Disney At Work Podcast

In late August 2019 Bob Chapek, then responsible for Disney Parks & Attractions, stood up in D23 and announced an enormous slate of new attractions coming not only across the globe, but specifically Walt Disney World. At the time our post showcased some 75 new attractions, restaurants, shops, entertainment, hotels and more. We'll go back in time to see what has happened, and what is still yet to happen. The list of previously announced additions not completed is noticeable. But so is the list of what's been completed! You'll be surprised as we go through the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom and throughout the entire Walt Disney World Resort.

It's 1971 and Walt Disney World is set to open. You have thousands of new Cast Members, most of whom have never seen a Disney theme park, and you need to orient them to the park. The only problem is that the park isn't open or ready yet either. So how do you give them that understanding? Enter a series of handbooks put out by the University of Walt Disney World. In a series of handbooks, Cast Members were introduced to the setting in which they would work. There is one for each of the lands of the park, plus the resort. In this podcast, we'll look at Main Street. We'll study the story behind the show, and look at attractions, dining, retail, entertainment and Guest services. If you yearn for the Walt Disney World of yesteryear, or you want to know how different Main Street of the past is from Main Street of today.this is your podcast, as we continue our efforts to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Walt Disney World.

You would think that with the pandemic pretty much behind us that there everything is back to normal here at Walt Disney World. Well...not quite. We spend a fairly busy time between Magic Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios discussing all of the attractions, entertainment stores, and restaurants and in all four parks and beyond. You may be fairly surprised buy what's happening and what has yet to come back. On the road we take a detour on the blue line of the TTA Peoplemover where a new spiel is given as you journey through Tomorrowland. It's a busy podcast with lots to talk about. Come join!

This month the new MagicBand+ was released to guests visiting Walt Disney World. Is it worth it? Anyone who has heard enough of my podcasts probably knows where I'm going to side on this product. Still, it's a good time to take another look at this very popular product so many guests utilize during their stay at Walt Disney World. We'll look at the timeline that brought us to today. We'll then step into the parks to make a purchase, get it linked up to the MyDisneyExperience, and take her for a test drive. From there we'll add up both the plusses and the minuses. There's a lot of talk on the streets about this new product. Is it worth it? Find out as we take a test drive on Disney's New MagicBand+.

This last week there has been considerable press of a park in Pennsylvania that many people didn't know about before it hit the news. Sesame Place brings Sesame Street to life in a theme park setting especially tailored for children. Or at least it should. The controversy this week centered around a walk-around character named Rosita. A family visiting the park and others have claimed the character showed negative attention to a pair of young black girls, who were cousins and guests of the park. All this coincides as I spent time this last week at Sea World where I was actually at Sesame Street Land. Yes...the same company that owns and operates Sesame Place, owns the Sea World parks. And those parks have a Sesame Street component of some kind. In Orlando it's called Sesame Street Land. We'll talk about some interesting parallels between this hot topic of inclusion and a certain orca that cannot be named inside their parks. But this isn't about muppets and whales. It's about values and integrity. And most of

This summer marks the 50th year of the premiere of Disneyland's Main Street Electrical Parade. I saw it that first summer it came out and I've been spellbound ever since. With a timeline, we'll look at the entire history of this parade experience. The Main Street Electrical Parade is a technological pioneer and has created innovations we see in Disney parades today. We'll look at its predecessors and the other nighttime spectacular parades that have travelled the Disney theme parks the world over. From SpectroMagic to FantIllusion; From DreamLights to Light Magic and to the newest parade, Paint the Night. We'll look at all of it and its contribution to the Disney theme park experience. And we'll talk about why it may never come back to the Magic Kingdom. Check out the complete history, videos and links at Disney at Play.

