Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the New York World’s Fair
Most of the listeners on this podcast were probably not born much less visited the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. Yet perhaps no project outside the Disney Parks has had more influence on the Disney Parks themselves than the New York World’s Fair. So many attractions that we know and love like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Spaceship Earth, and the Peoplemover have their roots in the four exhibits done by the creativity and imagination of Walt Disney and his team of Imagineers for the fair. After considering how Disney captured the interests of those seeking to build a pavilion at the fair, we look at four projects themselves: General Electric’s Progressland, Ford Magic Skyway; Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln; and “it’s a small world”. We’ll share little known stories and we’ll see all of these ended up in some form or another at Disneyland and subsequently Walt Disney World. And we consider today how almost every attraction built by Disney such as Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge has roots in the New York World’s Fair. Join us for this 60th anniversary special.
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Electronic Bird Brain Ideas
General Electric’s Progressland
Ford Magic Skyway
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
“it’s a small world”
Moving Back to California and On to Florida
There was an incredible evolution from a show with Tiki birds to the Carousel of Progress, but Disney style shows where animatronics have entertained you have evolved even more to shows like The Country Bear Jamboree, America Sings, The Mickey Mouse Revue, Kitchen Kabaret, Belle’s Enchanted Tales, The Timekeeper, Meet the World, Alien Encounter and Stitch’s Great Escape.
The dinosaurs of Ford Magic Skyway found a home in Disneyland, and it extended itself to Tokyo Disneyland, The Universe of Energy and Dinosaur at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Moreover, the technology of that ride system has been extended to the PeopleMover, The Haunted Mansion, Spaceship Earth, World of Motion, the Buzz Lightyear Attractions, Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Nano Battle!
From the humble beginnings of Abraham Lincoln, Disney advanced its portfolio of presidents to the Hall of Presidents at Magic Kingdom. But the effort to create advanced human style animatronics are found in attractions world wide, even in places like The American Adventure, Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast at Tokyo Disney, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Finally, the messages of peace, love and hope from “it’s a small world” can be found in Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland. The boat ride technology has found its way across the globe as well to attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, Living with The Land, Grand Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros; Frozen Ever After, and Sinbad’s Storybook Journey.
Souvenirs for You and Your Organization
Consider the following as to how you can make the magic come alive for you:
- If Walt Disney was the Master Showman and Robert Moses was the Master Builder, what are you the master of? What would like to be known as the master of?
- How can you get others to invest in your ideas?
- How can you bring those investments back home to your organization?
Books From Your Host at Disney Insights
My new 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.
CONTEST!
Visit our Disney Insights Facebook Page and answer the question, where can you find a cat in every season of Carousel of Progress? We spoke of the dog earlier. Where does the cat show up in every scene? Be the first to guess correctly, and we will send you a copy of A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I.
Join the Wayfinder Group!
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Check out the Wayfinder’s Society to see these Sneak Peeks!
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Find Excellence in Your Organization!
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.
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