Chat with the Chief Magic Official

[Minnie Lor]

Have an awesome trip to the original. I've never been to Disneyland but want to make it there in the next few years. Looking forward to hearing about your trip.

 

[robinc71]

Can't wait to hear about your trip. Make sure to post pics and all. We will be at POP in September (18-28). Have a Fun trip.

 

[Doug7856]

Wow, I just found this thread! I just read all 16 pages.

Congrats on winning (We voted for you!!).

Thanks for posting and we really enjoy the pictures!

We have family in Akron, OH and Wheeling, WV -- not too far way.

Take care and keep moving forward!

 

[indigoxtreme]

Congratulations, what a great thing to happen. Not many of us get a "Dream" job like that! Let us know abput your adventures.

Indigoxtreme
Lynn

 

[mickeybrat]

Congrats!!! That is so cool! We're from New Castle, but live in Waynesburg now. All of My family lives in Cranberry. It's an awesome area. I am so happy for you! There are not many people at all that get to live their dreams!! Congrats again. Pittsburgh is well represented!!

 

[aPiratesLife4Me]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the support and the votes! I'm glad that I can share this experience with you and everyone else here. What are your plans for August?

We are a family of four bringing my brother-in-law and his son with us for their first trip...VERY exciting!! We look forward to our old favorites as well as new things we've yet to experience, and of course sharing everything with the first timers! I can't even wait to get on Soarin' again!!!!!! Aug. 19-24 at Coronado Spring Resort, which we fell in love with our last trip, so we've chosen it again.

Have a GREAT trip to Disneyland! We've never been, probably won't as we're east coasters and travelling to Fla. is about as far as we go, lol. But can't wait to hear all about it and see pics! Wishing you safe travels and FUN times!!!!!!

 

[phisigprincess]

Hi Justin! Congratulations on the new job!! I have to say that I'm crazy jealous.

In another small world story, SwhJess forwarded me the email that your aunt wrote asking to vote for you in the competition. That was in the early stages of the competition, so I cast my vote and followed you on and off throughout the process. Eventually I realized that I used to dance with Darrah at Michele's back in the late 90s! Talk about a small world! She was always so sweet and it sounds like you guys are doing really well.

What are you anticipating most about your trip to Disneyland? My husband and I visited for the first time in May and we absolutely loved it. When people ask me which park I like better (WDW or DL), I can honestly answer I like them both equally. It was such an awesome experience to finally see Disneyland. Have a safe trip and enjoy DL!!

 

[theduck619]

Congratulations!! What a cool experience. Since you are a "higher" up at WDW can you tell me when the Christmas season offically begins at WDW?

Thanks,

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

The really exciting news is that I leave on Sunday morning for my first CMO trip to DISNEYLAND! I'll be there Sunday through Thursday and I can't wait! It's been a very long time (a couple of decades maybe?) since I've been there. I will be back here with a force once I return - hopefully with a lot of pictures and stories to share!

Have a safe trip to Disneyland. Also, have fun at the opening of Toy Story Midway Mania. Can't wait to here all about it and see the photos when you get back. Say "Hi!" to for my DS2. He could say "Mickey" at almost the same time he could say "Mama" .

Have a magical trip.

- Jennifer

 

[Marshay]

Missed hearing from you Justin!! Thanks so much for answering questions...and you know we can't wait to hear about your trip next week! It'll be interesting to see what/how TSM is different (the ride itself, the publicity around it, the cast members, etc) in WDW than DL.

Also, you'll be even more confident now that you got your offiicial day 1 jitters out!

 

[cherbear]

Sort of. The fulfillment of the "prize" stated that there would be four required trips with the total number of trips possibly reaching as many as 8. The four "required" trips included the first trip in May to Walt Disney World for the Toy Story Mania event, this June trip to Disneyland Resort (coming up in just about 2 weeks!), a January trip to Chicago for a CareerBuilder.com function, and an April trip to Walt Disney World for my final visit.

After that, the Disney team that I work with had several other possible trips and events planned and I was able to choose up to four more that I was interested in. Specifically, though, each trip is still somewhat up in the air. (current possibilities include a trip to Walt Disney World in August, September, and February, and another trip to Disneyland in December. Subject to change, though!)

They are all tied to some sort of unique event or promotion, so details on my involvement can't be determined until a bunch of other things fall into place. Because the trips all revolve around other significant events, the dates aren't really up to me. No worries, though! Everything they have planned is incredible and I'm certainly not in a position to be picky!

I am loving your answers to these questions! I hope you will be there when I'm there in September!

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!

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

I love this!! How sweet of them!!!!

I still have some catching up to do...can't wait to read the rest of what I missed!

 

[cherbear]

thanks for the book recommendations! I, too, was impressed at your knowledge during the competition.

I can't wait to hear/read about Disneyland! How exciting to go back there after such a long time! (I've never been so I will be living vicariously through you!)

 

[pl'smama]

Justin, have a wonderful time in Disneyland! We can't wait for the update and photos!

Suz

 

[Justin M]

Justin you will have a great time at Disneyland. You can just picture Walt walking around the park. Looking forward to hearing about your trip.

That is honestly one of the things I am most looking forward to! I'm hoping I'll have even just a few minutes of "free" time tomorrow to walk into Disneyland, stand on Main Street and realize that Walt stood right there. I'm getting chills already!

