Published on Sunday, December 31, 2006 .
As 2006 comes to an end, I thought I would shar year end update that went out in an e-mail to friends and family:
This year started off with me completing engineer training for the Walt Disney World Railroad. That’s right, for those that remember little Tommy Webster being in the trains as a child, well guess what, he now drives a real turn of the century steam powered locomotive on a “Grand Circle Tour” of the Magic Kingdom. Like people, each of our four trains on the WDW RR have their own personality and I have learned a lot about adjusting my skills to fit the train. Continuing on with work, I became an area trainer on Main Street, USA where I trained Park Greeters, Conductors and also facilitated Guest Service Training for new hires.
It was in August that I left my home for two years at the Magic Kingdom to move to a role that I had been trying so hard for over a year to get, Guest Relations. I moved to Guest Relations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park where I got the chance to work with an amazing group of people and learned a lot about carrying on the traditions and quality standards set forth by our company’s namesake, Walt Disney. Guest Relations was a great opportunity for me and really gave me the tools I needed to make sure that each and every one of our guests had the most wonderful time of their lives.
Fast forward to November, I have returned back to my home on Main Street, USA now though as an Area Coordinator where I oversee the operation and cast for Turnstiles, Steam Trains, Vehicles, and Parade. On any given day, I am responsible for not only 250 Cast Members but, our many thousand guests who visit our park every day and ensuring that they have a smooth and care-free transition to our world of fantasy. This is my next big step on my path to a full-time leadership role with the Walt Disney Company.
Leaving work aside for now (I know it’s hard considering I work a lot), I did have some great travel experiences this year ranging from quick visits to Naples, FL to see family and even the surprise visit home from Grandpa Don’s Birthday. October also brought along what is beginning to look like an annual trip out the the original theme park, Disneyland and Southern California. There is something about the original that draws me back.
This holiday season will also mark my third year with the Candlelight Processional Cast Choir at Epcot. Candlelight is a tradition started at Disneyland in 1957 that tells the Christmas story with traditional scripture and song with a different celebrity narrator each night. It is truly a moving experience and if you get the chance, come and see the show.
So as we end 2006, Happy New Year and best wishes for 2007!
Published on Sunday, December 24, 2006 .
Ok, so it just took me an hour to get back home. Something that usually takes 15 minutes. I guess I timed my drive home with the same time that Epcot closed. Oh well. So, I am back in Florida after a full yet enjoyable two days in Minnesota. I got a chance to see my friend Anna and then got the chance to see all my family, first at Grandpa and Grandma’s party on Friday night (Thank you again Grandpa and Grandma) and then over at mom and dad’s house before I hit the plane back to Florida. I also got my first chance in three years to celebrate Christmas with my family, even if it was a day or two early.
I think it was waiting at the airport in Minneapolis yesterday that I realized that this is going to be a busy week at work. For those that have never been to Walt Disney World the week of Christmas/New Years, it is busy. We close at capacity at least once each day. So, it was while waiting for my flight to board that I looked around and saw all these families with small kids and realized that they are all going to the same place, Walt Disney World and the Magic Kingdom. My sold out flight was all following me home to Orlando. This is going to be a fun week.
Well, it’s time to head to bed and wait for Santa Claus to come. I’ve gotten most of my gifts so far but I still have a few waiting under the tree till tomorrow morning. Off to go dream of a white christmas
Published on Thursday, December 21, 2006 .
Well, I am clocked out for the day and at home packing the final gifts in to my bag. That’s right folks, I am off to the artic tundra of Minnesota for two nights and spending some time with the family for Christmas. I will be back on Sunday for all the rush in the parks but it will be nice to be home for the family Christmas Party after not being there for three years. Can’t wait. Time to hit the airport.
Published on Friday, December 08, 2006 .
Well, it has been an exciting last week here in Orlando, FL. First, I had a nice visit with my Parents and Grandparents the other weekend with Mom and Dad coming in from MN and Grandma and Grandpa Swanson coming up from Naples, FL. It was nice to spend some time with the family and have some time off from work even if I was still in the parks with them. Had some great meals out and even enjoyed seeing a few of the segments being tapes from the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade that will be airing on Christmas Day including American Idol Finalists and Michael Bolton. Speaking of Christmas, thanks to Mom and Dad, I finally have a Christmas Tree. For the first time in two years I finally have my own tree with all the decorations on it complete with a monorail around the base. It really is feeling like the holidays finally.
Needless to say, the three days off was a blessing having been so busy at work and dealing with issues involved with my posting for a coordinator role here at the Walt Disney World Resort. Speaking of that coordinator role, I did finally get the role after getting all the stuff at casting sorted out. I will be staying on Main Street, USA for at the least, six more months before I am eligible to transfer again. This is the next step towards a full-time leadership role with the company and I look forward to more professional development opportunities that may surface with the new role including posting for a leadership position this spring.
Leaving work for a bit, last night I finally got to sing my first show this year for Candlelight. I did the late pair with Brian Dennehy as the narrator. I have to say, I really enjoyed his style after looking back at the past two years worth of readers I have sung with. I am scheduled for next Wednesday and Thursday nights with Mareen McGovern and then shows with Neil Patrick Harris and Marlee Matlin later on in the month.
Other than the new role, there really isn’t much else to report. Hope everyone has a great weekend. I’ve been training all week and I can finally sleep in tomorrow. Yay!
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