8

It's been 3 years today I have driven under the entrance as a WDW Cast Member. Its been a good, a bad, and a crazy 3 years where I have learned a lot about this company, myself and life in general.

Do I regret this journey? In some ways yes, in others no. However if I hadn't come I would have always seen this as the "golden ticket", when I now know that it really just is a "shiny ticket." That beneath the "Magical Pixie Dust" is a company, one that when push comes to shove doesn't often make the magical decisions, and bad things that run in other companies runs here just as deep. I could've been so much more than I currently am, making a living wage, moving forward in life instead of just treading water, being able to use my skills, experiences and knowledge somewhere I was wanted, needed and appreciated.

But I did come, and I have meet some of the most amazing people I've ever meet, and am able to call most of them my friends. I have had some great experiences here including; Driving a huge truck with air brakes (plus two other smaller non lethal trucks), watching fireworks from the roof of the Emporium, working with a great team to maintain the Wilderness Lodge's domination when it came to Easter Basket sales (which sadly they have now lost) and working a 24 hour shift to see it happen, watching my cast meet and cremate the "Dream Ear Hat" contest when they knew I would be fried for not making them wear the (&% ears if they didn't win- our goal was 9- they sold almost 50 and watching the joy it brought to their faces, seeing my cast's expressions change when my "axe murder" Internet friends showed up day after day from concern to welcoming, to the story times and team days, to the "cultural experience" of introducing Acini de Pepe salad to the cast, having thanksgiving dinner overlooking the Indy Speedway, to being brutally attacked by a cheap christmas tree to relight it for my team, helping every cast member in the convention center strike, turn and set a room in under 30 minutes, working with the best concierge team to "Be Awesome!", simply being able to spend so much time in the World, to a million more I don't have space to mention...

Do I love going to work each day? Usually.
Do I still smile when I drive underneath the entrance? Mostly.
Do I still see myself working here forever? No.
Do I wish that wasn't the case? More than you would ever know.

But for now I will still enjoy the journey, despite it not being the one I wanted, because I know in the end, it will be worth it.