Chat with the Chief Magic Official

[catotigger]

Justin - please take this the right way - but I am so jealous, I could just scream!

I've been able to hold myself together up to this point - but Disney World AND Michael Phelps? Man-o-man.

You certainly are living the dream. I'm pleased for you - this thing has turned out to be even more than we imagined while we were all nervously waiting to see if our videos would make it or not.

Be sure to give my best to your family!

Cat

 

[Justin M]

Wow have you ever been busy. It was so nice that you were able to go to the meet in Camp Hill. Do you know when yet you will be in WDW This month. We're heading out in 13 days and come home on the 28th. We really love hearing of your adventures. Thanks for always taking the time to respond to us. You truly seem to be fully enjoying your CMO experience. Hope to get to meet you later this month. Robin

We just might have overlapping trips this time! My details aren't firm yet, but a trip that last weekend of September is a definite possibility at this point! Keep checking here and at www.dreamCMO.com for more updates about my schedule!

Thanks for reading my posts and following along on this adventure - - - it is so much more fun to be able to share it with you all!

 

[Justin M]

Justin - please take this the right way - but I am so jealous, I could just scream!

I've been able to hold myself together up to this point - but Disney World AND Michael Phelps? Man-o-man.

You certainly are living the dream. I'm pleased for you - this thing has turned out to be even more than we imagined while we were all nervously waiting to see if our videos would make it or not.

Be sure to give my best to your family!

Cat

Hi Cat!!

Thanks for continuing to check out the thread! Yeah, this really is the dream, isn't it? I can't explain how surreal it all is, but like you said, I think it is somehow even bigger and more incredible than I'd ever hoped. I don't know about you, but I never grasped that it could be this amazing!

The family all says hello to you as well! I hope the Texas summer as treated you alright!

 

[Justin M]

So, on this trip I stayed at the Boardwalk and, as I said above, I can't recommend it highly enough!

Because of the fact that I was involved in so many of the activities this trip (and because several of them were backstage), I don't have quite as many pictures. But I still have several to share as well as some amazing memories!

RIght after checking in to the hotel I had to change clothes quickly and run over to the Magic Kingdom. My first responsibility was with the Dream Squad . . . and it was an incredible opportunity!

I met up with the concierge team for the Castle Suite, had a chance to learn more about their operations and what all is involved from their end, and then I was able to greet the family that had won the opportunity to stay in the castle that night!

I love in a completely random process like this you still get so many wonderful stories . . . this was a single mother with a 10 year old son and 4 year old daughter. They had never been to Walt Disney World before, and their first glimpse of the Magic Kingdom was as they were walking down Main Street on their way to the Dream Suite. Can you imagine that being your first introduction to the Magic Kingdom?

I'm hoping to have a picture or two with this family in my collection soon, but for now you will have to trust me that this was an incredibly magical experience! I was able to meet them, hear their story, and then enter the Castle with them. We rode up in the elevator together and I was able to be there as the door opened and they saw the amazing Suite for the first time. I spent a few minutes with them and their concierge team helping to show them around and get settled in. All of this and I'd only been in Florida a few hours at this point!

 

[pl'smama]

So, on this trip I stayed at the Boardwalk and, as I said above, I can't recommend it highly enough!

Because of the fact that I was involved in so many of the activities this trip (and because several of them were backstage), I don't have quite as many pictures. But I still have several to share as well as some amazing memories!

RIght after checking in to the hotel I had to change clothes quickly and run over to the Magic Kingdom. My first responsibility was with the Dream Squad . . . and it was an incredible opportunity!

I met up with the concierge team for the Castle Suite, had a chance to learn more about their operations and what all is involved from their end, and then I was able to greet the family that had won the opportunity to stay in the castle that night!

I love in a completely random process like this you still get so many wonderful stories . . . this was a single mother with a 10 year old son and 4 year old daughter. They had never been to Walt Disney World before, and their first glimpse of the Magic Kingdom was as they were walking down Main Street on their way to the Dream Suite. Can you imagine that being your first introduction to the Magic Kingdom?

I'm hoping to have a picture or two with this family in my collection soon, but for now you will have to trust me that this was an incredibly magical experience! I was able to meet them, hear their story, and then enter the Castle with them. We rode up in the elevator together and I was able to be there as the door opened and they saw the amazing Suite for the first time. I spent a few minutes with them and their concierge team helping to show them around and get settled in. All of this and I'd only been in Florida a few hours at this point!

