Jennifer Schwartz is a lead concept designer for Walt Disney Imagineering. She first started working for the company in July 2015 as a creative designer, before taking on the role of senior concept designer in 2018 and then moving into her current position in March 2022. Prior to this, she worked for Falcon’s Treehouse, The Portico Group and NBC Universal, amongst others.
A concept artist with more than a decade of professional experience, Schwartz has worked on projects for Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and Warner Bros., as well as for venues such as zoos and aquariums, and for exhibitions. This includes Toontown at Disneyland Resort, and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway within it; Pixar Pier at Disney’s California Adventure; EPCOT – International Festival of the Arts and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters at Disney’s California Adventure.
Mickey’s Toontown closed in March 2022 ahead of an ambitious reimagining of the land. It will be transformed to offer new experiences, and more play and interactivity. It reopens in early 2023 with the new ride, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Favourite attractions such as Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, Mickey’s House and Minnie’s House will remain, while Gadget’s Go Coaster, Goofy’s House and Donald’s Boat will be reimagined. Among the land’s new additions will be CenTOONial Park, a natural space anchored by two interactive play experiences.
“The newly reimagined Mickey’s Toontown will be a welcoming place where families and younger guests can connect and play together in fun new ways,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney parks, experiences and products, at IAAPA Expo 2021.
“I am beyond humbled to be a part of Imagineering,” Schwartz has previously said. “To be surrounded by some of the most talented people I’ve ever met is both exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. No one person is ever responsible for the entirety of a project, and our Toontown team is no exception. They are rockstars.”