Many Disney fans were stunned last week when Disney's Board of Directors announced CEO Bob Chapek's contract had been extended. While insiders expected this, many are still puzzled as to why when they see prices going up in the parks, quality going down at the movies, and politics whirling everything around in between. I wasn't in "the room where it happened" but we can look at a number of factors that occurred when the board of directors met at Walt Disney World last week. We'll look at events during a critical ten day period and how they supported Bob Chapek's role. We'll consider how Walt Disney World was the stage for making a case in favor of Bob Chapek. We'll look at five very tough questions about Bob's performance, and how they have probably been countered. And finally, we'll look at the number one concern the board had--and it wasn't around politics, box office performance, or even Genie+. Join us in this podcast while we look at the crazy events of June and try to answer why CEO Bob Chapek's contrac

Want to get a glimpse of the Disney Wish? We welcome you to this podcast, perhaps the first to look at The Disney Cruise Line's newest ship. David, Leah and their family had the good fortune of a special complimentary preview sailing across the Atlantic Ocean as the Disney Wish left Germany and headed to Port Canaveral in Florida. While many things were still being readied for the unveiling of this majestic liner, David and Leah share what they were able to experience and how it looks. From what they found is that guests are going to enjoy something unlike any of the other four previous ships. We'll cover what they were able to experience and what passengers can look forward to.

This July marks the 10th anniversary that a 2.0 Disney California Adventure was re-dedicated by Bob Iger. At the expense of some 1.1 billion dollars, this was at the time the most comprehensive park redo ever attempted. Still, in the first year of re-opening, park attendance went up some 23% and it became far more equal in terms of balancing out the number of guests visiting it and its sister park, Disneyland. We will look at the attractions, restaurants and experiences that became extinct as a result of this re-investment, particularly as it relates the Golden Gateway and Sunshine Plaza, Bountiful Family Farm, and Paradise Pier. We’ll look at all that went away, and what ultimately came in its place 10 years ago and later. Check out photos, links and more at Disney at Play Also, check out our Wayfinder Society Patreon group with interactive adventures, exclusive podcasts, and more.

During this 50th anniversary of the Walt Disney Resort, I would be amiss if I didn't pay homage to great attractions that have come and gone from the original park, Magic Kingdom. I celebrate my top 10 favorite and now forgotten attractions that I miss--and include in that number a few that I never had the chance to see. Are there attractions and rides that you miss? Compare your list to mine as we talk about retired attractions at the Magic Kingdom.

Welcome to this Disneyland Paris trip report My wife and I had an incredible opportunity to spend time in London during the Queen's Jubilee, in far away places in England, and in Paris as well. But we also spent several days in Disneyland Paris and I can't wait to share! There were many fantastic moments along the way as well as some wonderful surprises at both the Disneyland Parc and the Walt Disney Studios Paris Parc. Between the two is the dining and shopping experience of Disney Village. I talk about them as well as many of the logistics of our stay, to include two Disneyland Paris Resort hotels, the Santa Fe and the Sequoia. I also get into the weeds of our stay to include trains and planes, getting to and from within the resort, and even handling laundry. It was a fantastic trip and for those of you who have ever wondered about visiting, this podcast for you. I'll even explain how this park has now become one of my favorite parks around the world. It was that good. Join us for this Disneyland Paris Trip

As May comes to a close and summer starts up in June, we're here to update you on all the greatest Disney happenings here and afar. We'll start at the Walt Disney World Resort, where the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has officially opened. We'll update you on the latest with that, and then merge those issues with new Genie+ changes that have come about in the last month. From there we'll head over to the "not so happiest place on Earth" where a number of problematic events have been occurring at Disneyland. Despite new entertainment and character opening this month, there are some real struggles with attractions, and with annual pass holder options. Then let's talk about Disney+ and some unique and strange options that have come through that entertainment option. It's a busy update, so join us in this last podcast before I head out to Disneyland Paris.  

Not a rumor here, or even an attempt at click bait This is simply conjecture. But I believe and give evidence that the best thing Disney could do in the upcoming D23 conference in Anaheim is announce a new 5th theme park for Walt Disney World. We'll share with you why that makes sense--and even seems plausible. Of course, we can't discuss a potential theme park without supposing some lands for such an experience. Such attractions would have to stand on their own without sabatoging its existing parks. What would a 5th theme park at Walt Disney World look like, and how would it be a fix to many problems the resort is facing? This podcast looks at this and more.

