Thank you.

I know that phrase is not something that you get to hear all too often. During the holiday season at the parks, things get crazy. The crowds thicken as children go on their two-week breaks, the air is buzzing with excitement over the ideas of meeting Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and everyone starts to get a little anxious about pleasing their loved ones and making sure that they have the best vacation ever.

Because of this, you all often get the brunt of all the guests' aggression and agitation.

You often get stuck listening to parents scream at you for not letting them utilize their expired Fastpass, or for telling them that their Disney Dining Plan doesn’t cover that specific food item.

With all of the stress of the holidays in the air, you often get yelled at for purely just doing your job.

This isn’t okay. You deserve to be treated with the utmost kindness and respect that you treat each guest as you welcome them into the most magical place on earth.

You had to sacrifice a lot of the time you could have been spending with family over the holidays working in the parks. You had to sit for hours on end, listening to parents complain about wait-times and children whine about who knows what, when you could’ve been baking Christmas cookies with your parents, or snuggling with your favorite pet.

Instead, you decided to do something you are passionate about. You decided to put your personal life aside and do something that makes others happy. From my personal experiences at Walt Disney World, I’ve come to appreciate every single cast member that I have encountered during each visit. From the friendly face greeting me at the Magic Kingdom gate to the charismatic Jungle Cruise Skipper, each person working in the parks makes it the unforgettable experience that Disney World wouldn’t be complete without.

I guess all I am trying to say is just thank you for doing your job, but also thank you for going above and beyond when you don’t really have to.

My fondest memories of Disney World, in general, come not from the rides I ride or the food I eat, but the experiences I have with cast members. For example, I may not remember riding Soarin’ when I was like eight of nine, but I will always remember the cast member who when I had a bloody nose, let me step out of line and moved my family and me to the front of the two-hour line when I was done cleaning it up.

I will always remember the cast member who complimented my puny shirt, and the Jungle Cruise skipper who made my birthday really special.

Thank you all for everything that you do for every person who decides to be immersed in the Disney magic. The parks could not run without the sparkling touch you add to everything you do.

Sincerely,

A Mouseketeer