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Educational Aspects at The Disneyland Resort

Have you ever visited the Disneyland Parks and noticed large groups of students? While I imagine Disneyland to be just about the most exciting place for a field trip, I often wonder what scholarly insight is required for a visit to Disneyland on a class trip? A visit to Disneyland is, for most of us, simply a vacation. However, there are many educational opportunities to be found at the parks as well. In this post I will discuss how, aside from the rides, musicals and parades, there is a lot to gain about our past, present and future from a trip to The Happiest Place on Earth.

The different lands within Disneyland offer a lot of thought to our past, present and future. When you take a trip on the Disneyland Railroads, you travel back in time and find yourself learning about the history of The Grand Canyon. On The Grand Circle Tour you get to revisit different geological periods of The Grand Canyon and see the different species that habituated the land over the years.

Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is another excellent way to spend some educational time at Disneyland and learn about an important part of our country’s past. The Animatronic Lincoln is both entertaining and educational, captivating the audience with his incredible story. (It’s also a great way to cool down on a hot day and take a relaxing break.)

Taking a ride on The Mark Twain Riverboat is also sure to help you learn a thing or two. The large 19th century ship takes you on a journey along The Rivers of America, accompanied by the voice of Mark Twain himself, guiding you with his tales of his travels. You can also ride along The Rivers of America in Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes or The Sailing Ship Columbia. All three modes of transportation offer a different view into the old American Frontier.

Our Present:

For another educational endeavor, skip over to Adventure and enjoy a ride on The Jungle Cruise. Here, you will learn about the different animals that live in the jungles of Asia, Africa and South America. You will also be greatly entertained by your riverboat host.

The Animation Academy in Disney’s California Adventure also offers creative learning opportunities for those more interested in the arts and less interested in history. In The Animation Courtyard you can see how different beloved Disney characters were brought to life and even see sketches from the early stages in the animation process. In addition, The Secret of Drawing Workshop allows you to learn the skills in illustrating Disney characters with the help of a professional artist.

Our Future:

Innovations, located in Tomorrowland, is truly like stepping into our future. Here, you can explore different exhibits displaying the latest and greatest in technology. Innovations is constantly changing and improving as we grow in society, so there is always something new to learn. This hands-on area of Tomorrowland allows you to play high-tech games and explore material that hasn’t been released yet.  Innoventions is currently closed, making way for an interactive Star Wars exhibit called Star Wars Launch Bay.  This future exhibit will probably feature some exciting technology and it wouldn’t be surprising if a form of Innoventions was to come back in the near future.

Overall, it is very easy to see how one could turn a trip to Disneyland into an educational adventure. There is so much to explore, eat, see and do, you are sure to learn something new every time you visit!

– Cassie

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Ancient Tech Meets State-of-the-Art Innovation With Disney Engineering

Disney engineers help unlock the magic and bring stories to life at Disney parks around the globe. Meet Dani, a team leader and controls engineer at Walt Disney World ® Resort.

“Engineering in the entertainment industry is entirely different than the engineering world at large,” said Dani. “Engineering at Disney is hands-on, its ancient technology meets state-of-the-art, bringing toys to life, keeping 100-year-old steam trains on the tracks, transporting across universes and back in time.”

Dani’s day-to-day responsibilities vary based on the projects she’s supporting and what stage of work they’re in.

“During the design phase of a project, I spend a lot of hours in meetings and at my desk working on drawings, documentation, or the software for an attraction,” said Dani. “Once in the field, I oversee the installation and commissioning of ride systems and equipment.”

Of course, supporting a vacation destination at Disney’s standards means that a lot of the work has to happen while our guests are relaxing at their resort hotels.

“With Disney parks open 365 days a year, fitting in an attraction improvement or rehab can be quite a challenge,” said Dani. “Many of these changes happen overnight while you are sleeping so that the attraction still opens in the morning.”

But sometimes working unique hours can have some pretty magical moments too!

“It may just be a five-minute break, but there’s something magical about taking a break and watching fireworks with your team in the middle of the workday, or night as it were,” said Dani.

Our engineers have the opportunity to work on projects that make an impact on our parks, resorts, and our guests while contributing to the legacy of the Disney brand.

“The guests inspire my work,” said Dani. “It sounds cliché, but no matter what I work on, no matter how small, at the end of the day it can make a difference to a guest. Being able to see that impact is a big part of why I do what I do.”

One of the projects Dani’s team tackled included an impactful update for Prince Charming Regal Carrousel at Magic Kingdom.

“With the carousel being 100 years old, we have to merge new technology with old technology and we got to put a wheelchair ramp on this carrousel,” said Dani. “This was a small project by any standard, but the reactions of those first wheelchair-bound guests when they got to ride the carousel for the very first time? Pixie dust.”

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The Worldwide Engineering Brigade Coming to Disneyland Resorts

The Avengers are setting up new Headquarters and training facilities around the globe to inspire all potential recruits to become something more. Head of this initiative is Tony Stark who has founded the Worldwide Engineering Brigade (WEB) to develop and advance super-powered technology, including the new enhancements to Spider- Man’s suit! The new WEB will create new interfaces to empower the world’s most creative young inventors and bring them together.

Scot Drake, Creative Executive Marvel Global Portfolio, shares more details on this exciting new project.

Scot said, “Walt Disney Imagineering’s Global Marvel Portfolio is working closely with our partners across Studios and Entertainment to create exciting experiences and attractions where you can join fan-favourite Super Heroes at Disneyland Resort in California and Disneyland Paris”.

Scot said one of his favourite parts of his job is the ability to “collaborate with a diverse group of talented Imagineers” to bring the Marvel Cinematic Universe to life that is “authentic to this iconic brand”. Walt Disney Imagineering strive to develop “new and innovative technologies” by telling new stories and creating experiences that allow “guests to play an active role alongside these extraordinary characters”.

Scot shared more details on a new immersive, interactive experience coming to both Disney California Adventure park at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney Studios park at Disneyland Paris.

Both parks will feature an exciting new attraction where guests of all ages can join the heroes in action. Imagineers are expanding the Marvel Universe “by creating a new organization, the Worldwide Engineering Brigade, to be our setting for this experience”. “WEB will be focused around classic characters like Peter Parker, it is an organization that we can all be a part of – inviting guests to engage with these iconic heroes like never before”.

