Chat with the Chief Magic Official

[bjakmom]

Congratulations, Justin!!!
You are so generous to take the time to share your 'dream' with us fellow Disney-lovers!! - You are obviously a dedicated and hard worker who learned at a young age how to do it all with fun and flair - you are perfect for the position!

I love this thread and look forward to vicariously living your dream throughout the coming year through your updates and pictures - so much fun!! Thanks again for posting it all here.

 

[kritter]

Justin,

Congrats, your video is AWESOME!!!!!!!! Can't wait to hear more about your job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RatBoy]

Nice thread Justin. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

-Bret

 

[SwhJess]

Hi Justin! First, thank you for taking the time to post and share your experiences - what a magical position you are in to share your love of Disney with fans around the world. I have a "small world" note, and then a few questions (since you did so well with the others )

Sing with me... "...it's a small world after all..." DH and I live in Wexford, and I'm a fellow GCC grad, plus, your Aunt Jean (our dear friend through Northmont UPC) kept us up-to-date on your activities throughout the contest. Just another shout-out as to how big of a small town Pittsburgh actually is. We thoroughly enjoyed your competition videos. And, I'm sure it's still the kid in me that got a kick out of the "un-veiling" of the CMO nametag, when Donald's name appeared taped over yours. Definitely was the kid in me that found that perfect.

Again, this is an awesome thread. Some of your other commentary (and pictures!) prompted a few questions, if you don't mind...

1) During the "Know the World" Quiz show in the competition...wow! You were better than Ellen in her Energy Adventure Jeopardy! Are there any particular Disney books that you read/enjoy to get this knowledge - either about the parks, or about Walt himself?

2) I love the pictures from your early visits. Is there a memory or two that stands out during your childhood trips to WDW?

3) You've already gotten to see a lot of ins-and-outs of WDW! We know that your CMO position is a year-long commitment..after its conclusion, is there another job at WDW that you would like to try? (hypothetically, of course. For example, would you want to be a Jungle Cruise skipper for a day? A Voice of Liberty?)

Again, thanks for sharing the magic with all of us! We'll be down for F&WF this year and will keep our eyes peeled for you!

 

[Justin M]

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



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

Thanks Marshay!

 

[Justin M]

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

Becky,

Thank you for those very kind words! I think I can promise you that I will enjoy every minute of it!

Thanks for finding this thread and please keep checking in!

 

[Justin M]

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!?

We have the opportunity to interact with characters in the parks whenever the chances arise. Most of my interaction is directly with guests, but there are scenarios where that could also include a character. As of now, I don't have any plans to be on any official stages with the characters, but when you are a cast member in a Disney Park you are always "on stage"!

 

[Justin M]

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

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. )

'Sorta looks like a VBS program! Good times!

Ha ha ha . . . very inquisitive, aren't you? Belle is not Carrie. I guess they do look a bit a like, but Carrie played violin in the orchestra for the show. The church has a pre-school and early childhood development program (about 400 students) but not a high school!

The show was a part of our church/community drama ministry that presents large productions as well as smaller unique dramas to draw people into a sense of community.

And you were right on the other photo . . . it was a VBS program!

 

[Justin M]

Congratulations!!

Thanks jimmytammy!

Congratulations, Justin!!!
You are so generous to take the time to share your 'dream' with us fellow Disney-lovers!! - You are obviously a dedicated and hard worker who learned at a young age how to do it all with fun and flair - you are perfect for the position!

I love this thread and look forward to vicariously living your dream throughout the coming year through your updates and pictures - so much fun!! Thanks again for posting it all here.

Wow, thank you for those very kind compliments! I'm so glad you found us here and I do hope you keep checking in. With each trip I'll have a lot more photos and stories to share!

Justin,

Congrats, your video is AWESOME!!!!!!!! Can't wait to hear more about your job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

 

[Justin M]

Nice thread Justin. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

-Bret

Bret,

Thanks for checking in! Please let the moms on the moms panel know that they are thought of very highly by the folks at Disney!

Talk to you soon!

 

[Minnie Lor]

Great answers. Very interesting, Justin. Loved the cake and the T-shirts.

 

[Justin M]

I followed your journey and voted! I love your picture with your sisters. Have fun at the best job in the world!

Thank you so much for following along! I'm glad you enjoy the photos! I'll do my best to keep them coming!

Congratulations!! I was thrilled to see someone local win-I'm from Canonsburg-about 20 miles south of Pittsburgh. I know that you're aware of how lucky you are to have earned such a magical position-I could only hope to be so lucky!! For now I'm just counting down the days to our upcoming trip to WDW. Good luck with everything and have fun!!

