Episode 014 – Dean Gaschler, Part 1

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Randy Crane

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 Dean Gaschler

Stories of the Magic, Episode 14

 

Interview Guest: Dean Gaschler

 

Sponsored by Leaving Conformity Coaching.

 

I’ve mentioned Debbie Roberston’s blog, Making Magic and Memories, in some previous episodes. Well, it’s thanks to her that I was able to connect with this week’s guest, Dean Gaschler. Dean worked for the Disney Company at Walt Disney World for 21 years, the whole time on Main Street U.S.A., and he held 2 pretty unique positions during that time, a barber at the Harmony Barber Shop and the Grand Marshal Coordinator for the afternoon parade.

 

In this episode, part 1 of the interview, we’ll be talking about how he got started with Disney and why, and about those two positions. You’ll hear about some different awards Cast Members can receive and what to look for so you can congratulate them. And of course we’ll hear about some great guest stories. I’ll warn you in advance, though, you’d better have a box of tissues near by. Dean’s love for Disney, and his love for people, is obvious, and it will touch you.

 

Dean talks about:

  • How he got started working for Disney–and what job he turned down;
  • Going from the Harmony Barber Shop to Grand Marshal Coordinator;
  • What he looked for when selecting Guests to be parade Grand Marshals;
  • Why he loved working for Disney;
  • How he’s known around his hometown;
  • The change that takes place when you put on a Disney name tag;
  • Hosting Roy Disney Jr.;
  • Awards given to Cast Members–Spirit of Disney, Partners in Excellence, and Legacy Award–and how to recognize them;
  • One of his most amazing and fondest memories;
  • What he loved most about what he did;
  • A couple of special memories of Grand Marshal families–including one very special Wish family;
  • Give Kids the World–please consider volunteering there (the link to the Volunteer page is here)!
  • A special retirement gift he received from the Dapper Dans.

 

Find Dean:

The post the Listener Feedback audio came from can be found here.


Podcasts Spotlighted in this Episode:

 

I want to hear from you, so please email me, leave a comment below, or call the Listener Feedback line at (734) 23-STORY.

 

If you call in, don’t worry about having to sound perfect. If you ask me to, I’ll edit out any mistakes so you sound as good as you possibly can. You’re even welcome to start your entire story over again and I’ll use the “take” you want!

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!

Subscribe by RSS.

Subscribe in iTunes.

Subscribe on Stitcher Radio.

 

Music and voiceovers provided by Rick Moyer.

Posted in Cast Members, Give Kids the World, GKTW, Podcast, Walt Disney World | 1 Comment

Episode 013 – Tom McGlinchey

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Randy Crane

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 Tom McGlinchey

 

Stories of the Magic, Episode 13

 

Interview Guest: Tom McGlinchey

 

 

(The sound in this episode is a bit wonky. We recorded in person and with the equipment I have, this is the best audio quality we could get. Hopefully I’ll have a better recorder soon.)

(Also, there’s a little bit of “behind the magic” as it relates to characters. Just so you know.)

 

In this episode of Stories of the Magic, I’m honored to bring to you my interview with Tom McGlinchey. Tom started as a Disneyland Cast Member, then moved into the corporate area as an accountant. From there he moved into a division that I’d never heard of before this interview, the Walt Disney Special Events Group. I think you’re going to be very interested in his journey, his stories, and what he has to share.

 

Tom talks about:

  • How he got started working for Disney;
  • Working Tomorrowland attractions in the mid-1980’s;
  • How working CircleVision helped him overcome a fear;
  • Why he transitioned from working in the park to a corporate position, and how much “Disney” was there outside the park;
  • A unique experience he had as part of the premiere of The Rock…on site at Alcatraz;
  • Why he left Disney, and if he was planning to do so;
  • His interest working for Disney while he was growing up;
  • The moment it dawned on him that he was “living a dream”;
  • What he enjoyed most about working for Disney;
  • His thoughts on some of the changes to Disneyland, especially Tomorrowland;
  • What he’d like to do if he went back to working for Disney;
  • What he never gets asked (until now);
  • Why he currently works for Provision Ministry Group and Co:Mission Foundation;
  • What inspires him;
  • His advice to you to start living your dream.

