A Sad August

In terms of being a cast member, this month is a very sad one. Many of the wonderful people I've gotten the pleasure to work with and know are leaving. August looks to be a busy month. I suppose it mainly has to do with people going back to school. A lot of the seasonal cast are finishing their time here and going back to their normal lives. They're going back home, to places all over the world. I've learned a lot about the "magic" in my five months of working for Disney so far. I've learned that the magic of Disney resides not in the concrete and steel of the parks, but in the hearts of the cast that bring it to life. These are very special people. These are people who have to go through much adversity each and every day to bring smiles to the faces of the guests that walk through those gates. They are my friends. They are my colleagues. And I've grown very much attached to them. I am so grateful for the time I've gotten to spend with them. I will always remember them and hold those memories close to my heart. And I will miss them very much.

Thank you, my friends. I hope I will see you again someday. And until then, I hope pixie dust will follow you wherever your journeys take you.

Independence Day at Disney

The last two nights, I was lucky enough to be able to see both fireworks celebrations at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. I wasn't too impressed by the Magic Kingdom ones. I thought the New Year's ones were much better. It had a nice ending though, with the castle draped in star and flags. I think the Epcot celebration was better. The best part involved turning off the fireworks on the World Showcase lagoon and diverting everyone's attention to the U.S.A. pavilion and having the fireworks appear there. It acted pretty much like Epcot's castle for the night. And of course, with any special Epcot celebration, about two weeks worth of fireworks are launched in its finale. If you can only see one of these, I says go with Epcot.

A Special Day

Today was a very special day for me. It was the anniversary of my first ever day at Disney. It was seven years ago to be exact. I'll never forget that day. It was a day that changed me and launched my life in a whole new direction. I look back and think of all the experiences and lessons I've gone through over the last seven years and I'm just amazed. It's crazy to think how one day could affect so much. The very first moment I saw Cinderella Castle is a memory that will live in my heart forever. That moment gave birth to the dreamer that I am today. I am here right now, fulfilling a dream, because of that very first moment. Tonight, I celebrated this special occasion by dining with a good friend inside that very castle that started it all for me. We were hosted by our friends, Cinderella, Fairy Godmother, Suzy, and Perla. It was a magical and fitting evening filled enchantment and pixie dust. Going to dinner, I came upon a funny realization. Seven years ago, a ferry boat took me towards Cinderella Castle. And today, I arrived at the castle from the Magic Kingdom itself. This is my world now.

The Cast Experience

With such a long break until the Stanley Cup Finals, I thought it would be nice to make a Disney post for once. I've been a cast member for a few months now so I thought I might share a little of what my cast experience has been like. You know, I had been such a fan of Disney. That magic meant so much to me. There was a fear that by moving to Orlando and becoming a frequent visitor, my view of the magic would change. There was a fear that it could fade, that it wouldn't mean as much. But that wasn't the case. The magic stayed as strong as ever. In fact, I couldn't imagine going back to just taking vacations to Disney. Becoming a passholder kind of spoiled me. I could visit Disney pretty much whenever I wanted. But you know what? Although I got to visit more often, the experience wasn't that different. It was still the same old magic I was always used to. That view would finally change when I joined the cast.

In the last few months, I have not only visited Disney frequently, I've been exposed to the world behind the scenes at Disney. In fact, I've seen the inner workings of the part of Disney that's the most magical of all. It is a completely different world behind the curtain. There's this belief that working for the mouse destroys the magic. For some, perhaps that's true. I had that fear myself. But something unexpected happened when I became a cast member, the magic became stronger than ever. Through being a part of making that magic and getting to know the other people who do the same, I've gained such a greater appreciation of what goes on at Disney. Walt Disney World feels so different to me now. I no longer feel like a guest, even when I'm not working. It no longer feels like I visit Disney. I now am Walt Disney World and people visit me. This world is mine. I am a part of making the dreams that happen to people every day. And in the process, I've become very protective of Disney and its magic. It's my duty now to help it live on. I am still very much awestruck at the things I get to see and be a part of. The experiences you get as a cast member can't be obtained anywhere else. Last weekend, I stood in the Main Street train station with the performers preparing to welcome thousands of guests into the Magic Kingdom. On one side of us was a massive crowd of people waiting at the entrance of the park. On the other, a completely empty Main Street, U.S.A. It was untouched, pure, and so enchanting. At the end of it stood the object that's held my heart for the last seven years, Cinderella Castle. It just glistened in the early morning's light. I remember just standing there, marveling at this beautiful scene and realizing that all those people behind me, paying all this money, don't get to see this. That just made me realize how special it is to do what I'm doing now. I love working for Disney. In fact, I prefer working there over just visiting there. It feels weird to be at Disney and not do something for them. I get to experience a version of the magic that many will never see. And at least for me, it makes the magic all the more real. It all seems more real to me. My character friends are as real as you and me. The pixie dust that flows all around Disney is real... because we make it real.

