Chat with the Chief Magic Official (CMO)

[Justin M]

Hello! My name is Justin Muchoney and I was recently elected as the first ever Disney Parks CMO (Chief Magic Official).

Back in January Disney partnered with CareerBuilder.com to give one lucky Disney fan the ultimate dream job - a twelve month (part time!) position where the winner would have the opportunity to travel the country as a goodwill ambassador for the parks who helps to create magical memories for guests and serves as one of the faces of "The Year of a Million Dreams".

After a lengthy application, interview, voting, and competition period, I was announced the winner in a ceremony in the Rose Garden in the Magic Kingdom on April 22nd.

I thought that this thread would be a fun way to share my stories and experiences with you all - as well as a great place for you to ask questions and learn more about what it really takes to make the magic happen! I will post here as often as I can and I will make every attempt to respond to your questions. (I might even be able to convince Lou to post a picture he and I got together before the Press Event for Toy Story Mania! in May! [hint, hint ])

For now, you can learn more about the CMO contest by visiting Disney Dream Jobs - CMO presented by CareerBuilder.com - Live the Magic in 2008 - Disney CMO. On that site they still have links to the competition videos from April as well as a couple of photos and a 'thank you' note from me. I will be posting periodic updates there and it will be the most central location for all the details of my journeys. If you have a 'facebook' account, you can also find me on there (Justin Muchoney). I'll keep posting pictures from my trips as I get them to my facebook.

Welcome to this thread!

[lorilovestigger]

Hey Justin! Are you going to Magic Meets this year?

The next time I head to Pittsburgh I'll have to let you know. Maybe we can meet up somewhere and chat.

Lori

[WenD2ndStar]

Thank you for this thread! I look forward to checking back and reading about your experiences (and living vicariously through you!). Hopefully this will be a place where you can receive encouragement as well. We're rooting for you!

[vixen101485]

Watch out Justin, Lori is after you.....MMWWWUUHAHAAHAA LOL Paybacks, woman! LOL

We need to plan an outing for the locals (and anyone else who wants to come), what about DelGrosso's (used to be Bland's) in Altoona. Cheap, not much there but still a nice day's outing. They have a Primevil Whirl type ride there. We can all take in lunch and have a picnic.
They have a coupon on their spaghetti sauce jars for $6 off the $12.95 ride all day for June weekdays. No entry fee for not riding guests. Anyone up for it? Middle of June (16-19th) ?

Cant wait to hear about all your adventures Justin. We are definately living thru you. LOL

[disneyfanatic101]

Congrats once again Justin!

[Justin M]

Hey Justin! Are you going to Magic Meets this year?

The next time I head to Pittsburgh I'll have to let you know. Maybe we can meet up somewhere and chat.

Lori

Hey Lori - - - I'd love to meet up when you're in my neighborhood, just let me know!

I'm not sure about Magic Meets yet. I was a little, um, late in deciding to get involved, so Lou is looking into it for me!

[Justin M]

Thank you for this thread! I look forward to checking back and reading about your experiences (and living vicariously through you!). Hopefully this will be a place where you can receive encouragement as well. We're rooting for you!

Thanks for checking in, Wendy! I really do appreciate the encouragement! As I said, I'll keep you as updated as I can. The best place to go for information will be Disney Dream Jobs - CMO presented by CareerBuilder.com - Live the Magic in 2008 - Disney CMO, though. I will work to keep things updated there and then post here as well.

[Justin M]

Watch out Justin, Lori is after you.....MMWWWUUHAHAAHAA LOL Paybacks, woman! LOL

We need to plan an outing for the locals (and anyone else who wants to come), what about DelGrosso's (used to be Bland's) in Altoona. Cheap, not much there but still a nice day's outing. They have a Primevil Whirl type ride there. We can all take in lunch and have a picnic.
They have a coupon on their spaghetti sauce jars for $6 off the $12.95 ride all day for June weekdays. No entry fee for not riding guests. Anyone up for it? Middle of June (16-19th) ?

Cant wait to hear about all your adventures Justin. We are definately living thru you. LOL

Thanks! You can live through me anytime! I've driven by DelGrosso's on my way to State College several times and I've never had the chance to stop. The cheap, relaxing, picnic style certainly appeals to me! I will be out of town in the middle of June though - - - on an official CMO visit to the Disneyland Resort in California!!!

[Justin M]

Congrats once again Justin!

Thanks! I appreciate you checking in here as well!

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

How exciting for you! Have you been able to do anything fun or exciting?

[mini-V]

Justin,
First of all, congratulations! I hope you find this experience will only build on your already wonderful enthusiasm for all things Disney.
Secondly, I'm so pleased that you are making and effort to come by the form to share your thoughts with us.
I'm heading to FL in about 30 days to start the next chapter in my life. I look forward to possibly meeting you when you come into town.

[Justin M]

How exciting for you! Have you been able to do anything fun or exciting?

Everything has been fun and exciting! Just a little over a week ago I was in Walt Disney World for my first official visit and to be a part of the Press Event for the brand new Toy Story Mania! attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Here are just a few of the fun things I was able to see or do . . . and trust me, there are plenty more to come!

1) Disney's Hollywood Studios at 5:00 in the morning (two days in a row!)

2) Taking two familys on to Toy Story Mania along with members of the Disney/CMO team and Homer from the Dream Squad . . . and we were the only people in there.

3) Visiting "Dream Central" - the backstage home of the Dream Squad at Epcot.

4) Eating a Mickey's Premium bar in the back stage home of the Magic Kingdom Dream Squad with at least 20 or 30 members of the squad.

5) The Utilidors

6) The control towers for Expedition Everest and Dinosaur.

[Justin M]

Justin,
First of all, congratulations! I hope you find this experience will only build on your already wonderful enthusiasm for all things Disney.
Secondly, I'm so pleased that you are making and effort to come by the form to share your thoughts with us.
I'm heading to FL in about 30 days to start the next chapter in my life. I look forward to possibly meeting you when you come into town.

Well thank YOU for stopping by to say hello! Congratulations on taking the steps to move to what I'm sure will be a wonderful new chapter! Please keep me posted on what you are up to as well!

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

Sound exciting! Well, not the 5 in the morning part but the control center for EE and Dinosaur- that does sound great! The Dream Squad would be a dream job.

[hms1016]

Hi Justin! I posted on the other forum with my congrats. As I had mentioned I live in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. It would be great if you ever are in the area to meet up. We should try to do a Pittsburgh fan meet. I wish that there was a NFFC Pittsburgh group. I am going to Magic Meets, so hope to see you there or any other fellow Pittburghers!

Go Penguins!!!