The proud Mum of A WDW CM !

[CarolynU]

Hi everyone, as many of you know my son Simon is working at Epcot as we speak as part of the International Programme,so I thought that you may be interested in some of the recent events that he has been part of. Firstly let me say that although he is working very hard and quite long hours he is having the most amazing time, and is just loving every single minute of it. He has passed his Florida driving test and has bought an 'old banger' but it gets him around just!!!!! It is costing him over $2000 dollars a year though for insurance so money is tight. Most of his income goes on his car, however he is virtually the only student to insist on driving so he only has himself to blame. Disney actually provide a more than adequate bus service from The Commons where he lives to all parks and even the supermarket, so a car is a luxury rather then an essential. He seems to be doing well in the customer service side of things and has passed his assessment with very good scores. This week he had a letter praising him sent to him by none other than a Justice of the Peace in Texas and this kind person has offered to have Simon to stay if ever he wishes to visit for a vacation. WOW!!!! Additionally there has recently been a function held at Epcot by the British Embassy where Simon was invited to attend a meal and interact with the guests on behalf of the British cast, and Disney even paid him for it as it was his day off!!!!!!! What a tremendous experience for an 18 year old. Finally, and perhaps most importantly he met ' our own Penny ' from this board back in the Summer, so don't forget if anyone else is going out soon don't hesitate to drop by and say hi. Carolyn

 

[WDWfan uk]

Hey proud Mum it's so good to hear Simon is so happy and doing so well! You are right to be proud of him, it sounds like he is doing a great job!

 

[SpottyDog]

Thanks Carolyn. We eagerly await all news of how Simon is doin.

$2000 on insurance !!!! Kids, eh

 

[squitty]

Hi Carolyn,

Wow, you have every right to be proud...Well done to Simon. I'm so glad he is having so much fun.

 

[eyoreaud]

Hi Carolyn,
It's not much worder you're so proud of your DS it must be just wonderful to know that other people think he's as lovely as you do.
We'll certainly try to find him when we visit soon, just to say hi from the UK

Luv Audrey,
xxxxxxxxxx

 

[Penny12]

Carolyn, you have every reason to be proud and I'm glad to hear that he's seems to be having a blast

Tell Simon congratulations on getting his car (not so bad now if he forgets his shoes ) and I will be back that first week of December and certainly ready to hunt him down again...probably with the rest of the mob who are at DISCON, LOL.

 

[Ona]

Hiya!

I was speaking to Simon when I was in WDW this Sept. (I was one of the folks that met up with him in London before he left). I'm glad he's having so much fun. He filled me in with loads of International program and UK pavillion info.

WOW! He'll have so many interesting stories to tell.

Ona

 

[Sue's Mum]

Well done to Simon, achieving so much at aged 18. That's wonderful. A Justice of the Peace in Texas, hey! Going up in the "World".

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Originally posted by Disneymad
...probably with the rest of the mob who are at DISCON, LOL.

Yup I'll be one of those - I can't wait to meet him. Carolyn I'm sooo glad that he's doing so well - you have every right to be the proud mum

 

[Sleepy Dragon]

What an opportunity of a lifetime. He must be having an absolutely wonderful time. I don't think I was mature enough at 18 to do that - in fact I'm probably still not!!!

You must be and should be very proud

Julie

 

[CarolynU]

Thanks for all your replies. I am so glad that I can share my ' proudness' with you all. Just a little update.......the car is off the road and broken down again!!!!!! BUT we just received a very excited voicemail from Simon. His manager has sent his letter from the Texas JP to some very important Disney people and he is just bubbling with enthusiasm. Even if they don't respond it is a huge accolade for him. I am going to ring him tonight, but I may not get hold of him as he is car fixing LOL !!!

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

What a great time he's having, Carolyn. You're justifiably proud.

Looking forward to more news soon.

 

[Hilary]

That sounds fantastic!

Unfortunately I didn't get to 'meet' Simon during our recent trip (I'd hoped to call in to the UK to look for him when we were in Epcot but it just didn't happen ), but it sounds as though he's doing really well out there.

 

[UKDEB]

We stopped off and spoke with Simon on our first visit to the International Food and Wine Festival a fortnight ago today. He's a lovely, lovely lad. We didn't have the digital camera with us that day, so we took it the next time we visited, the following Monday, 28 October, but we couldn't see him. I imagine he was probably having a well-earned day off. The day we met him he told us he'd been working 19 days straight to pay for those car repairs!

 

[CarolynU]

Thank you all so much. You really are a great bunch, and I know how pleased Simon is when people stop by and see him. A little further update. The VIP Disney person did respond, and Simon is having his photo taken for a cast member magazine, but guess what????? Someone else spoke to a manager about some service that they had received from Simon, and he is now positively glowing!!!! The manager asked him what his plans are at the end of his year, and he has accepted a place at Leeds Uni on a Business Studies Degree, and so this manager is going to enquire whether Simon could complete some sort of year on this course working for Disney again!!!! Can you imagine what Simon feels like? He is floating on air!!!! Again even if this doesn't come off he is still one proud lad, and his Mum and Dad of course!!!! Carolyn

 

[SpottyDog]

Carolyn, that's fantastic news. It's so heartenin to see courtesy and endeavour recognised and rewarded.

Well done Simon (and well done you for techin him what he's now puttin into practice.)

 

[KayleeUK]

I met Simon at EPCOT - he is lovely. Everyone pop by to say Hello!!

Kaylee

 

[yepod]

Carolyn, I didn't think to come looking here for this thread (or smart enough to post my own)

As I told you in a PM, I looked Simon up on 10/27 & 10/30.

He is a fine lad & one to be very proud of!

He was a perfect gentleman & on my second visit smart enough to offer this dumb dad a mask for my 3 yo DD with Pooh & Eeyores autographs on it! What a great guy!

I'm sorry I wasn't as smart as UKDEB & take his picture

It was truly a pleasure meeting Simon & I can see why Disney is so pleased with him! I wish him all the best!

Again, fine job Mum & Dad!

 

[CarolynU]

What can I say, just another thank you for all your kind words about Simon. I know that he is working very hard, but loving every minute of meeting such lovely people. Carolyn

 

[Kilted_Yank]

Carolyn,

When we are in EPCOT in December, we will remember to say hello to Simon. My only question is, will he be at all bothered by all of these people coming out of the woodwork saying: "Hiya Simon, we're internet chums of yer mum!" His mates might reckon him for a weirdo.