LET'S GO PENS!!!!!!!!! Maybe you can sprinkle some fairy dust over the arena!!

Yeah, sorry that the pixie dust didn't seem to help the Pens! Thanks for stopping by to say hello! I love hearing from local Disney fans! Have a wonderful next trip to WDW! Please keep checking in here for more information, and remember, it's about more than luck. Believe in yourself and your dreams and amazing things can happen to you too!

Justin;
Nicole (the former music major from TX) here: To answer your question, I have unfortunately not been in college for a loooonnnggg time. I have two fantastic kids with special needs and I am enjoying being home with them, and I lead worsip at my church in Austin. Looking forward to hearing more from you over the course of the year- and if we're really blessed, maybe we'll see you during our trip in Sept.

Thanks for checking back in! I would love to run into you in September, but I don't know exactly what my schedule will be just yet. I admire you and I'm sure you are an amazing mom! Keep up the good work!

Congratulations, Justin!!! I know you will enjoy your new "job". It is truly a "dream" job. Just be sure to enjoy every minute of because it will make for great tales to tell your great-grandchildren one day!!! You'll be the coolest grandpa of them all!!!

Ha ha! I'm not even a dad yet, but being the coolest grandpa is certainly a goal I'd like to shoot for!

Penguins fan here too Justin! Nice to meet you! I'm about 20 miles south of Pittsburgh.
I'm taking my son back to Disney for his second trip in mid July. He is so excited again! He has multiple food allergies and last year was our first vacation and Disney treated him like a king. We really cannot wait to get back again!

Have a wonderful trip! Isn't it amazing how Disney really does think of everything? They truly believe that each guest is the most important guest and they will do whatever they can to make your trip magical. Have a great time!

 

[Justin M]

Congratulations Justin!!!

I was popping into the thread a few months ago...voted a few times...then life got crazy.

I was on Deb Willis' site last night and saw your picture in one of the blogs that you were working the sneak peek at Toy Story Mania...I didn't realize the contest was over already!


Anyway congratulations and have a great time! Thanks for sharing your exprience with us!

Well thanks for finding the thread! Yeah, the contest wrapped up in April (April 22nd to be exact) and it has been a whirlwind ever since. Thanks for your congratulations! I was thrilled to meet Deb and to get to be a part of the Toy Story Mania press event. What a wonderful way to start my year as CMO!

 

[Justin M]

Congrats on the awesome job Justin! I will be following your journey, and will hope to see you in Disney! I don't think it could have happened to a nicer person. You seem like such a sweet person, it only goes to show you that good things do happen to good people. May your life continue to touch others and keep spreading that magical pixie dust. Your enthusiasm seems to be very contagious!!

Thank you so much! Your compliments are too kind. I do hope this can give people hope, though, that good things really do happen to good people. Keep believing in yourself and your dreams and don't give up hope!

Thank you again for this beautiful note!

 

[Justin M]

Great answers. Very interesting, Justin. Loved the cake and the T-shirts.

Thanks Minnie Lor! If you like the answers, thank the people who are asking the questions! Great Disney fans have great questions!

 

[glitterkittyy]

I meant to post to this thread a long time ago. Better late than never.

Just wanted to say Congratulations! My daughters and I still enjoy watching your CMO video. To me, you represent what the essence of Disney is...we're all kids at heart and the magic lives inside of you if only you nurture it and allow it to continue and grow. Walt lives on in the spirit of all who are young at heart. Walt lives on in you, Justin. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. I hope to someday see you in the parks.

 

[Justin M]

Hi Justin! First, thank you for taking the time to post and share your experiences - what a magical position you are in to share your love of Disney with fans around the world. I have a "small world" note, and then a few questions (since you did so well with the others )

Sing with me... "...it's a small world after all..." DH and I live in Wexford, and I'm a fellow GCC grad, plus, your Aunt Jean (our dear friend through Northmont UPC) kept us up-to-date on your activities throughout the contest. Just another shout-out as to how big of a small town Pittsburgh actually is. We thoroughly enjoyed your competition videos. And, I'm sure it's still the kid in me that got a kick out of the "un-veiling" of the CMO nametag, when Donald's name appeared taped over yours. Definitely was the kid in me that found that perfect.

Again, this is an awesome thread. Some of your other commentary (and pictures!) prompted a few questions, if you don't mind...

1) During the "Know the World" Quiz show in the competition...wow! You were better than Ellen in her Energy Adventure Jeopardy! Are there any particular Disney books that you read/enjoy to get this knowledge - either about the parks, or about Walt himself?

