D23 has announced a special event where fans can enjoy lunch with Disney Imagineering legend Joe Rohde. The gathering will take place on October 2, 2026, at the California Grill located within Disney’s Contemporary Resort. During this forty-five minute moderated conversation, Rohde will share stories about his decades of work shaping attractions across Walt Disney World and beyond. Attendees will enjoy a buffet lunch with views of Seven Seas Lagoon and receive a signed copy of Rohde’s new book titled Floating Mountains. Tickets for the event go on sale starting August 28, with different prices and times for Gold Members versus General Members. Important logistical details include parking at the Transportation and Ticket Center rather than at the Contemporary Resort itself. The experience combines a meal, conversation, and autographed book in one unique package for Disney Parks enthusiasts.
Key Points:
- The event will take place on October 2, 2026 at California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Joe Rohde spent decades with Walt Disney Imagineering shaping attractions across Walt Disney World and beyond
- The experience includes a forty-five minute moderated conversation where Rohde shares stories from his career
- Attendees receive a signed copy of Rohde’s new book Floating Mountains: The Art of Imagining the Impossible
- Tickets go on sale Friday, August 28 with Gold Members able to purchase at 2 p.m. ET for $159 plus a $3 processing fee
- General Members can purchase tickets beginning at 3 p.m. ET for $199 plus the same processing fee
- Parking will not be available at Disney’s Contemporary Resort specifically for the event
- Attendees are directed to park at the Transportation and Ticket Center and travel by bus or monorail