This is the media credential badge for the very first Disney press event I ever covered - Walt Disney World's 15th anniversary in 1986.  Since that time, covering Disney has become a specialty of mine.  I have reported from literally dozens of Disney media events, including: 

  • The launching of the Disney Cruise Line
  • Walt Disney World's "100 Years Of Magic" birthday celebration
  • The Grand Opening of the Disney Institute (Hear an interview with Michael Eisner here)
  • The Grand Opening of Disney's Animal Kingdom
  • Walt Disney World's 15th, 20th and 25th Anniversary Celebrations
  • The World Premiere of Touchstone Pictures' "Pearl Harbor"
  • The Grand Openings of Test Track, Soarin', Mission: Space, Expedition: Everest, Rock N' Roller Coaster and many other Disney attractions.                                                         

                                                                                                  

I have spent years making and maintaining Disney contacts in both California and Florida, and I have interviewed many of Disney's top creative and corporate executives, including CEOs Michael Eisner and Bob Iger, Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo, Imagineering legend Marty Sklar and Vice Chairman Roy Disney, among others.                                              

My knowledge of Disney and background as a D.C. area reporter collided when Disney proposed building a resort and theme park about 30 miles west of Washington.  My series, American History - The Disney Version (listen to a segment of the series here), was honored with broadcasting's equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize, the duPont/Columbia University Silver Baton, as reported by both the Washington Post and Washington Times. 

Eventually, my name became somewhat synonymous with Disney in the DC area, and WTTG, the Fox TV affiliate in town, did a feature on me in my basement!                                                            

                                                                          

Finally - it should be noted that for nearly half of my career at WMAL, I actually WAS a Disney employee.  WMAL was owned by Capital Cities/ABC, which Disney purchased in early 1996.  I remained a Disney employee from 1996 until June of 2007, when Disney sold off its ABC Radio stations to Citadel Communications.  In 2004, I was fortunate to receive a 20-year Disney Cast Member pin and gold ring to mark my 20-year anniversary with WMAL.