Foreword

I can still remember the feeling of excitement that came over me every Sunday evening—the great anticipation of getting my grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup on a TV tray and awaiting the start of my favorite show.

Then, on the screen it would begin. The beautiful castle would appear, Tinker Bell would wave her wand and the “pixie dust” would drop, and the “Wonderful World of Disney” would begin. Wow! All those feelings come back like it was just last night. For me, that was over 40 years ago, but that feeling still excites me every time I have a Disney experience.

What is the magic? Part of me wants to know, while the other part of me just wants to keep on experiencing it, like wanting and not wanting to know how a magic trick is performed. Bill and Lynn have cracked open the curtain so we can all have access to some of the insights into the Wonderful World of Disney.

It was the Disney standard of imagination and engagement that inspired me so many years ago, and with that “pixie dust” in my heart I discovered the FISH! Philosophy, a group of daily practices that reflects the ideals Walt Disney shared with the world. Now, Bill and Lynn bring these ideals and practices into practical use, with something for any dreamer to use.

We have all heard of the Disney secrets: customers are called “guests”; theme parks are called the “show”; and behind the scenes is called “backstage.” But the real magic that Bill and Lynn share with us is Walt’s underlying philosophy of “I dream, I test my dreams against my beliefs, I dare to take risks, and I execute my vision to make those dreams come true: Dream, Believe, Dare, Do.”

The Walt Disney Company has seen many changes over the years and is going through change now, but what keeps on guiding this great big Dream are Walt’s values and beliefs. Few people have had the chance to see the true magic behind the curtain, but learning about these guiding principles opens the magic for so many of us.

In this book, Bill and Lynn give you practical applications of how these principles Dream, Believe, Dare, Do are lived, not only in Disney’s worldwide locations, but also in organizations as wonderful as The Cheesecake Factory, Men’s Wearhouse, and the incredible experiences of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts.

Walt gave the world so many gifts—the gifts of dreaming big, believing in your dreams, daring to take risks, and doing it (executing it)—and you can share in those dreams too.

Make your dreams come true.

John Christensen
Playground Director, coauthor of FISH!
Charthouse Learning—Home of the FISH! Philosophy