What a totally awesome way to start your trip Justin! I got a little vaklemp just reading it. Your heart must be full to bursting by the time you head home from these adventures!

Suz

 

[lynn46356]

Justin, there are few words to describe what you must be feeling as CMO. I have goosebumps reading about the family you were lucky enough to meet that were awarded a night in the Castle Suite. WOW!!!! It brings tears to my eyes. Keep up the great updates. How can it keep getting better.....but it does. Enjoy the ride and the rest of the year. God Bless You!!!!!

Lynn

 

[Marshay]

Justin -- thanks for posting pics of the Magic Meet. That looked like a lot of fun and I'm glad you were able to go.

The whole castle story is terrific!! Of course, if going to the castle is your first impression of Disney, I wonder how the rest of their trip was ... Hmmm, where's the magic mirror? You mean we can't sleep in the castle every night, Mom??

I know your energy and enthusiasm combined with Disney magic, just make every trip better and better!!

 

[Kimberly815]

So, on this trip I stayed at the Boardwalk and, as I said above, I can't recommend it highly enough!

Because of the fact that I was involved in so many of the activities this trip (and because several of them were backstage), I don't have quite as many pictures. But I still have several to share as well as some amazing memories!

RIght after checking in to the hotel I had to change clothes quickly and run over to the Magic Kingdom. My first responsibility was with the Dream Squad . . . and it was an incredible opportunity!

I met up with the concierge team for the Castle Suite, had a chance to learn more about their operations and what all is involved from their end, and then I was able to greet the family that had won the opportunity to stay in the castle that night!

I love in a completely random process like this you still get so many wonderful stories . . . this was a single mother with a 10 year old son and 4 year old daughter. They had never been to Walt Disney World before, and their first glimpse of the Magic Kingdom was as they were walking down Main Street on their way to the Dream Suite. Can you imagine that being your first introduction to the Magic Kingdom?

I'm hoping to have a picture or two with this family in my collection soon, but for now you will have to trust me that this was an incredibly magical experience! I was able to meet them, hear their story, and then enter the Castle with them. We rode up in the elevator together and I was able to be there as the door opened and they saw the amazing Suite for the first time. I spent a few minutes with them and their concierge team helping to show them around and get settled in. All of this and I'd only been in Florida a few hours at this point!

Wow! It must have been amazing to share such a special moment with them! I can't even imagine walking down Main Street for the first time knowing that I would be sleeping in the Castle!

 

[TimothyTheLurker]

For this trip, I was staying at the Boardwalk . . . yet another stunning Disney Resort! I can't speak highly enough about the accommodations here - everything was spectacular!

We have stayed at the Boardwalk Villas on our last two trips and love staying there. The accomodations are great and access to the parks is super. I'm still available to travel in your luggage on your next trip......

 

[safetymom]

Do you get to choose where you stay or does Disney arrange that for you?

 

[mistydoodles]

Wow Justin. What a great update. You have been having such wonderful experiences. Thank you so much for sharing them.

We have been wanting to stay at the Boardwalk for sometime. I think it is great that you have this opportunity.

Can't wait until your next post.

 

[Justin M]

Hello! It's been another long week at work already (is it really only Wednesday?) but I'm working on clearing my schedule for a good chunk of tomorrow and Friday, so the rest of the stories and pictures from my latest trip should be up here soon. Please be sure to keep checking back!

 

[cherbear]

Justin...when is your next trip? I was hoping you'd be there sometime during my trip (Sept 13th through 20th) but it doesn't look like that's the case.

I'll bet I will have JUST missed you!

 

[Justin M]

Wow Justin. What a great update. You have been having such wonderful experiences. Thank you so much for sharing them.

We have been wanting to stay at the Boardwalk for sometime. I think it is great that you have this opportunity.

Can't wait until your next post.

Thanks! Again, it really is my pleasure. Thank YOU for reading them!

The Boardwalk was a stunning resort and the location is fantastic. Easy access to both Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios, plus all the dining and entertainment options of the Boardwalk at your doorstep. You should definitely consider it for a future trip!

