Kevin Lively started his career at Disney as a Cast member, most notably as a Jungle Cruise Skipper. He was known for his entertaining and humorous commentary during the ride, which made him a favorite among guests.

In 2012, Lively joined Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative arm of The Walt Disney Company responsible for designing and developing the company's theme parks, resorts, and other entertainment experiences. During his 10-year tenure at Imagineering, he worked on several high-profile projects that have become fan favorites.

 

One of Lively's most notable contributions was to the Jungle Cruise ride, which received a significant update in 2020. He was involved in the ride's redesign, adding new scenes and characters to enhance the attraction's story and humor. Lively also worked on other popular rides, including Hyperspace Mountain, Jingle Cruise, and Mater's Graveyard JamBOOree.

In addition to rides, Lively also contributed to the development of several dining experiences at Disney parks. He played a key role in the creation of the Jungle Navigation Company Ltd. Skipper Canteen, a restaurant in the Magic Kingdom that is themed to the Jungle Cruise ride. The restaurant features dishes inspired by the cuisine of the Amazon rainforest and is staffed by Jungle Cruise skippers in costume.

 

Lively's work at Imagineering also extended beyond Disney's U.S. parks. He was involved in the development of the upcoming Zootopia land in Shanghai Disneyland, which will feature immersive experiences based on the popular animated film.

 

In 2019, Lively had the opportunity to work with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson on the Jungle Cruise movie, which was based on the popular Disney ride. He contributed ideas and jokes to the final script, and some of his contributions made it into the film.

 

After leaving Disney Imagineering in 2021, Lively has continued to work as a creative professional, bringing his expertise in storytelling and immersive experiences to a variety of projects. He is passionate about bringing this expertise to his hometown of Bakersfield and is interested in exploring ways to enhance the city's landmarks and culture through immersive experiences.

 

Bakersfield Connections to Disney

Mark Davis was an animator and Imagineer who worked for The Walt Disney Company for over 40 years. He was born on March 30, 1913, in the town of Bakersfield, California. Davis began his career with Disney in 1935 as an animator, working on classic films like "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Cinderella," and "Sleeping Beauty." He was known for his distinctive style, which combined humor and whimsy with dynamic character movements.

 

In the 1950s, Davis transitioned to working as an Imagineer for Walt Disney Imagineering, where he contributed to the design of many beloved Disney attractions, including "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "The Haunted Mansion." He also played a key role in the development of Disney's "It's a small world" attraction, creating many of the iconic characters and scenes featured in the ride.

 

Despite living and working in Southern California for most of his career, Davis maintained a close connection to his hometown of Bakersfield throughout his life. He often returned to the city to visit family and friends and even designed the logo for the Bakersfield Sound, a genre of country music that emerged in the area in the 1950s.

 

Frank Thomas: Frank Thomas was an animator and one of Walt Disney's "Nine Old Men" - the core group of animators who worked closely with Disney to create some of the company's most beloved animated films. Thomas was born in Santa Monica, California, but spent much of his childhood in Bakersfield, where his father worked as an oil field engineer. Thomas went on to have a long and successful career with Disney, working on films like "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Pinocchio," and "The Jungle Book."

 

Roy E. Disney: Roy E. Disney was the nephew of Walt Disney and served as a key executive at The Walt Disney Company for many years. He was born in Los Angeles but spent summers as a child at his family's ranch in the nearby town of McFarland. In 2000, Roy E. Disney donated $1 million to the Bakersfield Museum of Art to support the construction of a new building.

 

Buck Owens In the 1960s, Owens hosted a TV show called "The Buck Owens Ranch Show," which was filmed at the Disneyland theme park.

 

Merle Haggard In 2007, Haggard was honored with a tribute concert at the Disneyland theme park, where he performed some of his most beloved songs.

 

Billy Mize: Billy Mize was a singer and songwriter who was born in Kansas, but moved to Bakersfield as a child. He became a key figure in the Bakersfield Sound music scene, and his songs were recorded by artists like Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. Mize also worked as a television host and personality and appeared on shows like "The Billy Mize Show," which was filmed at Disneyland in the 1960s.