Joe Rohde Defends Disney Adults, Then Reveals the EPCOT Pavilion He Starts With

Joe Rohde did not ease into the subject. During a New York Comic Con appearance, the Disney Legend took aim at the habit of mocking grown fans who love Disney, calling that kind of shaming peculiar. From there, the conversation widened into something bigger: what themed entertainment means, why adults connect to it so strongly, and why his own route around EPCOT skips the usual Mexico or Canada debate entirely.

A Disney legend makes the case for grown-up fandom

Rohde spoke while promoting his book, Floating Mountains, and one of the standout moments came when the discussion turned to so-called Disney adults. Rather than treat the label as a punchline, he challenged the criticism behind it.

His comparison was simple. Fans of sports and other entertainment worlds often travel for events, wear team gear, and build parts of their identity around what they love, and that behavior is widely accepted. Disney fans, he suggested, are often judged for a similar level of enthusiasm. In that framing, the issue was less about fandom itself than about which fandoms people decide are respectable.

That argument fit neatly with another point he made during the talk. Rohde defended themed entertainment as a serious artistic medium, describing theme parks in a way that positioned them as more than places for rides and snacks. It is a view that helps explain why many adults stay attached to Disney parks long after childhood, drawn by the storytelling, the design work, and the density of detail packed into each space.

The perspective carries extra weight coming from Rohde. He joined Disney in the early 1980s and became one of the company’s most admired Imagineers. His name is closely linked with Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where he served as overall creative executive and supervising designer, as well as Expedition Everest and Pandora: The World of Avatar. His credits also include opening day EPCOT, the Adventurers Club, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, and Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: BREAKOUT!. Disney named him a Disney Legend at the 2024 D23 Ultimate Fan Event.

His EPCOT answer is not Mexico or Canada

The most familiar World Showcase question also came up: if you are starting your lap around the lagoon, do you begin in Mexico or in Canada? Rohde’s answer went in another direction.

He said he usually enters EPCOT through the backstage area, and when he starts in World Showcase, he prefers Morocco. That stands apart from the more common guest strategy of picking one end of the promenade and moving around from there, especially for visitors who plan to sample drinks around the world.

Why Morocco? Rohde pointed to several reasons. He said it is arguably his favorite pavilion in EPCOT. He also noted what makes it different inside World Showcase: Morocco is sponsored by the government of Morocco rather than by a corporation. For a park full of carefully shaped environments, that distinction gives the pavilion a special place in EPCOT’s lineup.

He also connected the pavilion to later Disney work. According to Rohde, Morocco helped influence projects that came afterward, including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Animal Kingdom, particularly Harambe. In other words, his favorite starting point is not just a personal preference. In his telling, it is also a key stop in the design history of modern Disney parks.

From signature earrings to longtime park lore

The conversation covered more than fandom and EPCOT routing. Rohde also revisited the story behind the earrings that became one of his most recognizable traits, especially for viewers who remember his Travel Channel appearances in the early 2000s. He said the habit started with collecting earrings during his travels. Over time, he began using almost any piece of jewelry that could function as one.

Across roughly an hour, he also touched on Lightning Lanes, Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: BREAKOUT!, the Yeti from Expedition Everest, and the development of Pandora: The World of Avatar.

Taken together, the session offered something a little unusual. It was part career retrospective, part design seminar, and part defense of a fan community that often gets dismissed. And tucked inside all of that was one unexpectedly specific tip from a veteran Imagineer: if you want to see EPCOT the way Joe Rohde does, start in Morocco.

Why many adults build trips around the parks

Theme park fandom is not only about rides or childhood nostalgia. Many adults return for design, music, food, live entertainment, seasonal festivals, and the pleasure of noticing details that are easy to miss on a rushed family visit. Some treat the parks like museums of themed storytelling. Others go for collecting merchandise, trying limited time menu items, or revisiting favorite films and characters in a physical space.

That helps explain why adult visitors often plan differently. They may move at a slower pace, prioritize atmosphere over thrill rides, and choose lounges, galleries, gardens, or people watching as part of the experience. If you are planning with that mindset, it helps to pick one main goal for the day, such as food booths, architecture, attraction re-rides, or nighttime entertainment, then let the rest stay flexible.

How EPCOT is laid out

EPCOT is usually experienced as two broad halves. One side focuses more on discovery, technology, nature, and large scale attractions. The other side circles a lagoon with national pavilions that mix dining, shopping, entertainment, and cultural design. That layout makes the park feel less like a straight checklist and more like a place to wander.

A pavilion is not just a restaurant or a ride. It can include architecture, background music, exhibits, films, character greetings, and small details that reward repeat visits. Some visitors start with the country area because it is easier to browse, snack, and settle into the day. Others begin with major attractions while waits are lighter, then slow down later.

How to choose a starting pavilion

The best first stop depends on what kind of visit you want. If you care most about food, start where your must try meal or drink is located. If you want calmer energy, begin in a pavilion with indoor exhibits, shaded paths, or a film. If you enjoy shopping, pick a pavilion with a larger marketplace feel. If atmosphere matters most, choose the one whose music, landscaping, or architecture you find easiest to sink into.

Before you arrive, check the day’s menus, entertainment times, and any temporary closures. At EPCOT, a small plan goes a long way.