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
“What are you waiting for?” “I don’t know, something amazing, I guess.” – The Incredibles. It’s week two of the 2013 Disney Parks promotion Limited Time Magic. At Disneyland the Golden Horseshoe Revue tribute continues through the 2nd week, but the third week will see… Read More »Limited Time Magic – Week 2
Note: Don’t have much time other than to get this press release up, but in general I think this will be seen as a good for both fans of the parks and cast members. That does not mean everything will be smooth sailing and ponies will come with every Disney vacation, but I like the idea of this leadership change.
Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Tom Staggs today announced key leadership changes across one of the world’s leading providers of family travel and leisure experiences to better position the organization for growth. Effective Feb. 1, Meg Crofton will fully assume her global role as president, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations, U.S. and France – a position she has held since July 2011 – while concurrently serving as president of Walt Disney World. With Meg’s transition complete, George A. Kalogridis is named president of the Walt Disney World Resort, and Michael Colglazier is named president of the Disneyland Resort. Both Kalogridis and Colglazier’s roles are also effective Feb. 1.
“With all that we currently have in flight across our resort destinations in the U.S. and France, the time is right to move forward with this leadership transition,” said Staggs. “This group of Disney veterans has the knowledge and expertise needed to continue delivering on our legacy of creating unforgettable experiences that our guests have come to know and expect. I would like to thank Meg for her tireless devotion and the extraordinary contributions serving in both positions, and wish George and Michael the best of luck in their new roles. They both bring a wealth of operational expertise, leadership and passion to these roles, which will contribute to the success of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.”
With the appointment of a Walt Disney World president, Crofton will focus all of her attention to providing strategic oversight of the broader initiatives that impact Disney destinations in the U.S. and France.
Kalogridis brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and expertise to his new role at Walt Disney World, including more than 40 years of experience at Disney parks in a number of positions around the world. Most recently as president of the Disneyland Resort, he oversaw one of the most extensive expansion projects in the Resort’s history — including the immensely successful transformation of Disney California Adventure. Throughout his career, Kalogridis also has proven himself to be a leader in the travel and leisure industry, as well as a respected partner in the community. Read More »Disneyland President moves to Walt Disney World President Role, Other Changes in Leadership Made
For the past few years Disneyland has been running “Every Role A Starring Role”, a periodic video series where it looks at cast members and exactly what their jobs entail at the parks. I don’t know about you, but I’ve found it fascinating. The latest… Read More »Disneyland Profiles Cast Members at Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
With the recent expansion of Cars Land, the Disneyland resort is now bigger than ever and welcoming more guests than ever. Beginning November 12th, the holiday line up for the parks will include new holiday décor for Cars Land and Buena Vista Street in DCA, Ice Skating at Downtown Disney, special fireworks, the Christmas Parade, and Snowfall in Disneyland just to get started.
As we mentioned in August, three is a new expanded schedule for the 2012 Disneyland Candlelight Ceremony and Processional. Candlelight will now run a total of 20 nights with two performances each night. Below is the list of currently scheduled narrators for shows from December 1-20:
Dec. 1-2: Dennis Haysbert (actor)*
Dec. 3-5: Kurt Russell (actor and Disney Legend)
Dec. 6-8: TBA
Dec. 9-11: Lou Diamond Phillips (actor)
Dec. 12-13: Dick Van Dyke (actor and Disney Legend)
Dec. 14: Marcia Gay Harden (actress)
Dec. 15-16: Patricia Heaton (actress)
Dec. 17-19: Molly Ringwald (actress)
Dec. 20: Dennis Haysbert (actor)
*December 1-2 performances are by invitation only, as they have been since 1958, when Walt Disney first held these private celebrations to thank partners in the community for their support throughout the year.
More details of holiday offerings at Disneyland Resort below the cut:
Read More »Disneyland Christmas Holiday now Includes Expanded Candleight Processional, Cars Land
A giant float inspired by Cars Land, the new expansion at Disney California Adventure, will appear in the 124th Rose Parade on January 1, 2013. The parade’s theme is “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” – a perfect tie-in for Pixar’s “Cars”. The stars of “Cars”,… Read More »Cars Land Float will Represent Disneyland in Rose Parade