Disney+ : Lessons in Agile

Having worked on hundreds of websites since the early 1990s, I’m confident in saying that I understand what works and what doesn’t. And, having worked in waterfall and agile software environments, and as a project manager / program manager, I know what the business teams wants vs. what the development teams can deliver (usually based on the timeline that the business owners want.) With the recent launch of Disney’s streaming video service, Disney+, it’s easy to see that Disney is trying to follow some agile methodologies. One of …

Are there any free exhibits outside Disneyland or Disney World that are worth checking out?

Walt Disney had a barn in the backyard of his Holmby Hills (Los Angeles) home, which was the workshop for his 1/8th scale backyard railroad called the “Carolwood Pacific Railroad.” In the mid-1990s, that house was sold, and the barn (and the house) was to be demolished for new construction. Instead, Michael Broggie (son of Roger Broggie, Walt’s right-hand-man in Disney Imagineering at the time,) organized the effort to save and preserve the Barn as a piece of Walt Disney history. The Barn, often called “Walt’s Barn” was disassembled and …

Quora: “Does any one at Disney still think in terms of ‘What would Walt Disney do?'”

The “anyone” part of the question is a bit ambiguous, as there are those who actually work in the Parks, and those who ‘build’ the Parks. Also, the word “do” can mean something different depending on who you ask. Having worked at Disneyland in Attractions (Autopia, and lots of guest control,) as well as in Guest Relations, and finally as a locomotive engineer, I had the opportunity to help and talk to guests face-to-face on a daily basis, in different capacities. I also learned a lot about other …

Quora: “What was it like to work with Walt Disney?”

During the 50th anniversary celebrations, I attended a cast-member only panel which featured several original Imagineers telling stories and answering questions. This question – “What was it like to work with Walt Disney?” – was asked and answered. My favorite answer was this (I’m sorry that I don’t recall which imagineer gave the response): ‘We learned that you never told Walt “no”, you always said “yes, if”. When Pirates of the Caribbean was first built, it was a walk-thru attraction. Much of the concrete walkways had been poured. …

Quora: “Why is Disneyland so expensive?”

Disney is a business… a brilliant business that knows how to research and study the analytics of their products and services. Like any product or service in any market, prices are set primarily by consumers. If some new widget was available at the local store was priced at $1,000 but no one bought it, the price would come down, or the product would go away. In the case of Disney Parks, the price has continued to go up by leaps and bounds, and is expected to continue that …

Quora: “What are some interesting things to see at Disneyland?”

I love to find a bench or spot to sit/lean to just look and absorb the space. Take note of the way Walt and his Imagineers designed Disneyland. The pavement, the plants, the walkways, the colors. Look at the detail of the buildings. Look at how the theming for each area or attraction connects to each other. Also, just people-watch. Look at how some people enjoy the space, and how others are oblivious to their surroundings. Just a few of my favorite things to see at Disneyland: The …

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