Magic Moments

Let me start by saying, I am Walt Disney World Cast Member. I started working for the company roughly a year before the author did. For those of you out there that may be current or former Cast Members, you’re going to love this book! Even though I never worked in some of the locations the author did, as I was reading it brought back so many wonderful memories (and some that brought me to tears). The trip down memory lane served both to “refill my pixie dust” and to provide inspiration that I can apply right now. For readers that haven’t ever been or might never be Cast Members, this book is an enjoyable “peek behind the curtain.” Whether you’re interested in learning about what it’s like to work at Walt Disney World or looking for insight about “how Disney does it” to apply to your own business, this book is going to be right for you. The author’s voice and humor throughout makes this a really fun book to read while also sharing some great lessons.

Like Michael's first book, "Drawn to Greatness," I thoroughly enjoyed "Magic Moments." He has the ability to write in a way that I always come away having laughed and learned something new. To that point, it really did feel like, as he walked us through his career, in some ways, I became a Cast Member with Disney myself, too. And it made me look forward to visiting the Parks again, this time knowing more of what went on behind-the-scenes to create such a deep and enduring magical experience for me. As you can see by the picture I took for this review, even Mickey was excited to read it....!

Michael Lyons shares his fascinating stories of his career as a Disney Cast Member. I found it fascinating to learn how Disney front line leaders are made, and see a peek behind the curtain to learn about Disney’s highly regarded development program for new Cast! The immersive environment at Disney is no accident… it begins with each new hire to create “The Magic”. If you love Disney, or want to learn what makes a real work TEAM, read this book. Thanks for the positivity, and telling your story, Michael! Ooo da lally!

Christopher White recommend the book, and I am glad that he did. You can see another’s career from their perspective. Life doesn’t come with an instruction manual. When you make mistakes, you do your best to move on and learn from them. Thank you for getting me a little unstuck!

Michael has captured the essence of what Disney Magic is all about and the journey a Cast Member takes to find it for the guest, but more importantly for themselves. Great read!

I love it🥰 Dear Michael, you rock!

Michael Lyons has become one of the most respected animation and pop culture historians today. The hallmark of his research and writing is his sincerity, enthusiasm, and desire to share what he has learned with others. These are qualities that helped sustain two decades of success as a Walt Disney World cast member (with plenty of mistakes along with way). His book offers a first-person journey through the experience, from the elation at being hired and the famous and somewhat mysterious Disney University training process to working his way up to management, not through machinations but through learning from errors and trying his best to do a good job. There are lots of great books about the lives of Disney icons, as well as waste-of-time "tell-all" books not worth the Charmin they are printed on. This is a "regular guy at Disney" kind of book, that is about being on the front lines, with plenty of never-before-published information about how Disney does its "merchantainment" and customer services in parks, shops, and resorts. Lots of fun to read.