A little sad but it had to end...Working near a mouse

[SCPP]

For the past 3 plus years my company has worked with and/or near WDW on a project.

I travel over 200 days a year for work but going to WDW for work was almost like getting paid for fun. On average I was in Orlando 1 to 2 times a month for the past 40 months.

Last week we mutually agreed that the project had run its course and would not renew when the terms ended. I agreed and knew it was coming but it was still very sad. That means my regular visits will end as will all my free evenings in the park, stay over an extra day or 2 and my long weekends. No more "in the know access", no more really access at all. But I really enjoyed my time and met and worked with some amazing people.

I counted and over the past 40 months, I have been in Orlando 57 times for a total of 121 days working. I also spent parts of another 73 days in the park playing. (yes I am the type that keeps a spreadsheet on EVERYTHING. I will pass 3000 lifetime nights in Hotels some time next year) Total I spent 194 nights working or playing in Orlando since 2010. Much better than many of the other places that I am forced to visit on business.

I never really participated or answered many questions here but rather lurked around. I always want to make sure and error on the side of caution and keep things to myself when a company project is active. I never wanted to talk out of turn or betray a confidence. But now that the project is over, I hope to answer questions and share a few experiences here and there.

It was amazing and except for a year working in London and 120 day project in Hong Kong, this was my favorite project ever. Amazing folks and many days of hard work.

I will miss going to EPCOT for dinner or just walking around to grab a drink and I will miss watching how things operate. I guess we never appreciate things until they are over.

Thankfully we have a 10 day stay next month for a family vacation so I will get my final dose of Magic.

No one at my company understands how tough this is move on. One person actually said to me "I bet you are glad to never enter that He$$hole again….....wow.................but I knew you guys would understand how difficult it is for me and how special my time there has been.

Imagine knowing you were going to WDW on someone's else dime for 3 years EVERY month and then it ends. Massive WDW withdrawal coming up ahead. Magical place, magical people and a great blessing to be there.

Top Memories
1) Watching US women win soccer gold medal at ESPN club with friends.
2) Food and Wine festival for 9 straight nights (my poor liver)
3) Empty parks and walk on for Soaring, RR, Space on certain nights.
4) Eating at over 60 different on property restaurants. Staying at EVERY resort at least once.
5) Drinking beer and eating pizza with an Atlanta Braves player in Epcot
6) Talking with many fantastic guest while waiting in line by myself. Made some great friends.
7) Behind the scenes stuff.
8) Going to Orlando in the Winter when the ground is frozen at home.
9) Some other not to be mentioned PG 13 moments after dark.
10) Great people

It was a wonderful time.....I guess Karma will send me to Peoria or Topeka for my next adventure.

Thanks for reading and as they say........Have a Magical Day !!!!

 

[leebee]

It sounds like you had the dream job of all eternity! So many people say their dream is to work for Disney, until they look at the reality: Low pay, cranky guests, hard work, having to find a cheap place to live and struggling to make ends meet. You had the opportunity to "work" at Disney while living as a guest and playing as a tourist. I bet you have some amazing stories to tell! I'm sorry it all had to come to an end… time to go back to living a "regular" life. Just remember… Disney is always there, waiting for you, even if your travel circumstances won't be the same.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

So glad you enjoyed working near the mouse!

I spent eight months in Orlando and went to WDW as often as possible. I loved it and met so many open and warm people. I too thought it was a great blessing.

Glad you have a trip coming up - enjoy and grace for the post Disney withdrawls - that's why I love the Dis - a place to enjoy when I am away from the mouse!

 

[PeterPanic]

So how did the Mine Train turn out???

 

[heartse]

So how did the Mine Train turn out???

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, SCPP. Sounds like a real bittersweet ending to a great project. Hope your next one is a good one also.

 

[Rosanne]

Sounds like a really magical experience. I'm happy for you that you have all those wonderful memories. About 20 years ago I was fortunate to be working a job that paid for us to stay 10 nights at YC. Still a great memory.

Here's to hoping your next adventure is magical in its own way .

 

[ethanwa]

You should just move here. That's what I did!

Ethan

 

[Jillpie]

Since nobody else will ask, I will , what did you do? I wonder if you met my son who works at MK...hmmm, so mysterious, do tell.

 

[Ninja Mom]

Bummer on the job ending....

But remember, WDW will still be there, ready and waiting for you when you go back. It's not like it's going to completely go away forever and ever.

Just carry that around with you. You'll have more time to explore new things and the 'World" will still be waiting for you whenever you go back!



~NM

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Ok, so what was the project?

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Bummer deal on the job ending. It word hurt my heart a little but wow sounds like an awesome amazing experience. If your next stop is Peoria, let me know. That's where I live. And while it definitely isn't WDW (very VERY far cry from it) there are a couple nice things to do in the area.

 

[Bullseye]

Bummer Op, but at least you had great thing for an extended time! I have two ex-Dis college program kids who were heartbroken thereafter when their programs ended after five months. I always tell DW that I'm going to retire early and drive a bus in WDW

 

[LisaTC]

You are going to get a lot of questions!

You should complete your Golden Spoon, would be interesting to see that list. I'm sure this will be a withdrawl process, to be sure. Can't imagine. Good luck on your next venture!

 

[SCPP]

It was an IT Related Project.

 

[SCPP]

It sounds like you had the dream job of all eternity! So many people say their dream is to work for Disney, until they look at the reality: Low pay, cranky guests, hard work, having to find a cheap place to live and struggling to make ends meet. You had the opportunity to "work" at Disney while living as a guest and playing as a tourist. I bet you have some amazing stories to tell! I'm sorry it all had to come to an end… time to go back to living a "regular" life. Just remember… Disney is always there, waiting for you, even if your travel circumstances won't be the same.

Thanks

I was not working for Disney so I was not part of some the challenges that others may have working there.

At first expenses were covered so we wound up being booked into a resort. I learned quickly how to play that game and found someone who would make sure I was pleased with the accommodations. After a while it became too much of an issue so I booked myself.

I like the way you worded that.......... worked as an employee, stayed as a guest and played like a tourist, that about covers it.

 

[SCPP]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, SCPP. Sounds like a real bittersweet ending to a great project. Hope your next one is a good one also.

I have enjoyed your thread(s) on the Swan and Dolphin. Over the past 2 or 3 years the Swan became my stay of choice. 41 Stays 94 nights

I am a Sheraton / SPG guy (Platinum / Lifetime Platinum and Ambassador Level 12 years) so I started staying at the Swan. Got to know alot of the people and really enjoyed the resort when it was affordable.

The Swan would often book solid months in advance with conventions and last minute rooms would be either unavailable or run well over $300

Basically if I could book under $200 I would Swan or Dolphin it......but if it was higher then I went to the Sheraton Lake Buena Vista, 2 exits down.) Often times the Sheraton LBV would clock in under $100 a night and I was 100% upgraded to a Suite. The Westin (SPG Property) up by the Convention Center was also very nice. The location was 15 minutes away but every suite had a full kitchen and was much quieter. The Westin is a Great Property.

Headed down to the Swan next month for 10 nights on points (5 nights for 4 on points) We booked 2 rooms for 160,000 and my Ambassador secured us a Suite with rooms on each side.

Again thanks for the thread it has come in handy.