The IAAPA Expo Virtual Education Conference started on Monday and it’s continuing to dominate the news cycle in the themed entertainment world. From Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro optimistic keynote presentation that addressed new projects such as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind to D’Amaro’s push for more inclusive projects at the Disney Parks.
Now, IAAPA is inducting two legends of the themed entertainment industry into their Hall of Fame. Disney Legend and former Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Executive Tony Baxter was inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame and was given IAAPA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of work on some of the most memorable Disney attractions.
Disney Parks Chief Safety Officer Greg Hale was inducted into IAAPA’s Hall of Fame. Greg leads a team that keeps the Disney Parks safe and innovative. One of Greg’s innovations was the Disney FastPass service. He is listed as one of the inventors of the service and holds about 80 patents to his name. Greg Hale was also IAAPA’s Chairman in 2017.
Greg Hale joined Walt Disney World as manager of electrical and electronics engineering in 1988. Greg became the first vice president and chief safety officer for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in 2002, a role he continues to hold as he leads a team focused on innovation, safety, and accessibility for guests around the world.
Tony Baxter began his career as an ice cream scooper in 1965 at Disneyland. In 1970, Baxter began working at Walt Disney Imagineering (then known as WED Enterprises). Baxter through his years at Imagineering helped oversee and create attractions such as The Land, Seas, and Imagination pavilions at EPCOT, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the major refurbishment of Fantasyland at Disneyland in 1983, Star Tours, Splash Mountain, Indiana Jones Adventure, and Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. Tony Baxter was also an executive producer on the Disneyland Paris project which opened in 1992.
In 2013, Baxter retired and he became a Disney Legend. Baxter also received a window on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland. Baxter continues to consult on Walt Disney Imagineering projects from time to time. Baxter is currently consulting on The Princess and the Frog Splash Mountain reimagining.
Congrats to Tony and Greg on their inductions!
Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
