Vacationers!

It's seems funny to work at a place where so many people come for vacation. I have met so many people these past few weeks from Michigan. It's so cool to meet them and say "where are you from?" And they say and if I don't know they hold up there hand and point! I love that about Michigan! Everyone from there gets it! We are a mitten! But even better I love it when people are from around where we used to live and we can say the street names and people get it!!! Most people have heard of 8 Mile Rd. so when we talk about 16 Mile or 18 Mile we know exactly what we're talking about. But it also gives those people who ask about the area some idea of where I'm from that haven't been there. Because its kind of well known at this point. That familiarity helps bring a little bit of home and comfort to me when I'm homesick and longing to be with those who understand the whole culture and lifestyle of Michigan. The drives north on the weekends, and camping and hiking and skiing and ice fishing and going to Frankenmuth or Traverse City. Cider mills and donuts, Great Lakes and the Soo Locks, and hockey and ice skating in the neighborhoods in the winter. The potholes and construction and all 4 seasons on the span of 24 hours. There are days that I miss Michigan so much. The people and the culture and the nature. So when I get to visit with them on their vacation it makes my day and brings me a little bit of pixie dust.

All It Takes Is A Smile

Today was an ordinary day at work. I started at Mickey and moved on to the Speeder Bike and ended at Phineas and Ferb. I met people from different places and got to talk with little kids and adults alike. Nothing outstanding happened except... That I wasn't really smiling much apparently. Because as I was heading to one of my locations Heather smiled at me and said "hey you need to smile more! Are you okay?" And that comment got me to thinking. I'm usually walking around with a smile and greeting people as they pass, wishing them a nice day. But today I wasn't doing that. My mind was elsewhere, thinking about other things and not thinking about those around me. I was so absorbed in my own little world that I wasn't paying attention to others. WOW! Now that isn't a good thing to do where I work! And not the attitude I want to project. Thankfully Heather was there and paying attention and snapped me out of things. 

One of the things I like to do is greet people as they pass and give them a smile, especially if they aren't smiling. I notice that it pulls them out of their thoughts and helps bring them back to fantasyland of Disney and to enjoying their vacation. I love to see people smile and enjoy themselves at Disney and if I can help in some small way, even if it just takes a smile, then that is a good day for me.

Swords At The Ready!

These past few weeks have been pretty emotional for me. I've been training some new cast members with some facilitators that I either haven't worked with before or have only worked with once. I love the role and I love the new kids. I think they will do great! They have all been eager to learn and excited to be at Disney. But sometimes I'm a bit nervous about the whole thing. 

This last group was a bit challenging for me because they weren't the chatty type. There is usually at least one in the group that is but not with this group. So we ended up sharing more stories and I got to hear a really good one. 

A little girl had come to Disney with her family and was waiting in line to see the princesses. The attendant was admiring her hair and said that one day she could come back and work here because it was so beautiful. This made the little girl doubt that the princesses were real. She went home and took down all of her princess decorations in her room, got rid of all of her dolls and was very upset by the experience. Her parents wrote to Disney about how this cast member had broken this little girls dream and that she should be more careful when talking with children. So Disney went above and beyond to fix this situation. They asked the family to come back on a  certain day and come to the castle. Prince Charming met the little girl and her family in the castle and sod someone was waiting to meet her. They all got into the elevator and went up to Cinderella's apartment. The little girl went in and waited. Cinderella arrived and greeted her and showed her around. Showing her her jewelry and dresses, her bed and closet and shoes. Then she told the little girl that the Fairy Godmother had left her a surprise. So the little girl started looking around for it. She finally found a dress and shoes and magic wand in the little girls size. The little girl got dressed and sat with Cinderella when they were joined by several other princesses. They all sat around talking about their princes and their castles and got their photos taken with the little girl. And helped that little girl get the magic back! And what started out bad turned into a beautiful recovery (and probably a very expensive one too).