A brand-new, cutting-edge interactive attraction is also coming to the Parks, by combining never-before-seen technology and practical effects, to enable guests to experience what it is like to have Super-Hero abilities! Scot said, “this adventure will blend seamlessly into the story of the new lands we’re creating at both Disney California Adventure park and Walt Disney Studios park, where there will be surprises at every turn!”.

Scot also reflected that he is excited to see Spider-Man swinging through these lands in his new suit which you can see at Walt Disney Studios Park in Disneyland Paris and soon to arrive at Disney California Adventure, with the possibility of other locations in the future. Disney is thrilled to partner with Ryan Meinerding, Head of Visual Development at Marvel Studios, to create this stunning new suit design.

According to Ryan, “It has been the highlight of my career to design all of Spider-Man’s suits for the most recent films. Bringing him to life through Tony Stark’s capable design aesthetic was a true joy, but working with the Walt Disney Imagineering team to develop a look for Spidey that reflects the innovation of a team of young geniuses really brings him to a new level. And knowing that park guests can get up close to that suit and really take in all the detail the astounding Imagineers packed into it means that we have truly brought a new version of the character to life.”

We are proud to be creating new homes for these characters – where guests can live their own adventures alongside fan-favourite Super-Heroes.

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Everything You Need to Know About Disney Imagination Campus

• Performing arts

The curriculum is based on stimulating imagination and creativity to unlock endless possibilities. Disney utilizes its iconic storytelling and innovation to challenge students to apply their imagination to solve real-world problems. Workshops  and activities take place inside the ultimate “living laboratories” – the Disney Parks themselves – with access to cutting-edge facilities and mentoring from world-class Disney professionals.

How to Get Into Disney Imagination Campus

• Choose an experience  – Browse the available workshops, performances, and events on the  Disney Imagination Campus website  and select one matching your group’s interests
• Register online  – Fill out the  registration form  for your chosen experience
• Get confirmed  – If accepted, you’ll receive a confirmation from a Disney representative
• Purchase tickets  – Use the registration code to buy discounted group tickets through the  ticket portal

Some performances and competitive events require an  audition video submission . Disney entertainment professionals evaluate submissions based on talent, preparation, and other criteria.

What You Do at Disney Imagination Campus

Disney Imagination Campus offers enriching  educational workshops, engaging performances, and immersive behind-the-scenes experiences . Participants will:

• Learn from world-class Disney professionals in a variety of fields
• Gain first-hand experience applying classroom knowledge to real-world examples
• Solve interactive challenges and experiments
• Discover the science, technology, artistry behind Disney magic

Performances

• Receive coaching from Disney entertainment experts
• Rehearse and perform shows on iconic Disney stages
• Compete in Disney productions against student groups from across the country

Behind-the-Scenes

• Go backstage at attractions like Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean
• See top-secret development facilities where Disney magic is created
• Meet the Imagineers who design rides, shows, lands, fireworks and more
• Network with Disney professionals about their education and career paths

With Disney magic enhancing every moment, students come away with elevated academic knowledge, improved talent, and empowering life lessons. Many describe their Disney Imagination Campus visit as a defining, one-of-a-kind educational experience.

Facilities and Locations

Disney Imagination Campus programs take place across both U.S. resort locations:

Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Park

• Stages for shows and workshops
• Unique behind-the-scenes tours

Disney California Adventure

• Hyperion Theater
• Backstage access

Walt Disney World Resort

• Innoventions and festival buildings for exhibits & events
• Outdoor American Gardens Theatre stage

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

NEW 2024 Disney World Ticket Offers for Spring and Summer (4 Park 4 Day/3 Park 3 Day Tickets)

• Theater of the Stars
• ABC Commissary stage

Disney Springs

• World-class venues like House of Blues for performances

ESPN Wide World of Sports

• The Arena, HP Field House, Visa Center for workshops & competitions

Disney Resort Hotels

• Grand Floridian Resort orchestra performance stage
• Conference centers for seminars and exhibits

With two fantastic resorts full of state-of-the-art facilities, there are venues and spaces tailored for every Disney Imagination Campus program.

Educational student Disney trips can create lifelong memories for your students. Educational Destinations offers a variety of student Disney trip opportunities. If your students are ready to experience physics principles like kinetic energy and speed at work in Disneyland in Anaheim, California, get an inside look at Disney animation at Walt Disney Studios® Park in Disneyland® Paris, see a Disney Adventure Park through the eyes of a physicist, or experience hands-on workshops, performances and festivals with Disney Imagination Campus, Educational Destinations can make your student Disney trip rewarding and memorable.

Educational destinations is the 1st choice for student disney trips and disney education travel..

Find out why Educational Destinations is the 1st choice in educational student Disney trips

View our 2 minute intro video to see what Educational Destinations can do for your group.

Looking for educational student Disney trips for your group?

At Educational Destinations, each student Disney trip is custom-designed to meet your group's wishes, with no hidden costs. Our company is led by accomplished educators, dedicated to anticipating and exceeding your needs.

Are your students ready to learn from Disney's Environmental Exploration educational program in Hong Kong Disneyland Resort? Excited to explore the history of California's places and events from the gold rush to the Redwood Forests and beyond? Longing to discover how the energies of light and sound come together to create unforgettable attraction experiences? Disney provides an educational destination that glows with fun and adventure. Disney's most popular educational attractions include:

• Properties of Motion Physics Lab
• Marketing the Story of Your Visual Brand
• Exploring the Golden State
• Energy and Waves Physics Lab 101
• Energy and Waves Physics Lab 201
• Environmental Exploration
• Foundations for Career Success
• Creative Storytelling
• Disney's Animation Magic
• Disney's Approach to Leadership and Teamwork
• Disney Culinary Arts
• Designing a Disney Story
• Creating a Leadership Legacy
• Disney Youth Education Series
• Celebrations and Field Trips
• Epcot World Showcase
• Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
• Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream
• Conservation Station
• The American Adventure
• Spaceship Earth
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends
• Psychology Live!
• Computing Live!
• Media Live!
• Business Live!
• Science Live!

Your students will never forget the experience of travel. Couple your trip with an amazing destination that only Disney can deliver, and the adventure becomes a lifelong memory, one that will be passed down to generations. At Educational Destinations, we take the worry out of student travel so that you and your travelers can soak in every incredible moment.

Educational Destinations is led by accomplished, former educators, talented and well versed in designing custom itineraries for your students. We ensure your group travels to and from the destination following local, state and world-wide health recommendations.

