Disney Institute...who remembers?

KnightStitchChica · 04-30-2007, 11:15 AM

I miss that place....does anyone know why they shut it down? I wanted to build my own topiary

disneytim · 04-30-2007, 11:25 AM

The Disney Institute still exists as a professional development and training program for companies outside of Disney. Not nearly as much fun as building topiaries.

My employer may actually be sending me to a program at DLR in August.

More info is at www.disneyinstitute.com.

Xharryb · 04-30-2007, 12:18 PM

A good friend of mine was an instructor at the institute. She may have even developed some of the curriculum (it's been a while since the topic came up so I don't remember). She showed me the promo video one day that she was featured in. We had a good laugh at her expense since a. it was totally cheesy and b. she looked way different back then.

Sweetie · 04-30-2007, 02:09 PM

I still have the promo video. I really considered taking some of the courses back then, but I was young and didn't want to take classes on vacation.

flotsam_mike · 04-30-2007, 02:33 PM

Disney Institute also runs the behind the scenes tours.

sealsm · 04-30-2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flotsam_mike

Disney Institute also runs the behind the scenes tours.

Which tour is this? I'm not familiar with it - is it only for professional development courses?

I remember the Disney Institute. I took a baking class there. It was lots of fun. What's wrong with wanting to use your brain and learn something on vacation? It was a fantastic idea.

figment1986 · 04-30-2007, 06:25 PM

I believe they the consumer version never took off as much as they hoped, so they shut it down and built a D.V.C. resort at the main campus. As other poster have said, the institute still exists for companies, large groups, as well as some backstage tours in a limited capacity.

EPCOT1982 · 05-01-2007, 07:12 AM

i remember it but can't say I ever went inside.

KnightStitchChica · 05-01-2007, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by figment1986

I believe they the consumer version never took off as much as they hoped, so they shut it down and built a D.V.C. resort at the main campus. As other poster have said, the institute still exists for companies, large groups, as well as some backstage tours in a limited capacity.

thanks, and yea, i have heard some rumors about the large companies thing. Do you know which DVC resort it is? is it Saratoga? I do wish they would open it back up to the public though.

Cmash95 · 05-01-2007, 12:58 PM

it's now saratoga springs. but they do run a tour that lasts all day with lunch included. It takes you all over the backstage areas including the centeral shops and wardrobe and a behind the scenes look at the american adventure in epcot. My husband's department went on it and he raved about how well it was done and how informative it was. the only drawback, no pictures except in the laundry room. it runs about 200 dollars to the general public if you have a free day and want to take it. you get a discount if you have an AP.

I believe that the Disney Institute was started because Mr. Eisner wanted to tap into the "learning vacation" market but like figment said it didn't really click with the general public.

MJMcB · 05-01-2007, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnightStitchChica

does anyone know why they shut it down?

because not nearly enough people wanted to go to Disney for vacation and take classes. Never made much sense

Cmash95 · 05-01-2007, 10:10 PM

back in the late 80s early 90s there was something called an educational vacation became very popular. they still have them on cruises and such. you went somewhere and took classes maybe on pottery or painting or history of the area. but the fad died out and it never really caught on at WDW.

AstroBlaster · 05-01-2007, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnightStitchChica

I wanted to build my own topiary

Why build? Now you can own your very own topiary in a fraction of the time it would take to build one. After all who has the time to clip and trim and love a bush like a Disney horticulturist:

http://disneyshopping.go.com/webapp/...tegoryId=11910

BigPigletFan · 05-01-2007, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AstroBlaster

Why build? Now you can own your very own topiary in a fraction of the time it would take to build one. After all who has the time to clip and trim and love a bush like a Disney horticulturist:

http://disneyshopping.go.com/webapp/...tegoryId=11910

Oh yes.. I've seen those!!!

