Are you ready to return to Disneyland? After observing the first week of Disneyland's reopening, we offer ten smart tips for how to manage your next visit to Disneyland. These insights will help you to not only navigate your stay at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, but will offer you thoughts on when you may want to pull the lever and head to Anaheim. These same principles are also important ones to remember as well if visiting Walt Disney World or any other Disney theme park in the m...
May 10, 2021•31 min•Ep. 261
Starting from the Ticket and Transportation Center we share news about all things happening at the parks, especially here at the Magic Kingdom. To dropping fever checks to new paint and final touches, the Magic Kingdom is preparing for its 50th anniversary. We hear from the Dapper Dans and check out Mickey in his character cavalcade in front of Cinderella Castle, where all the finishing touches have been placed. We check out the new mobile ordering at Aloha Isle, Friar Tucks and Sleepy Hollow, p...
May 07, 2021•42 min•Ep. 260
News came out on May the 4th be with you regarding the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser that will give people a chance to live out their Star Wars stories. Only this isn't story telling, according to Disney. It's Story Living. Here you’ll be plunged into a Star Wars story where your decisions and actions – or even the casual conversations you may have – determine how your personal journey unfolds. Theoretically, this experience will be so immersive that you will feel like you are living in the Sta...
May 05, 2021•40 min•Ep. 259
Welcome to this Disney at Work podcast. Walt's opening words when he dedicated Disneyland was: "To all who come to this happy place...Welcome!" Welcoming guests is a hallmark of the total Disney experience. One of the four Disney keys is Courtesy. A critical customer service behavior expected of all Disney Cast Members is that they greet, welcome, and thank all guests. I saw much of that when guests first pored into Disneyland last week as the gates finally reopened after a long hiatus. I myself...
May 03, 2021•23 min•Ep. 258
Disney Cruise Line made major announcements regarding the Wish, to include when reservations are open. We will look at signature features of this new ship, the first of the Triton class of three ships to be built. We'll look at the top deck with all of its pools and water features. We will check out all the hangouts for kids. We'll overview entertainment and look at the different staterooms being offered. And finally, we'll check out the cuisine being offered. This is not just a remodeled ship l...
Apr 30, 2021•53 min•Ep. 257
Let's take a ride on the PeopleMover. This week the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover reopens. Disney fans rejoiced as they waited in what appeared to be long lines to experience the PeopleMover. This is an attraction embraced by so many. Why? What is the appeal of the PeopleMover? We look at the attraction at re-opening, experience the attraction first-hand, and then seek to understand why the PeopleMover matters. There is an emotional connection many have to this attraction. We want t...
Apr 28, 2021•13 min•Ep. 256
With the re-opening of Disneyland, it's a great time to remember what makes this flagship park so special. In this post and podcast, we look at the artistry & magic of Disneyland's Fantasyland. From art to sculpture to landscaping to characters themselves, we journey to find amazing characters and craftsmanship. Along the way we find what truly makes this the most magical of all the lands of Disneyland. Through narrative, photos and video, we invite you to take a stroll with us as we take a ...
Apr 26, 2021•50 min•Ep. 255
Welcome to this Disney at Work post and podcast. It's about the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros, but it's also about change in its different forms. We look at this nearly 40 year old attraction to learn how change occurs and how to best address that change. I've called this the Gran Fiasco Tour Starring the Three Cambios. There are three places where the dynamics of change or cambios can occur: Unexpected Change Continuous Improvement and Change Anticipated Change Looking at what ...
Apr 23, 2021•35 min•Ep. 254
It's Earth Day this week at Disney's Animal Kingdom. While that may not make any more sense than year long anniversaries at Disney that run 18 months, the good news is that there is time to check out all things conservation if you're near Walt Disney World. If not, then this video and/or podcast is perfect for you, as we explore a number of things associated with the messages of Earth Day to include a newly updated book for Disney, efforts to bring a love of nature to children's hospitals, baby ...
Apr 21, 2021•40 min•Ep. 253
April 15th was the day that every Californian could book reservations for Disneyland. But being from Florida, I had no option in joining half the state of California in booking reservations for Disneyland. Still, I knew my great friend Taleia, who has joined me in previous podcasts on what we love most about Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, would be working hard to get a reservation. I text her on the 15th to see how it was going. No response. A day later I get a text from her at mid ...