In almost two weeks my wife and I will be heading to Europe. For my wife this is her first trip as we see the United Kingdom and France. For me it is a returning trip, but as it relates to visiting Disneyland Paris, it has been some 17 years since I last visited. I'm anticipating this trip and excited to not only take in all that is precious and beautiful about this park, but to be able to see things I haven't had a chance to see before. I'll walk through both the Disneyland Paris park and the Walt Disney Studios park to outline places that are new that I haven't taken in before--even places you may have never heard of. I'll also talk about the resort end of the experience. Plus, I'll discuss things some really wonderful things I may be missing as a part of this experience, because I was too late, or too early (i.e. Avengers Campus).

I was fortunate to experience Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind during previews at Epcot, and so I'm excited to share the entire experience with you. We'll go in depth on the entire layout of this attraction, and without really sharing too many details of the story, what you'll experience as you move throughout. This has an impressive queue, but nothing holds a light when it comes to the ride experience. We'll talk about why this is really a fantastic roller coaster experience. We'll compare it to other attractions not only Epcot but at Walt Disney World and even beyond. Moreover, I'll discuss how it compares to Tron Light Cycles coming to the Magic Kingdom. Having done both, I'm excited to share my insights on what works and what doesn't and why you want to put Guardians of the Galaxy on your next Walt Disney World Epcot visit.

The press event for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind was held this week. As part of that event, announcements were made about World Celebration & Discovery. Want to know what all that construction was about in the center of former Future World at Epcot? Well, despite ambiguous imagery, it appears we've been given a clearer view of what is coming to the heart of this Walt Disney World Resort. park We'll take a look at the details. As such, we'll look at what is the new festival center coming, Communicore, as well as a much more expanded Moana gardens than previously showcased. At least, that's what the drawings show. So let's see what is coming to a big chunk of Epcot and what it will look like. We'll share all the details we've uncovered, and we'll overview what we don't know.

A centerpiece dining experience has been unveiled at Epcot this last week. Connections, located next to Creations (the gift shop), sits in what is ultimately to become World Celebration. This is the former Electric Umbrella, and before the Stargate Restaurant. But now it's much bigger, brighter, and fortunately tastier. It is two sided with one side dedicated to being a counter service restaurant, and the other side being a Starbucks cafe. I've had a chance during the last week to visit on three occasions, to include a shared visit with John Frost, owner of The Disney Blog, and a terrific friend. We connect (it's Connections after all) to look at a number of dishes and to talk all things Epcot. I also had a chance to visit with my daughter and later with my wife, and I share some of the culinary experiences we had to include not only the food, but the Cast, setting and processes. Join us as we review the dining experience at Epcot's Connections Cafe & Eatery.

Resort with his wife and child. What makes this Disneyland trip review interesting is that while Cameron grew up on in the shadows of Walt Disney World, it had been over 20 years since he went to Disneyland for the first and only time. It was only months after Disney California Adventure first opened. He shares his Walt Disney World experience, recalls his first memories of the Disneyland Resort, and then discusses what he loved about the California resort, and how it compares to his home turf at Disneyland. We'll also talk about what's happening in the parks now as new shows and construction are underway. Join us as we experience Disneyland yesterday and today!

In recent days and weeks the Florida state legislature led by Governor Ron DeSantis has sought to end the Reedy Creek Improvement District, an independent governing body that provides regulatory control and support to The Walt Disney World Resort. Currently, the elephant does not seem afraid of the mouse, and it's looking to stomp on it if possible. There are many people chiming in and various reports being filed as to what might happen should it be implemented next June. We bring to the table some questions we think should be asked and what the ramifications might be. We make simple what this is all about, talk about whether it's really going to happen, and more importantly, how it might affect your next visit to Florida. Join us in this podcast as we talk about Walt Disney World's Reedy Creek Improvement District: Questions, Facts & Uncertainty.

Diabetes is a real challenge for millions of people, and yet, how do you make it workable at the happiest places on earth? We are joined by David Zanolla who shares with us the challenges that Diabetics face when they are in the Disney Parks. We look at how he and others have taken that issue and made the experience not only workable, but as a place to enjoy. Where to go, what to eat, and how to monitor your energy level as you embrace a big day at the parks? Will cover that and much, much more. Join us at Disney at Play as we find out how to do Disney as a Diabetic.