Category: Disney
So today was my first day on registers in like almost two months. I have been a runner for most of the time with a few shifts as a stocker but mostly runner. Since this week is the ‘calm before the storm’ we are slow as a snail at work. I have gone from 40 hour work weeks to a small 32 hour work week. Fine for me as it gives me a chance to catch up on rest but anyways, back to the story from today. First, I had a couple visiting from the United Kingdom. They really wanted to purchase one of the toy trains to go around their Christmas Tree but the size of the item would make the item near to impossible to cary on the plane and the shipping price would exceed the item. So what do I do for them? I ask if they ever visit the Disneyland Resort Paris. They said that they do occasionally and were going to be in Paris in the next couple of weeks. Now this is where the magic happens. I get on the phone to the operator and explain what I am looking for. The kind operator connects me directly to the Emporium at Disneyland Paris. The funny thing is, it was just like connecting to any place at the Walt Disney World Resort, no wait! Anywho, finally get someone that can speak English and who isn’t closing the store as it was 8 pm over there (never thought about the time change when I started this one) and tracked down the exact toy they were looking at in the Emporium in Florida but in the Paris edition. This definitely made the guests day. Who would have thought that you would come to Florida and we would call Paris to find an item for them? They left the store excited to have found an item that would be waiting for them when they returned to Europe. Not too bad for the start of my day.
Enter in guest story number two. By the time I got back from my break, I was about ready to head home but then this one family came in to the Emporium and I had the great chance to work with them to find what they were looking for. They mom and the youngest son were looking for small gifts for his friends and I helped them pick out some small things of candy to get for them. Then I help them setup some dinner reservations at the Disney MGM Studios. This isn’t the end though. I come to find out that none of them had ever been to Disney World before. I took the timing of the parade as an excellent moment to find them the perfect spot to see the parade right on Main Street USA where they were in front and up-close to the parade as it passed by. Just to add a little more magic, I snuck backstage and got a handful of Pixie Dust? and popped back onstage and sprinkled them with it. It was the best. The mom was almost in tears when she thanked me for making them have the most magical time in their lives.
This folks, is why I choose to work at the Walt Disney World Resort. Our vision states:
The Walt Disney World? Resort will always be dedicated to making dreams come true. In this magical world, fantasy is real and reality is fantastic. A wonderful sense of community awaits, where all are greeted as welcome Guests and become cherished friends. For all who work and play here, Walt Disney World? Resort will be a source of joy and inspiration.
This is the reason I love me job. Making sure every guest has the most magical time of their life.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2004/11/all-pure-magic-wrapped-up-in-pixie-dust/
Well folks, today (or yesterday now), was the grand opening for Stitch’s Great Escape at the Magic Kingdom. With all the media present, Stitch decided to take it upon himself to do a little ‘redecorating’ of Cinderella’s Castle with some white paper also known as toilet paper along with some red spray pain in-which he proclaimed himself king. It was very cute and I think it was a great success. Also today, the cast of the Magic Kingdom were treated to the dress run for the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Parade down Main Street USA. It was a blast and really put me in the holiday mood. I can’t wait for Holidays Around the World at Epcot which included Candlelight Processional. Also making an appearance tonight was Stitch riding right along with Santa Clause.
Just relaxing at home for the night now after going to to IHOP with some people from work. Now back to the TV and friends.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2004/11/stitch-escapes-and-a-christmas-parade/
Ok so I showed up to work a bit early today. Mostly to go visit Paul and Shane at work but also to try and ride the latest attraction to the Magic Kingdom, Stitch’s Great Escape (SGE). SGE replaced the old Alien Encounter attraction in Tomorrowland and officially opens to the guests on 16 November with cast previews being 1-4 November. Now, limited numbers of guests have been able to ride the attraction this weekend as they have been doing limited previews. Well, I was able to get in line and ride the new attraction.
The attraction follows a similar storyline as Alien Encounter did with the exception that it revolves around Stitch or Experiment 626. You are asked to trained as security guards by the Federation Council Women and Captain Gantu. You then move in to a pre-show area where you are issued a brifing by C3PO90210 (cheesy name I know) and then you proceed to the telportation chamber where Stitch will be transported too. I wont go in to too many more details becasue that would spoil the show. If you want to know more, send me an e-mail and I will fill you in. This will be a hit this holiday season. Well, off to costuming to change and get up to the Emporium to work till 02:30.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2004/10/stitch-has-escaped/
Well foks, last night was the official Blast Off Party at the Magic Kingdom for all the Magic Kingdom College Program members. We got free food and they had a few rides open for us including Space Mountin with the lights on! This ride is better lefft in the dark because with the lights on, you realize how close the tracks actually are. Don’t put your hands or arms up on this ride!
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2004/09/blast-off/
Well, before I talk about Hurricane Charley, I need to first say good luck and goodbye for now to all my college program friends that have left or are leaving. Good luck and best wishes. Quoting Mickey Mouse, “See you real soon!” Now on with the storm. Walt Disney World Resort faired very well in the storm. We had no catastrophic damage and suffered mostly from damaged signs and uprooted trees. Someone from WDW Magic posted pictures here. We faired very well compared to some cast members that last their entire home to the storm like many here in Florida. That being said, let me now turn to work since both are connected. As those of you may know based on my previous post, i was on Ride-Out crew at Wilderness Lodge on Friday night. I worked on Saturday and even got extended since park hours were increased to meet the demand. Surprisingly, It is said that 70% of all cast members showed up. I think that shows dedication after a storm. Things are returning more to normal at work as well. Park is now closing at 9pm and soon it will be 8 and 8:30 closes. Rock on! I was off on Sunday so I got my hair cut on Main Street USA like usual from Mical and then I enjoyed my day off. I am now working the next 9 days until I get another one. Got to love overtime! Well, time to get some dinner and may be get ready to go out. Talk with you later.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2004/08/goodbyes-hurricane-aftermath-and-work/
Well, today I finally got a chance to see if I had made the list for the Candlelight Processional at Epcot� that happens each year from the last week in November to the first week in January 3 times a night. And guess what, I made the cut! Browsing through the list on Portal this morning and my name was on the list!
I am so stoked! Now, I just have to make sure I attend the required number of rehearsals and I good to go. For those that do not know, Candlelight is a tradition at Disney and it cover the story of Jesus’ birth with a mixture of scripture readings and christmas songs. Different celebrity narrators read the scriptures each week creating a truly unique performance. The cast choir is joined by visiting choirs from schools and churches that come to sing at Disney. It really is a great show and worth seeing regardless of yours truly being in it.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2004/08/candlelight-choir/
Finally, I was off yesterday and was able to purchase the new Where Magic Lives Official Park CD. Why do I want the new CD when I already have most of the songs in my iTunes and iPod already? Simple, one song. That song is Destiny from Mission:SPACE at Epcot. The words of the chorus are: Destiny, begins with you and me, through all space and time, the achievement of mankind. As we sail the sea of discoveries, on hero’s wings we fly. It can be heard at the end of the ride as riders are exiting to the Advanced Training Lab. While the song is referred to as the “Screaming Banshee” by the cast members (CMs) who work there due to it being blasted over the area speakers, it is still a beautiful song and keeps one wishing and looking towards the stars.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2004/08/destiny/
