Event Imagineer

01/03/2023

Took a long time, but glad it has happened. Seeing yourself depicted in a world is so very important.

Magic Kingdom Adds A New Doll in a Wheelchair to “it’s a small world”

https://wdwnt.news/20230301034

26/11/2022

Just returned from a fantastic trip to Tokyo Disney Resort (more on the differences and lessons learned later). While there, I took a few videos of the holiday decorations in case you are interested in seeing the Christmas decor at Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea. I posted on a new YouTube channel (please consider subscribing if you like it!) where I'll try to post more Disney videos over time.

25/06/2022

For Imagineering fans, Joe Rohde is one of the masters—responsible for so much of Animal Kingdom, Aulani, and more. He is always so insightful on authenticity so his take on the (in)famous hair tie collection at the top of Everest is interesting. He sees both sides—the distraction from the fantasy he worked so hard to create and also the very real human ritual that has been created. In the events world, we occasionally find ourselves amazed that guests create moments for themselves, rituals, events-within-events that we didn’t plan for. That could just be the ultimate sign of success where you have created an environment so welcoming that guests feel comfortable expressing their authentic selves and joining others (often strangers) in spontaneous moments of connectivity. True, though, someone does often have to clean up the mess.

27/02/2022

Of the many first hand reports of the new Star Wars experience that have been coming out, few have gotten as much media play as the “box truck” transport. It’s rare for Disney (or event) guests to “look behind the curtain” to see how the magic is created, but we should always be prepared in case they do. Could Disney have invested a little into a custom wrap for the truck to make it a little less pedestrian? My guess is that they will if these images keep circulating. Of course I reject the notion that knowing what is behind the curtain makes the magic any less magical, but when you are trying to SELL the potential of magic, pics like this can hurt.

03/12/2021

Can’t understate the impact that a simple gesture like this does to make ALL guests feel welcome. When you don’t see yourself represented it sends a strong signal that you are merely guests in someone else’s world.

PHOTOS: Same-Sex Couple Now Pictured at PhotoPass Spot in EPCOT

https://wdwnt.news/20211203020

30/11/2021

https://www.specialevents.com/content/disney-experience

So pleased to share this fantastic blog about the connection between Disney magic and everyday event planning.

How to bring the magic of Walt Disney’s customer experience to your events

13/11/2021

It's so fitting that a university that looks like its right from a Disney movie is the first to add "Five Days with the Mouse to be a Better Event Planner" to the required reading for a course. Royal Roads University in British Columbia - IHMN335 Special Events Management course (part of the BA program in Global Tourism Management) will be reading the book in January. I wish their students the best of luck!

01/10/2021

Happy 50th WDW!

15/09/2021

Sobering story out of Atlanta of a wedding with near-tragic consequences. More detail of the decision-making process in this article than most, and a very important read. Disney's original four keys (now five) were Safety, Courtesy, Show, and Efficiency and they are in that order for a reason. Each trumps the next. You shouldn't be rude to guests to make a process more efficient, nor do you courtesy for a good show. BUT you do have to put all of that aside if safety is in jeopardy. Put in non-Disney terms -- the hell with the wedding, the hell with the decor, the hell with the couple, LIVES are at stake.

Videos taken during an outdoor wedding at a Buckhead hotel provide new insight into the frightening moment a powerful storm ripped down the tent over the ceremony and caused it to collapse on dozens of guests, including two musicians and a woman in the third trimester of her pregnancy.

20/07/2021

So great to take the book “on the road” and connect with event professionals at The Special Event conference. Next year is at Anaheim…hmmm…wonder what that might be near? 🐭

17/07/2021

Wow! Five Days with the Mouse to be a Better Event Planner was nominated for Best Industry Contribution for the 2021 International Live Events Association ESPRIT Awards. It's a fitting category because this book was indeed created to be a contribution to the events industry--especially event planner professional development. Writing it during the pandemic also gave a unique opportunity to put in writing the impact of COVID 19 on both the events and theme park industries. As they say, "it's an honor just to be nominated," and it's true. Very honored that the book is being recognized by event industry peers in this way.

30/06/2021

I know it can be easy to dismiss this as political correctness overload or “cancel culture” but I see it differently. Anytime there is a classy way to remove specific gender references from announcement, you increase inclusiveness and a sense of welcome and belonging. Replacing “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls” with “Dreamers of all ages” is not only an elegant replacement, it’s even a more powerful message with two fewer words. Dreamers is a much better choice than a list of genders, and “of all ages” reinforces a key cross-generational aspect of Disney magic. Congrats, Disney for not only evolving, but also taking the opportunity to replace it with something better.