Incredible Mermaid Picture!

Annie Leibovitz has released a new picture in her "Disney Dream Portrait Series" with celebrities as Disney icons. Pardon any bias, but this is the best one yet. It's Ariel!!! Here, Julianne Moore plays Ariel with Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps as a merman. It's amazing!

"it's a small world"

A Disney post for you! Here's the entire "it's a small world ride." I recorded this about a month ago but never got time to upload it. But now here it is! Enjoy! Also, I made it a point to zoom in on the funny suggestive parts. Hehe!

Part Of That World

So if you've been following this blog, you may have wondered why lately its been dominated by hockey entries with far fewer Disney posts. The answer to that is two-fold. One is well, the NHL season is coming to a close and the playoff race is heating up. Obviously, there's going to be a lot of attention to hockey then. The second part comes from a bit of change in my life. In the last month, my perspective of Disney has gone from that of guest to cast. So my guest experiences have been much more limited as of late and my new cast experiences, well, those aren't meant for the public eye. But I can definitely say that my experiences so far have been an absolute dream come true. If I could only sum up these experiences with one word, it would be "wonderful."

First, my fellow cast members have been a blast to work with. Everyone has been so nice, friendly, and helpful. Now I know that there are going to be people who aren't as nice and you'll wonder why they even bother to be here if they're like that. But a lot of the people here are special. I've never been to a place before where the people are so passionate about what they do and how much they believe in what they do. I've actually had a few people hold back tears in describing the magic of Disney to me. It's amazing to see passion like that. So many have come out of their way to make me feel welcomed. There always seems to be a smile somewhere greeting you. And it always helps to return one yourself. A smile goes a long way. There are so many people here like me. My hope is that I'll get to know a lot of these people and get to form some great friendships.

The second thing that has made my experiences wonderful so far has been the actual job itself. I now work for Disney. I don't think my mind has yet to fully grasp that concept. I am now part of making that very magic that has touched so many hearts, including my own. I've never had a job before that wasn't concerned with profit, whose main focus was to bring more money in. Yes, Disney is a corporate entity and a business first, so they do want money. But my role isn't concerned with that. My role is to purely make people happy. I'm there to take them into another world and help instill fantasy and magic in their hearts. My measure of success isn't how much money I got from them but whether or not they left with a smile. How amazing is that? I get to interact with so many people throughout the day. I know now more than ever that I am extraverted because I love the interaction. In fact, when my day is done and I head back to my empty apartment, I can't help but to feel a bit lonely. Sure, some guests can be rude and mean. But the majority of them just want a piece of that magic and it's so satisfying to be able to supply it.

This isn't a full-time thing. It's merely something I do on the side in addition to my real life. It's just a few days of week and I know not every one of those days will be so wonderful. But if I can keep that magic within my heart and remember why I'm here, I can pull through with a smile. It also doesn't hurt that you can sometimes look up and see Cinderella Castle. Not too many jobs can boast that. What makes this special is the fact that I'm not here because I need to be. I'm a cast member at Disney because I want to be. This is a dream for me. I truly feel that I belong here. I remember my first day when I was given my Disney name tag. Some people think name tags are demeaning, but not this one. It was a badge of honor for me. Seeing my name engraved in that little hunk of plastic, it was a dream come true that was almost 7 years in the making. I don't know how long it will last, but I will make the most out of it. I don't want any regrets from this. This place is magical. Me and all the cast, we're here to continue Walt Disney's legacy and keep his dream alive.

The Other Side

Disney brings magic to the hearts of millions of guests that pass through its gates. That magic is what makes Disney special and unique and has people coming back over and over again for it. Anyone who can afford a ticket to go can experience that magic. Most don't realize it but that isn't the only type of magic that exists at Disney. There's a very different experience that you'll find behind the curtain. People say the magic ends when you cross that line, but I don't think it does. I think you get a different type of magic. There's a whole new world back there and you can't helped but to be humbled and awestruck by it. The magic that exists on the other side comes from the people there and the work they do to make dreams come true for people on both sides of the curtain. It's quite amazing! And I consider myself so lucky to finally be able to see this magic from the other side.

