Disney At Work Podcast

Disney Parks D23 Presentation has come and gone, and it's left a lot of uncertainty in its wake. Many podcasters and bloggers have already expressed their confusion. In truth, the crowd at D23 largely seemed like they were very pleased with the presentation. And if everything that was even mentioned was created or actually built, it would be fairly amazing. There was nothing presented that wasn't fairly cool. But it's really hard to believe that many of these "blue sky" ideas are ever being built when other projects that were far further along now are missing in action. The majority of presentation made in the Epcot Experience at Odyssey isn't coming or at least isn't mentioned. Still, there were some 50 things announced or given updates as they continue under construction. We'll sort through all this, and try to understand why we received the presentation and exhibition we received. Join us as we go into the unknown with Disney Park D23 Announcements.

Disney's official fan convention, D23 Expo, just concluded at the Anaheim Convention Center. It's where thousands and thousands of fans gather, and we are bringing you down through the expo floor to see it all. In this vlogcast, we'll showcase exhibits Disney has put together from the Disney Archives 100th anniversary to the Mickey One, Walt Disney's own personal plane. We'll look at the vendors and showcases put together from Disney, Pixar, LucasFilm, Avengers and more. If you have always wondered what this experience is like, whether you would want to attend with thousands of others, many in the most amazing cosplay, or if you are just wanting to look back on all the fun you had at this event, then this vlogcast is for you. Join us on the floor at the 2022 D23 Expo. If you want to see the video of this, definitely visit DisneyatPlay.com And to let you know, in a few days we will have a detailed insight and analysis of all of the Disney park announcements made as well as the showcase done by Imagineering. A

Welcome to the Happiest Place on Earth. We bring to you a walk through of Disneyland on the eve of D23. We start from the JW Marriott hotel where I am staying to show the spectacular views of the Disneyland Resort in the distance. We then move into the park to walk through the entire guest experience from Main Street, U.S.A. to Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Galaxy's Edge, Critter Country, New Orleans Square, Adventureland and Frontierland. It's a whirlwind tour designed to orient those who may not have been to the park before and is interested in how it compares to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. This vlogcast comes to you via our podcast and Youtube video on J. Jeff Kober. So join us as take a walk through Disneyland Park.

With D23 just days away many podcasts include ours have all called out the need for a new Tomorrowland--particularly at Disneyland, where it has idled poorly over the years. Since Disney desires new and revised attractions to be linked to intellectual properties they own, we first visit what those options are and their suitability for being in the parks. We also look at the overarching direction of the park--should it move in a manner suitable for animated light hearted fare or for adventure? Then we visit each themed land at both the Magic Kingdom and at Disneyland to discuss how attractions, and other offerings could be fitted out differently. We promise you that new ideas will be shared that haven't been presented elsewhere. So join us as we imagine a new Tomorrowland for Disneyland and Walt Disney World!

We bring you Part III of our series where it’s 1971 and Walt Disney World is set to open. You have thousands of new Cast Members, most of whom have never seen a Disney theme park, and you need to orient them to that experience. The only problem is that the park isn’t open or ready yet either. So how do you give them that understanding? Enter a series of handbooks put out by the University of Walt Disney World. In these printed materials, Cast Members were introduced to the setting in which they would work. There is one for each of the lands of the park, plus the resort. In this podcast, we’ll look at Frontierland. We'll look at what attractions, shops, dining and other features were available at this time. Whether you were a host for the Country Bear Jamboree, serving up drinks at the Mile Long Bar, or steering canoes along the Rivers of America, we'll look at this land as Imagineers and early operators saw them. If you yearn for the Walt Disney World of yesteryear, or you want to know what these two lands we

It's been three years since the last D23 and that means that it's time to really make some major announcements on what's happening in Disney Parks worldwide. While we don't have a lot of inside scoop on what's being announced, we do have some interesting notions. Moreover, we have a wish list that would keep the Blue Fairy busy for the next 5-7 years. We'll visit Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney World and more to discover what may be in the cards for this year's D23 event. Join us for what "I Really Hope" will be a big set of D23 Park Announcements.

