Celebrating All Things Disney with News, Analysis & Best-in Business Ideas on Life & Work from the Happiest Places on Earth!
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
This Disney Insights podcast is one of the most unique podcasts I've hosted over the hundreds I've presented over the last few years. It is about a work I have been laboring on for the better part of a year and a half, but in truth, It's the story of a lifetime of learning and understanding Disney. Indeed, it spans some five decades and its result is truly what I believe is something unique that I am introducing into the marketplace today. If you want to know the stories, the histories, the heritage that has really made Disneyland what it is today, this work seeks to provide that. Moreover, unlike nearly any other treatise, this seeks to answer how you can lead an organization, engage your employees and provide as powerful a customer experience as you can at "The Happiest Place on Earth". Join me as I introduce Disneyland Insights: Inspiration, Ideas & Magic for You and Your Organization.
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Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe.
DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming podcasts.
Disney Insights Facebook Page--Come join and interact in conversation with others.
My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!
Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You.
Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.
_______________________________________________________
Check out Zanolla Travel to book your next vacation!
David & Leah Zanolla
ZanollaTravel.com
Owner/Agents
(309) 863-5469
_________________________________________________________
Performance Journeys
This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.
Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.
Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena.
Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership excellence, and employee engagement.
Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!
Thursday Mar 19, 2026
Thursday Mar 19, 2026
We have much to share as Bob Iger steps aside and Josh D'Amaro takes reign as the new CEO of Disney. We will share some important messages he has shared in the first 24 hours as he stepped into this role and hosted the annual shareholder's meeting for The Walt Disney Company. We then will look at a number of opening dates for attractions that are coming to Walt Disney World, as well as the name for Disney Cruise Line's newest ship. With that, we'll even cover some rumors out there. So join us as we talk about Josh on Day 1 as the new CEO plus announcements for Walt Disney World and DCL.
Oh...and at the end I will give you a status of my newest project, Disneyland Insights: Inspiration, Ideas & Magic for You and Your Organization.
__________________________________________________
Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe.
DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming podcasts.
Disney Insights Facebook Page--Come join and interact in conversation with others.
My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!
Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You.
Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.
_______________________________________________________
Check out Zanolla Travel to book your next vacation!
David & Leah Zanolla
ZanollaTravel.com
Owner/Agents
(309) 863-5469
_________________________________________________________
Performance Journeys
This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.
Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.
Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena.
Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership excellence, and employee engagement.
Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!
Wednesday Mar 11, 2026
Wednesday Mar 11, 2026
Today's podcast is a busy one, because Walt Disney World is a busy place. We begin with the most popular theme park in the world as we check out construction challenges big and bigger. Disney's Hollywood Studios is in major construction mode as well, with three big construction projects and even a few minor ones. We check all of them out. And then we head to this year's Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. It does not disappoint. It is stunningly beautiful, with much to do. We take a look at this not only on our podcast, but we look at all three projects on our YouTube page. So wherever you are, be sure to check out not only this major festival, but the big construction updates at both parks as well.
__________________________________________________
Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe.
DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming podcasts.
Disney Insights Facebook Page--Come join and interact in conversation with others.
My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!
Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You.
Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.
_______________________________________________________
Check out Zanolla Travel to book your next vacation!
David & Leah Zanolla
ZanollaTravel.com
Owner/Agents
(309) 863-5469
_________________________________________________________
Performance Journeys
This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.
Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.
Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena.
Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership excellence, and employee engagement.
Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!
Wednesday Mar 04, 2026
Wednesday Mar 04, 2026
If Disneyland is the Happiest Place on Earth, then Fantasyland is in Marty Sklar's words, "The Happiest Kingdom of Them All". He goes on to say that "Here in the 'happiest kingdom of them all,' you can journey with Snow White through the dark forest to the diamond mine of the Seven Dwarfs; flee the clutches of Mr. Smee and Captain Hook with Peter Pan; and race with Mr. Toad on his wild auto ride through the streets of old London Town.
