Pixie Dust Premiere

The main event for me on this trip was a truly rare opportunity. In late October Disney released the all-new animated movie, 'Tinker Bell' on DVD; a charming film that sweeps us off an adventure where we meet Tink and her friends, see the wonders of Pixie Hollow, and hear her speak for the very first time. Celebrating the release of their first big movie, the spritely, elegant, and playful Pixies have taken up residence in the Disney Parks. As a special surprise before the rest of the public could experience the wonders of 'Tinker Bell' Walt Disney World held several special screenings just open to Annual Passholders and their families.

Over the course of a weekend of special viewings of the movie, I played a very important - and really fun - role. I met up with the Passholder Team - the delightful Karen, Jen, and Omi - and the Synergy Manager who would be the leader for the 'Tinker Bell' related events this weekend, Chris. They showed me around the theater, which is located in the back of Exposition Hall (immediately to your right as you enter the Main Street U.S.A® area from the main entrance to the Magic Kingdom® Park), and filled me in on all of the magic that was in store for our Guests this weekend.

Because this is Walt Disney World and we believe in making every experience as magical as possible, there was far more in store for our Guests today that just a sneak preview of the movie. Believe me, though, the movie itself was well worth the visit. It is funny and charming, beautifully made with some gorgeous scenery, and it even evoked a collective gasp of surprise and excitement from one particular story development near the end. Following each screening, those in attendance were surprised by a special appearance, all the way from California, by three of the fantastic people behind the making of 'Tinker Bell'. Director Bradley Raymond, producer Jeannine Roussel, and screenwriter Jeffrey Howard made the cross-country trip to see the audience reaction to their movie, to share some of the fun and surprising stories from their time together bringing Tinker Bell and her friends to life, and to sign some autographs for the Guests.

But that wasn't the only surprise we had for our audiences. After hearing from the filmmakers, Chris and some of his team came back on stage for one more big reveal. Today, right here in Exposition Hall, these audiences would be the very first Guests to meet Tinker Bell, Rosetta, Fawn, Iridessa, and Silvermist - almost a month before they had officially moved in to their new homes in Pixie Hollow!

As we expected, this news was met with a gasp and then a wild cheer from the audience. A photographer from Disney's PhotoPass was on hand to capture the moment for all of our Guests and the little girls in the room - many of whom had come to the movie dressed as Tinker Bell - could hardly contain their excitement. As expected, Disney thinks of everything and really pays attention to the details (this is where my really fun job comes in!). While some members of our team helped the Guests line up for their photo opportunity, I was introduced to the crowd, handed a microphone, and given about 45 minutes to keep the Guests engaged while they waited their turn! We had a lot of trivia questions prepared for the audience, several Tinker Bell related prizes to give away, and even a few jokes memorized just in case.

It was such an incredible opportunity to have a lot of fun with our Guests. I can't explain the joy and adrenaline of being on stage and having the chance to make people laugh and share some of my "Disnergethusiasm" (look for that definition in an upcoming edition of the CMOcabulary!) with them. I don't know how they keep doing it, but my team here at Disney manages to keep coming up with thrilling new opportunities for me. Each experience is unique, but they have all been incredible. My time with the Annual Passholders and Tinker Bell and her friends is certainly no exception!

After the final showing wrapped up I had a chance to say my goodbyes to the incredible Director, Producer, and Screenwriter of Tinker Bell, and gather part of the team together for one last photo with the Disney Fairies. Here I am with Iridessa, Silvermist, Tink, Rosetta, Fawn, Karen, Omi, Jen, and Heath - who all helped make this an unbelievably successful event!

Swimmin', Soarin', and Dreamin'

After two thrilling days helping to introduce Tinker Bell and her friends to our Annual Passholders for the first time, it was sad to leave the great team of Cast Members who pulled that event together but eager to get out into the Parks again. Fortunately I had just that chance. Before catching my flight home I headed over to Epcot® to meet up with Pete from the Dream Squad and make a little more magic happen. Pete is yet another perfect example of the remarkable qualities of the ideal Disney Cast Member and I couldn't have asked for a better host and partner in magic.

