Anyone know anything about this? If it's true and why it happened?

I'm amazed. Interesting to see how some of the Imagineers are 'personalities' and some are below the radar.

I wonder what's happened to Joe Rhode?

Anyone know anything about this? If it's true and why it happened?

It would be very sad if it was. A very talented Imagineer indeed. Where did you hear this?

FYI, there is another Bruce Gordon at Disney who is the Sr. Vice President and CFO of the Walt Disney Internet Group. Suppose there could be some confusion over which Bruce this rumor might be about.

Kevin Yee had something about this in his article on MiceAge.

Kevin Yee had something about this in his article on MiceAge.

And he did say it was Imagineer Bruce Gordon. I'd still like it confirmed by someone else. I met Bruce at the 50th event and had a great conversation. I've enjoyed his books through the years. Wow, if this is true I'd love to know the story behind it.

Yes. Bruce Gordon was laid off about 3 wks ago. He will take early retirement so I've heard.

Why did this happen? Change is in the wind. Lots of changes are coming after Hong Kong opens.

I heard they also booted Nina Rae Vaughn just before the 50th.

I heard they also booted Nina Rae Vaughn just before the 50th.

Had not heard that. Sucks.

Thx Genjii.

I heard they also booted Nina Rae Vaughn just before the 50th.


can someone explain who she is, and what her background is?

Ms. Vaughn was an illustrator and painter like Herb Ryman and Sam McKim--she has done all of the recent park maps, including the 40th and the recent 50th--the very one they're selling in the park right now. She did tons of conceptual artwork for the parks.

Keep in mind that Imagineering's rolls have always swelled and constricted based on what was going on. Disney just finished a brand new theme park and a hefty set of updates for DL's 50th. It makes sense that they would be shrinking some right now since there's less going on. Any Imagineer will tell you this is SOP, and an expected part of working in Disney's dream factory.

Ms. Vaughn was an illustrator and painter like Herb Ryman and Sam McKim--she has done all of the recent park maps, including the 40th and the recent 50th--the very one they're selling in the park right now. She did tons of conceptual artwork for the parks.

And wasn't her dad Richard Irvine who helped build Disneyland? Or am I thinking of someone else?

And wasn't her dad Richard Irvine who helped build Disneyland? Or am I thinking of someone else?
You're thinking of Kim Irvine, daughter of Dick Irvine and Leota Toombs.

You're thinking of Kim Irvine, daughter of Dick Irvine and Leota Toombs.

Aaaaah...yeah! Of course. I knew that. That's what I meant to say.

;)

Interesting read at D-Troops:

http://www.d-troops.com/article.php?id=2

Not sure if I agree with everything, but still is interesting.

I think what is happening in WDI is like what happens when a new President enters the White House. The old staff is let go, and a new staff is put in charge.

Well, new guys at WDI are now in charge. Eisner is leaving in less than 3 weeks, so he won't be around to "protect" anyone who had "favored status" in his regime. Looks to me like maybe these senior Imagineers who are being shown the door might have possibly rubbed the new guys the wrong way in the past. Or they have loyalties inside Imagineering that do not align with the new guys. You get my drift.

If this is what's going on, there isn't anything to be done about it. This sort of thing happens all the time in show business. Why should Walt Disney Imagineering be any different?

Thanks for sharing that article. It explains a lot. It also asks a lot of unanswerable questions. I guess only Bruce Gordon knows the answers. I wonder where he'll turn up?

Probably will show as a consultant.

Probably will show as a consultant.

Yep. Also Bruce is an accomplished writer and author of several Disney books. He knows graphic design and desktop publishing inside and out. He could probably make a darn decent living authoring, designing and producing all sorts of projects.

People like him with the necessary talent, imagination, vision, work ethic, drive...along with an archival brain, and a passion for nostalgia and heritage...have no where to go but on to bigger and better things. IMHO.

Yep. Also Bruce is an accomplished writer and author of several Disney books. He knows graphic design and desktop publishing inside and out. He could probably make a darn decent living authoring, designing and producing all sorts of projects.

People like him with the necessary talent, imagination, vision, work ethic, drive...along with an archival brain, and a passion for nostalgia and heritage...have no where to go but on to bigger and better things. IMHO.

I wholeheartedly agree.

Bruce did the design and layout for the recent Disney Editions paperback, "The Imagineering Workout." Cleverly organized and well illustrated by graphic artists from WDI. Highly recommended.

Disney imprints such as Editions or Hyperion would be moronic not to snap him up, and give him more publication projects. With Imagineering now heading towards the Seventh Level of Hell, Bruce has the opportunity to be far more successful in the publishing world, than if he had continued working in Glendale.

Even though he may not realize it just yet, I feel Darth Fitzgerald did him a gigantic favor in letting him go.