Disney Insights

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...

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'l...

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...

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...

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 i...

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, a...

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, att...

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 re...

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 Disn...

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 c...

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 th...

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 creat...

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 monor...

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 wou...

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 podcas...

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...

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...

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 offering...

Join us as we set sail from Port Canaveral on board the Fantasy ship of the Disney Cruise Line. For my wife and I this is our first voyage in two years and we'll give you the highlights of signing up, registering online, showing up at Port Canaveral, getting tested and finally boarding the ship. This is the first of our podcasts on revisiting the Disney Cruise Line. Join us!

Recently we had the opportunity to visit the new Snow White's Enchanted Wish at Disneyland, which replaces as a dark ride the previously titled Snow White's Scary Adventure. We look at the original version of this attraction, and how it was changed in 1984. We then compare the new experience today and note all of the individual scenes that have created for a "happily ever after" while still keepin...

There has recently been an intensified attention drawn on Disney CEO Bob Chapek in the last month. On one end of the spectrum, the CEO has been the subject of a petition on change.org to have him removed. As of the time of this writing, some 65,000 have signed. In truth, this petition was started a long time ago, but a week or so ago it got feverish attention where people signed in droves. Still t...

Recently I had the opportunity to do a date night with my wife at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. Orlando has many choices as to where to dine. I don't do food reviews of places to eat. But when we choose to eat a table service meal at Walt Disney World we are looking for a dining experience, not a place to eat. This review is not a food review, it is a review of the dining experi...

It won't take long before you realize who has really made Halloween amazing at the Disney Parks. We look at both Walt Disney World's offering and Disneyland's offering to compare the two experiences. We look at theming, ambience, added attractions, entertainment, food and so much more. Even if you don't attend and pay for their exclusive parties, there's still Halloween goodness to be found. As we...

Imagine you had a chance to visit the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in the days, weeks and months right after opening. What would it have been like? Together with legendary (but alive) Disney historian Jim Korkis we explore those earlier times. We talk about attractions that that have come and gone like the Greenhouse Flower Shop or 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. We talk about entertainment li...

David Zanolla and I get together to discuss Day Three in trying to deal with Genie. In particular, David is all over the idea of grabbing a few at the beginning of the day and then stacking the FastPasses towards the end of the day. We not only set off to do this at the Magic Kingdom--joining other resort guests at the start of their day, but then David later visits Disney's Hollywood Studios and...