (s1 e3) Online - Watch online anytime: Buy, Rent
The Imagineering Story, Season 1 Episode 3, is available to watch and stream on Disney+. You can also buy, rent The Imagineering Story on demand at Disney+ online.
  • First Aired
    November 22, 2019
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    9.1  (254)