Summary：**Beloved Disney Legend Don Iwerks Passes Away at 96, Leaving Lasting Legacy** *Iwerks, son of Walt

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**Beloved Disney Legend Don Iwerks Passes Away at 96, Leaving Lasting Legacy**
*Iwerks, son of Walt’s creative partner Ub Iwerks, worked on attractions like 'Captain EO,' Star Tours and America the Beautiful*

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### Introduction
The Walt Disney Company announced today that Don Iwerks, a pioneering Imagineer and the son of animation legend Ub Iwerks, died peacefully at the age of 96. His passing marks the end of an era for Disney’s creative community, where his inventive spirit helped shape some of the most beloved theme‑park experiences of the late 20th century.

### Key Developments
Don Iwerks began his Disney career in the early 1960s, apprenticing under his father before stepping into his own role as an Imagineer. Over four decades, he contributed to a diverse portfolio of attractions that blended storytelling with cutting‑edge technology. Among his signature works were the 3‑D musical spectacle *Captain EO*, starring Michael Jackson, which debuted at Disneyland in 1986 and later traveled to Tokyo and Paris; the groundbreaking motion‑simulator ride *Star Tours*, which brought the Star Wars galaxy to life in 1987; and the patriotic film *America the Beautiful*, a staple of the Disneyland and Walt Disney World theaters for more than three decades. Colleagues recall his habit of sketching ride concepts on napkins during lunch breaks, a practice that often sparked the initial ideas for attractions that would later become fan favorites.

### Industry Analysis
Iwerks’ career exemplifies the transition from