Saturday, November 30, 2019

Disney Christmases Past


In February, my middle brother will mark his 42nd year of working at Walt Disney World.  I have had at least 8 jobs in the same period of time.  

For years Disney would close the Magic Kingdom Theme park early, one Friday in December, shoo all of the tourists out, and open it for a private party for cast members and invited guests.  Supervisors and senior manager would operate the rides, and dip free icecream cones, for an evening of Disney style family fun. Gary invited me as his guest several times.  It was great fun.  The crowd was a few thousand, instead of tens-of-thousands, the attractions were not crowded, very little waiting to get into anything you wanted.  Always a fun place, as a private party the Magic Kingdom became relaxed for the evening.  The rules were a little looser, though still no booze.  

As additional parks opened and the cast grew in size, Disney tried doing more than one evening, then eventually went to giving cast members extra free passes to bring family and friends to the parks.  

I guess I am one of the lucky ones who got the experience the Christmas parties of the past, Mouse style.   



8 comments:

  1. Anonymous11/30/2019

    Were you Mickey or Minnie Mouse?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mortimer (the first name of the mouse drawn by Walt.)

      Delete
  2. I cannot imagine staying in one job for 42 years. I have been at my current employer for 16 years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They have been good to him, and he has been loyal.

      Delete
  3. That private day sounds exquisite! Congratulations to Middle Brother for his dedication. Eight jobs for you? I don't even want to start counting mine! My brother is like your brother; he's been at Rite Aid for about the same number of years. Don't tell my brother, but I'd much rather go to Disney World! (I'm sure he would, too.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. After a few years on a job, I start to think that I am part of the problem, not the solution to the problem.

      Delete
  4. 42 years at the same job! That's a real rarity in the modern world.

    I had 6 jobs over the course of my working career. The initial 4 were in the first half of my career in Winnipeg, the 5th and 6th jobs were in the second half in Edmonton. I worked at the 6th job for 17 years and retired from that position.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Six of mine were in the first half, 2 in the last half, I am hoping this one holds out until I can retire in 44 months.

      Delete