Celebrating All Things Disney with News, Analysis & Best-in Business Ideas on Life & Work from the Happiest Places on Earth!
Episodes
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
With Disney having over 100 years as a company, there have been good times and a few tough times. But relatively speaking, the company has fared well over the long haul. It certainly has grown--enormously from its original roots as a small animation studio to one of the biggest media organizations across the globe. It is envied for its growth, but that growth isn't sustainable unless you're growing your employees in a sustainable way. Short term, corporations can do many things to make a quick turn around. Infused capital if nothing else. Show momentary good will and create great marketing campaigns will make people notice. But real admiration comes from sustained long term growth, not from quick overnight deals. And that growth comes from growing your employees.
I'm joined today by Kim and Mac Cantrell of 2Impact, former guests on my podcast, who will share what's happening with organizations that are facing their own growth challenges. We'll talk about those, and we'll talk about something called "Soft Wiring" which is a practical approach to working with your employees to engage, motivate and empower them to grow the organization successfully. I'll share plenty of examples of what this looks like at Disney, and you'll see that these are things you can do in your organization as well. So join us on Disney Insights as we talk about how to grow your company by growing your employees.
________________________________________________________
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 Sep 09, 2025
Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
Walt loved New Orleans and from day one he sought to incorporate the essence of the French Quarter into Disneyland Park. While New Orleans Square wasn't opened until 1966, there has always been since day one a New Orleans Street. It stretched from the Golden Horseshoe down along the Rivers of America. It was a contrast to the Nature's Wonderland with its mine train, pack mules and stage coaches. It was one of the key dining points in the park, and Walt loved this stretch, where he often enjoyed a weekend morning breakfast watching the ships along the Rivers of America prep and ready for the day's activities.
But he wanted more and in time he built New Orleans Square, and with it came two of perhaps Disney's greatest attractions, Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion, benchmarking each end of the square. They sandwiched an unusual twist of streets with shops and restaurants, with his beloved train passing through. And all of it was tied together by the legendary Mark Twain Steamboat. It is quintessentially one of the most unique spaces in any Disney park. And with it come some wonderful inspirational lessons in business and life. So in celebration of Disneyland's 70th anniversary, we explore all of this and more in today's podcast which celebrates the charm of both New Orleans Street and Square.
________________________________________________________
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 Sep 02, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
We had a chance to visit the Beak and Barrel and we wanted to share that total experience with you. We'll check out the food and beverage, the logistics, but most of all we'll talk about the incredible attention to detail that creates for the entire experience. And we'll talk about its implications for not only all of Caribbean Bazaar at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, but what it might suggest for Disneyland and for the upcoming Disney Adventure. So join us as we review The Beak and Barrel.
________________________________________________________
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 Aug 25, 2025
Monday Aug 25, 2025
Several weeks ago D23 put out their agenda for their upcoming event being held the last weekend of August. Surprising to so many was the fact that there was no parks panel. In the interim, Walt Disney World came forward with a press event a few days ago giving insight and updates on a large number of attractions and offerings coming the "Most Magical Place on Earth". We'll dissect all of these announcements--and they are really fun announcements--and then look at the D23 agenda to see if something is happening far beyond what has already been announced. With this comes an overview of what the Beak and Barrel looks like, as it opened this last weekend. If you love all things Walt Disney World this is a very interesting moment in time. Join us as well look at these Florida announcements and wild predictions of announcements that could come from the upcoming D23 event.
_________________________________________________________________
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 Aug 21, 2025
Thursday Aug 21, 2025
Mary Poppins would say, "Just a Spoonful of Sugar Helps the Medicine go Down". Well, I've seen that happen as it's been my.privilege to work with organizations big and small, public, private and non-profit. Many of them come to me because they want their organization to be something more like Disney. They want a place where people enjoy working and even have fun at it. In truth, few organizations work harder than Disney. And at the end of the day, it's work. But despite the hard times, the difficult circumstances, and the day-to-day challenges, leaders stay positive despite the circumstances. There are Disney inspired lessons that can show us all how to keep a sense of humor, how to create a space for fun, how not to take themselves too seriously, and even how to find joy in accomplishing the impossible. From the boardroom to the Matterhorn; from Canoe Races to Goofy's Mystery Tour--join us as we learn lessons from Disney leaders past and present about how to create fun--even at work!
________________________________________________________________
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 Aug 12, 2025
Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
As I prepared for this podcast all of the joy and happy moments of our stay during Disneyland's 70th anniversary just flooded over me. This is my opportunity to Celebrate Happy with you. Indeed I would say it was one of the most wonderful and memorable trips our family had--even though it was at time intense given all that we wanted to see, do and perhaps eat. While Disneyland's 70th anniversary will be accented by seasonal events such as Halloween and Christmas, know that this event is going on through the summer of 2026. I want to know that every one of you listening out there will visit, and my duty here in this podcast is to get you excited to do so. When we're through with this podcast, you'll see that this should have been the anniversary celebration Walt Disney World had. So join us as we celebrate truly happy moments in Disneyland's 70th anniversary.
_______________________________________________________________________
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 Aug 04, 2025
Monday Aug 04, 2025
Sorry as I was gone this last week. I visited Disneyland's 70th anniversary a couple of weeks ago. There is so much to talk about when it comes to this celebration of "The Happiest Place on Earth". But the primary reason I felt drawn to come at this time was the new show at the Opera House on Main Street. I feel there is not one but two stories about the new attraction: Walt Disney: A Magical Life. This is of course the highly sophisticated and highly controversial animatronic show of Walt Disney. And I have much to say about that show experience. And to understand all of this, you have to understand efforts made earlier to help people relate to Walt Disney, to include The Walt Disney Story, One Man's Dream and even Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. It's a deep dive review for sure.
But there is a larger conversation about how Disney is reconnecting more people to what they once loved in their youth, experiences that foster ties. It's as if Disney has finally realized that their history, their heritage, and their stories really do matter. And they seem to be doing much more moving forward to building on that theme. This podcast looks at Walt Disney's Magical Life and so much more.
_______________________________________________________
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 Jul 21, 2025
Monday Jul 21, 2025
This weekend Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away kicked off its inaugural run with two nights of dress rehearsals and an opening on Sunday. This new parade, long awaited and hoped for by Walt Disney World fans is simply magical. It's not perfect, but it's simply beautiful and is what has been needed for so long since its ancestors, The Main Street Electrical Parade and SpectroMagic had long parted. We visit this parade and talk all the details of what makes it work--and at times, not so perfectly work. It's a must-see event at Walt Disney World and a welcome tradition for years to come. And my belief is, that it will only get better over time. So join us as we review Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away!
____________________________________________________________
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 Jul 15, 2025
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
"Third time's the charm" is a saying that suggests perhaps the third attempt will be more successful than the two prior failures. By no means has the past two versions of Test Track been failures. But it seems like this is a huge opportunity to learn from the previous experiences and truly come up with something that could be loved for years to come. We chart out not only all three, but also talk about its forefather, The World of Motion. On our journey I pick up my friend and colleague Nick Grande, to talk about our experience testing Test Track, where it works, where it doesn't and where it retreads. Great news! There is much to love about this new version. And while we've seen people either completely love or hate it, we'll give you a complete sense of how you can get both responses. Join us for Test Track 3.0. Is the third time the charm?
____________________________________________________________
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!
Wednesday Jul 09, 2025
Wednesday Jul 09, 2025
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!