Disney Institute

[goindowntofla]

Did anyone ever go to this (or even know what it is?). I went in the 90s and LOVED it. Anyone have any other impressions of it? Loved it/hated it? Do you wish it were still around? Surprised it is gone? If anyone is going to know what it is, it must be you lot : )

[KNWVIKING 2.0]

DI was Ei$ner's brain child for a more sophisticated vacation for the un-theme park crowd. The problem is, people want to go to WDW to enjoy Mickey moreso than Mikey.

[goindowntofla]

DI was Ei$ner's brain child for a more sophisticated vacation for the un-theme park crowd. The problem is, people want to go to WDW to enjoy Mickey moreso than Mikey.

lol - that's funny! Did you ever get to check it out?

[KNWVIKING 2.0]

Other than being in the general area, No.

[Ranger275]

I attended the Disney Institute for customer service. The State of Michigan had a program for a couple of years trying to improve tourism and customer service around 10 years ago. The Disney Insitute came to Michigan and gave seminars to companys through out Michigan. Our company liked it so much and we wanted to do it from the top down so 4 of us went to the Institute for a week for further training with a bunch of other businesses from Michigan. The rooms were ok, not as good as DVC rooms but the seminars were great and we got to see a lot of behind the scenes stuff. They would talk about a certain area of customer service for a few hours and then take us out to the parks or hotels to show how it worked. Very interesting. Our employees loved it and it worked well. In the seminars in Michigan if you answered a question or particapated in the classes they gave out little Disney figures, they were almost fought over and meant a lot to the people who got them.

They used to do a lot of corporate training, one of the big drug companies was there when we visited.

I believe many of the programs are still ongoing. There is a seperate website for it but I don't know if they have a physical site anymore like they used to. Many of the seminars were held where Saratoga Springs is now.

http://www.disneyetools.com/apps/dic...s/registernow/


I believe they used to have wine tasting, golf lessons and other fun things. Probably more for the person who was going to be there for quite a long time or for someone who had a lot of time. Lots of things they actually do on the cruise ship.

[goindowntofla]

Ranger - So cool you got to participate in that. I believe the Disney Institute you are referring to IS the ongoing business training seminars held by Disney.

I was referring to the short-lived Institute housed at what is now SSR. It was for guests - you basically paid for a week (or whatever) and had a choice of "classes" including animation, animation voiceover work, topiary making, etc. All kinds of crafts and performance "classes" for your vacation instead of or addition to the parks.

I went with an aunt and rather enjoyed it, and, then, it was gone.

I was wondering if any other Disneyphiles here had gotten a chance to try it before it disappeared.

I am glad to hear the one you participated in was a success!