Disney

I had no choice. My parents grew up with Disney as well, going to Disneyland often with their friends in the '70s. My first trip to Disneyland was just two years after I was born in 1983. I even rode Big Thunder Mountain Railroad! (not sure if there were height requirements back then...) Growing up, my cousins and I would go see every new Disney movie that came out in the theaters. And when those movies were released on VHS, we'd all gather at our grandma's house to watch them over and over again, and singing along to all the songs. 

My mom loves everything Mickey Mouse and Mickey Mouse related. There are so many figurines in my parent's house! My folks and I went to Disneyland once a year up until middle school. That's when I started playing club basketball, and if there was a tournament in the Los Angeles or Orange County areas, we may have made a side trip to the happiest place on earth with some of my teammates and their families. 

When I went off the college at Cal State Long Beach, I may have found the bus route to Disneyland so I could go after class and on weekends with my friends, and in 1999, I purchased my first annual pass. I was a pass holder for the next 4 years and even got my folks on board for having an annual pass. In 2001, when Disney's California Adventure opened, I was one of the fanatics that stayed up all night in the Mickey and Friends parking structure then "spent the night" in Disneyland for the grand opening of DCA. It was incredible!

Then, the moment finally came. In 2004, I was accepted to the Walt Disney World College Program (now the Disney College Program). I went out to Florida from August to December to be a Cast Member at the place I would consider my favorite Disney theme park: EPCOT. I was an attractions host for "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience" and "Journey into Imagination with Figment". It was an experience of a lifetime, and I still talk to some of my friends I met during that time. 

The college program ended up being my stepping stone toward the next phase of my Disney career: my internship! After making some connections and staying seasonal in Florida from 2005-2008, I was able to find the internship that I believe was my favorite role: Cast Activities, Events, and Recognition (now Cast Activities, Recognition, and Experiences); specifically, my role was the sports league intern but I was able to assist with all the events in the department. I worked alongside some amazing leaders, I met one of my best friends there, and I learned so much about the company and myself. 

The Cast Member dream didn't end when that internship was over in 2009! In 2010, the big dream came true and I was hired at Disneyland! My first role was third shift custodial, which doesn't sound as bad as you might think, I had so much fun working third shift! I got to see the Disneyland that very few get to see. I learned that I loved working behind the scenes, but I needed to get back on the day shift. I was able to transfer to costuming in 2011, and was again able to learn more about the company and the operations of the park. It was another interesting role as I was able to work both in the park and backstage. Apparently I needed a new role and was ready to step up into a leadership position because I was able to transfer into Parades as a parade support lead. I would have never thought in a million years that I would work on a Disney parade. Parade support are the float drivers and prop masters that literally support the parade and the performers. I made some great friends on parades, specifically the Pixar Play Parade in Disney California Adventure. I guess I missed working with kids because I auditioned for and was accepted in the Youth Education Series where I learned to teach middle school and high school kids the basic physics behind some of the attractions in DCA. That was yet another experience I absolutely loved because I usually got to teach kids and run a parade in the same day.

In 2013, there was another calling and I stepped away from the Cast Member lime light. Maybe later down the road, I will return to a Disney park with a new Cast Member name tag. Until then, my memories and experiences of making the magic will forever guide me to the next big adventure.