Rick Barongi & The Pioneers of Disney’s Animal Kingdom
As part of the 25th Anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we want to talk about how this park came to be and the leaders that made it happen. I had the privilege of meeting back up with Rick Barongi, the first animal care zoo keeper hired by Imagineering to develop and make Disney’s Animal Kingdom a reality. Roy E. Disney, Michael Eisner, Frank Wells, and Imagineers like Craig Russell, Paul Comstock and of course, Joe Rohde. He shares the role Jane Goodall played in supporting the park and of adventures in constructing it. Join us as we talk about the pioneers of Disney’s Animal Kingdom who were the leaders that truly made this park a reality that we know and love today.
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Here are images, outline that support today’s podcast:
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Timeline
To understand our conversation about how Disney’s Animal Kingdom came to be we created a timeline earlier. It gives you a great sense of how Rick was involved with the project during this time. You can see that post here.
More Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Here are a few more links you may want to explore:
Paul Comstock is truly one of the great landscapers of our time. You can learn more about him here.
In 2016 for the anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and for Earth Day I wrote a piece where Walt Disney and Jane Goodall intertwine for National Geographic. Take a look at that here.
Finally, in honor of Judson Green, I did a post and podcast about the contribution of this man, who passed away a few years ago. More Disney Insights and Souvenirs can be found with this one. Definitely check this one out. It can be found here.
Definitely check out Longneck Manor, a unique boutique resort that Rick Barongi has founded in Fredericksburg, Texas.
Souvenirs for You and Your Organization
- How good are you at selling an idea? Can you sell snowballs to an eskimo?
- Anyone can have a good idea. But do you have a team of people to make it happen?
- What would dual leadership look like to you? Who would you partner with to strengthen your ability to lead out?
- Like Rick’s description of Roy E. Disney, do you treat others as an equal no matter their status?
Please Share Your Thoughts!
Our podcast today spoke of vegetation at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Visit our poll and tell us which land in the park has the best landscaping. Please join our Disney Insights Facebook Page and share! We would love to hear from you.
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