Disney Insights

We welcome you to what we believe to be a 7 part series on Disney Springs. We bring to you the first in the series, a focus on The Marketplace. Here we look at its history since opening in 1975 as the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village. We compare the Walt Disney World Village of the 1980's with the Marketplace of today. And we share historic insights going back to California harbor shopping all th...

It's been a few weeks since we really checked out what's going on at Disney Springs. With it comes big news of the re-opening of AMC Movie Theater, a new opening date for Cirque du Soleil--Drawn to Life, new retail and eateries, plus so much more. It's Disney News on Parade dedicated to Disney Springs for August 19, 2020.

David & Leah's boys provide the latest podcast one the best in attractions, shows, and especially food as Kingdom for Kids presents Epcot. Support these boys by checking out this short, but charming podcast. Photos available on Disney at Play.

Is now the time to pull the lever on coming back to Orlando? Should you reconsider going to Walt Disney World? David Zanolla hosts this episode of Disney at Play by discussing several concerns travelers are weighing at this point. In this Q&A, Jeff Kober offers several points of view and issues that should be addressed in deciding about your next trip. Is it for you? As a fan, the timing may be ri...

Lots of news this week as Disney makes way for testing to occur on Disney property. Actor's Equity has allowed Disney to go back to work. We look at new upcoming hours at the parks, issues facing annual passholders, and even new taste tests at Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival. Then we go around the globe to see some important happenings going on at Shanghai Disney, Hong Kong Disney and D...

With so little word about the Disneyland Resort in recent weeks, we wondered about a big project that was underway at Disney's California Adventure. It is the Avengers Campus. We want to share in detail what is planned for this entirely new land, it's attractions, restaurants, retail and more. When will it finally be constructed and will it help save the resort's attendance when it finally opens?...

No, this is not sensationalized podcasting! Rather, sharing three little-known tales from Disney's legacy. In this Disney at Work podcast, we share Imagineering experiences that can be applied to your own organization. Here we talk about the challenges of building three very unique projects during completely different decades. You'll find lessons of courage and determination. It's about working an...

What do neon barbershop trailers at Disney's Grand Floridan Resort, sunken Splash Mountain logs, and toy barbecue restaurants have in common? It means another episode of Disney News on Parade, where we're covering all that's happening throughout Walt Disney World. We're showcasing everything from empty cantinas to empty stores to empty campgrounds. From Food & Wine additions to Fort Wilderness add...

Disney had probably its most difficult investor moment as it announced its earnings for what has been the worst quarter in any year of the company's history. It's important to know what went on and what it means going forward. We will share the highlights, the questions and concerns, as well as the hopes for going forward. Make sure you check out the key points in our post on Disney at Work.

A review of Disney's Wilderness Lodge--Perhaps Walt Disney World's best destination resort hotels. We look at the total resort experience during a COVID-19 stay. The hotel is based on the U.S. National Park Inns found in Yellowstone and elsewhere. We compare the experience to that, we look at some of the ambience of the hotels. We specifically review the Deluxe Studio Villa we had at Boulder Ridge...

This week's Disney News on Parade covers three stories around Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. First, it explores a new cantina being introduced in a virtual game by ILMXLAB. Next we look at changes to the boarding pass policy to Rise of the Resistance. And finally, we cap it off with a look at the TEA/AECOM annual theme park attendance report, and what impact--or lack thereof--Galaxy's Edge played on att...

Disney has done a huge job trying to create the most COVID-19 free experience possible. Still, there are some things that could really improve the park experience--not so much to make it safer, but to make the experience better for guests visiting during this period. Join J. Jeff Kober as we explore 5 park fixes that are needed. You can also find these listed over at Disney at Play.

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...