“…40 years is a long time, and this strange quiet time seems like a great opportunity to slip away without too much disruption. If I wait, I will once again be in the middle of another huge project and by the time that is done, I would be truly old. I’m not that old yet and there are things I want to do that cannot be done here.”
For those who closely follow Disney projects, it’s difficult to fathom Walt Disney Imagineering without Joe Rohde. He has, after all, played an integral role in the direction of Disney Parks and Resorts for over four decades.
Here, we take a look at what could happen now that Rohde has announced he’s leaving Disney behind.
Lighthouse Point may not happen — or may not be the same.
The “huge project” Rohde referred to in his social media post was probably Lighthouse Point, the proposed second Disney Cruise Line Bahamian private island.
Credit: Disney
Rohde was helming the project, which has been postponed — like so many other Disney construction jobs — as a direct result of the ongoing pandemic.
The iconic Imagineer’s retirement announcement could portend the end of the Lighthouse Point project — which has previously met with some environmental concerns — though Disney has yet to officially comment on the status of the Disney Cruise Line port recently.
In August 2019, Disney Cruise Line Blog shared these comments from Rohde regarding Lighthouse Point:
“The Lighthouse Point site is so beautiful and so full of nature that we want to preserve this and use our designs to call attention to the extraordinary quality of the place itself – a place of natural beauty with a rich and fascinating cultural tradition,” Rohde said. “We will be directly involved in conservation efforts to preserve and protect the environment that creates this beauty, and we will be working with artists of every kind, much like we did with Aulani in Hawaii, to create a unique destination that is rooted in Bahamian culture and imbued with Disney magic.”
While we do, of course, have to wait on official word from The Walt Disney Company regarding whether or not plans for the project have been scrapped, Rohde leaving will undoubtedly change the overall aesthetic and attention to detail on the private island no matter what.
Will Rohde decide to come out of retirement for the project?
It’s not all bad news, though. Many fans suspect there is a chance that — if Disney continues with Lighthouse Point, which could potentially be a stop on the upcoming Disney Wish and other Triton Class cruise ships — Joe Rohde could actually return to complete the contract.
This means that Rohde may not be needed for Lighthouse Point for at least a couple of years if, in fact, the development of the second Disney private island is continuing. By that point, he may be ready to consult.
Fortunately, the creative minds at Disney are always primed for innovation and, while nobody can take Joe Rohde’s place, there will undoubtedly be other Imagineers who step-up to help with future Disney theme park projects and Resorts around the world.
Walt Disney Imagineering shared Rohde’s last day with The Walt Disney Company will be January 4, 2021.
Credit: D23
The entire ITM team wishes Joe Rohde the best in his future endeavors — and will miss all of his hard work behind-the-scenes at Disney! We look forward to hearing more news about his plans following his official retirement in January.
What are your thoughts on Joe Rohde’s retirement? How do you think Disney Imagineering will change without him?
4
Credit: Disney (all photos)
