Disney At Work Podcast

Over the last 24 hours informal news came over social media that many of the performers for the great entertainment and shows at Walt Disney World had been let go. Many took to Facebook and elsewhere to let fans know of their being laid off, and of the bittersweet pain they were feeling, disappointed by the announcement while reflecting on years of being able to perform in what could be considered one of the world's greatest entertainment complexes. We look at the realities of this, what the union had to say, and three major factors that have probably led to this that many may not know. We will also go throughout the entire resort, and identify each entertainment offering and what we know at this time. Be sure to check out our accompanying notes page at DisneyatPlay.com

We visit Disney's Hollywood Studios for a Tour and Update. On our tour we check out the ABC Commissary, Star Tours, and Star Wars Galaxy's Edge with its merchandise and character meet 'n' greets. We take check out the Ronto Wrap at Docking Bay 7, how it compares to the version at Ronto Roasters. We visit Toy Story Land at twilight and the new barbecue restaurant under construction there. After visiting Sunset Boulevard, we look at at the actual wait for Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway. We end our evening at Echo Lake. Be sure to check out our companion YouTube video as well as our notes page on DisneyatPlay.com

It's Halloween, but any time of the year is a great time to celebrate the infamous Haunted Mansion. We are fortunate to have Jason Surrell, Disney Imagineer and author of The Haunted Mansion: Imagineering a Disney Classic. We take the time to talk about those Imagineering pioneers who made the mansion a possibility, from Marc Davis, Claude Coates and Rolly Crump, to Ken Anderson, X Attencio, and the original Imagineer, Walt Disney. We'll talk about what makes this attraction so amazing, and share our favorite moments as well as insights. Join as we celebrateThe Haunted Mansion.  

After stalling for months, The State of California has finally created new conditions for theme parks, to include Disneyland to reopen. Those criteria if played out, will probably mean that Disneyland will not reopen this year, possibly not for many more months to come. We look at these new requirements and conditions. We identify their implications and look at how the State of California may have erroneously come to this conclusion. We'll talk about how Disneyland and others have responded to this news, and what its implications might even be for the Walt Disney World Resort. Be sure to check out our notes page as well for diagrams and other links connected with this podcast.

It's a jungle out there, and we look to not only explore it but to relish it, as the weather is really great, and it's a great time to relax and enjoy. We canvas the entire park, checking out the crowds, what's open and closed, and what the total experience is like. Plus we highlight eight wonderful little nooks to sit back and enjoy the park by. And did we mention Flame Tree Barbecue, and perhaps the greatest cupcake ever created at Walt Disney World? All this and more awaits you in our park update. So gather your gear and join us on the trail. We offer a post, podcast and YouTube Video.

Disneyland is in the middle of a scrimmage trying to play a political football game. The dictionary describes scrimmage as confused struggle or fight. That's what's at play here. We look at events since the beginning of the pandemic. We especially focus on news this week involving secret inspections by the state of California to Florida parks, Senator Warren demanding responses from Disney executives, and even a staged demonstration being planned in protest of Disneyland's closing. The happiest place on earth is certainly the messiest place on earth. We'll try to sort it all out. Make sure you also check out our notes page at DisneyatPlay.com

Jim Korkis is our guest as he shares how Disney and Halloween have come together over the decades. We cover all things haunted, from the Tower of Terror to the Haunted Mansion. We talk about the advent of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Parties, and some of the best Disney villains, shorts and scary moments in the movies. Did you know that The Headless Horseman almost had an attraction when Magic Kingdom opened in 1971? Did you know that there are three different versions of the Halloween tree on the Disney Cruise Line? We'll share all this and more!

We visit the Magic Kingdom and bring it to you live via both video and podcast. We check out everything that is happening to include new nighttime hours at Magic Kingdom, where we get our first glimpse of the 50th Anniversary castle at night. From there we take on every land in the kingdom, and look at new construction, halloween additions, and crowd flow. We capture some key pieces of the magic that always wow the guests, but may not be working because of the challenges management is facing with maintenance. All this and more as we bring you the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World live. Be sure to check out our notes page at DisneyatPlay.com for photos of not only Saturday but Thursday. And our video on YouTube takes you through all of this visually. Check it out and make sure you are subscribing to all of this for more updates!

There has already been much said about the layoffs that occurred this past week at Disney. We were the first podcast to carry that news. Now we want to take the time to give greater introspection and thought about what was happened. This post and podcast is dedicated to two different audiences: 1. Those who are facing the real struggle of being laid off 2. Managers who are having to make similar choices about laying off others We are going to cover not the specifics of who got laid off where, but what lessons and messages all of this is sending. Our topics will include Hiring, Disney Style Terminating Disney Style The Role of Unions The Role of Leaders Handling Layoffs in Bad Economic Times We'll also talk about takeaways for not only managers, but what those who are laid off can do as next steps in putting their lives back together again. Join us for this special Disney at Work podcast, where we deal with one of the most difficult challenges of this pandemic.

