My story

Walt died before this castle was built. But his team didn't quit.

Walt died before this castle was built. But his team didn’t quit.

Everybody has a story. Here’s mine.

It was July and we were enjoying our vacation at Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort, one of the original hotels that opened along with Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1971.

After a day at one of the water parks, we returned to our room without dinner plans. Most of our time at the parks was planned including our dining. But not this day.

I went to the concierge desk where I was waived over by Kacy, a Disney College Program intern from Washington, DC. He asked how he could help me. Knowing it was the last minute, I explained our dilemma and asked if he could assist us with making a dinner reservation. His two-word response spoke volumes.

“Of course.”

In other words, why would I think otherwise? It was his job to help me and that’s what he was going to do.

From that moment, I resolved to learn all I could about the Disney way of service.

Those two words led to the discovery of many books written about customer service and the Disney way of creating magic. Specifically, one book was by Lee Cockerell, former Executive Vice President of Operations for the Walt Disney World Resort. Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney introduced me to the Disney Institute, the professional training arm of Disney.

I have worked in many jobs during my life where the focus was on the customer. I have been blessed to work for leaders and innovators.

I hope to do the same.

David

8 Responses to My story

  1. jeff noel says:

    Congratulations! 🙂

  2. BKO says:

    I will need to include a “my story” as well….if they ever get it ready for me to use….

  3. David says:

    “Stay on target, stay on target . . . “

  4. BKO says:

    gotta make sure its the right target we are aiming at though. I shudder to think how many (including me) have hit the bulls eye on the dead wrong target which simply helps us narrow down the targets.

  5. Janet Hampton says:

    You’re still the great person I remember!

    • David says:

      Janet, I am deeply honored. I had no idea I had left that mark. Thank you and welcome aboard!

    • Pawel says:

      I haven’t stayed at that hotel but I’ve been to Disney 3 times in the last 6 years I love it!Going with chdlerin so young you’ll have a great time in Fantasy land with the kids just be careful the food is quite expensive But other than that you will have a great time enjoy!!

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