Former Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde is set to release a new book exploring creativity and collaboration drawn from his career. Titled Floating Mountains: The Art of Imagining the Impossible, the book will be published by National Geographic on September 8, 2026. It offers insights from his work on projects like Disney's Animal Kingdom.
Joe Rohde, a Disney Legend inducted into the Imagineering hall of fame in 2024, has revealed details of his upcoming book, Floating Mountains: The Art of Imagining the Impossible. The announcement comes via a listing on Amazon and follows a teaser Rohde shared on his Instagram about an upcoming creative project.
The book, priced at $35 for the hardcover edition, delves into the origins of personal creativity and the dynamics of collaborative teams. Rohde reflects on his experiences leading major initiatives, including the development of Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. He also discusses ventures into space tourism and international field expeditions, highlighting how he managed design teams and collaborated with corporate leaders to realize ambitious visions.
Central to the narrative is the disciplined practice of collaboration, balancing fidelity to original ideas with improvisation and unexpected discoveries. Through personal stories, Rohde blends humor, insight, and accounts of risk, failure, and success, including moments of real danger from his global adventures.
The title references the iconic floating mountains in Pandora – The World of Avatar, a key attraction in Animal Kingdom that Rohde helped create. Recently, he has been sharing content about his work on the park, which remains a highlight of his career spanning decades at Walt Disney Imagineering.
Preorders are available now on Amazon, allowing fans and aspiring creators to secure a copy ahead of the September 8, 2026, release. Rohde's book aims to provide practical lessons on turning ideas into reality, appealing to those interested in innovation and storytelling in entertainment design.