Category: General
For those that haven’t checked your e-mail or did not recieve my update, here is my latest quarterly update:
I want to first off apologize for my lack of e-mail messages and updates over the past several of months. I have been working very hard here at the Magic Kingdom and Main Street Operations. Since I last wrote, I became a relief or substitute coordinator (lead staff) for the area. What does this mean? Some days I am up front at turnstiles where I am responsible for not only our Cast but ensuring that all 50 turnstiles at the Magic Kingdom are up and running and that our Guests have a seamless experience while entering the Magic Kingdom. I also do coordinating on Main Street, USA. While on Main Street, USA, I am again responsible for our Cast but also ensuring the safe operation and efficiency for our Steam Trains and the safety of our Guests at parade time.
Along with coordinating, I am also an area trainer for Be Our Guest (new hire Guest Service training, Turnstiles and Steam Trains. As some of you know, I was a lifeguard training instructor for several years and it is nice to get back to training. Main Street Operations has been the most rewarding area I have worked here at the Walt Disney World Resort and has a great team of Cast Members. It is on that note that I move to my next bit of news.
After almost two and a half years, I will be leaving the Magic Kingdom. No, I am not leaving the Walt Disney World Resort. After over a year of hard work, and six-months of waiting, I have accepted a role in Guest Relations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. My last official day at the Magic Kingdom will be on Saturday, August 26 and moving to Animal Kingdom on Sunday, August 27. This is an exciting time for me and I am looking forward to the change in pace and the role that I have been working so hard to get in to since I started. It will be hard to let go of a great area like Main Street Operations but, I know that I am finally moving on path upwards in the company, no part of which would not of been possible with out the great support my leaders on Main Street have provided.
Aside from the change in location, I am signed up to participate in the Candlelight Processional Cast Choir again at Epcot for the Holidays Around The World, which will begin in late November. This will be my third year in the choir and it will be great to be a part of the exprience again. For those that are coming to visit, try and come for a show that is narrated by Marlee Matlin. She is by-far one of the best speakers I have met and seen. I am also in the process of planning my trip back to Disneyland in October with several of my friends from Epcot.
That’s all the update I have for now. Look for more updates by visiting http://www.webbyaquatics.com . From there, you can access my blog and current photo collections. Please feel free to come down and visit anytime or drop me a line.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2006/08/re-post-greetings-and-updates-from-florida/
Wow, here I am finally back on my blog. I have been busy with work and having family in to town. I had most of this past week off while my dad was in town which was a much needed break to get refreshed. We enjoyed playing in the parks and just relaxing around the hotel. My next planned vacation is at the end of October to Disneyland but don’t worry, I’m going to try and make it home at some point this fall but I don’t have an exact date yet. Keep with me on this one.
Now that I am all rested up, I am in the process of training this week to be a facilitator for new hires in our area. It’s a week long training of walking around Main Street, USA and memorizing a 30 page script. I’m excited but a little overwhelmed at the same time. Still no word yet on a date for moving to Guest Relations but I will keep everyone informed when that phone call is received.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2006/07/back-from-vacation/
Hello once again my dear readers. I know that my updates have been lacking in the past few months but I have been pretty busy with work and what not. Fear not, I am still around and kicking but with an average work week of 50+ hours in a hot train plus a fairly active social group. So I am still around, just not much new really to report.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2006/05/steady-as-she-goes/
Happy Easter to those readers who are Christian. Happy Passover to those that are Jewish.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2006/04/happy-easter-2/
I’m still here all. I’ve just been busy with work and friends. I started my training this week as Engineer on the trains. (Not maintenance but driver engineer) I am liking it so far and will post more on that later this week. Speaking of later this week, I will be heading out of town to Naples to visit my parents and grandparents. I’ll be gone Friday to Monday then back to driving my train all week. Also next week, my friend Brandon will be in town which will be fun. Brandon and I worked at the Emporium together on the College Program. Well, I need to get some sleep since I am in early. Catch everyone later.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2006/04/small-update-2/
Well, I just wanted to let everyone know that I have officially posted my resume for Guest Relations. Now the month long process begins. I will keep everyone posted on the progress. Here is the posting for those that are interested:
Walt Disney World Resort — Walt Disney World Co.
Title: Guest Relations Host/Hostess 106340 US-FL-Lake Buena Vista
RESPONSIBILITIES:
This is an hourly role. This is a global Casting Call posting for multiple full time openings. Provide outstanding Guest service and assist with all Guest needs. Book dining reservations, sell tickets, answer multi-telephone lines and assist with information about our parks. Act as the communication hub for the park and handle Guest concerns. Extend assistance to Guests in order to resolve problems such as lost Guests, challenges and refunds. Communicate extensively with other areas within each specific park and other Walt Disney World parks and resort properties. Present, demonstrate, and interact with Guests regarding the newest innovative experience – Pal Mickey that serves as their personal tour guide to Walt Disney World.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: (These are the minimum qualifications you need to be considered for the job.)