Have an awesome trip to the original. I've never been to Disneyland but want to make it there in the next few years. Looking forward to hearing about your trip.

I hope you make it out there too! I can't explain how much I'm looking forward to it! I'll be on here a lot more frequently after I return, I hope!

Can't wait to hear about your trip. Make sure to post pics and all. We will be at POP in September (18-28). Have a Fun trip.

Thanks! I'll take as many photos as I can - although it is tough to carry a camera with me when I'm on duty. I will come back with as much great information to share as possible, though!

Wow, I just found this thread! I just read all 16 pages.

Congrats on winning (We voted for you!!).

Thanks for posting and we really enjoy the pictures!

We have family in Akron, OH and Wheeling, WV -- not too far way.

Take care and keep moving forward!

Thanks Doug! I love the "keep moving forward" tagline!

Congratulations, what a great thing to happen. Not many of us get a "Dream" job like that! Let us know abput your adventures.

Indigoxtreme
Lynn

Lynn, I'll be sure to keep posting my stories and pictures here, so please keep checking in!

Congrats!!! That is so cool! We're from New Castle, but live in Waynesburg now. All of My family lives in Cranberry. It's an awesome area. I am so happy for you! There are not many people at all that get to live their dreams!! Congrats again. Pittsburgh is well represented!!

WOW! I love hearing from local people! It's great to see how many Pittsburgh area Disney fans there are! Thanks for following my journey!

 

[Justin M]

We are a family of four bringing my brother-in-law and his son with us for their first trip...VERY exciting!! We look forward to our old favorites as well as new things we've yet to experience, and of course sharing everything with the first timers! I can't even wait to get on Soarin' again!!!!!! Aug. 19-24 at Coronado Spring Resort, which we fell in love with our last trip, so we've chosen it again.

Have a GREAT trip to Disneyland! We've never been, probably won't as we're east coasters and travelling to Fla. is about as far as we go, lol. But can't wait to hear all about it and see pics! Wishing you safe travels and FUN times!!!!!!

Sounds like you have a wonderful trip planned! I'm glad to hear you've found a resort you've fallen in love with. Have fun planning your own adventure!

I'll be sure to pop in here when I return to update everyone on what I'm sure is going to be a thrilling Disneyland Resort excursion. I won't be back in Pittsburgh until LATE Thursday night (technically early Friday morning!) but I'll get online whenever I can to post stories and pictures!

 

[Justin M]

Hi Justin! Congratulations on the new job!! I have to say that I'm crazy jealous.

In another small world story, SwhJess forwarded me the email that your aunt wrote asking to vote for you in the competition. That was in the early stages of the competition, so I cast my vote and followed you on and off throughout the process. Eventually I realized that I used to dance with Darrah at Michele's back in the late 90s! Talk about a small world! She was always so sweet and it sounds like you guys are doing really well.

What are you anticipating most about your trip to Disneyland? My husband and I visited for the first time in May and we absolutely loved it. When people ask me which park I like better (WDW or DL), I can honestly answer I like them both equally. It was such an awesome experience to finally see Disneyland. Have a safe trip and enjoy DL!!

Ok . . . wow. Now that is a true "small world" story! Thanks for following the adventure! Where do you live now? We should get in touch!

As for what I'm anticipating the most, that's a very tough call. I can't wait to be in THE park that Walt built. I'm hoping that I'll have some time to explore and ride some rides, but I understand that these are working trips for me! I'd love to experience Mr. Toad's Wild Ride again, catch the Matterhorn Bobsleds, and experience the Indiana Jones ride for the first time. Most of all, though, I just want to soak in the experience and feel like I'm a more well-rounded Disney fan!

 

[Justin M]

Thanks for all of the notes, replies, PM's and emails! I lov being able to check in here and get in touch with you all and I can't wait until I have a little more time to post! I leave for the Disneyland Resort in less than 20 hours and I CAN'T WAIT!

When I'm back home next weekend I'll be sure to post as many photos, stories, and answers as I can! Please keep checking back because I'm really looking forward to sharing this trip with you guys! (the itinerary that I have seen looks amazing and some of the people I'll have a chance to meet and things I'll get to see and do even have some of the Disney folks a little jealous!)

Thanks for coming along for the ride!

 

[bjakmom]

Justin, have a WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL trip!!!! DisneyLAND is sooooo SPECIAL!
We'll be waiting to hear (and see) all of the details!!

 

[missminniemouse]

Justin:

Have a fantastic trip. I've never been to Disneyland myself, but hopefully some day. I was just to Disney World a few weeks ago with my 8 year old son and convinced him to have his picture taken with Snow White during the Pirate & Princess Party. The photopass photographers got great pictures of my son giving Snow White a kiss on the cheek and her returning the kiss and leaving bright red lip marks behind. What a wonderful memory that is! I'm enjoying reading about all the fantastic memories you're making during your year as CMO. I was another one of the people that fell in love with your application video and voted for you multiple times. Enjoy your time as CMO for all of us!

 

[Justin M]

Justin, have a WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL trip!!!! DisneyLAND is sooooo SPECIAL!
We'll be waiting to hear (and see) all of the details!!

Thank you! I'm leaving for the airport in about a half an hour and I'm already really excited!