Keep Moving Forward

In my last post, I mentioned that there was a hiccup with my application to return to Walt Disney World. There was an issue with Costuming. Their records showed me having a costume piece still issued to me. However, I did not have this costume piece. I was told that if I did not pay for or return this item, I would never be allowed to work for any branch of The Walt Disney Company again. I paid for it to clear my name. Unfortunately, my first payment was not received, so I was still shown as unavailable for rehire when I completed the application a few weeks ago. Lucky for me, Casting was willing to work with me and after sending the money again, my name is now clear. I received an invitation on Tuesday to set up a phone interview! I set up the interview and on Thursday, I finally got to move forward again with the application process.

Last year, when I was contemplating finishing my program or coming home early, everyone told me that I would still be able to come back to work at Walt Disney World, even if I quit. Even managers and college program recruiters told me this. Some managers even suggested I just leave early because there was no way my allergy issues were going to be resolved. I was told there would be no consequences other than a six month no-rehire period. I couldn't apply to work for a Disney company within six months of leaving. I know now that this was very wrong. Almost my entire phone interview consisted of questions like, "Why did you leave early?" "How many jobs have you had since you left?" and my favorite, "Your file says that you terminated employment because you were unsatisfied with your role. Why is this?" I had to do a lot of explaining in that interview. A lot more than I expected. It went okay though. It wasn't as magical as I thought it would be. They mostly just wanted to make sure that I don't bounce around from place to place often, which makes sense. Following the interview, Casting had to submit a request for approval of my rehire. Since I quit, I am now under Restricted Rehire. It is possible to be rehired under these conditions, I just don't know what the likelihood is for me. Whoever the request was submitted to will look at my performance during my College Program. They will see any attendance notations, my audition scores, my costuming issues, what characters I was approved and disapproved in, and what feedback I received during evaluations with Casting Directors. This is what it all comes down to. I am so close, but everything is weighing on this decision. I am so desperately hoping that I get approved.

I did get some exciting news during the interview though! Remember how I said I was identified as a good friend for Tinker Bell? Well, it got approved! So IF I get rehired, Tink and I WILL be friends! Not only would I get to go back and join all of my old friends, but I would get to add Tink into the mix! I am so nervous and excited for this. I just hope Casting understands that I am serious about coming back and gives me the opportunity. I also learned that the job I will be offered, if I get approved, is for full-time.

Now for something super awesome. The Disney Store closest to my house was recently remodeled. To celebrate the transformation, the store had a Grand Opening. Guess who showed up? Mickey and Minnie, of course! So guess who had to go be a part of all of this? Me, duh! I woke up after about 4 hours of sleep, picked up some friends, and headed to the mall to wait in line for the opening of the store. It upsets me that I had forgotten how much energy Disney Cast Members have at 8 AM. But it was so much fun. There was even a Frozen Sing Along! After spending way too much money in The Disney Store, we headed downstairs to get in line to meet Mickey and Minnie. While waiting, we learned that you would meet one or the other, not both. This was to keep the line moving. We were in line for over an hour, probably closer to two. Believe me, I recognize the irony of it all. There I was, someone with at least a dozen photos with Mickey, waiting in line for multiple hours in a shopping mall just to get a photo with Mickey. It was so great though. The children in line around me had never seen Mickey or Minnie before. They would get so excited and say, "Mickey Mouse!" with their little voices. This is why I want to go back.

I really do believe that magic exists. Do I think that pulling a rabbit from a hat is magic? No. That's a trick. Magic is what happens when someone is on the Monorail for the first time, and they get that first glimpse of Cinderella Castle, and suddenly they forget all the bad and they focus only on that beautiful castle. Or walking down Main Street, USA and seeing a little girl's face light up when the balloon man calls her, "Princess." I saw magic happen every day. Sometimes, I even helped make it happen. And that is something I will always cherish.