We all know nobody tells stories better than Disney. The storytelling legacy continues in the Disney Parks whether in a stage show, an attraction, or even the well-themed details of an area. Each attraction, land, resort, and restaurant has a part to play and tells their very important portion of the larger ‘story’ to anyone who takes the time to listen. One of the many incredibly humbling parts of being Chief Magic Official is the fact that I, too, have a story to tell – and that my experiences as CMO start to become chapters in the larger, compelling story of the Disney Parks and the Year of a Million Dreams.
As a normal guy who typically spends his time far from the public eye in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, the media training and preparation that Disney provided me with has come in incredibly handy and I thoroughly enjoy every opportunity to put that training to good use. I love (and have always loved) talking to people about Disney. It is a true joy to sit down with radio stations, newspapers, and websites and tell my part of the Disney story.
So far in the Disneyland trip, I had several chances to draw people from around the country and the globe further into the story and to share the many wondrous details of the Innoventions Dream Home, Toy Story Mania!, and The Year of a Million Dreams with their audiences.
(Here I am with a radio DJ from Albuquerque, NM in the Tomorrowland® Area. It is amazing how Disney’s special events draw people from around the world)
Each interview was unique, and I enjoyed getting to know the media members, hearing the excitement in their voices, and answering their questions. I felt honored to be able to share my passion for the Disney parks and try to pass the magic of Disney on to others. It was important for the press to focus on the new attractions, and one of my jobs during these interviews was to get the media excited to talk about Disney. The press event days required early morning interviews and bright-eyed enthusiasm before sunrise is sometimes a challenge for me – but there is nothing I’d rather do than spend my time talking about brilliant new Disney attractions and representing the Disney Parks as the CMO. Really, is there a better reason to get out of bed in the morning than to head to a Disney Park?
During the week I spoke with media from many markets including Albuquerque, Portland, and Los Angeles, as well as numerous global visitors from places like Canada and Mexico.
(Across the lagoon behind me you can see just a small percentage of the booths for the radio stations. Under each umbrella and behind each rectangular placard is broadcasting team relaying live to elsewhere as they cover the festivities on the day of the Toy Story Mania! opening.)
The real excitement began to build after the interviews as all of our special guests began to gather for the main event. Disney’s California Adventure® Park had a new attraction to open that day, and Disney went to great lengths to make sure it opened in style! The Grand Opening festivities for Toy Story Mania! were about to begin at the Paradise Park® Area.
Nobody expected five Green army men to parachute in, larger than life. The crowd watched in wonder as the army men landed in Our Master of Ceremonies for the day was Sarge from Toy Story, and he took charge immediately.
Sarge got the crowd energized and then shouted orders at the sky divers who were still making their way out of the water. “Hurry up, men! Get out of that water – we already found Nemo!” He was referring to the cool new Nemo attraction which opened at the Disneyland® Park last year: Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.
Following a rousing song and military precision routine from the Green Army Men, some of Disney’s top executives took the stage. Disney President and CEO Bob Iger, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo, Disney Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter, and Disneyland® President Ed Grier all greeted the crowd and then shared with us their enthusiasm for Disney’s new, immersive 4-D attraction. They shed some light on the incredible process that led up to this exciting day and gave the eager audience members a glimpse of what the next several years will hold for Disney’s California Adventure® Park. Every guest, fan, VIP, and media member in attendance eagerly waited to experience Toy Story Mania!, but they were riveted to their seats during the special session with so many of Disney’s leaders.
Before we could officially open Toy Story Mania!, Sarge had to complete the official “Roll Call of Toys”. With an attraction as immersive and magical as this, every relevant character was summoned to commemorate and celebrate this momentous occasion: Woody, Jesse, Ham, Mr. Potato Head, Little Bo Peep, and most of the gang from Toy Story and Toy Story 2 were there. Everyone but Buzz (but more on that shortly) joined the party. Using oversized spring-action shooters (based on those within the attraction), and with some help from some impressive pyrotechnics, Jesse, Woody, and the gang fired a shot across the lagoon to literally start things off with a bang. This amazing opening signaled that the newest and most immersive, interactive, and entertaining addition to Disney’s California Adventure® Park was ready to welcome thousands of guests.
But what about Buzz Lightyear? John Lasseter moved to center stage to share some surprising news with Sarge and the rest of the Toys. Buzz Lightyear wasn’t going to be able to be there to help celebrate the opening of Toy Story Mania! The crowd gasped.
(John Lasseter fills Sarge, Woody, and the crew in on the where abouts of their pal Buzz Lightyear.)
Buzz Lightyear missed the grand opening due to a previous engagement. What could possibly be more important? How about fulfilling his purpose and seeing his dream come true by flying in zero gravity aboard the International Space Station?! No, I’m not kidding. Right after John Lasseter shared the exciting news, he directed us to a live satellite feed from the International Space Station featuring Buzz literally floating to infinity and beyond to the delight of everyone in attendance. Even John Lasseter himself seemed to be in awe of the sight of a character he created hanging out in outer space.
Was it cool enough yet? Out came NASA’s Colonel Jim Kelly. Colonel Kelly announced that Disney and NASA had partnered on some dynamic new education initiatives that would help students learn about science and math through a ‘toys in space’ program. Buzz Lightyear, would be featured in videos, games, and activites on the NASA website (nasa.gov) that encouraged kids’ fascination with space travel and employed the Space Ranger from Toy Story to introduce concepts like gravity, rotation, and forces.
Dozens of students from an Anaheim elementary school joined us in Disney’s California Adventure® that day, to experience Toy Story ManiaMania! of course, and to learn about the adventures of Buzz in space. Again, I helped see that our guests—especially these delightful students—were enjoying themselves. The excitement of being among the very firsts guest to ride Toy Story ManiaMania!, coupled with the chance to meet a NASA astronaut in person had the students – and me! – very thrilled to be here.
Following the presentation by Col. Kelly, yet another delightful surprise was around the corner. I ate with the entire team from NASA; and not just any lunch! We enjoyed lunch at the Napa Rose restaurant in Disney’s Grand Californian® Hotel – one of the finest restaurants in all of southern California. Joining us for this special occasion were about a half-dozen Cast Members who had been awarded this unique opportunity.
Disney – because they care deeply for their cast and look for ways to reward them for superior work – has developed a program called “Magic Backstage”. It is, in essence, the Year of a Million Dreams for Cast Members. These six wonderful members of the Disney cast were given a couple of hours off and the chance to meet Col. Kelly during our luncheon. It was such a treat to have them join us and to hear their personal stories. This chance to share a delicious meal and a lot of laughter with such a diverse and talented group of people was a joy. Truly, only Disney could make a day like this possible!
(Here I am hanging out in the beautiful Napa Rose restaurant with the team from NASA and the Cast Members who were invited to join us as a part of the Magic Backstage program.)
Thanks for coming back to learn more about my adventures as Chief Magic Official! The final installment of my first trip to Disneyland (yes, there’s even more to this incredible journey!) will be posted soon. Be sure to check back often as I have so many more exciting details of my time as CMO to share. Oh, and don’t forget to click on the “Contact Justin” link on the main page here to send me feedback about my trips, share your favorite story from your time in the Disney Parks, or to ask me any questions about my experiences.
