Disney Insights

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...

We visit Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, one of the best water parks in the world, and explore what we love about this paradise in the middle of Walt Disney World. We'll follow Castaway Creek as we visit Mount Mayday, Miss Tilly, Miss Adventure Falls and Crush 'n' Gusher. We'll also pay our respects to Shark Reef. Be sure to catch our post and photos at Disney at Play.

In light of recent nation-wide and global events, and in acknowledgement of the births of my first grandchildren this summer, I present a look at Epcot's American Adventure. This is part I of a deeper look at the moments portrayed on stage, and of what they mean to not only my grandchildren, but to all of us today, given current events. Indeed, no matter where you live, this is Your American Adven...

Lots of details surrounding the reopening of Walt Disney World and parks world-wide. And quite a few of those details seem to surround the introduction of a new Genie App by Disney. We talk not only about the details, but how they seem to revolve around a new reservation system Disney is premiering. All this and more about College Interns, International Culture Representatives, and Full & Part-Tim...

In our continuing series of what we love most about the Disney parks we visit Epcot to share what we love about the past, present & future. Join J. Jeff Kober and David Zanolla as we share our passion about all things Epcot. Be sure to check out our notes page which includes photos, videos and links. It's available on Disney at Play . 

We return to Disney's Animal Kingdom for a few personal tales that illustrate the importance of listening, understanding others and showing empathy in our lives. It's a relevant message given current times. Join myself, J. Jeff Kober and my wife Kathy Kober as we share some experiences around spending time at Disney's Animal Kingdom with their autistic son. We'll share with you messages that apply...

Walt Disney World has announced opening dates for all four Disney Theme Parks plus dates for reopening their Disney Vacation Club Resorts as well as Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground. Join J. Jeff Kober & David Zanolla as we help decipher the "why" behind these dates and what Disney's unstated strategy may be. Be sure to check our post  on DisneyatPlay.com as well for further details.

We head to Walt Disney World to visit Disney's Animal Kingdom, where we share all of what we love most about this one-of-a-kind park experience. J. Jeff Kober, along with his daughters Madison, Jennica and son-in-law Jason share what they love most. Be sure to check out the notes page  on Disney at Play with lots of photos, videos and links. 

During the reopening of Disney Springs, I was afforded a short opportunity to chat with Josh D'Amaro, the new Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. From that exchange comes some important points about leadership that we all can apply. Join J. Jeff Kober as we discuss Josh, his experiences at Disneyland prior to coming to Walt Disney World as president, and of important concepts aroun...

Disney Springs re-opens today and we bring you coverage live from this major attraction at Walt Disney World. J. Jeff Kober tells you about how guests are experiencing this shopping/dining experience in the wake of Covid-19. He shares with you how management is processing this, and how it is being used as a test for re-opening all of the four major theme parks at Walt Disney World. Be sure to catc...

We visit "The Happiest Place on Earth" to share what we love most about Disneyland, the original theme park built by Walt Disney himself. Join J. Jeff Kober and Taleia Mueller as we share our very favorite experiences, from attractions to retail to food & beverage. We walk through all the lands of this beautiful park to include the new Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. You can also find a full notes page w...

Universal Florida CityWalk Reopens! J. Jeff Kober guides you through the experience and what it's like on day one. How is Universal keeping guests safe in the wake of this Covid-19 pandemic? What are the implications as theme parks reopen? You can also see this on our YouTube channel with insights, photos, video & more!  

Shanghai Disney Resort is now the first Disney resort to re-open. What can we learn from this, and how does it apply to Disney parks in the United States? Join J. Jeff Kober and David Zanolla as we look at the policies put in place in the wake of Covid-19. We look at which attractions are not open, and their implication towards which experiences will not open at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. W...

J. Jeff Kober takes you on a visit to the world famous Jungle Cruise at Disneyland to discuss some important lessons on leadership. We share a story given of Walt Disney and Dick Nunis and how that experience was a turning point in making Disneyland operationally much more than just a carnival. We talk about the infamous "backside of water" and what that experience represents to giving an attracti...