Chat with the Chief Magic Official

[Disney Brat]

Loving the update!

 

[apulk]

Hey Justin, glad to see you on the boards. We're counting the days to our next trip to WDW -- July 25th -- Aug 1st. Any chance you will be there doing CMO duties? We're from the Sewickley area (Rick M and I played in the same band at St Stephens for a long time....) and we pulled the voting lever more than a few times for you. So glad you won!!!

andy

 

[matt&jakesmom]

Enjoyed reading your post and the seeing the pictures. Will await more adventures from you.

 

[catinthehat35]

Thank you so much for sharing the pictures with all of us. For someone who has never visited DL or DCA, I really enjoyed seeing your photos. I can't wait to see more! Congratulations on become Disney's CMO! I followed the competition closely and voted for you often. I will be checking the thread often to hear of your magical adventures.

 

[robinc71]

Can't wait to hear more

 

[teruterubouzu]

Fun update. I'd love to stay at the Grand Californian someday!

 

[Justin M]

Yes, please keep posting!!! I always enjoy reading your updates!!!

Thanks! More coming very soon!

Loving the update!

Thanks Disney Brat!

Hey Justin, glad to see you on the boards. We're counting the days to our next trip to WDW -- July 25th -- Aug 1st. Any chance you will be there doing CMO duties? We're from the Sewickley area (Rick M and I played in the same band at St Stephens for a long time....) and we pulled the voting lever more than a few times for you. So glad you won!!!

andy

Andy, thanks for the note. Unfortunately I don't believe I'll be in Walt Disney World during your visit. Thanks so much for the votes! Any friend of Rick's is a friend of mine!

Enjoyed reading your post and the seeing the pictures. Will await more adventures from you.

Thanks!

Thank you so much for sharing the pictures with all of us. For someone who has never visited DL or DCA, I really enjoyed seeing your photos. I can't wait to see more! Congratulations on become Disney's CMO! I followed the competition closely and voted for you often. I will be checking the thread often to hear of your magical adventures.

I hadn't been to Disney's California Adventure before and I believe it had been almost 20 years since my only Disneyland visit. I found both parks to be beautiful, charming, and incredibly enjoyable. Thanks for following the CMO event and for the votes! I'll be sharing more details soon!

Can't wait to hear more

Keep that popcorn close by - - - more updates comeing soon!

Fun update. I'd love to stay at the Grand Californian someday!

Thanks! The Grand Californian was beautiful! You can actually exit the hotel right into Disney's California Adventure and Downtown Disney and everything is with a very short walk. It's a great hotel!

 

[Justin M]

So, where did I leave off? Well, Sunday evening I was running around trying to get acclimated to the parks. After my quick tour of California Adventure, I made my way over to Disneyland. It truly is a magical place - especially at night.

I've had a hard time explaining to folks who have never been there what the differences are between it and the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. Of course there are the obvious examples like the castles, the Matterhorn, and several other attractions. More than that, though, there is a feel about the place.

Of the 11 Disney theme parks in the world, Disneyland is the only one that Walt ever set foot in. Somehow, it feels like you can you tell that. . . I know that sounds odd, but it really is a charming, historically significant, and yet fresh, relevant, and exciting place.

 

[Justin M]

Here are a few pictures from my very quick overview of the park from that first night . . .

The wonderfully charming train station . . .

Tinkerbell spreading some pixie dust and magic on the floral Mickey . . .the light display that she does is stunning at night!

Always the perfect way to be greeted on your way into a Disney park!

My first glimpse of Sleeping Beauty's Castle. It was very crowded my first few days there, but that didn't stop it from feeling incredibly magical to walk down the same Main Street that Walt used to walk!

 

[Justin M]

Some more memorable spots around the park . . .

The Disneyland Fire Department. On the second floor is Walt's original apartment. On Wednesday I had the chance to go inside and look around!!! More on that later...

The Disneyland "Partners" statue with Sleeping Beauty's Castle in the background...

The Matterhorn. Home of the Mattehorn Bobsleds - one of the countless technological innovations that Walt and his Imagineers rarely get credit for. This attraction was the first steel-tube roller coaster. (okay, I might have gotten the exact scientific name wrong, but it was the first of its kind!) And, like most Disney attractions, it is as fun today as ever.