American Idol Comes to Disney

Once one of my favorite parks, Disney's Hollywood Studios keeps doing more things to make me stay away. Sigh... see for yourself.

Studios gets "American Idol" show



If they didn't have Voyage of the Little Mermaid...

Giselle!!!

Look what I found on Main Street today! The first Enchanted art piece I've ever seen! It looks awesome. $450... ouch.

More Celebrity Disney

Disney just released another set of promotional photos by Annie Leibovitz, depicting celebrities as Disney characters. I love these photos.

Jessica Biel as Pocahontas.



Gisele Bundchen as Wendy Darling, Tina Fey as Tinker Bell, and Mikhail Baryshnikov as Peter Pan.



Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony as Jasmine and Aladdin.



And funny enough, Whoopi Goldberg as Genie.

A Look Back At 6 Months

I've passed the 6 month mark on my stay here by the most magical place on earth. In that time, Walt Disney World has transitioned from being a place I longed to visit to a place that has become an integral part of my life. Of course, since that very special first July morning at the footsteps of Cinderella Castle, Disney has always had a presence in my life. But the experience is much different now. Gone are the countdowns, the schedules, and the need to run around and do as much as I can. When you're a visitor on vacation, it's a cycle of longing to return, heaven for a week, and then the unbearable departure that leads to longing for the next trip. I think every Disney fanatic goes through that cycle. Fortunately, I don't have to go through that anymore. It's been so nice not ever having to say good-bye.

In the last 6 months, I've visited a lot. In fact, "a lot" would be an understatement. Disney's become as much a part of my life as going to work or even eating. And a common question that I get asked is, "Don't you ever get tired of it?" My answer is "never." It is an answer that many cannot understand. I believe understanding that is the line that divides people who just see Disney as a bunch of amusement parks and those who hold it up as something far greater. To a great many, Disney is just a place that has a bunch of rides and shows. Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Tower of Terror... that's what they think of when they think about the parks. But for the others, the ones who get it, they know it's not about the rides or any attractions. Sure, they are fun and definitely a part of Disney but that's not what draws people to it. What draws them... is "magic." But what is magic? To me, magic is freedom. It's the freedom to let go of reality, to let go of the notions of the world that hold us down. It is the feeling of setting loose your spirit, sending it as high as you can dream. It's closing your eyes and letting yourself believe in all the things you want to. It's abandoning cynicism and letting ideals and innocence take over. It's hope in the power of imagination and dreams. That's what magic is to me. How many times can you go on a ride before it loses its appeal? It's not about the rides. It's the magic of Disney that holds on to the hearts of all who love it. Not everyone can understand. But for me, it feels like Disney and I were made for each other. I'm a dreamer, a hopeless romantic, an idealist. All the things Disney is flows through my being. I was once told that if I had never been born, somehow Walt Disney would have created me. And I know I'm not the only one. Look at all the people who've come from all the corners of the world to live and work here. They didn't uproot their lives because they like a bunch of rides that much. They took a huge chance on their dreams because they believe in this place. They believe in this magic.

I'm so lucky to have been able to experience Walt Disney World the way I have over the last 6 months. Instead of the quick splash of a week-long trip, I've been able to see Disney in such a way that many don't get a chance to. I've been able to see it change and grow. I arrived in the peak summer months when everything was bustling and crazy. Then I saw the crowds thin out and experienced how calm this world could be. I saw amazing events like the Pirate & Princess Party and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. I grew to appreciate a place that never struck a cord with me before, Epcot. I experience the fantastic International Food & Wine Festival. And the most wonderful season of all became even more incredible. Christmas at Disney was awe-inspiring. How could one not be moved by the Candlelight Processional or brought to tears by the Castle's Dream Lights? I got to experience all those special events by living here. But my time here has been about even more than that. There has been so much to see and do to here. From the classic excitement of the theme parks to finding hidden gems like Disney's enchanting boardwalk, magic seems to be everywhere. It even shows through its food. Whether it be a silly morning at Chef Mickey's or a charming afternoon at Beaches and Cream or an elegant evening at the California Grill, magic has never tasted so good. With so much time to spend here, I've been able to appreciate each little thing. I actually find myself sometimes not doing anything at Disney but just being there and soaking up the atmosphere. My absolute favorite thing to do is just hang around the Fantasyland-Main Street area of the Magic Kingdom. I love taking a simple carrousel ride, making a wish at Cinderella's well, and sitting back and watching her castle change colors in the night. I don't think there's anything better.

