Joe Rohde Releasing “Floating Mountains” Book in September
Joe Rohde, Disney Legend and one of Walt Disney Imagineering’s most influential creative minds, is publishing a new book: Floating Mountains: The Art of Imagining the Impossible.
Rohde teased the project on Instagram earlier tonight, telling followers, “By the end of the week, I’ll be announcing something cool that I’m doing. And I’m hoping that other people will also think it’s cool. But of course, we must wait to see.”
He added that “we must coordinate our efforts. Stay tuned. Probably Friday.”
The coordination didn’t take long. Within an hour, the announcement was public: Rohde is publishing a 320-page hardcover that explores creativity, innovation, and “life lessons for turning vision into reality.”
I’m here for this. Rohde’s Instagram already feels like a master class. One day, he’s talking about stone-age tools, the next he’s breaking down Nepalese architecture or sharing lessons learned as an Imagineer. He connects culture, history, and design effortlessly.
Despite its title, Floating Mountains isn’t solely focused on his Disney career. Yes, Rohde served as Animal Kingdom’s lead Imagineer and helped bring Pandora’s floating mountains to life. But the book goes beyond the parks:
“These are stories of inspiration and invention, challenge and transgression, success and failure, laced with humor, contemplation, poignancy, and even life-threatening danger. Whether your interest in creativity is personal, professional, or you just want to peek behind the curtain of a renowned creative mind, Rohde’s lessons provide a guide for connecting your creative pursuits with others and the larger world.”
Floating Mountains: The Art of Imagining the Impossible is published by National Geographic and will be available on September 8, 2026. You can pre-order it through Disney Books, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other retailers.
