Chat with the Chief Magic Official

[dounelisg]

Hey Justin!

I barely missed you during your August trip...we left the 28th to come home. One more day and I could have seen you and Michael Phelps...wow!! I did however meet Laura S from the mom's panel and her family quite by accident on the boardwalk and after chatting with her and her family, she suggesteed I apply for next years panel. She and her family were delightful and so very sweet. We had so much fun chatting, and they too like you embody the true meaning of Walt Disney World. I wish I had gotten to meet you too, but maybe next trip!!!

 

[aPiratesLife4Me]

At this point, I had no idea what was in store for Friday . . . but who doesn't love a little Disney surprise?!

Oh just leave us waiting like that... (I'm kidding!) As always, I'm among the many who are enjoying reading about your experiences and seeing your wonderful pictures. I'm thankful you are sharing so much of your once-in-a-lifetime experiences with all of us!!! How many of us would love the opportunity...and I have to say you represent us all AMAZINGLY WELL. So thank you Justin, for sharing so much of this with us!!

 

[L107ANGEL]

Hey Justin!

I barely missed you during your August trip...we left the 28th to come home. One more day and I could have seen you and Michael Phelps...wow!! I did however meet Laura S from the mom's panel and her family quite by accident on the boardwalk and after chatting with her and her family, she suggesteed I apply for next years panel. She and her family were delightful and so very sweet. We had so much fun chatting, and they too like you embody the true meaning of Walt Disney World. I wish I had gotten to meet you too, but maybe next trip!!!

You sig pic is too cute!!

 

[Beep]

Hey Justin,

First of all congrats on the CMO position! I've really enjoyed reading this thread and everything you've been up to.

We're not at Disney again until December next year for our wedding at Sea Breeze Point, but we will definitely keep our eyes open for you. If you are around, come over for a glass of bubbly and some cake

 

[dounelisg]

You sig pic is too cute!!

Thanks Angel...it is my all time favorite picture of my son. It was the first time he met Mickey and Minnie and he just loved them. It is hard to believe the picture is a year old already...they grow up so fast!!

 

[disneytraveler]

Hi again Justin,
I just returned from my Adventures by Disney tour to Austria and Czech Republic It was wonderful.
Now i am back to work and also busy rehearsing my volunteer show for a hospital on Sunday. It will have a combination of magic and ventriloquism .
Steve

 

[L107ANGEL]

Thanks Angel...it is my all time favorite picture of my son. It was the first time he met Mickey and Minnie and he just loved them. It is hard to believe the picture is a year old already...they grow up so fast!!

Considering my baby just got her driving permit I have to agree Sorry to go off topic Justin

 

[pl'smama]

WOW, Justin, the magic just keeps happening for you! How wonderful! That must have been quite the day spent honoring the amazing CMs at WDW!! I can bet that was a highlight for you.

As I was reading I thought to myself, "I sure hope Justin is printing off these photos as he goes along!" You will have such a fantastic book of memories from your year. Actually, more like a trunk of memories!!!

I can't wait to hear about the Friday!!

Suz

 

[disneycrazycatlady]

Hi Justin- I just finished reading this entire thread (not in one sitting) and it put many many smiles on my face. What a wonderful job you have- BTW- my son is studying to be a band director (Florida Atlantic University) and I was so happy for an ex-band director to become CMO.

I was in the "World" on August 31st but we were at the studios- it was our first time on the new Toy Story ride and we were at the rope drop that morning- I had no idea Michael Phelps and you were in the MK- Oh Well- Hope to meet you some other time.

Will you be going to the Food and Wine Festival at all? I will be there the weekend of October 25th-

It would be a pleasure to meet you- but if not- you have been a pleasure to get to know on this thread.

Thank you for all the smiles:

 

[TimothyTheLurker]

Dinner tonight, with a member of the brainstorming team, was at The Flying Fish. Absolutely delicious!!

My wife and I made reservations to eat there on our trip, and it was so wonderful, we ate there again later in the week. Probably the highlight of the trip for her! My highlight leans more toward the incredible marathon day we had back and forth between the Rockin Roller Coaster and the Tower of Terror from early park opening to late night extra hours. But I too did enjoy the Flying Fish!

When you figure out how to get me on as your assistant one trip, let me know and I'll be there. I'll carry your luggage or whatever! And you know I'm 100% serious.....

Can't wait to hear the Cirque story...... Keep 'em coming....

 

[Justin M]

Hey Justin!