Dumbo, the elephant with aerodynamic ears, will take you on a flight high above Fantasyland, while the haughty Caterpillar of Alice in Wonderland carries you down the Rabbit Hole into the ...Tulgey Wood. In colorful Dutch canal boats or the Casey Jr. Circus train, you'll journey through Storybook Land to see the homes of the Three Little Pigs, Pinocchio's Village, and Cinderella's Castle."
Join us as we see those inspirational nuggets that are found throughout the sprawling grounds of Fantasyland, From Sleeping Beauty Castle to the majestic and might Matterhorn Mountain. We'll check out some fantastic details few see, and we'll hear some stories you may not have heard before--many of which truly are the inspiration for the joy found at Disneyland. Join us during Disneyland's 70th Anniversary for Fantasyland--The Happiest Kingdom of Them All. And stay tuned at the end, I will give you a peak at a new offering available to those who Wish Upon a Star!
___________________________________________________
Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe.
DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming podcasts.
Disney Insights Facebook Page--Come join and interact in conversation with others.
My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!
Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You.
Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.
_______________________________________________________
Check out Zanolla Travel to book your next vacation!
David & Leah Zanolla
ZanollaTravel.com
Owner/Agents
(309) 863-5469
_________________________________________________________
Performance Journeys
This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.
Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.
Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena.
Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership excellence, and employee engagement.
Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!
Wednesday Feb 25, 2026
Wednesday Feb 25, 2026
All last week you probably heard rumors about Josh D'Amaro changing out plans for Villains Land. You may have also heard that he said that he thought Millennium Falcon Smuggler's Run was good not great. We talk about this and more as we look at these issues in greater context and offer you insights that may not make enough social media hits, but will likely be closer to what is really going on at Imagineering. Yes, there are changes. Yes, there is greater transparency. But what does it mean? We'll offer you insights, and how it relates to something called Experiential Intelligence. Join us as we talk about Villains Land, Smuggler's Run, Josh D'Amaro, Experiential intelligence and so much more.
____________________________________________________
Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe.
DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming podcasts.
Disney Insights Facebook Page--Come join and interact in conversation with others.
My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!
Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You.
Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.
_______________________________________________________
Check out Zanolla Travel to book your next vacation!
David & Leah Zanolla
ZanollaTravel.com
Owner/Agents
(309) 863-5469
_________________________________________________________
Performance Journeys
This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.
Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.
Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena.
Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership excellence, and employee engagement.
Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!
Tuesday Feb 17, 2026
Tuesday Feb 17, 2026
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is the flagship hotel of Walt Disney World, and one of the premiere resorts among Disney owned hotels. Nearing its 40th year of operation in 2028, and having been through a number of major remodeling changes, how does this signature property compare? I've invited former Disney resort leader, Vance Morris, to spend some time with me on site where we look at the many offerings of this unique hotel, so proximate to Magic Kingdom. We take the time to consider the performance and challenges of its Cast, its grand Victorian setting, the processes which support a Disney-owned resort operation, as well as its many services and amenities. Is it worth the price? Let's discuss as we provide you an operational review of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
____________________________________________________
Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe.
DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming podcasts.
Disney Insights Facebook Page--Come join and interact in conversation with others.
My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!
Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You.
Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.
_______________________________________________________
Check out Zanolla Travel to book your next vacation!
David & Leah Zanolla
ZanollaTravel.com
Owner/Agents
(309) 863-5469
_________________________________________________________
Performance Journeys
This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.
Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.
Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena.
Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership excellence, and employee engagement.
Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!
Monday Feb 09, 2026
Monday Feb 09, 2026
It's hard for even the most devout Disney Apologist to forgive what was the original Disney's California Adventure. With a troubled budget from the start, and perhaps the wrong theme for millions of people already living in California, this failed on so many levels when it came out the gate. It certainly didn't help that it was being built across arguably the greatest park ever built. And yet in the shadows of Disneyland, there is really something magical about Disney California Adventure and with time and investment, it has come around to being the 5th most popular theme park in North America, behind Magic Kingdom, Disneyland, Epcot & Disney's Hollywood Studios, and yet ahead of Disney's Animal Kingdom, and every Universal Busch Gardens, Sea World and Six Flags park in the country. It's been a long 25 years, but with big new attractions coming, Disney California Adventure stands to compete in big ways moving forward. Join us as we celebrate Disney California Adventure!
