Chat with the Chief Magic Official

[Justin M]

Just came across this and although I haven't read every posters post yet- I will, truly I will- I am curious if it hasn't been asked already- Since this is officially Summer Time I guess the CMO duties have been fairly easy for you to do - As school starts to approach, Are you still a Band Director? Is it HS or College? What will happen w/ the flexibility that you have? I think this was awesome for you to have had the opportunity to do - Do you think, or do you know what the future holds? For you I mean- I hope they take the Year of Dreams forward- It seems that it has added a special "punch" to Disney's already very Magical atmosphere.- Keep up the good work!

I'm really glad you found the thread! Thanks! I can't wait to hear what you think about what I've been able to post so far. I should still have several more trips to come as CMO, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to share them with everyone here.

As for your questions . . . no, I'm no longer a band director. I work full-time as Director of Music and Fine Arts for a large church north of Pittsburgh, PA. My schedule is pretty consistently busy year-round (funny thing about Sunday's happening every week! ) but they have been wonderfully accomodating and we seem to be able to work the schedule out with regards to each trip so that everyone wins!

And, I couldn't agree more about The Year of a Million Dreams. It has been a wonderful addition to the already incredible experiences we can have in the Disney Parks. I can't predict what the future will hold, but I can assure that a Disney vacation will always be a magical and dream-filled adventure!

 

[Justin M]

Hi Justin!
I haven't been on the boards in a loooong time...and I happened across this thread and have really enjoyed reading your stories! Congratulations on the job; it sounds like you're having a fantastic time! It must be amazing to get to spread a little pixie dust and see the smiles on people's faces.

I live about an hour from WDW and am in the parks a lot, so maybe I'll run into you someday Thanks for sharing with us! Keep the good stories coming!

Thanks for stopping by! I'm glad you made it back to the boards and that you found this thread! The smiles on guests faces really do make every experience even more incredible.

Keep checking this thread and www.dreamCMO.com for updates on my trip schedule. Hopefully we'll be able to cross paths sometime!

Thanks again!

 

[Justin M]

Hey Justin!
It's so nice of you to share your experiences. I just found this thread and look forward to reading through more of the posts. Looks like they found the perfect person for the job!! Congrats and I hope you are having fun!

Wow . . . thank you for your encouraging endorsement! I'm very glad that you found the thread and I look forward to sharing many more CMO journeys with you!

 

[aPiratesLife4Me]

Just saw your new word on the CMO site, Justin. YES, I have Obsessidisination YAY, I have a great new word for our trip next week!!!

 

[pl'smama]

Wow Justin, your DL trip really was amazing. The behing the scenes tour to see the moldings and statues would have done me in. What a dream come true! Thank you for sharing it with us.

Suz

 

[Justin M]

Just saw your new word on the CMO site, Justin. YES, I have Obsessidisination YAY, I have a great new word for our trip next week!!!

Glad to know I'm not alone! I've had some really good responses from people about the CMOcabulary, but I think 'obsessidisination' is one we can all relate to! (I'm also assuming you had a healthy, pre-trip, dose of 'anticipadisnaventure'?!)

 

[Justin M]

Wow Justin, your DL trip really was amazing. The behing the scenes tour to see the moldings and statues would have done me in. What a dream come true! Thank you for sharing it with us.

Suz

You're welcome! Thanks for reading!

I'll be back in soon (hopefully later today . . . ) with a few photos from a trip to a regional Disney fan gathering (Magic Meets in central Pennsylvania) as well as a few details about possible upcoming trips. Looks like I have a busy few months ahead and I can't wait to have new adventures to share!

 

[aPiratesLife4Me]

Glad to know I'm not alone! I've had some really good responses from people about the CMOcabulary, but I think 'obsessidisination' is one we can all relate to! (I'm also assuming you had a healthy, pre-trip, dose of 'anticipadisnaventure'?!)

Yes, my family and I are experiencing 'anticipadisnaventure' at this very moment! We leave Tuesday for WDW

Can't wait for more of your experiences!! Have a magical time wherever you are off to next!

 

[Justin M]

Yes, my family and I are experiencing 'anticipadisnaventure' at this very moment! We leave Tuesday for WDW

Can't wait for more of your experiences!! Have a magical time wherever you are off to next!

How was your trip? Are you back yet? I'm sure you had a wonderful time!!!

I'd love to hear about anything particularly magical that may have happened while you were there!

 

[Justin M]

Hello everyone!

Just wanted to post a quick update! I'm about to embark on a VERY busy fall (as of the summer wasn't packed full of incredible opportunities as it was!) that includes a stretch of 3 CMO-related trips in a 9-week span, as well as some other potential opportunities. I can't wait to have more details, stories, and pictures to share.

I leave TOMORROW for my next adventure . . . a 4-day excursion to Walt Disney World to participate in some really cool experiences - both in the parks and backstage. I'm sure I'll have some amazing insights and experiences to share from this one!

Hopefully I'll see you all back in here when I return next week to give you the latest scoop.