Our first stop was in Future World at The Seas with Nemo & Friends. As we interacted with Guests, answered questions, and shared many a laugh, we met Sarah and James. They had traveled all the way from England to spend their honeymoon with us at the Walt Disney World® Resort. As we got to know more about them it became obvious that both Pete and I wanted to be able to do something special for them. Hearing how fascinated they were by all of the marine life in this amazing pavilion, we sensed that they would be perfect candidates for a special aquarium surprise.

This Magic Moment, which Pete refers to as "Top of the Tank" was pretty incredible. We took Sarah and James backstage, climbed a steep spiral staircase and suddenly emerged - quite literally - at the top of the tank. Spreading out all around us was the surface of the 5.7 million gallon salt-water environment which is home to 6,000 inhabitants representing over 60 species! From this view we got a very up-close and personal look at a few of the friendly dolphins, learned a lot about the care and maintenance of this massive, yet fragile, ecosystem, and observed a group of Guests who were setting off on one of the special behind-the-scenes programs offered here at Epcot®: the Epcot Seas Aqua Tour.

After sharing this incredible experience with Sarah and James and giving them their official "Just Married" buttons, we sent them on their way with some great suggestions for exciting ways to spend the rest of their day at Epcot®. Another wonderful experience with our Guests and one more unique magic moment in the books, Pete and I moved on in search of more unsuspecting Guests we could surprise and delight.

Our next stop was The Land Pavilion; home of Soarin'™, Living with the Land, and Circle of Life. On our way into this very popular pavilion, Pete and I struck up a great conversation with a delightful couple from Massachusetts. Dave and Lauren have been visiting Walt Disney World regularly since Dave was in one of the earliest college program classes in the 1980's. It was great hearing stories of what Epcot was like in its early years and sharing all of our various experiences in the timeless Disney Parks. After a wonderful encounter like this, Pete and I couldn't just send Lauren and Dave on their way without sharing a little more magic. A quick photo opportunity for the scrapbook was nice, but they really enjoyed the 'no strings attached' FASTPASS® for any attraction of their choice!

My final opportunity to create a special magical moment on this trip turned out to be one of the most memorable of my entire time as CMO. Once inside The Land Pavilion, Pete and I headed in the general direction of the queue for Soarin'™, knowing that there would be a lot of guests getting in line, retrieving FASTPASSES, and exiting the thrilling attraction. Standing just outside of the queue was a family of three obviously discussing whether to wait in line or possibly rearrange their evening plans so that they could grab three FASTPASSES and return later in the day. Always interested in helping Guests maximize their experiences at the park - and because we were in search of one very special Guest - Pete and I offered this family one other alternative.

Nicolette, an adorable and delightful young girl, was at Epcot that day celebrating her very first trip - and her 7th birthday! - with her parents Louie and Susie. She was the perfect candidate to help Pete and I with a very important mission we were on. You see, part way through Soarin'™, the incredible hang-gliding attraction that takes riders over the beautiful scenery of the state of California, we fly over a golf course. The golfer who drives his shot deep into the California sky was really hoping that Pete and I could help him find his golf ball. He told us that we would be able to identify it because of the small 'hidden Mickey' you can see if you look closely.

After explaining how we thought Nicolette was exactly the right person to help us catch the golfer's shot, Pete and I told her parents that we'd like to take the entire family to the front of the line to help them celebrate their special day. We boarded our hang-gliders and had Nicolette right in the middle of the top row of seats.

Watching the entire family as they experienced the thrill of this multi-sensory adventure for the first time was already a real treat for me. The best part came, however, when we flew over the golf course. Nicolette spotted the 'hidden Mickey' on the ball, but just missed catching it when she reached out. Pete dropped a carefully prepared golf ball on the back of her seat and when she unbuckled her safety belt after our feet returned to solid ground, Nicolette giggled with joy. She had found the golf ball! When she just missed catching it, the ball must have hit her seat and landed right there next to her! Of course, since she did such a great job helping us out, Pete and I let Nicolette keep this very valuable golf ball. We also signed a special certificate for her, so that she and her parents could share their incredible story with all of their friends and family when they returned home to New York.

Louie and Susie couldn't possibly have been more grateful for the special experience, and my time with them and their incredible daughter Nicolette reminded me once again that the real Magic of Disney is in the little things we can do for our Guests. Nicolette will hopefully remember this trip for a very long time. I know, however, that I will never forget her and her family!

Until next time, keep sharing the magic! Have a magical day!

Justin Muchoney
Disney Parks Chief Magic Official