Beyond the Castle: A Guide to Discovering Your Happily Ever After

by Jody Jean Dreyer, Stacy L. Windahl (With), Glen Keane (Foreword by)

Overview

Jody Jean Dreyer worked for the Walt Disney Company for 30 years and in Beyond the Castle she shares one-of-a-kind stories and insights into what sets the Disney experience apart, as well as secrets to help you discover your own "happily ever after."

When the credits roll and you've left the park, when your Disney day is over, how do you take the magic with you into your everyday work and life?

The wish for happy endings is written in our hearts. Every park guest or movie watcher is looking for their own "happily ever after," as they ask the questions: What’s my story? Does it matter? Will the story end well for me? Jody's personal experiences and her underpinning faith help her to offer practical and sometimes unexpected principles to better appreciate and navigate our own stories.

Now updated with a discussion guide for individual and group study, you can open the doors and peek inside the castle – and more, to unlock and illuminate life's true treasure.

Beginning with her first position as a summer intern at Walt Disney World, through her role leading synergy and special projects for Disney (reporting to former CEO Michael Eisner), to her work with top leadership at Walt Disney Motion Pictures sharing the magic of Disney films around the world, Jody's entertaining storytelling unpacks secrets that can change the way we understand ourselves, our work and relationships, and how we can find our own path to happiness. You will read her stories about working with Walt's nephew, Roy E. Disney, her front-line role in the opening of theme parks around the world and her own journey to discovering how to bring some Disney magic into every day.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780310356257
Publisher:	Zondervan
Publication date:	05/07/2019
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

A 30-year Disney veteran, Jody Jean Dreyer was a member of Disney senior corporate staff. She led worldwide synergy, headed Disney’s global outreach initiatives, and held various marketing positions in both the theme park and motion picture units. Among many projects, she performed a major role in the grand opening of Disneyland Paris. In 1986, she traveled the world as the Walt Disney World Ambassador. She met her husband, John, former head of Disney’s Corporate Communications, at the Disney company Christmas party. They have been married 25 years and live in South Carolina. Follow Jody at Jody Jean.com.

Stacy Windahl, a Phi Beta Kappa economics major with an MBA made a right turn out of corporate marketing to freelance writing. For 16 years she has worked with Young Life Communications. She writes from her home in Bay Village, Ohio, along the Lake Erie shore where she and her family celebrate all things Cleveland. Stacy and Jody share a love of Young Life, pixie dust and happy endings. Read more at Stacy Windahl.com

Table of Contents

PART ONE: ONCE UPON A TIME
Chapter 1: A Magical Family Vacation
Chapter 2: Boardrooms and Tiaras
Chapter 3: Is your Beast a Prince?
Chapter 4: Tell Your Story

PART TWO: KINGS AND KINGDOMS
Chapter 5: Characters
Chapter 6: TEAM
Chapter 7: Castle Guests
Chapter 8: Beauty Below

PART THREE: IN A LAND FAR, FAR AWAY
Chapter 9: Enjoy the Ride
Chapter 10: Stuck in the Tower
Chapter 11: Ambassador of Goodwill
Chapter 12: Don’t Forget the Fireworks

EPILOGUE: HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Editorial Reviews

I first met Jody when she was working for Michael Eisner in charge of the company’s synergy. I was an artist and not used to chumming around Disney executives. But Jody in her own natural way made me feel at ease and relaxed. She exemplified that homespun, Disney quality. There is a certain ‘pixie dust’ magic to her. As I read Jody's words I find that same magic of belief in what she says … she lived it, loved it and believed in it and now is sharing that with others.

Glen Keane Disney Legend

I had a great time reading Jody’s book on her time at Disney as I have been to many of the same places and events that she attended. She went well beyond recounting her experiences though, adding many layers of texture on the how and the why of Disney storytelling. Yet Jody knows the golden rule in this business: If you knew how the trick was done, it wouldn’t be any fun anymore. At the end of the journey, she is simply in awe of the magic just as we all are, even today. Thank you, Jody, for taking us along on that journey.

grandnephew of Walt Disney ROY P. DISNEY

Jody may be the most organized, focused person I’ve ever met, and she has excelled in every job she’s held at the company. No one better embodies the Disney spirit.

former chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company MICHAEL D. EISNER

If Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse had a baby, it would be Jody Dreyer.

DICK COOK

I’m a huge believer in good storytelling. And as a fellow Disney fanatic I'm really excited to see the impact of this great read!

KATE VOEGELE

Jody Dreyer pulls the curtain back to reveal the inner workings of one of the most fascinating and successful companies on Earth. Beyond the Castle offers incredible insight for Disney fans and business professionals alike who will relish this peek inside the magic kingdom from Jody’s unique perspective.

DON HAHN

That's the real fun of reading Beyond the Castle, given the 30 years that she worked to The Walt Disney Company, Jody Dreyer has the sorts of behind-the-scenes stories that you'll never ever hear from anyone else.

Huffington Post Contributor Jim Hill