Disney Stories

I mentioned this a bit in the Have You Ever thread so I’ll tell the whole thing.

For my birthday on year my best friend gave me a custom shirt that had my name (Tony) and a picture of Tinker Bell on it. (This comes into play later)

Jumping a head a couple years I was working on my computer one day when my friend (the same one who gave me gave me the shirt) Sent me an email with a link to a Walt Disney World job fair. I wasn’t sure I had enough magic in me to be a Cast Member but I ended up talking myself into filling out the application. I figured that would be the end of things.

The next morning when I check my email I have an email from Disney inviting me to the 2nd part of the application process. My heart perked up a bit as I took the test that came with the email. They said I’d hear back one way or another within 7 days. So I figured I had a week left of wishful thinking.

My dog Winnie (but I call her Pooh) needed to go for a walk so I take her out. When I come back about half an hour later, I see another email from Disney. Pretty sure was a rejection letter I was hesitant to open it. Turns out they wanted me to come to Orlando for an in person interview. My heart soared. I got to pick the day and time so I booked it for 2 weeks from that day (due to Southwest having better prices for Orlando that week). I started to book an impromptu trip. I decided that since I had never stayed at Pop Century (and my friend who gave me the shirt and linked me to the job fair had recommended it).

So the day to go to Orlando comes.I was bragging to anyone who would listen about my upcoming interview. I flew down the day before the interview to have some time to relax. (I’m gonna skip to the actual interview because what happened that day needs to finish up the story)

The interview did not go well. Mostly because I had no plans to move to Florida unless I got that job. I left the Casting Office with a broken heart. As I walked over to Disney Springs I went through Denial hoping this just a nightmare and the interview hadn’t happened yet. Upon getting to Disney Springs I saw all the happy Cast Members and got angry at myself for not being able to join them. Stage 2. I got on a bus to Art Of Animation since I didn’t want to wait for the bus to Pop I was sitting in the back of the bus crying. Stage 3 Upon reaching AoA I started the trek to Pop thinking about what I should have said. Stage 4. By the time I got back to my room I accepted the fact that I didn’t make the cut.

I spent the rest of the day touring the resorts (not having a park ticket). I was at the Grand Floridian in the lobby looking around at the shops when I get tapped on the shoulder. A Cast Member in the turn of the century attire was standing there. First thought was “Did I wander into a backstage area on accident.” He asked if I flew in from St. Louis the day before. To say I was confused would be an understatement.

Turns out he was on the same flight and remembered a guy in a Mickey Mouse Fantasia hat saying he was going for an interview. It really is a small world after all.

(Back to the day before the interview). I was wearing the Tinker Bell shirt (Which again is out of character. My Areil shirt is usually on the top of my Disney shirt lineup)

After touring both Pop and AoA I decided to take it easy and stay at the resort (very out of character for me. I usually hit the ground running.) I got some dinner and a refillable mug and went to the pool area to watch the poolside movie. That night it was Ratatouille. Halfway through the movie the projector stopped working and they were unable to fix it so the rest of the movie was cancelled.

Slightly bummed I headed to the food court to refill my mug. I walked by a young boy and who I assumed to be his Grandma. I overheard him asking why the movie stopped. Always being one to help I relayed to him what the Cast Member told me.

Suddenly his Grandma’s eyes filled with tears. She locked me in a bear hug so tight I almost couldn’t breathe. She apologized for scaring me, but her son Tony loved Tinker Bell. He recently passed on and she prayed for a sign he made it to Heaven ok.

After the interview went bad I remembered that moment. There were to many variables involved. For that to be a chance encounter you have better odds of winning the lottery…twice. I wasn’t meant to get the job, but I was meant to be at that exact place at that exact time wearing that exact shirt.

I tear up everytime I tell that story. It’s my favorite story (Disney of otherwise) to tell.