If Disney Ran Your Childrens Ministry

#1 family vacation destination in world

CAST VISION LIKE DISNEY
1. Vision is seeing what can be.
I first saw the site for Disneyland back in 1953. In
those days it was all flat land no rivers, no
mountains, no castles or rocket ships just orange
groves and a few acres of walnut trees.
Walt Disney
2. Great ministries are built by people who have a
vision from God that enables them to look beyond
what is and see what can be. Bottom line...vision
comes from visionary leaders.
3. People are drawn to a compelling vision
Walt was determined to make the Hollywood
venture an ever-growing success, and he was almost
messianic in his leadership of his staff. The others
responded by devoting most of their waking hours to
the studio. Artists worked uncomplainingly on
Saturdays and Sundays, and at night too; all were
imbued with the crusade-like mission to make the
first feature cartoon a success.
Walt Disney, An American Original
4. Communicate the Vision

Walts vision for creating Disneyland was at a

crossroads. To move forward, it had to be approved
by the board of directors. Several of the board
members were complaining that Disney shouldnt
even enter the amusement park business. Walt had
to convince them that his vision was viable.
As he stood before the board, he admitted that it
was hard for them to envision Disneyland the way he
could, but he assured them, Theres nothing like it in
the world. I know because Ive looked. Thats why it
can be great: because it will be unique. A new
concept in entertainment, and I think...I know...it can
be a success. When he finished there were tears in
his eyes. The members of the board were
persuaded.
-communicate with passion
-thermostat or thermometer?
-communicate with a process
5. Put the vision on loop
Vision cast yesterday that isnt revisited today will
be forgotten tomorrow.

Keep saying it.

Keep showing it.
6. Stick with the vision

As a young man, Walt was hired to work at the

Kansas City Star newspaper. He was later fired

from the paper because he lacked imagination

and had no good ideas.

In 1922, he started his first film company with a

partner in Kansas City. Disney couldn't cover his
overhead, and his studio went bankrupt in 1923.
Things got so bad at one point that he could not
pay his rent and survived by eating dog food.
When Walt tried to get MGM Studios to distribute
Mickey Mouse in 1927 he was told that the idea
would never work a giant mouse on the screen
would terrify women.
His movie, Pinocchio, lost a million dollars in its
first release.
His movie, Alice in Wonderland, initially lost a halfmillion dollars.
His movie, Sleeping Beauty, was a financial failure,
leading to animation layoffs and a company-wide
annual loss.
Walt never lived to see Fantasia become a
success. 1940 audiences were put off by its lack of
a story. Also the final scene, with the devil
damning the souls of the dead, was considered
unfit for children.
The movie, Pollyanna, in 1960 failed at the box
office. It was concluded that the title was offputting for boys.

 The city of Anaheim originally rejected the plans

for Disneyland, saying it would attract riff-raff.
Yes. Walt faced many obstacles. But the
difference he didnt give up on his vision. He was
a finisher. Nothing would stop him from seeing his
vision fulfilled.
All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles
and obstacles, have strengthened me. You may not
realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth
may be the best thing in the world for you.
Walt Disney
CONSTRUCT TEAMS LIKE DISNEY
I dont pose as an authority on anything at all, I
follow the opinions of the ordinary people I meet,
and take pride in the close-knit teamwork with my
organization. Whatever we accomplish belongs to
our entire group, a tribute to combined effort.
Everything here at Disneyland and the studio is a
team effort.
Walt Disney
1. Invite to the why instead of the what.
A new hire will make many judgments about an
organization based on their first few days; therefore,
onboarding training is crucial for both the employee
and the company. This training should go beyond
how-to training into the why of an organization.
By sharing the organizations history and values, new

hires will be more empowered to embody the spirit

of the company and feel more fulfilled. At Disney,
our new-hire orientation is called Traditions, and
introduces our Cast Members to not only important
information they need to know about their new role,
but also the legacy and history that remains at the
heart of The Walt Disney Company.
2. Invite to a vision not a need.
Dont place people where you need them...
place people where they need to be.
3. Students.
4. Equip.
The big red curtains open every day at Disney, and
we have to ask ourselves, have we picked the right
players and actors and actresses? Do they know
their lines? And do the directors,
the managers, do they know them and can make
sure we execute
on them?
Lee Cockerell, Executive Vice President of Disney for
16 years
-law of the few
-leaders of leaders
-provide growth plan coach
-provide growth opportunities
-feedback
-increase responsibility as they prove themselves
faithful

The master said, Well done, my good and faithful

servant. You have been faithful in handling this
small amount, so now I will give you many more
responsibilities. Lets celebrate together!
Matthew 25:23
CAPTURE KIDS ATTENTION LIKE DISNEY
1. Aim high.
It was the first entertainment that Walt Disney had
ever designed expressly for children. But were not
going to talk down to the kids, he told his staff. Lets
aim for the twelve-year-old. The younger ones will
watch, because theyll want to see what their older
brothers and sisters are looking at. And if the show
is good enough, the teenagers will be interested, and
adults, too.
-Walt Disney, An American Original
I dont believe in talking down to children...I like to
kind of talk in a general way to the audience.
Children are always reaching.
-Walt Disney, The Quotable Walt Disney
If you capture the attention of the oldest child in the
room, youll have the attention of all the kids in the
room.
Not only target the oldest grade in the room, but also
target the oldest boy in the room.
-gear lessons to oldest

