PODCAST · society
Disney Insights
by Performance Journeys
Celebrating All Things Disney with News, Analysis & Best-in Business Ideas on Life & Work from the Happiest Places on Earth!
Episodes
-
How Dangerous Are Coasters & Rides? Disney to Six Flags & Beyond
Unsettling news and disturbing footage have emerged from Six Flags Over Georgia. Yes, this is a Disney podcast, but when it comes to ride systems and guest safety, it's a small world. With shared manufacturers, there is lots of overlap between all of these, and when something jarring like this...
-
DCL Believe & Monstropolis! 2 Imagineering Offerings Created 2 Different Ways
Currently the two biggest announcements for 2027 at Disney are moving in about the same timeline toward completion in 2027--and yet they couldn't be more different than the other. This week the Disney Cruise Line announced not only that the Disney Believe is setting sail on December 18th of next...
-
Walt Disney World at 55! Celebrating the Original 1971 Experience!
I would be remiss if I didn't take the time this week to celebrate the 55th anniversary of Walt Disney World. Every October 1st is a date to celebrate the Most Magical Place on Earth, but 55 is a moment to really cherish the joy of this place. And what better way to do that than being in the…
more -
Steps in Time: From Hollywood Land to Avatar
We return to our 25th anniversary review of Disney California Adventure as we explore all the lands of the park. Originally titled Hollywood Pictures Backlot, what is now known today as Hollywood Land opened at first as the symbol of everything wrong with Disney California Adventure. And 25 years...
-
The JOY and The Magic of Disney Animation
As I moved through the new Magic of Disney Animation on opening day a manager sought me out and asked how my experience was with the new attraction. My response: You have taken my soul, turned it inside out and made it into an attraction. There are many reasons I love Disney's Hollywood Studios,...
-
Disney Deep Dives and Discontents
We are coming to a time when we will have a lot to share on this podcast, but there are a number of things I've been thinking about that I need to share/vent/talk about. We're going across the board from California Grill to Wolfgang Pucks; From Liberty Square bathrooms to Piston Peak additions;...
-
Nibbling Away at Better Ideas! Epcot International Food & Wine at 30!
Summer is coming to a close, and Fall is well…falling right behind, and at Epcot, the International Food & Wine Festival begins. Only this year, Epcot is celebrating the 30th anniversary of this festival. It was the first of the four festivals during the year, to include Flower & Garden, Festival...
-
Disney Insights on D23 & What Lies Ahead
Now that the dust has somewhat settled, and though I have already done some very detailed announcements around Piston Peak, Imagination, Tomorrowland and Villains Land, there are so many other details from my experience at Disneyland and at the expo that I haven't really unpacked. It's taken me...
-
2 Big Surprise D23 Announcements--And The Real Truth About Villains Land!
The Parks & Experiences D23 presentation at the Honda Center has concluded and with it came two big pieces of news in what was literally the last two minutes of the entire program. Disneyland fans rejoice with the fantastic news that Tomorrowland is finally going to get some serious TLC as it…
more -
Magic Kingdom Piston Peak News from D23: Insights & More!
Be sure to check out my latest endeavor, Disneyland Insights: Inspiration, Ideas & Magic for You and Your Organization. __________________________________________________ Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe. DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to...
-
From New DVC to D23: Disney Insights to Customer Loyalty
A hallmark of what has made Disney a world-class organization is its attention to its customers—and especially to return customers. They of course refer to them as guests in their parks, which is a sign that this commitment on Disney’s park is intentional and is more about relationships than it…
more -
D23 Predictions & Insights!
D23 is truly right around the corner and so many have chimed in to share their hopes and expectations of what is coming. Get ready as I share my insights as to what I see is likely be announced, not just for Walt Disney World and Disneyland, but across the globe and even for the Disney Cruise…
more -
Disney Insights of Grizzly Peak at Disney California Adventure
Almost every part of Disney California Adventure has experienced considerable change over the years. And that has happened to some degree in Grizzly Peak. But in truth, it's been very little compared to the rest of the park. And that's because this part really has held the heart of the park--and...
