Big announcements were made to the Disney experience that affects your reservations, your stay and potentially your dining experience. We will walk through these announcements and try to understand what is happening and what is not. We’re also going to try our hand on why all of this is about 2024 and not a day or month sooner. Are there additional changes we like to see that haven’t been announced? And does any of this have to do eventually with Disneyland? Maybe, maybe not. Join us as we discu...
May 08, 2023•38 min•Ep. 441
Some of Walt Disney World’s best restaurant experiences are within her resorts, and the deluxe resorts are the focal point of that kind of dining, epicurean adventure. We visit two such restaurants. First we check out Narcoose’s for dinner with John and Lori Scali at Disney’s Grand Floridian Restaurant. Then my wife and I enjoy an evening at Artist Point for a character meal with Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy and the Wicked Queen, along with friends Mark and Melanie Esty. We look at those restaurant...
May 05, 2023•55 min•Ep. 440
There is so much happening in the Disney parks and resorts across the world, and it's time to catch up. From Walt Disney World to Disneyland, From Paris to Tokyo, there are really cool things happening and we want to share them with you. Even happenings on the Disney Cruise Line as they celebrate their 25th anniversary. And yes...there are some lawsuits as well. We'll take a few moments to catch you up to date, but we really want to share some of the magic going on around the globe. In fact, we ...
May 02, 2023•50 min•Ep. 439
The response to Tron Lightcycle/Run in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World has been phenomenal. Guests love the thrill experience, and comparisons are made constantly between it and the new Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rerun. But there's more than just the ride at the center of this attraction. We look at new food & beverage concoctions made available at Energy Bytes. We visit the newly renovated Tomorrowland Launch Depot and check out an amazing array of retail experiences. And finally...
Apr 28, 2023•39 min•Ep. 438
It's hard to believe that Disney's Animal Kingdom is 25 years old! And with it come so many memories of a park that is truly distinct among all other Disney theme parks worldwide. Join me on on this 25th birthday celebrating not only the park but Earth day. I visit each of the lands of the park and share some unique memories not only of my own experiences here professionally and with my family, but also stories from Cast Members who have shaped the the park and have played roles big and small. I...
Apr 25, 2023•42 min•Ep. 437
Since D23 last summer there have been many rumors about if and what kinds of expansion plans are in the works for Magic Kingdom. At that time WDW Imagineering Portfolio head Chris Beatty and Walt Disney Animation head Jennifer Lee joined Josh D'Amaro on some blue sky dreaming of what might happen in the Magic Kingdom. Since then a big change came with a new CEO to Disney. With that came even more rumors. This last week or so two YouTube bloggers have given their insights to these rumors. This in...
Apr 21, 2023•41 min•Ep. 436
In this special Disney Insights podcast, we review what was shared Monday, April 17th in a News Conference Governor Ron DeSantis held at The Reedy Creek Improvement District Headquarters in Lake Buena Vista. Many sound bites were shared during this conference, but we take a look at the details of the conference and how the governor is firing back at Disney. And we'll look at the implications to you and your organization. Throughout this, ask yourself if you feel that a government institution has...
Apr 18, 2023•28 min•Ep. 435
This week we bring back to you an interview we did with Tom Morris back in 2019. This segment showcases not only Tom's work with Disneyland Paris, but that of his colleagues during that time. It's a perfect piece to return to as we continue our Disneyland Paris series on each of the themed lands of this park. While references occur to Disney at Work and Disney at Play, we do bring to you many of the things noted in the podcast on this Disney Insights page. So join us as we talk Disneyland Paris ...
Apr 14, 2023•26 min•Ep. 434
My friend Brian went to Disney's Typhoon Lagoon only to find it was closed for capacity during Easter weekend. What happened? By sharing a chronology of nine different water park experiences here in Orlando, we'll offer you context on what is occurring in the very competitive water park arena here in Central Florida. We'll also examine certain red flags that are on the horizon not just for water parks but for attendance in general here in Orlando and elsewhere. Is Typhoon Lagoon closed for capac...
Apr 11, 2023•39 min•Ep. 433
It may be Paris, but somehow Disney has managed to bring the jungle to the City of Love. In this podcast we bring you Disneyland Paris's Adventureland. This land begins with the streets of Agrabbah, only Disney's Aladdin wasn't even a hit film until after the attraction was designed, constructed and opened. While adjoining Frontierland has no Tom Sawyer Island, this land offers an Adventure Isle of its own for play and discovery. This Adventureland also was the first of a Disney Magic Kingdom-st...
