Episodes

  • Tall & True Tales of Disneyland's Frontierland
    Jul 9 2025

    While last week's post shared lament over the closing of Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America, we return to Disneyland's 70th Anniversary to celebrate the heritage of Frontierland. While you might think Frontierland is a thing of the past, knowing the past of this land will give you appreciation for the remarkable role it has played in four of Disney's theme parks around the world. We'll step inside the fort entrance to hear some stories many may have never heard before about the history of Frontierland. Did you know there was at one point a big Indiana Jones attraction developed for Frontierland. We share all the Wild West with you. From the Trading Post to the Golden Horseshoe; From The Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to Big Thunder Ranch, and from the Halloween Tree to a Petrified Tree, we bring you tall and true tales of Disneyland's Frontierland.

    ____________________________________________________________

    More Disney Insights can be found below!

    The Wayfinder Society--Disney Insights Patreon Page--More Disney Insights to interact with, while supporting the podcast. Here we bring the best in Disney both in terms of the magic of the parks as well as the business behind the magic! And now as part of Disneyland's 70th anniversary, we have a new interactive Disney Insight Fact Discovery, which unlocks scores of fascinating details few know about. With text, images, video and audio, we explore these realms whether you are right on the streets of the "Happiest Place on Earth" or enjoying it virtually from your own couch at home. Join today!

    Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe.

    DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming podcasts.

    Disney Insights Facebook Page--Come join and interact in conversation with others.

    My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!

    Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You.

    Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.

    ________________________________________________________

    Check out Zanolla Travel to book your next vacation!

    David & Leah Zanolla

    ZanollaTravel.com Owner/Agents (309) 863-5469

    ____________________________________________________________________

    Performance Journeys

    This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.

    Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.

    Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena.

    Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership excellence, and employee engagement.

    Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!

    Show more Show less
    50 mins
  • Adieu to Rivers of America, Liberty Belle & Tom Sawyer Island
    Jul 1 2025

    It's been nearly a year since the wake of D23 where we learned that the Rivers of America, the Liberty Belle, and Tom Sawyer Island would be changed out into a new off road Cars experience. The way we learned that news was troublesome--hiding it from the official D23 presentation. But even if they had been more transparent about it, it would still be hard to lose. I've come to terms as I've shared in previous podcasts what's working about what lies ahead for the Rivers of America. I think ultimately it will be a well-received set of experiences when it all comes together. But I couldn't help but be really melancholy about saying goodbye to the river for the last time. I'll share with you what went through my mind, and some of the really wonderful--even sweet memories I have from these attractions. I'll talk about what else is happening currently in both Liberty Square and Frontierland, particularly with the soft reopening of Hall of Presidents, and then I'll end with suggestions of where you can still find the spirit of this experience elsewhere--and it isn't at Disneyland. So stay with us as we bid adieu to The Rivers of America, the Liberty Belle and Tom Sawyer Island.

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    50 mins
  • News, Details and Insights from Construction Projects at Disneyland and Walt Disney World
    Jun 25 2025

    In recent weeks there have been a large number of details released not just for Walt Disney World but for Disneyland as well. While previous podcasts have been reminiscing all things Muppets the end of MuppetVision 3D and taking a look at Adventureland at Disneyland, there have been considerable announcements, hints and insights that have occurred. And we want to cover them all! From Disneyland we'll look at Avatar and Coco at Disney California Adventure, as well as a new park entry. Then we'll head over to Walt Disney World to look at Disney's Starlight Parade logistics, Test Track Re-Imagined, Tropical America Developments and even the new Monstropolis at Disney's Hollywood Studios. It's a busy podcast for this week, so hang on as we have so much to share!

    ____________________________________________________________

    More Disney Insights can be found below!

    The Wayfinder Society--Disney Insights Patreon Page--More Disney Insights to interact with, while supporting the podcast. Here we bring the best in Disney both in terms of the magic of the parks as well as the business behind the magic! And now as part of Disneyland's 70th anniversary, we have a new interactive Disney Insight Fact Discovery, which unlocks scores of fascinating details few know about. With text, images, video and audio, we explore these realms whether you are right on the streets of the "Happiest Place on Earth" or enjoying it virtually from your own couch at home. Join today!

    Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe.

    DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming podcasts.

    Disney Insights Facebook Page--Come join and interact in conversation with others.

    My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!

    Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You.

    Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.

    ________________________________________________________

    Check out Zanolla Travel to book your next vacation!

    David & Leah Zanolla

    ZanollaTravel.com Owner/Agents (309) 863-5469

    ____________________________________________________________________

    Performance Journeys

    This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.

    Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.

    Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena.

    Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership excellence, and employee engagement.

    Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!

    Show more Show less
    48 mins
  • The Amazing True-Life Adventures of Disneyland's Adventureland
    Jun 18 2025

    Welcome to our ongoing celebration of Disneyland's 70th anniversary. In many ways, Adventureland is truly the most immersive of all the lands of Disneyland. And yet, from a pedestrian space, it's perhaps one of the smallest. If you're just walking through it you can go from entrance to exit in about a minute. Unless of course Fantasmic! is going on in New Orleans Square and Fireworks are getting ready on Main Street. Then it's one of the most congested places on the map. And yet, day or night, Adventureland is full of tropical wonder and a jungle of detail. From the Enchanted Tiki Room to the Adventureland Treehouse; From the exotic Jungle Cruise to the high thrills of Indiana Jones Adventure. Join us as we celebrate the amazing True-Life Adventures of Disneyland's Adventureland.

    ____________________________________________________________

    More Disney Insights can be found below!

    The Wayfinder Society--Disney Insights Patreon Page--More Disney Insights to interact with, while supporting the podcast. Here we bring the best in Disney both in terms of the magic of the parks as well as the business behind the magic! And now as part of Disneyland's 70th anniversary, we have a new interactive Disney Insight Fact Discovery, which unlocks scores of fascinating details few know about. With text, images, video and audio, we explore these realms whether you are right on the streets of the "Happiest Place on Earth" or enjoying it virtually from your own couch at home. Join today!

    Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe.

    DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming podcasts.

    Disney Insights Facebook Page--Come join and interact in conversation with others.

    My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!

    Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You.

    Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.

    ________________________________________________________

    Check out Zanolla Travel to book your next vacation!

    David & Leah Zanolla

    ZanollaTravel.com Owner/Agents (309) 863-5469

    ____________________________________________________________________

    Performance Journeys

    This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.

    Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.

    Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena.

    Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership excellence, and employee engagement.

    Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!

    Show more Show less
    53 mins
  • Our Definitive Sendoff to The Muppets
    Jun 10 2025

    Something happened over the weekend that I probably never quite envisioned. And neither did thousands of guests who always found time to spend a few moments with Jim Henson's Muppet-Vision 3D. We celebrate this film, and its creator, sharing some insights of how all this came to be. We'll take a look at the Muppets over the years as they've come to be a part of The Walt Disney World Resort. We'll talk about all of the components that made up Muppet Courtyard, and what made Muppet-Vision 3D so really special. Join us as we commemorate this attraction, its setting and consider both its past and future. It's a rousing 3 hour finale, but we're trying to keep it around 40 minutes.

    ____________________________________________________________

    More Disney Insights can be found below!

    The Wayfinder Society--Disney Insights Patreon Page--More Disney Insights to interact with, while supporting the podcast. Here we bring the best in Disney both in terms of the magic of the parks as well as the business behind the magic! And now as part of Disneyland's 70th anniversary, we have a new interactive Disney Insight Fact Discovery, which unlocks scores of fascinating details few know about. With text, images, video and audio, we explore these realms whether you are right on the streets of the "Happiest Place on Earth" or enjoying it virtually from your own couch at home. Join today!

    Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe.

    DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming podcasts.

    Disney Insights Facebook Page--Come join and interact in conversation with others.

    My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!

    Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You.

    Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.

    ________________________________________________________

    Check out Zanolla Travel to book your next vacation!

    David & Leah Zanolla

    ZanollaTravel.com Owner/Agents (309) 863-5469

    ____________________________________________________________________

    Performance Journeys

    This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.

    Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.

    Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena.

    Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership excellence, and employee engagement.

    Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!

    Show more Show less
    46 mins
  • Magic Kingdom Announcements: From Parade to Piston Peak; From Trains to Time Frames
    Jun 5 2025

    News this week and last has broken out about happenings at the Magic Kingdom, and they include some very important dates. Last week was an announcement of Disney Starlight Parade's opening date. Plus they showcased the finale as well as the order of the parade floats. We'll talk about that and the implications of this date to its nightly schedule and what it means to thousands of pass holders who will want to go to the Magic Kingdom alongside all other tourists.

    But first we look at some big announcements that came about from around Frontierland as well this week. At the top of those announcements comes the fact that the Rivers of America, Liberty Belle and Tom Sawyer's Island will close in a few weeks on July 7th. We'll explore some very cool details that will come to this new mini-land within Frontierland.

    ____________________________________________________________

    More Disney Insights can be found below!

