A moving new video that includes a broad spectrum of Disney employees wants the bullied, oppressed, gay, queer, questioning or otherwise harassed youth of today to know that it does indeed get better. This video is part of The Trevor Project which provides crisis intervention… Read More »Disney Cast Members contribute to “It Gets Better” for The Trevor Project
Every year or so an anonymous cast member takes it upon themselves to share the funny, frustrating, and otherwise random bizarre moments that contribute to their experience while working for the Mouse. These instances, when viewed separate from the whole of the regular cast member… Read More »Disney Memes
When you have a cast of 60,000 employees managing their care and well-being can be quite a challenge. This is one area where Disney has been known to excel. From Health & Wellness centers on property to safety and risk management programs, Disney Parks is a known leader. Finally getting some recognition for that is Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chief Medical Officer Pamela Hymel, M.D. who was named the 2011 recipient of Global Leadership in Corporate Health Award, recognizing her career as a proponent of workplace health and wellness in leading U.S. companies.
At Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, Dr. Hymel is responsible for integrating a segment-wide health and wellness strategy for Disney’s parks and resorts which includes Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Lines and Disney Vacation Clubs. She is also responsible for implementing a segment-wide electronic medical record, with integration into risk management, safety and HRIS systems as well as developing standardized practices and processes with a focus on improved efficiency, outcomes and cost effectiveness.
Read More »Health & Wellness Chief at Walt Disney World Wins Award
(left to right) Charles Ridgway, Forrest Bahruth, Heather Will-Browne, Darlene Kennedy, Kevin Myers.
On October 1st, 2011 I had the immense privilege to interview four Magic Kingdom opening day cast members. Each brings their own interesting stories and passion for making the magic.
Author Charles Ridgway, former Director of Walt Disney World Public Relations and Disney Legend for four decades of service to “the Mouse” (Hometown: Chicago) – Before moving from California to head the Walt Disney World publicity staff, Charlie Ridgway worked for Walt Disney himself at Disneyland in Anaheim, where he hosted media interviews and set up photo shoots with Walt and Mickey. When the Magic Kingdom first opened, Ridgway says, there was still some tweaking and problem solving to do. The parking lot trams “didn’t have enough power to go up the hill to the Ticket and Transportation Center arrival area,” he recalls. “There was lots of construction yet to go, wires hanging, walls not finished.” And he remembers the Flag Retreat ceremony brought to the Magic Kingdom from Disneyland: each evening a flock of pigeons flew in a white cloud from Town Square to Cinderella Castle and back. “Walt liked to say at Disneyland, ‘If you have pigeons and balloons, you can’t go wrong.’ Park officials eventually ended the tradition out of concern for the birds and the environment.
Three more below the jump:
Read More »Walt Disney World Cast Members Share Opening Day Memories
Disneyland never opened on September 11, 2001. Although a number of cast members had already showed up for work, the news of the events of that tragic day came early enough that the park gates never opened. LaughingPlace.com has an amazing article today with some… Read More »Disneyland on 9/11 – Two Cast Members Remember
I love this little skit from D23 that Ricky Brigante caught and put up on youtube. It shows Disney Parks & Resorts President Tom Staggs doing a variety of cast member jobs as he takes over the position from Jay Rasulo. Quite funny, huh! It’s… Read More »Disney Parks Chief Is Every Cast Member
Disney Parks released a video a few days ago entitled “Imagineers Use of Innovative Technology to Build New Fantasyland”. As the name suggests, the video demonstrates the significance of innovative visualization technologies, primarily the iPad, that have helped Imagineers in building the Magic Kingdom’s new Fantasyland expansion.… Read More »A Testament to Technology: Imagineers Use Innovations to Help Build Fantasyland Expansion
For guests, the water craft choices on the Magic Kingdom’s rivers of America is down to one – The Liberty Belle sternwheeler. Keel Boats and Canoes are all but distant memories. The dock for the canoes has been converted to a smoking area and the… Read More »Cast Member Canoe Race Tradition Continues at Disney World