 

[Justin M]

Justin...when is your next trip? I was hoping you'd be there sometime during my trip (Sept 13th through 20th) but it doesn't look like that's the case.

I'll bet I will have JUST missed you!

Awww . . .

Have a wonderful trip, Cherbear . . . we did just miss each other. I was there August 27th - 30th, and I'm currently working out the details for a trip the last weekend of September. So you landed right inbetween! I hope you have an absolutely magical time though! Please come back and tell us all about it!

 

[Justin M]

What a totally awesome way to start your trip Justin! I got a little vaklemp just reading it. Your heart must be full to bursting by the time you head home from these adventures!

Suz

Thanks Suz. Yeah, that was a pretty incredible first few hours! I do hope to have a couple of pictures from my time with the family on here soon. Still working on tracking them down!

As for my heart . . . yeah, you nailed it! It is so hard to contain my excitement and joy with each trip because I am just overwhelmed with opportunities to see the best in people. This is truly a blessing!

Justin, there are few words to describe what you must be feeling as CMO. I have goosebumps reading about the family you were lucky enough to meet that were awarded a night in the Castle Suite. WOW!!!! It brings tears to my eyes. Keep up the great updates. How can it keep getting better.....but it does. Enjoy the ride and the rest of the year. God Bless You!!!!!

Lynn

Thanks Lynn! I really appreciate you being here each step of the way. I'm sure that somehow the trips will each have a new level of magic and energy and I'm so glad that I can share it all with you!

Justin -- thanks for posting pics of the Magic Meet. That looked like a lot of fun and I'm glad you were able to go.

The whole castle story is terrific!! Of course, if going to the castle is your first impression of Disney, I wonder how the rest of their trip was ... Hmmm, where's the magic mirror? You mean we can't sleep in the castle every night, Mom??

I know your energy and enthusiasm combined with Disney magic, just make every trip better and better!!

Marshay! Glad you enjoyed the pictures from MagicMeets. It was a really neat experience and I love any chance to interact with Disney fans! Thanks again for being a part of the journey!

Wow! It must have been amazing to share such a special moment with them! I can't even imagine walking down Main Street for the first time knowing that I would be sleeping in the Castle!

Yeah, it's a pretty remarkable experience! Their faces when we stepped off the elevator and eventually opened the door to the suite were absolutely priceless!

We have stayed at the Boardwalk Villas on our last two trips and love staying there. The accomodations are great and access to the parks is super. I'm still available to travel in your luggage on your next trip......

I agree. Every experience I had at the Boardwalk was top-notch (but then again, so has every Disney resort!), but the access to the parks really seals the deal for me!

Hmm . . .if you travel in my luggage, will you cover the 'checked bag' fee? If so, we might have a deal!

Do you get to choose where you stay or does Disney arrange that for you?

Disney is wonderful about handling the arrangements for me. With each trip thus far they've placed me in a different - yet equally stunning resort. In April we stayed at the Yacht Club during the "competition week". In May I was at the Wilderness Lodge. During my June visit to Disneyland I stayed at the Grand Californian. Each one of them has been an incredible experience!

 

[Justin M]

Okay, back to the most recent adventure.

As a recap, I stayed at the Boardwalk this time and as soon as I checked in I ran off to the Magic Kingdom to be a part of introducing the winning family to their accommodations in Cinderella's Castle for the night!


Later that afternoon I met up with members of the Marketing and PR teams to observe and participate in a unique brainstorming session. For obvious reasons I can't say too much about it, but I can assure that it was a real treat to see some of the most creative people I've ever worked with in their element!

After that, a group of us headed out to Raglan Road for a working dinner. Great food! I've always had a soft spot for British/Irish/Scottish Pub food, (the Rose and Crown in the UK pavilion is one of my favorite stops along World Showcase) and Raglan Road was superb!

With a stomach full of sausages and mash potatoes (bangers and mash) and a clearer idea of what all I would be involved in over the next few days, I headed back to the Boardwalk to finish unpacking and turn in for the night!

 

[Justin M]

(Oh, for the record, those pillows are the most amazing things . . . Truly a splendid night's sleep on those!!)

 

[Doug7856]

Enjoyed the update!

 

[Justin M]

Enjoyed the update!

Thanks Doug! More to come . . .