I'm sure everyone has heard "Once a Cast Member, Always a Cast Member." Whether that is true for everyone or not, it's definitely true for a lot of people. No one can tell or predict how working for Disney may impact negatively or positively in the future. A lot of people just jump the gun and applied for various positions within The Walt Disney Company. A lot of people I know get their first taste of being a Cast Member is through Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Since it is a primary vacation spot for people of all ages, and families of all kinds, it is understandable that people would look into working for the same company that gives them joy and an escape from reality.
Cast Members are employees of all race, ethnicities, cultural background, and from every part of the world. They are the employees of The Walt Disney Company. They are the backbone of the Disney image. Every person that works for The Walt Disney Company is a Cast Member. No matter what role, no matter what leadership status they possessed, no matter what part of the company they are working in, every single person is a Cast Member. The Cast Member that is serving you a churro in the middle of Magic Kingdom is just as important as the Cast Member who's overseeing training for new hires at an attraction. Every role is just as important as the next. There is no such thing as a "lesser role" because all of these roles together work as a team, as a company to bring guests such as yourself a memorable vacation.
Being a Cast Member is one of my most memorable experiences in my lifetime. I'm sure as I grow older that it will still be one of my greatest work experiences. You learn so much by becoming a Cast Member. I know that there are other companies that provide similar work atmosphere, but nothing compares to working at Disney, especially at the parks.
Making magic is a term that most people don't know unless they're a Disney fan or know Disney lingo. It's something that a lot of Cast Member are remembered by from guests. Making magic can mean a variety of things, in simple terms it can be anything from saying hi to a guest at the right time, being acknowledged by characters when you're in an outfit that's inspired by them or their movie (Aka Disneybound), giving a child a pin that they've had their eye on, letting someone have the front row of a show, even talking to children and adults alike about Disney, favorite food, favorite movie and etc.
There are so many ways to make magic, yes compensation for when things do go wrong, can still be "making magic." Making magic is what sets Cast Members apart from other companies and employees. It's something that Disney is known for, along with their exceptional customer service. It's about doing something that a company or employee shouldn't have to do, but they do it to put smiles on everyone's faces. They want people to keep coming back, they want guests to feel like they're part of the family.
I know those who may be reading this, are past, present and future Cast Members. Remember that your role is just as important to the company. You may not feel or see it all the time, but I promise you when you get a smile or a thank you gesture from a guest knowing that you made their vacation priceless, you'll remember why you wanted to be a Cast Member in the first place.
The skills and valuable experience as a Cast Member will forever be with you. No matter what job you'll have next, or where you may end up after Disney, I promise you the skills, the experience and attitude you had as Cast Member will positively help you in all aspects of your life.
