Former Walt Disney Imagineer Kirk Hanson began working at Hanna-Barbera and then Walt Disney Feature Animation. Kirk served as a Storyboard Artist, Layout Artist, and Character Designer, shaping many classics like Aladdin, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Hercules.

Welcome former Walt Disney Imagineer Jim Sarno on our very first episode of The WDW Connection Show! This episode was recorded in September 2025.

We’re thrilled to have Jim chat with us about his amazing career at WED/WDI. If you're a fan of 1980s Epcot Center, this is a show you definitely won’t want to miss!

Jim talks about his awesome experience in WED's Model Shop, sculpting many great masterpieces that became part of Journey Into Imagination, The Land, and CommuniCore at Epcot Center. A huge thank you to Jim Sarno for joining us on our first episode!

Welcome, Alastair Dallas, a former Walt Disney Imagineer and author of “Inventing Disneyland.” Alastair began his career at the WED Architectural Department in 1975, where he contributed to the design of Disneyland’s Space Mountain. He later worked on the construction of Epcot Center, including the entrance plaza and the Odyssey Restaurant.

During his time at Epcot, Alastair collaborated with Imagineer Gordon Hoopes on the development of Spaceship Earth and the main entrance complex, including the Epcot Monorail Station. In 1982, he moved on to Tokyo Disneyland, where he served as a Quality Assurance Officer.

We are thrilled to have Alastair join us to share his remarkable career and the fascinating stories from his time at WED Enterprises, now known as Walt Disney Imagineering.