Disney At Work Podcast

Seasons Greetings! There's so much to love about the holidays at the Disneyland Resort! So much that we have two podcasts, one by day and one by night. In this episode we see the garland of Main Street U.S.A. to holiday overlays at The Haunted Mansion and "it's a small world". At Disney California Adventure we check out several lands and see Mickey's Happy Holidays. Did I mention a one-man parade led by Deadpool?! From the Disneyland Resort Hotels to Downtown Disney; From San Fransokyo to New Orleans Square; we bring you daytime holiday magic at Disneyland. ________________________________________________________ My new book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!  Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You. Also, for those examining = other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.

Welcome to a corner of the Happiest Place on Earth where we take a look at a big set of changes to come to Disneyland. Tiana's Bayou Adventure opened recently and with it a new land, Bayou Country, which replaces the old Critter Country. We see all of Tiana's from front to back, from queue to ride--and it's a wet one! We also check out Louis' Critter Club and Ray's Beret's--new retail locations at Bayou Country--plus another Tiana themed retail location most people never pass by. We then stop to check out the newly refurbished and retitled Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree! Plenty to see, so join us as we head down the Bayou at Disneyland! ________________________________________________________ My new book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!  Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You. Also, for those examining = other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out L

Back from Disneyland and we have so much to share! First, we'll talk about announcements that are happening here at Walt Disney World. Then as our main feature, we'll canvas changes to the Haunted Mansion, from Magnolia Gardens to the new extended queue system, to the new store at the exit of the attraction, Madame Leota's Somewhere From Beyond. In the process we'll see there's a lot of really great stuff happening--and some real misses as well. Join us as we look at new bookends being made to one of the most venerable attractions to be found at The Happiest Place on Earth. ________________________________________________________ My new book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!  Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You. Also, for those examining = other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-

It's Thanksgiving week and I wanted to share my thanks on this 501st podcast to all of you my listeners with a special podcast and an opportunity that focuses on Mystic Manor in Hong Kong Disneyland. But we preface all this with new announcements made in the parks including the location of Monster's Inc. at Disney's Hollywood Studios and what will happen to the Muppets. It's a busy podcast for sure, made bigger by my offering to you that I will announce at the end of this podcast. So Join us For Mystic Manor Insights & New Disney Announcements. ________________________________________________________ My new book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!  Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You. Also, for those examining = other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence. ________

We have arrived at this milestone of having delivered 500 podcasts! As I have canvased these many podcasts since 2017, I have found an entire history of Disney milestones mixed with life itself. We will walk through many of those moments, share the emotion of those experiences and see how it has brought us to the present. More than an opportunity to reflect, it's really a celebration of how so much has happened in these last number of years. I also want to make some announcements of what lies ahead, as there is much to look forward to. So join us as we commemorate our 500th podcast! ________________________________________________________ My new book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!  Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You. Also, for those examining = other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand In

We have more insights to what's coming to Walt Disney World as we share news that came out of D23 in Brazil. No it wasn't a new World Showcase pavilion, but it along with other insights help us understand what lays ahead for this resort. Then we turn our attention toward the holiday season as we go around the four parks at Walt Disney World to share what's happening in the weeks ahead, to include a look at Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas Parade, plus hotels, parties, lights and more. So join us on this 499th Disney Insights podcast as we share D23 park announcements as well as what's new and beloved at Walt Disney World this Christmas season. ________________________________________________________ My new book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!  Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You. Also, for those examining = other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check

After speaking up about lack of transparency on what the new Frontierland additions would be coming to Walt Disney World, I've settled down emotionally, and decided to give insight to what I think this land is all about. After all, this is Disney Insights. There is a lot of cool stuff here, but it's a different Frontierland, and we need to define it. It is about Cars, but not as in the original movie, as some have supposed. It's really coming more from very different animated source. We talk about this, as well a fascinating ride system technology that we need to give insight to. That second attraction? That takes us to a choice that could set a series of dominoes to fall throughout several parks across the globe. We look at all this and more, while still offering some hesitations to what is going on, as I think there is a chance to suggest a compromise to adding this attraction without losing the river and island. Yes! I do have a better idea. So let's look at Cars Off Road Rally in Frontierland at Magic Kin

