Tag: Disney

Happy present moment WDW

Disney Cast Member couple with UP character
This couple…66 combined years of Disney lessons…definitely the ride of a lifetime.

Happy present moment WDW.

Every moment at Walt Disney World is a happy moment.

Everyday is Super Bowl Sunday.

Everyday is another day of exceeding every expectation.

You need world-class organizational cardio and strength to reside on Fortune’s annual Top 10 World’s Most Admired Companies list.

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This website is about our BODY. To read today’s post about our SPIRIT, click here.

They always ask

Disney Culture keynote speaker Jeff noel
Grand Floridian Cast Members, past and present.

Whenever we visit Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, current long-term Cast Members always ask, “You still biking?”

They never ask, “You still listening to 1970’s Classic Rock?”

Note: Yes to both questions.

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This website is about our BODY. To read today’s post about our SPIRIT, click here.

Celebrate your vibrancy

Disney Customer Service speaker, his wife, and Donald Duck
Donald is in disbelief that he gets to be in a Jungle Jeff (and Cheryl Noel) selfie.

The more you genuinely care for your employees, the more they genuinely care for your customers. Common sense, rarely common practice. What’s it like working at Disney? Depends on who your leader is. Why? Because their ability to genuinely care feeds your answer, “What’s it like to work at Disney?”

Note: In the absence of a caring leader, you lean heavily on your peers and customers. You adapt and find “extra” joy and appreciation from them to compensate until your current leader gets promoted or transfers.

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This website is about our BODY. To read today’s post about our SPIRIT, click here.

Disney’s Wide World of Sports venue

Disney Institute speaker retirement party
Two Disney Execs on the right: front right, Jeff James (at the time VP, Disney Institute), and Lee Cockerell directly above Jeff James’ head. Lee is our former EVP, WDW Operations.

Disney’s Wide World of Sports venue was my boss Wayne Gagne’s pick for retirement party venue.

Without hesitation, i suggested Disney’s Contemporary Resort’s top floor, The Napa Room.

The Napa Room overlooks (West to East):

  1. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
  2. Disney’s Magic Kingdom Theme Park
  3. Disney University (DU)
  4. Disney’s River Country Water Park
  5. And obviously, it’s in Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Watch how the corresponding numbers add up Disney Career years:

  1. Spent two tours of duty, six years total at “The Grand”
  2. First role on College Program, Jungle Jeff, in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland, 1982
  3. First three days of career spent at DU. And, Traditions Facilitator 1988
  4. First role upon returning as Permanent Cast Member, River Country Lifeguard
  5. First role in Resort Hotel Operations at Contemporary – ultimately a 15-year career in resorts before Disney Institute called

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This website is about our BODY. To read today’s post about our SPIRIT, click here.

Walking in Fantasyland

Disney Legacy name tag in Fantasyland
Walt Disney was happy for me on this important day. Walt’s voice whispering, “Take a bow Jeff. Take a bow. You deserve it.” Thank you Walt.

To this day, it is surreal to reflect on how deeply and broadly Disney-life and personal life intertwined. One life really. A Disney life.

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This website is about our BODY. To read today’s post about our SPIRIT, click here.