Facilitation · 45-120 minutes for one full cycle; longer if you iterate.

Walt Disney Method

A creativity strategy that separates idea development into three roles used one after another: the Dreamer who imagines, the Realist who works out how to make it happen, and the Critic who tests for weaknesses. Robert Dilts modelled it from Walt Disney's working style; separating the roles keeps early ideas from being killed by premature criticism.

When to use Walt Disney Method

Developing and refining a new idea, product, event or plan, particularly with groups that criticise too early or dream without landing.

How Walt Disney Method works

Ideas are developed through dreaming, reality-checking, and critical refinement.

Phases of Walt Disney Method

  1. Dreamer: Participants brainstorm freely and generate as many ideas as possible without judgment. This phase encourages creative thinking and expands the range of potential solutions.
  2. Realist: Participants focus on practically evaluating the ideas generated, considering resources, feasibility, and implementation. This stage helps to ground the ideas and develop actionable plans.
  3. Critic: Participants identify potential problems, risks, and weaknesses of the proposed ideas and plans. This phase helps refine ideas by anticipating challenges and developing mitigation strategies.

Key principles

  • Separate generating from judging
  • Everyone takes the same role at the same time
  • Criticism targets the plan, not the person
  • Iterate through the roles

Best for

  • Innovation and product workshops
  • Strategy and planning sessions
  • Project kick-offs
  • Teams stuck in critique

Considerations

  • Based on Dilts' interpretation of accounts about Disney, not on documented Disney practice or research on the method's effectiveness.
  • The Critic phase needs clear rules so it improves the plan rather than shutting it down.
  • Some versions add a fourth, outside observer position.

Attribution & sources

Developed by Robert Dilts, 1994

Primary source

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