Announcements were made last week that better clarify the beginning of the end for Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World. It is time to give some retrospective to this love it or hate it land. We offer memories of what I love so much about Dinoland. And we'll also share some things I definitely won't miss after its departure. Join us for 7 Things to miss at Dinoland U.S.A. ________________________________________________________ My new book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!  Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You. Also, for those examining = other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence. ________________________________________________________ More Disney Insights can be found below! Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe. Disne

This podcast which features the joy of being near Walt Disney World and so many wonderful aspects of life in Florida gives context today to the recent hurricanes, their impact on the community, and how individuals come together in their wake.  Stay tuned! More podcasts to come shortly in the next day or so! ________________________________________________ My new book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!  Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You. Also, for those examining = other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence. ________________________________________________________ More Disney Insights can be found below! Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe. DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming

Forgive me for not being out of the gate on the International Food & Wine event at Epcot this year. Honestly, I chose to take my time sampling from the menu rather than indulging all on one weekend. I also have tired of just doing food reviews for that alone. But I wanted to give some context to this year's review, and not simply do a quick food review--though there is still plenty of that for those wanting it. We look at how this lines up with the festival ten years ago, as well as last year's and a few others in between. What are the hits and what are the terrible misses? From food to entertainment to facilities, we look at all this and even whether coming to the Epcot festival today is better than attending ten years ago. You may be surprised at the answers, so join us for Epcot International Food & Wine: a 2014-2024 Comparative View. ________________________________________________ My new book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!

So I'm late with this podcast. I'd like to blame Hurricane Helene, but in truth it really just brought things to a standstill, without even really touching the greater Orlando area. But it did give me a chance to cuddle up to my new favorite book Dream Chasing: My Four Decades of Success and Failure with Walt Disney Imagineering by Bob Weis and foreword by Bob Iger. This is an amazing book, and I wanted to draw from it and a few other resources to share the experience of bringing Tokyo Disney to life. People talk about how amazing the Tokyo Disney Resort is. But for all of the resorts world-wide, it has some of the least shared stories. This podcast imparts some of those stories from Bob's eyes, as a newly hired Imagineer brought to create this park from the ground up to the creation of Tokyo DisneySea years later. Join us as we go Dream Chasing in Tokyo Disney: Insights from Imagineer Bob Weis. ________________________________________________ My new book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-

By 1970, Disneyland was not just a unique theme park business, but a well running piece of machinery. But now they had to replicate that kind of thinking to a larger stage as they opened up Walt Disney World. To better prepare for that, they had to educate everyone on how Disneyland worked. To that end, Van France, who originally created along with Dick Nunis the Disney University, wrote Art and Management of the Theme Show. This document, written originally in 1970 and then updated three years later, provides us a snippet in how the organization was ran during that time--a time that included no Big Thunder or Space Mountain, no Mickey's Toontown, no Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, no Indiana Jones Adventure, no adjoining Disney California Adventure, and not even hotels. It was just Disneyland with a parking lot in front. Still, we cover the fascinating insights that are gleaned from this document, as a way of understanding the organizational approach Disney used to create "The Happiest Place on Earth". Join us on o

Perhaps no set of theme park experiences has been more beloved and yet more controversial than SeaWorld, which commemorates its 60th anniversary this year. Visited by millions of people, we look at what has resonated with so many over the decades. We also look at how the disputed care of its orcas has in many ways led to greater understanding of these mammals and even protections. We talk about each of these parks, their offerings and how they have evolved. I also share my memories of visiting these parks for some five decades. There is so much that has been charming, and yet many things that separates the park from what really makes it succeed. Join us as we look back on 60 years of SeaWorld, and even consider the future of these parks ________________________________________________ My new book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!  Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leade

I had the great opportunity to meet up with David Zanolla of Zanolla Travel to chat about his recent visit to Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. This Disney Cruise destination offers a new stop for guests looking for a catered Disney experience. We'll discuss the beaches, activities, entertainment as well as the food & beverage. We'll also take time to talk about a lot of new announcements by Disney Cruise Line to include four new ships, another new ship in collaboration with Oriental Land Company, the Disney Treasure coming out this year, the Disney Destiny now announced for November 20th of 2025, and the Disney Adventure mega ship, which sails out of Singapore also somewhere in 2025. And then there is the announcement in D23 of four new additional ships. Lots to talk about in this Disney Insights podcast as we set sail with the Disney Cruise Line. ________________________________________________ My new book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is avai