Apr 18, 2021•34 min•Ep. 252
This week I've been in three of the Walt Disney World parks and noticed that opportunities for purchasing food & beverage were limited due not so much to COVID, but simply poor decision making on the part of management. In the wake of this, when Disney needs to make all of the money it can to get through this once-in-a-generation moment, we have instead money being left on the table by guests who frankly are ready to spend in the parks. In this Disney at Work podcast we look at 7 ways Disney...
Apr 16, 2021•36 min•Ep. 251
It's a beautiful day here at Walt Disney World as we start the morning here in the Magic Kingdom. So much to check out in this podcast and video. We start in the parking lot looking at ongoing transportation issues (could Epcot monorails be returning?) and then on to entering the park using the new facial recognition system. In Town Square we check out changes that have been made to the fire house after Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom has come to an end (and yes, a new interactive experience is u...
Apr 14, 2021•45 min•Ep. 250
There are so many things happening around the world that are affecting Disney Parks. Look at all we have to cover: Epcot--New offerings coming this summer Magic Kingdom--Several changes and initiatives Disneyland announces character appearances when they open News on Tokyo Disney's newest hotel and on its new Fantasyland Theater Shanghai Disneyland celebrates its 5th anniversary Big news and constant changes coming from the Disney Cruise Line A major milestone with the new Disney Wish Finally, a...
Apr 12, 2021•34 min•Ep. 249
There's a favorite spiel that for many years has been heard on the Jungle Cruise towards the end: "Now for the most dangerous part of our journey, the return to civilization". That's what lies ahead for Disneyland as it reopens. From the Governor's office to Avengers Campus we share all of the crazy details that may result in Disneyland being back to normal in only a few more months. We look at the details involved in reopening Disneyland on April 30th. We'll look at a host of reservation issues...
Apr 09, 2021•36 min•Ep. 248
Finally! We are long overdue for an update at Disney's Animal Kingdom and this one is packed with lots to talk about! NOTE however, that this was shot a couple of weeks ago and while references to the new Disney MagicMobile Pass, the release of Raya and the Last Dragon and to food items like St. Patrick's Day Food may seem dated, the context, stories and insights given are relevant. There is so much to this podcast from visiting the new goat farm on Kilimanjaro Safaris to end of day queuing at t...
Apr 06, 2021•44 min•Ep. 247
In celebrating Disney California Adventure's 20th Anniversary, we thought we would pay homage to what I think are 5 great things about the park that were there on opening day, but are no longer had among us. Disney California Adventure did not start off well. Some attractions, like Soarin', were fantastic when it opened and they are still around. Still other things that added to the experience and even to the park's soul is no longer here. We explore five of those things and what came in their w...
Apr 02, 2021•41 min•Ep. 246
We head over to Epcot to check out all that's new to the park in the last few weeks. We take advantage of trying out some food & beverage specialties that are part of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. We showcase three things you may not have seen or were aware of in China. We embark on Spike's Pollen-Nation Exploration for 2021 and are surprised by the gift dishes at the end of the journey. We examine new additions made to the World Showcase Lagoon in preparation for Har...
Mar 29, 2021•21 min•Ep. 245
Despite a major pandemic, and the fact that the Disneyland Resort has not been open for over a year, Disney officials made a major announcement that could rock the entire Disneyland resort, taking it to another entirely new level. This includes massive expansions in terms of lands, rides and attractions to Disneyland and Disney California in spaces that extend away from Disneyland. It also includes a complete resort, shopping and dining experience occupying what was the Toy Story parking lots so...
Mar 26, 2021•43 min•Ep. 244
We welcome you to this Disney at Work podcast where we share best in business ideas from the Happiest Places on Earth. Disney CEO Bob Chapek, in a recent Bloomberg interview, shared the following: “Our guest satisfaction scores since we have re-opened across the world have shown that indeed, our guests are more satisfied than they were even before the pandemic.” Is this so? Is Disney’s customer satisfaction better than prior to the pandemic? How could it be when COVID has slowed everything down,...
Mar 24, 2021•29 min•Ep. 243
Growing up, the best part of the newspaper was the comics or the "funnies" section. In today's podcast, we'll look at Disney's recent headlines on The Jungle Cruise. Changes they have announced place Alberta Falls, granddaughter of Dr. Albert Falls as the story focal point in new changes coming to this legendary attraction. We look at the origin story for Dr. Albert Falls and the waterfall's original name. We discuss how this contrasts with the film Jungle Cruise apparently docking this year on ...