With years of experience traveling to Disney destinations around the globe, Educational Destinations provides a plethora of knowledge from past trips utilizing all forms of transportation. But a Disney trip isn’t just about the educational opportunities in one of the parks.

Imagine visiting Omaha Beach in France, just one of the five D-Day landing beaches just before walking in the American Cemetery at Normandy. Picture your group touring the Shanghai Museum, Peoples Square and the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel in China, or discovering the great outdoors at the Oak Canyon Nature Center in Anaheim, California. The options are limitless.

We provide a full-time Tour Director on every trip. You, your parents, school administration and students in the travel party can rest assured that the professional, highly trained and traveled guide will take care of every situation beginning with the departure from your school and ending upon your return after an amazing learning experience.

At Educational Destinations, from initial planning meetings with your trip designer to constant, in person and online support, we are truly with you every step of the way. Contact us today to begin your educational adventure.

Get ready for a magical experience at Disney Resort ! There are numerous educational opportunities for your student group that are both memorable and rewarding.

Disney Imagination Campus aspires to be the leading student enrichment provider for educators who believe that imagination and creativity should be part of every student’s educational experience. It is the Disney Imagination Campus vision to inspire the next generation of creative thinkers and doers. Through a comprehensive collection of performing arts workshops and performance opportunities, Disney Imagination Campus is committed to helping students learn how to apply their imaginations to solve many of the challenges they may face throughout their lifetime – in wildly creative ways. Disney Imagination Campus believes that new perspectives, creative thinking, fearless exploration and unfettered wonder can lead to amazing things. To further explore the options or have one of these educational features added to your next trip, please call 800.616.1112 or request your customized quote from one of our dedicated Travel Designers.

Browse all the Disney Imagination Campus options which include iconic workshops, performances and festivals.

Physics of disney parks ( workshop ).

Locations Available: Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort

Students step into the shoes of Disney Imagineers as they explore how physics principles such as Newton's Laws of Motion, potential and kinetic energy, gravity, and more play in the design and operation of popular theme park attractions.

Open to: Some Grade School, Middle-Junior High and High School

Disneyland® Resort

Get a Quote

Technology of Disney Parks ( Workshop )

From audio-animatronics to light and sound effects, students will work in groups to get an inside look at how our Disney Imagineers dream, design, and use technology to enhance the Guest experience by immersing them in our stories.

Leadership the Disney Way ( Workshop )

Through hands-on learning and problem-solving scenarios, students will experience the real-world application of leadership principles as they interact with Disney leaders and discover their own personal leadership style.

Open to: Some Middle-Junior High and High School

Teamwork the Disney Way ( Workshop )

In this workshop, participants learn the Disney philosophy and strategies behind high performing teams, while experiencing first-hand how collaboration and openness enable teams to overcome obstacles and achieve the ultimate goal...making magic for our Guests every day.

Open to: Middle-Junior High and High School

Theme Park Design ( Workshop )

From visual design elements to practical considerations like Guest flow and maintenance, students will learn the concepts, philosophy and tools necessary to design a working theme park.

Immersive Storytelling ( Workshop )

In this workshop, students will get an inside look at how Disney Imagineers create immersive environments that support the living stories of our theme parks.

Soundtrack Sessions: Instrumental ( Workshop )

During this workshop, students will experience the excitement, focus and fast-paced energy of a professional recording studio environment as they sight-read and work directly with industry professionals to create a truly magical instrumental ensemble piece.

This Disney Performing Arts Workshop is great for: Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, String Orchestra, Full Orchestra and Marching Bands

Soundtrack Sessions: Vocal ( Workshop )

During this workshop, students will experience the excitement, focus and fast-paced energy of a professional recording studio environment as they sight-read and work directly with industry professionals to create a truly magical vocal ensemble piece.

This Disney Performing Arts Workshop is great for: Concert Choir, Mixed Choir, Treble Choir, Men’s Choir, Women’s Choir, Madrigal Choir, Chamber Choir, Jazz Choir, Gospel Choir and Show Choir

Open to: Middle–Junior High and High School

Dance Disney ( Workshop )

Learn what it takes to be a Disney Parks performer by working with professionals from Disney Live Entertainment who will teach choreography and staging techniques from one of the many shows performed at Disney Parks across the world.

This Imagination Campus Event is great for: Dance Team, Drill Team, Cheer, Color Guard and Show Choir

Open to: Grade School, Middle-Junior High and High School

Disney Broadway Magic ( Workshop )

Get an inside look into the fundamentals of musical theater with industry professionals who will lead students through fast-paced rehearsals of a scene from one of Disney’s worldfamous shows.

This Imagination Campus Event is great for: Concert Choir, Mixed Choir, Treble Choir, Men’s Choir, Women’s Choir, Madrigal Choir, Chamber Choir, Jazz Choir, Gospel Choir and Show Choir

Open to: Middle School and High School

Marching Band Performances ( Performance )

Discover the excitement — and the magic — of being in the spotlight on the most magical of stages as you perform for an audience marching down one of our iconic parade routes at a Disney theme park.

This Imagination Campus Event is great for: Marching Bands

Open to: Middle–Junior High, High School and Drum Corps

Instrumental Stage Performances ( Performance )

Participants in this amazing experience will learn what it means to be a professional performer both on and off the stage as they step into the spotlight center stage to dazzle an international audience of Disney park Guests for a once-in- a-lifetime performance.

This Imagination Campus Event is great for: Concert Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, String Orchestra, Full Orchestra

Vocal Stage Performances ( Performance )

This Imagination Campus Event is great for: Concert Choir, Mixed Choir, Treble Choir, Men’s Choir, Women’s Choir, Madrigal Choir, Chamber Choir, Jazz Choir, Gospel Choir, Show Choir

Dance Stage Performances ( Performance )

This Imagination Campus Event is great for: Dance Team, Drill Team, Cheer and Color Guard

Festival Disney Instrumental ( Festival )

Festival Disney is a positive and educationally meaningful music festival for talented middle and high school concert choirs, orchestras and concert bands to spruce up their performance skills, gain a competitive edge and seize the opportunity to explore the Walt Disney World® Resort theme parks.

Locations Available: Walt Disney World® Resort

This Imagination Campus Event is great for: Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, String Orchestra, Full Orchestra and Marching Band

Festival Disney Choral ( Festival )

The Trip Account app is offered to our groups as they travel.

