Celebrating All Things Disney with News, Analysis & Best-in Business Ideas on Life & Work from the Happiest Places on Earth!
Episodes
4 hours ago
4 hours ago
While last week's post shared lament over the closing of Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America, we return to Disneyland's 70th Anniversary to celebrate the heritage of Frontierland. While you might think Frontierland is a thing of the past, knowing the past of this land will give you appreciation for the remarkable role it has played in four of Disney's theme parks around the world. We'll step inside the fort entrance to hear some stories many may have never heard before about the history of Frontierland. Did you know there was at one point a big Indiana Jones attraction developed for Frontierland. We share all the Wild West with you. From the Trading Post to the Golden Horseshoe; From The Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to Big Thunder Ranch, and from the Halloween Tree to a Petrified Tree, we bring you tall and true tales of Disneyland's Frontierland.
____________________________________________________________
More Disney Insights can be found below!
The Wayfinder Society--Disney Insights Patreon Page--More Disney Insights to interact with, while supporting the podcast. Here we bring the best in Disney both in terms of the magic of the parks as well as the business behind the magic! And now as part of Disneyland's 70th anniversary, we have a new interactive Disney Insight Fact Discovery, which unlocks scores of fascinating details few know about. With text, images, video and audio, we explore these realms whether you are right on the streets of the "Happiest Place on Earth" or enjoying it virtually from your own couch at home. Join today!
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 Jun 30, 2025
Monday Jun 30, 2025
It's been nearly a year since the wake of D23 where we learned that the Rivers of America, the Liberty Belle, and Tom Sawyer Island would be changed out into a new off road Cars experience. The way we learned that news was troublesome--hiding it from the official D23 presentation. But even if they had been more transparent about it, it would still be hard to lose. I've come to terms as I've shared in previous podcasts what's working about what lies ahead for the Rivers of America. I think ultimately it will be a well-received set of experiences when it all comes together. But I couldn't help but be really melancholy about saying goodbye to the river for the last time. I'll share with you what went through my mind, and some of the really wonderful--even sweet memories I have from these attractions. I'll talk about what else is happening currently in both Liberty Square and Frontierland, particularly with the soft reopening of Hall of Presidents, and then I'll end with suggestions of where you can still find the spirit of this experience elsewhere--and it isn't at Disneyland. So stay with us as we bid adieu to The Rivers of America, the Liberty Belle and Tom Sawyer Island.
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
In recent weeks there have been a large number of details released not just for Walt Disney World but for Disneyland as well. While previous podcasts have been reminiscing all things Muppets the end of MuppetVision 3D and taking a look at Adventureland at Disneyland, there have been considerable announcements, hints and insights that have occurred. And we want to cover them all! From Disneyland we'll look at Avatar and Coco at Disney California Adventure, as well as a new park entry. Then we'll head over to Walt Disney World to look at Disney's Starlight Parade logistics, Test Track Re-Imagined, Tropical America Developments and even the new Monstropolis at Disney's Hollywood Studios. It's a busy podcast for this week, so hang on as we have so much to share!
____________________________________________________________
More Disney Insights can be found below!
The Wayfinder Society--Disney Insights Patreon Page--More Disney Insights to interact with, while supporting the podcast. Here we bring the best in Disney both in terms of the magic of the parks as well as the business behind the magic! And now as part of Disneyland's 70th anniversary, we have a new interactive Disney Insight Fact Discovery, which unlocks scores of fascinating details few know about. With text, images, video and audio, we explore these realms whether you are right on the streets of the "Happiest Place on Earth" or enjoying it virtually from your own couch at home. Join today!
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 Jun 17, 2025
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Welcome to our ongoing celebration of Disneyland's 70th anniversary. In many ways, Adventureland is truly the most immersive of all the lands of Disneyland. And yet, from a pedestrian space, it's perhaps one of the smallest. If you're just walking through it you can go from entrance to exit in about a minute. Unless of course Fantasmic! is going on in New Orleans Square and Fireworks are getting ready on Main Street. Then it's one of the most congested places on the map. And yet, day or night, Adventureland is full of tropical wonder and a jungle of detail. From the Enchanted Tiki Room to the Adventureland Treehouse; From the exotic Jungle Cruise to the high thrills of Indiana Jones Adventure. Join us as we celebrate the amazing True-Life Adventures of Disneyland's Adventureland.
