8 Things I Learned Working at Walt Disney World- Confessions of a Theme Park Worker
Вставка
- Опубліковано 2 січ 2019
- I learned a bunch of unique things working at Disney- cast member lingo, the crazy things that people lose and leave behind, and what happens to them, what happens with litter, learning to love the music, the magic, and how Disney can bring world peace. Really. Not kidding on that last one.
A behind the scenes look at what a former worker at Disney World, Silver Dollar City, and Busch Gardens Florida experienced in his time working at the parks. From driving large safari trucks around live wild animals while cracking one silly joke after another, to spending 5 years as a PhotoPass photographer at Walt Disney World and seeing and experiencing all sorts of things, to being a conductor and train robber on the famous Frisco Silver Dollar Line at Silver Dollar City. With 10 years of working in the parks, there's lots of stories to tell. Here is some of them...
Not only did I work in theme parks for 10 years, I've visited a whole lot of them as well. Here's some stories of great visits, not so great visits, favorites, reviews, and much more.
If you would like to support me, you can do so on Patreon or Paypal!
www.paypal.me/SirWillow
/ sirwillow
Fan info:
Website: www.sirwillow.com
Facebook Fan Group: / 196612161053366
My Facebook page: / thesirwillow
Subreddit: / sirwillow
Discord: / discord
T-shirts, hats, and more available in my merch store!!
shop.spreadshirt.com/SirWillow
Send me stuff! I love mail!
SirWillow
c/o George Burnash
PO Box 1720
Forsyth, MO 65653
My Gear:
Nikon D3300 kit amzn.to/2GFbiru
Zoom H1 recorder with lavalier microphone amzn.to/2EmUqjp
GoPro Hero 5 with accessory kit amzn.to/2uRG3UI
Canon Vixia HF R80 camcorder with extra battery amzn.to/2GygDkq
Rode Video Mic amzn.to/2EndNZJ
Lens protective filters for Nikon Lenses amzn.to/2GA6hki
Limo Studio Camera L-bracket with mounts amzn.to/2GXIb29
USA Gear DSLR Camera backpack with dividers amzn.to/2H1UYAD
Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 amzn.to/2GECVRK
Sony ECMCS3 clip microphone 2 pack amzn.to/2EkQ6B7
LimoStudio 6x9 white/ black/ green screen and stage lights: amzn.to/2GBGB6H
Vastar Universal Cell Phone tripod mount adapter amzn.to/2Isp2SU
Andoer Wide Platform Pistol Grip Camera Handle with 1/4" Screw amzn.to/2Jp6691
Manfrotto MTPIXI-B mini tripod amzn.to/2HcBTJL
Huge thanks to Steve Williams for the logo. For more info on using his graphic design services, please contact me.
Special Thanks to my Patrons for their ongoing support!!
Richard Meredith, TeaChest Media, Andrea Jacobsen, Peter New, Deana Martin, Kathy Goodman, Tamara Dillon, Bri Leiza, Drew Palmquist, Nirada Masters, Mary Loudon, Stephanie Burgess, Ryan Gillin, Brendon Neely, Eric Lemay, Craig Kollai, Ronni Ward, Rachel Rosal, Melissa Tidd, Rebekah Bell, Walt Disney Planet, Dan Howlett, Tyler Rosenberg, Deborah Brown, Daniel Snowdon, Cassie Parkes, Mike Bowen, and more!
Special thanks to Anna Simpson for the Park Tales intro and Daniel Higgins (Goofy809) for the outro. Copyright and TM issues have been cleared through Joanne Choi of Disney legal and fall under parody/ satire provisions of law.
Disneyland staff is amazing. My wife had stage 4 cancer. She wanted to go to Disneyland. Disney Travel staff helped us find a hotel and scooter to rent (she eas too ill to walk). City Hall staff got us concierges to help her get on rides. At any point where she needed something, Disney staff was there. And I believe that Disney magic gave her the strength to beat the cancer. I will be eternally grateful to Disney and their staff.
EPCOT Every paycheck comes out tiny😄 running joke when I worked at the park.
That should be everybody’s motto, everywhere: “Trash is everybody’s job!”
Its like a wierd mix of military speak, drama, and theater mixed with magic and manners! I love it! I really love the last part of the video too. Its a nice little reminder to be kind. Thank you!
