Disney Legend Joe Rohde recently shared his thoughts on the shaming of Disney adults and revealed how he likes to tour World Showcase at EPCOT.
The comments came during a discussion at New York Comic Con, where Rohde was promoting his new book, Floating Mountains.
Who Is Joe Rohde?
Joe Rohde started at Disney in the early 1980s and became one of its most respected Imagineers.
Best known for:
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom (overall creative executive and supervising designer)
- Expedition Everest
- Pandora The World of Avatar
Other projects:
- Opening day EPCOT
- The Adventurers Club
- Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
- Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: BREAKOUT!
He was named a Disney Legend at the 2024 D23 Ultimate Fan Event.
Those Famous Earrings
Rohde opened with the story behind his well-known earrings, familiar to fans from his Travel Channel appearances in the early 2000s.
The short version:
- He began collecting earrings during his world travels
- Over time, he started wearing any jewelry that could work as an earring
- They’ve become his signature look
On Disney Adult Shaming
Rohde called the shaming of Disney adults peculiar.
His point:
- Other fandoms, like sports and entertainment, are widely accepted
- Sports fans wear jerseys and travel to games without judgment
- Disney fans often face criticism for similar passion
For many fans, his comments highlight a clear double standard.
Theme Parks as Art
Rohde also defended themed entertainment, describing theme parks as a living art form.
That view reflects why many adults connect with the parks: the storytelling, detail, and design that go into every land.
Where He Starts World Showcase
The moderator asked the classic EPCOT question: Mexico or Canada?
Rohde’s answer:
- He usually enters EPCOT through the backstage area
- He prefers to start his World Showcase trip in Morocco
That’s an unusual choice, especially for guests planning to drink around the world, who typically start at one end of the lagoon.
Why Morocco?
His reasons:
- It’s arguably his favorite pavilion in EPCOT
- It’s sponsored by the government of Morocco, not a corporation, which makes it unique in World Showcase
- It influenced later Disney projects, including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Animal Kingdom, especially Harambe
Other Topics Discussed
During the roughly hour-long talk, Rohde also covered:
- Lightning Lanes
- Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: BREAKOUT!
- The Expedition Everest Yeti
- The development of Pandora: The World of Avatar
Why It Matters
Rohde’s comments give Disney adults a well-known voice in their corner. And his Morocco-first route might encourage some EPCOT fans to rethink how they tour World Showcase.
Where do you start your trip around the lagoon?
Credit: Joe Rohde’s New York Comic Con comments were originally reported by AllEars.