2) I love the pictures from your early visits. Is there a memory or two that stands out during your childhood trips to WDW?

3) You've already gotten to see a lot of ins-and-outs of WDW! We know that your CMO position is a year-long commitment..after its conclusion, is there another job at WDW that you would like to try? (hypothetically, of course. For example, would you want to be a Jungle Cruise skipper for a day? A Voice of Liberty?)

Again, thanks for sharing the magic with all of us! We'll be down for F&WF this year and will keep our eyes peeled for you!

What a wonderful note! Thanks for taking the time to find me here. I absolutely LOVE these 'small world' stories. I have been to your church several times and may have even seen you in person for all I know! I can't believe we live in essentially the same town, graduated from the same college, and that you are good friends with my Aunt (isn't she the sweetest?!) . . . and yet it is Disney that brings us together!

Now, I'll do my best to answer your questions!

1) I read A LOT of Disney books. I think my wife thinks I'm a little nuts sometimes, but there are much worse things I could be reading! I am hoping to write some book review style updates for the Dream CMO website over the course of the year. Please check in there for more in-depth answers. I will read just about any Disney book I can get my hands on, but my favorite topics include park history / Imagineering and Walt. One of the lesser known works that talks a lot about Walt is "How to be like Walt" by Pat Williams. It's definitely worth checking out (as are some of the more popular biographies). Three books I can't recommend highly enough to the Disney park fan are . . .

"The Imagineering Way . . . Ideas to Ignite Your Creativity" by the Imagineers.

"Designing Disney . . . Imagineering and the Art of the Show" by John Hench with Peggy Van Pelt.

"Walt Disney Imagineering . . . A Behind the Dreams Look at Making the Magic Real" by The Imagineers.

 

[Justin M]

2) I love the pictures from your early visits. Is there a memory or two that stands out during your childhood trips to WDW?

3) You've already gotten to see a lot of ins-and-outs of WDW! We know that your CMO position is a year-long commitment..after its conclusion, is there another job at WDW that you would like to try? (hypothetically, of course. For example, would you want to be a Jungle Cruise skipper for a day? A Voice of Liberty?)

Again, thanks for sharing the magic with all of us! We'll be down for F&WF this year and will keep our eyes peeled for you!

2) Wow . . . it's more like what memory doesn't stand out?! Looking back at those pictures of when I was five years old has helped me to recall more and more about what it was like to visit the parks as a child. I still feel like that kid when I walk under the train station and see Main Street spread out in front of me with Cinderella's Castle gleaming in the distance. I think one of the spots that triggers the strongest memories for me is standing just outside the Confectionery on Main Street and inhaling that incredible aroma. That never fails to take me back!

3) Again, the options are almost too numerous to list. I've always dreamed of working for the Disney Parks and this experience has only made that stronger. There are so many wonderful Cast Member jobs that would be a blast. Jungle Cruise skipper, Safari driver on Kilimanjaro Safaris (I love animals), performer in The Festival of The Lion King, actor in the new Finding Nemo musical, performer in Fantasmic! (and this list could literally go on for days!)

How about you? Any dream jobs you'd love to fill someday?

 

[Justin M]

I meant to post to this thread a long time ago. Better late than never.

Just wanted to say Congratulations! My daughters and I still enjoy watching your CMO video. To me, you represent what the essence of Disney is...we're all kids at heart and the magic lives inside of you if only you nurture it and allow it to continue and grow. Walt lives on in the spirit of all who are young at heart. Walt lives on in you, Justin. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. I hope to someday see you in the parks.

You're never late to this party! We'll be here all year! Thank you for stopping by and saying hello. I'm glad that you and your daughters were able to enjoy the CMO videos together and that you found something entertaining in mine.

Now, on to the serious part. I'm not sure that anyone could pay me a higher compliment than what you wrote. Thank you so much. To feel that someone sees a little bit of Walt and his dreams living on in the way I lead my life is incredibly touching. Thank you. It is my pleasure to share this experience with you and I too hope to see you in the parks so I can say "thank you" in person!

 

[angeluna]

Justin congratulations! Just found the thread. You seem very fun and approachable by all ages. I do hope you enjoy your dream job and may it lead to even more of your dreams being fulfilled. I know you will touch the lives of many. You know how small acts of kindness and magical moments can live forever in hearts and memories, and also how they can grow and progress into even more acts! Thanks for not being afraid to be you. Your enthusiasm is infectious! Have a magical and blessed day!