I noticed about two trips ago that at Disney it seems everyone puts their differences aside and come together to have fun. Wish it would flow to outside of the parks
Disneyland has a great codename system. Tomorrowland is named space. First Aid, and AMR is called DOC. The language, even at DCP, they always say that Disney shoves it down our throats. We point with 2 fingers, your index and middle finger, we call it the Disney point. I remember a few days ago, I was on main Street by Carnation Cafe,working as a CIV, I overheard a guest having trouble paying for her kids. She didn't have enough money to pay for one of her kids. So I offered to pay for the mother and her kids. Made the mothers and kids day. A trick I learned a lot from Photopass from past CM, that if you start singing a song that is playing throughout the park, the kids that are being not so co-operative, would actually start singing with you. I love going to the Lost and Found sale. True it is sad that the customer can't get it back. I have actually found lots of expensive items, an iPhone X, which is more than what I get paid. Sorry this is so long. Just wanted to share. #FellowCM
What is "CIV" in Disneyland's context?
as a former cast member epcot stands for EVERY PAYCHECK COMES ON THURSDAY!! lol
EPCOT - Every Parent Carries Out Toddlers. EPCOT - Every Pocketbook Comes Out Trashed. Great video George!! Some of these things I knew, most I didn't. We're only Guests, but my Daughter & I still call DHS "MGM." We all call it "The Studios." Happy New Year to you and the Family!! Thanks for the entertainment!!
The Trolley Show is on my TOP 3 of MK. I LOVE IT! My wife rolls her eyes as I sang with the 'em.
The EPCOT VP sounded like they lead by example. That’s the best kind of leader!
Well, you can see Mickey, being a park Director, walk there all the time and meet with guests, why not have VPs do the same thing? :)
Thanks for the shout out! Another great video! I completely agree with the last part of the video
Well said, George. Everyone goes to Disney to get a little of that Disney magic, but most aren't willing to exercise their own brand of Disney magic in their own lives.
Disney is awesome for guests! My feeding tube leaked on one of the blankets we had right before we were leaving to come home. There was no way I could get it washed so I decided to leave it there. A few days later they called to say we left a blanket there. I explained what happened and told them they could throw it away. About a week later, I got a package from Disney with a brand new blanket identical to the one left and they put the blanket I left in a ziplock bag with a hand written note saying what detergent it was washed in! There was no cast member name so we couldn’t thank them personally, but that’s way above and beyond what I ever expected! The
I am going to Disney World on March 7! First time I have been there in 10 years! Got my plane tickets and reservations at Disney all set. First time staying in the park at Caribbean Beach Resort and also trying the a Deluxe Meal Plan. Not getting rental car and using Disney transportation to/from airport. Just two months to go!
When I worked at Disneyland, we would get bunches of tickets for previews. For example, I got four preview tickets for DCA before it opened to the general public. I remember taking the Katella bus up to go by myself when I met a couple kids heading home early from school. I told them I was heading there and they were surprised that they were letting anyone in. I told them it was a preview for cast members. They were kinda disappointed that they couldn't get in yet and that it looked cool. I said, "wanna go?" You should've seen their jaws drop. Took them along and turned them loose to explore once we got in. Ran into them in line for Soar in over California and they were still very grateful. Working there gave me so many chances to make memories that I'll never forget it.
Considering I once lost my engagement ring walking from the library to the math building at the local university campus, yup, I can imagine losing it at Disney. The trouble is my engagement ring is about a quarter size too big, and it was really cold that day so my skin was tight and not at all puffy. When we went shopping for our wedding bands, I made sure mine was the correct size, and I always make sure it goes on after the engagement ring so it acts as a stopper for it.
I love this kind of video because I can compare it to my experience working at Universal and it is very similar.
Hooray for bloopers!
Well said, about the most important thing you've learned. I went to DLR last year for the first time in many years, and was more observant that time. Got such a kick out of catching the "Disney point" with 2 fingers, and was impressed to see CMs picking up litter even if it that wasn't their assigned primary duty.
I really enjoy your videos. You seem so genuine and articulate. God bless ❤
Now that was a good video thanks I'm still catching up on your video s
We also have such short names at work.
Hey SirWillow, been watching your vids for some time now. They crack me up. Keep up the awesome work. 😁
The language or as I call it Disney speak even makes it way in to the fandom. I'm running a forum site focused on Disney, mainly Disney World, and not only do we use Disney speak but have acronyms too. And I've named the forum that can only be viewed and posted in by mods and admins Backstage.
I'm glad your videos stay the same. Sorry I haven't been watching but I do enjoy your videos.
Glass eye? Love your videos. Keep it up.
On the topic of people leaving things behind. I was at King's Island and my friend left his bank card in the ATM with his account open. Luckily the next person was honest and was taking the card to lost and found when the guys wife spotted my friend and told him.
I lost a camera on my first trip to Florida (but I didn't lose it at Disney World, it might have been Busch Gardens or Sea World) when I was 10, just over 30 years ago. I'm lucky it was a small, inexpensive thing. I often wondered what happened to it, it was just left in a bathroom stall, and it was gone by the time I remembered to check for it. I know somebody had to have taken it, and it's probably long since gone to a trash heap, but sometimes you wonder where your stuff ends up.
Loved the bloopers!
I'd love to see one of those videos of you dancing around. ;)
I had actually seen one, as well as a couple of others that had me while working. But I never bookmarked them or did anything else to save them. Tried a few times in the last couple of years but it's been so long its proven impossible for me to find them.
That’s funny that you say that.... I had a dream a couple months ago where I borrowed (without her knowing) my moms very expensive camera and took it to Disney and lost it and it wasn’t in lost and found!!
