Alisa Yenokyan, a 22 year old woman from Hollywood was arrested last week for allegedly selling fake Disneyland tickets she advertised on Craigslist to unsuspecting buyers. Dozens of families were duped and didn’t even realize it until they arrived at the theme park and were… Read More »Fake Disneyland Tickets on Craigslist
Sure, Disneyland is Walt’s original park, but is it better than Disney World? Yes and no. At Disney World we’ve got miles of green space, lakes, boats, a massive monorail system, more than twenty-five resorts (and counting) and over two hundred places to eat, to say nothing of four parks, Downtown Disney, and two water parks. Disneyland is tiny by comparison, with just three Disney-owned resorts, two parks, and a smaller Downtown Disney, all surrounded by a bustling urban area.
Before last year, I had no desire to visit Disneyland, but my boss had an event out there that we were able to cover and who am I to say no to an impromptu Disney trip? Still, I remember heading the airport and wishing I was going to Disney World instead. Fortunately, I couldn’t have been more wrong. Smaller, more intimate, less crowded and busy, Disneyland has so much to offer the Disney World fan. Here’s what immediately struck me about the differences between the two parks:
1. Disneyland is a local park.
Part of the charm of Disneyland is that it’s a local park. You’ll see families who’ve been going there for generations; It’s just part of what they do for fun. While the bulk of Disney World guests are doing the hardcore version of park touring, which can lead to a lot of stress, you don’t see as much of that in Disneyland. This makes the park easier to tour, I think. Less drama, fewer parents having meltdowns. It’s just a very different atmosphere when your attitude isn’t “do or die.”
2. No Magical Express.
I’m sure I’m not the only Disney guest who’s stood in the middle of LAX and wished for Magical Express. If you fly into Los Angeles, you’ll pay around $30 for a shuttle to and from the airport if you don’t have a car. And if you have a car? Get ready for some serious traffic. Orlando International Airport is an easy 45-minutes away from Disney property even on the worst days. Disneyland is as close as 45 miles, but It can take you hours to drive it if you hit rush hour at the wrong time—and rush hour starts early and goes late.Read More »Disneyland Differences
March 12th has been announced as the official opening date for Fantasy Faire, the princess meet and greet expansion of Disneyland’s Fantasyland. Two of Disney’s princesses just couldn’t wait and stopped by for a visit and a photo shoot.
Yes, it’s finally here. The one week of Limited Time Magic we’ve all been waiting for; Disneyland and Disney World have finally unleashed the mighty vocal stylings of the Dapper Dans to re-invent the most mighty of harmonious sounds – the boy band. From Feb.… Read More »Boy Band Barbershop Mania Invades Disney Parks For Limited Time Magic
Disneyland has released another fun segment of “Every role a starring role” where they take us into the life of a cast member and show how they help make the magic. Senior Show Director Randy Wojcik works on entertainment experience in and outside of the… Read More »Disneyland – Behind The Scenes with the Resort Show Director
I wasn’t going to post this video because the Sound Quality is a bit poor. But with the path Limited Time Magic is taking, I think it’s time to share. The interview is with Scott Cassidy, Senior Vice President, Global Alliance Marketing at Disney Parks… Read More »Limited Time Magic – Interview with Scott Cassidy of Disney Marketing
Over at Disneyland there are two on-going Limited Time Magic events. The Salute to the Golden Horseshoe Revue continues as does Bayou Bash. I’ve been reading reviews of the Horseshoe tribute and they’re almost uniformly positive with great things to say about the performers. If anything guests want to see more, which I think is a good sign for bringing back a show like Golden Horseshoe Revue… even if it’s a twice a night show with a prix fix menu like they did for the AP dinners.
You can tell the revival is a thing of love. It also includes some direct ties to the original show:
On the east coast we’re getting our third unique limited time magic opportunity. This time it’s one of the per-announced events. For one week, January 21–27, guests will want to keep their cameras ready for the chance to meet rarely seen classic characters like Clarabelle Cow and Horace Horsecollar, Robin Hood and Friar Tuck. Also on tap for appearances are the Three Little Pigs.
If you’re in the parks watch #LimitedTimeMagic on Twitter for the latest updates.
Read More »Limited Time Magic – Week 3 Returns Long Lost Friends
We’re learning more about the leadership shuffle at the domestic Disney parks. We already covered Disneyland President George Kalogridis moving to Walt Disney World. Effective Feb. 1, Meg Crofton will fully assume her global role as president, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations, U.S. and France. Michael Colglazier has been named president of the Disneyland Resort. Both Kalogridis’ and Colglazier’s roles also are effective Feb. 1.
Some unsolicited advice for both George and Michael, be seen in the parks and resorts frequently. If you don’t have young kids, consider adopting a family for the day to see things from their point of view. Eat in the parks, try to make dining reservations on your own, use the new MyMagic+ system. Basically make time to take off the executive jacket and be a guest for a few hours every week.
Your cast members are your strongest asset. Invest in them with additional training, benefits, and upgrades to the backstage infrastructure. Consult with cast member alumni (even Imagineers who were pushed or left on their own). They still have a love of the parks and now have enough distance to make the points that those employed by Disney never could. Finally, remember the first key is Safety, but the second should always be Show followed by Courtesy and then Efficiency. Sometimes that order is lost in the thin lines of the spreadsheet.
A bit more about Colglazier below:
Read More »Michael Colglazier Steps Into Disneyland Resort President Role Effective Feb 1