In an earlier podcast, we spoke about some of the great things happening technology wise at Disney, even as it relates to IT. We'll look at real challenges Disney is facing and how they have consistently struggled with making improvements, adopting innovation, or working across the board instead of in silos. We'll consider how organizations like Disney are re-looking at whether they should have a dedicated IT department at all. And we'll explore options for Disney to get this right moving forward. Remember, when we talk about the primary thing that upsets Disney guests and fans more than any one thing--Genie+, it's a paid product centered around technology. And yet this may be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to technology. Technology matters at Disney, and Disney has to turn it around--especially if it wants to go into the metaverse.

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This week Disney announces a new business segment to their Disney Signature Experience. Called Storyliving by Disney, and it is a set of planned communities with a Disney-designed aesthetic and customer service experience. Bloggers and others are referring to it in the same way Epcot was initially thought conceived by Walt himself, which it is not--nor does Disney draw that comparison. It is also being compared to Celebration and Golden Oak, which does have some shared similarities. In truth the relationship here is more like Arvida, a company Disney purchased in the 1980's, and whose organization eventually evolved into the Disney Development Company. We'll walk through all of this, and then explore what is Cotino, the first of these master-planned communities being built in the Coachella Valley area, near Palm Springs. We'll look at its amenities and features. Will you visit and perhaps live in Cotino? Let's find out on this next Disney at Play podcast.

January and February were always weeks where Epcot seemed especially dead. But Epcot's International Festival of the Arts has not only helped fill the park, it's become a classic of its own. From the rainbow colored lights of Spaceship Earth to the sights and sounds of Disney on Broadway at the American Gardens Theatre, we explore what's new and what's returned to this annual event. We talk about progress on projects around Epcot to include the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy coaster. We also deep dive many of the dishes offered during the festival, and we explore what's up with this whole Figment popcorn bucket. If you are still planning on attending in the little time remaining, or if you are looking at this possibility in the future, check out this podcast where we give you the inside scoop. And we look ahead to what's happening with the International Flower & Garden Festival coming up shortly.

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Also, check out our YouTube site, J. Jeff Kober for more Disney videos.

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The Main Street Confectionary has always been a part of the Main Street USA experience in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. But it hasn't always been the same over the years. We begin 50 years ago with the original history of the store, compare it to other Magic Kingdom style parks, show how it has grown over the years, and how the new store just recently opened is remarkably different than the last previous store. We promise that at no time Smellitzers will be used to make you want to go out and consume sugar, but this is a sweet tribute to an important part of Main Street U.S.A. and at no time will we fudge any of it.

An accompanying outline, plus photos and videos can be found here at Disney at Play.

Also, check out our YouTube site, J. Jeff Kober for more Disney videos.

And consider being a member of our Patreon group, The Wayfinder Society. Check it out!

Story and technology go a long way back with Disney. Since the advent of sound and Mickey Mouse, Walt understood that technology could not only advance the story being told, but give the organization a competitive advantage in the marketplace. From multi-plane cameras to audio animatronics to streaming on Disney+, Disney has had any number of feats--and hundreds of patents! But what really sets Disney off is not High Tech, but High Touch, and we're going to explore what that looks like. From Mobile Ordering to Hey Disney, to Turtle Talk with Crush, we'll look at some innovative approaches Disney has taken, and why they succeed. Along the way, we have some messages--souvenirs you can take home--that will allow you to think how you use technology in your own role or organization.

Know that our next Disney at Work podcast will look at what I see are challenges with what Disney does not do well.

Also...my apologies to those who had sound problems in the first version of this that went out. Talk about Technology NOT done right! 

Recently during a celebration of my daughter's birthday we had a chance to visit Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. There is much that is really great from this restaurant, and for those who have never seen it before, it is a wow experience to walk into. We get first hand from my daughter her take of the experience, which was her first time there, and then I go through a systematic dining review of the entire experience. If you are considering dining at this restaurant, or it's been a while, then you may want to listen in on our experience during this podcast.

Notes, videos and more can be found at Disney at Play.

The title may sound sensational. But in truth, Disney's investment in the Metaverse may be equivalent to building an entirely new theme park. CEO Bob Chapek has spoken about this being potentially a part of Disney+ but encompassing all aspects of Disney, especially in the parks. We'll explore in this podcast what the meta verse is and how the heritage of Disney has led to this moment in time. We'll take a look at how both artificial reality and virtual reality might play out for Disney. We'll explore current research and efforts underway, as well as brainstorm possibilities for the future.

With increasing costs happening at Disney Parks, guests are wondering if they are being "priced out of the market". In truth, is Disney more about making money than ever before? We look at a number of assumptions that guide Disney's financial choices, many of which target their audience focus. We look at ways in which Disney is targeting audiences in a different way, and whether you may be part of that audience. We'll also overview a new price tier for those who can't afford to visit the parks at all. Intrigued? Then this podcast will help you re-think how Disney looks at its audience.

This last week Bob Chapek, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, penned a letter to all Disney Cast Members. Here he shares his vision of where the company is going while it's seeking to move forward past this pandemic. To that end, he outlines three pillars for moving forward, one on storytelling, one on innovation, and one focused on the customer. We dissect his remarks and consider what implications lie between the lines. Join us for this Disney at Work podcast, as we consider where The Walt Disney Company is headed as it begins its next 100 years. We'll also consider the implications of this message as it relates to your organization.

You can read the text of Bob Chapek's letter to Cast Members on our Disney at Work site.

Just yesterday an unexpected opportunity allowed me to visit Jim Henson's Muppet Vision 3D at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. After over three decades, guests still are delighted with this show, and laugh frequently at its memorable one-liners. We take the opportunity to deconstruct the film portion of this experience to understand how so many elements were combined to make this immersive experience. In the process it was often referred to in marketing materials as Muppet Vision 4D with the 3D crossed out. While this does contain some spoilers, know that our conversation will help you to appreciate this Disney World attraction like never before.