Guessing that most of the expensive stuff that was never gets claimed belonged to a foreign that didn't know there was a lost and found.
maybe, but really hard for us to say
Or Every Paycheck Comes On Thursday EPCOT lol😂😂😂
I feel like he could make a whole video about weird things people loose at Disney
I wish I could, but I don't know enough to make it a viable video. Only know a little bit about what I was told, and other than the few things I turned in, I really don't know much more than what I said in this one. ;-/
Now if you could get the people who deal with lost and found, or maybe guest relations, in on it, they'd have some stories.
People lost their minds at Disney!! One day I went to Epcot to work and we were allowed to park by front gates due to slow season. I get out and notice the car next to me was running. So I moved my car down further and I looked around and inside nobody!! Told security as I entered the park. They laughed and said they’ve seen people leave doors open and kids in cars. Wow! I also loved the young Japanese tourists they were fun!!! Occasionally some people would be nasty and cause problems complaining or trying to cut a line to see a character but mostly people were cool. When I was at Discovery Cove a young woman lost her engagement ring she just got in the sand. Omg!!! You had to remove jewelry to swim with Dolphins. We were so sad for her. They brought out these big medal detector things. Not sure if it was found.
On stage, backstage, magic, Backstage Magic! Are you there, I/O?
Here's another story for you ..i took my family to a indoor water park and I was. In the adult hot tub and this Chinese lady changed her baby and threw the dipper on the ground so rude I got out and complained but the staff didn't care so sad
Disney started the whole guest thing which is always something that irritated me. If you charge me $120 to get in the door I'm a customer. You comp me and I'm a guest. A customer pays your salary and a guest does not benefit you at all. I always feel when someone refers to me as a guest they are calling me a freeloader. Since it originated at Disney a lot of businesses have adopted the practice. I don't want to be treated like a guest, I want to be treated as a guy who help pay the bills, and your check.
I worked in entertainment for many years. I worked in several venues, live and movie. Guess what item we found far more often than you would think? Bras. First, why is your underwear off anyway? Second, how do you not notice you're not wearing it when you leave?
P.S. Nobody ever claimed it.
I'd much rather be treated like a guest. A guest is someone that you welcome into your home, that you treat well because they aren't just a customer but they are a friend, a family member, someone that you host, serve and treat because you've welcomed them into your inner circle at home for a visit.
A customer is someone that is only there for a business transaction. A guest is someone that you know personally and have a much deeper connection with than a customer.
someone that you comp an entry into a park isn't a guest, they're a customer that hasn't paid.
@@SirWillow When I welcome someone into my home as a guest I don't charge them for parking, I don't charge for food, I don't charge for a bed to sleep in.
If a customer is there for a business transaction then everyone at Disney is a customer. From the moment you pull up to the parking booth until the moment you leave it's one big cash grab. Look at Star Wars land, 80 stores, one ride. But I'm good with that. You go to a park you expect their hand in your pocket every time you turn around. Call me a guest or call me a customer the CM should have the same personal connection with me. I fund his paycheck.
If I'm a friend, family member, someone they've welcomed into their inner circle I'm kind of hurt they forgot to send me a birthday card.
Wow that's all I can say
EPCOT - every paycheck comes on Thursday
I went through traditions nearly a year ago for TWDC. Best decision I’ve ever made
Saying DAK could get confusing. Magic Kingdom has the DACS (Digital Animation Control System). It controls all of the ride animatronics, sound effects, and music for Magic Kingdom and Epcot. I always wanted to work on that system. It's located in a big server room in the utilidors. I've never had the opportunity to see it but have a friend that's an imagineer and even remoted into a media server with his phone from a dinner in Ohio just to play us the parade music.
No one at MK talks about the DACS except those that work on it, and I honestly don't have a clue if they refer to it that way or not. There's only a small handful that work on it. As compared to the 1000's that work at DAK.
>remoted into a media server with his phone from a dinner in Ohio
I wonder if they use an internal VPN, because if not...that might be a security problem, even with login. Like, Apple, Google and MS all have such things, Disney should too
do you know if it is acceptable for a guest to bring a cast member a gift for them at the parks?
Absolutely, but with limits. No cash, and it can't be anything "of substantial value." So thank you cards, drawings, notes, candy bars, treats, little figures, maybe up to a Disney pin or something like that. You also don't want to give them anything that can't fit into a pocket.
What about if your costume couldn’t handle it ?
So regardless of what they felt it stood for, did CM's still call EPCOT ( or Epcot Center, etc) "Epcot" in shorthand or did it have another spoken nickname? BTW, coming out tired seems especially appropriate for the multiple RunDisney events that end there! ;)
Still called it Epcot. I guess I didn't make that clear. lol
@@SirWillow Also could have just been me not accepting an implication "normal" people would...
I miss EPCOT Center....
Did Disneyworld ever do a long lost friends day or is that just a Disneyland thing?
as far as I know it was a one time special event at Disneyland
High school musical: lame movie, great songs