Disney Insights

We take a look at the challenge service providers at Disney have in wearing a mask, and why they should still smile, even though their face is covered. We look at the implications for every organization who is trying to provide great customer service. Join J. Jeff Kober in this Disney at Work podcast, which includes a show notes page . The ideas here are based from Jeff's book, The Wonderful World...

What's different about this year's Epcot International Food & Wine Festival? It's starting earlier than ever, making it the longest festival ever held It's combining some components of the International Flower & Garden Festival, which ended prematurely. It's a "Taste of Epcot", which references many favorites from the past, as well as the idea that it's not as big as in years past. Many aspects ha...

Join David's boys as they take over the podcast and share their favorite Magic Kingdom attractions, food & more. It's a short podcast, but it's a cute take from kids who really know their parks. Be sure to listen!

Our apologies to those who tried to listen to this earlier. We had technical difficulties. We have repaired the first one, but have sent this one out as well, since sometimes podcasts are easily re-loaded. Enjoy the podcast.    With the parks re-opening, what's next? What's not next? We visit all four Walt Disney World parks and talk about everything from castles to closures. We check out the atte...

With the parks re-opening, what's next? What's not next? We visit all four Walt Disney World parks and talk about everything from castles to closures. We check out the attendance at Epcot and future attractions at risk for being built. We talk about the closure of two attractions at Disney's Animal Kingdom. We look at new insights to Star Wars Galaxy's Edge based on the comic book about Black Spir...

We visit Epcot at Walt DIsney World for the first time since reopening its doors. Here we see some great happenings, and some challenges moving forward. We go around all of the park and note what is working and what is still very much a struggle.

As Disney's Hollywood Studios reopens at Walt Disney World, J. Jeff Kober brings you the experience within the park. Here we see what's happening from the moment the park opens through a hot, humid day where guests are wearing masks, all the way through an evening thunderstorm. We look at the new online boarding pass system at Star Wars Rise of the Resistance. We note the attendance and queue leng...

We now complete a global journey of celebrating the Disney parks with what we love about Disney's Hollywood Studios. We talk about our favorite places, attractions, restaurants and so much more. Rick and Sherri Williams join me as we share the things we love so much. Be sure to check out our post with photos, videos and much more. We premiere this podcast on the eve of Disney's Hollywood Studios r...

From arrival through attractions, from food & beverage through retail, throughout Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom parks we look at over 65 ways Disney parks are keeping You COVID-19 free. Join J. Jeff Kober as we look at an effort that is not perfect, but is enormously intentional. Is it possible that Disney is providing the best model for how an organization can be safe and still run a...

The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World has reopened and I spent a full day covering the entire park. We bring the excitement of the experience to you and show you what the first open guest day at the park was like in the shadow of COVID-19. Join us and make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel, J. Jeff Kober along with our notes page on Disney at Play for video, links and more.

We offer plenty on the latest Disney News on Parade for July 10th, 2020. We'll chat about what's opened up from Fantasia Miniature Golf to a new McDonald's. We'll talk about hotels now available for booking 2020, as well as a few restaurants. We'll talk about what's happening with Downtown Disney opening up at Disneyland and about Disney Interns not able to return soon. The Washington Post took wh...

On this Disney at Work Podcast join us under the sea as we go to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World where we share stories from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea to The Little Mermaid. It takes us from the earliest days of Disneyland all the way out to Tokyo Disney Sea and back. Be sure to check out our links and photos on our notes page at Disney at Work

Come join the most visited theme park in the world!  We're here to share as family members what we love most about The Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World. We not only go from land to land, but share our favorite foods, parades, fireworks and more. Join J. Jeff Kober, his wife Kathy, and three of his children, Mikell, Braedon and Madison as they recount over 25 years of living in the backyard of Ma...

You really want to go to Walt Disney World in the next year or two, but you're not sure when. We walk through all of the key issues related to whether and when to go, from resort availability, pricing, weather and available attractions. Critical to the conversation is COVID-19, and we offer important links and issues to understand in factoring those decisions. We take a look at issues around what'...

We continue our "What We Love Most" series as we board a ship on the Disney Cruise Line to share what amazing experiences can be found when sailing. Join J. Jeff Kober, his wife Kathy, plus Leah and David Zanolla as we share our favorites. We'll go stem to stern on the ship, checking out all the great dining, recreation and shows. Plus we'll look at Disney Castaway Cay and discuss our highlights....

Much to cover in this week's Disney News on Parade podcast for June 29th, 2019. We take a look at park and hotel registrations over the last week. What worked, and what went wrong? We talk about the Perfect storm involving Disney IT, Reservations, and Travel Planners. We then talk about new safety measures being shared with Disney Cast Members as they returned to the park. All this and more as we...

Disney has announced that Splash Mountain will be reimagined with stories and themes based on The Princess and the Frog. We dig a little deeper on this announcement, what's implied, why this change is needed, and the timing around it. We look at Disney's efforts to be more diverse and inclusive, and as arm chair Imagineers, we look at the thematic struggles of placing this attraction at both Disne...

In this newest Disney at Work podcast we look at the overnight announcement that Disneyland will postpone the reopening of its parks, which were originally scheduled for July 17th. We look at the reasons behind this, and study those factors they are in control of, those opportunities they can influence, and those realities that they neither control or influence. Check out important links, text and...

Our latest Disney News on Parade talks about hotels soon opening on property and restaurants that are NOT opening at Walt Disney World parks. We also talk about the latest news on COVID-19 and how it's affecting the NBA playoffs. Then we'll talk about news around the opening of both Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disney Resorts.

Join us on this first day as Walt Disney World Resort Hotels reopen to guests. We're using this great occasion to talk about what we love most about visiting the Walt Disney World Resort hotels. We cover our favorite places to visit, stay, swim, dine and park hop. Join us and compare which hotels and experiences you enjoy most! Both the Zanolla and Scali family join us as they share their favorite...

Walt Disney World has listed which attractions will be available when the parks reopen in July. We go through the list of those that will not be available. We also talk about the announced character calvacades and experiences that will replace the Disney 1:1 meet 'n' greets. We talk about previews for Disney Cast Members and Disney Annual Passholders. All this and more in this Disney News on Parad...

In this Disney News on Parade for the third week of June, 2020 we bring late breaking news that Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival will be returning, and that it will begin the day Epcot reopens on June 15th. Meanwhile, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party will NOT be coming this year, nor will Typhoon's H20 events. In other news we cover the Art of Disney Safety, with new scanners, messa...

We are celebrating our 100th anniversary. After 100 episodes it was time to share a little bit about your host. So please join me as I talk about my first Disney decades from going to Disneyland as a boy growing up in Phoenix, to finally becoming a Disney Cast Member at Walt Disney World in Orlando. Photos and Video can be found on the accompanying notes page at DisneyatPlay.com

We visit the second major Walt Disney Water Park. It's a fascinating look at a uniquely themed experience. We check out all the slides, creeks, play areas and pools. You can find a notes page full of photos at Disney at Play . Plus we invite listeners to participate in a survey about their experience with Disney at Work and Disney at Play. Take a few minutes to share your opinions and you'll be pl...

We go from coast to coast to talk about the latest Disney on Parade news. We share Disneyland's reopening announcement. Josh D'Amaro talks about the magic returning. We ask the question whether Disney management can be agile with an example from 2014's Frozen Summer, and then address the petition to change Splash Mountain to a Princess and the Frog overlay. All this and more for the weekend of Jun...