-
Muppets R&R Coaster Review, Monsters Inc Buildout, & The Magic of Disney Animation Opening Date
I'm way overdue for reviewing Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets--there's several reasons for that, but I'm excited to share my thoughts on this remake--not just for the coaster but for the muppets in the park. And that's not all that's going on at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Monsters...
-
Big Mid Summer Update at Disney Across the World
It's mid summer and the right time to take a look at what's happening at Disney Parks across the globe. More is happening than you might imagine, and we want to capture all the highlights. Our family was there for all the major Fourth of July holiday events at Walt Disney World and we'll share…
more -
Soarin' Across America: A Disney Insights Review
We are here at Epcot to enter The Land Pavilion and check out the new Soarin' Across America to provide a play by play POV review of this new attraction. Note that since it has opened times can vary greatly, from 20 minutes to over 90. If you can't walk on it first thing in the morning, I…
more -
Liberty Street, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and The Hall of Presidents
The Hall of Presidents is something that goes back decades—nearly as early as Disneyland itself. We look at its original incarnations, from Liberty Street, to Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, to ultimately the Hall of Presidents itself. There is much to learn and much to cherish from these...
-
Creating a Magical Place to Stay with a Little Bit of Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust!
We imagine the excitement of heading to Florida to visit Walt Disney World, Universal, Sea World, beaches, sunshine and more. Our itineraries fill up quickly with things to do, and yet one of the most important ingredients in any vacation is where to stay. This is particularly true if you’re...
-
Disney Insights of Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure
So far in 2026 we’ve gone through a walk through of Disney California Adventure of when it opened, and of two projects that were considered previously in its place, WestCOT and Port Disney. Today we begin our exploration of today’s Disney California Adventure, beginning with the entrance to the...
-
Carousel of Progress Preparing for A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow
This last week Disney announced that the Carousel of Progress would be closing after July 5th to be completely refurbished. John and Sara and the family will all be part of this four act show, but it will be set in completely new eras. We showcase the news of what this show will look like, and...
-
Mandalorian & Grogu, Movie & Ride, What Works & Doesn't
Summer is here and several new attractions have premiered at Walt Disney World and at Disneyland. We focus on a new mission for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, one that is led by Din Dijarin, the Mandalorian, along with Grogu. We look at how this compares with the previous version of the...
-
Port Disney and DisneySea
We are using 2026 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Disney California Adventure. And while we did an overview of this park on that anniversary date, it is nearly summer and we've yet to go into the lands of the park. In the interim we took a big left turn to talk about Westcot, which was...
-
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Returns
I'm so excited to talk about Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which makes its return after a lengthy remodel. It has been well executed and it's as fun as ever--though perhaps in a slightly less bumpy way--at least for the moment. We will cover not only the history of this mountain but of its…
more -
May the 4th Be With You & A Disney Cruise Line Review
For years I've been trying to talk my two good friends, John and Lori Scali into taking a Disney Cruise. They finally made that happen on the Disney Wish--and in Concierge no less! They are long-term Disney fans, and they offer us a very insightful review which we recorded at the Disney Vacation...
-
5 Frustrations at Walt Disney World--And 5 Things They're Doing or Could Be Doing Right
So many things at Walt Disney World create magic for millions of guests. And yet there are those less than magical moments. I listened to a vlogcaster go on for an hour about everything wrong at Universal and Disney. Indeed, that individual not to be named seems really negative in most of his...
-
Westcot: A Proposed But Never Built Park at The Disneyland Resort
We are behind in celebrating Disney California Adventure through its 25th year, and yet one cannot really talk about this park, without considering what was to have been created originally in its place. WestCOT may be the most popular park concept that Disney never built. A west-coast version of...
