Stories of the Magic

Music and voiceovers provided by Rick Moyer.

Posted in Authors, Podcast, Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney World | Leave a comment

Episode 033 – Lee Cockerell, Part 1

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Randy Crane

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Stories of the Magic, Episode 33

Interview Guest: Lee Cockerell

Sponsored by Leaving Conformity Coaching.

It’s been about 2 months since the last episode. Part of that, as I’ve mentioned before, is just trying to schedule guests, but this time there was quite a bit more involved, and at the start of this episode, I let you in briefly on what’s been happening.

Today, we get part 1 of a 2 part interview with Lee Cockerell, the former Executive Vice President of Operations for the Walt Disney World Resort. Lee is also a speaker, and the author of two books, Creating Magic…10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney, and The Customer Rules…The 39 Essential Rules for Delivering Sensational Service [both are affiliate links]. Lee had some very interesting times at the Walt Disney Company and has some great insights to share.

Oh, I should also mention that we recorded this at 6am my time, so I still have my morning voice.

In this episode, Lee talks about:

How he got started working for the Walt Disney Company;
Starting in charge of Food & Beverage at Disneyland Paris as it was opening;
Transitioning to hotels at Disneyland Paris;
Moving out to Walt Disney World as Senior V.P. of Operations for the hotels…then becoming Senior V.P. of Operations at WDW;
How being in charge of one hotel differs from multi-unit management…besides the obvious;
The most important thing any organization does;
How to find “the right people”;
Tips and strategies for using time management skills well so you can be more productive;
Being in operations at WDW on 9/11;
Balancing caring for stranded guests and dealing with cutting costs to offset the dramatic decrease in business;
His work with the Disney Institute, and how it changed over time;
What brought him to the end of his time working for Disney and what he’s been doing since then;
Tips for those of us who are building a business as a public speaker;
The first time he remembers thinking, “I’m doing something really different, really special”;
What he thinks is the biggest difference between the Walt Disney Company and other companies.

Find Lee:

Website

Podcasts Spotlighted in this Episode:

If you want to submit a story anonymously, for whatever reason you may have, email it to me and tell you me you wanted it shared that way. I’ll read it on the podcast, but keep your name private.

Thanks for listening!

Music and voiceovers provided by Rick Moyer.

Posted in Authors, Podcast, Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney World | Leave a comment

Episode 032 – Rachel Scherr, Part 2

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Randy Crane

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Stories of the Magic, Episode 32

Interview Guest: Rachel Scherr

Sponsored by Leaving Conformity Coaching.

This time, I bring you the second and final part of my interview with Rachel Scherr. As I mentioned in the intro last week, I’m sure some of you have considered calling or writing in to share a story with me, or even say that you’re interested in being interviewed, but you’ve thought, “I’m not famous. I didn’t have a high profile or important job. No one would want to hear from me.” Again, I hope this interview shows you that we do want to hear from you. Your stories—and who you are—is valuable. You don’t have to be famous or have a high-profile or so-called “important” job to be on Stories of the Magic.

In this episode, Rachel talks about:

Her many trips to “The World” (including a funny story from one of them when she was in college);
What it was like going to Disneyland the first time after so many trips to Walt Disney World;
The first time she remembers thinking, “I’m here! I’m actually doing this!” and what her early days in the College Program were like;
What she loved most about what she did;
Being a College Campus Representative—and why she wanted to do it;
How these experiences prepared her for what she’s doing now;
A couple of favorite guest stories;
If she regrets not being able to work in her first-choice position—The World Famous Jungle Cruise;
The job she would most like to have working for Disney;
The first podcast she ever listened to (here’s a hint: Betamouse Nation lives!)
What inspires her;
And her advice to you for following your dream.

Find Rachel:

Twitter

Podcasts Spotlighted in this Episode:

If you want to submit a story anonymously, for whatever reason you may have, email it to me and tell you me you wanted it shared that way. I’ll read it on the podcast, but keep your name private.

