Disney At Work Podcast

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 Star Wars universe. This podcast peels back much of what has been shared about this experience and projects what guests might encounter as they take on this one-of-a-kind vacation now set to premiere in 2022. That may mean spoilers, so beware. But we'll look at all of it, and then also ask the question, will it be worth it?  You can find photos, videos and more at our post on Disney at Play.

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 felt very welcomed when I first came down Main Street U.S.A. as I entered the Magic Kingdom on Day 1 when it reopened last July. But how do you make it happen every day and in every Guest interaction? That's what we'll address in this Disney at Work podcast. We'll talk about the concept of "assertive" friendliness. We'll showcase different approaches for making people welcomed, and we'll offer you complimentary souvenirs that you can apply back in your own organization. Welcome to this podcast on welcoming others!

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 like the Dream and Fantasy. While the exterior follows the familiar design of the previous two, major changes have been made throughout the ship in where all of its features are going. Plus, a heavy dose of Disney Magic attends to all of it. We'll look not only at the ship from stem to stern, but also discuss when Disney is opening up reservations and discuss the progress of reopening the entire fleet. Check the accompanying post with charts, photos, links and more at Disney at Play.

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 to explore that connection, what it means, and how it applies to you. You can find the accompanying post with videos, photos and additional links here at Disney at Play.

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 look at this happy place. You can find the photos and videos that accompany this podcast at Disney at Play. 

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 is happening at Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros, we're going to explore those concepts of change and how we address them. At the end, we'll offer you some souvenirs for you and your organization as you consider change and how to embrace it. Also, if you like this podcast, we really appreciate you helping out the “littlest podcast that ever could" by visiting iTunes and giving us a positive rating and review. This helps more people find us out there.

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 mandrills, new 360 photos, sand sculptures and of course cupcakes. Every celebration at Disney's Animal Kingdom has cupcakes, and this one has three! You can't have a celebration at Disney's Animal Kingdom without cupcakes. Plus we check out and do a review of two trips made to Nomad Lounge. Lots to talk about this week, from Pandora to the new Festival of the Lion King as it returns next month. Join us!

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 day. It took 16 hours the first day with no luck! Then she started again at midnight and finally got them two hours later. She scored two, two-day tickets at 2 am that morning. 18 hours total! She paid $470 ($235 a piece) for those two sets of two-day tickets, which would have handled the better part of a single annual pass for her a few years ago. Is it worth it? You bet! For that reason, I'm stating 18 reasons to wait 18 hours for reservations to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. It still may be a while bef

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 is missing the opportunity to improve their per caps. You may not run a restaurant--that's not important here. But if you have a business, you may learn some thing about how you could be generating greater revenue than you thought possible--especially in uncertain times like these.

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 underway). Cinderella Castle continues to get layered with a treatment of bunting, spiraling ribbons and baubles of jewels for Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary. We check that out and head right into Fantasyland where touches of gold have also been added to the carousel. Moving on to Storybook Circus we see that Casey Jr. is getting spiffed up, but that's nothing compared to ongoing construction of the new Tron coaster. Additional surprises await as we see the Tomorrowland Peoplemover in motion in hopes (cross your f

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, an update on the new Lighthouse Point, Disney Cruise Line's Newest Island All this and our own insights as to what is happening! Join us!

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 and then turn our attention to what rides and attractions are opening--and not opening when that day arrives. Avenger's Campus has been given an opening date of June 4th, and we'll look at what's coming there when that moment unveils itself. There's a lot going on at Disneyland. So keep your hand and arms inside the boat until we are safely back at the dock.

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 the end of the day at Pandora, to night time additions to the Tree of Life. So check this out as we have so much to catch up on! You can also see the video here.

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 wake. We look at some of the most beautiful pieces of workmanship, some fun and wonderful attractions, and a special look at phenomenal music that no longer fills the air of Disney California Adventure.

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 HarmoniUS, and share why its centerpiece ring is not framed perfectly to the center of the lagoon. We find some hidden flower & garden gems in the pavilions and check out even more food plus some fun Easter eggs celebrating the 55th anniversary of "it's a small world" at Disneyland. Finally, we explore a returned rumor about a new hotel coming to Epcot. Lots to talk about. Join us!

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 south of the parks. This plus a new parking lot. This post and podcast brings you an in-depth look at what is being considered, and what may not be so obvious. But make no mistake. This expansion may be almost as massive as the 2001 addition of Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney and Disney's Grand California. Images and maps can be seen on our DisneyatPlay.com site.

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, when guests are having to make a reservation, wear masks, and stay socially distant? How could you have better customer satisfaction when there are no parades, no character meet ‘n’ greets, when many shows attractions are not available and no fireworks mark the conclusion of a park day? We’ll look at how this is not only possible, but what implications there are in your organization and how you should consider the possibilities of improving customer satisfaction, even under difficult times. Also, if you like this p

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 July 29th to a movie theater near you, and we talk about other rumors happening in Adventureland, namely The Enchanted Tiki Room. The challenge to all of this however, is that very little of it is funny...or even the least bit punny, as we all know the Jungle Cruise to be. If you like this podcast, we really appreciate you helping out the "littlest podcast that ever could by visiting iTunes and giving us a positive rating and review. This helps more people find us out there. And speaking of podcasts, may I recommend

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 the queue work at Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run as well as Mickey's Runaway Railway Train. It's a full day of activity as we exit the park after closing. Check out all the excitement on this complete update.

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 I would keep moving forward; what I still miss while waiting for this to all end; and what I'm grateful for. You can see photos, videos and an outline for this podcast on our site, DisneyatWork.com