Welcome to Part II of our series where it’s 1971 and Walt Disney World is set to open. You have thousands of new Cast Members, most of whom have never seen a Disney theme park, and you need to orient them to the park. The only problem is that the park isn’t open or ready yet either. So how do you give them that understanding? Enter a series of handbooks put out by the University of Walt Disney World. In a series of handbooks, Cast Members were introduced to the setting in which they would work. There is one for each of the lands of the park, plus the resort. In this podcast, we’ll look at Adventureland. Imagine you were going to be a Jungle Cruise skipper, but you know nothing about the Jungle Cruise. Imagine you were waking up Jose at the Tropical Serenade, but you've never seen an audio animatronic. We’ll study this land, and look at attractions, dining, retail, entertainment and Guest services. If you yearn for the Walt Disney World of yesteryear, or you want to know what Adventureland was like back in the

In late August 2019 Bob Chapek, then responsible for Disney Parks & Attractions, stood up in D23 and announced an enormous slate of new attractions coming not only across the globe, but specifically Walt Disney World. At the time our post showcased some 75 new attractions, restaurants, shops, entertainment, hotels and more. We'll go back in time to see what has happened, and what is still yet to happen. The list of previously announced additions not completed is noticeable. But so is the list of what's been completed! You'll be surprised as we go through the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom and throughout the entire Walt Disney World Resort.

It's 1971 and Walt Disney World is set to open. You have thousands of new Cast Members, most of whom have never seen a Disney theme park, and you need to orient them to the park. The only problem is that the park isn't open or ready yet either. So how do you give them that understanding? Enter a series of handbooks put out by the University of Walt Disney World. In a series of handbooks, Cast Members were introduced to the setting in which they would work. There is one for each of the lands of the park, plus the resort. In this podcast, we'll look at Main Street. We'll study the story behind the show, and look at attractions, dining, retail, entertainment and Guest services. If you yearn for the Walt Disney World of yesteryear, or you want to know how different Main Street of the past is from Main Street of today.this is your podcast, as we continue our efforts to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Walt Disney World.

You would think that with the pandemic pretty much behind us that there everything is back to normal here at Walt Disney World. Well...not quite. We spend a fairly busy time between Magic Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios discussing all of the attractions, entertainment stores, and restaurants and in all four parks and beyond. You may be fairly surprised buy what's happening and what has yet to come back. On the road we take a detour on the blue line of the TTA Peoplemover where a new spiel is given as you journey through Tomorrowland. It's a busy podcast with lots to talk about. Come join!

This month the new MagicBand+ was released to guests visiting Walt Disney World. Is it worth it? Anyone who has heard enough of my podcasts probably knows where I'm going to side on this product. Still, it's a good time to take another look at this very popular product so many guests utilize during their stay at Walt Disney World. We'll look at the timeline that brought us to today. We'll then step into the parks to make a purchase, get it linked up to the MyDisneyExperience, and take her for a test drive. From there we'll add up both the plusses and the minuses. There's a lot of talk on the streets about this new product. Is it worth it? Find out as we take a test drive on Disney's New MagicBand+.

This last week there has been considerable press of a park in Pennsylvania that many people didn't know about before it hit the news. Sesame Place brings Sesame Street to life in a theme park setting especially tailored for children. Or at least it should. The controversy this week centered around a walk-around character named Rosita. A family visiting the park and others have claimed the character showed negative attention to a pair of young black girls, who were cousins and guests of the park. All this coincides as I spent time this last week at Sea World where I was actually at Sesame Street Land. Yes...the same company that owns and operates Sesame Place, owns the Sea World parks. And those parks have a Sesame Street component of some kind. In Orlando it's called Sesame Street Land. We'll talk about some interesting parallels between this hot topic of inclusion and a certain orca that cannot be named inside their parks. But this isn't about muppets and whales. It's about values and integrity. And most of

This summer marks the 50th year of the premiere of Disneyland's Main Street Electrical Parade. I saw it that first summer it came out and I've been spellbound ever since. With a timeline, we'll look at the entire history of this parade experience. The Main Street Electrical Parade is a technological pioneer and has created innovations we see in Disney parades today. We'll look at its predecessors and the other nighttime spectacular parades that have travelled the Disney theme parks the world over. From SpectroMagic to FantIllusion; From DreamLights to Light Magic and to the newest parade, Paint the Night. We'll look at all of it and its contribution to the Disney theme park experience. And we'll talk about why it may never come back to the Magic Kingdom. Check out the complete history, videos and links at Disney at Play.

