Disney Insights

Discoveryland: A Very Different Tomorrowland

Of all the Tomorrowlands in all the Magic Kingdom-style parks, there is no version more unique than the one in Disneyland Paris, whose title is not Tomorrowland but Discoveryland. Intended to celebrate the scientists and futurists of Europe, the look and feel of this land really stands out above the rest. If steampunk had a theme park, much of this land would serve as home to it. We'll visit the attractions, shops and restaurants of this section of the park as we continue our celebration and examination of the many lands of Disneyland Paris. We'll look at how some of this original design dates back to early attractions Tony Baxter once conceived for Disneyland. And we'll explore some rumors of new attractions that might be coming to this land. Join us in Discoveryland as we go to the past to explore the future.

Rites of Passage on Avatar’s Flight of Passage

Six years ago this last weekend Disney premiered its newest land, Pandora: World of Avatar. Based on James Cameron’s successful film, this land set a new level of experiences not seen anywhere else. The centerpiece of this experience was Avatar’s Flight of Passage. It is called Flight of Passage because the flight is a rite of passage. We will look at what exactly are those rites of passage that play out in this attraction. Moreover, we will talk about how we are ourselves have our own rites of passage that we must observe. Our focus on this attraction will take on a new level of understanding and insight as we not only see the fruits of a well Imagineered Disney experience, but see how those same concepts play out personally and in our professional lives. Join us as we continue our celebration of Disney’s Animal Kingdom as we study the Rites of Passage on Avatar’s Flight of Passage.

This podcast as well as all others are brought to you by Performance Journeys, which celebrates its 20th year as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through keynotes, workshops, seminars and amazing benchmarking programs to organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors. If you are seeking to improve your customer delivery, to re-engage the morale of your workforce, or to improve the leadership of your organization, we offer not only great solutions tried and tested from our time working intimately to raise excellence in organizations big and small. At Performance Journeys, it’s as much about the journey as it is about the performance.

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Beat the Heat Hacks for Summer at Walt Disney World

We're heading into summer and it's time to think about how to make it work when you're visiting Disney theme parks--particularly Walt Disney World during the summer months. People are often surprised how hot, humid, wet and rainy a typical summer day can be. We're here to give you decades worth of smart steps you can take as you embark on a Disney day during these months. You can still have a great summer vacation--if you follow these practical ideas for enduring the weather. Join us for Beat the Heat Hacks for Summer at Walt Disney World!

This podcast as well as all others are brought to you by Performance Journeys, which celebrates its 20th year as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through keynotes, workshops, seminars and amazing benchmarking programs to organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors. If you are seeking to improve your customer delivery, to re-engage the morale of your workforce, or to improve the leadership of your organization, we offer not only great solutions tried and tested from our time working intimately to raise excellence in organizations big and small. At Performance Journeys, it’s as much about the journey as it is about the performance.

Visit our website at DisneyInsights.com

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Rick Barongi & The Pioneers of Disney’s Animal Kingdom

As part of the 25th Anniversary of Disney's Animal Kingdom, we want to talk about how this park came to be and the leaders that made it happen. I had the privilege of meeting back up with Rick Barongi, the first animal care zoo keeper hired by Imagineering to develop and make Disney's Animal Kingdom a reality. Roy E. Disney, Michael Eisner, Frank Wells, and Imagineers like Craig Russell, Paul Comstock and of course, Joe Rohde. He shares the role Jane Goodall played in supporting the park and of adventures in constructing it. Join us as we talk about the pioneers of Disney's Animal Kingdom who were the leaders that truly made this park a reality that we know and love today.

Our big thanks to Rick Barongi who joined me for this podcast and has done so much to further the betterment of animals, nature and conservation throughout the world. Check out his latest undertaking, Longneck Manor in Fredericksburg, Texas.

This podcast as well as all others are brought to you by Performance Journeys, which celebrates its 20th year as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through keynotes, workshops, seminars and amazing benchmarking programs to organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors. If you are seeking to improve your customer delivery, to re-engage the morale of your workforce, or to improve the leadership of your organization, we offer not only great solutions tried and tested from our time working intimately to raise excellence in organizations big and small. At Performance Journeys, it’s as much about the journey as it is about the performance.

Our podcast today spoke of vegetation at Disney's Animal Kingdom and the role Paul Comstock played. Visit our poll and tell us which land in the park has the best landscaping. Please join our Disney Insights Facebook Page and share! We would love to hear from you.

Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser Ends & Other Important Losses

While we like going into the weekend with lighter news, this week a couple of key announcements were made, and they are reflective of some tough financial decisions being made particularly at the Walt Disney World Resort. First and foremost, Disney has announced that the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser will cease operations in a few months. We explore why this is coming to an end, and most importantly, what lessons can be learned from it. Disney has also announced that it is no longer going to relocate staff into a planned campus that was to be located in a Lake Nona campus here in Orlando. And we also look at the tea leaves to see how attendance is doing at Walt Disney World.

This conversation is timely, as we have worked with organizations big and small to consider how they can save their customers time. It’s one of the major processes that really trip up a customer experience. At  Performance Journeys, we work with organizations in the public, private and non-profit sector to help give their customers the gift of time. We can help your organization as well. The concepts presented in this podcast are an outline of the kinds of improvements we can help you make. Call us and let’s chat.

