Disney At Work Podcast

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 out and consume sugar, but this is a sweet tribute to an important part of Main Street U.S.A. and at no time will we fudge any of it. An accompanying outline, plus photos and videos can be found here at Disney at Play. Also, check out our YouTube site, J. Jeff Kober for more Disney videos. And consider being a member of our Patreon group, The Wayfinder Society. Check it out!

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 Mobile Ordering to Hey Disney, to Turtle Talk with Crush, we'll look at some innovative approaches Disney has taken, and why they succeed. Along the way, we have some messages--souvenirs you can take home--that will allow you to think how you use technology in your own role or organization. Know that our next Disney at Work podcast will look at what I see are challenges with what Disney does not do well. Also...my apologies to those who had sound problems in the first version of this that went out. Talk about Technology

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 restaurant, or it's been a while, then you may want to listen in on our experience during this podcast. Notes, videos and more can be found at Disney at Play.

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 explore current research and efforts underway, as well as brainstorm possibilities for the future.

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 at all. Intrigued? Then this podcast will help you re-think how Disney looks at its audience.

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 Company is headed as it begins its next 100 years. We'll also consider the implications of this message as it relates to your organization. You can read the text of Bob Chapek's letter to Cast Members on our Disney at Work site.

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 4D with the 3D crossed out. While this does contain some spoilers, know that our conversation will help you to appreciate this Disney World attraction like never before.

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 occasion. So join us as we compare Walt Disney World's premiere water parks. You can find additional material at our Disney at Play post, to include a comprehensive comparison of the two water parks.

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 expensive than all of them, a brand new Disney cruise ship will set sail this summer--the first ship in over ten years. Plus all of the attractions returning that were put on hiatus during the pandemic, 2022 will be another major banner year for Disney Parks everywhere. Tune in to this podcast as we explore all this and more! Post shares photos, drawings and an outline of all we share in the podcast on Disney at Play.

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 year--but you didn't know it. We'll take a look at those--including all those that use the word Enchanted! All combined, it is the equivalent of Disney opening up an entirely new theme park. And will talk about how the parks stateside were too often marred by new initiatives that impacted the customer experience. We'll look at all of it--what worked and what didn't. Plus we hold in memorium those things that ended in 2021. Despite the pandemic, it's been a busy year, and there's much to cover. So join us as we review

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 piece to that animation tribute. I want to showcase that film, and use it as a stepping stone to talk about my favorite Disney film classics. Moreover, let's talk about the presence of those same films (or lack thereof) in the Disney parks. As we look over the decades, we see that beyond animation, Disney's film productions are a showcase in and of themselves.

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 that came within two months after the park's opening, and consider what we can learn about decision making in our own individual worlds.

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 Processional and holiday shopping at Die Weihnachts Ecke, Germany's Christmas Corner shop. We look at what's happening with Lightning Lanes at Frozen Ever After, check out the crowds for Harmonious and then do a little holiday shopping at the new Creations gift shop. All this and more as we bring you the sounds of Epcot during this festive time of year. Photos, videos and links can be found on our Disney at Play post.

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 other side of the Walt Disney World resort property. For a recent birthday celebration my wife and I visited Topolino's Terrace, a restaurant I did a review on sometime earlier. This time we were seated against the window where we could enjoy Harmonious from the air. It was a far better experience than before. But no dining experience of late was as impressive as Toledos-Tapas, Steaks and Seafood. Located high atop the tower at Disney's Coronado Springs resort, not only did the setting set itself apart from all other

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 Epcot and Disney Springs. And some of these ideas may be on their way, even if they haven't been announced. Make sure you check out the maps, photos and images that accompany this podcast at Disney at Play.

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 countries in World Showcase. Whether or not you have seen Encanto, join us in this spoiler-free brainstorming of what this attraction might be like.  In addition to the podcast channel you listen to, please visit DisneyatPlay.com and DisneyatWork.com and subscribe to our website. That way you get notices of new posts and podcasts coming out. If you like what we have to offer, please visit iTunes and offer us a favorable rating and even a review. This helps notify others of what we have to offer.  If you like videos

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 we can be. To that end, I'm introducing new set of podcasts on this channel around what I refer to as Performance Journeys. It is taken from a former Magic Kingdom attraction known as The Timekeeper. And it's that attraction that serves as the message for today's podcast as well--defying the impossible & improbable at Disney and beyond. Join us on this Performance Journey.  We thank you for visiting and listening to us. We appreciate your patronage and your friendship. To help make these websites and podcasts poss

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 Disney World Annual Passes have been suspended. There is much to cover, so join us for this Disney at Play podcast.

Just one evening at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World can be full of so many amazing things to see and do. And yet, there are also these moments when one wonders what is happening and why? We go through such an evening as this, and cherish amazing moments like holiday lights on Main Street, U.S.A., the newly revised and gorgeous Mickey's PhilarMagic, and Disney's Enchanted Fireworks. And with all of this, it is off set by some comments made about reducing food portions, unbelievable price hikes on the Christmas party, and a tram system that is still not operational. And then we have what seems to be a very misleading--perhaps deceitful occurrence on Seven Dwarf's Mine Ride as it relates to Genie+ Lightning Lanes. Join us as we share the magic and realities, the bliss and the miss of an evening at Walt Disney World.

In our first cruise since the onset of COVID, we boarded the Disney Fantasy for what was to be a three night getaway. Despite new protocols, this was probably one of our favorite and most memorable of our eight Disney cruises. I share seven highlights from this cruise, almost all of which were new experiences we had not encountered before. From changes to protocol to new entertainment and offerings, our experience on board the Fantasy will make you consider taking a Disney Cruise experience sooner than later.