Chat with the Chief Magic Official

[aPiratesLife4Me]

LOVE all of your photos and I'm enjoying hearing all the details of your trip!!!
Can't wait to hear more!!!

 

[phisigprincess]

4) and oh yeah, watching the Pixar Play Parade with JOHN LASSETER!

I have no words for this one!!

 

[Justin M]

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!!

You're welcome! I'll be posting some more pictures tonight!

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

Thanks Amy! Miss you guys! I am so glad I had the chance to visit the Disneyland Resort this trip - - - I feel like a much more well-rounded Disney fan now!

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!!

I hope you get the chance to get out to Disneyland sometime! Especially with the proposed changes to Disney's California Adventure, it will be a very exciting resort for years to come!

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.....

Yes, we should! Ok, who wants to organize the meet?? Thanks for the note! It really is a dream come true - not to sound cliche!

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

Thanks! More coming soon!

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

Thanks Kim! Actually, I do believe I'll be at Magic Meets in Harrisburg this year. Will you be there? I'll be speaking during a breakout session (if all goes according to plan), please come meet me!

LOVE all of your photos and I'm enjoying hearing all the details of your trip!!!
Can't wait to hear more!!!

Thanks!

I have no words for this one!!

Photo evidence coming in a bit!

 

[Justin M]

Right . . . I think I left off around breakfast on Monday morning . . .

After the media breakfast I headed over to TDA (Team Disney Anaheim) to meet up with my contact from the Public Relations department. After some warm greetings and a chance to review my itinerary a bit I headed off to Tomorrowland to jump into some media-related responsibilities.

 

[thesupersmartguy]

Hi Justin, just wanted to stop in and say hi. I have been following the CMO festivities since it was announced, and have been enjoying your entries. Thanks for sharing with us Disers.

Super.

 

[Justin M]

You're welcome, supersmartguy!!

Oh, I almost forgot. On Monday morning I met up with my host for the first two days of the trip. Karen, from Guest Services, was charged with teh tough task of keeping track of me and making sure I could find my way around and make it to all of the various interviews and responsibilites. She was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful and I couldn't have asked for anyone more fun to hang out with for two days in the parks.

Here's a pic of Karen and I in Disney's California Adventure . . .

 

[Justin M]

After dropping some media packets off at the media center (located on the second floor of the Starcade for this particular event) and getting familiar with the details of this particular event we went down to the location for the big opening ceremony.

The celebration today was for the Innoventions Dream Home. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Disneyland the building that once was the Carousel of Progress (and a few other attractions) now hosts a version of Innoventions (similar to Epcot). Inside you can find many of the interactive attractions that are located at the end of Spaceship Earth as well as Innoventions in the east coast park.

The first floor has been converted into a 5,000 square foot tour-de-force celebrating technology in our homes and how it can transform our lives over the short and long term future. It is a spectacular attraction that is as dazzling to the eyes as it is to the mind. The "home" is where the Elias family (clever, huh?) 'lives' and they are availble to show you around their stunning new pad. Disney partnered with HP, Microsoft, Life Ware and other high-tech companies to pull together a really wonderful living exhibit.

 

[bytheblood]

Congrats to you - that rocks.

 

[Justin M]

Congrats to you - that rocks.

Thanks!

 

[Justin M]

Sorry for the delay there . . .

I don't have much energy left for tonight, but I'll post a bunch of photos before I crash. Please let me know what you think about things so far! As always, questions are ALWAYS welcome!


Inside the Innoventions Dream Home there are several fascinating features and rooms. In one room the audio/visual special effects are taken to the extreme when Tinkerbell flies and you are completely surrounded by the story of Peter Pan. The bed is a ship complete with a canon and the sail above the bed is a projection screen. Check out these pics - - - although they don't do the amazing technology justice. If you're in California, be sure to check this out when it is fully open!

How about this clock/dresser combo??