When the Wait in Line is a Crime: Disney CSI+

The biggest guest complaint at Disney Parks is how long the waits are. Guests are always wondering how they can enjoy the experience without getting worn out waiting for one ride after another. Tools such as the Disney app showing wait times, or Touring Plans can direct guests as to where to go next when they are in the parks. But those tools don't always offer context as to what is happening that creates that wait time. And sometimes those tools are simply not accurate. How do you determine that accuracy? With decades of experience being in these parks I wanted to present a simple tool for thinking through all this. I present Disney CSI+. Disney CSI+ stands for the following: Capacity, Schedule, Interest & Genie+. We will present the issues to each of these in a simple way that you can identify for yourself what attractions will easily be walk ons and which ones are going to involve serious consideration as to when to ride. Disney CSI+ will give you the key concepts and principles that will help you make better "in the moment" decisions.

This conversation is timely, as we have worked with organizations big and small to consider how they can save their customers time. It's one of the major processes that really trip up a customer experience. At  Performance Journeys, we work with organizations in the public, private and non-profit sector to help give their customers the gift of time. We can help your organization as well. The concepts presented in this podcast are an outline of the kinds of improvements we can help you make. Call us and let's chat.

Fantasyland at Disneyland Paris! A Place of Joy and Magic

We continue our series focusing on the many lands of Disneyland Paris. This week we explore Fantasyland, which not only built out one of the elegant versions of this land, but sought to create a level of whimsy and magic well beyond just being another European village, which can be found anywhere on this continent. We explore the many attractions, restaurants and retail experiences. A study of all this yields a conclusion that the details of this land create for one of the most lavish and charming of any land built in any park. The details are effusive and the outcome is fantastical. Join us as we journey through Fantasyland at Disneyland Paris: A place of joy and magic.

This podcast as well as all others are brought to you by Performance Journeys, which celebrates its 20th year as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through keynotes, workshops, seminars and amazing benchmarking programs to organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors. If you are seeking to improve your customer delivery, to re-engage the morale of your workforce, or to improve the leadership of your organization, we offer not only great solutions tried and tested from our time working intimately to raise excellence in organizations big and small. At Performance Journeys, it’s as much about the journey as it is about the performance.

Make sure you check out our show links, photos, videos and more at DisneyInsights.com

Big Changes to Walt Disney World Park Reservations & Disney Dining in 2024

Big announcements were made to the Disney experience that affects your reservations, your stay and potentially your dining experience. We will walk through these announcements and try to understand what is happening and what is not. We’re also going to try our hand on why all of this is about 2024 and not a day or month sooner. Are there additional changes we like to see that haven’t been announced? And does any of this have to do eventually with Disneyland? Maybe, maybe not. Join us as we discuss big changes to Walt Disney World Park Reservations & Disney Dining in 2024.

This podcast as well as all others are brought to you by Performance Journeys, which celebrates its 20th year as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through keynotes, workshops, seminars and amazing benchmarking programs to organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors. If you are seeking to improve your customer delivery, to re-engage the morale of your workforce, or to improve the leadership of your organization, we offer not only great solutions tried and tested from our time working intimately to raise excellence in organizations big and small. At Performance Journeys, it’s as much about the journey as it is about the performance.

See more details at our website, DisneyInsights.com

Dining Reviews at Narcoose’s and Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White

Some of Walt Disney World’s best restaurant experiences are within her resorts, and the deluxe resorts are the focal point of that kind of dining, epicurean adventure. We visit two such restaurants. First we check out Narcoose’s for dinner with John and Lori Scali at Disney’s Grand Floridian Restaurant. Then my wife and I enjoy an evening at Artist Point for a character meal with Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy and the Wicked Queen, along with friends Mark and Melanie Esty. We look at those restaurants, how they came to be, and how solid the culinary experience is at both. These are high-priced dining experiences. Would you want to spend not only your money, but your vacation time checking out either of these restaurant? Join us as we provide dining reviews at Narcoose’s and Artist Point.

This podcast as well as all others are brought to you by Performance Journeys, which celebrates its 20th year as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through keynotes, workshops, seminars and amazing benchmarking programs to organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors. If you are seeking to improve your customer delivery, to re-engage the morale of your workforce, or to improve the leadership of your organization, we offer not only great solutions tried and tested from our time working intimately to raise excellence in organizations big and small. At Performance Journeys, it’s as much about the journey as it is about the performance.

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Have you done a character meal at Disney? What is your favorite? What characters do you like to meet? Which one are you looking to see on your next visit? Visit Disney Insights Facebook Page and share! We would love to hear from you.

Disney News From Around the World & Lawsuits Too

There is so much happening in the Disney parks and resorts across the world, and it's time to catch up. From Walt Disney World to Disneyland, From Paris to Tokyo, there are really cool things happening and we want to share them with you. Even happenings on the Disney Cruise Line as they celebrate their 25th anniversary. And yes...there are some lawsuits as well. We'll take a few moments to catch you up to date, but we really want to share some of the magic going on around the globe. In fact, we have over a dozen happenings throughout all of Disney that we have to share. So join us for news around the world and lawsuits too.

This podcast as well as all others are brought to you by Performance Journeys, which celebrates its 20th year as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through keynotes, workshops, seminars and amazing benchmarking programs to organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors. If you are seeking to improve your customer delivery, to re-engage the morale of your workforce, or to improve the leadership of your organization, we offer not only great solutions tried and tested from our time working intimately to raise excellence in organizations big and small. At Performance Journeys, it’s as much about the journey as it is about the performance.