Legendary Disney Imagineer Announces Retirement

Just over 10 months ago, Disney Imagineer Bob Weis announced that he would be stepping down as President of Walt Disney Imagineering. Barbara Bouza replaced Weis as President of WDI and Weis stepped into the role of Global Imagineering Ambassador. However, we are now learning that Weis has announced that he is officially retiring as a Disney Imagineer.

Credit: Disney

News of Weis’s retirement and a brief statement was shared on the official Walt Disney Imagineering Instagram page.

“I am proud to have been an Imagineer, a collaborator, and someone who loves to do impossible things with impossibly talented people.” – Bob Weis

Forty-two years after first joining Imagineering, Bob Weis has announced his retirement. Serving most recently as Global Imagineering Ambassador and before that as president of the organization, Bob cemented his legacy as a leader and creative force – helping to bring to fruition countless attractions, lands, resort hotels, cruise ships, and theme parks around the globe. Bob will officially depart the company on Jan. 2, 2023.

Bob, thanks for your many years of leadership and especially for mentoring and influencing Imagineers from around the world. You inspire us today and your legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Walt Disney Imagineering (@waltdisneyimagineering)

Weis also shared a heartfelt message on his personal Instagram page after news of his retirement was announced. 

You may have heard I announced today I will be retiring from Walt Disney Imagineering the end of this year.

I’m very proud of the years I spent as an Imagineer, as president of WDI, and the past year that I have served as Global Imagineering Ambassador.

For me this is a very exciting next chapter. I’ll continue writing my book for Disney Publishing on the Marty Sklar Archives, and I am developing a screenplay for Walt Disney Studios. But I am also excited to take my experience and use it for worthy projects that have the potential to improve our world. These are exciting times, let’s stay connected.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Bob Weis (@bobweis)

During his time with Walt Disney Imagineering, Weis was the creative lead behind the development and construction of the Tokyo Disney Resort, as well as the Shanghai Disneyland Resort. Weis was also the creative head at both Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort and Disney California Adventure at Disneyland Resort.