My final day as an active Walt Disney World Cast Member, October 31, 2014. The absence of a smile is because i was not expecting to retire after 32 years.
The 10th anniversary of my Disney retirement is October 31, 2024.
The original plan was to retire in 2024 after 40 years of Disney service.
But the compelling, transformational growth opportunity in 2014, after 30 years of Disney service, proves to have played out better than hoped.
Growth opportunities only guarantee the opportunity. They do not guarantee the results. That is on me.
Accepting this 100% is growth. For me. For anyone.
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This website is about our WORK. To ponder today’s post about our HOME, click here.
Seven years ago, 2015…just getting started on my own after Disney retirement.
Telling the “What’s your Bear’s name?” story.
Intentionally making a transition from suit and tie to jacket off and sleeves rolled up. Because the goal was to do something that scared the heck out of me. Had never done it and now that i’m my own boss, post-Disney, i make the rules.
Disney retirement anniversary is one week away.
It’s been eight years since officially retiring.
It’s been 14 years since the decision to retire a decade before i wanted to.
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This website is about our WORK. To ponder today’s post about our HOME, click here.
Joseph Gardner presents a Disney Trophy to Jungle Jeff.L-R: Jungle Jeff, Jack Santiago, Ernesto Salas, Sara Walsh.L-R: Jungle Jeff, Cheryl Noel, Chapin Noel, Sara Walsh, Jack Santiago, Ernesto Salas, and two Contemporary Resort catering team Cast Members (top right).Pure backstage fun, Disney Cast Member style.More backstage fun, Disney Cast Member style.The Disney retirement party happened a few weeks after the official Halloween retirement date.
Who gets invited to a Disney retirement party?
Whoever you want to invite.
Obviously the entire 100-ish Cast Member Disney Institute team get auto-invited.
But here’s the rub, i picked a small venue.
Didn’t pick it to keep it small. Picked it for what the Contemporary Resort and the entire North end of Walt Disney World property means to me.
We live, intentionally, less than one-mile from the North side of Walt Disney World property. Can literally see our home from The Napa Room.
Thirteen of the 15 total years in Resort Operation’s locations are visible from The Napa Room. The other two Resort Ops years were at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort Hotels (1990 opening team).
Back to who gets invited.
Wayne gave me 12 extra invitations. That’s it. Understood it because of DI’s size and the Napa Room’s size.
Cheryl Noel
Chapin Noel
Lee Cockerell
Bob Spina
Joe McColgan
Lori McColgan
Karel Rhodes
Djuan Rivers
Richard (The Grand’s Legendary “Greeter”)
Neal McCord (my first Resort Ops supervisor and the person who recommended me to Disney Institute)
Joao (John) and his wife….
Arlete (The Grand’s legendary Main Lobby Showkeepers)
Intimate was the way to go.
Would have been cool if Walt (and Roy) Disney stopped by in a Dream.
Maybe they did.
Due to the Pirates Code, their appearance (or not) has never been commented on.
Richard and i worked together in the mid-and-late 1990’s. My son and i visited his Kissimmee Hospital room to pay final respects before heading to Glacier National Park. Richard was still lucid. When we returned, he was onto his next realm in our Universe.
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This website is about our WORK. To ponder today’s post about our HOME, click here.
