‘Fantasmic!’, ‘Festival of the Lion King’ Creator Dead at 84

Another Disney Legend has passed away. This time it was the man who brought Disney Fanatics the Theme Parks’ live spectaculars: revolutionary live entertainment director Ron Logan.

Beginning his time with Disney as a trumpet player in Disneyland and rising to the role of executive vice president, executive producer, for Walt Disney Entertainment, Ron was the man behind all of the Disney Parks shows and spectaculars at The Walt Disney World Resort, the Disneyland Resort in California, Tokyo Disney Resort, and Disneyland Paris. He also handled the live entertainment for The Disney Institute, Disney Business Productions, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Entertainment Productions, and Walt Disney Entertainment Worldwide.

According to D23,

Ron picked up the baton of previous entertainment directors at Disney Parks, and under his leadership the parks’ entertainment offerings became true spectacles. He delighted Disney guests with fireworks, music spectaculars, and Broadway-style stage musicals, all within the gates of Disney Parks. Ron was instrumental in the productions of Fantasmic! (Disneyland, 1992; Disney’s Hollywood Studios, 1998), Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! (Disney’s Hollywood Studios, 1989), Festival of the Lion King (Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, 1998), Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show (Disneyland Paris, 1992), and many more.

Ron also helped establish Walt Disney Theatrical Productions, which began with his pitch for the creation of a Broadway-style show of Beauty and the Beast at Disneyland.

Ron retired in 2001, was named a Disney Legend in 2007, and was given a window on Main Street, U.S.A, in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. It is the Main Street Music Co. with the inscription: “Ron Logan, Leading the Band into a New Century.” Ron was Disney World’s music director from 1978 – 1980.

“[Disney Legend] Marty Sklar did that for me when I retired from Disney,” Ron said. “My grandkids will see it, and it will be there unless somebody breaks it. I’m really proud of that.”

Ron is survived by his wife, Carol, and daughters Sheryl Logan (Michael Stewart) and Michelle Haney, grandsons Zachary, Adam, Cristian, Collin, Daniel, and Jackson, and the show-stopping spectaculars he has placed in each Disney Park.

“It made it all worth it,” Ron said of being named a Disney Legend. “The respect that we get as Legends makes it feel like a knighthood. You feel really proud to wear this pin and to put it along with everything else—it’s the pinnacle of indication that you did okay.”

Related: D23 Announces New Disney Legends

We at Disney Fanatic send our deepest thanks to Ron for all of the magical memories and our deepest condolences to his family.