Meet Me at the Fire Station

Well it's that time of year again, Tales of a Disneyland Cast Member will be celebrating it's 2nd anniversary. I honestly can't believe it. This year has been a bumpy ride, but full of so many blessings. 

I have decided to have another meet up this year, because last year's was so popular.  So plan to meet me on April 26, 2013 by the Fire station on Main Street around 3:30. If you can not make it to that one, I will hold another meet up around 8pm in front of the Jungle Cruise. 

Here is the Facebook event link Tales Anniversary

Also if you have any questions feel free comment on the event page,  Tweet Me or email talesofadisneylandcm@gmail.com

I look forward to meeting you all :) 



Blessings! 

15 pounds

I have written this blog post over and over again in my mind.  In fact, I have always wondered how I would present this topic and how I would share this news. Would it be in bitterness, disappointment or with a strange sense of completion?  I share this with you today, because I am tired of holding this secret in. I also already spilled the beans on twitter about a week ago and promised a full explanation. So being as vague as possible here is my story:

My MRI

I don’t remember much about that day, except I was working in the lobby. I was near the end of my shift when a guest approached me with a question. Unsure of the answer, I went to go ask my lead. The next few moments would change the course of my life.  Time seemed to slow down as I slid my I.D through the door to go backstage. The door beeped, unlocked, and I went toward my lead’s office. As I walked down the hall, I heard the sound of metal crashing. I looked up and then everything went black….. I wish I could tell you I know what happened after that, but I don’t. You see as 15lbs light fixture fell from a 20ft ceiling and knocked me out.  Next thing I know, I am getting an MRI telling me I have internal bleeding, a traumatic brain injury, and that I will suffer from Post-Concussion Syndrome.  Everything changed for me. I lost my sense of humor, personality, and joy. The accident caused me to lose some of my hearing, the ability to process information, and remember things. This incident put my life on hold and I had to learn how to function again.

I wish I could tell this was an April’s Fool Joke, but alas it’s not. This accident is why I left the company and can never return. My heart is broken because I believe I was created to be a dream maker. I believe I am a person who was designed to inspire others. My goal in life is to bring people joy. I originally started writing this blog to find healing from accident and never expected it to be popular. I never expected anyone else to really connect with the stories like I did. But so many of you have reached out to me the past few weeks to tell me how deeply this blog touched you. For that I am overwhelmed and honored.

Tales of a Disneyland Cast Member WILL continue to create magic on the internet despite what I had thought earlier. (I cannot discuss everything just yet, due to legal reasons).  I personally have about 7 stories left I will share with you and then I am going to allow other Cast Members to send me their magical stories. I want this blog to be a place where the magic is honored and remembered- where Walt’s original vision is still regarded.  This will be a place that will be a source of joy and inspiration to the entire internet. That is my dream and I will continue to make that happen- regardless if I wear a name tag or not.  I just ask that you help me make that dream come true.

I personally want to thank all of you who have reached out to me. I have read all of your emails, tweets, post, and messages.  I am so overwhelmed by the response and love. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. 

If any of your have questions, comment, or concerns please direct them to talesofadisneylandcm@gmail.com or The Facebook Page

Once again thank you all. 

Danielle 

Kick In The Teeth

Tonight, I was getting ready to shut down Tales of a Disneyland Cast Member down. I received some very nasty comments that I had ruined the magic. To make the matters worse, these comments were from a Cast Member and someone who works high up in the company. To say that I was heartbroken would be putting it lightly. This blog is much more than a fan site that “exposes” Disney. Since starting in 2011, this blog was dedicated to encouraging people to follow their dreams. This world is full of enough negativity; I wanted to be a positive influence and bring joy to those in need. Through sharing my stories of interactions with guests, I wanted to give you a glimpse of what a difference a small thing can make. In many ways, I have attempted to carry on Walt’s dream. Yet, there are those out there who call me names, pick my writing apart, and make fun of me. 

To those who make fun of me, I challenge you to find something that gives you joy like Disneyland gives me. Find something that is your passion and pursue it with your whole heart. It is the most rewarding experience. Instead of looking down on others, turn your focus to something productive. This blog has touched many readers and inspired many to follow their dreams.

I will continue to write, video blog, tweet, and share ideas because that makes me happy. Inspiring others is my calling in life and I will do that till my grave. No one can take away my joy when I get an email from a reader telling me that they just applied to work at Disneyland. Walt had many adversities when trying to build Disneyland; no one would give him the funds, people made fun of him for building in a place called “Anaheim”. Yet, even though he met many failures, he never gave up and boy am I glad he didn't  So I will not stop pursing my dream of creating this into a book that features other stories of Cast Members. I want to give people a positive look of what it is like being a Cast Member, there are WAY too many negative blogs and books out there.

This may seem like rant, but I really felt it needed to be said. Thank you all who read faithfully and encourage me. Being in college and working is tough these days. It’s why I don’t have the chance to write all the time. So thank you everyone for your patience. I look forward to inspiring many more of you!  

All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.
-Walt Disney

Come Home Soon

It's reasons like this I continue to write. Seriously, I just had to share this with you all. 

Hi Danielle,
I happened to stumble upon your blog while surfing the web during a slow point in my day. I want to say that I love your stories, and they make me miss Disneyland very much. I am a proud Space Mountain Flight Attendant at Space Station 77, currently on leave of absence to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Your stories remind me why joined the Disney family all those years ago and makes me feel proud to be part of such a diverse group. I count the days till I can make it back to the park. Until then I keep my nametag with me at all times and I wear it under my helmet for luck. Good luck in your adventures around the park and I wish you the very best.

Sincerely Yours,
2LT Brian Yang
US Army
Kandahar, Afghanistan


Please continue to keep our Armed Services in your thoughts and prayers. We hope you can return to the Magic and come home soon Brian.