I barely missed you during your August trip...we left the 28th to come home. One more day and I could have seen you and Michael Phelps...wow!! I did however meet Laura S from the mom's panel and her family quite by accident on the boardwalk and after chatting with her and her family, she suggesteed I apply for next years panel. She and her family were delightful and so very sweet. We had so much fun chatting, and they too like you embody the true meaning of Walt Disney World. I wish I had gotten to meet you too, but maybe next trip!!!

I hope you do apply for the Mom's Panel! It is a really great opportunity. I'm sorry we missed each other, but I hope you had a wonderful vacation.

Thank you for your kind words! Hopefully we will both be in the parks at the same time at some point!

 

[Justin M]

Oh just leave us waiting like that... (I'm kidding!) As always, I'm among the many who are enjoying reading about your experiences and seeing your wonderful pictures. I'm thankful you are sharing so much of your once-in-a-lifetime experiences with all of us!!! How many of us would love the opportunity...and I have to say you represent us all AMAZINGLY WELL. So thank you Justin, for sharing so much of this with us!!

Thanks again for following along . . . really. Knowing that you guys are even remotely interested in this brightens my day and it is a true joy to come on here when I can (I wish it was more often!) and fill you in on the side of Disney that I'm having the chance to see. Truly, this experience is beyond my wildest dreams, but it is - and hopefully always will be - about the Disney guests like you and ways that I can be a part of making their visits even a little bit better. It may sound cliche, but most of my experiences really aren't about me! (and I like it that way!)

It makes me so glad to read that you feel I represent you well. Thank you. I hope I can continue to do that with each new journey!

 

[Justin M]

You sig pic is too cute!!

Thanks Angel...it is my all time favorite picture of my son. It was the first time he met Mickey and Minnie and he just loved them. It is hard to believe the picture is a year old already...they grow up so fast!!

Considering my baby just got her driving permit I have to agree Sorry to go off topic Justin

Ha ha ha! No worries! I love seeing people connect, so no need to apologize! It's always fun to meet new people - so by all means, if you have a desire to compliment somebody's signature, or pictures, or anything else on this thread, don't let me stop you!

(It really is an adorable photo, by the way! )

 

[Justin M]

Hey Justin,

First of all congrats on the CMO position! I've really enjoyed reading this thread and everything you've been up to.

We're not at Disney again until December next year for our wedding at Sea Breeze Point, but we will definitely keep our eyes open for you. If you are around, come over for a glass of bubbly and some cake

Thanks for the invite! I have no idea what I'll be doing by the time your wedding rolls around, but I'm sure YOU will be having a wonderful time! CONGRATULATIONS! I wish you nothing but the best!

Hi again Justin,
I just returned from my Adventures by Disney tour to Austria and Czech Republic It was wonderful.
Now i am back to work and also busy rehearsing my volunteer show for a hospital on Sunday. It will have a combination of magic and ventriloquism .
Steve

Steve! Thanks for checking back in here. How was the Adventures by Disney tour??? That is definitely on my list of Disney "Must Do's" in my lifetime! Best of luck with the hospital show (or did it already happen?). I think it is wonderful that you give your time in that way to spread your own brand of magic. Keep putting smiles on people's faces, Steve, it's what you were meant to do!

WOW, Justin, the magic just keeps happening for you! How wonderful! That must have been quite the day spent honoring the amazing CMs at WDW!! I can bet that was a highlight for you.

As I was reading I thought to myself, "I sure hope Justin is printing off these photos as he goes along!" You will have such a fantastic book of memories from your year. Actually, more like a trunk of memories!!!

I can't wait to hear about the Friday!!

Suz

Thanks Suz. As always, I love having you stop in and comment. You never fail to make me smile! I'm trying to keep every picture, momento, souvenir, and memory I can from this experience, but I can already tell I'm giong to run out of room in my house!

 

[Justin M]

Hi Justin- I just finished reading this entire thread (not in one sitting) and it put many many smiles on my face. What a wonderful job you have- BTW- my son is studying to be a band director (Florida Atlantic University) and I was so happy for an ex-band director to become CMO.

I was in the "World" on August 31st but we were at the studios- it was our first time on the new Toy Story ride and we were at the rope drop that morning- I had no idea Michael Phelps and you were in the MK- Oh Well- Hope to meet you some other time.

Will you be going to the Food and Wine Festival at all? I will be there the weekend of October 25th-

It would be a pleasure to meet you- but if not- you have been a pleasure to get to know on this thread.