____________________________________________________________
More Disney Insights can be found below!
The Wayfinder Society--Disney Insights Patreon Page--More Disney Insights to interact with, while supporting the podcast. Here we bring the best in Disney both in terms of the magic of the parks as well as the business behind the magic! And now as part of Disneyland's 70th anniversary, we have a new interactive Disney Insight Fact Discovery, which unlocks scores of fascinating details few know about. With text, images, video and audio, we explore these realms whether you are right on the streets of the "Happiest Place on Earth" or enjoying it virtually from your own couch at home. Join today!
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 Jun 10, 2025
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Something happened over the weekend that I probably never quite envisioned. And neither did thousands of guests who always found time to spend a few moments with Jim Henson's Muppet-Vision 3D. We celebrate this film, and its creator, sharing some insights of how all this came to be. We'll take a look at the Muppets over the years as they've come to be a part of The Walt Disney World Resort. We'll talk about all of the components that made up Muppet Courtyard, and what made Muppet-Vision 3D so really special. Join us as we commemorate this attraction, its setting and consider both its past and future. It's a rousing 3 hour finale, but we're trying to keep it around 40 minutes.
____________________________________________________________
More Disney Insights can be found below!
The Wayfinder Society--Disney Insights Patreon Page--More Disney Insights to interact with, while supporting the podcast. Here we bring the best in Disney both in terms of the magic of the parks as well as the business behind the magic! And now as part of Disneyland's 70th anniversary, we have a new interactive Disney Insight Fact Discovery, which unlocks scores of fascinating details few know about. With text, images, video and audio, we explore these realms whether you are right on the streets of the "Happiest Place on Earth" or enjoying it virtually from your own couch at home. Join today!
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 Jun 05, 2025
Thursday Jun 05, 2025
News this week and last has broken out about happenings at the Magic Kingdom, and they include some very important dates. Last week was an announcement of Disney Starlight Parade's opening date. Plus they showcased the finale as well as the order of the parade floats. We'll talk about that and the implications of this date to its nightly schedule and what it means to thousands of pass holders who will want to go to the Magic Kingdom alongside all other tourists.
But first we look at some big announcements that came about from around Frontierland as well this week. At the top of those announcements comes the fact that the Rivers of America, Liberty Belle and Tom Sawyer's Island will close in a few weeks on July 7th. We'll explore some very cool details that will come to this new mini-land within Frontierland.
____________________________________________________________
More Disney Insights can be found below!
The Wayfinder Society--Disney Insights Patreon Page--More Disney Insights to interact with, while supporting the podcast. Here we bring the best in Disney both in terms of the magic of the parks as well as the business behind the magic! And now as part of Disneyland's 70th anniversary, we have a new interactive Disney Insight Fact Discovery, which unlocks scores of fascinating details few know about. With text, images, video and audio, we explore these realms whether you are right on the streets of the "Happiest Place on Earth" or enjoying it virtually from your own couch at home. Join today!
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 May 29, 2025
Thursday May 29, 2025
This summer has not only brought a completely new theme park to the Orlando tourist scape, but within it, two impressive theatrical shows within its park's gates. At the same time, Disney's Hollywood Studios has opened two theatrical shows within its studio gates. In a showdown, we'll look at Le Cirque Arcanus in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter--Ministry of Magic as well as The Untrainable Dragon from the Isle of Berk--both premiering at Epic Universe. We'll also take a look at two new shows that just premiered at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After and The Little Mermaid Musical Adventure. From queue to finale, from performers to technical staging, we'll look at which of these fare best and are worth your time. The competition is tough, so join us as we look at these four new theatrical shows in two very unique Florida theme parks.
____________________________________________________________________
More Disney Insights can be found below!
