Wing Chao: My favorite imagineer
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I've known Wing for a long time. I'm proud to call him both a colleague and friend. He is a passionate cast member who embraces the Disney legacy that is the bedrock of Walt Disney Imagineering. A fierce collaborator Wing has been a phenomenal teacher to those that have worked at WDI under his stewardship of the architectural and master planning group. I have met few imagineers in my life that exemplify the Disney Difference - he has always striven to ensure that every hotel improves on the last and that every detail is meticulously designed and executed. Everything has a place. Everything exists to immerse every guest in the magic of Disney. One of my favorite images of Wing is from one of the EuroDisneyland charettes - everyone is casually dressed in shirt and chinos except for Wing. This Vice-President is wearing a brightly colored cotton sweater emblazoned with the EuroDisneyland logo. He lives and breathes Disney. His dedication to the cause meant that we can all enjoy the Disney experience outside the berm.

Disney's Hollywood Hotel, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
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A view from the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel over the South China Sea
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My two enduring memories of Wing are from the Open Day for the Hong Kong Disneyland hotels in August '05 and the recent launch of the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel. The former saw Wing stride confidently to the stage inside the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel ballroom as he outlined the design conceit behind the hotels. He needed no aids or prompts as he passionately explained every little touch that encapsulates the magic of a Disney hotel. A host of other executives also spoke but as the presentation came to a close there was only one executive that the invited media wanted to meet - and that was Wing. His perception as a local (despite the fact that he has spent his life in the US) drove much of the rock star horde that surrounded him but it was his behavior that struck me. I watched as everyone else left the hall whilst Wing continued to field questions. His professionalism and sheer enthusiasm for the Disney brand meant he was compelled to remain until the very last question was answered. I have never seen a Disney executive follow this approach either before or after. He felt duty bound to ensure that every last reporter completely bought into his vision for themed environments. Although the resort has not been a commercial success by any measure both hotels (the other is Disney's Hollywood Hotel) and the resort master planning (which Wing led in his role responsible for Asian development at WDP&R) have been heralded as best-in-class with a host of design awards to his credit. The second memory is from last summer. I spent hours talking with Wing about the history of the Company and the rapidly changing landscape in global resort development. I learnt more in those hours than in any seminar or from any book. Wing in Tokyo went out of his way to greet me immediately prior to the hotel's grand opening ceremony. Wing was always on stage.

The Tokyo Disneyland Hotel which opened in July 2008, Tokyo Disney Resort
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The Disney Ambassador Hotel reflected in the Cirque du Soleil ZED  Theatre, Tokyo Disney Resort
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