Category Archives: Business

Disney and the details…

It’s been a few weeks since we’ve been on our trip to Orlando and I was going through the pictures I took on the trip and one thing that I took a picture of at the time was this receipt.

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What was amazing about this receipt is that this was for a lunch that we had with my in-laws and nephew and nieces. It was at the T-Rex restaurant at Downtown Disney in Orlando. A restaurant that is owned and operated by someone OTHER than Disney and the server that took care of us was “Disney-fied” even though she was not a Disney employee (at this location, she may very well work for Disney in other venues throughout the Orlando area.)

The overwhelming training of Disney employees in the greater Disney World area is so pervasive that a restaurant owned and operated by someone else would be doing the things that I expect a Disney employee to do… (such as draw a little Mickey Mouse symbol on the signature line for the credit card receipt.)

Color me impressed.

Quick observation on a trip to Epcot.

It was about a year ago that I think I heard about the first Starbucks at a US Disney Theme Park.

This past week, I finally saw one at Epcot.

It’s so cool to see the little details that both companies do to strengthen their brand through business partnership. Ultimately, focusing on what your brand is best at really works to a good, strong partnership. It’s akin to a partnership of two business superpowers.

I especially enjoy the little Disney accents on the good old Starbucks Cup… From the ones done by the Disney baristas to the built in accents…

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Even in Disney World, Starbucks strength is its brand.

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It is impressive to see the culture built by Disney. The “cast members” are well trained and typically have such positive attitudes even in the oppressive heat of Orlando in July. That seems like a good model to try to ascribe to.