-oldest front and center

-put older kids in leadership
2. Honor attention span.
But there is something different. The episodes are 2
& minute, condensed versions of the original
classics. The creative directors at Walt Disney
Animation Studios have shared that the videos were
re-edited for todays short-attention span kids with
revoicing, new sound effects, and re-recorded
scores.
3. Fun.
All I want you to think about is that when people
walk through or ride through or have access to
anything that you design, I want them, when they
leave, to have smiles on their faces.
-Walt Disney talking to his designers
I was glad when they said to me, let us go to the
house of the LORD."
Psalm 122:1
4. Once upon a time (tell stories).
Out of our years of experimenting and experience
we learned one basic thing about bringing pleasure
and knowledge to people of all ages and conditions
which goes to the very roots of public
communication. That is this the power of relating
facts,
as well as fables, in story form.
Walt Disney

Story telling:
-build excitement
-pause while teaching
-involve kids
-immerse self in story
-use best people up front
CUSTOMER SERVICE LIKE DISNEY
Be Happymake eye contact and smile! From
the moment first-time guests (visitors) walk onto the
property, and especially as they approach the
childrens area, make genuine eye contact as you
greet them and smile. That in itself can make all the
difference for many guests. In our culture, when time
is money, there seems to be something special about
taking time out, focusing on the guest, family or child
that needs your attention and looking them in the
eye without looking over their shoulder like youre in
a hurry to end the conversation.
Be like Sneezygreet and welcome each and
every guest. Spread the spirit of hospitality
its contagious! Some people have a real gift for
this, but everyone should be kind and learn to be
hospitable. Treat guests in your ministry like you
would treat a guest in your home.
Dont be Bashfulseek out guest contact! This
is perhaps one of my favorite guidelines. How many
of us actually make a concerted effort to purposefully
seek out guest contact? Its rare, but can make such
a powerful impact. I can specifically remember a time

when, despite my busyness, I took the time to find a

family that had been on my heart leading up to our
weekend services. I found them, let them know I was
praying for them, and asked if there was anything we
could do for them. The smile I received from the
father was unforgettable. He was amazed that, in a
church as busy as ours, someone would find them on
purpose and serve them. Seeking out contact can
seem a little overwhelming when you look at your to
do list for the weekend, but I would encourage you
to make it a habit. Find families to serve. Find firsttime guests after service and ask how their
experience was, and if they have any questions you
can help answer.
Be like Docprovide immediate service
recovery. Your staff and volunteers should be
trained on how to resolve problems as they arise.
There should be protocol when the check-in
machines arent printing or working properly, for
example.
Dont be Grumpyalways display appropriate
body language at all times! Posture and facial
expressions send an unspoken message. Train your
team on how they should stand and where to place
their hands.
Be like Sleepycreate Dreams and preserve
the magical guest experience! Disney spends a
lot of time training their cast members to create and
keep the magical feeling people have in a Disney
Park. You maintain your culture by continual training
your team. Show them the kind of culture you want

and inspire them to maintain it. See chapters two

and three for more on culture.
Dont be Dopeythank each and every guest!
Its underutilized, free and one of the most powerful
phrases you can use. A simple thank you to your
team because they give so much in serving week in
and week out goes a long way. Thank kids and their
parents for coming to church and being a part what
God is doing in your community. Make sure their final
interaction with you is memorable.
Phrases to avoid

Phrases to say

I dont know

Let me find the right

answer you

No problem

Its my pleasure

Its over there

Im not suppose to do
that
He cant talk to you right
now

Follow me, I would be

happy to show you
Let me find the person
responsible for that
Hes currently teaching
our kids class. I would be
more than happy to let
him know you stopped by
and give him your
message.

COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE LIKE DISNEY

There is no magic in magic. Its all in the details.
Walt Disney

Everything and everyone walks the talk.

Be faithful in the small things.
Excellence increases influence.
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you
were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Colossians 3:23
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do
it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
Since you excel in so many waysin your faith,
your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your
enthusiasm, and your love from usI want you to
excel also in this gracious act of giving.
2 Corinthians 2:8
This must be a magnificent Temple because our
God is greater than all other gods. 6But who can
really build him a worthy home? Not even the
highest heavens can contain him! So who am I to
consider building a Temple for him, except as a place
to burn sacrifices to him? 7So send me a master
craftsman who can work with gold, silver, bronze,
and iron, as well as with purple, scarlet, and blue
cloth. He must be a skilled engraver who can work
with the craftsmen of Judah and Jerusalem who were
selected by my father, David.
2 Chronicles 2:5-7
Always be in learning mode.

Feedback is your friend.

Whenever I go on a ride, Im always thinking of
whats wrong with the thing and how it can be
improved.
Walt Disney
CONNECT WITH FAMILIES LIKE DISNEY
We believed in our ideaa family park where
parents and children could have funtogether.
Walt Disney
Always think families
Help create the memories
Celebrate with families