The answer is "yes", but far less than you think. And there are many factors involved in that answer. In this podcast and post we go into great detail to explore the challenges. Join us as we consider factors that are playing against Disney's ability to increase capacity. We look at Disney's Hollywood Studios in depth to understand what those challenges look like. From retail to food & beverage; from entertainment to character meet 'n' greets; from attractions to shows, we look at what Disney is doing, and what challenges it faces increasing capacity.

Lots of things going on at Epcot in what is one of the largest park renovations for any Disney park. From new construction to new colors to new restrooms to new Food & Wine Festival selections we cover it all in this very busy update. We'll look at the new Living Seas segments on the new Disney+ docuseries. We'll talk about the potential opening dates of HarmoniUS, Space 220 and Ratatouille. All this and so much more on this Epcot Update for October 5th, 2020. Be sure to check out our notes page with photos, videos and links at Disney at Play.

We bring David Zanolla’s sons back as they take over the podcast and share their favorite attractions, food & more at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The photo above shows them playing Sabacc with Cast Members and Chewie. They talk about this wonderful experience in the podcast. You can also listen to their Magic Kingdom podcast and their Epcot podcast.

We bring breaking news that Disney Parks Chairman Josh D'Amaro has announced the layoff of some 28,000 domestic Disney Cast Members. This is in response to not just the pandemic that is COVID-19, but also to the failure of California Governor Newsom to provide guidelines and lift restrictions for the Disneyland park in Anaheim, California to open. We study the official statement, and then answer a number of questions related to not only the layoffs but why Disneyland has not re-opened.   

Since 1965 The Walt Disney Company has utilized four keys in their parks for delivering a superior customer experience. We've introduced the first three keys in previous posts and podcasts: Safety (49); Courtesy (59) and Show (66). This podcast focuses on the fourth key, Efficiency, and looks at its role in the operation. From ride systems to FastPasses, from park opening times to mobile ordering, efficiency has been an enormous part of the guest experience at Disney. We look at its far reaching implications, to include how Efficiency has played a role in this pandemic with opening the park during this difficult time. We also announce Disney's newest key which was showcased last week to Disney Cast Members: Inclusion. Look for this podcast soon in upcoming shows.

A big part of visiting a Disney theme park is the anticipation that goes with it. In my youth, once you arrived at Disneyland, the anticipation was fed in the form of poster art that would adorn the monorail berms and as you went underneath the train tracks toward Main Street, U.S.A. These weren't just inspiration. These were intended for many years to sell you on the idea of buying additional tickets to go on the rides. So they met a very real business need in the same way a promotional poster as you entered a movie theater got you excited about the next flick coming to town. We look at my top 10 favorite pieces of Disney poster art. Be sure to check out Disney at Play where we illustrate these pieces and offer so much more.

One of the most timeless classics at the Disney parks is Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room. It is one of the only attractions within the parks that carry's Walt's name. And yet, as venerable as this attraction is, it offers many insights into change management. One might not think of change. and the Tiki Room in the same sentence. But alas, there is quite a lot in terms of change to learn. We look not only at those changes, but what we can learn about the phases of change, and how they relate to your own organization. Change happens everywhere and that includes your workplace. Understanding that change helps us to better embrace the future, even if the Enchanted Tiki Room seems like the most unfuturistic attraction of all.

In this very busy Disney News on Parade we cover the following: Disney executives urge Governor Newsome to provide guidelines so theme parks can reopen. Disney Water Parks Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach to remain closed in 2020. Only one will reopen in Spring 2021. Hong Kong Disneyland announces its reopening on September 25th. Tokyo Disneyland will open its biggest expansion on September 28th. Follow us on DisneyatPlay.com where we have notes, photos, videos and links.

One of the most beloved keepsakes of any Disney visit are the park guide books or guide maps. These navigational and instructional tools have been showing guests where to go since the early days of Disneyland. Though they have evolved over the years, they have been a touchpoint for experiencing the Disney magic. But are they in jeopardy of being replaced eventually by the My Disney Experience app? This post and podcast looks at signs of expiration for the legacy of Disney guidebooks, guide maps old and current, and what the future may hold. Be sure to check out our accompanying post with photos and links at Disney at Work.

Almost every Disney fan can name an attraction in the parks that they wish they had a chance to experience but never did. It may be Horizons or Adventure Through Inner Space or even something as recent as The Great Movie Ride. I've had the great blessing on experiencing a great number of attractions over the years, but there are a few that I've missed. I've dedicated this podcast to sharing the top 7 attractions I wish I could go back and experience. Some you may have never heard about (think Horned King from The Black Cauldron). Check out our notes page on Disney at Play where we include photos, links and videos of these beloved attractions. Also, share with us on Facebook rides and attractions you wish you could have seen before they went away.

Fall is upon us and at the Magic Kingdom, that usually means a big salute to Halloween. In the absence of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, we cover what Disney has tried to do to make the holiday succeed during this pandemic. We look at decorations, character cavalcades, food, and merchandise. We also pay homage to those missing pieces this year. All this and more on this Disney at Play post & podcast. Make sure you check out our photos, videos and links on Disney at Play.