Apr 07, 2023•35 min•Ep. 432
On April 3rd, The Walt Disney Company held its 2023 Shareholder Meeting. This meeting included recorded and live portions, to include a question and answer session. We look at the highlights of that presentation and what it means for Disney moving forward. Difficult issues were put forward and more than just responding to them, Bob Iger as CEO set a tone for the shareholder meeting in a way that was positive, non-defensive and hopeful. And, there was a big message about the future investment of ...
Apr 04, 2023•36 min•Ep. 431
There are many things happening across Disney these last few days and possibly bigger events in the days to come, so before things move on it's time to acknowledge the news about what is happening in this year's International Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot in Walt Disney World. It's been happening for a couple of weeks now, but we wanted to do a more thorough review and offer insights for visiting, especially since it's happening through the end of June. Meanwhile, visuals were shared on ...
Mar 31, 2023•48 min•Ep. 430
After what has perhaps been the longest wait for an announced restaurant, Roundup Rodeo Barbecue has finally opened in Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. What is this restaurant all about and is it worth dining at? We look at the setting, the food and the service. And at the end we compare it to other barbecue offerings around Walt Disney World and even beyond. We even compare it to what I believe is the worst restaurant experience I've had at Walt Disney World to...
Mar 28, 2023•53 min•Ep. 429
Welcome to what is the first podcast under our new title, Disney Insights. Since there are so many new listeners, I decided that I wanted to bring my most popular podcast back for this, our first Disney Insights podcast. It will reference both Disney at Play and Disney at Work, but that's okay because Disney Insights builds on the previous podcasts and posts we have done over the years. This particular podcast celebrates Sinbad's Storybook Voyage, a remarkable gem few people know about unless th...
Mar 24, 2023•29 min•Ep. 428
Last week as part of the press event for Tron, details-sparsely given-were provided on Epcot Celebration and construction at the heart of Epcot that never seems to end. Given an important image made public a few years ago, we seek to explain why this section of Epcot is going to become what it is. It also will help us to understand why the uniquely designed Festival Pavilion never got built and why we ended up with Harmonious--a show that is speculated to be worth over $100 million dollars and w...
Mar 21, 2023•39 min•Ep. 427
Howdy! Welcome as we continue our series on Disneyland Paris with a left turn into Frontierland. The French love the American West and Disney delivered a version that is truly over the top. Here you get favorites like Big Thunder Mountain, but you also get Disney's version of the Haunted Mansion, known as Phantom Manor. The Rivers of the American West offers an impressive experience. And this is the only Frontierland that has not just one but two formal dining experiences. The attention to detai...
Mar 18, 2023•27 min•Ep. 426
This past week Disney Legend Rolly Crump passed away after having a unique career helping to build such memorable attractions as The Enchanted Tiki Room and "it's a small world". One of his first assignments was remodeling the Adventureland Bazaar. We share that story and its messages around trust. And then we head to two separate Emporiums across the globe--one at Walt Disney World and the other at Disneyland Paris. This ties into our last podcast where we toured part of Main Street, U.S.A. at ...
Mar 15, 2023•32 min•Ep. 425
We begin a multi-part series that looks at the amazing details around Disneyland Paris. Today we begin at Fantasia Gardens and the Disneyland Hotel in the front of the park. We then step down the left side of Main Street U.S.A., which seems on the surface very similar to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. But we'll look at details you'll never see in Florida as we peel back the layers to this fantastic land designed by Disney Imagineer Eddie Sotto. Not only will we go through shops and restaura...
Mar 10, 2023•37 min•Ep. 424
Journey Into Imagination has been one of the most visited, mentioned, and missed Epcot attractions since it opened 40 years ago this week. We look at what this entire corner of the park was really all about and specifically what the attraction Journey Into Imagination really was. Because the original attraction was significantly gutted and changed back in 1999, many guests simply don't know what the ride is about other than this purple dragon called Figment. Taking segments from two previous pod...
Mar 07, 2023•44 min•Ep. 423
Taking photos and making memories through them are such a big part of the Disney experience, no matter which Disney resort you may visit. And yet we've never really taken the time to discuss how to best capture the magic through photos. So today I have the privilege of Ryan Crane joining us to share his insights on just that. If you are like me, you're always looking for that ideal way of capturing that perfect moment. We'll talk about things you should and shouldn't do, and how the simplest ste...
