In our last Disney at Play podcast we spoke of Pleasure Island and it's offerings. We talked about the clubs, the food & beverage, retail and other entertainment. And we spoke about how it came to be and how it competed against Orlando's Church Street Station. In this podcast we look at how well the concept was accepted, and how initially the nighttime venue failed to deliver. We talk about how Michael Eisner's own Funmeister turned the club around, and created what was a fairly successful v...
Apr 12, 2022•26 min•Ep. 351
We return to our multi-part series on the heritage of Disney Springs at Walt Disney World. In this podcast we look at the advent of Pleasure Island. Here we look at its history since opening in 1989 adjacent to the Walt Disney World Village. Running next to the Empress Lilly this attraction took on the role of competing against Church Street Station in downtown Orlando. We look at the attractions, restaurants and shops that were part of this experience, and we bring you personal memories of the ...
Apr 05, 2022•42 min•Ep. 350
When Walt Disney recalls the making of his first park, Disneyland, he spoke of days when he sat on a bench eating peanuts. There's a reason they call it a park. This podcast explores the joy of just that. When at Walt Disney World there's nothing like grabbing a favorite snack and enjoying a park bench. We explore those options from Magic Kingdom to Disney's Animal Kingdom, from churros to cupcakes. Consider these choices as you explore a more leisurely approach to enjoying a day at the Vacation...
Apr 01, 2022•38 min•Ep. 349
In our previous podcast, Part I, we chronicled two years of a pandemic that was highlighted by Covid, the Black Lives Movement, and the Presidential Certification by Congress. Titled similarly, this podcast is Part II, but is now called the hastening fall of Bob Chapek, not the long fall. We now move into the last three months of 2023, which in some ways has been nearly as turbulent as the preceding two years. Decisions in years past to support Republican members of the Florida Legislature have ...
Mar 28, 2022•53 min•Ep. 348
Two years ago this month Walt Disney World and Disneyland closed its gates. As events were unfolding world-wide Bob Chapek was named the CEO of The Walt Disney Company, replacing Bob Iger. While some highlights stand out, it has been a painful experience for most involved during this time period. Much of this has been played out not just during a time of Covid, but during a time frame that stretches from awareness that Black Lives Matter to the present "Don't Say Gay" legislation happening. In t...
Mar 25, 2022•53 min•Ep. 347
I announced in a post/podcast in December six missing Disney resort hotel options. One of them was announced this week. Disney Vacation Club will build additional villas at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. We look at the announcement and then discuss the pros and cons of this addition, as well as the general response. This addition means that we're saying goodbye to the luau, which has practically been here since opening day. We'll look at its history and heritage. We also had the opportunity...
Mar 19, 2022•41 min•Ep. 346
It's Spring at Epcot and that means the International Flower & Garden Festival is well underway. We'll bring you our three favorite gardens, topiaries and culinary kiosks. But then there's much more as we look at whether you get the bang for your buck with Genie+. Is this park worth it? What about getting an exclusive Lightning Lane option for Ratatouille? Can you do this? Or is there another way to get in without the long wait? We then move beyond Genie+ to discuss what's come back to Epcot...
Mar 15, 2022•33 min•Ep. 345
It's now been a few weeks since guests to include publicists, podcasters and bloggers have experienced Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser. What was excitement originally turned 180 degrees just months before the premiere of this new cruise-style experience. Reviewing the reports of at least ten who have visited, we take a look at everything from the arrival to visiting Batuu; from the cabins to the culinary choices. Is this something you would want to do, and are you willing pay what seems to be a v...
Mar 12, 2022•52 min•Ep. 344
It's been a while since we dedicated an update to Disney's Animal Kingdom. From the parking lot to Maharajah Jungle Trek, we catch up on this vast and entertaining park. Included is a conversation about whether Fox's Ice Age would ever be a right fit for the park. We talk about what's still missing from the park, and what's not. Have you heard about the 50th anniversary Gold Coins? We visit Mombassa gift shop in Africa to check it out. And we explore some of the park's simplest pleasures as I ge...
Mar 01, 2022•31 min•Ep. 343
In an earlier podcast , we spoke about some of the great things happening technology wise at Disney, even as it relates to IT. We'll look at real challenges Disney is facing and how they have consistently struggled with making improvements, adopting innovation, or working across the board instead of in silos. We'll consider how organizations like Disney are re-looking at whether they should have a dedicated IT department at all. And we'll explore options for Disney to get this right moving forwa...
