What the Church Can Learn From Disney World

This week my family has been enjoying some memory-making time at “Mickey’s Castle” (as my three-year-old calls it). Since I’m technically on vacation, I’ll keep this short. Here are seven things the church can learn from Disney World:

1. Their experience begins in the parking lot. Walt intentionally made the parking lot of Magic Kingdom far away from the park itself because he wanted everyone to experience the magic of the entrance to his park on a monorail. How can churches create a lasting impression, even from the parking lot? 

2. Their space flows beautifully. As simple as it sounds, it’s easy to get from one place to the next. Too many churches are laid out like a toddler drew the floor plans. Blind curves, choke points and poor flow make it a difficult experience for families going to church. Where are the choke points on your church grounds?

3. They don’t just provide rides, they provide an experience. Six Flags gives you a ride. Disney World gives you an experience. Even when you’re waiting in line, you’re immersed into the world of the ride. How can your church services touch all five senses?

4. They capture your imagination from the beginning. Their creativity is legendary. What we accept as standard now for Disney was pacesetting when it first came out. Everything they do is centered on immersing you in a new world, one that they’ve created. How can our worship services better capture the imagination of our worshippers?

5. They always provide a clean, well-kept space. It’s amazing to think that in a park that houses up to 75,000 people a day, it always looks clean and well-kept. They work incredibly hard to make that happen, because they know that every day they’re making a new first impression. When’s the last time you’ve walked through your church space with a fresh set of eyes? What needs cleaning up?

6. They always do something over the top. Disney is known for doing something unexpected, something over the top. The nightly “Wishes” firework display at Magic Kingdom is a great example. They always do something that blows your mind a little that makes you think, “how did they do that?” What can your church do (like creating a welcoming environment) that’s over the top?

7. They greet you on the way out. This still amazes me. After they’ve gotten your money, they still greet you on they way out. They want to make sure your entire experience is exceptional, from beginning to end. How can your church greet people on the way out?

There’s a bunch more things that could translate, but seven’s enough for now. Have a great rest of the week! I’ll be conquering Space Mountain today with my five-year-old.