Anyone who has ever been to Disneyland will probably mention the theme park’s ability to not only create exciting rides, but also to develop stories and engrossing environments to go along with them. This practice has allowed the company to win over the hearts and minds of generations of Americans and even to grow internationally.

Disney calls its development process “imagineering,” and Sacramento State now has a club dedicated to learning and spreading this signature style.

Club founder and president Dominic Koponen said he was inspired to start the group because he loves the way Disney creates a whole experience with its attractions, making them appealing to multiple senses at once.

The sophomore mechanical engineering major said engineering clubs are often boring and monotonous, but he said his is different because the club spends as much time on making what they do visually appealing as they do on making sure it functions properly. As such, many of the club’s 12 active members are in fact more artistically challenged than mechanically inclined.

The club often works with Larry Scholl, an independent contractor often employed by Disney, who lives in Folsom.  Koponen said Scholl has his own tiki room and mine ride at his house. Scholl has recently asked the club to help him design mine carts to use in this private attraction.

In September, they also helped Scholl assemble a Halloween-themed ride on his property. It attracted people from throughout the Sacramento area.

“We get to do a lot of stuff that definitely is more abnormal than most,” Koponen said, “like getting to work with animatronics, and dress up a ride where an audience of thousands of people get to come and see it.”

Sophomore electrical engineering major Tyler Bal said the club recently drew up plans for an animatronic bee to show on campus. Animatronics use robotics to make figures appear to move independently. They are discussing beginning work on the project, but lack some of the necessary funding to do so.

Bal said the club has helped him see the things he works on differently.

“When I look at something I can look at it from different angles and see how it can be appealing,” he said.”

Koponen said his club does not have any actual connection to the Disney Corporation, and they in fact denied his request for financial assistance. They told him they generally do not give money to any organizations outside of Southern California.  Koponen is considering changing the name of the club for next semester, since he suspects the term “imagineering” is trademarked.

The students of Sac State’s Imagineering Club find that it has expanded their creative vision and made them better at what they do, whatever that may be.