Mar 20, 2021•49 min•Ep. 242
We bring you to Disney's Hollywood Studios for an update on all the magic happening at this Walt Disney World park. We walk down Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards to check out the happenings going on there. Pixar's Character Cavalcade comes by and we head over to the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Show Theater to check out the new relaxation station. Passing by crowds lined up for Toy Story Mania and Slinky Dog, we take in ribs over at Docking Bay 7 at Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. We then look at what makes...
Mar 16, 2021•52 min•Ep. 241
This week marks the time when Disney announced the closure of both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Other international parks had already closed, but this announcement cemented the national emergency that was within U.S. borders. While the Walt Disney World parks did re-open in July, there is still so much guests still miss, while at the same time so much we've learned. I cover the key milestones over the last year. I cover the top three of what I will not miss about this pandemic period; what ...
Mar 11, 2021•32 min•Ep. 240
At the start of a terrible pandemic one year ago, Bob Chapek was surprisingly placed in the difficult position of being Disney's new CEO. The year that followed has been a horrific period for businesses across the globe. Today The Walt Disney Company held their annual shareholders meeting for 2021. We look at what was announced in that meeting, as well as reflect on the events of the last year. We make a case that Bob Chapek has done some heavy lifting in keeping this company not only alive, but...
Mar 10, 2021•45 min•Ep. 239
The State of California noted on Friday new guidelines for theme parks and stadiums that could conceivably offer a window for Disneyland to reopen as early as April 1st. We look at what has come down from the state, how Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock has responded, and offer insights and thoughts around when this might actually happen as well as the implications.
Mar 06, 2021•22 min•Ep. 238
We visit Epcot on a beautiful Spring day as we see blossoms and topiaries in full bloom during this year's flower & garden festival. It begins at the entrance of the park, where new flag stanchions, and a beautiful new score welcomes guests as they first enter the park. We check out flower & garden favorites such as the butterfly corner in Future World and the container gardens in Italy. We talk not only about what is unique during the festival, but what things you can see all year aroun...
Mar 06, 2021•42 min•Ep. 237
We spend an evening visiting the Magic Kingdom to check out the crowds, construction, and the latest happenings at the park. During our time we take you on a spin at the Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland. We head over to the Country Bear Jamboree in Frontierland and the Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square. We then take a look at what's happening at "it's a small world" and Mickey's PhilarMagic. We check out construction at Cinderella Castle as it takes on the next phase of preparations for Walt Disney...
Mar 01, 2021•31 min•Ep. 236
More guests are deciding to return to the parks even though restrictions and restraints due to COVID-19 are still in play. With little expectation that such restrictions will change much over the remainder of the year, guests planning a visit in the months to come must make important choices as to how they dine. This is always a big part of the Disney theme park experience, but its relevance is even greater during this pandemic. Just which restaurants are your better choices during this period. ...
Feb 26, 2021•43 min•Ep. 235
On a very windy and rainy day we head out to Epcot to check on a number of activities going on. Before entering the park, we take a look at the new colorful Leave a Legacy display that has been added to the front entrance to the park. Inside we talk about new announcements made for Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary, to include a new light aesthetic being planned for Spaceship Earth. We check out construction on Guardians of the Galaxy, MouseGear, Ratatouille and the new gelato location in Ita...
Feb 22, 2021•31 min•Ep. 234
Bettina Crzeskowiak is no ordinary Disney Cast Member. Her story of seeking out an opportunity to work at Epcot in Germany is just a sampling of her tenacity. She also was part of the original team when the Disney Wonder launched. But her own life story beyond that is what really makes Bettina truly magical, as she fought poverty, abuse and other challenges only to rise to become a leader in helping homeless people in the shadows of Walt Disney World. This is her story, and how she came to creat...
Feb 19, 2021•54 min•Ep. 233
Some of the greatest gems in Disney's theme parks are not so easily seen or known. A term given to these treasures is "sleeper" attractions. We talk about what this term means, share an example from Epcot's Cranium Command, and then set sail across the globe to see examples of great "sleeper" attractions in Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disney, and Tokyo Disney Resort. You may have never heard about these attractions before, but once you become familiar with them, you may neve...
Feb 17, 2021•41 min•Ep. 232
