Work, ruins the magic?

[DisneyKrazed]

Just came home from work from the pet store I work at. Today I helped a lady and her kid with a hamster and they were so excited, but to myself I was thinking "Boy these people must have no life, it's only a hampster. If only they saw that happens when we are in the backroom." (I don't abuse the animals). For all you CM's is the magic of Disney still there or do you get the feeling "Back at work again" when your in Disney World?

 

[king4aday]

Magic at work

Hello,
I am actually new to this board (just found it this morning), and I just so happen to be a CM so I thought that I would reply to this thread. I think we all have our days at work where it is just that....work, but every day I TRY to make it more. I always have to remember that I am working at disney for a purpose. That purpose is to make magic for the kids (and adults) that walk through that gate.

Usually this is a very easy task because its always magical to me to see a smile on a kid's face. I love being able to create that magic for the little ones that walk through that gate. I work merchandise, so its very easy for me to help create that magic. from my location I can see the character greeting areas, and I just love to sit back and watch the characters interact with the kids. There are nights that I just start getting teary eyed and even cry at some points because of the excitement in each person's eyes to be walking around here at disney world.

This is getting to be a long post, but I wanted to share a quick story from when I was visiting Epcot and watching Tapestry of Dreams. Across from me was a lady sitting in a wheelchair. She must have been in her mid 90's. I actually spent most of my time watching her than the parade. Just the look in her eyes and the smile on her face showed me the little girl crying out from inside her. For the rest of the day I cried tears of joy, and had renewed energy for weeks to come on why my role is so important.

Thanks for reading

King4aday

 

[wed050499]

Hey everyone,

That's a great post and story king4aday and welcome to the forums.

As far as the question of losing the magic at disney from working there. No way. I'll keep this short and just get to the point. When I was working there, even after several months of seeing the same thing, working with the same people, hearing the same questions/comments/complaints from the same types of guests, I still would go to anywhere on Disney property and just get a big smile on my face a gloss over my eyes, and a feeling of fulfillment inside because as a Cast Member, you are the what people look for when they come there. To see thousands of people an hour and make them smile or just see them smiling from what one of your fellow CM's has done, it's such a great feeling.

Brian

 

[goofyman]

Re: Magic at work

Originally posted by king4aday
Hello,
I am actually new to this board (just found it this morning), and I just so happen to be a CM so I thought that I would reply to this thread. I think we all have our days at work where it is just that....work, but every day I TRY to make it more. I always have to remember that I am working at disney for a purpose. That purpose is to make magic for the kids (and adults) that walk through that gate.

Usually this is a very easy task because its always magical to me to see a smile on a kid's face. I love being able to create that magic for the little ones that walk through that gate. I work merchandise, so its very easy for me to help create that magic. from my location I can see the character greeting areas, and I just love to sit back and watch the characters interact with the kids. There are nights that I just start getting teary eyed and even cry at some points because of the excitement in each person's eyes to be walking around here at disney world.

This is getting to be a long post, but I wanted to share a quick story from when I was visiting Epcot and watching Tapestry of Dreams. Across from me was a lady sitting in a wheelchair. She must have been in her mid 90's. I actually spent most of my time watching her than the parade. Just the look in her eyes and the smile on her face showed me the little girl crying out from inside her. For the rest of the day I cried tears of joy, and had renewed energy for weeks to come on why my role is so important.

Thanks for reading

King4aday

This is what it is all about...What a wonderful story!

 

[Mickeyman819]

yeah that was a really good question about work and stuff. i would really like to work there somtime so that would be a factor i would thorw in

 

[ACE]

king4aday,

That was a wonderful story and it seriously caused a tear in my eye. Thank you so much for sharing and welcome to the boards.

It's folks like you that help keep the magic alive and for that I am eternally grateful.

:wave: ACE

 

[JLW11Hi]

Re: Magic at work

Originally posted by king4aday
Hello,
I am actually new to this board (just found it this morning), and I just so happen to be a CM so I thought that I would reply to this thread. I think we all have our days at work where it is just that....work, but every day I TRY to make it more. I always have to remember that I am working at disney for a purpose. That purpose is to make magic for the kids (and adults) that walk through that gate.