Included in your trip, group leaders, staff, chaperones and travelers will use the information packed, versatile Trip Account App during their travels.

Powerful Director Tools

Interactive Checklists, Pop Up Communications, Emergency Notifications.

Tools for all travelers

Live Itineraries, Group Messaging, Photo Gallery and much more.

Everything you need for your next trip .

The Trip Account app is available for iPhone and Android.

See our difference

It’s no surprise that Educational Destinations sets and exceeds student travel standards. We aim to provide the best service, communication, experience and safety for all of our groups. When researching for your travel provider, please download this PDF checklist HERE to ensure that your group is taking advantage of all of the essential building blocks of a successful, safe, and FUN trip! If you have questions or are ready to get started on your next trip, please call 800.616.1112 or request your customized quote .

Custom Designed Trips

ED will create a custom designed trip for your group that is shaped by your priorities, goals and wishes, and powered by your passions. ED is committed to listening and working one-on-one with you to build the perfect trip for your students. There are no stock trips here - just your trip.

Group Travel Specialists

Led by award-winning teachers, ED exceeds the needs and expectations of students, teaching staff, parents and administrators. ED anticipates group needs and delivers group wishes, without surprises or hidden costs. Our experience and expertise enable us to bring the best quality trips, events, experiences and opportunities to your group.

All-Inclusive Price

ED’s custom trips are cost-effective and inclusive, without hidden costs – a great value for your travelers. Charter coaches, flights, hotels, meals, sightseeing, events, taxes and gratuities are covered for each traveler. A 24/7 Emergency Contact System is included for each traveling group.

Cutting Edge Technology

Through ED's parent company, ED is the only student travel company providing Trip Account , an internet-based program that provides you a complete trip resource center 24 hours a day. Also included in your trip is the Trip Account App: Music Directors, group leaders, staff, chaperones and travelers will use the information packed, versatile Trip Account App during their travels.

Personal Tour Director

A signature feature of every trip is the ED Tour Director , always right by the teacher’s side, managing all travel aspects of your trip: transportation, events, meals, lodging, tickets and more. Our TD’s training and management skills let the teacher focus on the students and education.

Safety is Priority #1

ED is pro-active on safety, sending the Tour Director World Aware® alerts, sharing best practices in travel safety, emergency procedures and travel hints with chaperones and staff, ensuring traveler accountability, monitoring vendor service/performance and tellng travelers of changes or emergencies with the Trip Account App .

Trusted Leader in Travel

ED is an active member of these respected travel suppliers and organizations: Walt Disney World & Disneyland, Universal Orlando, American Bus Association, National Band Association, National Tour Association, Student Youth Travel Association and more. View all ED’s partners and awards here .

Doing the right thing

ED is deeply committed to high quality educational group travel. We love what we do, and we work hard to do it better than everyone. Creating memorable performance trips that leave positive, life-changing impressions on your students and community is a privilege that we don’t take lightly. Please talk to us about your next trip.

Ready to experience the 2024 Solar Eclipse?

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will arc across the southern half of Indiana from southwest to northeast. learn more

Check out our featured STEM destinations.

Encourage your STEM students as they participate in discovery labs, live shows, exhibits and hands-on educational experiences. learn more

Meet the ED Travel Designers

Our team is focused on creating custom trips that provide relevant, memorable and rewarding student travel experiences. learn more

Discover our featured history destinations.

Your students are ready to learn about the American Revolution and how Boston led the nation in fighting... learn more

Explore our our featured art destinations.

How about discovering a feast for the eyes with around 35,000 pieces of artwork at the Louvre... learn more

Check out our featured language immersion destinations.

Your Language Immersion students are ready to embrace the culture of France and participate in... learn more

Discover our featured adventure destinations.

Imagine your students as they kayak along the stunningly scenic coastal route along the Costa Verde in Brazil... learn more

Explore our featured theatre destinations.

Are your theatre students ready to participate in an actual Broadway Musical Theatre Workshop... learn more

Travel with Special Considerations or Dietary Restrictions

When a group is focused on its education, it is easy to overlook issues with accessibility. learn more

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With the world full of fascinating educational destinations, just choosing the perfect spot for your students can present quite a challenge. Here are some of our cleints' must popular top European destinations. learn more

Getting parents involved in your educational trip.

Having parents involved in the program it a vital piece of the puzzle to be successful. learn more

Getting Groups Through Airport Security

Here’s how to get your students through security, smoothly and efficiently. learn more

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Make the most of your ride with these insider tips. learn more

Choosing the right educational student group travel company.

When a student gets to experience to new locations, new cultures and new people with education being the focus, the revelations and the eye-opening impact that develop are priceless. learn more

Disney on Broadway with Educational Destinations.

Breathtaking! Amazing! Phenomenal! These are words you have probably heard time and time again from friends, family, and others when seeing a musical on Broadway. learn more

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Deep vein thrombosis, or deep venous thrombosis, (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) within a deep vein, predominantly in the legs... learn more

Fund Raising for your educational student trip.

Time for some heavy lifting. Before your trip becomes a reality, some homework has to be done. Don’t worry, Educational Destinations is here to help... learn more

See why teachers are excited about Educational Destinations...

Hear from our valued clients throughout the world.

Since 1987, Educational Destinations, led by passionate, award-winning teachers, has become the first choice for educational student group travel. By listening to teachers, providing cutting edge technology and unmatched service, and having dedicated ED Tour Directors conduct trips, Educational Destinations has built an unmatched reputation. Focused on designing custom trips that provide educational, memorable, and rewarding student travel experiences, Educational Destinations successfully partners with customers to do just that, in destinations within the United States and worldwide. Decades of combined travel expertise, earned in dozens of countries, enables Educational Destinations to anticipate performance needs and deliver group wishes, without surprises or hidden costs.

I wanted to write and tell you what a terrific job you did with our trip. I’ve been traveling since 1980 and this was the easiest trip ever for me. I simply had to do nothing but teach! It’s hard to believe it’s taken me this long to get it right, slow learner! The students and parents have had nothing to say but wonderful things…

Nan Moore Male High School

You have been so wonderful with our parents and students throughout the entire course of this tour. I am so glad we signed on with Music Travel Consultants/Educational Destinations as you gave our group the red carpet treatment every step of the way.

