During the four amazing and memorable days of the 2022 UnMeeting, the members and fans of the Carolwood Society celebrated the career and accomplishments of Kevin Rafferty, retired Executive Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering. A central highlight of the 2022 UnMeeting was Kevin’s leadership of the design, development, and delivery of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, the capstone attraction of his more than four decades of contributions to Disney Parks around the world.
The first activity of the 2022 UnMeeting on Thursday, November 3rd was a Welcome Event available exclusively to Society members at the VIP Lounge of the GM Conference and Training Center at Epcot’s Test Track pavilion. During our daytime schedule, members were invited to experience the lounge at their leisure and take a ride on Test Track, an attraction that Kevin Rafferty had helped to design.
Our evening program included a brief welcome address from Carolwood Society Founding Chairman, Michael Broggie then followed by Kevin Rafferty’s feature presentation, “Road Trip to Cars Land” where he shared his experiences transforming Radiator Springs form Pixar’s “Cars” franchise into a land cull of immersive experiences at Disney California Adventure Park.
On Friday, November 4th, the Carolwood Society welcomed all who were interested to join us at the AMC Disney Springs 24 theater for the Keynote Address of the 2022 UnMeeting. After a brief introduction from Michael, Kevin offered a brief overview of his nearly 43 years at Walt Disney Imagineering then shared his experiences leading the design, development, and delivery of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway to life at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Following the Keynote address, attendees enjoyed a photo op with Kevin and Michael. Subsequent to that activity, some of us gathered at Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar for a relaxing lunch with great company and conversation.
In April of 2021, Kevin retired from Walt Disney Imagineering during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and because of these conditions celebrations of his retirement were virtual. The Carolwood Society partnered with Operations Cast at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to hold an in-person celebration of Kevin’s retirement, and in honor Kevin’s accomplishments during his more than four decades of service, Michael presented Kevin with the Carolwood Society’s first Roger E. Broggie Imagineering award.
Following this heartfelt session, attendees enjoyed a celebratory ride on Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway together and captured the moment in photographs on the attraction and in front of the Chinese Theater.
On Saturday, November 5th, Carolwood Society members traveled to the Central Pasco & Gulf (CP&G) Railroad at Crews Lake Wilderness Park in Spring Hill, Florida to visit the Carolwood Barn East.
There enjoy a picnic lunch together, and celebrate the experience of riding Walt Disney’s Carolwood Pacific Railroad through the Yensid Valley of his Carolwood Drive Estate by riding CP&G’s 1/8” scale miniature railroad.
The 2022 UnMeeting was brought to a close with a casual lunch at Geyser Point Lounge and a visit to the Carolwood Room at Wilderness Lodge. Most certainly, the four days we spent together for the 2022 Carolwood Society UnMeeting were chock full of magical moments that created cherished memories for all who participated!
The UnMeeting is made possible and remarkable by the contributions of many people. Many thanks to all of our volunteers and contributors who made this event so special!