Once Upon A Time...

  Once upon a time, I had the dream to become a Walt Disney World Cast Member. My cousin had done the Disney College Program when I was six years old. She was a Bellhop at the The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in what was then Disney's MGM Studios. She was my inspiration to apply for the program. I had grown up watching Disney movies like every other 90's child but Disney meant something different for me, I truly believed what I was watching. It was more than what people describe as magical, it was a real experience for me. I was your average child pretending I was Ariel coming out of the water on every pool edge I could find!
   Getting older I had started drawing, I would always draw the Disney characters! I would give them to my friends and family; I wanted to make other people happy in the way that these characters make me happy! I have an art minor and my senior project was an oil painting of the Cinderella Castle which granted my art scholarship to my school!
   Whenever I would be down or upset, Disney was my comfort. I would always turn on 101 Dalmatians, so you better believe I begged to have the Diamond Edition when it was released from the Disney Vault in February! 101 Dalmatians is my favorite Disney movie and I have a special place in my heart for the Disney Dogs in particular, Pongo just being an example! Who didn't wish they had Tramp running around when they were younger? But Disney had given me a pure happiness that I wished to express to others as I got older, that hopefully they would be able to feel what I feel.
    As I became a Disney Cast Member, I had worked at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. I worked in the Roaring Fork Quick-Service Restaurant. I worked a seven month program and it was the best experience of my life. Everyday I regret the opportunity to stay longer, I just knew I needed to finish school. In Florida, I got thousands of opportunities to create Magic for the Guests. I could call Mickey for a little boy for his birthday and let him talk to the Mouse or let a lucky couple celebrating their anniversary a card signed from Mickey and Minnie, wishing them many happy years together. One day I will be back where it all started and hopefully this blog lets you guys experience what I experienced. I have many tips for those that want to vacation down there as well! This is just the beginning and it's going to be a great journey!

"I only hope that we never loose sight of one thing...that it was all started by a mouse." - Walt Disney