Janis Stackhouse Bloomington High School North

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Disneyland Virtual Field Trip

• End of the Year , Distance Learning , Disney

Take your students on a virtual field trip this school year to the one and only Disneyland with these teacher-approved videos. No need to be stuck inside the classroom or home when you can provide your students the experience of traveling to Disneyland! Keep reading to find out how!

Disneyland is one of our favorite places to visit as a family and so it is only fitting we help teachers have a virtual field trip there. In this article, we will load you up with videos to visit Disneyland with your students. Many videos are long, so we suggest you show the parts you love the most!

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Please note, we did our best to find videos with little background noise but you are at a crowded theme park. Please let us know if you find or hear anything that should be replaced. Thanks.

The Hub at Disneyland. This is a tour around the center of Disneyland. Here you can access most lands, see the Walt and Mickey statue, and see the castle. If you have been to Disneyland before, this video captures the sights, the sounds, and feeling perfectly! (You may want to skip in about 20 seconds or so). *

We always go to Tomorrowland first. This video walks you down the walkway and shows you everything. The sounds in this one is great because it has everything from the Astro Orbiter announcement to the music over by Space Mountain! *

Our first ride is almost always Astro Orbiter! This is a super quick video that your students will enjoy! *

Next is Astro Blasters. This is a fun ride because many students know the movie, Toy Story. *

Are you ready to ride SPACE MOUNTAIN? This 3 and half minute video walks you through the last section of the line and takes you on the ride! Hold on, friends! *

Now we are off for a drive! Buckle up and have fun at Autopia! *

Straight off of Autopia and onto Finding Nemo! Another great ride because students know the storyline. *

And now we are off to the Matterhorn! This fun filled bobsled ride will have you sitting on the edge of your seat! *

From there we grab some popcorn at the cart right outside the exit and head back to It’s a Small World – one of my FAVORITE rides. Try not to ride this one with a smile and sing! *

Now we are off to Toon Town! We usually go straight to Mickey’s house so we can say hi to him and Pluto! *

Right from the exit we head to Gadget’s Go Coaster! This is fun for all ages! *

From there we usually head to Main Street for Lunch. It’s a great break in the day to sit and relax and also puts us in the right spot to enter Fantasy Land through the Sleeping Beauties Castle! *

Another classic – Peter Pan’s Flight! Off to NEVERLAND we GOOOOO! *

Now it’s time for the Mad Hatter’s Teacups! Hold on tight and we hope everyone has a very merry unbirthday! (Watching this makes me sick). *

Next it’s over to the Dumbo the Flying Elephant – a Disney classic! *

And now we are off to Frontierland! Here is a tour of that whole part of the park! *

Our favorite ride in the whole park – Thunder Mountain! Look for the snake and the goat! *

And we are off to Adventure Land! *

Our first stop is ALWAYS a Dole Whip and the Tiki Room! *

Off the the Jungle Cruise. Just use cautious with this one as they use weird humor on this ride. <3

Next is Indiana Jones. This is a FUN ride that many of your students may not have been on because of height requirements! *

Now to Pirates of the Caribbean at New Orleans Square. Another ride to use caution with just because of the theme. *

And we are off to the Haunted Mansion. Another ride you will want to think about showing because of the theme of ghosts and whatnot. Still a fun ride and you can even find the holiday version on YouTube. *

As we continue on the path, we end up at Winnie the Pooh ride at Critter Country! *

Are you ready for Splash Mountain? Do you want to get wet? Will you wear anything to keep you dry? Will you be scared? *

One last land – Galaxy’s Edge! Here is a complete walkthrough with all the sights and sounds. *

This is a fun ride because you take part in it. If you are the driver and you turn left, the ride feels like it is going left! if you are the gunner, you shoot the guns on the Millennial Falcon. Watch to the very end and get to see Chewbacca too! *

I have not personally been on Rise of the Resistance just yet, but it LOOKS amazing. It’s all new technology for Disneyland and I can’t wait to go on it. Maybe some of your students have been on it? *

But you cannot visit Disneyland without taking in some parades! Here are a few of our favorites over the years!

Magic Happens Parade (8:15). This parade features many classic favorites as well as Moana, Coco, and Frozen 2 (and a Frozen classic too). THIS IS MY FAVORITE VIDEO on the whole page! This is a must show! *

This is one of my favorite parades – Mickey’s Soundsational Parade (29:59). This parade also includes Lion King, Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins and More. *

And at the end of the day, we watch Fantasmic and/or Fireworks!

If you are lucky enough to get tickets, Fantasmic is a great end of the evening show that combines water, lasers, and fireworks.

If you have not experienced fireworks at Disneyland, you are in for a treat! *

There are also some GREAT videos that show so much of Disneyland in one video.

This video is about 6 minutes and shows all of the MUST SEE things quickly.

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Disneyland ® Resort Band

Inspire magic at "the happiest place on Earth!" Disney Performing Arts workshops connect band and orchestra students to the world of professional artists. Enjoy the performance of a lifetime taking the stage for resort visitors from around the world, and spend free time exploring Disneyland Park ® and Disney California Adventure ® Park.

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The whole trip was wonderful. The workshops and performances were great, the kids loved spending time in the parks… Honestly, it was an amazing trip!

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Imagineering Part of New Disney AI Task Force

Disney has created an artificial intelligence “task force” to study how AI can be applied across the company, everywhere from the studios to Walt Disney World and Disneyland. This post shares the reporting about how Imagineering will work on implementing AI in the theme parks, plus our commentary about its future (or lack thereof).

According to reporting by Reuters , Disney’s AI task force was launched earlier this year, before the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes started and those unions began battling to limit the industry’s exploitation of the technology. Disney’s artificial intelligence group is looking to develop AI applications in-house as well as form partnerships with startups, according to Reuters.

Disney has 11 current job openings seeking candidates with expertise in artificial intelligence or machine learning. The positions span a range of positions within the company, from Walt Disney Studios to television and advertising teams to Walt Disney Imagineering.

One member of the task force told Reuters legacy media companies like Disney “must either figure out AI or risk obsolescence.” This AI advocate sees AI as one tool to help control the soaring costs of movie and television production–recent Disney movies and Disney+ series from this summer have been costly bombs thanks to price tags of $200-$300 million. Cost savings would be realized over time, the person said.

At Walt Disney World and Disneyland, AI could enhance customer support or create novel interactions, sources told Reuters. One former Imagineer pointed to Project Kiwi, which used machine-learning techniques to create Baby Groot, a small, free-roaming robot that mimics the character’s movements and personality. Someday, Baby Groot will interact with guests, allegedly.

