Meet The Man Charged With Getting Walt Disney World Ready For the Holidays
The holiday season at Walt Disney World is truly one of the most magical times of the year. Beginning on November 1, the resort comes alive with holiday magic, Christmas cheer, and beautiful decorations.
While many Disney fans are familiar with the amazing transformation that Walt Disney World undergoes for the holidays, they may not know how Disney stores and maintains all its holiday decor.
Hidden behind the Magic Kingdom, an unassuming warehouse houses more than 50,000 different Walt Disney World decorations.
It is from this warehouse that the Holiday Servies team makes Christmas magic happen.
William (Ed) Miles Pulls Back the Curtain
Now, for the first time, veteran decorator William (Ed) Miles is pulling the curtain back and sharing a special look at Disney’s secret holiday warehouse.
When Ed first joined the Holiday Services team, people “thought I was kind of crazy” because of his talent for turning everyday objects into timeless decorations.
“Ever since I was a child, I was into arts and crafts and woodworking and shop,” Ed shares. “Anything can be used for Christmas.”
As he explains his philosophy, Ed stands in front of a tree designed for Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds. The tree is decorated with horseshoes, ropes, and more.
Independently, the items may seem ordinary, but under Ed’s watchful eye, they are infused with the spirit of the season.
Gathering Together Disney’s Decorations
As Head Designer for Holiday Services, Ed and his team are charged with planning, designing, and executing all of Walt Disney World’s holiday decorations.
Additionally, however, Ed serves as something of an “Indiana Jones”, hunting for hidden Dsiney Christmas Gems in textiles, gardens and contemporaries.
He usually shops for 10-15 areas at a time, often two years before each season. In the end, however, the hard work is worth it. Disney’s Holiday Services warehouse is chocked full of thousands of Disney Christmas decorations and props, and the collection is constantly being added to.
Of the over 800 Christmas trees in the warehouse, Ed points out the first tree he ever worked on- The Town Center tree for Disney Springs.
“This is the wow factor,” he explains. “Whenever you’re making something, make sure it’s a show. A good show.”
A Storied Career
Ed was hired by Hank Danes, a personal friend of Walt Disney who organized and ran the Decorating and Furnishings Department at Walt Disney World.
Under Hank’s mentorship, Ed helped open EPCOT Center, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Additionally, he has worked on countless Disney parades and designed all kinds of furniture and props. However, he has been in the holiday business for the last eight years.
Finding the Right Tone
For Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Ed and his team wanted to convey a sense of nostalgia with their holiday props.
“We thought of stuff our grandmothers had,” he shares. “Like the pink poodles, the candy cane kids.”
Ed knew that his team had achieved their goal when one of his Cast Members brought in his very own pink poodle that had been passed down from his grandmother.
“That’s why we do this, to find stuff that people can recognize that brings back memories,” Ed says.
Getting Ready For The Holidays
After the shopping is complete, Ed and his team have to get to work getting the decorations stage-ready.
“We look for longevity in everything we do,” Ed explains. “This stuff is handled rough when we put it up and down. It’s not display work. So it has to be not only pretty, but durable.”
Then comes Ed’s favorite part of the season- the caravan that transports the decorations from the warehouse to the different parks and resorts.
“Our carts are all numbered and color coordinated for all the parks and resorts,” he says as he gestures towards a cart prepped for Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. “All those numbers correspond with the decor on those racks. And then those racks also have maps and pictures to show you where everything goes.”
A Team Effort
Ed emphasized that the Holiday Services team is truly a team effort. Without the incredible Cast Members, none of the holiday magic would be possible.
“We’ve got a very good team,” he says. “They’re our family. This is a very close department, and it’s one that people should be proud of.”
After 46 years in the decorating field, Ed has seen a lot of change. These days, he is passing down his knowledge to Cast Members.
“Don’t be afraid to make a mistake, because the only people who make mistakes are people who don’t do anything.”
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