BY RAIN BLANKEN
OK , you ’ re at work , school , or just trying to get your life together inside your email box . How do you organize and get everyone on the same page ? Texts ? A newsletter ? Post-its ? Now , take this scenario and make it the size of Manhattan . Your mission is not only to communicate essential information to the population but also to inspire everyone involved . Hope you like a challenge .
At Walt Disney World , leaders do just that for Cast Members each and every day . And we ’ re not talking about the occasional Christmas newsletter … To make each guest experience run as smoothly as possible , WDW has taken on the herculean task of communicating daily operations updates not only to make sure that everyone points with two fingers , but also to communicate which Magic Shots are available during Very Merriest After Hours .
Since that first issue , Eyes & Ears would go on to be printed in color and provide more seasonal information and big announcements . New uniforms ( check out those sweet 1980s Space Mountain fits on the next page ), Disney Ambassador hopefuls , Cast Member awards , and off-duty activities were celebrated in each monthly issue .
I reached out to Tim Kofahl , former Eyes & Ears Editor , to see what it was like working in this unique space . “ When I was editor , it was like a new golden age with so many projects to write about circa 1985 to 1988 that would open through the early 1990s . The role took me all over property to some very interesting behind-the-scenes areas and offered the gift of talking to some very interesting people . It was a pleasure to highlight departments and Cast Members at all different levels that most people take for granted or don ’ t realize they are there keeping the magic alive every day .”
Since 1971 , Cast Members have stayed informed on park happenings through an evolving set of communication systems — like a microcosm of your ride through Spaceship Earth ( but with nary a Phoenician ). These daily updates come in the form of bulletin boards in the Utilidors , quickreference pocket guides ( you may have seen your PhotoPass photographer reference one of these ), Cast Member-only internet resources , and the original system that every Cast Member knows : Eyes & Ears .
A NEWSPAPER FOR CAST MEMBERS The first Eyes & Ears was released in October 1971 as a humble six-page black-and-white newspaper handed out to the first Cast Members to familiarize them with the parks . It contained facts about where the steam trains came from , how many rooms were in the resorts , and the cost to ride a horse at Tri-Circle-D Ranch around breakfast time . Pretty helpful info for a group of employees who were about to help hordes of eager guests for the first time .
This inaugural issue also included a dash of inspiration from Roy O . Disney . We often hear Roy ’ s public opening-day speech quoted , but this note just for Cast Members strikes me as much more intimate .
Tim at work in his office . PHOTO COURTESY OF TIM KOFAHL
To The Cast ,
On the eve of Walt Disney World ’ s opening day , may I thank all of you for your spirit — your cooperation and the fine job all of you have done in getting ready for our opening .
Years of planning and long hours of work have brought about this historic moment . It will be an experience none of us will forget .
At this time I think it is appropriate that we remember Walt ’ s comment :
“ You can dream , design and build the most wonderful place in the world but it requires people to make the dream a reality .”
You , the cast , are responsible for making Walt ’ s dream come true …. yesterday , today and tomorrow .
Roy O . Disney Chairman of the Board