Last year, Walt Disney Imagineering unveiled the company’s first initiatives in an AI-driven character experience, the D3-09 concierge cabin droid in the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. This droid answered questions on a video screen, and engaged in conversations with guests, told bedtime stories, etc. It’s actually really cool.

“Not only is [D3-09] a great character to interact with and always available in your cabin, which I think is very cool, behind the scenes, it’s a very cool piece of technology,” Imagineering executive Scott Trowbridge said about the droid. It’s perhaps worth noting that D3-09 exists in the setting of 100 cabins aboard the Halcyon. It’s also worth noting that Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is permanently closing soon.

D3-09 isn’t the only in-room companion that Walt Disney World has debuted. “Hey Disney!” was first announced a few years ago, and is now in select hotel rooms around various resorts. If I had to gauge the general consensus towards this, I’d call it one of indifference. The most passionate responses have been ones along the lines of “I’m unplugging that thing the second I step foot in the room and locking it in the safe.” I’ve yet to encounter the unicorns who are truly excited about Hey Disney! (If that’s you, by all means, sound off in the comments.)

Disney has been careful about how it discusses artificial intelligence in public. This is likely in large part because AI has become a powder keg in Hollywood, where writers and actors view it as an existential threat to jobs. AI is also a central issue in contract negotiations with the Screen Actors Guild and the Writers Guild of America, both of which are on strike.

It’s also possible that artificial intelligence is not viewed favorably by the general public. We’ve all seen the documentaries about AI, including but not limited to such masterpieces as Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day , as well as Wall-E . I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen a movie touting the triumphs of our AI overlords!

Frankly, I don’t think I’ve seen any movies that suggest AI will bring about “obsolescence” for Hollywood. One example cited in Reuters is the work that went into de-aging Harrison Ford in the new Indiana Jones movie. Is that really a good example? Honest question. I haven’t seen this Indiana Jones sequel, but every movie I’ve watched where they’ve de-aged or digitally re-created deceased actors is a cautionary tale and should have been a lesson in things not to do.

Turning to commentary, we’ll start with a periodic reminder:  Disney is not a tech company . As a consumer that does business with Disney, you probably need not be reminded of this. Your personal experiences with Disney are proof positive of this.

Mainstream reporters who, presumably, do not do business with Disney do need this reminder. This group often cites the company’s innovations from, like, four decades ago or longer coupled with statements from Disney about its bold ambitions. It’s thus unsurprising that journalists who don’t have firsthand knowledge to the contrary conclude, yeah, maybe Disney is a tech company!

The problem with this line of thinking is that it falls apart under any degree of scrutiny or experience with the tech made by the company. Try to purchase Oogie Boogie Bash tickets the day they go on sale, book and plan a trip via DisneyWorld.com, or use the My Disney Experience app for a day. You’ll be disabused of the notion that Disney is a tech company quite quickly!

Then there are the grandiose plans for the future that have already been abandoned or failed. Last spring, Disney started selling NFTs. If you’ve read anything about the market for digital collectibles since, you probably know how that went. Around that same time, dearly-departed CEO Bob Chapek created a new metaverse division. Less than a year ago, Chapek announced plans for an Amazon Prime-Style Membership Program.

For those keeping score at home, all of this went exactly nowhere. Disney eliminated its next-generation storytelling and consumer experiences unit, the small division that was developing metaverse strategies and the membership program during its layoff of 7,000 employees this spring. For our part, we were highly critical of these initiatives when first announced ( here and here ). In a nutshell: “I think NFTs are stupid and the metaverse is big tech ‘trying to make fetch happen.’”

This is to say nothing of Disney’s many failed attempts at launching video game studios or the NextGen initiative or Go.com or other things I’m probably forgetting. The money lost on Disney’s past tech follies would probably pay for the Hulu acquisition.

Since this blog has already offered unsolicited commentary about NFTs and the metaverse, I feel obliged to do the same about Artificial Intelligence in general and unrelated to Disney’s interest. This is decidedly different from NFTs or the metaverse or crypto ( sorry, crypto maximalists, but it’s a Ponzi scheme). When it comes to AI, there’s some there there .

That much should be obvious, since AI is nothing new and there have been practical, real world applications of AI for years. It’s only seeing increased interest as consumer applications like ChatGPT and Midjourney have garnered headlines. There’s been a lot of froth about AI as a result, along with skepticism since it’s coming from some of the same people who previously promised that NFTs, cryptocurrency, and the metaverse were the next big things.

I’ve seen what generative AI is capable of doing, and I’m both impressed and, frankly, a little scared. However, I also remember several years ago when self-driving technology was the boogeyman that was going to destroy jobs. Instead, there’s a shortage of truck drivers that’s only likely to worsen in the coming decade . Ironically, the common quip then was “learn to code” and that’s an industry that could now be gutted by generative AI.

The fear now is that AI will destroy the arts & humanities, plus whatever Disney Tourist Blog is classified as. Consider me unfazed…sentiment that will possibly age very poorly when a robot takes my job and then kills me, Skynet style . Again, I think AI has disruptive potential. But get back to me when the robots are willing to get up at 5:45 am on a day with 115 degree feels like temperatures in Florida to “research” rope drop at Magic Kingdom. I’ve yet to meet a robot with the temperment to withstand the SDMT Shuffle.

The point is that there’s a tremendous amount of fearmongering, doom & gloom, and so forth for what’s still unknown and unproven about AI. After making tremendous strides over the course of only a few years, video game graphics and CGI haven’t gotten noticeably better (in my opinion) in the last decade-plus, nor have they been able to overcome the uncanny valley.

I suspect the story will be similar once the initial excitement about AI wears off. Or perhaps I’ll be wrong, and my robot-written obituary will express vindication that the T-800 took me out.

But this is neither here nor there when it comes to Disney and its nascent AI division. The good, bad and ugly that artificial intelligence eventually unleashes upon humanity will not be thanks to the Walt Disney Company. Of that much, I am certain. I do think it’s possible that the studios could come up with a way to lower production costs. (One might argue that all of Disney’s paint-by-numbers live action remakes, sequels, and reboots already don’t involve much human creativity or emotion.)

It also wouldn’t surprise me if Walt Disney Imagineering is able to produce a neat prototype of…I dunno, something… using Artificial Intelligence. In fairness, WDI has already done cool stuff with robots recently. Imagineering made that one dummy they could fling through the air in an awesome way, and that’s now the Spider-Man that flies over Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure.