 

Find Tom (the companies he works for, anyway):

 

Podcasts Spotlighted in this Episode:

 

Here is the video for the CHOC Walk. Remember, you can sponsor me and support Children’s Hospital of Orange County here.

 

I want to hear from you, so please email me, leave a comment below, or call the Listener Feedback line at (734) 23-STORY.

 

If you call in, don’t worry about having to sound perfect. If you ask me to, I’ll edit out any mistakes so you sound as good as you possibly can. You’re even welcome to start your entire story over again and I’ll use the “take” you want!

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!

Subscribe by RSS.

Subscribe in iTunes.

Subscribe on Stitcher Radio.

 

Music and voiceovers provided by Rick Moyer.

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

Episode 012 – Nate Parrish, Part 1

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Randy Crane

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 Nate Parrish, WEDWay Radio

Stories of the Magic, Episode 12

 

Interview Guest: Nate Parrish

 

 

In this episode of Stories of the Magic, I’m delighted to bring to you my interview with Nate Parrish. Nate started as a guest, transitioned into being a Cast Member, and now is back to being a guest, but with a new level of appreciation and insight. Disney is so much a part of who he is that he not only visits, he podcasts.

I first heard Nate on the dearly-departed Betamouse podcast, and from that found one of my absolute favorite podcasts, WEDWay Radio, co-hosted by Nate and his brother Matt. WEDWay Radio is dedicated to covering the details and nuances of Disney Theme Parks, with attraction history and interesting stories about what made the theme parks what they are today.

 

Nate talks about:

 

Find Nate:

 

Podcasts Spotlighted in this Episode:

 

I want to hear from you, so please email me, leave a comment below, or call the Listener Feedback line at (734) 23-STORY.

 

If you call in, don’t worry about having to sound perfect. If you ask me to, I’ll edit out any mistakes so you sound as good as you possibly can. You’re even welcome to start your entire story over again and I’ll use the “take” you want!

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!

Subscribe by RSS.

Subscribe in iTunes.

Subscribe on Stitcher Radio.

 

Music and voiceovers provided by Rick Moyer.

Posted in Cast Members, Podcast, Podcasters, Walt Disney World | 4 Comments

Episode 011 – David Smith, Part 2

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Randy Crane

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 David Smith

Stories of the Magic, Episode 11

 

Interview Guest: David Smith

 

 

In this episode of Stories of the Magic, enjoy part 2 of my interview with David Smith. David grew up “in the shadow of the Matterhorn”, down the street from Disneyland. He had a few different roles in his 6 years there, and since then, he’s co-written the Hidden Mickey series of books, a fiction, action-adventure series of books.

Think “National Treasure meets Disneyland” and you’ve got the idea. Sometimes Dead Men DO Tell Tales! is the first in this series of action-adventure mysteries about Walt Disney and Disneyland, written with the adult reader in mind, but age appropriate for those 10 and up. Hidden Mickey was the first book of this type written for the adult level reader. It also was the first mystery based on historical fiction as it relates to Walt Disney and Disneyland. In May of 2011, David released Hidden Mickey 5: Chasing New Frontiers.

Then this year, In the Shadow of the Matterhorn was released. This book is David’s look at Disneyland from the perspective of living very close to the Park, working at the Park, and the life-changing effect that Disneyland had on so many. Listen to the interview, then go get the books!  [Note, all Amazon links are affiliate links.]