Feb 23, 2022•41 min•Ep. 342
This week Disney announces a new business segment to their Disney Signature Experience. Called Storyliving by Disney, and it is a set of planned communities with a Disney-designed aesthetic and customer service experience. Bloggers and others are referring to it in the same way Epcot was initially thought conceived by Walt himself, which it is not--nor does Disney draw that comparison. It is also being compared to Celebration and Golden Oak, which does have some shared similarities. In truth the...
Feb 17, 2022•32 min•Ep. 341
January and February were always weeks where Epcot seemed especially dead. But Epcot's International Festival of the Arts has not only helped fill the park, it's become a classic of its own. From the rainbow colored lights of Spaceship Earth to the sights and sounds of Disney on Broadway at the American Gardens Theatre, we explore what's new and what's returned to this annual event. We talk about progress on projects around Epcot to include the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy coaster. We also d...
Feb 15, 2022•41 min•Ep. 340
The Main Street Confectionary has always been a part of the Main Street USA experience in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. But it hasn't always been the same over the years. We begin 50 years ago with the original history of the store, compare it to other Magic Kingdom style parks, show how it has grown over the years, and how the new store just recently opened is remarkably different than the last previous store. We promise that at no time Smellitzers will be used to make you want to go ...
Feb 09, 2022•42 min•Ep. 339
Story and technology go a long way back with Disney. Since the advent of sound and Mickey Mouse, Walt understood that technology could not only advance the story being told, but give the organization a competitive advantage in the marketplace. From multi-plane cameras to audio animatronics to streaming on Disney+, Disney has had any number of feats--and hundreds of patents! But what really sets Disney off is not High Tech, but High Touch, and we're going to explore what that looks like. From Mob...
Feb 02, 2022•35 min•Ep. 338
Recently during a celebration of my daughter's birthday we had a chance to visit Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. There is much that is really great from this restaurant, and for those who have never seen it before, it is a wow experience to walk into. We get first hand from my daughter her take of the experience, which was her first time there, and then I go through a systematic dining review of the entire experience. If you are considering dining at this restauran...
Jan 30, 2022•48 min•Ep. 337
The title may sound sensational. But in truth, Disney's investment in the Metaverse may be equivalent to building an entirely new theme park. CEO Bob Chapek has spoken about this being potentially a part of Disney+ but encompassing all aspects of Disney, especially in the parks. We'll explore in this podcast what the meta verse is and how the heritage of Disney has led to this moment in time. We'll take a look at how both artificial reality and virtual reality might play out for Disney. We'll ex...
Jan 25, 2022•35 min•Ep. 336
With increasing costs happening at Disney Parks, guests are wondering if they are being "priced out of the market". In truth, is Disney more about making money than ever before? We look at a number of assumptions that guide Disney's financial choices, many of which target their audience focus. We look at ways in which Disney is targeting audiences in a different way, and whether you may be part of that audience. We'll also overview a new price tier for those who can't afford to visit the parks a...
Jan 20, 2022•39 min•Ep. 335
This last week Bob Chapek, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, penned a letter to all Disney Cast Members. Here he shares his vision of where the company is going while it's seeking to move forward past this pandemic. To that end, he outlines three pillars for moving forward, one on storytelling, one on innovation, and one focused on the customer. We dissect his remarks and consider what implications lie between the lines. Join us for this Disney at Work podcast, as we consider where The Walt Disney...
Jan 12, 2022•41 min•Ep. 334
Just yesterday an unexpected opportunity allowed me to visit Jim Henson's Muppet Vision 3D at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. After over three decades, guests still are delighted with this show, and laugh frequently at its memorable one-liners. We take the opportunity to deconstruct the film portion of this experience to understand how so many elements were combined to make this immersive experience. In the process it was often referred to in marketing materials as Muppet Vision...
Jan 08, 2022•36 min•Ep. 333
This week Disney's Typhoon Lagoon re-opens for the first time in nearly two years in the wake of a pandemic. In commemoration of this event, I've asked my daughters Jennica and Madison to share with me their thoughts about how both parks compare. We itemize via our comparison sheet what each park has, and how they both compare. Both offer something very unique. If you're planning your next trip, and you're wanting a vacation from your vacation at Walt Disney World, both are well suited for the o...