Then there’s the Judy Hopps bunny robot (as we’ve taken to call it) that pushes the boundaries of what characters can do in Disney experiences and marks the next step forward for Imagineer’s robotic advancements. It can make dynamic maneuvers, including falling down and getting back up, as well as a somersault. The video of this robot rabbit looks rad.

There’s also the aforementioned Project Kiwi that was first unveiled a few years ago. There was a young Groot playtest at Disney California Adventure for select guests in June; that vanished after less than a week, but maybe Imagineering is getting it ready for the general public.

Or perhaps not. Imagineering has been working on things like the Living Character Initiative for over a decade, and many of the in-park appearances have been short-lived or never made it out of the playtest phase. There’s probably a reason (or many) for that. These creations are costly, labor-intensive (by robot standards), and probably better suited for demos than daily use.

To that point, we’ve seen playtesting videos of droids intended for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The abuse those more robust creations took from kids made it seem unlikely anything like this could ever make autonomous in-park appearances. So while I absolutely believe these robots or AI or whatever has a future in the parks, the idealistic vision for the “entirety of the park being a live transportive experience” is going to run into the hard realities of costs, behavior, and scale.

Not only that, but the NextGen initiative began with a similar promise as this new AI task force. Characters were going to greet us by name, Cast Members would wish happy birthday out of nowhere, and the whole park experience would be personalized around technology. Does anyone remember any of that? Of course not, because it didn’t happen. We got MagicBands and a few interactive queues, almost all of which are now gone a decade later.

For me at least, the magic with a lot of this technology wears off once actually exposed to it in person, rather than just watching a quick video clip. Despite being really impressed with the exoskeleton technology in videos and on-stage at the D23 Expo, the Hulk Quantum Suit meet & greet fell flat for us.

I get that Hulk’s skin is probably difficult or impossible to do, but putting him in the Quantum Suit just doesn’t work. On top of that, there’s also no emotion and his movements are cumbersome and labored. An otherwise non-verbal and furry alien creature in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge might’ve been the better option for this first in-park test. It’ll be interesting to see if there’s a next generation of the exoskeleton, or if that’s more abandoned tech.

This is just one example. The talking Mickey Mouse and friends meet & greets are a similar story–really cool as a tech demo, but not something that “works” as well in person as you might expect. (Which might be part of why meet & greets were abandoned years ago and show no signs of returning!)

I’m not trying to be a negative nelly here. I’m just being a realist as someone who has been around the block with technology that has shown tremendous promise, and yet, has never seen the light of day publicly. With that said, here’s the positive: these tech tests and robots created by the brilliant minds at Imagineering are the kind of thing that makes me proud to be a Disney fan.

The creativity of Imagineering is endlessly inspiring, and those types of innovations are proof positive that they’re good stewards of Walt Disney’s legacy. Seeing the Imagineers flex their creative muscles is awesome. I assume the same will be true of artificial intelligence, so long as Imagineering uses its powers for good ( more robot rabbits! ) rather than evil ( no T-800s! ).

That WDI is on the bleeding edge of these developments is, in and of itself, pretty cool. Someday, we will see some version of this technology at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. It may be adapted or modified significantly as past tech has been as compared to their R&D counterparts, but it’ll still be mind-blowing. As I keep saying, I’m optimistic about the next generation of additions–stuff like this is a big reason why!

It’s easy to be cynical about how or when artificial intelligence will (or won’t) come to fruition in the parks due to budgetary or behavioral limitations. That’s a fair point, especially as we have seen a lot of research and design projects over the years that haven’t really gone anywhere.

However, it’s impossible to say how past play tests have yielded tech and other results and been integrated into other guest-facing projects that may seem, at least on the surface, totally unrelated to the teased R&D.

Ultimately, it’s possible that the fruits of this will be on full display during the upcoming development cycle at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Imagineering seems to have exited the awkward transitional phase of Audio Animatronics (projected faces) with the technology finally catching up to their ambitions.

I’m very eager to see how this comes to fruition, with Imagineering combining the potential of artificial intelligence with robot rabbits to create an awesome Zootopia land (or something like that). Now, let’s just hope the WDI teams have the good sense not to use these technologies to create a new dinosaur land. We’ve seen that movie before, and already know how it ends. “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should.”

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YOUR THOUGHTS

What do you think of the Disney creating an artificial intelligence task force? Think Imagineering will be able to leverage this in the robot rabbit and other characters it’s been creating recently, or will this be another ‘Hey Disney’ or NextGen initiative? Are you impressed, underwhelmed, or terrified by AI? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

If AI can fix the Mt. Everest Yeti…

Q: Disney AI, Should Impressions de France return to EPCOT during normal park hours? A: Yes!

Okay, I’m sold. I now welcome our new AI overlords!

As an engineer, I’m obligated to be excited about AI and…really, it’s pretty neat. I also saw the Indiana Jones movie and have to admit it was very decently done, though I spent the entire time distracted by how old Harrison Ford *sounded* versus how young he *looked.* However, I’m not that sure that Hollywood needs to be in as much fear as they are. Like any new disruptive technology, this is going to cause change. But TV didn’t stop us from reading books or going to the theater – the experience and the way we do that just looks different than it used to. I don’t see public appetites suddenly switching to wanting to watch an all-AI cast all the time. There will likely be a novelty the first time it’s done, then a bunch of copycats, and then we’ll absorb it into our diet alongside traditional casts because they’re human and we connect with them better. Same with the use of AI for many of the other jobs in film. DSLR’s removed the need to go into the red room to develop photographs, and it hasn’t stopped photography as an art…OR stopped traditional developers from being able to produce unique works either. I’m waiting until we see more in the parks, though. I still recall having a conversation with a cast member at the entrance to Star Tours in 2020, when I was wearing a Darth Vader dress and mask. Then, as I went past the bio-scanner…there was my name along with a Darth Vader quote beneath it. That was a magic moment that stayed with me!

very well said. I’ve worked in the film industry for years-albeit not smack dab in Hollywood, but across the country. I don’t see studio’s doing away with actors, so the AI portion of the scare I don’t see. As a movie goer, I’m not even interested in seeing such things except in the mini forms that have been mentioned such as “Jones”, “Terminator” and such. I do, and have seen, the issues with films going to streaming and not to the theatres. That has been a real issue as contracts are not holding the studios up to the same standards of living for the artists and other ‘above the line’ players.