    The Wayfinder Society--Disney Insights Patreon Page--More Disney Insights to interact with, while supporting the podcast. Here we bring the best in Disney both in terms of the magic of the parks as well as the business behind the magic! And now as part of Disneyland's 70th anniversary, we have a new interactive Disney Insight Fact Discovery, which unlocks scores of fascinating details few know about. With text, images, video and audio, we explore these realms whether you are right on the streets of the "Happiest Place on Earth" or enjoying it virtually from your own couch at home. Join today!

    Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe.

    DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming podcasts.

    Disney Insights Facebook Page--Come join and interact in conversation with others.

    My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!

    Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You.

    Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.

    ________________________________________________________

    Check out Zanolla Travel to book your next vacation!

    David & Leah Zanolla

    ZanollaTravel.com Owner/Agents (309) 863-5469

    ____________________________________________________________________

    Performance Journeys

    This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.

    Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.

    Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena.

    Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership excellence, and employee engagement.

    Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!

    Show more Show less
    41 mins
  • Villains, Mermaids, Wizards, Dragons & More: Two Florida Parks: Four New Theatrical Shows
    May 29 2025

    This summer has not only brought a completely new theme park to the Orlando tourist scape, but within it, two impressive theatrical shows within its park's gates. At the same time, Disney's Hollywood Studios has opened two theatrical shows within its studio gates. In a showdown, we'll look at Le Cirque Arcanus in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter--Ministry of Magic as well as The Untrainable Dragon from the Isle of Berk--both premiering at Epic Universe. We'll also take a look at two new shows that just premiered at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After and The Little Mermaid Musical Adventure. From queue to finale, from performers to technical staging, we'll look at which of these fare best and are worth your time. The competition is tough, so join us as we look at these four new theatrical shows in two very unique Florida theme parks.

    ____________________________________________________________________

    More Disney Insights can be found below!

    The Wayfinder Society--Disney Insights Patreon Page--More Disney Insights to interact with, while supporting the podcast. Here we bring the best in Disney both in terms of the magic of the parks as well as the business behind the magic! And now as part of Disneyland's 70th anniversary, we have a new interactive Disney Insight Fact Discovery, which unlocks scores of fascinating details few know about. With text, images, video and audio, we explore these realms whether you are right on the streets of the "Happiest Place on Earth" or enjoying it virtually from your own couch at home. Join today!

    Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe.

    DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming podcasts.

    Disney Insights Facebook Page--Come join and interact in conversation with others.

    My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!

    Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You.

    Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.

    ________________________________________________________

    Check out Zanolla Travel to book your next vacation!

    David & Leah Zanolla

    ZanollaTravel.com Owner/Agents (309) 863-5469

    ____________________________________________________________________

    Performance Journeys

    This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.

    Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.

    Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena.

    Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership excellence, and employee engagement.

    Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Lessons Good & Bad From Epic Universe
    May 22 2025

    There is so much to love about Universal’s new Epic Universe. And if they get it to work, it will be even better. Many have already done podcasts early on and shared what they loved or didn’t love about the park. Reviews of favorite attractions, food, souvenirs and so forth are out there. My wife and I, two of my daughters and my son-in-law have all attended, and for the most part, we had not only a solid experience, but we look forward to the time we can go back again. It’s definitely a place worth repeating.

    I look forward to an opportunity to share our family’s review of the experience, but my focus is not so much from a guest point of view but from a park design and operational focus. And there’s so much here that is working. I will look at issues of park layout, scale and scope, thematic approach, interactivity, operations and more. Since this is Disney Insights, we want to consider these approaches in comparison to best practices Disney employs.It’s not just a critical look at the design and operation of Universal’s new park, but a new focus on what is working and what is not working at Disney. So join us as we explore lessons good and bad from Universal Florida’s Epic Universe.

    ____________________________________________________________________

    More Disney Insights can be found below!

    The Wayfinder Society--Disney Insights Patreon Page--More Disney Insights to interact with, while supporting the podcast. Here we bring the best in Disney both in terms of the magic of the parks as well as the business behind the magic! And now as part of Disneyland's 70th anniversary, we have a new interactive Disney Insight Fact Discovery, which unlocks scores of fascinating details few know about. With text, images, video and audio, we explore these realms whether you are right on the streets of the "Happiest Place on Earth" or enjoying it virtually from your own couch at home. Join today!

    Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe.

    DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming podcasts.

    Disney Insights Facebook Page--Come join and interact in conversation with others.

    ________________________________________________________

    Check out Zanolla Travel to book your next vacation!

    David & Leah Zanolla

    ZanollaTravel.com Owner/Agents (309) 863-5469

    _________________________________________________________________________

    Performance Journeys

    This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.

    Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.

    Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena.

    Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership excellence, and employee engagement.

    Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!

    Show more Show less
    40 mins