A long-time favorite event at Walt Disney World is the annual Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Many of you have been at one time or another. Some of you have never been. While I've been many times, I've never actually done a recording since starting this podcast. So we have lots to talk about! We'll discuss the parade, the castle show, the fireworks, other entertainment, food, beverage, character meet 'n' greets and especially, the Headless Horseman. Moreover, I'll talk about this experience as I shared the entire evening 1:1 with my grown Autistic son. So lots of craziness and magic lies ahead. Join us as we talk all things about Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party on this our 490th Podcast. __________________________________________________ My new book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!  Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You. Also, for those exam

In my last podcast I noted an incredible array of projects that were announced at this year's D23 event. These projects which included a Cars set of attractions at Magic Kingdom that were presented before a paid audience were all encompassing, and were impressive examples of what Imagineering can potentially do. I then expressed frustration at the end of my podcast at how two days later, a graphic was shown illustrating where the Cars attractions was really going. After the podcast I wondered why I was so personally irritated at this news. Yes, I really don't think that you need to remove the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer's Island to add these projects. But that wasn't the real source of my frustration. In hindsight I really felt that Josh D'Amaro, who I had great respect--even admiration--had really played games with Disney fans. I felt it was in a subtle way a betrayal of trust, and that such a move on Disney's part was really something Disney should not do. This podcast seeks to explain why Disney strug

With a full orchestra, and a grand and colorful stage, the arena was set for announcements at this year's D23 presentation and spectacle. We're here to share that information and give insight to these new announcements that share what's happening in Disney Parks, Resorts and Cruise Line globally. Josh D' Amaro led this event, noting from the start that "nothing was blue sky" and that everything shared was in development. The theme was Horizons and the opening number underscored not only the legendary Epcot attraction, but what was ahead for The Walt Disney Company. And then, as an afterthought, a huge, unbelievable announcement was made Post D23 changing the entire Frontierland experience. Join us for very big Park announcements and Disney Insights from D23. ________________________________________________________ Performance Journeys This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business id

This upcoming week is D23 and there is heightened expectation around what we'll be shared by the Disney Experiences group led by Josh D' Amaro. Called Horizons a D23 Disney Experience Showcase, Disney fans are in great anticipation of what will be announced. We go across the globe to all Disney Resorts as well as the Disney Cruise Line. We discuss what details we think will, could and should be presented at D23. Note: Since recording this, permits were being pulled for Reflections, a DVC resort being located on Bay Lake adjacent to Fort Wilderness. We will discuss more in the next podcast. ________________________________________________________ Performance Journeys This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level. Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories,

Most of the listeners on this podcast were probably not born much less visited the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. Yet perhaps no project outside the Disney Parks has had more influence on the Disney Parks themselves than the New York World's Fair. So many attractions that we know and love like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Spaceship Earth, and the Peoplemover have their roots in the four exhibits done by the creativity and imagination of Walt Disney and his team of Imagineers for the fair. After considering how Disney captured the interests of those seeking to build a pavilion at the fair, we look at four projects themselves: General Electric's Progressland, Ford Magic Skyway; Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln; and "it's a small world". We'll share little known stories and we'll see all of these ended up in some form or another at Disneyland and subsequently Walt Disney World. And we consider today how almost every attraction built by Disney such as Star Wars Galaxy's Edge has roots in the New York

It's the middle of summer and it's time for a big update on what's going on with the parks. We take on three of them, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom. We check out what's new in all three of these parks. We take a look at some things that really seem cool, and yet some things are very much out of order. From The Land to Pixar Plaza to Rafiki's Planet Watch, we've got lots to cover. And we examine some really great details that speak to the quality of the Disney theme park experience such as German cuckoo clocks, Moroccan tiled fountains and musicians in Harmabe playing the Kora Tinga Tinga. Join us for this big parks update and insights at Walt Disney World. __________________________________________________ My new book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!  Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You. Also, for those examining = othe