So good at what they do: Disney World employee appreciation post
All three of the employees wearing “Andrew” on their name tag had beards like yours truly, but unlike me, none of them had any white hairs. But Disney is not just a young man’s game.
At the entrance to Epcot, we met a white-haired woman named Santa – yes, Santa! – and her smile was like opening a gift.
A bus driver named Scott, who kidded that he was older than Walt Disney himself, told jokes over the PA all the way to the Animal Kingdom, including one for each of the Seven Dwarfs.
But my favorite joke was, “Why do you never see elephants hiding in trees?”
“Because they are so good at it!”
A waitress named Jelly assured my 5-year-old that Mickey Mouse would indeed come to our table, and he would give her a hug. “But only if you want him,” Jelly added.
Later that day, Rodrigo patiently explained that the Buzz Lightyear ride was closed due to “custodial concerns.” My eyes widened; I have three young kids. I know about such concerns, say, all over a car seat in the minivan.
Rodrigo patted my shoulder, “Sir, it shall be well.”
Brad behind the ice cream counter told us not to worry when my daughter suddenly changed her mind about her flavor. After he passed the chocolate cone to her, he grinned, “How about Dad taking this vanilla for free?”
My 7-year-old son fidgeted his Magic Band off his wrist at “It’s a Small World” and started to sob after it fell two floors into the water. Eliana was only responsible for shepherding groups into the cars, but she took one look at my boy and asked, “How might I help?” Her accent made me think that English was not her first language.
As far as custodial concerns, I can’t imagine fishing a Magic Band from a pool is a high priority, especially with long lines of riders. But after we got off the ride, Eliana said she had tried. The band was lost, yet she spoke with unmistakable compassion. It shall be well. She referred us to guest services.
Once there, Alex not only helped my 7-year-old, but also assured his nervous older brother about Big Thunder Mountain – “If you rode Space Mountain, you can totally handle this!” Alex got both my sons on the ride before the fireworks started back at Cinderella’s Castle.
As I watched this elaborate firework show, which was timed to music and lights, I wondered how many hundreds, maybe thousands of people it took to put on such a performance. Over the course of our trip, we met a few of these employees.
But surely most of these faithful people are like elephants in trees – unseen, yet so good at what they do.
Andrew Taylor-Troutman is the author of Gently Between the Words: Essays and Poems. He is the pastor of Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church. He and his wife, also an ordained minister, parent three children and a dog named Ramona.
