Disney Imagineers show off their amazing Holodeck
As our ability to create virtual worlds improves companies are looking for new ways to immerse themselves in the technology.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2020) 'Disney Imagineers show off their amazing Holodeck', 311 Institute, 16 July. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/star-trek-holodeck/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
A while ago I talked about a company that’s attempting to build the world’s first Holodeck that’s backed by none other than the Rodenberry Foundation which in turn is led by the son of Gene Roddenberry who invented the Star Trek concept in the first place, so naturally the fact that Disney have in essence created their own version of the “Holodeck” caught my eye.
Walt Disney Imagineering is known for making the impossible possible so that’s why despite their offices and the Disney Parks being closed at the moment thanks to the current Coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19, they’ve decided to open up their headquarters and let people in for a full virtual tour.
Known as the DISH, which stands for Digital Immersive Showroom, the DISH is a virtual tool that Disney’s Imagineers use to “pre-visualise Disney experiences in a digital setting,” and it’s a crucial tool that lets them not just design better experiences for their guests, as and when they’re all allowed back into the parks, but experience and tweak them as well, all before they begin construction.
In this video, Garrett Clark will take you from Walt Disney World Resort to Disneyland Resort, all within one room so sit back and enjoy the experience!
What this means for your organisation
Preview before you build.
Disney's DISH lets Imagineers pre-visualise experiences in a digital setting. They can then experience and tweak them before construction begins. A digital twin is a live virtual copy of a real machine, building or process, and the same habit applies well beyond theme parks.
The Holodeck is still early.
In our data, holodecks sit at technology readiness level 3, with a first product in 2026 and wide use by 2050. Virtual reality is at level 9 and is the practical route today. Our advice is to watch holodecks and explore virtual reality.
Closed doors can stay open.
Disney's offices and parks were closed during the Coronavirus pandemic, yet it opened its headquarters for a virtual tour. Virtual locations are online places where people can meet, talk, shop and share things. Leaders should treat them as a way to reach people who cannot visit in person.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Which of our projects could be previewed virtually before we commit to building?
- Where would a virtual tour let people see our work when doors are closed?
- Should we watch holodecks while using mature virtual reality tools today?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
As our ability to create virtual worlds improves companies are looking for new ways to immerse themselves in the technology.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity programme, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
What future do you need to see?
Choose one to get started on virtual worlds and the future of your organisation.
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 16 July 2020. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2020). Disney Imagineers show off their amazing Holodeck. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/star-trek-holodeck/
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