Chat with the Chief Magic Official

[Justin M]

Do they give you a dress code?

Absolutely! I have an official costume, as I'm an official Cast Member. As with everything they do, Disney has handled this with an eye for every detail. In order to fit with the general color scheme of The Year of a Million Dreams and the Dream Squad, I have an official CMO polo shirt in several different shades of blue. I was also assigned a few pairs of tailored khaki pants and shorts. Each event will dictate which I wear.

On the first day of my May trip (May 13th), one of my first stops was to one of the many Creative Costuming locations. They had the shirts waiting for me, I tried everything one and they shortened (yeah, I'm short) the pants for me that day. It was all in a garmet bag waiting for me at Disney's Hollywood Studios at 4:45 in the morning the next day so I could change and be ready for the first day of events!

Here's a picture with one of the Dream Squad members from Animal Kingdom (Kathy) and Heath (one of the Promotions Managers). I'm in the light blue version of the shirt . . .

And here I am with Christie, a member of the Magic Music Days team. That day I wore the dark (navy?) blue version of the shirt and you can see the logo a bit better.

 

[Justin M]

Can you "suggest" accommodations?

I've honestly never considered it. Actually, I don't think I'd even want to suggest anything like that. They are doing an unbeliveable job of taking care of me and they will place me in a hotel each trip that suits whatever needs they may have (it might be the closest to the majority of my focus on that trip or it may just be the one with a vacancy!). Also, I kind of enjoy the surprises of not planning the details! I also know that they are hoping to allow me to experience as many different and amazing Disney things as possible, so I have no concerns about putting my hotel plans in their hands - I think they're pretty qualified!

On the May trip I stayed at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. If you've never been there, trust me, it is spectacular! Here is one quick photo that I took from my window . . .

Yeah, with a view like that, I think I'll let them take care of the accommodations!

 

[Justin M]

How am I doing on the answers? I might not have too many left in me before I need to crash for the night. I'll get a couple more solved for you if I can, though!

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

How am I doing on the answers? I might not have too many left in me before I need to crash for the night. I'll get a couple more solved for you if I can, though!

They're great, Justin! (And the pictures are much appreciated, too!) Thanks for providing us with details!

 

[Justin M]

Are you "always on" or do they give you free time to explore the parks on your own?

Again, this answer is just based on one trip so far, but the simple response is: "ALWAYS ON!" Here's a quick glimpse at my schedule from May:

Tuesday: Land in Orlando around noon, have lunch with one of my supervisors, head to costuming, spend some time in media training, quickly check into hotel, head to dinner with another member of the team (my 'boss') and then get back to the hotel after 10:00.

Wednesday: Out the door of my hotel at 4:40 in the morning (up at 3:45 to get ready!) I didn't return to my hotel until after 10:00 again. Now, granted, I did choose to spend more time with the Epcot Dream Squad that night than I had to, but wouldn't you??!!

Thursday: Out the door around 4:40 again, packed with a full day split between Disney's Hollywood Studios and the Magic Kingdom. Dinner with the "team" to discuss future plans and eventually back to the hotel around 11:00.

Friday: Out to Animal Kingdom around 8:30 (I think, it's still a bit of a blur by the last day!) and work pretty much straight through until I leave for the airport for my flight home. I had a couple of hours in the afternoon to relax before catching my transportation to the airport, but that was it.

Please don't get me wrong - - - I LOVED the schedule they had me keep. I'm not normally a morning person, but being in a Disney park before the sun comes up is a pretty magical way to see things. I just wanted to illustrate that there really wasn't any free time. These are working trips and with "only" 8 of them to maximize my experience, I'm going to take every opportunity they'll give me to be immersed in the magic!

 

[Justin M]

Maybe you can share with us how Disney contacts you...who (not by name of course but by department) are you interacting with?

This might be the last answer I can provide for you tonight! I will get to the rest of the questions as soon as possible and I sincerely do hope that you all ask some more! I'd love to know what's on your minds!


My primary interaction is with members of the incredible marketing and public relations teams. The person I technically report to is a Public Relations Manager and the one that was most involved in the details of my first trip was a Promotions Manager with the marketing team. They both have a truly all-star cast of people who work with them on a stunning range of projects (have you heard that Buzz Lightyear is on the spaceship that launched yesterday?? I'll have to find a link to some of the videos for you!) and I have some chances to interact with many of them.

 

[Justin M]

They're great, Justin! (And the pictures are much appreciated, too!) Thanks for providing us with details!

You're welcome, DISgeeks! Thanks for reading and feel free to spread the words to our friends on the other threads just in case there is anything here they'd be interested in reading!

 

[Justin M]

Here's a quick story / photo that isn't directly related to a CMO event, but is a part of the experience for me . . .