High school degree or equivalent
Minimum 6 months Walt Disney world experience
Proven strong Walt Disney World property knowledge
Demonstrated computer proficiency within a windows environment
Demonstrated strong verbal and written communication skills, as well as telephone etiquette
skills
Demonstrated strong cash handling skills, including foreign currencies, credit card transactions, discounts and other forms of payment
Demonstrated strong Guest service skills
Demonstrated strong problem solving and decision making skills
Demonstrated ability to manage conflict resolution
Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information
Ability to work with a defined spiel
Willingness to learn Automated Ticketing System (ATS)
Must apply online via Cast Portal
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Demonstrated bilingual ability, including American Sign Language
Willingness to learn and conduct park Guest and VIP tours
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2006/03/guest-relations-posting/
Today was a nice fun day off. I met up with Roz and Cody this morning at Animal Kingdom to got looking for some of the new Cast Lanyard Pins. Came out with a few of the ones that I was looking for. For those that don’t know, I collect Figment and Peter Pan pins and the new Lanyard Pins have several Figment ones in them. While I was at Animal Kingdom, I was finally able to get the t-shirt I had been trying to track down. I had been looking for this particular shirt for several weeks. It’s just your simple brown t-shirt with red on the collar and sleeves with the Animal Kingdom Logo on the front in red felt. Looks great.
After DAK, we went over to look for more pins at the Disney-MGM Studios. Nothing major today but just a fun day with friends and walking around the parks. Oh, I almost forgot. While we were at Downtown Disney, I learned that Guest Relations will be posting again next month. I can’t wait. I’m going to try my best to do what it takes in the interview to get accepted this time.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2006/02/a-day-of-fun/
Hello once again to all my readers. I have been busy with family in town for the last couple of weeks. First, my brother Tim came to visit for a couple of days and then less then a week later, my Dad came to visit. So I have been busy over the last couple weeks playing host and tour guide. Tim’s visit was nice since I hadn’t seen him since last May. He is just starting off at a new school and seems quite excited. Dad had been down in December so it was a nice relaxing mini vacation for both him and myself. One of the highlights for me was being able to get dad on Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom thanks to my friend George from work. Always nice to have friends and family come and visit. Next on the docket is my friend from the college program, Brandon, in April. Coming down to Orlando or WDW soon? Let me know.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2006/02/tour-guide-tom/
This is a repost of what went out in an e-mail to friends and family:
It is that time of year when I get to send out my annual update on what I have been up to over the last 12 months. A lot has been going on for me in my life. In January, I finished my Walt Disney World College Program in the Emporium at the Magic Kingdom and moved in to a Full-Time role with the Walt Disney World Company working in Strollers merchandise at the Magic Kingdom. After working in Merchandise with the company for about a year and a half, I decided to take the next step towards what I hope will be a long-term career with the Walt Disney Company and moved to a role in Operations.
I am currently working with Main Street Operations at the Magic Kingdom. What do I actually do in Main Street Operations? Well, I get the fun and excitement of welcoming each and every one of our guests to the Most Magical Place on Earth while working at turnstiles. When I am not on the turnstiles, I am also trained as a conductor on the Walt Disney World Railroad and Parade Audience Control. I do a lot at the Magic Kingdom and I hope to expand that role in to a role in Guest Relations early next year.
When I was not working, which seems rare, I found time take my first real vacation of my own. Several of my friends and I made the trek out of where all the Disney Magic began 50 years ago to Disneyland. Needless to say, I have instantly fallen in love with Disneyland and it has quickly become one of my favorite, if not my number one, Disney Theme Park. Aside from a vacation, I also found time to participate as a cast choir member once again in the Candlelight Processional at Epcot for the Holidays Around the World Celebration.
Also, I am now settling in to a new apartment that I have with a college buddy of mine who also works at Disney with the Disney Vacation Club. We live exactly 12-minutes from the Magic Kingdom which makes for a nice commute to work. An added bonus is that most of our friends also live with in 5 miles of us. Saves a lot on gas being so close as well.
Well, I really don’t know what else I can update everyone on since I work all the time it seems. For those in Minnesota, I hope to come home sometime early next year or Spring time to visit. I haven’t forgotten about you!
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2006/01/new-years-update/
Well, I survived the holiday rush here at the Walt Disney World Resort. I only worked 65 hours the week between Christmas and New Years but it was worth it. Christmas away from my family is always hard but I had my own way of celebrating. I sang in Candlelight on Christmas Eve and then spent Christmas Day with Mark, Kent and Mark’s Mom for a nice little BBQ. Worked all week on till New Years Eve when I worked all day long. 19 hours worth of work then. Started off the day with Park Greeter, moved to PAC and then over to Media Events for Dick Clark’s New Years Eve. It was a lot of fun to see the ringing in of 2006 with all my Disney friends.
This week is a little more manageable with only 40 hours and mostly shifts as conductor on the trains. Andrew should be running in the marathon this weekend so I will be cheering him on from Main Street while I am working. Also, last night I had the fun of helping Joe set up his new PowerBook G4. Welcome to the computing and Mac world Joe, just not too much work from home now!
I should be posting my new years update as well with in the week. That’s the update for now.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2006/01/happy-new-years/