Walt Disney World Removes “Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls” Greeting from Fireworks at Magic Kingdom to Promote Inclusivity

https://wdwnt.news/20210630010

20/06/2021

File this under “They’re just like us” — somehow always reassuring to see the Disney pros (mis)use the same tools event pros do. I’d love to see the backside of the fallen jewel to see if they used more than one piece of foam tape. I know I’d have the sucker covered in it. 😀

PHOTOS: 50th Anniversary Decorations Falling Off Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom, Was Held with Command Strip

https://wdwnt.news/20210620018

23/05/2021

Congrats Disneyland for featuring compost receptacles (the middle one with the apple core logo). Will be interesting to see if this starts to spread and become more commonplace. Interesting that the mixed-use recycling container on the right has a place to dump your liquids and ice first. Would love to get a look inside and see where that goes.

PHOTOS: Compostable Waste Receptacles Now In Use at Disneyland

https://wdwnt.news/20210522024

08/05/2021

It’s fascinating to watch Disney and the event world dip their toe into “back to normal” versus adapting long-term adjustments which might be to the benefit of guests and public health even after the pandemic. Yes, science has shown that some of the things we have done fall into the category of “hygiene theater” meaning that it makes people feel safer than it really does. Many of us have stopped wiping down our groceries, but I’m sure I’m ready to stop avoiding touching door handles anytime soon. Temperature checks recently stopped at Disney as well as at many event venues because science isn’t backing up that keeping them makes a big impact on slowing the spread. Tylenol can mask a fever and not everyone carrying a virus presents with a fever. Additionally, having temperature screenings at your event can cause a bottleneck that bunches people together and encourages close contact. All this said, there are some conventions made normal during the pandemic that I wouldn’t mind seeing going forward in the future. Shaking hands with strangers as a greeting is one. I believe we can greet guests with our eyes, our words, and our body language without connecting parts of bodies that are most likely to carry nasties. Any other conventions you’d like to see carry over and not become “normal” again?

26/04/2021

Getting ready to present in July down in Miami at The Special Event conference on Five Days with the Mouse. If you are at the show, be sure to say hello!

22/04/2021

Happy Earth day to my fellow event planners and Disney fans. Great news out of Walt Disney Co. today about some exciting new solar installations coming on line in the next two years. It’s always helpful for green progress when doing the right thing aligns with cost savings. My guess is that the massive installation on Castway Cay that will provide 70% of its power needs will pay for itself pretty quickly. As event planners we often need to get power to remote locations which can require expensive (and noisy) generators. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to rent solar panels instead of generators for events. Probably not feasible yet but that would be a great option.

https://www.wdwinfo.com/walt-disney-world/new-solar-facilities-coming-to-castaway-cay-disney-world-more/?fbclid=IwAR0UCn5zGZqe5T9PLnxDXrArEtQl1J5v8IySmtwwtBfY6cpg_ININEKQY2o

In celebration of Earth Day, Walt Disney World has announced that they are developing two new solar facilities

11/04/2021

Love when people find a way to take sign language to the next level. It’s always been a bit of a performance art, but these two turn it into a duet.

03/04/2021

I had a whole post planned to talk about service animals at events and what can be learned from Disney’s acceptance of their role, but this video is just too adorable. Enjoy as-is!

28/03/2021

Honored to see "Five Days with the Mouse to be a Better Event Planner" featured on Leigh Harper's "5 Must-Reads" list. Will be doing two talks on the book coming up this summer in Atlanta and Miami. Heading back to WDW soon for some new photos and inspiration. More soon!

Event planners, invest in yourself and your career by committing to reading these five practical yet inspirational books this year.

02/03/2021

Love this! Especially for other like children to see themselves on the cover of the map. Being accessible is required by law, being proactively inclusive and welcoming is next-level pixie dust material. 🧚

PHOTOS: New Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park Map Features Children with Prosthetic Limbs for First Time As Part of Initiative to be More Inclusive

https://wdwnt.news/20210301020

22/02/2021

Will be presenting a session on "Five Days with the Mouse to be a Better Event Planer" at the 2021 Catersource + The Special Event Conference in Miami on Tuesday, July 20 followed by a book signing. If you are attending the conference, but sure to check it out!

This year’s conference program features all the strategies and original ideas transforming the and industry. Here’s a sneak peek of speakers you don’t want to miss:

✨ Nelandra Anselmo, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CHE, LMFT
✨ Alan Berg
✨ Barbara Brass
✨ Shakira Brown
✨ Emily Ellyn
✨ Meghan Ely
✨ Dima Ghawi, MBA
✨ Bron Hansboro
✨ Anthony Lambatos
✨ Keith Lord
✨ Christie Osborne
✨ Fausto Pfifferer
✨ Suzi Shands
✨ Terrica Skaggs
✨ Michael Stavros

View the full agenda 👉 http://spr.ly/6046HiX5y