Joe Rohde, who spent four decades at Walt Disney Imagineering and led the design of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, presents his book Floating Mountains: The Art of Imagining the Impossible at Castle Green on Monday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m., followed by a public book signing.
The book draws on Rohde’s career and childhood to examine where creativity comes from and how teams turn ideas into finished work, according to its publisher, National Geographic. Rohde told Forbes it is an attempt to reach readers “beyond just Disney fans.”
The evening is ticketed, and admission includes one copy of the book, handed out at check-in. Vroman’s Bookstore is co-presenting with Castle Green, the 1898 building at 99 S. Raymond Ave. in Old Pasadena that the venue says opens to the public only twice a year. The signing afterward is limited to books.
Rohde retired from Walt Disney Imagineering on Jan. 4, 2021, after more than 40 years, and Disney named him a Disney Legend in 2024. He joined the company in 1980 as a model designer and scenic painter on the Mexico pavilion at Epcot, and later projects included Expedition Everest and Pandora – The World of Avatar. He holds a bachelor’s degree in studio art from Occidental College and visits Pasadena regularly to see his sons, according to his author biography.
An identical program follows Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the same address.
Joe Rohde presents Floating Mountains: The Art of Imagining the Impossible Monday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m., with an identical program Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. Admission is by ticket and includes one copy of the book. Castle Green, 99 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. Nearby parking is at the School House Parking Structure, 33 E. Green St., and Del Mar Station Parking, 230 S. Raymond Ave., also a Metro stop. For more, call Vroman’s Bookstore at (626) 449-5320 or email promo@vromansbookstore.com. Tickets: eventbrite.com