The Wayfinder Society--Disney Insights Patreon Page--More Disney Insights to interact with, while supporting the podcast. Here we bring the best in Disney both in terms of the magic of the parks as well as the business behind the magic! And now as part of Disneyland's 70th anniversary, we have a new interactive Disney Insight Fact Discovery, which unlocks scores of fascinating details few know about. With text, images, video and audio, we explore these realms whether you are right on the streets of the "Happiest Place on Earth" or enjoying it virtually from your own couch at home. Join today!
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 May 22, 2025
Thursday May 22, 2025
There is so much to love about Universal’s new Epic Universe. And if they get it to work, it will be even better. Many have already done podcasts early on and shared what they loved or didn’t love about the park. Reviews of favorite attractions, food, souvenirs and so forth are out there. My wife and I, two of my daughters and my son-in-law have all attended, and for the most part, we had not only a solid experience, but we look forward to the time we can go back again. It’s definitely a place worth repeating.
I look forward to an opportunity to share our family’s review of the experience, but my focus is not so much from a guest point of view but from a park design and operational focus. And there’s so much here that is working. I will look at issues of park layout, scale and scope, thematic approach, interactivity, operations and more. Since this is Disney Insights, we want to consider these approaches in comparison to best practices Disney employs.It’s not just a critical look at the design and operation of Universal’s new park, but a new focus on what is working and what is not working at Disney. So join us as we explore lessons good and bad from Universal Florida’s Epic Universe.
____________________________________________________________________
More Disney Insights can be found below!
The Wayfinder Society--Disney Insights Patreon Page--More Disney Insights to interact with, while supporting the podcast. Here we bring the best in Disney both in terms of the magic of the parks as well as the business behind the magic! And now as part of Disneyland's 70th anniversary, we have a new interactive Disney Insight Fact Discovery, which unlocks scores of fascinating details few know about. With text, images, video and audio, we explore these realms whether you are right on the streets of the "Happiest Place on Earth" or enjoying it virtually from your own couch at home. Join today!
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.
________________________________________________________
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 May 15, 2025
Thursday May 15, 2025
We are on the monorail heading to the Magic Kingdom to canvas many updates from the Emporium to Big Thunder, from the Astro Orbiter to the new DVC lounge, McKim's Mile House. In the process we'll check on all sorts of construction activity, visit a number of shops throughout the park, and take in Gaston's Tavern, where we try out some new tasty treats. Join us on the Magic Kingdom Update here at Disney Insights.
_________________________________________________________________________
More Disney Insights can be found below!
The Wayfinder Society--Disney Insights Patreon Page--More Disney Insights to interact with, while supporting the podcast. Here we bring the best in Disney both in terms of the magic of the parks as well as the business behind the magic! And now as part of Disneyland's 70th anniversary, we have a new interactive Disney Insight Fact Discovery, which unlocks scores of fascinating details few know about. With text, images, video and audio, we explore these realms whether you are right on the streets of the "Happiest Place on Earth" or enjoying it virtually from your own couch at home. Join today!
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.
________________________________________________________
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 May 07, 2025
Wednesday May 07, 2025
Yes! We predicted yesterday that Disney was going to announce a new park in Abu Dhabi, and that announcement has come to pass! "A whole new world" is coming to this corner of the world. With over four billion guests having visited some six Disney theme park destinations around the world, let's look at this newest Disney resort in Abu Dhabi, which will be the seventh in the world. This was part of its 2025 2nd quarter presentation, and the announcement dwarfed everything else. Why build here, and exactly where is it going? What will make this different than anything ever built before? How will it be built and managed? Let's explore what's new coming to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
_________________________________________________________________________
More Disney Insights can be found below!
The Wayfinder Society--Disney Insights Patreon Page--More Disney Insights to interact with, while supporting the podcast. Here we bring the best in Disney both in terms of the magic of the parks as well as the business behind the magic! And now as part of Disneyland's 70th anniversary, we have a new interactive Disney Insight Fact Discovery, which unlocks scores of fascinating details few know about. With text, images, video and audio, we explore these realms whether you are right on the streets of the "Happiest Place on Earth" or enjoying it virtually from your own couch at home. Join today!
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.
________________________________________________________
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!