I received this in an email forwarded by a cast member friend of mine.
This is a letter an Epcot Guest Relations Cast Member (Andy) wrote to the editor of his college newspaper to let his former colleagues know about the great place he is working at and how thankful he is of that.
I thought it was worth sharing with you. It´s a very nice letter. I´m sure he has no idea the copy he sent to some friends is now posted here... I hope he doesn´t mind. Hope you like it as much as I did.
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Last year, for only the second time in history, Walt Disney World closed early on September 11th. I remember the day vividly as I was working at Epcot. At approximately 11:00 EST, the parks were evacuated in a calm and non-frightening manner. I remember getting hold of my father's office only to find out that he was on a plane somewhere. As my eyes welled up with tears, I remembered that I had to stay strong for those guests that were still here. As soon as all of our guests had left, those of us working were finally able to become ourselves again and let out our emotions. All around the park, people were holding hands and hugging each other. Cell phones were calling family members all around the USA and the world. I reached my Dad who was sitting (safely) on the tarmac at O'Hare.
I couldn't go home that day. I couldn't sit there and watch TV and take it all in. So, I volunteered myself (along with thousands of others) to help out at one of the Walt Disney World resorts. I found myself comforting those who needed someone to talk to, and playing with children who had no idea of the impact of what had happened earlier in the day. By staying in a work mode, I was able to cope with the entire situation better and to help those that didn't have that luxury.
Now today, one year later, I am here at Epcot again and we have just experienced a moment of silence to remember the events that shook the world. While I walk through the park, it becomes very evident to me that this place is so much more than a theme park. It's an escape. It's a place for people to come and live their lives and engage themselves in their fantasies, dreams and forget about the real world for at least a little while. I see smiles on children and families enjoying a day in the park. I am so thankful for such a wonderful place. I realize that I am working, but in so doing, I am a part of the escape and yet it is an escape for me too. So while it is so very important for us not to forget what happened, it is great knowing that there is a place that we can all come where "fantasy transcends reality, and imagination prevails..."
This is a letter an Epcot Guest Relations Cast Member (Andy) wrote to the editor of his college newspaper to let his former colleagues know about the great place he is working at and how thankful he is of that.
I thought it was worth sharing with you. It´s a very nice letter. I´m sure he has no idea the copy he sent to some friends is now posted here... I hope he doesn´t mind. Hope you like it as much as I did.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Last year, for only the second time in history, Walt Disney World closed early on September 11th. I remember the day vividly as I was working at Epcot. At approximately 11:00 EST, the parks were evacuated in a calm and non-frightening manner. I remember getting hold of my father's office only to find out that he was on a plane somewhere. As my eyes welled up with tears, I remembered that I had to stay strong for those guests that were still here. As soon as all of our guests had left, those of us working were finally able to become ourselves again and let out our emotions. All around the park, people were holding hands and hugging each other. Cell phones were calling family members all around the USA and the world. I reached my Dad who was sitting (safely) on the tarmac at O'Hare.
I couldn't go home that day. I couldn't sit there and watch TV and take it all in. So, I volunteered myself (along with thousands of others) to help out at one of the Walt Disney World resorts. I found myself comforting those who needed someone to talk to, and playing with children who had no idea of the impact of what had happened earlier in the day. By staying in a work mode, I was able to cope with the entire situation better and to help those that didn't have that luxury.
Now today, one year later, I am here at Epcot again and we have just experienced a moment of silence to remember the events that shook the world. While I walk through the park, it becomes very evident to me that this place is so much more than a theme park. It's an escape. It's a place for people to come and live their lives and engage themselves in their fantasies, dreams and forget about the real world for at least a little while. I see smiles on children and families enjoying a day in the park. I am so thankful for such a wonderful place. I realize that I am working, but in so doing, I am a part of the escape and yet it is an escape for me too. So while it is so very important for us not to forget what happened, it is great knowing that there is a place that we can all come where "fantasy transcends reality, and imagination prevails..."
