January 1, 2010 by Leanne
Who was it that said “the dawn of a new decade?” I think most of the world was eager to ring in 2010 and say good-bye to 2009. I’m not going to rehash how difficult a year it was this past year – on many fronts. I’m just like everyone else though and very excited to see what is in store for all of us this new year.
I spent part of the day yesterday (New Year’s Eve) at the Magic Kingdom working a Cross-U shift. For those not familiar with this every so often, usually during peak periods, salaried cast members will be asked to work a shift in the parks to help out. The exciting and sometimes intimidating part of this is that we have no idea what job we’ll be assigned until we show up for our shift. My assignment this year: Popcorn stand at the Castle hub in the Magic Kingdom. I was in charge of filling the popcorn orders as they came in. It was pretty easy because there were only two size options – a small box or a souvenir bucket. Once our team got a flow going we were rockin! I’m positive we were the best and most efficient popcorn stand in all the parks yesterday.
It was so much fun to see everyone at the parks having such a good time. At 4pm the cast started handing out the New Year’s Eve hats and horn blowers which quickly added to the buzz along Main Street. If I had anyone to hang out with I might have just stayed at the park for the rest of the night to ring in the year. It seemed everyone was having a great time.
I feel very blessed going into 2010. While I have few tight personal friendships, those that I have I cherish. I am also grateful for the many wonderful people I work with and for those amazing people that I met through work (read: Moms Panelists and bloggers). Your support and encouragement means so much to me. I appreciate everyone so much and wish you all the very best in the coming year.
For those that have asked – Jefferson is doing fine. He cooperated so quickly I am actually stunned. The boxer shorts lasted less than 24-hours.
Here’s where the lump was removed from his right hind leg.
Happy New Year to all!
Category Disney | Tags: Disney,Food,Holidays,Magic Kingdom,work life | 1 Comment
December 8, 2009 by Leanne
I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Disneyland in California.
I flew in late Wednesday night and came home Friday afternoon. One of the benefits of working for a large corporation (The Walt Disney Company) with multiple sites around the world is the ability to travel to some of those locations and visit with colleagues I don’t get to see very frequently.
After we got through our mandatory work stuff (you know, meetings etc…) my colleague Tom and I snuck out for a little Disney fun. Tom had never been to the Disneyland before so it was all brand new to him. This was my 3rd time in the park so I led him to my favorite attractions first. I knew he had to experience Pirates of the Caribbean – Disneyland style. Their version of the attraction has some awesome differences from the one at Walt Disney World – like 2 waterfall drops, air blast effects and a longer ride through the storyline. It’s a must do if you get a chance to go there. I love it
We then made our way over to the Haunted Mansion. 
Again the exterior of their Mansion looks very different from the one in Florida. I have to say – this attraction blew me away! The Haunted Mansion Holiday is inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. The holiday overlay starts from the moment you walk into the first room and then continues throughout the entire ride. It is amazing and so much fun. I have to admit, I was not expecting such a fun experience and was taken aback by all the attention to detail the Disney Imagineers put into this attraction. I know, I should never be shocked at how they always think of everything, but it was inspiring to see such creativity.
With just a limited time for fun over, we had to boogie on back to the hotel and head home. Side note: The lack of direct flights from LAX to Orlando is frustrating. Our choices were either to leave at 7am or the red-eye at 10:45pm. We opted for the 2:30pm flight that stops in Atlanta and got us back in Orlando at 1:00am Saturday morning. LONG DAY!
View from take-off at LAX.
Category Disney | Tags: Disney,Disneyland,Haunted Mansion,Holidays,Pirates,work life | 1 Comment
November 26, 2009 by Leanne
There is so much to be thankful for this year.
The beginning of the year definitely had a rocky start given the economy and all that surrounded it. I am so thankful for my job with Disney and all my friends I’ve made from co-workers to new friends made online to friends made through projects I’ve worked on (Hello Moms Panelists!). It truly has been an amazing year getting to know such wonderful people.
I’m thankful for my friends and family in my personal life. Although my family numbers are very low – in fact you can almost count them on one hand (mom, Uncle Jack, Aunt Betty and some cousins scattered around the country) they still mean the world to me. I wish I saw more of them in person. Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays make me reminisce for the old days when we were kids and the celebrations were huge with 20 or more of us cramming into Grandma’s little 2-bedroom house for the holiday meals. The kids were segregated to the living room eating off card tables while the grown-ups sat at the dining room table. Do they even sell card tables any more? Card tables and TV trays were staples in every house back then.
I’m thankful for my best friends (and boyfriend!) The last year and half with Mike has been so much fun. I miss my friend Mike in California and his family – who at one time adopted me into their family circle. I wish we had more hours in the day to talk and catch up like we used to do. And I’m thankful for my long-time friend Randie who never forgets me on the holidays. Our friendship is going on 25 years.
I’m thankful for all my friends from my past I’ve reconnected with through Facebook. While I hardly ever see any of them in person it is rewarding to see what they’re all doing throughout the year and how their lives have changed over time. I enjoy reading their status updates and smile to see the fun their having with their families. And if it wasn’t for Facebook I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to attend my high school band’s reunion gathering this summer. Oh yes, that made me cry! I loved band and the comradery it brought. Those were priceless and special friendships.
And of course I’m thankful for my dogs. They bring such joy to my life despite the 2:00 am bathroom calls. When Mikita takes a nap with me and lays her head on my shoulder to sleep – it just warms my heart. And poor Jefferson, who’s aging so rapidly in his elderly years – he’s so darn cute with his constant tail wagging just for glancing his way.
I’m also thankful for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. What would Thanksgiving Day be without it?
Category Daily Life | Tags: Family,Holidays,Mike,personal,Thanksgiving | No Comments