-
A New Buzz Lightyear Attraction to the Rescue at Magic Kingdom
This last week Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin formally reopened at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. The attraction has long been a perfect complement to Tomorrowland, where it has recruited guests to fight the Emperor Zurg for the better part of three decades. As an attraction it has...
-
The Disney Destiny: A Family of Disney Cruise Line Insights
The Disney Destiny is Disney's newest ship here in the Western hemisphere. Recently I had an opportunity to meet up with the entire Zanolla Family. I often promote the David & Leah as being the best travel agent out there--so very much because they truly know Disney near, far, and globally. I use...
-
How Disney Lays Out Theme Parks: IPs, Lands, Worlds & Relations.
There's been much discussion over the years about Disney's Intellectual Properties being the driver of choosing new attractions being built in the parks. And with recent openings like World of Frozen at the new Disney Adventure World there has been a lot of speculation that Disney is focused more...
-
Announcing Disneyland Insights: Inspiration, Ideas & Magic for You and Your Organization
This Disney Insights podcast is one of the most unique podcasts I've hosted over the hundreds I've presented over the last few years. It is about a work I have been laboring on for the better part of a year and a half, but in truth, It's the story of a lifetime of learning and understanding…
more -
Josh on Day 1 as New CEO Plus Announcements for Walt Disney World & DCL
We have much to share as Bob Iger steps aside and Josh D'Amaro takes reign as the new CEO of Disney. We will share some important messages he has shared in the first 24 hours as he stepped into this role and hosted the annual shareholder's meeting for The Walt Disney Company. We then will look at…
more -
Magic Kingdom & Studio Park Construction Updates, Plus Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival
Today's podcast is a busy one, because Walt Disney World is a busy place. We begin with the most popular theme park in the world as we check out construction challenges big and bigger. Disney's Hollywood Studios is in major construction mode as well, with three big construction projects and even…
more -
Disneyland 70th: Celebrating Fantasyland--The Happiest Kingdom of Them All
If Disneyland is the Happiest Place on Earth, then Fantasyland is in Marty Sklar's words, "The Happiest Kingdom of Them All". He goes on to say that "Here in the 'happiest kingdom of them all,' you can journey with Snow White through the dark forest to the diamond mine of the Seven Dwarfs; flee…
more -
Villains Land, Smuggler's Run, Josh D'Amaro & Experiential Intelligence
All last week you probably heard rumors about Josh D'Amaro changing out plans for Villains Land. You may have also heard that he said that he thought Millennium Falcon Smuggler's Run was good not great. We talk about this and more as we look at these issues in greater context and offer you…
more -
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: An Operational Review
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is the flagship hotel of Walt Disney World, and one of the premiere resorts among Disney owned hotels. Nearing its 40th year of operation in 2028, and having been through a number of major remodeling changes, how does this signature property compare? I've...
-
Celebrating 25 Years of Disney California Adventure!
It's hard for even the most devout Disney Apologist to forgive what was the original Disney's California Adventure. With a troubled budget from the start, and perhaps the wrong theme for millions of people already living in California, this failed on so many levels when it came out the gate. It...
-
A New CEO is Announced: Disney Insights on Josh D'Amaro
In overviewing 2026 I said that the naming of a new CEO would be the most important milestone of the year for Disney. In truth, it may be the biggest moment of the decade. Today, February 3rd 2026, The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors announced that, in a unanimous vote held on Monday, it...
-
Disney Insights on Villains Land, Haunted Mansion, Disneyland Handcrafted, & Star Wars Galaxy's Edge
Several topics have been circling around recently, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to offer some thoughts about what is going on in several Disney park realms. Anything about Villains Land has people curious as to what is happening. This includes some work being done by The Haunted...
