Months later... Finally, an update!
Hello! So it’s been a while since I updated this blog, mostly because I have been extremely tired and extremely busy. But a lot has changed since last time I posted, so it seems like a good time to get back to this!
First things first, I am no longer in Fantasyland as an attractions cast member. There are a few reasons for that, none of which I really want to get into. Suffice it to say that it wasn’t a good fit for me. Luckily, I had a manager and a programs office who worked, pretty quickly, to find me a position that would better suit me.
That’s how I ended up leaving operations and heading into the entertainment department - as a PhotoPass photographer!
This position has been incredibly fun and satisfying for me. The thing I’ve always liked best about being a cast member is getting to talk to and interact with people. Walt Disney always stressed the importance of cast members in the parks and how we behaved with our guests, and now I get to spend literally all day interacting with them.
My favorite part of my job is working with characters. Nothing is as special as getting to see a child meet Mickey Mouse for the first time. If I could spend every day in Town Square with the Fab Five or at Castle Fantasy Faire with the princesses, I would in a heartbeat.
Outside of work, I’ve gotten to do some really cool things. Our mid-program event was an after-hours Tower of Terror themed party in Hollywoodland in California Adventure. I got to take a tour of Walt’s apartment on Main Street and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Haunted Mansion (!!!) which, as you all know, is my favorite thing in the universe.
What’s been the most fun is seeing all the different things we’ve got going on for the holidays: the parades and shows and the Festival of Holidays (with tons of new, great-looking food). I love to sit backstage and watch A Christmas Fantasy parade step off. On Veterans Day, all of the cast members who formerly served or currently serve in the military participated in the flag retrieval in Town Square, and it was really lovely.
Favorite things that have happened since I became a photographer:
- Well, Carianne proposed to Tristin in front of the castle (as most of you know as well) and while I couldn’t quite work it out so that I was her photographer, I was able to make sure a photographer was there for her.
- A woman about my age walked into Anna and Elsa’s room at the Animation building, said, “I’m so excited to see you!” and immediately started crying.
- A little girl, after meeting Mickey Mouse, shouted, “I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!” at the top of her lungs.
- A family with a 12-year-old autistic son came to Mickey’s house and were dismayed to see that the line was 80 minutes, because he couldn’t wait that long. The character host decided to bring them in anyway, past the line, to meet Mickey just them. The boy was so excited to see him, and he chatted with Mickey and they all took pictures, and I looked over to see his mother crying. It occurred to me that being at Disneyland on a busy day must have been overwhelming and difficult for them, and that character host made their day.
I’m sure I have more, and will have more, for this list as time goes on. It’s been a fun, if exhausting, job. I can’t believe how close I am to being done with my College Program. It’s flown by. It’s been a great way to figure out what I want out of my life and what’s important to me, and I’m excited to see what other lessons I learn before I leave in January.
