What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the phrase? Disney holidays? Giant Christmas trees, green and red Mickey-shaped candies, festive costumes and entertainment?
What about the thematic content of the My Disney Experience and Disneyland Resort apps, such as decorative and creative illustrations, interviews with Disney legends about the holiday season, curiosity series, and more?
Elijah Bates, senior editor of digital stories, has been working to bring the magic of the holiday to guests at home or in the park through Disney’s mobile apps over the past few months, along with his Disney teammates. Parks, Experiences and Products Technology & Digital, Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort operating teams, and countless other business partners.
“I’m really excited to see artists and animators teaming up for these holiday pieces every year, because the entire content production team is very talented. They really bring that first-class Disney quality to the content of our mobile apps. “I know that all of our guests will appreciate the lens they have given to the various cultural celebrations that take place at this time of year,” Elijah said.
Elijah and his colleagues are passionate about inclusion and representation being the cornerstones of their work. To ensure that all the stories told celebrate diversity, fairness and inclusion, Elijah and his team brainstorm with the Stories Matter board. This diverse cast group serves as the team’s advisors and helps ensure that stories and content accurately represent our global audience.
After connecting with the partners of the resort and the Matter Stories department, Elijah and his team set to work devising, drawing scripts, and conceptualizing what stories to tell, what visual style to use, and what fun elements can be incorporated. . Accessibility is another important factor, so the team includes audio and subtitles in the videos to ensure that the content of the applications can be consumed by the widest possible audience.
“We really see ourselves as an opportunity to tell a story that everyone can enjoy and share. A key step for our team is to make sure we are showing the love and respect that everyone deserves, especially because it comes from a brand with which they are likely to have an emotional connection, ”Elijah said.
All the time spent brainstorming, working with partners, creating scripts, developing and solving problems is worthwhile as Elijah and his team achieve their ultimate goal: to bring the holiday happiness to all. our guests, whether they are in the park or at home.
“We hope that the work we are doing will help people to celebrate the holidays. We just want to be part of the holiday experience of the guests and enrich it in the way that we can, ”Elijah said.
The next time you scroll through the My Disney Experience or Disneyland Resort app and see some fun artwork or a great creative piece, you’ll know that Elijah and his teammates were sharing the content!
