If you've spent years riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, gasping at IllumiNations, or marveling at Soarin' and never once thought about the people who built those experiences — October is about to change that. Wayback WED, hosted by WDW News Today, returns to Disney's Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World on October 2 and 3, 2026, billed as the largest gathering of former Disney Imagineers and creative legends ever assembled in a single event.
The headliners alone are enough to make any parks fan clear their calendar. Bob Weis, the retired President of Walt Disney Imagineering who shepherded projects including Shanghai Disney Resort and Cars Land, will be on hand. So will Tony Baxter, a Disney Legend credited with conceiving Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, Indiana Jones Adventure, and Star Tours across a career of more than four decades. Tom Morris, who spent over 35 years at Imagineering and served as Executive Producer for Hong Kong Disneyland's development, rounds out just a portion of a roster that spans virtually every era of the modern Disney parks.
The lineup extends well beyond those three. Guests can expect to meet Joe Lanzisero, the creative mind behind Mickey's Toontown and Toy Story Land; Rick Rothschild, whose portfolio includes The American Adventure and Mickey's PhilharMagic; Eric Jacobson, who helped bring The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Mission: SPACE to life; and Don Dorsey, the designer behind IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth and the musical arrangements for the Main Street Electrical Parade, among many others. Tom Nabbe, personally hired by Walt Disney himself to portray Tom Sawyer at Disneyland, is also confirmed to attend.
This year's event carries a specific thematic focus: the 55th anniversary of Walt Disney World and the 250th anniversary of the United States, with particular attention paid to the Americana-themed attractions that have honored American history and culture throughout the parks. Attendees can expect never-before-seen concept artwork, archival video footage, and stories about projects that never made it past the drawing board alongside the ones that became beloved classics.
Whether you're a devoted parks historian, an aspiring designer hoping to learn from the best in themed entertainment, or simply someone who wants to shake the hand of the person who dreamed up a ride you've loved since childhood, this is a genuinely rare opportunity. Full event details are available through WDW News Today.