 

In Part 2, David talks about:

  • Co-authoring Hidden Mickey 1 and Hidden Mickey 2 with Nancy Temple Rodrigue;
  • Writing Hidden Mickey 5 and what it’s about;
  • The rewards of writing and how he gets through some of the difficult parts;
  • An excellent reason to write a book yourself;
  • The challenges of writing a fiction book, especially when the characters don’t want to cooperate;
  • In the Shadow of the Matterhorn, and the differences with David Koenig’s Mouse Tales books;
  • Being the first non-Disney published authors to be invited to do a signing at Downtown Disney;
  • The job he’d most like to have working for the Walt Disney Company;
  • Tips for enjoying Disneyland even more;
  • What inspires him;
  • Advice to you for following your dreams.

Find David:

 

Podcasts Spotlighted in this Episode:

 

 

Also featured: Making Magic and Memories. Check it out and share a story of your own!

 

 

I want to hear from you, so please email me, leave a comment below, or call the Listener Feedback line at (734) 23-STORY.

 

If you call in, don’t worry about having to sound perfect. If you ask me to, I’ll edit out any mistakes so you sound as good as you possibly can. You’re even welcome to start your entire story over again and I’ll use the “take” you want!

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!

Subscribe by RSS.

Subscribe in iTunes.

Subscribe on Stitcher Radio.

 

Music and voiceovers provided by Rick Moyer.

Posted in Authors, Cast Members, Disneyland, Podcast | Leave a comment

Episode 010 – David Smith, Part 1

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Randy Crane

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

 David Smith

Stories of the Magic, Episode 10

 

Interview Guest: David Smith

 

 

In this episode of Stories of the Magic, I have the honor of sharing part 1 of my interview with David Smith. David grew up “in the shadow of the Matterhorn”, down the street from Disneyland. He had a few different roles in his 6 years there, and loved it. You can hear it in the way he talks about his time there. He’s especially got some great stories related to one of the most overlooked attractions in Disneyland, the Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes.

Since then, he’s co-written the Hidden Mickey series of books, a fiction, action-adventure series of books. Think “National Treasure meets Disneyland” and you’ve got the idea. Sometimes Dead Men DO Tell Tales! is the first in this series of action-adventure mysteries about Walt Disney and Disneyland, written with the adult reader in mind, but age appropriate for those 10 and up. Hidden Mickey was the first book written for the adult level reader. It also was the first mystery based on historical fiction as it relates to Walt Disney and Disneyland. In May of 2011, David released Hidden Mickey 5: Chasing New Frontiers.

Then this year, In the Shadow of the Matterhorn was released. This book is David’s look at Disneyland from the perspective of living very close to the Park, working at the Park, and the life-changing effect that Disneyland had on so many. Listen to the interview, then go get the books!

 

In Part 1, David talks about:

  • How he started at Disneyland;
  • What it was like growing up down the street from Disneyland, and the impression it made on him;
  • The attractions he worked (including a very unique combination that spanned time and technology);
  • The real reason the Mike Fink Keel Boats was an attraction;
  • The role he played in creating the spiel for the Keel Boats;
  • The importance of the Cast Members and what he did to make guests’ visits better;
  • Fun on the Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes;
  • What it was like to be a Monorail pilot;
  • The experience of being in the park in the early morning hours;
  • His history with the canoe races, and his triumph.

Find David:

 

Podcasts Spotlighted in this Episode:

 

 

Also featured: Making Magic and Memories. Check it out and share a story of your own!

 

 

I want to hear from you, so please email me, leave a comment below, or call the Listener Feedback line at (734) 23-STORY.

 

If you call in, don’t worry about having to sound perfect. If you ask me to, I’ll edit out any mistakes so you sound as good as you possibly can. You’re even welcome to start your entire story over again and I’ll use the “take” you want!

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!

Subscribe by RSS.

Subscribe in iTunes.

Subscribe on Stitcher Radio.

 

Music and voiceovers provided by Rick Moyer.

Posted in Authors, Cast Members, Disneyland, Podcast | Leave a comment