Florida

I had a work trip to Orlando this week.  I was looking forward to some warm weather, but just as it happens, Florida had a cold snap the time I was there.  The nights were down to 45 and the days only 55.  It was cold!  And crowded with everyone going to the Disney parks.

I didn't go to the parks, well, kinda.  For the conference, we do get to go to Epcot to watch the fireworks and then have 2 hours to stay in the park wandering around.  Again, it was cold!  I was glad I brought a long sleeve shirt and jacket!

Another part of the tour was giving examples of how Disney excels at whatever they do, and that includes leadership down to all the 'cast members' as they call the employees.  Nobody has a 'job' but they all have a part in the 'show' they put on daily.  'On-Stage' is what they call all the public areas and 'Back-Stage' are all the areas the public does not see.  Our tour went to several back-stage areas.  We were not allowed to take any pics - only when we were 'on-stage' could we take pics.

I also learned in all of the Disneyworld Parks, it takes about 80,000 cast members to make things go the way they go. That's  a lot.  And one of the posters we saw on our back-stage tour, indicated that starting Dec 1, everyone received a $1 an hour raise.  That's a lot of money in just raises each hour!

We first went to the biggest laundry plant in the world -- and they have 4 of them there, and think they will need a fifth in about 2 years. We learned here how important it is for leaders and management to listen to those that actually work on the front line, with the equipment every day.  This 4th plant used extensive feedback and suggestions from cast-members to improve efficiency and lower cost.  It is able to wash 2000 lbs of laundry per hour, most of it electronically controlled.

We then went to the Epcot costume area (the largest costume shop) where again, management interacts with every cast-member every day.  Cast members are made to feel they are important and belong.

We then went to the Magic Kingdom (Disneyland) and heard about how every store, every sign, every item, window, storefront wording, trash can, light pole, everything down main street Disneyland has a purpose and a design feature to give every guest a feeling of happiness. Nothing is done without a purpose or thinking behind it.  

We then went underground main street to the tunnels that run all under the Magic Kingdom. There are 1.5 miles of tunnels that circle the park, which is how the cast members get around.  

It was so crowded!  And this was a Tuesday afternoon

Looking across the lake at Epcot

Spaceship Earth - there is a slow moving ride inside

My very last day, the weather got normal again, and was 77 during the day.  I took some time to go on a short hike in a close nature preserve.

This is the trail!

A large part of the area, (like most of Central Florida) is a swamp, so there are boardwalks all over