Ralph Neilsen

Ralph Nielsen might be summed up as a themed entertainment Renaissance man. He is known as a creative problem solver; a versatile, all-hands, all-mediums craftsman and artisan, an extraordinary manager and a fiscally responsible team member. He has a solid background in planning, estimating, design, production and production installation with small and large crews. Ralph has hands-on experience in most scenic production trades and encyclopedic knowledge of techniques and materials: plastics, coatings, fire retarding and concrete, practical effects and robotics, and more. He is also an accomplished audio/video and film producer.

For Ralph, it’s all about the team. He is skilled crew motivator, an inspiring people person. “I have a strong sense of teamwork,” said Ralph. “I truly feel that the team will do great things even if I am not there, but without a team I firmly believe I can’t do great things.”

Ralph is an endlessly creative, endlessly curious person who has studied and dabbled in just about everything. His enthusiasm and spirit (and his many published “how-to” articles) are an inspiration to others and have stood him in good stead on a multitude of projects over several decades in themed entertainment.

He said, “I have worked on hundreds of projects and have wonderful memories. I was a wildlife cameraman, a wilderness guide, a sailboat captain, a museum exhibit builder, a builder of practical effects and props for feature films and commercials, a filmmaker, a college film instructor, a sculptor/model & moldmaker/production designer and field art director for major theme parks around the world. I have just begun making video documentaries of ‘Japanese National Treasures’ who are experts in their field of arts, crafts or philosophy.”

He has contributed to many outstanding attractions at Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Tokyo Disney Sea, Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Singapore, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Dollywood and more.