I recently came back from a short vacation from Disney World in Florida. We went to celebrate a milestone birthday for a member of our family. It was interesting going back after so many years.
Upon entering the park, we had a choice to take a ferry or the monorail to reach the Magic Kingdom. We opted for the ferry and as we approached the Magic Kingdom, anticipation filled us with a restrained giddiness. As we entered Main Street, we marveled at a place of strange familiarity that took us back decades. We spent the rest of the day exploring the park.
The first ride we rode was the Pirates of the Caribbean. The line was long but moved quickly. As we neared the entrance, the attention to details was amazing as we were entering the “dungeon”. During the Peter Pan ride, we had the secure sensation of flying in the air. We then went to a 3D show that invoked all our senses; being splashed by tiny water droplets and having air puffs blown at us during various times in the show was a pleasant surprise. In the line leading to the Haunted Mansion, we were entertained by a touch ”stone” interactive music tombstone. And my all-time favorite ride, its a small world was just as captivating as I remembered it from childhood.
The friendly staff members seemed to genuinely like working at the park. Our guest of honor received a special complimentary Birthday button to wear for the day. We not only loved watching the parade, but witnessing the audience light up as the parade progressed was personally more endearing.
Growing up, I remember hanging out and working during my summer break at the local amusement parks like Great America and Six Flags. I barely remember the rides or much of anything else. However, going back to Disney World brought back memories of childhood through the associations with the Disney Characters, uses of all senses, and the love of curiosty.
So what makes Disney World the Most magical place on Earth? It is careful planning and the details of a visitor’s experience. Every touchpoint, from the warm hospitality of staff members, to adopting to the latest technology, providing fast passes and special day buttons, and keeping guests occupied during long wait lines, is designed to augment the visitor experience and feel valued. It is not surprising that they have a professional training institute for those looking for training on how to provide an exceptional customer experience.
One of our biggest fears was the Magic Kingdom was only for kids that we would be bored. But nothing could be further from the truth. Disney World is patronized by kids, adults, as well as couples, and multi-generational families. The magic of Disney World is how it appeals to people of all ages and nationalities because it is a respite from everyday mundane life and a safe haven to feel like a kid.