This month's Progress City Town Hall features part 1 of a 2 part interview with designer and former Disney Imagineer Eddie Sotto. In our wide-ranging talk we discuss everything from the unique appeal of Knott's Berry Farm to what, exactly, he was cooking up in his Imagineering Concept Development Studio right up till he quit, and we talk that too! From Herb Ryman to Tony Baxter - we have ignition, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
“Engineering Influence”, the official podcast of the American Council of Engineering Companies, welcomed Eddie on to their program to discuss inspiration, collaboration and what can happen when design and engineering work together to create a successful guest experience. Quite a different discussion and brings the experience gained working with hard problems that can only be solved by a team to the forefront.
Join Eddie for a fun Zoomcast with a French team of interviewers. We cover many topics and here as Sotto covers new ground on his early career working on the Baltimore Power Plant, Knott’s and finally Disneyland Paris. Available in French and English.
TSPP gets a man we’ve been wanting for years…Eddie Sotto. Conversation on his start in the industry, from Knott’s to Disney; Hello Dolly, Wacky Soap Box Racers, Landmark, Walt Disney Imagineering, Disneyland Paris, Indiana Jones, George Lucas, Mars, and more! Amazing. Enjoy the voice over king of themed entertainment! PART ONE OF TWO
Eddie Sotto is a fixture in the themed entertainment industry best known for his contributions at Walt Disney Imagineering. He creative directed dozens of attractions at Disney Parks, including Main Street USA at Disneyland Paris, Mission: Space at Epcot, and the first ever trackless dark ride, “Pooh’s Hunny Hunt” at Tokyo Disneyland.
Eddie’s work extends beyond the Disney berm. Today, Eddie’s company, SottoStudios/LA, creates unique brand experiences for companies like NASA, Pepsi, Ferrari, Porsche and Aston Martin.
Eddie speaks with noted automotive writer Robert Ross about automotive design and the Disney Imagineering process in this two part podcast. A very different interview with great questions and asides! BONUS: In this episode, Eddie takes over the show, interviewing Robert Ross on his passions in design and art, “turning the tables” into a fascination discussion!
Eddie Sotto has had a long career designing public entertainment spaces like high-end car dealerships, destination retail stores, and theme parks, having served as Senior Vice President of Concept Design at Walt Disney Imagineering. Eddie and Heath discuss the parallels between filmmaking and theme park design, the challenges to public venues in light of Coronavirus, and using creative thinking to safely entertain theme park guests. Eddie owns Los Angeles based Sotto Studios.