First off, I’d like to thank the Board of Directors for giving me this opportunity to serve as the Future Walt Disney World CEO. It is truly a dream come true. I am thankful to all of you that have joined me here today in the Fantasyland Boardroom. This seems to be a fitting venue for our meetings, since this position, these visions, and this opportunity all takes place in my dreams.
In other words, I have no formal tie to the Walt Disney Company whatsoever. Sure, I once had aspirations of becoming an Imagineer. And I once applied for (and was subsequently rejected by) the Walt Disney World College Program. But for all intents and purposes, the views conveyed here do not represent those of the Walt Disney Company, its employees (including Bob Iger, John Lasseter, Mickey Mouse, Goofy, or even Chernabog), or its subsidiaries. But I digress…
I would like to use today’s meeting as a chance to introduce myself to each of you. I am a long
time fan of Disney. Whether it be the characters, the movies, the parks… you name it, I’ve been a fan. In more recent years, my fandom has been focused on the Disney parks and resorts.
Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, Disneyland (pre-California Adventure) was the park I was most familiar with. Starting at about 18 months old, I averaged a pilgrimage to my “home land” once every 3 or so years. Clearly, this was not enough to satisfy the appetite I had for “the happiest place on Earth”. I used my time in between absorbing as much as I could about the park from books, magazines, placemats, park maps, posters, etc. This, of course, was all before the dawn of the fan websites, online forums, and podcasts.
In the spring of 1995, as a senior in high school, I made my first 6 hour flight to the opposite corner of the country to sunny Orlando, Florida. Talk about a whole new world. Just the sheer size and expansiveness of Walt Disney World opened up my eyes to a new realm of discovery and wonder. While Disneyland will always have a place in my heart, the object of my obsession was beginning to shift eastward.
The next trip to “the holy land” came in June of 2000, on my honeymoon with my wife Michelle. We spent 10 wonderful days on Disney property. This trip marked the first time I had stayed in a Disney resort before. We didn’t leave Disney property until the night before our return to
reality. I was amazed at just how much there was to do on property that didn’t involve riding and re-riding attractions. We went swing dancing at the Atlantic Dance Hall, wandered the Boardwalk, played miniature golf, enjoyed fireworks from our balcony at the Grand Floridian (we were still college students…so only 3 of the 10 nights were spent at the Floridian…and I think we’re still paying that off). And all of these experiences took place “on property”.
In a bit of foreshadowing, we also attended a Disney Vacation Club open house at the Boardwalk. Here we were, college students…on our honeymoon…with no house…no careers … and we actua
lly spent an hour or so considering buying into DVC (Hey … I said we were college students…not honor roll students). Well, 8 years (and 3 “offsite” pilgrimages) later we did end up becoming proud DVC owners (at the beautiful Animal Kingdom Villas).
So, while I’m sure my parents figured I’d eventually grow out of my Disney phase, quite the opposite has happened. Those trips that used to take place once every 3 years suddenly started taking place once every other year. And thanks to a recent move to the Chicagoland area (you know…prior to my imaginary move to Lake Buena Vista to assume my role as Future WDW CEO) coupled with the purchase of the DVC, every other year is becoming at least every year. My time in between those visits is spent listening to podcasts, visiting WDW related websites, reading Celebrations Magazine, listening to park audio on my iPod or Mouse World Radio, and just thinking and planning for my next trip.
And now, add to that the beginning of my tenure as Future WDW CEO. While there is so much about the parks and resorts I hold in high esteem, the potential for improvement is undeniable. It is here, in the Fantasyland Boardroom, perched in the spires of Cinderella Castle, I will detail my visions for the future, as well as recount past and present experiences. As members of the WDW Board of Directors, you are all encouraged to pitch your proposals and ideas. Remember, “one little spark of inspiration, is at the heart of all creation”.
In other words, I have no formal tie to the Walt Disney Company whatsoever. Sure, I once had aspirations of becoming an Imagineer. And I once applied for (and was subsequently rejected by) the Walt Disney World College Program. But for all intents and purposes, the views conveyed here do not represent those of the Walt Disney Company, its employees (including Bob Iger, John Lasseter, Mickey Mouse, Goofy, or even Chernabog), or its subsidiaries. But I digress…
I would like to use today’s meeting as a chance to introduce myself to each of you. I am a long
time fan of Disney. Whether it be the characters, the movies, the parks… you name it, I’ve been a fan. In more recent years, my fandom has been focused on the Disney parks and resorts.Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, Disneyland (pre-California Adventure) was the park I was most familiar with. Starting at about 18 months old, I averaged a pilgrimage to my “home land” once every 3 or so years. Clearly, this was not enough to satisfy the appetite I had for “the happiest place on Earth”. I used my time in between absorbing as much as I could about the park from books, magazines, placemats, park maps, posters, etc. This, of course, was all before the dawn of the fan websites, online forums, and podcasts.
In the spring of 1995, as a senior in high school, I made my first 6 hour flight to the opposite corner of the country to sunny Orlando, Florida. Talk about a whole new world. Just the sheer size and expansiveness of Walt Disney World opened up my eyes to a new realm of discovery and wonder. While Disneyland will always have a place in my heart, the object of my obsession was beginning to shift eastward.
The next trip to “the holy land” came in June of 2000, on my honeymoon with my wife Michelle. We spent 10 wonderful days on Disney property. This trip marked the first time I had stayed in a Disney resort before. We didn’t leave Disney property until the night before our return to
reality. I was amazed at just how much there was to do on property that didn’t involve riding and re-riding attractions. We went swing dancing at the Atlantic Dance Hall, wandered the Boardwalk, played miniature golf, enjoyed fireworks from our balcony at the Grand Floridian (we were still college students…so only 3 of the 10 nights were spent at the Floridian…and I think we’re still paying that off). And all of these experiences took place “on property”.In a bit of foreshadowing, we also attended a Disney Vacation Club open house at the Boardwalk. Here we were, college students…on our honeymoon…with no house…no careers … and we actua
lly spent an hour or so considering buying into DVC (Hey … I said we were college students…not honor roll students). Well, 8 years (and 3 “offsite” pilgrimages) later we did end up becoming proud DVC owners (at the beautiful Animal Kingdom Villas).So, while I’m sure my parents figured I’d eventually grow out of my Disney phase, quite the opposite has happened. Those trips that used to take place once every 3 years suddenly started taking place once every other year. And thanks to a recent move to the Chicagoland area (you know…prior to my imaginary move to Lake Buena Vista to assume my role as Future WDW CEO) coupled with the purchase of the DVC, every other year is becoming at least every year. My time in between those visits is spent listening to podcasts, visiting WDW related websites, reading Celebrations Magazine, listening to park audio on my iPod or Mouse World Radio, and just thinking and planning for my next trip.
And now, add to that the beginning of my tenure as Future WDW CEO. While there is so much about the parks and resorts I hold in high esteem, the potential for improvement is undeniable. It is here, in the Fantasyland Boardroom, perched in the spires of Cinderella Castle, I will detail my visions for the future, as well as recount past and present experiences. As members of the WDW Board of Directors, you are all encouraged to pitch your proposals and ideas. Remember, “one little spark of inspiration, is at the heart of all creation”.