Usually this is a very easy task because its always magical to me to see a smile on a kid's face. I love being able to create that magic for the little ones that walk through that gate. I work merchandise, so its very easy for me to help create that magic. from my location I can see the character greeting areas, and I just love to sit back and watch the characters interact with the kids. There are nights that I just start getting teary eyed and even cry at some points because of the excitement in each person's eyes to be walking around here at disney world.

This is getting to be a long post, but I wanted to share a quick story from when I was visiting Epcot and watching Tapestry of Dreams. Across from me was a lady sitting in a wheelchair. She must have been in her mid 90's. I actually spent most of my time watching her than the parade. Just the look in her eyes and the smile on her face showed me the little girl crying out from inside her. For the rest of the day I cried tears of joy, and had renewed energy for weeks to come on why my role is so important.

Thanks for reading

King4aday

I am the same way! When I visit Disney, the thing I enjoy most of all, more than the attractons themselves, is seeing people enjoy them. Something about knowing all the work these people go through to make guests happy. I also think to what I might be doing when I grow up and get a job someday. I want to be able to say that I will make a difference in someone's life from working where ever I end up (hopefully animation ). Some people go to work for the soul purpose of making money, and not so much for the help they actually give. I look at money as only part of why I have a job.

That is why I enjoy shows and rides more when there are others with me. Just seeing the look on their faces and hearing their loud applause for shows is great. It is like Walt Disney said,
"We can build the greatest place in the world, but it takes people to make the dream a reality."

 

[jrashadb]

Once I was on the Jungle Cruise and this really funny woman -- looked to be in her 20s or so -- was our captain... SHe did the normal scripted stuff and I chuckled when it was appropriate, because I can imagine how tough it is to say the same silly lines over and over again.
Anyway, at the end of the ride, she said something to the tune of "I hope you all have a great day and the magical, wonderful place I like to call... work."
She was just kidding. She wasn't mad or anything. And, the line made the whole ride for me. She rocked.
I guess, my point is, it is possible to understand where you are and what you're doing as a CM at a park and see the silliness inherent in it, but also have a lot of fun and make people at the same time.
She rocked.

 

[Tigggrl]

I LOVE My JOB!
Would you believe a guest actually said I was TOO happy the other day???
I told her it was because of all the Pixie Dust the put in my sodas....LOL:lol:

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Originally posted by DisneyKrazed
Just came home from work from the pet store I work at. Today I helped a lady and her kid with a hampster and they were so excited, but to myself I was thinking "Boy these people must have no life, it's only a hampster. If only they saw that happens when we are in the backroom." (I don't abuse the animals). For all you CM's is the magic of Disney still there or do you get the feeling "Back at work again" when your in Disney World?

What does go on in the back room ? Isn't it your job to serve the public with their requirements - hampsters (never heard of them, do you mean HAMSTERS ?) Weren't you a kid once, didn't you get excited when you got a pet ? What does the selling of a hamster have to do with disney ? Shouldn't you have started the thread -
"is the magic of Disney still there or do you get the feeling "Back at work again" when your in Disney World?

 

[DisneyKrazed]

Re: Re: Work, ruins the magic?

Originally posted by CAPTAIN HOOK


What does go on in the back room ? Isn't it your job to serve the public with their requirements - hampsters (never heard of them, do you mean HAMSTERS ?) Weren't you a kid once, didn't you get excited when you got a pet ? What does the selling of a hamster have to do with disney ? Shouldn't you have started the thread -
"is the magic of Disney still there or do you get the feeling "Back at work again" when your in Disney World?

I was mearly stating that the excitment I felt when I first got the job faded away to the point of pure boredom, same goes for my job at the local water park. I was using the hamster as a example because I found it pethetic to be so exited over a seven dollar animal. Was was just curious if Disney World has a similar effect on it's Cast Members.

