Thursday, August 31, 2017

Looking Back: 20 Years Ago - Disney Style!

It is here. I can't even believe it. The twenty year anniversary of my start with the Disney company. In honor of something that had such a huge, positive impact on my life, I've decided to spend September sharing small memories and stories of experiences I had twenty years ago as part of the Walt Disney World College Program!

Growing up I always loved Disneyland. I loved the rides, how they operated, the music and every tiny detail of the theme parks. My dream was to someday work in Disneyland, perhaps dancing down Main Street USA or working on a moving platform. Yeah, I dream big! Eventually I would achieve my moving platform goal, but that wouldn't be until my second internship. I did feel success with the Main Street goal when I marched right down the center with our marching band before the parade during Disney's Magic Music Days in high school.

I still own that Magic Music Days t-shirt and embroidered sailor cap!

One day at Oregon State University I was reading the Barometer, our student newspaper, as saw a tiny ad in the corner. Recruiters from Disney were coming for one night to have a presentation and do interviews for their college program. I had never been to Florida before, but this was a way to help me achieve my goal of working for Disney, only on a more grand scale!


Meet Ronda, the freshman, in her dorm!
I can still remember where I sat during the presentation. I imagine I had an excited smile on my face the entire time. I even won a button for answering a trivia question! (What is the name of the theme park Disney is building right next to Disneyland?) By the time the presentation was over it was clear I had no choice but to apply!

My roommate had joined me so I wouldn't have to sit alone. They won her over as well! We spent the evening filling out our applications and preparing each other for the group interview the next morning. I was so desperate to get one of the few spots (it was a much smaller program back in the day!) so I willingly said I would work as a Quick Service Restaurant hostess and do my internship during the Fall program. Many students like to apply for Attractions in the Summer. I wanted to up my odds, so I chose the options people don't generally try for!

We ended up being interviewed together by the recruiter. At first we tried to not point out we were best friends and roommates, and hope maybe they thought we were strangers with natural chemistry and would be great at talking with guests. Eventually, however, our cover was blown. We bonded with the recruiter over Keiko, the killer whale from Free Willy. The Disney recruiters had just seen him the day before at the aquarium, and my roommate and I had just gone a couple of weeks prior. 

Maybe I should thank Keiko, RIP, because a few weeks after our interview I checked our mail in our dorm and we had mail too big to fit in the small box. When the attendant handed me two huge envelopes I knew. Both of us had been offered a role as part of the Fall 1997 Walt Disney World College Program! My roommate was gone that day, but when I called her and told her about the mail she insisted I open hers just to confirm. *Notice I said CALL - yeah, we did that before texting existed!

This was only the start of my Disney career, as most everyone knows I went back after college to work for a few years. But this next blog series will focus on this incredible adventure! I met so many new friends, worked in Frontierland, spent many nights in the infamous Vista Way hot tubs, hit Pleasure Island every single week, went to a formal dance at a new resort, had a super cute boyfriend, called 911, had some Magical Moments, cooked and served those turkey legs everyone knows and loves, tried alcohol, and even got a "Hidden Mickey" tattoo (safely within the Disney Look guidelines)!

So come along on this trip down memory lane with me! And feel free to ask any questions or suggest topics I should cover as well. Brace yourself... there will be photos of me in braces! Friends, fellow Cast Members and roommates, put on your seat belts - you'll be in this too!

See ya real soon! °o°