I think Joe Rohde is incredible. I just wish he wasn't in charge. I think he's gone "all in" on ambience, and I don't think that is what Disney customers really want. Disney theme park customers want good, themed, innovative rides. It's why people come. Magic Kingdom is the most popular park not because people like to look at the architecture of Pinocchio Brahaus, but because they want to go on Peter Pan. The theming of the exterior of Haunted House is great, but the ride is better. NFL has almost no ambiance, but people jam it up for Mine Train and Little Mermaid and Dumbo.
And then we come to Joe Rohde projects. Animal Kingdom is gorgeous. One of the most beautiful theme parks anywhere. But it's a massive attendance laggard because it had, for years, 3 interesting rides and whatever you want to call Khali River Rapids and the kiddie carnival. Now you can add 2(?) more, but again, the money in Pandora was spent making the beautiful scenery, while the rides got cut from 3 to 2, then to 1.5, then to 1.5 with a single animatronic.
I love Joe Rohde. He does beautiful work. Let him design hotels and restaurants and give him a no break budget for expansions for the ambience. But for the love of all that is special and holy about Disney Parks, let someone else have the majority of the budget to design killer rides. It's really why people are paying the money.
And for those that point out Everest, I agree he did excellent work. It's a beautiful ride and was truly awesome when the Yeti worked. I'm not willing to blame the broken Yeti on Rohde, but I am willing to say that it was a very specific project. Add a rollercoaster to AK. Again, it goes along the lines of Rohde not being in charge. Give him a specific goal, a specific unbreakable budget, and tell him what needs to happen and the work is great. Allow him to roam free and you get Disney videos about Imagineers trekking across Nepal, parks without attractions, beautiful buildings like those along the Asian trail, and parks with limited attendance.