Keep smilin'!

~Justin

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hello everyone!

Just wanted to post a quick update! I'm about to embark on a VERY busy fall (as of the summer wasn't packed full of incredible opportunities as it was!) that includes a stretch of 3 CMO-related trips in a 9-week span, as well as some other potential opportunities. I can't wait to have more details, stories, and pictures to share.

I leave TOMORROW for my next adventure . . . a 4-day excursion to Walt Disney World to participate in some really cool experiences - both in the parks and backstage. I'm sure I'll have some amazing insights and experiences to share from this one!

Hopefully I'll see you all back in here when I return next week to give you the latest scoop.

Keep smilin'!

~Justin

Oooh, I can't wait to hear about your adventures. I'm heading down to Walt Disney World Sept 23-28 for a conference, and my wife is going to join me for an adults only weekend. We plan on eating at the food and wine festival, and I'm going to run in the Expedition Everest Challenge. If you happen to be there during that time, I'll be sure to be on the lookout for you.

 

[Kimberly815]

Hello everyone!

Just wanted to post a quick update! I'm about to embark on a VERY busy fall (as of the summer wasn't packed full of incredible opportunities as it was!) that includes a stretch of 3 CMO-related trips in a 9-week span, as well as some other potential opportunities. I can't wait to have more details, stories, and pictures to share.

I leave TOMORROW for my next adventure . . . a 4-day excursion to Walt Disney World to participate in some really cool experiences - both in the parks and backstage. I'm sure I'll have some amazing insights and experiences to share from this one!

Hopefully I'll see you all back in here when I return next week to give you the latest scoop.

Keep smilin'!

~Justin

Have lots of fun! Then hurry right back here to tell us about it!

 

[safetymom]

My daughter and I got to meet Justin today at MK. She saw him and yelled his name. He was there for the Michael Phelps parade. My daughter was thrilled she got to meet Justin. If you scroll to the bottom you can see the pictures of Justin. He is very very nice in person.

http://www.disunplugged.com/2008/08/29/michael-phelps-disney-world-parade/#more-445

 

[aPiratesLife4Me]

My daughter and I got to meet Justin today at MK. She saw him and yelled his name. He was there for the Michael Phelps parade. My daughter was thrilled she got to meet Justin. If you scroll to the bottom you can see the pictures of Justin. He is very very nice in person.

http://www.disunplugged.com/2008/08/29/michael-phelps-disney-world-parade/#more-445

How cool you two got to meet Justin! Nice pics!! And wow, that parade for Michael Phelps looks like it was awesome, such great pics!!!!!!!

 

[Justin M]

Hello!

Thanks for the well-wishes! I see that safetymom beat me to it, but I did have the chance to meet her and her daughter and a few other DIS'ers on this adventure! I am home and will hopefully be getting my pictures online within the next day or so. I can't wait to get in here and tell you all about my latest - absolutely unbelievable! - adventures!

I had the chance to meet and spend time with the Dream Squad at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom; I got to meet and learn from the two incredible 2008 WDW Ambassadors; I had a chance to escort a winning family up to the Dream Suite; and - oh yeah - I met, and presented a "Key to the Kingdom" to, Michael Phelps!

See you all again soon!

 

[KatiebugsMom]

Justin any chance you will be going to WDW in January for the opening of American Idol Attraction?? Our next trip will be the end of January.

 

[RatBoy]

You can see a few shots of Justin at 6:19 in this video from Ricky Brigante (Inside the Magic podcast)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5Kt16iEJH8&fmt=18

You can also see Duncan Wardle (Sr. VP of Global PR for Disney Parks) walking with Michael at 6:02 - 6:13. If you love Disney books, you might recall a story about Duncan in Charles Ridgeway's "Spinning Disney's World".

 

[KarenNYC]

Justin - thanks for keeping us up"dis"nated on your travels. are you heading back to WDW for MNSSHP???

 

[Kimberly815]

Hello!

Thanks for the well-wishes! I see that safetymom beat me to it, but I did have the chance to meet her and her daughter and a few other DIS'ers on this adventure! I am home and will hopefully be getting my pictures online within the next day or so. I can't wait to get in here and tell you all about my latest - absolutely unbelievable! - adventures!

I had the chance to meet and spend time with the Dream Squad at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom; I got to meet and learn from the two incredible 2008 WDW Ambassadors; I had a chance to escort a winning family up to the Dream Suite; and - oh yeah - I met, and presented a "Key to the Kingdom" to, Michael Phelps!

See you all again soon!

Too cool! It sounds like you had a lot of great experiences! I can't wait to hear all the details!

 

[Justin M]

Hello! I promise to be back in soon with more pictures and a full update on all of the many incredible adventures from my most recent CMO journey. I couldn't resist the urge to post this picture right away, however. I friend of mine on facebook was in the Magic Kingdom on Friday and, so far, this is the only picture I've seen that caught the first moment I met Michael Phelps . . . (I'm in the blue shirt with my back to the camera)