Many Disney fans were stunned last week when Disney's Board of Directors announced CEO Bob Chapek's contract had been extended. While insiders expected this, many are still puzzled as to why when they see prices going up in the parks, quality going down at the movies, and politics whirling everything around in between. I wasn't in "the room where it happened" but we can look at a number of factors that occurred when the board of directors met at Walt Disney World last week. We'll look at events during a critical ten day period and how they supported Bob Chapek's role. We'll consider how Walt Disney World was the stage for making a case in favor of Bob Chapek. We'll look at five very tough questions about Bob's performance, and how they have probably been countered. And finally, we'll look at the number one concern the board had--and it wasn't around politics, box office performance, or even Genie+. Join us in this podcast while we look at the crazy events of June and try to answer why CEO Bob Chapek's contrac

Want to get a glimpse of the Disney Wish? We welcome you to this podcast, perhaps the first to look at The Disney Cruise Line's newest ship. David, Leah and their family had the good fortune of a special complimentary preview sailing across the Atlantic Ocean as the Disney Wish left Germany and headed to Port Canaveral in Florida. While many things were still being readied for the unveiling of this majestic liner, David and Leah share what they were able to experience and how it looks. From what they found is that guests are going to enjoy something unlike any of the other four previous ships. We'll cover what they were able to experience and what passengers can look forward to.

This July marks the 10th anniversary that a 2.0 Disney California Adventure was re-dedicated by Bob Iger. At the expense of some 1.1 billion dollars, this was at the time the most comprehensive park redo ever attempted. Still, in the first year of re-opening, park attendance went up some 23% and it became far more equal in terms of balancing out the number of guests visiting it and its sister park, Disneyland. We will look at the attractions, restaurants and experiences that became extinct as a result of this re-investment, particularly as it relates the Golden Gateway and Sunshine Plaza, Bountiful Family Farm, and Paradise Pier. We’ll look at all that went away, and what ultimately came in its place 10 years ago and later. Check out photos, links and more at Disney at Play Also, check out our Wayfinder Society Patreon group with interactive adventures, exclusive podcasts, and more.

During this 50th anniversary of the Walt Disney Resort, I would be amiss if I didn't pay homage to great attractions that have come and gone from the original park, Magic Kingdom. I celebrate my top 10 favorite and now forgotten attractions that I miss--and include in that number a few that I never had the chance to see. Are there attractions and rides that you miss? Compare your list to mine as we talk about retired attractions at the Magic Kingdom.

Welcome to this Disneyland Paris trip report My wife and I had an incredible opportunity to spend time in London during the Queen's Jubilee, in far away places in England, and in Paris as well. But we also spent several days in Disneyland Paris and I can't wait to share! There were many fantastic moments along the way as well as some wonderful surprises at both the Disneyland Parc and the Walt Disney Studios Paris Parc. Between the two is the dining and shopping experience of Disney Village. I talk about them as well as many of the logistics of our stay, to include two Disneyland Paris Resort hotels, the Santa Fe and the Sequoia. I also get into the weeds of our stay to include trains and planes, getting to and from within the resort, and even handling laundry. It was a fantastic trip and for those of you who have ever wondered about visiting, this podcast for you. I'll even explain how this park has now become one of my favorite parks around the world. It was that good. Join us for this Disneyland Paris Trip

As May comes to a close and summer starts up in June, we're here to update you on all the greatest Disney happenings here and afar. We'll start at the Walt Disney World Resort, where the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has officially opened. We'll update you on the latest with that, and then merge those issues with new Genie+ changes that have come about in the last month. From there we'll head over to the "not so happiest place on Earth" where a number of problematic events have been occurring at Disneyland. Despite new entertainment and character opening this month, there are some real struggles with attractions, and with annual pass holder options. Then let's talk about Disney+ and some unique and strange options that have come through that entertainment option. It's a busy update, so join us in this last podcast before I head out to Disneyland Paris.  

Not a rumor here, or even an attempt at click bait This is simply conjecture. But I believe and give evidence that the best thing Disney could do in the upcoming D23 conference in Anaheim is announce a new 5th theme park for Walt Disney World. We'll share with you why that makes sense--and even seems plausible. Of course, we can't discuss a potential theme park without supposing some lands for such an experience. Such attractions would have to stand on their own without sabatoging its existing parks. What would a 5th theme park at Walt Disney World look like, and how would it be a fix to many problems the resort is facing? This podcast looks at this and more.