Chat with the Chief Magic Official

[Justin M]

again....you gave me chills! That is super exciting!!

Glad to hear it, Cherbear! Thanks for reading!

 

[Justin M]

I have just caught up after being on vacation Justin and I can only just say this; WOW!!! Your naration of the Toy Story opening was wonderful. What a great and awesome experience that must have been for you and those children! I got a bit vaklemp reading it.

And being in Walt's apartment and his chair, wow, it just does not get any better.

I can't wait to hear the rest, but just out of curiosity, when is your next "job"??

Suz

Suz,

Thanks for the note! How was vacation? I hope you had a wonderful time! I'm glad that at least some of the excitment and energy of being a the Toy Story Mania event translated through the pictures and my words. It was an unforgettable day! (But then again, when you're in a Disney park, what day isn't??)

The dates are still a little up in the air for the next trip, but we're looking at a late August / early September journey to Florida. More to come on that one as soon as I have more details!

 

[Justin M]

I think it is great that you are doing this.

Thanks! Welcome to the boards, by the way! It's great to have you stop by and say hello!

Have a great day!

 

[Justin M]

Wow Justin...you were near me and I didn't even see you. Did I make it into any of the photos?

Ha ha! Thanks for stopping by and reading the threat, BTM! Sorry that I didn't catch "you" in any of the pictures!

 

[Justin M]

Hope to see you on our parents only trip 8/28-9/1!

I'll keep you posted! What are your plans for your trip?

 

[Justin M]

There are just a few more details to get to from the June Disneyland trip. Before I leave for today, however, here's another photo to share from the experience.


Late on Wednesday evening (after the most incredible fireworks viewing EVER - remind me to tell you about that sometime soon!) I had the chance to head to New Orleans Square again with one of the managers of the Dream Squad for Fantasmic! While there, we ran into (surprise, surprise!) someone from the DISboards! CalDisneyFamily (aka Wendy) and her son were in Disneyland that evening. I've known her as a part of several CMO related threads here and she is as passionate, knowledgeable, and delightful of a Disney fan as you'll ever meet.

SO, when searching for a special treat to end the evening, we were able to secure some pretty amazing spots for them (and us) to watch Fantasmic! We headed up toward the Dream Suite, hung a left, and emerged on a balcony immediately adjacent to the balcony of the Dream Suite. With thousands of people spread out on the streets of New Orleans Square and along the Rivers of America, we had a completely unobstructed (and pretty amazing!) view of the whole production.

I'm really glad I was able to share that with other Disney fans - - - especially from the DISboards! (just goes to show you never know when something magical may come your way!)

Here we are after Fantasmic!

 

[dounelisg]

I'll be headed back to Walt Disney World near the end of August.

OMG I will be there August 19-28 I hope I can see you while I'm there. I have loved following your adventure, so having the chance to meet you would be wonderful!! I will keep checking out the thread to get any details you have...hope to see you there!! Talk to you soon and I will be on the look out for your blue shirt!!

 

[cocowum]

Suz,

Thanks for the note! How was vacation? I hope you had a wonderful time! I'm glad that at least some of the excitment and energy of being a the Toy Story Mania event translated through the pictures and my words. It was an unforgettable day! (But then again, when you're in a Disney park, what day isn't??)

The dates are still a little up in the air for the next trip, but we're looking at a late August / early September journey to Florida. More to come on that one as soon as I have more details!

Hey Justin,

We are going to be in WDW at the same time. Hopefully we'll run into to you.

If you are available, we are having a "Dole Whip For Bawb" meet on Aug 30 @ 2pm. I'm sure you know we lost a beloved part of the DIS, Bawb Varley this past April. Well, a bunch us from the DisUnplugged board have decided to get together, including the podcasters (Pete Werner, John Magi, Kevin Klose) and meet to honor and remember Bawb. If you have the time and find yourself anywhere near Aloha Isle, in MK on Aug 30 @ 2pm, it would be awesome if you could join us. ​

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1885956
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1812243

 

[Parkhopper]

Hi Justin! I was lucky enough to see your presentation at Magic Meets last weekend. I really enjoyed meeting you and hearing all about the neat little ways that you can add magic to someone's vacation.

Suzi

 

[Kimberly815]

Later on Wednesday I had the chance to experience another personal dream-come-true. I had the chance to take tour inside Walt's apartment!!

For those of you who may be unaware, Walt did have an apartment inside Disneyland. It's above the Fire Station on the left hand side of Town Square as you enter the park. It is small space, but has been maintained exactly as Walt and Lillian had decorated it. In the center window above the Fire Station there is a lamp that is always on, 24/7. Apparently, when Walt would be working late he would sit at the table by that window and the Cast Members could always tell he was in because the light would be glowing in the window.

When Walt passed away Disneyland made the decision to keep the lamp on permanently to celebrate the fact that Walt is always with them. You can feel his presence around every corner in Disneyland and it is only appropriate that his spirit continues to shine in that window where, if you know where to look, you can see that Walt has never really left Disneyland.


SO, here I am, sitting in Walt's chair at that table with the lamp in the window. Where Walt used to sit and work . . .

There's a part of me that STILL can't believe I was there!

Wow! Just Wow! That is just awesome! I can't even imagine how cool that must have been.

