Within 24 hours I left my job, my boyfriend, and life behind to go work for Walt Disney World!

[Mom2Stitch]

I just found your report and have read all of it. Thank you for sharing it.

We will be there in 10 days, going to be looking for you! Will you be doing any of the MNSSHP?

 

[PghPixie]

I'm late to this party, as well, but I just sat and read all 21 pages. Congratulations on the full-time position! My son and I will be there the week after Thanksgiving and we have Memory Maker - I will definitely be looking out for you on Main Street! We need some fun Christmas card pictures. ;-)

 

[Barbara76]

I just binge read this thread, what a cool story!! Congrats on your full time position, and I hope you can get into some fun new adventures soon!

 

[bjakmom]

My granddaughter and I are heading home today and were in the MK on Wed. I remember seeing the name tag Khalee and saying "what a beautiful name" (but if it was you you prob hear that all the time). I can't remember where we were but we did see Anna and Elsa in the early evening, so maybe I spoke with you!
Love your story and your spunk - I left college at 19 and packed everything I owned into a duffle bag and flew to Ft Lauderdale to work for a family friend opening a huge restaurant. That was in early 1972, so of course every one who came down to Florida to visit wanted to come up and visit WDW- thus began my life long love of Disney. I have had an amazing and adventure filled life - eventually returned home after a few years to finish college, found my passion in my job, had a family, yada yada yada! Several of my very closest friends in my sixties were room mates and co workers from those days of Mac and cheese and no $$. We live far but still visit each other whenever we can - sooooo - long winded post to say "you go girl"!! Enjoy every joy and struggle! The CMs at Disney have all been totally awesome this week, as always - we are going home filled with magical memories - I'll be back in Oct with another set of Grands! Maybe we'll see you then!

 

[lovegrumpy]

Have to find you when we are down the 4-7 of Dec. I bet you could do great shots for my sons Senior pictures.

 

[ougrad86]

I remembered when you first mentioned the job it said "seasonal"; so has it become year round now? That is great! I hope they open up your hours a little so you can relax a little about the money. Any openings for a PhotoPass trainer yet?

I love the story of you just picking up and doing it. I and DH did that, both separately and later married, and so glad we did! We were anchored with a job where we went, but it was so much fun! We are now settled in a quiet life with DS in college. But retirement is coming soon!

To help ease the money woes a little, maybe you can get a roommate? I had one for the years before I got married, and it really helps. I kept in touch with them for some years.

We will be there in January! Maybe we will run unto you. Planning three MK days!

 

[Accident]

I actually ran into you doing photos on main street the first day all the halloween decorations went up! You were swamped so we didn't stop to say hi!

Congrats and trying to live your dream!

 

[jammyjam25]

Just caught up on your thread and wanted to say congratulations on sticking with it and following your dream! It takes a lot of guts to upend your whole life and start on a new path. So kudos to you.

Also, fellow People to People Student Ambassador here! I also went to Australia when I was 15 (turned 16 during the trip) but did it about 10 years before you, haha. It's one of the best experiences I ever had so I'm also excited to find others who have done it as well.

 

[eagillinois]

We are headed to the MK this afternoon and will be there over the weekend. I hope we see you

 

[PollyannaMom]

Just found this report, and wanted to say thanks for talking the time to write to us all! Your posts have been so fun to read (and I'll toast your adventure with my next Mary Lou's!)

 

[Danni123]

Wow what a read!! My only regret is not finding this thread sooner! You are an amazing person Khalee with an entertaining and inspirational story, thanks so much for sharing!!

My hubby and I will be visiting WDW in October (from Australia!) will you be working MNSSHP on the 4th? Would love to meet you!!

 

[Accident]

@DreamLikeWalt I noticed I happened to capture you in the background of an image. This was the first day that everything was halloween just over a week ago.



At least I believe this is you right in the middle of the picture.

 

[DreamLikeWalt]

@DreamLikeWalt I noticed I happened to capture you in the background of an image. This was the first day that everything was halloween just over a week ago.

View attachment 123667

At least I believe this is you right in the middle of the picture.

Oh my godness!!! That is me!!! hahaha Thank you SO much for sharing, I love that photo so much!

 

[DreamLikeWalt]

Oh my goodness I HAVE SO MUCH TO TELL YOU ALL.

I'm not even sure to begin. It seems like I never have anything interesting to tell you all, and then BOOM. It all happens at once.

