Over the Christmas holiday, my family and I traveled to Walt Disney World to celebrate the season and experience the magic. It had been over 8 years since I last visited, but the Disney experience was every bit as magical as I remembered.

Growing up, Disney held a special place in the life of my family. Our family has celebrated holidays, family reunions, and birthdays at Walt Disney World. We love Disney.

My family is now grown; this past visit included just one little one, a second cousin that just celebrated her first birthday, and a bunch of adults seeking to maybe relive a little bit of childhood for a weekend. But the elements of the Disney brand I noticed on this trip were not just the glimpses of a childhood revisited; it was the premium customer experience that Disney is known for providing to its resort guests.

When I arrive, I'm helped within seconds of standing in a check-in line. My room has special touches to enhance my stay. I can visit the theme parks earlier than non-resort visitors. There are free goodies–movies, snacks, crafts, social events–all day long in the common spaces of the hotel. For my cousin, a pack n' play was provided in the room, a special provision for guests traveling with babies. Not a detail is left untouched.

Any organization, at any size, can provide a premium customer experience. When it comes down to it, what makes the Disney brand exceptional is not its size, bottom line, or breadth of influence. It is their attention to detail, well-trained and pleasant team members, and the small touches that make a big impact. Every guest experience is personalized so that visitors feel like they, specifically, experienced something unique or got something "extra". Their day was made. Those lasting impressions–magical memories imprinted in the minds of resort guests–are what draw people back year after year to experience "the magic".

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