I've gotten to meet and share the magic with so many people during my 6 months here. For all those who came to visit, I got to be their guide to this wonderful world. For those who live and work here, I got to experience a new type of magic through them. I gained a new appreciation of what it takes to keep the magic alive in this world. With all the things I got to see and do and live, it's hard to imagine that it's only been 6 months. But you know what? There's a whole world I've yet to see. There is so much more to experience. And that's what I certainly hope the new year brings.

"Kiss Goodnight"

I recorded video of the Magic Kingdom's "Kiss Goodnight" last night. For those who don't know what the "Kiss Goodnight" is, it's a short castle light show played about an hour after park closing. It's Disney's way of officially closing the park... and telling you to get out.

New Look

Well, this is going to take some getting used to.

Parade of Dreams to Florida!

It's being reported on a bunch of sites that Walt Disney World has purchased Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams from Disneyland and it should arrive late this year. Nothing has been said officially yet, but if this is true... SWEET!!! The Parade of Dreams is the GREATEST PARADE EVER!!! I hope they do the show stops. They're what make the parade so awesome!

*excitedly twirls around a gold ribbon*

Empty Main Street

This is one of my favorite things to do at Disney. It's a video I shot last night of myself going through an empty Main Street, U.S.A. after park closing.

Back To Normal

After all the special events that have gone on over the last few months, it seems as though Walt Disney World has gone "back to normal." I went back to the Magic Kingdom tonight and "normal" actually took some getting used to. Not too long though! Stepping into Main Street, U.S.A, it took about a minute before I was able to fully take in the traditional Main Street music again. I had grown so accustomed to the Christmas carols. But Main Street music is what makes Main Street... well, Main Street! It was great to hear it again. I mean, when you hear that music, that's what you think of when you think "Magic Kingdom." All of the holiday decorations are gone. Oh, and Cinderella Castle. Her holiday lights may be gone, but she is still as beautiful as ever. Watching her glow in the night, changing colors... it makes you remember why you fell in love with her in the first place. For those who have seen the Dream Along with Mickey show, I recommend watching it from Cinderella's well. You get a really different perspective of it. It's almost like watching it from backstage, but not quite. Also, watch out for the pyro that shoots in your direction at the end. The crowds are definitely light this time of year. There were parts of the park that were virtually empty. That gave me plenty of opportunity to get reacquainted with the place. "Normal" is back, and you know what? That's not such a bad thing.

The New Spaceship Earth

I finally got a chance to ride Spaceship Earth last night. (BTW, the park crowds are so light now, especially compared to last month. You could actually get on Soarin'!) There was only a 5-minute wait (and not even that!) for the new Spaceship Earth. I can't really compare it to the old one, mainly because I could never stay awake on the old one. But it feels similiar. They added new effects and animatronics. Apple makes a cameo in it now. But the biggest change in the new interactive touchscreen at the end. Throughout the ride, you're shown how man has progressed through history and at the end, you're given the chance to shape the future. It sounds like a good idea on paper but I thought it was really lame. You're basically given a simple personality quiz and a cartoon plays in your vehicle showing the future you created. It wasn't as bad as people made it out to be but it wasn't such a great thing either. Seeing how I never really cared for Spaceship Earth in the first place, it doesn't bother me one bit.

The Final Fear

I rode Rock 'n' Roller Coaster for the first time ever yesterday. It actually wasn't that bad. I could do it again. And with that, there remains only one major Disney thrill ride I have not ridden.

Year - Ride Conquered

2001 - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
2003 - Test Track
2004 - Matterhorn Bobsleds, Splash Mountain
2005 - Space Mountain, California Screamin'
2006 - Mission : SPACE
2007 - Expedition Everest
2008 - Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

Only the Tower of Terror remains.

Yesterday, I got the closest to it that I've ever been before.

Farewell MGM

Today was the final day of the Disney-MGM Studios' existence. Tomorrow, it will be renamed Disney's Hollywood Studios. I'm not sure why Disney is doing this. I haven't heard a straight answer as to why change the name. It's going to be weird not calling it "MGM" anymore. I wonder what people are going to call it now? DHS? The Studios?

No More MGM