Jeez, leave it to MiceChat to bring me to a site I purposely try to avoid...

flotsam_mike · 05-02-2007, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sealsm

Which tour is this? I'm not familiar with it - is it only for professional development courses?

I remember the Disney Institute. I took a baking class there. It was lots of fun. What's wrong with wanting to use your brain and learn something on vacation? It was a fantastic idea.

This is the backstage magic tour. Anyone can take it. I'm not sure if the Disney institute is responsible for all tours or just this one.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw...MagicToursPage

Mikeland also did a great trip report on this.

http://www.micechat.com/forums/showt...ackstage+magic

04-30-2007, 11:15 AM	#1
KnightStitchChica Disney Girl Forever! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Orlando Posts: 355	Disney Institute...who remembers? I miss that place....does anyone know why they shut it down? I wanted to build my own topiary

04-30-2007, 11:25 AM	#2
disneytim Mickey and the Gang MiceChat News Team Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: In a world of princesses and pixies. Who knew? Posts: 10,766 Blog Entries: 25	Re: Disney Institute...who remembers? The Disney Institute still exists as a professional development and training program for companies outside of Disney. Not nearly as much fun as building topiaries. My employer may actually be sending me to a program at DLR in August. More info is at www.disneyinstitute.com. __________________ Follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

04-30-2007, 12:18 PM	#3
Xharryb runnin the show Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ghost Planet Posts: 11,175	Re: Disney Institute...who remembers? A good friend of mine was an instructor at the institute. She may have even developed some of the curriculum (it's been a while since the topic came up so I don't remember). She showed me the promo video one day that she was featured in. We had a good laugh at her expense since a. it was totally cheesy and b. she looked way different back then. __________________

04-30-2007, 02:09 PM	#4
Sweetie blah blah blah Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,334	Re: Disney Institute...who remembers? I still have the promo video. I really considered taking some of the courses back then, but I was young and didn't want to take classes on vacation.

04-30-2007, 02:33 PM	#5
flotsam_mike and too all a good fright Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 266	Re: Disney Institute...who remembers? Disney Institute also runs the behind the scenes tours.

04-30-2007, 06:25 PM	#7
figment1986 Banned User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Within 78 miles of WDW... Posts: 8,948	Re: Disney Institute...who remembers? I believe they the consumer version never took off as much as they hoped, so they shut it down and built a D.V.C. resort at the main campus. As other poster have said, the institute still exists for companies, large groups, as well as some backstage tours in a limited capacity.

05-01-2007, 07:12 AM	#8
EPCOT1982 "There's always my way" Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 477	Re: Disney Institute...who remembers? i remember it but can't say I ever went inside. __________________ _________________ - EPCOT1982 - "Since the dawn of recorded time, communication has revolutionized our lives and changed our world. We now have the ability and the responsability to build new bridges of acceptance and cooperation between us. To create a better world for ourselves and our children as we continue our amazing journey aboard Spaceship Earth." - Jeremy Irons (Spaceship Earth)

05-01-2007, 12:58 PM	#10
Cmash95 Banned User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 2,836	Re: Disney Institute...who remembers? it's now saratoga springs. but they do run a tour that lasts all day with lunch included. It takes you all over the backstage areas including the centeral shops and wardrobe and a behind the scenes look at the american adventure in epcot. My husband's department went on it and he raved about how well it was done and how informative it was. the only drawback, no pictures except in the laundry room. it runs about 200 dollars to the general public if you have a free day and want to take it. you get a discount if you have an AP. I believe that the Disney Institute was started because Mr. Eisner wanted to tap into the "learning vacation" market but like figment said it didn't really click with the general public.

05-01-2007, 10:10 PM	#12
Cmash95 Banned User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 2,836	Re: Disney Institute...who remembers? back in the late 80s early 90s there was something called an educational vacation became very popular. they still have them on cruises and such. you went somewhere and took classes maybe on pottery or painting or history of the area. but the fad died out and it never really caught on at WDW.

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