 

[jrashadb]

Once I was on the SeaCabs in The Living Seas, and my foot was dangling out of the cab, because I'm 6-2 and was stretching. Now, I'm pretty sure my foot never touched the floor, but I'm not certain. I'm not sure how the pads there worked. But, I'm almost positive my foot never touched the ground.
Anyway, the ride stopped and while I was looking around to try to figure out what happened, a CM came up to me and talked to me like she was going to throw me out of the park.
I was shocked... Hell, I coulda walked to Sea BAse Alpha from where I was...
I suppose she had seen just about enough of the problems I've heard used to be associated with the SeaCabs before they got rid of them and decided to take it out on me. She sounded like she wanted to throw me out of the park!
So, yeah, working at WDW can get old for some people, I'm sure...

 

[RobFL]

Originally posted by jrashadb
Once I was on the SeaCabs in The Living Seas, and my foot was dangling out of the cab, because I'm 6-2 and was stretching. Now, I'm pretty sure my foot never touched the floor, but I'm not certain. I'm not sure how the pads there worked. But, I'm almost positive my foot never touched the ground.
Anyway, the ride stopped and while I was looking around to try to figure out what happened, a CM came up to me and talked to me like she was going to throw me out of the park.
I was shocked... Hell, I coulda walked to Sea BAse Alpha from where I was...
I suppose she had seen just about enough of the problems I've heard used to be associated with the SeaCabs before they got rid of them and decided to take it out on me. She sounded like she wanted to throw me out of the park!
So, yeah, working at WDW can get old for some people, I'm sure...

Lol, you're one of the many dangling foot victims. You gotta feel for her though, she just fell down cuz your foot was sticking out because some imagineer couldn't be bothered with designing doors!

-Rob

 

[bearboysnc]

Working at Disney is what you make of it. Sure there are days that are better than others. If you go in with a positive attitude, you'll come out with one.

I loved my jobs there, and after 10 years of service would go back in heartbeat.

 

[Maria]

I had a blast working there. I smiled all day and didn´t even realized I was doing it until my face hurt because of that! I was very happy. Sure, there were very crappy days, but the guests didn´t need to know. It always made me happy to be in a place where people go to be entertained, I was entertained myself, and the best part.... I was getting paid to do it and had free access to the parks! (the pay was not that much, but having free access to the parks paid for it!)

I also teared a lot of times just watching at people or "the magic" I helped create.

People asked if us, cast members, were really happy or if we were told to smile all day; yes, one of the guidelines for guest service is: "make eye contact and smile", but honestly, you do it unconsciously! It shows when you are happy to be there!

Back to your question... the magic didn´t fade for me... I learned from it and helped me admire the organization even more. Sure, I actually ran away from Mickey a few times cause I saw him way too many times a day, but that´s irrelevant. I know that if I go now, I will run to him for a pic too!:animwink:

 

[wannabeBelle]

I so totally have to agree with you Ace. And King4 a day Welcome to the posting boards!! :kiss: :kiss: :kiss: for the great cast members like you and all the others who cant let the Magic die because it is a living breathing part of you!! Belle

 

[mkt]

Disney is a job, and nothing more. I do my job the best I can. Just be thankful that I am ever seldom seen onstage.. because even though I don't make any magic, I make sure that it happens

 

[mkt]

Disney is a job, and nothing more. I do my job the best I can. Just be thankful that I am ever seldom seen onstage

 

[hockeymom]

It really is great to hear how CM's enjoy their jobs, that's what makes it so much better for the guests. Working with the public must be difficult enough at times, especially in the Florida heat!!

 

[DisneyCP2000]

I was a cast member too!

King4aday...I had a similar experience as you. I was watching ToD in France enjoying the crowds and I saw a diabled girl watching from the other side. I must have spent the majority of the parade watching her. Every time a puppet danced for her or shook her hand she woud jump for joy! Just waching that kind of magic made me all teary. I was seriously about ready to cry, cause I could feel her joy. Ahhhh, the job of a cast member.

As for what Maria said, I agree 100% with her. I would naturally smile at everyone when I was down there. Sadly it didn't work as well as in Downtown Chicago-rather I'd get strange looks. I'd love speaking to guests and seeing where everyone was from. I'd love seeing families laughing and having the time of thier lives. Of couse I'd have bad days, but a simple walk in the park would totally change things around. It was as simple as that. Another time my uncle and 5 yr old cousin came to visit me in WDW. It was a first time for him and he was TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY. He told me it was 1,000 times more than he expected and they loved it. that set my week!

Remembering the Magic! 24/7