It’s mid summer and the right time to take a look at what’s happening at Disney Parks across the globe. More is happening than you might imagine, and we want to capture all the highlights. Our family was there for all the major Fourth of July holiday events at Walt Disney World and we’ll share the Red White and Blues of all of it. We’ll also look at the larger attendance trends not just at Walt Disney World but at Disneyland. Many beloved attractions have been getting attention recently, and we’ll take a look at what’s working and maybe what isn’t. It’s part of Disney to draw attention to the parks to some of the rides and shows we love the most, while they are busy trying to construct major mega offerings. We’ll consider the philosophy behind this from both an Imagineering and operational view. This includes recent changes focused on keeping day guests from jumping on a bus at Disney Springs. Is Disney trying to keep everyone not staying at a Disney Resort away? We’ll study this, and then we’ll look at efforts internationally at a number of Disney Parks. Big things are afoot and you may not know what’s on its way. Join us for a big summer update at Disney Parks here and across the globe.

This podcast is produced by myself and Performance Journeys, which offers training, development and consultant support to organizations big and small and entrepreneurs new and established. With a wide variety of resources and long-time in-the-trench experience, we offer workshops, online learning, coaching and more to organizations that want to build their teams, raise organizational excellence, improve leadership and create customer loyalty. Check us out at PerformanceJourneys.com.

As with our podcast, be sure to check out our web site, DisneyInsights.com where we offer key points, photos, videos, links and more. Note that YouTube carries now carries our podcasts. So please subscribe to our Insights YouTube page as it will be more a part of our social media strategy moving forward. With all of this we encourage and appreciate any positive ratings, reviews or referrals you can offer to others.

Red White & Blues

• Bluey’s Wild World
• Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
• Jesse’s Roundup with Woody and Bullseye, guitar singer and Jump ropers
• Magic Kingdom Fireworks
• Buses to TTC
• Voices of and Beyond Liberty–Echo Sets
• Breakdown on the Skyliner
• Viva La France
• Soarin’
• Fall From Goofy Core at CommuniCore
• Heartbeat of Freedom Fireworks Addition to Luminous
• Parking Lot
• Crowd Attendance–Attendance can be confusing
• Billionth Person at Disneyland 500,000 in 2004 49 years as opposed to 22 years

Because there were not major projects commenced some 5 years ago, It will still be at least late 2027 before we see anything significantly new at either Walt Disney World and Disneyland. When it does it will probably be all or part of the new Marvel attractions at Disney California Adventure, and for Disney’s Animal Kingdom all or part of the new Tropical America’s section–at least the land and the carousel, if not Encanto and/or Indiana Jones. The coaster for Monster’s Inc. will not likely be ready, but the land to include whatever goes into the former Muppet theater could. The reception to Disney’s effort to make big new lands does not fare well when all off it doesn’t open at the same time (Galaxy’s Edge being a great example of this) but it’s better than nothing.

Until that time, Disney has to come up with other reasons to come visit the parks. If there is a plus to this, it’s that this time period fortunately has been an opportunity to do some magic for attractions that have long needed attention. Matt Quimet Project Sparkle in 2004 preparatory to 2005’s 50th anniversary.

• Soarin’ in California Opens at Disneyland
• La Poutinerie sponsored by Air Canada
• Carousel of Progress Closes
• Mandalorian & Grogu & Morę at Disneyland
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets
• Magic of Disney Animation
• Pirates of the Caribbean Projection–Gibson’s Dilemma Creating Faces–Josh 100 Days
• Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition
• Kids Additions

Rolly Crump described the park as a gorgeous salad because of the ingredients. There is a little bit of something in there for everyone. The attention to detail is one of the most important pieces of it, because there is so much in there.” As an example he also pointed to “the little figures making popcorn in the popcorn wagons. Those little things are the croutons, or the little bits of oregano, that are in the salad that makes it so delicious. I really feel like that was why Disneyland was always so successful. I hate to say it, but the rest of the theme parks were nothing more than lettuce and tomatoes.” (From It’s Kind of a Cute Little Story)

A Targeted Focus on Customer Segmentation

• Pre Fourth of July Announcement–Disney Springs–Buses and Boats
• Beignets at Port Orleans
• Family at Art of Animation Not Staying There but having a birthday celebration
• Reflections
• Ginger Bread House Not Coming–Surprised That They Haven’t Created a Facade Over the Bar
• How long was the line because of outside guests coming to the Ginger Bread House? How much was the overhead over creating a new house from scratch?
• If Select Opportunities Require Financial Commitment, So Be It

International Movements

• Shanghai Disney–10 Years
• Abu Dhabi
• Sentosa

“Disneyland is the star. Everything else is in the supporting role.” Walt Disney

Disneyland Insights: Inspiration, Ideas & Magic for You and Your Organization

If you like this kind of nerdy insight on all things Disney, then check out my newest offering. For over a year I’ve been capturing and sharing stories of Disneyland, while creating a new online tool for you to explore all of them in one place. It’s called Disneyland Insights: Inspiration, Ideas & Magic for You and Your Organization and it’s an interactive, multimedia experience. This is truly designed for those who are seeking to find new ideas that will guide you to 

1. Provide Individual & Organizational Leadership Excellence
2. Create Employee Engagement & a Team Culture
3. Offer a Superior Customer Experience

Not only does the content through examples, stories and models play to these themes, but each section provides “Souvenirs for You and Your Organization”. They are reflective questions that may be used to better the work or operation you may be lead or be part of. And in that instance, it is more of a business focus. In fact, many may utilize funding set aside in their organization for training and development to purchase this volume.

Click here to order Disneyland Insights: Inspiration, Ideas & Magic for You and Your Organization. It’s also available on the show notes page of our podcast. Whether you’re on a comfy sofa at home or on Main Street, U.S.A. this experience allows you to navigate through all nine lands to explore some 100 locations where you can find Disney insights that will be inspire and guide you and your organization. 

Books From Your Host at Disney Insights

Also, if you’re looking to grab something today, go to Amazon where you will find four of my books available for purchase. Three explore Disney at length, and one explores world class businesses to include Disney. Check them out!

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.

Thanks for joining us for this podcast. Know that as in the title of my organization, Performance Journeys, it’s as much about the journey as it is about performance. Find the second star to the right, and keep going straight on till you reach it. Follow the compass of your heart, and know that with a smile and a song, a little faith, effort and pixie dust, your dreams can come true. After all, if we can dream it, we can do it. Until next time, bright suns, we’ll see you real soon!