Thanks for listening!

Music and voiceovers provided by Rick Moyer.

Posted in Cast Members, Podcast, Walt Disney World | Leave a comment

Episode 031 – Rachel Scherr, Part 1

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Randy Crane

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Stories of the Magic, Episode 31

Interview Guest: Rachel Scherr

Sponsored by Leaving Conformity Coaching.

I’m sure some of you have considered calling or writing in to share a story with me, or even say that you’re interested in being interviewed, but you’ve thought, “I’m not famous. I didn’t have a high profile or important job. No one would want to hear from me.” I want you to know that we do want to hear from you. Your stories—and who you are—is valuable. You don’t have to be famous or have a high-profile or “important” job to be on Stories of the Magic.

That’s why I’m very glad to be able to bring to you today Rachel Scherr. She was a College Program Cast Member working at Disney’s Hollywood Studios—Disney MGM Studios at the time—and when she started listening to this podcast, she heard my invitation and took me up on it. It turns out she had some fun things to share and some experiences and insight that are unique to her because she is unique.

So, not only do I hope you enjoy the interview, if you’ve thought about calling or writing in, I hope it will encourage you to do just that.

Rachel (4th from left) with her family in front of the Backlot Tour — click on the image for a larger version.

In this episode, Rachel talks about:

Performing at Walt Disney World with her high school dance troupe;
Getting into the Walt Disney World College Program;
Stories of the Backlot Tour, including learning the attraction, memorizing the spiel, some fun things she did on her tours that were unique to her, being there for the changeout to the current version of the tour (and having to re-learn the spiel);
Why attraction narrations are called “spiels” and not “scripts”;
How her College Program experience was different from most, mainly from living in the International Program housing instead of the usual College Program housing;
Her multi-cultural Easter/Passover dinner party;
Being an extra on the Mission: Space promo video shoot, and what she learned from it;
Being an extra for the Philharmagic promo video shoot, and some different lessons learned from that one;
And her very first memory—which just happens to be a memory of Walt Disney World.

Find Rachel:

Twitter

Podcasts Spotlighted in this Episode:

Take Him With You (We’re on Episode 216!)
Anomaly

If you want to submit a story anonymously, for whatever reason you may have, email it to me and tell you me you wanted it shared that way. I’ll read it on the podcast, but keep your name private.

Thanks for listening!

Music and voiceovers provided by Rick Moyer.

Posted in Cast Members, Podcast, Walt Disney World | 1 Comment

Episode 030 – Randy Crenshaw, Part 3

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Randy Crane

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Stories of the Magic, Episode 30

Interview Guest: Randy Crenshaw

Sponsored by Leaving Conformity Coaching.

In this episode, we wrap up my conversation with Randy Crenshaw. If you missed the first two parts, I encourage you to go back and listen to them! You’re really missing out if you don’t!

In this episode, Randy talks about:

What he did while working on The Tigger Movie that made him feel like he got to contribute something the filmmakers wouldn’t have done without him;
What he did for Toy Story, the Musical;
Re-recording music for Disney projects—including records and in-park shows—and some new material from old projects, too;
How he knows he’s done his job right;
A rather…disconcerting encounter with a Nightmare Before Christmas fan;
What he loves most about what he does;
What he’s currently working on…at least the things he’s allowed to talk about—including Mickey and the Magical Map at Disneyland, and a series of albums called The Lost Chords;
If he could have any job working for Disney, what it would be and why…his answer will not surprise you at all;
What he never gets asked that he wishes he did;
His advice to you for following your dreams—or even discovering them;
A different way to define success;
What inspires him;
“Shameless Plug Time!”

Find Randy:

Ears for Isaac

Podcasts Spotlighted in this Episode:

If you want to submit a story anonymously, for whatever reason you may have, email it to me and tell you me you wanted it shared that way. I’ll read it on the podcast, but keep your name private.

Thanks for listening!