A building in Fantasyland. This land (along with Adventureland) is one of the places where Disneyland really shines. The exteriors and queues for all of the Fantasyland attractions are beautiful and really make you feel as if you've somehow landed in the middle of a Bavarian pop-up storybook.
While in Fantasyland I had to make a visit to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride! It's as fun (and wacky) as I remember from my childhood and was honestly one of the attractions I was most looking forward to. As usual, Mr. Toad did not disappoint!

 

[Justin M]

Just a couple of more shots from around Disneyland before we move on to day #2!

The entrance to Tomorrowland. Very dramatic, isn't it? It was a lot of fun to explore the differences and similarities in each land, but especially here in Tomorrowland. The "new" Space Mountain is an excellent coaster! I love the 'original' in Florida, but this one got my heart racing all over again. Absolutely GREAT ride!

The castle again . . . why not?!

I did make my way over to Adventureland but didn't take any pictures. It was dark and I was in a hurry (plus starting to feel the effects of the 3 hour time change!). I wanted to make sure I experience Pirates of the Caribbean before the night was over. Wow. What a phenomenal attraction. There are things that Disneyland and Walt Disney World each do well, but this is one of the attractions that just feels incredible in the Disneyland version . . .

So with a farewell to Walt and Mickey I headed back to the Grand Californian to find my luggage (it arrived!) and to prepare for the next days work.

 

[Justin M]

One of my first roles on Monday morning was to greet several members of the Mexican media and join them for breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel. They were a wonderful and fun group of people and despite my inability to speak their language (two years of high school Spanish doesn't really suffice in these situations!) they were patient and we had a very good time.

 

[Justin M]

Like any great breakfast at a Disney resort, there were characters! We had fun posing with the characters and taking pictures of the media as well. Here are some quick shots . . .

 

[Justin M]

Sadly that is all I have time for tonight! I promise to be back on several times over the next several days to finish updating you all on the trip. Please keep the comments and questions coming! Remember, this is really just the first of four incredible days (and we've only just made it through breakfast!) so there is a lot more to come!

Here's a quick tease of what else is in store just from Monday:
1) Innoventions Dream Home tour and Press Event
2) Radio and Podcast interviews
3) Indiana Jones special events
4) and oh yeah, watching the Pixar Play Parade with JOHN LASSETER!

See you soon!

 

[bjakmom]

Welcome back, Justin! What an exciting trip. . . thanks for taking the time to share it all with us! Can't wait to hear/see more!!

 

[Mrs. Fleagle]

I love seeing the pics of Disneyland! We've never been there but we know Disneyworld like the back of our hand. It's really neat to see the similarities and the differences through your pics.

Still smiling Justin!

Sending you happy thoughts!
-Amy

 

[dounelisg]

Here's a quick tease of what else is in store just from Monday:
1) Innoventions Dream Home tour and Press Event
2) Radio and Podcast interviews
3) Indiana Jones special events
4) and oh yeah, watching the Pixar Play Parade with JOHN LASSETER!

See you soon!

Watching the Pixar Play Parade wiht John Lasseter....oh wow!! you know how to keep us all anxiously awaiting your next post! I love the pictures and info...I have never been to Disneyland so I love to hear about it through your eyes and experiences! Can't wait til your next post!!

 

[DoOverDreams]

A little late to the party, but I'm catching up now on all the happenings.

Once again, congrats Justin! It's nice to see a fellow 'burger win the CMO role. You're enthusiasm and love of Walt Disney shines through. I am looking forward to a year of wonderful posts from you with updates on all the great things you get to do and the fun you get to have!

Wow, hanging out with the Dream Squad has got to be the best! I'm imagining the huge smiles and hugs you must be getting all the time while traveling the parks with the Dream Squad. You must be in heaven!

I really hope that we get a chance to run into you on one of our trips soon. It's nice to know I don't have to worry about coming up to you and saying hi. Hope you won't mind a big hug too. And a picture with DH and myself!

We should definitely have a Pittsburgh area dismeet.....

 

[Disney Brat]

Great installment once again (really how could it not be?!) Can't wait to hear about the rest of the day!!! Sounds sooooo thrilling!!

 

[chirurgeon]

Justin, you must be having a great time as the CMO. I haven't been able to keep up with this entire thread. I think we need to set up a Pittsburgh meet. Any chance you are heading to Magic Meets or MouseFest?

Kim