Thank you for all the smiles:

Wow! Thanks for reading! (And thanks for not doing it all in one sitting. I can be a bit much to handle sometimes, and I think this thread should come with a warning about overexposure! I can't imagine what could have become of you if you had tried to spend that much time reading my ramblings in one sitting! )

Kudos to your son! It is a wonderful profession and the youth of our world need as many positive influences and role models as possible. Please let him know I wish him the best!

How did you like Toy Story Mania?? I really enjoy that attraction, and having been there the day it opened at both Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's California Adventure, I have a real soft spot for it. And - fortunately - my score has gotten better each time!

Thank you so much for your kind words. It's great getting to meet you here as well, and I hope to learn more about you as you share in the rest of this experience with me! As for the Food and Wine Festival, I believe I'll be able to experience at least part of it during my trip at the end of this month. I am working on plans to be down there again near the end of October, so check back here (or at www.dreamCMO.com) as it gets closer. We just may end up there at the same time!

Now - thank YOU for making me smile!

 

[Justin M]

My wife and I made reservations to eat there on our trip, and it was so wonderful, we ate there again later in the week. Probably the highlight of the trip for her! My highlight leans more toward the incredible marathon day we had back and forth between the Rockin Roller Coaster and the Tower of Terror from early park opening to late night extra hours. But I too did enjoy the Flying Fish!

When you figure out how to get me on as your assistant one trip, let me know and I'll be there. I'll carry your luggage or whatever! And you know I'm 100% serious.....

Can't wait to hear the Cirque story...... Keep 'em coming....

Oh yes , I know you're serious! I just need to work out the details . . . hmmm . . .

I can't blame you for ranking the marathon day at Disney's Hollywood Studios at the top of your list! But, I'm with your wife on the Flying Fish. I know that there are other restaurants (Artists Point, The Yachtsman Steakhouse, Victoria and Alberts, Le Cellier, etc) that have a world-wide recognition for their fine food, especially steaks. The steak I had at the Flying Fish, however, was honestly one of the most enjoyable dining experiences I've had in a long time! (can you tell I love to eat?)

 

[Justin M]

Time for some of my adventures from the Friday of my trip (August 29) . . . or at least as many as I can get to before I fall asleep!


Early Friday morning I headed over to the Magic Kingdom where I had the chance to meet up with the other half of the incredible 2008 WDW Ambassadors Team. Kerri, like TC, is an incredible example of everything that is 'right' about the Disney Parks. She represents her fellow Cast Members wonderfully and is incredibly gracious and friendly in every situation.

We spent much of our time helping to greet guests as they entered the park and we even had the chance to meet up with a member of the Dream Squad to help arrange some private meet and greets with a Princess!

We also had a chance to make some new friends in Guest Relations (another truly remarkable group of Cast Members!)

Here we are helping to hand out maps and times guides as guests enter the park right after rope drop.

In one of those wonderful "Small World" kind of moments, I saw the family from the Castle Suite on Wednesday in line and was able to reconnect with them. I also had the unique and always enjoyable experience of being 'recognized' and posing for a few pictures with some guests and friends.

I even had the chance to see (all within the first 10 mintues of park opening!) a member of the Disney Moms Panel that I'd met before; a newly married couple that I'd spent a few minutes talking with on the monorail the day before; and a couple from Pennsylvania who had been at MagicMeets and attended my breakout session. What are the chances?!! Don't you just love how Disney brings us all together?

 

[Justin M]

The biggest reason (second only to having the opportunity to help the guests in any way I can!) that we were in the Magic Kingdom at this particular time on this particular day, was to have a chance to see Michael Phelps in the special 10:30 parade. I had an amazing spot along side the news cameras and members of the PR teams and was in awe of it all as I tried to take in the huge crowd and genuine excitement of the moment.

Here are some pictures from the preparation for the parade and the parade itself . . .

 

[Justin M]

 

[Justin M]

The entire parade was wonderful! Michael Phelps seemed genuinely touched by the reception he received from the guests that day. It was such an honor to hear the crowds cheering and see someone who has accomplished something no one else has ever done in person.

Following the parade we headed up Main Street to the rose garden. Here Michael was set to do some interviews with the media, great a group of very excited swimmers from a local swim club, and particpate in another special ceremony. I was thrilled just to be allowed to observe all of this, I never imagined Disney might let me play a part!

(and on that note . . . those pictures will have to wait until tomorrow! It's almost 1:00 a.m. here and I have to be up in 5 hours!)

Thanks for visiting! See you soon!