Kids Today

.I was working games (and we all know how much I "love" games ) when these 2 kids came to play. The boy was about 9 or 10 and the little girl was probably 6? It was a medium-prize game and the little boy was FOCUSED. Intent. He was GOING to win. and...he did. Then, he turned to his little sister, handed her the prize and said, "I won this for you!" Her face lit up and she hugged and hugged her shark. Mom & Dad told me that they had gone to ride Primeval Whirl and she was barely too short. She was crushed. While waiting in line, the boy said that he wanted to win her a prize to make her feel better, so that's just what he did. Whoa boy, I'm glad I could blame the waterworks on the splashes from Fossil Fueler!!! I thanked him for being an awesome brother and gave him a shark, too. His face lit up and his parents were thrilled. After all of the selfishness in my house the last month or so, it was SO refreshing and magical to see a truly selfless act. That boy made my day.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes. They are hard sometimes...

I went in on 3/26 and the area manager handed out the "song cards" during our morning meeting and had me lead it. Fun! Apparently, it was a Magical Moments contest and I won, so I'm supposed to be "rewarded". I told the VP the only reward I needed was a J-O-B. On that note, and on the downside...the VP also announced that the Cast Services department is no more effective today. That means that the manager I'd been meeting with about my prospects is no longer in a position to help me at all. Right in the middle of PI recruiting season, I suddenly have no contacts, meetings, or shadows. The area manager and my CP manager both saw my face and assured me that they'd help me out.

On the way home from there, my phone rang with a 407 area code (love me that area code...) and it was someone from the PI office. He said that they noted I'd applied for retail management last semester and were just wondering if I would still be interested IF a position became available. I tried to maintain my composure and told him, absolutely, without a doubt, 100% interested. I also told him that I'm already here on a merch CP, so it wouldn't be a big leap for me, either. He laughed and told me that he would put me down as a "yes", "just in case" something opens up.

Today, I learned that our CP manager had been reassigned, so we are now completely without CP leadership and are relying solely on our "homeroom" managers. Those who had the CP manager for homeroom are really adrift. The swirl around here has been scary and unsettling, but I have been learning valuable lessons from it. She didn't lose her job. She is still in the same park in the same role. Yes, we miss her, but she is in a new place to influence that many more people who come in contact with her.

Another down note, hubby told me that my BIL, who was a salaried employee here at WDW also lost his job today when his position was eliminated.

Happy, Happy Celebration from Dinoland to YOU!

Last month, the girls and I got some sillies and we wrote some lyrics to a Dinoland Birthday Song. I turned it into a manager to maybe use as a "Magical Moment". When I walked in the back room today, one of my fellow CMs said, "I hate you, I really hate you" in a wink-wink kind of way. I asked her why, she reached in her pocket, and pulled out a card with a "What Will You Celebrate" logo on one side and OUR BIRTHDAY SONG on the other!!! They had changed it from "birthday" to "celebration", but it still worked. I guess it was announced at the morning meeting and the area manager sang it to the CMs, then had them sing it back from the cards. Today was a big walkabout day for the uppity ups and I heard they were singing it all over the place! I was SO excited to come home and tell the girls that OUR SONG was a big hit! Totally made my day, even though the CMs are annoyed at having to sing now...

I'm Just Like You

I did have a fellow CP ask me today if I was on a different program than the rest of them. I explained that, no, I'm making as little as they are and am statused just the same. She thought maybe I was different b/c I'm a RAFIKI and in the money room and come across as a "leader". I actually get that a lot. So far, every class, gathering, or group that has required leadership here, I've been unanimously nominated. I don't know if it's my age or that I am a confident public speaker or what, but it's been interesting. This experience has done wonders for my confidence level and self-esteem. I've gone from wondering what I'm doing here to wondering why I didn't do this years ago. Slowly, ever so slowly, those ghosts from the past are fading.

An Old Fashioned Letter (or Email)

I had my initial PI interview for the next term and I'm moving ahead in the interview process, so now it's a matter of waiting for the hiring leaders to decide they want to interview me.