Jan 04, 2022•29 min•Ep. 332
In our last podcast, we noted all of the attractions--over 60--that premiered in 2021. But what about 2022? This year stands to be as amazing as 2021. Not necessarily for the number of attractions and offerings, but for the size of investment. In addition to major rides and attractions, at least three parks (and maybe more) across the globe will be receiving all new lands, complete with rides, attractions, entertainment, food, beverage, shopping and more. Two new hotels also premiere, and more e...
Dec 31, 2021•40 min•Ep. 331
Hopes at the start of 2021 was that it would erase the disaster, not prolong the pandemic craziness that was 2020. In truth, there was actually a lot of good that occurred in Disney theme parks world-wide, from Disneyland Paris to Shanghai Disneyland, not to mention the stateside parks of Disneyland and Walt Disney World. It may surprise you that there were not only some 60 different new Disney resort offerings across the globe, but that some of the best shows and attractions ever premiered this...
Dec 28, 2021•38 min•Ep. 330
What's your favorite Disney movie? Most people generally concur up thoughts of animated film classics from Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs to The Lion King to Tangled & Moana. These and more are found in Wonderful World of Animation, a projection show mapped out on the Chinese Theater at Disney's Hollywood Studios. But that show has a companion piece, and recently Disney Movie Magic returned to Disney's Hollywood Studios. This projection show under the stars after sunset is a companion pie...
Dec 24, 2021•46 min•Ep. 329
We all know how Roy O. Disney's leadership in the wake of Walt Disney's passing in 1966 ultimately led to the creation of Walt Disney World 50 years ago on October 1st, 1971. But there were two little-known, but important decisions that were made by Roy in the wake of the Florida opening, just weeks later. They would create great consequences for the organization moving forward over the years to come. On this, the 50th anniversary of Roy O. Disney's passing, we will look at those two decisions t...
Dec 20, 2021•43 min•Ep. 328
From inside Epcot at Walt Disney World we bring this joyous season to you in the form of Festival of the Holidays. From holiday music tied to Beacons of Light on Spaceship Earth, to the organic evolution of the lights at Living with the Land we find Christmas throughout the front of the park. Moving to World Showcase we check out festival goodies, and look at a number of shops and entertainment that are happening for the first time since the advent of COVID. We check out the Candlelight Processi...
Dec 13, 2021•35 min•Ep. 327
In this podcast we offer not one, not two but three restaurant reviews. Opening on October 1st of this year was Steakhouse 71 at Disney's Contemporary Resort. Formerly known as The Wave, this restaurant may well be one of the best ways you can celebrate Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary celebration. It is a traditional Seventies' style restaurant, with plenty of memorabilia cherishing the creation and first decade of the Vacation Kingdom of the World. Then we have a second experience on the o...
Dec 09, 2021•35 min•Ep. 326
Where would you like to see the next Walt Disney World Resort hotel? What would you be willing to pay for that isn't there already. There is room enough to do some additional resort experiences that guests would go crazy for. We offer six of those opportunities, which are for all intent and purposes exciting and yet practical. Three ideas would take advantage of the current Walt Disney World monorail system. Three ideas would take advantage of a new Skyliner system that would connect between Epc...
Dec 06, 2021•34 min•Ep. 325
In the wake of the opening of Disney's Encanto, we propose that the next major World Showcase attraction be based on Encanto's Casita de Madrigal? Why? Because guests long for film-based attractions that open worlds of fantasy and suspense. And this casa does it in ways no other has done before. We look at Encanto, why World Showcase needs a property like this, and what an attraction like this would look like. We'll also look at other intellectual properties that could become attractions or even...
Nov 28, 2021•29 min•Ep. 324
Recently I had an epiphany about my podcasts and what I wanted to offer. I provide plenty on all matters regarding the magic and fun of Disney. They are at the heart of Disney at Play. I also offer unique podcasts that focus on best-in-business ideas from Disney that can be applied back to your organization. It's called Disney at Work. But I felt I wanted to provide those who listen to this podcast something even more unique. Something more inspiring that can be a catalyst for becoming the best ...
Nov 24, 2021•18 min•Ep. 323
In the wake of an announcement filled D23 weekend we have much to share with you from across the globe. We take you to Paris and Asia, and then to Disneyland and Walt Disney World where we bring a large number of announcements and updates. We also bring news of what's happening with the Disney Cruise Line and with the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company in 2023. Our update covers not just what was announced but what wasn't announced. Which brings us to new news that almost all Walt Disn...
Nov 22, 2021•48 min•Ep. 322
