Disney Dreams
Working at Walt Disney World had been a dream of mine since childhood. The sprawling and one-of-a-kind creation, two if you include Disneyland in California, had captivated my parents since they first visited, practically by chance, within its first year of opening, not long after my birth. My grandparents kept me during my parents’ first getaway. But I, and later my sister, were always present for future and innumerable visits. Disney World was like nothing we’d ever seen.
If I thought I’d been enlivened by our Meridian Downtown Christmas Parade, I was undoubtedly euphoric at Disney. Disney Imagineers, a combination of imagination and engineering, knew how to arouse our senses and mine were quickened by the sights, sounds, and smells of the wonderful world. From the first time, or at least the first time I remember, we pulled into the parking lot of the Polynesian Village Resort on the grounds of the Disney property, I was entranced by the palm trees, tropical fish pools, articulated buses, and the sleek modern train called a “monorail” that arrived almost silently above our heads at the front of the resort.
Entering the hotel through the large glass automatic sliding doors into the grand ceremonial hall was no less impressive with its lush two-story waterfall as its centerpiece. But the sights and sounds that were most exciting to behold were from the shores of the Polynesian, casting eyes and ears across the Seven Seas Lagoon to the Magic Kingdom with its spiraling castle, mountainous roller coaster, steam train whistles, and ferry boat horns. We could watch the monorail circle the Seven Seas, disappearing into one side and emerging from the other of the Contemporary Resort on the northeast side of the lagoon. And if the wind blew just so, we could even hear the faint howl of what sounded like a werewolf from the grounds of the Haunted Mansion.
The anticipation alone of taking the monorail to the Magic Kingdom Park the next day was as powerful as the experience itself. Surely this was a truth that Walt Disney had learned first-hand and endeavored to instill in his guests, that imagination and fantasy could be as compelling as reality. Nevertheless, the reality served only to enhance what I had imagined.
In the Magic Kingdom, many of my favorite storybook and cartoon characters could be conversed with and embraced. American Presidents spoke and moved as if they were alive. Animatronic pirates, ghosts and goblins, giant butterflies and pythons, African Bull and baby Indian elephants could be viewed in simulated and yet semi-authentic habitats. There were electric light parades and off-Broadway quality performances on stages that would arise from underground. Not to mention that my family, although often exhausted at the end of each day, was generally carefree and playful while there. It was a magical place for us. And surely one of our happiest.
As my sister and I aged, our parents would let us hang out in the Disney Parks by ourselves. And by the time I graduated from high school, two more parks had been created in addition to the Magic Kingdom — EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, originally called Disney MGM Studios. My favorite park was and remains EPCOT for its dual celebration of future innovation and a cross-section of countries from around the world. It is also twice the size of the Magic Kingdom which for the introvert in me always seemed to make it feel less crowded.
A tradition emerged for me where on the last day of our vacations I would watch the final parade or fireworks display with my family and then try to remain in whatever park we were in for as long as I could. In the Magic Kingdom on Main Street, I’d watch the tired families make their way to the ferries, buses, or monorail. In EPCOT, I’d find a spot somewhere between the large geodesic sphere called Spaceship Earth and the Fountain of Nations where I could watch the monorail make its final rounds of the day and at times feel the cool mist of the fountains thanks to the humid breezes of Lake Buena Vista. I was often melancholic in these final moments trying to hang on to the inspiration and elation of the past days. I would yearn for a Disney Cast Member to walk up to me, sensing my love of the place, and offer me a job on the spot. So, when I learned years later that Disney recruiters were coming to my college campus, that was as good as an offer. I would simply have to let them know how interested I was by signing up for an interview.
*Thanks for reading and/or listening. Join me next week for more of Disney Dreams. To read from the beginning please go to Why I'm Writing.
Question — What memories, whether from visiting Walt Disney World parks or experiencing Disney magic in other ways, do you hold dear? What role do you believe places like Walt Disney World play in our lives, both as sources of entertainment and as catalysts for personal growth and inspiration?
Enjoyed hearing of your Disney experiences and fond memories for you. When I was in high school we went to the Orange Bowl and performed at half time but we also went to Disney and marched in the Main Street parade. There was a daytime and a night time parade but the night time one was so much more magical. The Christmas decorations were still in place and I remember the gigantic Christmas tree and the size of the balls on it. For a small town girl who had never traveled much, once to Panama City, Florida ,this was my first visit and a very BIG deal. It showed me there was much to see and learn outside of Russellville, Alabama city limits.
The creation of Disney itself as an entertainment source is a true testament to inspiration and how far you can take a dream. Although it is a business, the ideas, and beliefs built into it are truly inspiring. For me, it encourages me to always dream and story tell - both things I hold dear - as it is through both of those, real personal growth can occur.