I feel like I am about to type a lot for this next part of my life adventure, so before I get into everything, here is a photo of me in front of the Castle, to start my story off with some Disney joy!


WARNING: This is going to be a word-y post, and a bit all over the place because its 4AM and I can't sleep!!!!!

As I mentioned last time, I have been stressing out about money. Well, I have been doing a lot of thinking and the stress has been growing more and more. The family I was staying with was concerned about my money situation, as I have paid them rent a few days late last month, and a day late this month. On top of that, the car I was using is still registered under them, and now we finally got all the paperwork in the mail to sign over to car me. (and just because I know someone is bound to bring it up, yes they were still insured on the car, and I still had insurance as well.) They have been nice enough to allow me to use their car this whole summer without me having paid anything to them for it. They had the means to help me out, and did so. I will forever appreciate that! However, I had a talk with them a week ago, and their situation is a bit different right now and it had come time for me to start to pay more rent& for the car if I am going to keep it. As I came closer to the time to sign the car over to my name I talked with the family about what price they would find acceptable for me to pay monthly for rent + a car payment. I also did the math on what it would cost for me to register the car, get my own insurance, and all that fun stuff. My Massachusetts drivers license also expires this month and I need a new photo, so that also means paying to transfer to a Florida license.

It is too much.

Don't get me wrong, it's not like I didn't see this coming. I have been trying and planning to save for registering the car and everything. I was told that for the summer time I would be getting 30-40 hour weeks, but the average has been about 15. However, I am struggling so much right now just to pay rent and make my monthly payments on my old car loan. I can't do it. I can't even see having enough just to register the car and get it on the road anytime soon. Nevermind, paying a higher rent/car payment, as well as my old payment and insurance. (Ew, this post sounds so boring and adult-y!! Is anyone even still reading this?! hahaha)

I can't do it. I can't fight this fight anymore. There are options, and ways to make this work. I would have to find a job I could walk to as either a second or full time job. I would have to find a way to work by taxi or just leave Disney in hopes of coming back. If I really wanted to stay in Florida that bad, I could do this... but I don't want to. I came here to make magic, and that is what I want to do. I don't want to want to walk to work in the heat every day. I don't want to work at a restaurant or supermarket for months. Even if I did, I am not sure how much I would make. I don't want to be carless on my days off and have no where to go. I can't handle the stress. Once again, I realize I am young and don't even have a lot of bills to pay, but like I said in my previous post, I can barely handle what I have right now.

(Just to clear this up for you all, I don't want it to sound like I just bummed off this random, nice family for the summer and I'm just peace-ing out, I have had open communication with them the whole time about how happy and thankful I was to be there, as well as the struggle I was having with money. They told me if I end up having to go back home after the summer and didn't buy the car that was fine.)

Many of you have PM'd me about setting up a page to send me money. As I was trying to decide what do to with my life, I was tempted. I was thinking of making a gofundme page with my story for friends and familiy and anyone willing to help me live out my dream, but that's just so not me. Some offers I have gotten are so temping, but I can't do it. If anyone is going to donate money, I want it going to Give Kids the World. But, thank you to everyone who has offered to help.

I have been sitting in my room, poor, and living off of ramen noodles. I think if one more ramen noodle enters my body, my heart will explode. I feel like crap and have been eating like crap. I have been staying up late nights, thinking, and making pro and con lists. I have been going insane, but I have made a decision. I am moving back to Boston.

There I am, sitting in my room snuggled up and sad. I don't want to give up on Disney, but its become too overwhelming.

I was going to use my final paycheck to book a flight home, but after telling the news to my mother she decided to take a road trip to come get me! Because I have been stressing out about not having a car or money, I already have myself set up with a job interview at a salon in Boston for next Thursday! I am writing to you all from the hotel room of Pop Century where my mother and I are staying for a night before hitting the road! I know! You all must be reading this like, "WHAT IS GOING ON!!!???!" Well, I kind of feel the same way. Everything has happened so fast. But, aren't you guys used to this yet?! My life is crazy, and always changing!!!! What could be next for me?!?!