 

[Justin M]

As I mentioned, members of the "Elias" family and their neighbors are on hand to share their incredible technology with you. In this room Chelsea is more than willing to tell you about Peter Pan's adventures while the story comes to life all around you.

She actually asked me for my autograph (I'm guessing she asks everyone . . . ) and of course I couldn't resist trying to make her laugh!

 

[Justin M]

The rest of the house is absolutely amazing, but sadly (as often happens to me) I was so mesmerized that I forgot to take more pictures! I'm sure there will be some photos by the real photographers who were there available on the internet pretty soon!

After the Innoventions Dream Home festivities and tours I had the chance to do a quick interview for the Disneyland Resort Podcast . . .

And with Carlos from 93.3 KOB FM in Albuquerque, New Mexico...

 

[Justin M]

Throughout the rest of the afternoon/evening we offered the members of the media many opportunities to experience the unique and incredible entertainment and attractions of the Disneyland Resort. One of the shows that was new and that several chose to attend was "Indiana Jones and the Secret of the Stone Tiger" Set in Adventureland not too far from the "Indiana Jones Adventure" this show is a part of the Indiana Jones Summer of Hidden Mysteries.

There are fun Indy themed events throughout the day in Adventureland, including some fun and affectionately titled "random acts of Indy" where you just never know when or where Indiana Jones might appear.

Here a few pictures of the Indiana Jones show . . .

 

[Justin M]

The final 'event' at which we hosted members of the media on Monday was the Pixar Play Parade at Disney's California Adventure. This relatively new parade is a lot of fun (and even includes a likely chance that you'll get wet!). Here are a few snapshots of some of my favorite parts of the parade (although the whole thing was great!)

 

[Justin M]

And a few more from the Pixar Play Parade . . .

 

[Justin M]

Now, part of what made this parade so special and memorable to me is the way I was able to watch it. After checking to make sure some of the media members had everything they needed, I made my way back to the spot where I had been standing. When I arrived there, Karen (my Guest Services host) gently pulled me aside to let me know that we had been joined by a real VIP.

That's right, I had the chance to watch the Pixar Play Parade with the man who was the creative force behind almost all of the characters and films that were now rolling by in larger-than-life form in front of us - - - Pixar's own John Lasseter!

He was incredibly kind, gracious, and friendly and (obviously!) meeting him was definitely one of the highlights of my time as CMO!

 

[Justin M]

Alright, that's all I have time to share with you tonight! Sorry, but I hear a good night's sleep calling my name!


Please keep in mind, though, I've only covered Sunday and Monday so far.

Tuesday I had a fantastic day actually covering the Opening Ceremony for Toy Story Mania as well as meeting a few more very special guests.

Wednesday I was with the Dream Squad and again had some unique opportunities that were particularly special to me because of my respect and admiration for Walt and his legacy.

AND, although I don't have any pictures, there was a special surprise on my last day that I think you all might have enjoyed! Please come back tomorrow for the next part of the adventure!

Good night!

 

[Minnie Lor]

Fabulous updates, Justin. John Lassiter ~ really I'm so glad that you are posting your expereinces here. I can't wait for more and I'll check out the Disneyland podcast. They're one of my iTunes feeds even though they don't updat often.

 

[Jennifer48]

Thanks for the update Justin!

Watching the Pixar Parade with John Lasseter, WOW! Amazing!

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[tothesea]

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.

Hey Justin!!! Thank you so much for filling us in! This has got to be the ultimate trip report! The pics are so great!

I'm kinda the opposite of you...I know Disneyland but haven't been to World since I was a kid. So I was wondering if you would pick up on the feel of Disneyland and you did. To me, it's sorta a sentimental magic. Knowing Walt was there...amazing really!

I don't want to jump ahead of your days, but will you be able to tell us what is was like entering Walt's apartment? Is that something all cast members get to do, or just the special ones? And how does it feel walking around as an official cast member? Some people say that it ruins the magic a little, but somehow I think it might amplify it?