 

[Wingedheart]

Hi Justin -

Our plans - for our parents-only five days and four nights at WDW - are:

all four parks
Typhoon Lagoon (first time)
Disney Quest (first time)
shopping at DTD
first stay at a deluxe (Wilderness Lodge - anxious to try it after your great stay there!)
firsts for dining (Artist Point and 1900 Park Fare)
and, maybe, with a little magic we'll get to be a flag family or win a dream

Oh, and somewhere in there we'll hopefully find some time to sleep!

I'll be the one with the round Jack Skellington backpack
Might be the one hobbling around if my broken foot doesn't heal by then! But it won't slow me down much, I've been waiting over a year to get back to the world!

Hope to spot ya!

Wings/Kelly

 

[BigThunderMtn]

Ha ha! Thanks for stopping by and reading the threat, BTM! Sorry that I didn't catch "you" in any of the pictures!

Threat?

Wow, I surely missed the "threat". Should I be worried?

 

[Justin M]

Threat?

Wow, I surely missed the "threat". Should I be worried?

HA! Wow, that is some kind of slip . . . sorry about that! I trust that you figured out I meant to say "thread"!

No reason to worry . . . at least not that I'm aware of!

 

[Justin M]

Wow, things move fast on these boards! I just posted a few hours ago and already this thread was well into 'page 2' on the "Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies" list. I hope you are all still able to find it and follow along!

I will be back on this week (I'm hoping for a slightly less hectic couple of weeks here!) to post a few more pictures, answer some questions, and stir up as much fun conversation as I can! Thanks for hanging with me!

 

[Justin M]

OMG I will be there August 19-28 I hope I can see you while I'm there. I have loved following your adventure, so having the chance to meet you would be wonderful!! I will keep checking out the thread to get any details you have...hope to see you there!! Talk to you soon and I will be on the look out for your blue shirt!!

Thanks Gina! As always, my dates aren't confirmed yet and are always subject to change! Once things are official, I'll be sure to post a note here so that we can compare our plans. Take care and enjoy the final stages of planning and packing for your trip!

 

[Justin M]

Hey Justin,

We are going to be in WDW at the same time. Hopefully we'll run into to you.

If you are available, we are having a "Dole Whip For Bawb" meet on Aug 30 @ 2pm. I'm sure you know we lost a beloved part of the DIS, Bawb Varley this past April. Well, a bunch us from the DisUnplugged board have decided to get together, including the podcasters (Pete Werner, John Magi, Kevin Klose) and meet to honor and remember Bawb. If you have the time and find yourself anywhere near Aloha Isle, in MK on Aug 30 @ 2pm, it would be awesome if you could join us. ​

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1885956
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1812243

What a wonderful idea! I think it is great that so many of you are able to get together and keep Bob's (Bawb!) spirit and fun-loving nature alive. I hope you have a wonderful response to this event!

My plans for the trip are still very much up in the air, but I'll let you know more as we get closer!

Thanks for the invite!

 

[Justin M]

Hi Justin! I was lucky enough to see your presentation at Magic Meets last weekend. I really enjoyed meeting you and hearing all about the neat little ways that you can add magic to someone's vacation.

Suzi

Thanks Suzi! I'm very glad I had the chance to attend Magic Meets and I thought the entire event was wonderful. I'm glad you enjoyed my session! Thanks for the feedback!

Wow! Just Wow! That is just awesome! I can't even imagine how cool that must have been.

Yeah, I have to admit that it was very cool. Definitely on the list (the list that keeps getting longer!) of things that I will never forget about this experience!

Hi Justin -

Our plans - for our parents-only five days and four nights at WDW - are:

all four parks
Typhoon Lagoon (first time)
Disney Quest (first time)
shopping at DTD
first stay at a deluxe (Wilderness Lodge - anxious to try it after your great stay there!)
firsts for dining (Artist Point and 1900 Park Fare)
and, maybe, with a little magic we'll get to be a flag family or win a dream

Oh, and somewhere in there we'll hopefully find some time to sleep!

I'll be the one with the round Jack Skellington backpack
Might be the one hobbling around if my broken foot doesn't heal by then! But it won't slow me down much, I've been waiting over a year to get back to the world!

Hope to spot ya!

Wings/Kelly

Sounds like you have an incredibly exciting trip planned! Wow! I hope you guys have an absolutely amazing time! I don't know my schedule - or exactly when I'll even be there - yet, but I do hope to cross paths! If you see me, please don't be shy!

Wilderness Lodge is stunning! I can't wait to hear about your experience there. Good luck healing that foot and have a wonderful last few weeks of planning and preparing!

 

[ireland_nicole]

Well Justin, here's voting that you'll be in the happiest place on earth between sept. 6th and 13th! It would be awesome if we got to catch a glimpse of ya while we're there!

 

[Minnie Lor]

Hey Justin ~ I love reading about your adventures and you were fabulous on Lou's show. I can hear the joy in your voice of getting to experience this great opportunity. You sound like a genuinely nice man that gets to let His light shine thru you.

How is your family doing with all of this? Are they ok with staying home while you are "working"...having fun...no, no really working?

I'm glad that your church and church family are behind you. I'm sure it's difficult to juggle those responsibilities, home life, and an extra job that requires you to travel.

 

[Justin M]

Well Justin, here's voting that you'll be in the happiest place on earth between sept. 6th and 13th! It would be awesome if we got to catch a glimpse of ya while we're there!

Thanks! I'm not sure about my schedule yet, however. That is a wonderful week to be there, though! I'm sure you will have an amazing time. Please stop by here and tell us all about your plans and your trip!