From this weeks Eyes and Ears (July 20 - Aug 6 2006).
BY JENNIFER FICKLEY
Bob Iger, President and CEO of The
Walt Disney Company, and Jay Rasulo, Walt
Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman, held a
Town Hall at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
June 29, where they provided updates on
Company initiatives and future goals with
Walt Disney World Cast Members.
Jay gave highlights of the “Where
Dreams Come True” campaign, which
will be the first global initiative shared
by all Disney theme parks and resorts
around the world. Starting this October,
it includes the “Year of a Million Dreams”
celebration and the “Keys to the Magic
Kingdom” promotion at Walt Disney
World and Disneyland Resorts.
“During the ‘Year of a Million Dreams’
celebration, we will give unprecedented
attention to the interactions that occur
between our Cast and our Guests,” he
said. “This means that programs like
Take-5s and Magical Moments will gain
even greater significance, and we will
launch new and innovative ways to
connect personally with tens of
thousands of Guests every day.”
The “Year of a Million Dreams” will
extend past regular Magical Moments that
take place every day in theme parks and
resorts. It will encompass several special
prizes and once-in-a-lifetime experiences
that will be given away to Guests,
including Golden FASTPASS tickets,
complimentary Disney vacations for life,
an overnight at Cinderella Castle at the
Walt Disney World Resort and more.
“And if that isn’t enough, as we
launch the ‘Year of a Million Dreams’
celebration, special Dream Squads will be
encouraged to fulfill more than 1 million
extra special dreams – both large and
small – in a first-of-its-kind, ‘only at
Disney’ magical experience,” he said.
Jay also announced several new
interactive Guest experiences that will
debut at the Walt Disney World Resort
as part of the celebration. They include
the Main Street Family Fun Day Parade,
Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial,
Woody’s Cowboy Camp and Royal Court
Academy, all at Magic Kingdom Park, and
Nemo’s Undersea Adventure at Epcot.
Bob gave highlights from the week’s
board of directors meeting, including the
election of a new chairman, John Pepper
(see story below), and explained that
future plans for the Company include
the growth of Disney Cruise Line, Disney
Vacation Club and possibly the planning
of a new theme park.
He also talked about how the decision
to make ABC programming available for
digital download on iTunes.com has
helped fight Internet piracy and
reposition The Walt Disney Company
as a technology-savvy company.
“I firmly believe the best way to fight
piracy is to put a legitimate product on the
marketplace and use technology to our
advantage,” he said. “What we’re finding
is people are more than willing to pay for
a product as long as it’s perceived to be
fairly priced. What ABC has experienced
on iTunes is a great example of that.
“We were the first company [to do so],
and that’s very, very important. We showed
the world that we’re pro-technology ... and
we’re willing to take risks.”
Bob also explained that increasing
employee diversity at The Walt Disney
Company is a critical issue to explore
over the next few years.
“It’s very, very important that the
Company get it right from the diversity
perspective,” he said. “While I’m thrilled
with some of the efforts that are on the
way and with some of the progress we’ve
made, it’s the tip of the iceberg as I see it.
We have a lot more work to do in this
area, particularly at the senior-most
corporate ranks.”
BY JENNIFER FICKLEY
Bob Iger, President and CEO of The
Walt Disney Company, and Jay Rasulo, Walt
Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman, held a
Town Hall at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
June 29, where they provided updates on
Company initiatives and future goals with
Walt Disney World Cast Members.
Jay gave highlights of the “Where
Dreams Come True” campaign, which
will be the first global initiative shared
by all Disney theme parks and resorts
around the world. Starting this October,
it includes the “Year of a Million Dreams”
celebration and the “Keys to the Magic
Kingdom” promotion at Walt Disney
World and Disneyland Resorts.
“During the ‘Year of a Million Dreams’
celebration, we will give unprecedented
attention to the interactions that occur
between our Cast and our Guests,” he
said. “This means that programs like
Take-5s and Magical Moments will gain
even greater significance, and we will
launch new and innovative ways to
connect personally with tens of
thousands of Guests every day.”
The “Year of a Million Dreams” will
extend past regular Magical Moments that
take place every day in theme parks and
resorts. It will encompass several special
prizes and once-in-a-lifetime experiences
that will be given away to Guests,
including Golden FASTPASS tickets,
complimentary Disney vacations for life,
an overnight at Cinderella Castle at the
Walt Disney World Resort and more.
“And if that isn’t enough, as we
launch the ‘Year of a Million Dreams’
celebration, special Dream Squads will be
encouraged to fulfill more than 1 million
extra special dreams – both large and
small – in a first-of-its-kind, ‘only at
Disney’ magical experience,” he said.
Jay also announced several new
interactive Guest experiences that will
debut at the Walt Disney World Resort
as part of the celebration. They include
the Main Street Family Fun Day Parade,
Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial,
Woody’s Cowboy Camp and Royal Court
Academy, all at Magic Kingdom Park, and
Nemo’s Undersea Adventure at Epcot.
Bob gave highlights from the week’s
board of directors meeting, including the
election of a new chairman, John Pepper
(see story below), and explained that
future plans for the Company include
the growth of Disney Cruise Line, Disney
Vacation Club and possibly the planning
of a new theme park.
He also talked about how the decision
to make ABC programming available for
digital download on iTunes.com has
helped fight Internet piracy and
reposition The Walt Disney Company
as a technology-savvy company.
“I firmly believe the best way to fight
piracy is to put a legitimate product on the
marketplace and use technology to our
advantage,” he said. “What we’re finding
is people are more than willing to pay for
a product as long as it’s perceived to be
fairly priced. What ABC has experienced
on iTunes is a great example of that.
“We were the first company [to do so],
and that’s very, very important. We showed
the world that we’re pro-technology ... and
we’re willing to take risks.”
Bob also explained that increasing
employee diversity at The Walt Disney
Company is a critical issue to explore
over the next few years.
“It’s very, very important that the
Company get it right from the diversity
perspective,” he said. “While I’m thrilled
with some of the efforts that are on the
way and with some of the progress we’ve
made, it’s the tip of the iceberg as I see it.
We have a lot more work to do in this
area, particularly at the senior-most
corporate ranks.”