With regard to Harrison Ford, that’s how I felt about the Irishman. The characters looked young, but moved “old.”

Great points otherwise how fearmongering ultimately died down and people adapted. As for photography, I even remember when professional photographers were worried about the internet and digital files destroying their print sales. That’s probably true, but it created tremendous opportunities for others! Ahem .

I think you’re probably too new to the WDW scene to have experienced NextGen at its height, but there was a lot that was tested or teased like what you mention at the end. A lot of bad or unrealistic ideas, but many that would’ve been really cool and a great way of personalizing the guest experience. Still not clear why all of that was pretty much abandoned.

Thank you Patsy and Tom! I happened to be very close to two photographers during the big DSLR changeover – one of whom worked at a camera shop and constantly had to explain that yes, the DSLRs would work with the old lenses and capture the same quality, etc. We definitely saw the fall of some empires at that time (Kodiak comes to mind), but we usually do see that along with major technological shifts. I similarly expect we’ll get some tumbling media giants in the next decade or so, but we might also get some fresh blood and some new perspectives and content that we can’t even imagine right now. ((For instance, AI ‘actors’ seem like they’d be really handy for kids shows that use cartoons / CGI – it doesn’t have to replace a human!)) I have checked the bioscanner every time since then, and nothing so cool as that has ever appeared since. I can’t even figure out how it was done in the first place! But I wish I’d have found that cast member and said something so they knew how appreciative I was, and would keep doing it…

My feelings on Hey Disney have run the gamut. I was–and still am–excited to request extra towels in my hotel room at the Poly this month, but I hope it’s a lot more functional and interesting than the Hey Disney subscription for my home Alexa devices. I signed up for the year, but am quite disappointed. the characters that interact with you are not top tier and are quite repetitive. my timers are always Dory, Groot, or Fozzie. My alarms are not much better. The stories it will tell you are like bad Disney fan fiction for kids, all linked to new movies, not the classics. I won’t be renewing.

I’m far more excited about the next generation of Audio-Animatronics (and more of the current one) than I am about AI in the parks, unless that happens to be what’s preventing the increased use of drones, maybe.

(I do have a very silly idea to create an AI model that tells Disney when to spend more money on IT resources, so they can say that AI solved their Day 1 Launch problems. That would be boring, and perhaps stupid, but it would give them an out to spend money to fix a worsening problem.)

As for your mention of Indiana Jones-the young Harrison Ford was amazing. Even more amazing to think how good it looked on a huge screen. At first I was shocked at how wonderful he looked, but then I would expect nothing less of Industrial Light and Magic. They have been the forerunner of what we now call CGI among other things.

It’s disheartening to read all the things Disney has started and abandoned-good, bad or indifferent. Walt and Roy must be rolling over at all the wasted funds and time. I’m amazed at all the things you have mentioned and yet they don’t bother to update the Animatronics in The Jungle Cruise. I know they have made some changes over the decades but the animals still have the stiff movements of a half a century ago. I still love the ride, but come on. They have made so much progress in this field and yet don’t use it across the board.

Thanks for keeping us informed.

Thanks for the feedback on de-aged Indiana Jones!

When I first heard of this, the first things that came to mind were two instances of this from recent Star Wars series/movies (won’t mention to avoid major spoilers) where one character was de-aged and another actor was brought back to life. Both were so noticeable that they totally took me out of the show/film.

I felt the same way about the Irishman. Technically very impressive at first, but it became obvious that it was a bunch of old dudes once the action began and they moved like old dudes.

Suddenly just flashed on a vision of an AI Walt Disney strolling the parks! My son is a writer and producer in LA. They are terrified by what they have heard is coming.

I agree with you 100% that unlike the metaverse, nft’s and crypto (excellent podcast dissecting the crypto scam here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-say-no-to-crypto-with-ben-mckenzie/id1647085571?i=1000622045861 ), there is something there with AI. That being said, I think Disney would benefit the most from using AI to solve some real problems that are decidedly less cool. For example, beefing up their customer support apparatus with AI would probably yield a lot more ROI than whatever half baked scheme they end up pursuing. By the way- was roped into seeing the newest Indiana Jones with my son. The opening part with the de-aged Harrison Ford was pretty wild, and well done (in my humble opinion).

If you enjoy that, I would highly recommend this episode of Odd Lots with Sam Bankman-Fried and Matt Levine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZYqL79GDXU

Or just skip to the ~21 minute mark for SBF’s explanation of the ‘magic box.’

Separately, Levine’s Crypto Story is excellent: https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2022-the-crypto-story/

It must have taken incredible amounts of AI technology to master Baby Groot’s vocabulary. 🙂

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Disneyland before they invented Disney! - Saint Basil's Cathedral

• Europe    
• Russia    
• Central Russia    
• Moscow    
• Moscow - Things to Do    
• Saint Basil's Cathedral

Standing in Red Square for the first time, absorbing its vast size and grandeur, is truly... read more

What an amazing experience, it is more beautiful then the seeing in videos and pictures of others... read more

Disneyland before they invented Disney!

Religious buldings in a fairy tale style. Beautiful, colorful day and night! Amazing it has survived, but it must have been rebuild a few times I am sure. Conveniently located just accross the place where they used to chop of your head ....And quickly say a prayer I guess...

Well worth seeing, about £5 each to view. Displays beautifully designed. For me the painted walls and ceilings were wonderful and breathtaking in their vibrancy. Please watch out for the little steps up and down when you are looking up in amazement!

An intimate cathedral quite unlike the Western European ones. Beautiful. Much better than the ones inside the Moscow Kremlin. If you only want to see one, this is it.

The Cathedral has beautiful architecture that is unlike anything I have visited. There is no large room but many smaller chapels. There was a group on the second level singing that really added to the experience. There were many wedding parties all around the Cathedral on the Saturday that we visited.

Postcard-perfect. I was surprised that there was no really large gathering space, just lots of relatively small chapels. That being said, the chapels had some beautiful displays, especially the icons, along with some artifacts that have been found during various restorations. A must-see if you are in Moscow.

Inside the cathedral, it is labyrinth of alleys.It was extraordinary to see hatai designs on the ceilings, which was always attributed as a Ottoman period artistry.For disabled it is not advisory, also with child it is very hard. There are too many stairs to climb. Very limitted information is given in english.