Lifestyle

The Entertainment Entrepreneur: Ben Stranahan

Published

5 years ago

September 2, 2020

The word entrepreneur means “the one who bears the risk.” It’s en vogue these days to be an entrepreneur, or at least to call yourself one. But very few are willing to put in the time, energy, and sacrifice required to live the entrepreneurial lifestyle and to make their dreams come to life.

Becoming an entrepreneur in the entertainment industry is especially difficult. Not only do you have to have a desire to create something that people want, namely, your ability to perform and produce great art, but you will often have to master a complicated maze of networks, bureaucracy, politics, and unspoken rules as well. It can be nightmarish, exhausting, and simply soul crushing. And for most who try, it is.

Ben Stranahan is an artist of the highest order. He’s carefully crafted a brand as a performer, actor, musician, producer, fitness enthusiast and so much more, consistently creating quality work year in and year out and landing production and acting roles at the highest level. He’s a regular feature for festival rollouts, and is no stranger to the Thespian world as well.

Ben explains, “We can and must change the world for the better and teach people through the arts and the many facets of storytelling.”

Ben has produced for and worked with actors such as Neve Campbell, Bill Paxton, Imogen Poots, Jack Lowden, Alex Wolff, Keir Gilchrist and many more.

As his website and IMDB describes, “He has an electric energy that is injected into every role and is known to be a Director’s actor, working with the people around him to bring out the most compelling and dynamic characters. Ben belongs on the stage and in front of the camera, feeling at home with other artists and performers.”

In the TV landscape, Ben has produced the smart anthology series The Midnight Anthology starring Clancy Brown. The pilot premiered at the New York Television Festival in 2015 and won both the Artistic Achievement and Best Director awards at the festival. Ben and the The Midnight Anthology team are in development on the remaining episodes of the series.

Ben’s biography further explains, “Ben, an Aspen, Colorado native who was raised by inspiring and creative parents, found himself at a young age gripped by a lifelong passion for the arts. Ben quotes something Richard Linklater say in an interview that has stuck with him: “People who ask me why I make films don’t understand that it’s not a choice. Painters paint, filmmakers make films.”

Being a filmmaker is part of who Ben is as much as anything else. He’s equally skilled on both sides of the camera, with lead roles in such films as Adam Levins Population Zero and Andrew Chan’s award winning anthology series, The Midnight Anthology, starring Clancy Brown . As a seasoned producer, Ben has produced many feature films including Mean Dreams starring Bill Paxton, Sophie Nélisse, Josh Wiggins and Colm Feore, which premiered in 2016 in the Directors Fortnight at Cannes and as a Special Presentation at TIFF. Mean Dreams went on to be sold into over 50 countries and have theatrical releases in over 10 territories. He’s also produced the genre-bending psychological thriller Population Zero that’s been critically lauded around the world and produced the thriller Calibre, which was released on Netflix in 2018 and was nominated for 4 BAFTA awards, winning one for Best Actor – Jack Lowden. (www.benstranahan.com)

His most recent production work was Castle in the Ground, starring Imogen Potts, Neve Campbell and Alex Wolff, Which premiered at TIFF and SXSW. (BenStranahan.com)

Learn more about Ben’s incredible career and work at www.benstranahan.com

Lifestyle

How Magic Moment Resort Became the Pioneer of a New Era: The First-Ever Dazzler Select by Wyndham

Published

2 days ago

November 25, 2025

Michelle Langton

In Central Florida’s packed landscape of family hotels and theme park lodgings, a unique kind of property has emerged. Magic Moment Resort & Kids Club in Orlando is earning attention from traveling families for a simple reason. It delivers joy, warmth, and convenience at a smart value that keeps Disney dreams accessible rather than overwhelming.

By joining Wyndham, Magic Moment Resort unlocks the strength of a global powerhouse, gaining worldwide visibility, advanced technology, and access to Wyndham Rewards, the largest hotel loyalty program on the planet. This strategic move expands its reach, builds guest trust, and amplifies its impact, all while preserving the unique identity that sets it apart.

Just a short drive from the gates of Walt Disney World, the resort sits along the palm-framed stretch of West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway. The location has long been known for its tourism bustle, yet Magic Moment has carved out a softer identity. It feels playful and colorful, but also intentional. It is designed by a family for other families, and that perspective shapes every experience on the property.

A Philosophy Rooted in Family Connection

Magic Moment Resort was built with a belief often forgotten in today’s tourism industry. Family vacations should feel uplifting instead of stressful, and affordability should not come at the expense of comfort or creativity.

Check-in feels more personal than transactional. Parents arrive with strollers, snacks, and tired children. The staff seems to understand this rhythm instinctively. The energy is warm, the pace is easy, and the tone is set long before anyone even enters the room.

Unlike competing hotels that charge a steep premium for proximity to the parks, Magic Moment focuses on smart value without compromise. Its pricing strategy is refreshingly straightforward. Families can stay five minutes from Disney without draining their travel budgets. For many guests, that difference helps shift resources from hotel costs to experiences. It means more character breakfasts, more souvenirs, and more freedom to enjoy the parks without financial tension following every decision.

Spaces Designed for Children and Considerate of Parents

Magic Moment is filled with color, but nothing feels overstimulating. Instead, the resort offers a sense of wonder scaled to a child’s imagination.

The themed family rooms are a highlight. Children step into rooms that feel lighthearted and whimsical, yet parents appreciate that they are also functional and comfortable. It is the atmosphere of a themed suite without the theme park price.

Its Kids Club and Teens Club reflect that same thoughtful balance. These spaces invite exploration and creativity for children and provide a nurturing level of supervision. Parents can enjoy an hour by the heated pool, relax in a shaded cabana, or simply take a quiet moment while knowing their children are safe and engaged.

The resort’s grounds encourage slow mornings and gentle afternoons.There’s a 30,000 sqf outdoor playground as well as peaceful corners for parents. Importantly, families are not asked to pay additional fees to enjoy them. Magic Moment’s amenities feel generous rather than transactional.

Unforgettable Days at the Parks

For families navigating a Disney vacation, convenience is often the true luxury. Magic Moment delivers this with a complimentary delicious hot breakfast that encourages everyone to sit and enjoy the start of the day rather than rush through it.

Transportation to the parks is included, which removes one of the most common stress points for visiting families. There is no parking lot maze and no long lines at the toll booths. Guests simply board the shuttle and begin their day with ease.

When the sun sets and everyone returns from a day of rides and parades, the resort becomes a place to unwind. Children head straight for the pool. Parents sip Starbucks coffee. The atmosphere is relaxed and bright, and the resort feels like an extension of the Disney experience rather than a pause from it.

A Value That Resonates with Families

What truly elevates Magic Moment is the balance it achieves between smart value and experience. The resort has cultivated a loyal following because guests feel they receive more than they pay for. More thoughtful design. More space for connection. More comfort without excess.

Affordability here does not signal minimalism. Instead, it allows families to breathe. It creates space for shared moments that are often overlooked in the rush of theme-park vacations. Children play freely. Parents unwind without guilt. Families spend more time together and less time navigating logistics.

A Resort Built with Heart

Magic Moment Resort & Kids Club stands out in a region overflowing with hospitality options. Its charm is not rooted in extravagance. It is grounded in sincerity. It reflects the belief that family travel should feel joyful, accessible, and full of color.

For families planning a Disney visit, it represents more than a place to sleep. It is a retreat where memories can form in the quiet moments as much as in the thrilling ones.

At Magic Moment, the greatest luxury is not an amenity. It is the feeling of being exactly where you are meant to be, together.