Disney At Work Podcast

We hit the trail at Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World to see the park both during the day and night. Beginning and ending at the Christmas Tree in the front of the park, it's a chance to check out all of the holiday decorations found in Discovery Island, DinoLand, Asia, Africa, and Pandora: The World of Avatar. We not only check out the decorations but holiday foods currently offered and other happenings at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Check out our ideas for the best menu ideas at Sat'uli Canteen, the re-opening of the Harambe Market, anteater happenings and so much more. And be sure to check out our post at DisneyatPlay.com for additional photos, videos and links.

Join author Jim Korkis and I as we visit the Magic Kingdom and talk about some of the extinct Magic Kingdom attractions you can't find any more. We talk about major attractions such as Flight to the Moon, the Diamond Horseshoe, and RCA's Space Mountain exhibit. But we also talk about lesser known attractions such as Sword in the Stone Ceremony, Safari Club, West Center Street and the Flower Market. We end with a discussion of our favorite Magic Kingdom parades. It's all part of "Secret Stories of Extinct Walt Disney World: The World that Disappeared". For a link to this book and other photos and videos, visit us at DisneyatPlay.com.

With an U.S. election in arrears, President-elect Joe Biden appears to be heading not just toward the White House, but the Hall of Presidents at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. We offer two very different takes on changing the Hall of Presidents. We take a quick look at the history of this attraction, consider the challenges that came as a result of President Trump's addition, and then consider two possible approaches for moving forward differently on this attraction. Already the Washington Post and others have weighed in on what happens next with this attraction. While this is by no means intended to be a partisan piece in any form, it's still important that we be honest about what makes sense for this attraction as it moves forward, especially into Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary. 

A full slate of Christmas decorations are now throughout the entire Magic Kingdom. We go through the park to not only check out the holiday look, but to see what else is going on. From continued work on the exterior canopy of Tron, to attractions and offerings that are still not operating; the new "Now" feature on Disney Dining reservations that allow you to see what is available dining wise in the moment; the emptying of the Rivers of America; the arrival of Jingle Cruise and so much more! Be sure to check out our video on YouTube and also our post at DisneyatPlay.com.

The CDC allowed the ban on cruise ship suspensions to expire, but has identified standards in order to resume cruising. Most of the cruise ship industry announced a day or so later that they would not be cruising until after the first of the year. Then Disney announced that it would not provide any cruises in 2020. We look at this news, as well as explore what will a Disney cruise experience look like when it reopens. We'll explore new port embarkation procedures, possible dining changes, modifications that will be needed in kids clubs, changes to entertainment, what off shore excursions might look like as well as a visit to Castaway Cay. Will you want to be among the first to head on Disney's first cruises in 2021? What do you miss most about not being on a Disney cruise. Be sure to visit our web page at DisneyatPlay.com 

We offer a big look at what's going on at Epcot as we visit Halloween day, 2020. We check out changes to the front of the park; take a ride on Soarin'; check out the Waffle kiosk for Epcot's food & wine; Take a boat across World Showcase Lagoon to Morocco; discuss changes in management to the Morocco pavilion; enjoy a stroll through Japan; Check out the Annual Passholder store in Germany; Visit the Shanghai Disney exhibit in China; Look at hints and details of what's to come to Epcot at the Epcot Experience; and see new holiday merchandise at Mouse Gears. All this and more in this big update at Epcot. Know that we also offer a complete YouTube video of this podcast on J. Jeff Kober, as well as a post highlighting key moments, photos, links and additional videos you can't get on our site over at DisneyatPlay.com. Also be sure to check out best in business practices at our sister site, DisneyatWork.com

With all of the painful news of Disneyland's ongoing closure, it's time to celebrate something wonderful. And this time of year is the time to do that. Join us as we visit both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure to recall the magic and festivities of Halloween. We see Main Street, U.S.A. all decked out, a unique pumpkin way finding experience in the central hub; visit the pumpkin tree in Frontierland as well as a festival Dia de los Muertos. And what could be better than Nightmare Before Christmas at the Haunted Mansion. Then it's off down Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure to visit the Headless Horseman; check out Coco in Paradise Gardens Park; and take a look at the most unusual Halloween theming ever in Radiator Springs. It's a full itinerary, so join us!

Over the last 24 hours informal news came over social media that many of the performers for the great entertainment and shows at Walt Disney World had been let go. Many took to Facebook and elsewhere to let fans know of their being laid off, and of the bittersweet pain they were feeling, disappointed by the announcement while reflecting on years of being able to perform in what could be considered one of the world's greatest entertainment complexes. We look at the realities of this, what the union had to say, and three major factors that have probably led to this that many may not know. We will also go throughout the entire resort, and identify each entertainment offering and what we know at this time. Be sure to check out our accompanying notes page at DisneyatPlay.com

We visit Disney's Hollywood Studios for a Tour and Update. On our tour we check out the ABC Commissary, Star Tours, and Star Wars Galaxy's Edge with its merchandise and character meet 'n' greets. We take check out the Ronto Wrap at Docking Bay 7, how it compares to the version at Ronto Roasters. We visit Toy Story Land at twilight and the new barbecue restaurant under construction there. After visiting Sunset Boulevard, we look at at the actual wait for Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway. We end our evening at Echo Lake. Be sure to check out our companion YouTube video as well as our notes page on DisneyatPlay.com

It's Halloween, but any time of the year is a great time to celebrate the infamous Haunted Mansion. We are fortunate to have Jason Surrell, Disney Imagineer and author of The Haunted Mansion: Imagineering a Disney Classic. We take the time to talk about those Imagineering pioneers who made the mansion a possibility, from Marc Davis, Claude Coates and Rolly Crump, to Ken Anderson, X Attencio, and the original Imagineer, Walt Disney. We'll talk about what makes this attraction so amazing, and share our favorite moments as well as insights. Join as we celebrateThe Haunted Mansion.  