I've had several people ask about sending letters or emails about Cast Members who've made some magic for them. Please know that these are VERY meaningful to those who read them and are very well worth your time to write. If you encounter a special Cast Member, please write about your experience to:

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10040. Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

You can also send an email to wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

Two Months Left (maybe?)

Tomorrow is the day when I can put in for an extension. I found out that they are not allowing any transfers into hospitality, which was my first choice. Now, I'll have to give it more thought. The only other thing I'd want to do on the list is full service food & beverage. I'm not at all sure that I want to work in Dinoland in July. I'm afraid if I put in to extend, that's where I'll be stuck and I'm not excited about that, even though my managers would be THRILLED. I keep trying to remind myself about, "Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust" and that, so far, my path has led me where I'm supposed to be, so whatever happens over the next few months won't be any different. I still haven't heard a peep about any of the PIs, which is making me nervous. It is what it is, though, and worrying doesn't change anything.

I did tell one of my daughters today that, "'Hard' does NOT mean 'impossible.'" I like it when I come up with good quotes. ;)

IAPTS

Here's a question I get a lot: "What do you think about the games [in Dinoland]. Do they fit in the park?

No, I don't. Most people, CMs included, scratch their heads at the whole Dinoland concept. We were just talking at dinner about how it doesn't fit in AK and has no place at WDW really, for that matter. The funny thing is that we RARELY went into Dinoland when we visited AK as guests. I have had to create a 'character' for myself, esp when I'm on games.

Today, I was scheduled in games MR, but for some reason, they decided to put me on an apron selling vouchers. There are times that I have to remember one of my Dad's famous acronyms: IAPTS (It All Pays The Same) and today was one of those days. It was HOT (at least for this Yankee) and I'm not a fan of "getchervouchershere" over and over again. "A dollar each and two to play". I had one princess who was buying tickets with change over and over who finally came to ask if there was just a way to "buy a teddy" (in her oh-so-sweet English accent!). I took her to one of the games, gave her purple balls, since they are Tinkerbell's favorite color, and sprinkled some "pixie dust" on them. Lo and behold, her first toss, she won a prize!!! I didn't even have to do the "turn around and close your eyes" trick! The look on her face was priceless and she ran over to show Mum and Dad. She was pointing to me, so I walked over and told them she just needed an extra dose of pixie dust. They were SO grateful and it reminded me why, as much as I dislike the games, it's important for the magical people to work them. IAPTS. Only, this time, some of the "pay" was in smiles.

More Random Thoughts and Tears

I took my daughters to AK today for FOLK. I haven't seen it in almost 2 years (I know, sad story!). I cried. I mean, sobbed, ugly cry cried. I think the camp counselor wanted to ask me if I was OK. What did me in was:
"It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding"

I feel like my path is finally unwinding, even for a little while, and it amazes me every day that I get to be a very small part of that kind of magic.

While I was out collecting vouchers from the games, I got to help make some magic for a few of our smaller guests who sometimes struggle with the games. I've noticed that some of the other games people aren't quite as pixie-dusted as I am, so I tend to run a quick Mom/Son game while I'm unlocking the vouchers. Hey, it's 2 players to start the game, right???

The other thing I'm enjoying about games money room is that there is some freedom and I guess I project a sense of responsibility/leadership/whatever you want to call it, because I get a LOT of guest interaction while I'm out "harvesting" the vouchers. I answer LOTS of questions and can really spend some time giving guests good suggestions, directions, etc because I'm not caught up in completing the sale or loading the rides or stocking the carts. Yes, I have work to do, but it's nothing that is going to keep guests waiting. I've even had a couple thank me for taking the time to talk to them and that makes me smile.

Have I mentioned lately that I love my "job"?

Oh, and yesterday morning, Meeko was coming offstage just as I was heading into work and he ran and grabbed a trash can and tried to take it with him. It was LOL funny.