-
Countdown to Extinction! Diggin' for Insights in DinoLand USA
Extinction is coming fast for Dinoland, so many areas have closed and the remainder will come to an end quickly. We bid our final adieu by digging for lessons to be learned from this corner of Disney's Animal Kingdom park. They serve to help us understand what worked and didn't work not just in...
-
Walt Disney Imagineering: The Secret to Being on Time, Under Budget & On Benefit
The Wall Street Journal this week published an article entitled, "The 3,000-Person Team Working in Secret to Create Disney Magic". This article written by Ben Fritz makes a number of claims about the challenges Walt Disney Imagineering has in being able to do massive projects on time, under…
more -
Disneyland 70th: Celebrating Mickey's Toon Town
As we enter 2026 we continue our celebration of Disneyland's 70th anniversary with a look at Mickey's Toon Town. One of the newer places on the map, this little corner beyond Fantasyland is filled with whimsy and charm. We share with you how the concept came about, due in large part to three…
more -
Celebrating 2025! Anticipating 2026!
I have to admit that this year has flown by quickly. Full of highlights, but still Spring became summer, and summer went right into Thanksgiving, and the next thing you knew the year was closing. On many levels I have enjoyed the parks perhaps more days in the year than in previous years. Unless...
-
Judy Perry Daley: Walt Disney World's VIP
Seasons Greetings! Happy Holidays! This has been a wonderful year in many ways, but it has also been a year of tremendous lost to myself and many who knew Judy Perry Daley. Judy was the first female manager in operations at Walt Disney World, and had a tremendous work experience, hosting…
more -
Disneyland's 70th Anniversary: Star Wars Galaxy's Edge
Bright Suns! Throughout this year we have celebrated Disneyland's 70th Anniversary by looking at the nine lands of the park. And as the celebration continues in Anaheim, we continue our celebration here on Disney Insights. Today we look at Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. This is perfect because this…
more -
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays 2025
Everyone knows that the minute Halloween is over the Disney Parks ready themselves for the Christmas holidays. Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom seem to up and ready overnight, and in the first week or so of November we were able to see the joy of these parks...
-
Disney Adventure World at Disneyland Paris: Past, Present & Future
Disney has announced that Disney Adventure World is opening in Paris on March 29th, 2026. This is one of Disney’s biggest remakes of a theme park, one that has had troubled origins and is now just emerging into its own. This park, opened in 2002 as Walt Disney Studios Paris, was hardly a shadow…
more -
Review! Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
Last week we took a look at the original Disney Magic Cruise ship and shared our four night experience from Port Canaveral to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Day 3 of that experience was visiting Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. There is so much to talk about here that I chose to use it as a…
more -
Review! Disney Magic Voyage to San Juan Puerto Rico
A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to book a really good 5 day/4 night Disney Cruise Line deal that ultimately led to a remarkably great experience on The original Disney Magic. It's a trip where we left from Port Canaveral, visited Nassau and the new Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point…
more -
Disneyland's 70th Anniversary: From Indian Country to Bear Country to Critter Country to Bayou Country
No parcel of land at Disneyland has had more title changes than this little wedge of Disneyland. It's perhaps the smallest land in Disneyland, but it has a history that goes back to nearly the beginning. And it's a history few know much about. Most know it as Bayou Country today, and many know it...
-
New Zoo Review! Zootopia Better Zoogether
As 2025 comes to hurling toward an end a new attraction arrives at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Zootopia Better Zoogether is now in the Tree of Life Theater and offers something new for this park which begs for more guests. And at a great time to do so, as this time of year is the best time of year…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Disney Insights have?
Disney Insights currently has 598 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Disney Insights about?
Celebrating All Things Disney with News, Analysis & Best-in Business Ideas on Life & Work from the Happiest Places on Earth!
How often does Disney Insights release new episodes?
Disney Insights releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 598 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
Where can I listen to Disney Insights?
You can listen to Disney Insights on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Disney Insights?
Disney Insights is created and hosted by Performance Journeys.
URL copied to clipboard!