Bob Baranick leaves Imagineering
August 31, 1999 - San Francisco, CA
- Theme Park Adventure Magazine (www.themeparkadventure.com), a boutique publication that covers all aspects of the theme park and themed entertainment industry wishes Bob Baranick of Walt Disney Imagineering all the best as he leaves the Company this afternoon to begin his own themed entertainment organization."Today marks a very sad milestone in the Disneyland story," said Rick West, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Theme Park Adventure Magazine. "The departure of Bob from Imagineering is both exciting and very emotional. For almost 15 years, Bob's touches have been evident throughout the Disney theme parks, from Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris to Pirates of the Caribbean's changes at Disneyland. Bob's final official Imagineering project while at Disneyland was the design and implementation of Tarzan's Treehouse, which will be the focus of the next issue of TPA."
Bob Baranick is going on to create his own design firm, which will carry out its own projects as well as serve the industry as a consulting and contract group. His first customer? Walt Disney Imagineering! Bob will be back in Anaheim to over-see the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean rehab, which is technical rather than show-based this time around.
Today, friends and colleagues gathered at Disneyland to wish him the very best of luck.
"I asked him a few weeks ago if there was going to be a big party," said West. In the typical Bob Baranick fashion, the response was, "Oh, no. I am going to simply sneak out the back and go quietly."
No matter how quietly Bob leaves the Magic Kingdom this afternoon, a dark cloud hangs over The Happiest Place on Earth as one of its best friends ever moves on to other projects.
"He'll be missed terribly," added West. "I'm excited for him because he's going to do many wonderful things that will make many people very happy. The downside is, that Imagineering has lost one hell of a good person - a creative visionary - and that is going to be felt around the Park big-time. I called his office for one last hoorah this afternoon and got a message that I'd reached the desk of 'former Imagineer Bob Baranick.' It was Bob's voice on the machine and knowing him, I know that it must have been one of the most difficult ten seconds of recording he's done in a long time - maybe ever. I was so choked up by it, I had to hang up. We're supportive of Bob's decision, but are going to miss him and always be thankful for what he's done for Disneyland. I think it's fantastic that Tarzan's Treehouse will forever stand as a monument to his creative touch for his fans."
Theme Park Adventure Magazine will follow Bob Baranick's career closely and will remain in constant contact with him. Any fans who wish to send Bob comments or well-wishes may E-Mail them to TPA and they will be forwarded on to Bob. Comments should be sent to: [email protected] and addressed to Bob Baranick.
Theme Park Adventure Magazine is based in San Francisco, California. For more information on TPA, please check the company's website at: www.themeparkadventure.com. Individuals may also contact TPA at (415) 704-4374.
[Ed: Rick West has written a special expanded edition of his West Side of the Kingdom column on Bob Baranick and Walt Disney Imagineering. Click here to read the article.]