Mar 03, 2023•41 min•Ep. 422
Yesterday, Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law legislation that puts the State of Florida in charge of a reconstituted body known The Reedy Creek Improvement District. Positioned at a firehouse down the way from Disney Springs, the governor put into law this legislation. It occurs on the same day his new book came out, The Courage to Be Free, Florida's Blueprint for America's Revival. Now called the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, it still functions like a county government and tak...
Feb 28, 2023•40 min•Ep. 421
Let's walk around the World! It may be the annual Walt Disney World Princess Marathon this weekend but don't worry if you've missed it! Don't even worry if you don't run! In one day you can do a thirty mile walking marathon that covers not only all four Disney Parks: Magic Kingdom, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios--but Walt Disney World Resorts and Disney Springs. My friend Rick Williams has walked through Walt Disney World many times, but this time he spends over tw...
Feb 24, 2023•46 min•Ep. 420
We have entered into a new portal of Disney magic and we want to invite you to learn all about it. Join me, my daughter Jennica and my son-in-law Jason as we share with you our first impressions of experiencing TRON for the first time here at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. We'll look at the queue, the ride and the challenges of embracing this new high octane thrill ride that goes up to 60 miles an hour. I'll also discuss how this attraction compares to its sister portal in Shanghai Disn...
Feb 20, 2023•50 min•Ep. 419
Last week we spoke of the first quarter earnings and the strategies Bob Iger has put in place for revitalizing The Walt Disney Company. One of those opportunities is to build capacity in the parks. To that end he announced the addition of an Avatar experience at Disneyland, with the intent that it would not only create greater capacity thus allowing more guests to visit, but would draw more interest in attending the parks. In this podcast we look at that strategy and how that could play out not ...
Feb 14, 2023•42 min•Ep. 418
In the 1st Quarter earnings report for 2023 Bob Iger shared the status of the Walt Disney Company and made a startling announcement: An Avatar experience is coming to Disneyland! We will look at how this could happen and what it could mean? Where could you put this? There is a way! We'll also look at other announcements made in this event and what it means to those who love to visit Disney Parks and watch their share of all things Disney in theaters and on Disney+. Exciting news is buffered by t...
Feb 09, 2023•32 min•Ep. 417
In previous podcasts I've shared not only my love of all things Disney but a largely wonderful experience I had being a part of the Walt Disney World Company. For me, working at Disney was the best thing that ever happened to my career. But leaving Disney was the second best thing I ever did in my career. This is that story of how I left and how I eventually learned the business of consulting and created Performance Journeys. It's also a tale of my companion business, World Class Benchmarking, a...
Feb 07, 2023•40 min•Ep. 416
I've spent several decades having a date night with my wife once a week. Every year we share with all of you the latest and greatest at each of the annual Epcot Festivals. Rather than just go through the motions of sharing the latest and greatest differences in the most recent festival, I thought I would talk about how to make a date night really special for you and the one closest to you. Much of this can be applied to many of the festivals, but we'll focus this podcast on Epcot's annual Festiv...
Feb 05, 2023•27 min•Ep. 415
In previous episodes we spoke of my life long love of Disney and how it eventually led me to an opportunity to work with The Walt Disney Company, first as a consultant, and then as a leader with Disney University Professional Development Programs, a group that later became part of, and then took over The Disney Institute. In a previous podcast I spoke of that merger, and how I was also responsible for bringing new training & development solutions to what was an antiquated classroom style pro...
Jan 31, 2023•38 min•Ep. 414
With Disneyland's kickoff of the 100 years of Wonder celebration this weekend, we have the opportunity to pause for just a moment to see if events that have unfolded over a century's worth of time aren't happening again in some form or another. We'll look at three such issues, which focuses on competition, Cast Member buy-in and wolves on Wall Street. We'll also look at how Disney needs to grasp its heritage and learn from it. Otherwise, it will spend the next 100 years simply repeating it. Ther...
Jan 27, 2023•43 min•Ep. 413
In a recent podcast I overviewed the first three decades of my love of all things Disney and how it eventually led me to a full-time salaried position as a leader providing professional development programs to Fortune 100 companies and others at The Disney Institute. In this next two-part experience I'll canvas that experience and what it was like to wear a name tag and represent The Walt Disney World company. I'll share the joys of the experience as I worked in nearly every corner of the proper...
Jan 24, 2023•41 min•Ep. 412