_____________________________________________________
Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe.
DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming podcasts.
Disney Insights Facebook Page--Come join and interact in conversation with others.
My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!
Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You.
Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.
________________________________________________________
Check out Zanolla Travel to book your next vacation!
David & Leah Zanolla
ZanollaTravel.com
Owner/Agents
(309) 863-5469
_________________________________________________________
Performance Journeys
This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.
Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.
Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena.
Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership excellence, and employee engagement.
Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!
Tuesday Feb 03, 2026
Tuesday Feb 03, 2026
In overviewing 2026 I said that the naming of a new CEO would be the most important milestone of the year for Disney. In truth, it may be the biggest moment of the decade. Today, February 3rd 2026, The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors announced that, in a unanimous vote held on Monday, it elected Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro to become Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. We look first at the context of that announcement, and the specifics behind it, to include the promotion of Dana Walden, Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment into a new role. We'll see what others have to say about this, to include not only James Gorman, Chair of The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors, but Bob Iger, current CEO, and even Michael Eisner, the former CEO of the company. We'll then highlight some of the tactical challenges ahead as well as the strategic opportunities moving forward, in this, one of the most unique companies in the world. Join us as we offer Disney Insights to the appointment of the new CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Josh D'Amaro.
_____________________________________________________
Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe.
DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming podcasts.
Disney Insights Facebook Page--Come join and interact in conversation with others.
My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!
Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You.
Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.
________________________________________________________
Check out Zanolla Travel to book your next vacation!
David & Leah Zanolla
ZanollaTravel.com
Owner/Agents
(309) 863-5469
_________________________________________________________
Performance Journeys
This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.
Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.
Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena.
Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership excellence, and employee engagement.
Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!
Wednesday Jan 28, 2026
Wednesday Jan 28, 2026
Several topics have been circling around recently, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to offer some thoughts about what is going on in several Disney park realms. Anything about Villains Land has people curious as to what is happening. This includes some work being done by The Haunted Mansion. We'll explore the rumors and conjecture on how this land will be laid out. Next we talk about Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. There have been announcements of not only new additions, timelines, and offerings being added not to Disney's Hollywood Studios version of this land, but at Disneyland. Finally, speaking of Disneyland have you seen Disneyland Handcrafted? This film done by Leslie Iwerks gives insights to what things looked like when Walt Disney determined he would open a brand new themed park concept in the space of a year of construction. This is a fascinating documentary with some terrific ideas, So join us for Disney Insights on Villains Land, Star Wars Galaxy's Edge and Disneyland Handcrafted.
_____________________________________________________
Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe.
DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming podcasts.
Disney Insights Facebook Page--Come join and interact in conversation with others.
My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!
Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You.
Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.
________________________________________________________
Check out Zanolla Travel to book your next vacation!
David & Leah Zanolla
ZanollaTravel.com
Owner/Agents
(309) 863-5469
_________________________________________________________
Performance Journeys
This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.
Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.
Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena.
Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership excellence, and employee engagement.
Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!
Thursday Jan 22, 2026
Thursday Jan 22, 2026
Extinction is coming fast for Dinoland, so many areas have closed and the remainder will come to an end quickly. We bid our final adieu by digging for lessons to be learned from this corner of Disney's Animal Kingdom park. They serve to help us understand what worked and didn't work not just in this land, but for people trying to perhaps not build a theme park, but build organizations and take them to the next level. We may not be going back to the Cretaceous period, but we are considering how this land became what it became. And we are looking at some very intricate details that shape our understanding of how life must have been here in Diggs County. Join us as we go digging' for Insights at Dinoland.
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Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe.
NOTE: The five stories shared today are on Disney Insights YouTube Page!
DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming podcasts.
Disney Insights Facebook Page--Come join and interact in conversation with others.
My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!
Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You.
Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.
________________________________________________________
Check out Zanolla Travel to book your next vacation!
David & Leah Zanolla
ZanollaTravel.com
Owner/Agents
(309) 863-5469
_________________________________________________________
Performance Journeys
This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.
Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.
Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena.
Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership excellence, and employee engagement.
Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!