When I returned home after the trip in April, I was asked to speak for a few mintues to several hundred people at my church. They were incredibly supportive throughout the process, accounted for a huge number of votes, and have witnessed and celebrated with me at several phases of my life. I shared with them the feelings and emotions I was experience, I thanked them for their support, and I left them with a challenge. I told them that they (we) truly could change the world if we worked as hard to help other people achieve their dreams as they did for me. (I think I was more eloquent that day, but I'm still trying to find a video of the message . . . sorry!)

Anyway, a couple of high school students who play in our orchestra and who have been involved in several productions for me came forward and presented me with a cake. A home made cake that these two girls had spent who knows how long baking, shaping, icing (man was it good icing!), etc. The thoughtfulness that they showed is a big example of how incredible we can make other people feel when we think about them before we think of ourselves. They truly made my day.

Here's the cake!

 

[Justin M]

Yeah . . . it was a pretty amazing cake and I wasted no time tasting the icing!

 

[Justin M]

The girl in the middle (Carrie) is wearing a T-shirt that they made to support me. In my application video I coined a few new words, and one of them was "Possivisionouraging" (simply defined as 'sharing a positive vision in which anything is possible with others in the most uplifting and encouraging way you can'). In a mass email that I was sending out regularly to update people on the contest and to encourage them to vote, I asked them all (after explaining the term) to consider being "Possivisionouragists" in someone's life. Take time and interest in someone, be positive, encouraging, and uplifting, and help them believe that anything is possible.

Well, these girls took that to heart and made colorful T-shirts that just simply said "possivisionouragist" on them. They wore them to school. People asked them about them and they took the chance to share with them my Disney story as well as try to brighten their day. They are remarkable students!

 

[Justin M]

Carrie's dad (the one wearing the possivisionouragist shirt) was Gaston when I was LeFou in our production of Beauty and the Beast. You really get to know someone when you spend three months getting flung around a stage by them!

Here's a quick shot of me as LeFou from that show just to give you some context . . .

 

[Justin M]

And here is a close up of one of the T-shirts they made . . .

 

[Justin M]

And, finally for tonight, here are a couple of photos just to shed a little more light on my personality. They aren't from a CMO event (they are actually from a summer program at the church where I work) but I included one in my application video and I think they will help any of the CMO related posts that I include here in the future to make a little more sense. This is the kind of person you are dealing with . . .

 

[Justin M]

Thanks for checking in and following along! I hope to be back on for a bit tomorrow, so keep the questions coming!

For tonight, I leave you with a word . . .

 

[Marshay]

How am I doing on the answers?

Terrific!! I really enjoy reading your answers and am curious about them. Thanks so much for sharing!

And here is a close up of one of the T-shirts they made . . .

This is wonderful! Light a candle...spread the light...

 

[usewickhouse]

WOW! I did not follow the contest but after reading this thread and seeing your pictures I can see why you were chosen. Congratulations and ENJOY every minute of this AWESOME journey. Becky

 

[disneytraveler]

Hi Justin

Heres a question: Will you have times where you will be interacting with the charcaters either on stage or just in the parks!?

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

...a couple of high school students who play in our orchestra and who have been involved in several productions for me came forward and presented me with a cake. A home made cake that these two girls had spent who knows how long baking, shaping, icing (man was it good icing!), etc. The thoughtfulness that they showed is a big example of how incredible we can make other people feel when we think about them before we think of ourselves. They truly made my day.

Here's the cake!

And here is a close up of one of the T-shirts they made . . .

Wow! Very cool, Justin! It's so great that your whole church congregation rallied behind you!

Carrie's dad (the one wearing the possivisionouragist shirt) was Gaston when I was LeFou in our production of Beauty and the Beast. You really get to know someone when you spend three months getting flung around a stage by them!

Here's a quick shot of me as LeFou from that show just to give you some context . . .

The girl cast as Belle almost looks like Carrie, but I'm guessing she's not, or you probably would have mentioned it... (Right?!? )

Didn't you once mention that your church also runs a school program? I was wondering if maybe the Beauty and the Beast performance was their high school musical, or something... (My apologies if you already addressed the context in one of our many, many earlier threads. )

And, finally for tonight, here are a couple of photos just to shed a little more light on my personality. They aren't from a CMO event (they are actually from a summer program at the church where I work) but I included one in my application video and I think they will help any of the CMO related posts that I include here in the future to make a little more sense. This is the kind of person you are dealing with . . .

'Sorta looks like a VBS program! Good times!

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

Carrie's dad (the one wearing the possivisionouragist shirt) was Gaston when I was LeFou in our production of Beauty and the Beast. You really get to know someone when you spend three months getting flung around a stage by them!

Hmmmm! (Three months?) ... Okay, now I'm thinking it was a community theater production instead of a school one.

Enough speculating, though! (I'm no Nancy Drew... ) I think I'm 'gonna wait for your answer!

 

[jimmytammy]

Congratulations!!