Making the Most Magical Stay on Earth
A Salute to Resort-Based Cast Members
BY TIMOTHY MOORE
When you think of Disney Cast Members , who comes to mind ? Maybe it ’ s the parade of Disney Princesses waving to you from their cavalcade . Perhaps it ’ s a wisecracking Jungle Cruise Skipper , who inexplicably keeps a straight face as she points out the toucans . It might be a ride operator , a chef , or a maintenance person who works to make your park visit magical all day long .
But what about when you leave the park , hop on the monorail , and head back to your hotel ?
WHAT RESORT CAST MEMBERS DO Think about your last stay on Disney Property . Chances are that you interacted with a wide range of Cast Members . Check in at the front desk ? You spoke with a Cast Member . Leave your luggage with an attendant on your arrival or departure date . A Cast Member helped you out . Buy a meal or souvenir , go swimming under the watchful eyes of a lifeguard , use housekeeping ( charmingly called Mousekeeping ), or take a bus to the park ? A Cast Member was involved every step of the way .
In thinking about various Cast Members with whom I ’ ve interacted during my time at Walt Disney World , I realized that so many of these happy interactions occurred not inside the parks , but at the hotels . Here are a few of my favorite memories .
A MAGICAL MOMENT My head was swimming from the offmenu Elixir 13 cocktail a bartender had recommended ( check the sidebar for the inside scoop ), so it took me a little too long to realize I had foolishly stayed out too late at AbracadaBar , assuming the Skyliner would still be running when I was ready to go home . But when I realized the Skyliner had closed down for the night and I had no easy way of getting back to my room at Pop Century , I panicked .
I rushed into the BoardWalk lobby and explained my situation , made worse by the fact that my phone was dead ( no My Disney Experience when that happens !). With a smile , the clerk disappeared into a back office and emerged moments later to inform me a bus would be arriving in just a few minutes , outside of its regular schedule , to take me to Disney Springs to connect over to my hotel .
When the bus pulled up , its digital destination sign read “ MAGICAL MOMENT .” The door opened to reveal a smiling driver nodding his cap . “ Going to Disney Springs ?” he asked . I nodded as I took a seat . “ Seems silly to drive you all the way there just to catch another bus . Why don ’ t I just take you straight to your hotel .”
And like that , two magical Cast Members had erased all my worry and got me back to my room safe and sound .