Twenty Thousand Hertz Inside Disney Imagineering's Secret Sound Labs
30 snips
Oct 22, 2025 Guest John Dennis, the Executive Creative Director of Music at Walt Disney Imagineering, dives into the magical world of audio storytelling. He reveals how sound shapes guest experiences, from hidden speakers to the precise timing of rides like Frozen. The duo discusses the surprising addition of a new verse to the iconic song 'It’s a Small World' and how they honor its legacy while adapting it. John emphasizes the collaborative spirit of Imagineering, ensuring every musical note contributes to the memories created in Disney parks.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Design The Theater Before The Mix
- Imagineering creates the acoustic space first and composes to fit that bespoke environment.
- John Dennis treats music as the emotional storyteller that frames guest experience inside that created theatre.
Hide Speakers, Coordinate Early
- Hide speakers in show sets and rock work so guests hear sound but don't see sources.
- Coordinate with rock work and set teams early to preserve the illusion while meeting audio needs.
Virtual Speaker Lab Speeds Field Work
- Imagineering uses a wave-field synthesis studio to virtually mock speaker systems and ride acoustics.
- They ship production systems worldwide to recreate that design in the field and then mix inside the attraction.