After stalling for months, The State of California has finally created new conditions for theme parks, to include Disneyland to reopen. Those criteria if played out, will probably mean that Disneyland will not reopen this year, possibly not for many more months to come. We look at these new requirements and conditions. We identify their implications and look at how the State of California may have erroneously come to this conclusion. We'll talk about how Disneyland and others have responded to this news, and what its implications might even be for the Walt Disney World Resort. Be sure to check out our notes page as well for diagrams and other links connected with this podcast.

It's a jungle out there, and we look to not only explore it but to relish it, as the weather is really great, and it's a great time to relax and enjoy. We canvas the entire park, checking out the crowds, what's open and closed, and what the total experience is like. Plus we highlight eight wonderful little nooks to sit back and enjoy the park by. And did we mention Flame Tree Barbecue, and perhaps the greatest cupcake ever created at Walt Disney World? All this and more awaits you in our park update. So gather your gear and join us on the trail. We offer a post, podcast and YouTube Video.

Disneyland is in the middle of a scrimmage trying to play a political football game. The dictionary describes scrimmage as confused struggle or fight. That's what's at play here. We look at events since the beginning of the pandemic. We especially focus on news this week involving secret inspections by the state of California to Florida parks, Senator Warren demanding responses from Disney executives, and even a staged demonstration being planned in protest of Disneyland's closing. The happiest place on earth is certainly the messiest place on earth. We'll try to sort it all out. Make sure you also check out our notes page at DisneyatPlay.com

Jim Korkis is our guest as he shares how Disney and Halloween have come together over the decades. We cover all things haunted, from the Tower of Terror to the Haunted Mansion. We talk about the advent of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Parties, and some of the best Disney villains, shorts and scary moments in the movies. Did you know that The Headless Horseman almost had an attraction when Magic Kingdom opened in 1971? Did you know that there are three different versions of the Halloween tree on the Disney Cruise Line? We'll share all this and more!

We visit the Magic Kingdom and bring it to you live via both video and podcast. We check out everything that is happening to include new nighttime hours at Magic Kingdom, where we get our first glimpse of the 50th Anniversary castle at night. From there we take on every land in the kingdom, and look at new construction, halloween additions, and crowd flow. We capture some key pieces of the magic that always wow the guests, but may not be working because of the challenges management is facing with maintenance. All this and more as we bring you the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World live. Be sure to check out our notes page at DisneyatPlay.com for photos of not only Saturday but Thursday. And our video on YouTube takes you through all of this visually. Check it out and make sure you are subscribing to all of this for more updates!

There has already been much said about the layoffs that occurred this past week at Disney. We were the first podcast to carry that news. Now we want to take the time to give greater introspection and thought about what was happened. This post and podcast is dedicated to two different audiences: 1. Those who are facing the real struggle of being laid off 2. Managers who are having to make similar choices about laying off others We are going to cover not the specifics of who got laid off where, but what lessons and messages all of this is sending. Our topics will include Hiring, Disney Style Terminating Disney Style The Role of Unions The Role of Leaders Handling Layoffs in Bad Economic Times We'll also talk about takeaways for not only managers, but what those who are laid off can do as next steps in putting their lives back together again. Join us for this special Disney at Work podcast, where we deal with one of the most difficult challenges of this pandemic.

The answer is "yes", but far less than you think. And there are many factors involved in that answer. In this podcast and post we go into great detail to explore the challenges. Join us as we consider factors that are playing against Disney's ability to increase capacity. We look at Disney's Hollywood Studios in depth to understand what those challenges look like. From retail to food & beverage; from entertainment to character meet 'n' greets; from attractions to shows, we look at what Disney is doing, and what challenges it faces increasing capacity.

Lots of things going on at Epcot in what is one of the largest park renovations for any Disney park. From new construction to new colors to new restrooms to new Food & Wine Festival selections we cover it all in this very busy update. We'll look at the new Living Seas segments on the new Disney+ docuseries. We'll talk about the potential opening dates of HarmoniUS, Space 220 and Ratatouille. All this and so much more on this Epcot Update for October 5th, 2020. Be sure to check out our notes page with photos, videos and links at Disney at Play.

We bring David Zanolla’s sons back as they take over the podcast and share their favorite attractions, food & more at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The photo above shows them playing Sabacc with Cast Members and Chewie. They talk about this wonderful experience in the podcast. You can also listen to their Magic Kingdom podcast and their Epcot podcast.

We bring breaking news that Disney Parks Chairman Josh D'Amaro has announced the layoff of some 28,000 domestic Disney Cast Members. This is in response to not just the pandemic that is COVID-19, but also to the failure of California Governor Newsom to provide guidelines and lift restrictions for the Disneyland park in Anaheim, California to open. We study the official statement, and then answer a number of questions related to not only the layoffs but why Disneyland has not re-opened.