Longtime fans of Disney Parks have reason to celebrate, as Jason Surrell, a celebrated former Imagineer, has officially returned to Walt Disney Imagineering as a Creative Consultant.
Known for his rich storytelling and deep understanding of Disney history and characters, Surrell brings a legacy of immersive attractions back to the team at a time of massive expansion across Disney’s domestic parks.
Surrell began his Disney career in the late 1990s before rising to prominence as a Senior Show Writer and Creative Director.
His first chapter with Disney, which spanned 15 years, includes work on fan-favorite attractions like Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream, The Great Movie Ride, and enhancements in Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. You can even see his contribution at Disney World’s Haunted Mansion today: the animated Leota tombstone!
He was instrumental in the development of New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom, contributing to the design of Enchanted Tales with Belle and helping shape the concept for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. His work also extended to Disney Cruise Line and special events like Star Wars Weekends.
Additionally, his Disney Publishing writings include The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies and Disney Mountains: Imagineering at its Peak (must-reads for any Disney parks fan), as well as contributing to Ridley Pearson’s iconic Kingdom Keepers series.
After leaving Imagineering in 2014, Surrell joined Universal Creative, where he worked on high-profile projects including Universal Studios Beijing and the recently-opened Universal Epic Universe. A previous career stint with Universal includes scriptwriting the Jurassic Park River Adventure.
A Hopeful Creative Future for Park Fans
Now, as the company prepares for major theme park expansions, including Magic Kingdom’s Villains Land and Piston Peak, Animal Kingdom’s Tropical Americas land, and Monstropolis at Hollywood Studios, Surrell’s return (paired with Bruce Vaughn’s recent return as CCO of Walt Disney Imagineering after Chapek’s departure) could be the renewed creative focus Disney World needs.
Surrell’s blend of deep Disney roots, working alongside and learning from original WDI veterans, and recent blockbuster experience could be the key to bringing these new ideas to life in a way that resonates with longtime fans and new generations alike. With his impressive resume of beloved theme park storytelling, his WDI homecoming is a promising sign of creative energy fueling the next “renaissance era” of Disney’s theme parks.