I have had so many emotions this past week. I feel defeated. I went through so much already with my car situation, I just don't have much fight left in me. The thought of going back home to Boston in time for my favorite season didn't sound so bad either. But, what about all of you? All the encouragment? All the people I have inspired? What about all the families that would be missing out on a photoshoot with me, the best photographer in Magic Kingdom? ( LOL ) I was not sure what would happen with Disney. I just got promoted from seasonal to part time, but it did not take effect until the end of September. I assumed that I would have to go give my 2 week notice, and leave. I thought there may be a small possibility that since I wasn't technically part time yet, maybe I could stay seasonal and keep my job, but I wouldn't know until I spoke with a manager.

My mom arrived here, and after a night of sleep we went to Magic Kingdom for the day, and my last time.. for now. I ran into some friends and they were so shocked when I told them the news of my decision to move back to Boston. I can't believe this was happening. I was so sad as I walked down Main Street... but that is the thing I love about WDW, it's home. It's the only constant. It will always be there waiting for me. I thought this as I started to tear up. I know I would be back someday, but I was so scared. What I wasn't sure of, is would I be back on Main Street making magic again? Nothing beats that, and I wasn't sure I would experience it again. My mom and I stopped to take a classic MK photo to remember this quick visit.

After going on some of our favorite attractions, and getting a starbucks (WHICH I AM STILL UPSET THAT THEY ARE IN DISNEY BTW), I decided it was time to go talk with a manger, talk about my options, and probably give my two week notice.

I told my mom to meet me by First Aid. She needed a band-aid and I realized I never have been into first aid before! It would be something that was a new Disney experience for me so I made her wait for me so I could go in with her! haahaha. That is so silly but it was excited to see a new place there! Do you guys think I am crazy or would you do the same thing !???!

ANWAYS....
I spoke with my manager and walked back over to first aid to meet my mom to tell her how it went.
I............
AM STILL A SEASONAL CAST MEMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't have to leave Disney after all!!

I was able to still decline my part-time position and remain a seasonal cast member! I am seriously the happiest girl in the world right now!
For those of you would may not be sure what this means I will explain it! I am still a little confused by it, but I will try to explain to the best of my ability. A seasonal cast member has to work 150 hours when they first get hired (I worked that this summer) and then have to make sure they work 150 hours by the next year in order to remain seasonal. So, I put my hours in this summer, so now by next September I have to work 150 hours again. This way I am still able to be a cast member and keep all the benefits.


This makes me feel so much better about everything. Sure, I didn't succeed in moving here on my own and living the Orlando lifestyle. I didn't succeed in working as Disney full time and becoming a trainer. But I am still a cast member. I get to go home, enjoy the beautiful fall weather and still say that this summer wasn't pointless! It was the beginning of my career with Disney and who knows where that will go!

I have no idea what is next for me in life, or what I will end up doing in Boston. For now, I will sleep tight, just happy to know that it seems wishes really do come true.
It is now 5:30 am and I am exhausted. I hope this story I just shared makes sense, it was so much information to share. Thank you all for following along and putting up with me.


Until next time, Magic Kingdom.

 

[bjakmom]

You.are.awesome!! This is the way (IMHO) that we learn how to follow our bliss - roll with it - take risks and move on when we need to - to the next wonderful adventure. I know you will take 'the magic' with you to Boston into another great learning experience. Enjoy the holidays! Let us know when/if you return to work at WDW so we can stop and say 'hi'!
I just want to share one of my fav quotes I keep on my wall - it about sums up the attitude toward life I embrace:
"All is well and you will never get it done. Life is supposed to be fun. No one is taking score of any kind, and if you will stop taking score so much, you will feel a whole lot better - and as you feel a whole lot better, more of the things that you want right now will flow to you.
You will never be in a place where all of the things that you are wanting will be satisfied right now, or then you could be complete - and you never can be. This incomplete place that you stand in is the best place that you could be. You are right on track, right on schedule. Everything is unfolding perfectly. All is really well. Have fun. Have fun. Have fun!"
Good Luck!! and thanks for sharing your experience - it was fun to read and share.

 

[sullymom]

Just read your entire Trip Report. Thank you for sharing your story. I am sooo happy to hear you are still a cast member and can go back to work at WDW. This was just a stepping stone to your future.
All the best!!

 

[Disneycampfan]

I'm in tears, I've followed your story and looked for you a few weeks ago while I was at MK. I'm truly happy for you and thank you for sharing your story. You are so inspirational!!! Go be awesome up north and come back real soon!!!

 

[Accident]

If I understand the employment status correctly, does this mean the plan is to return to boston, regroup and then come down again within a year to try again? does returning for seasonal help get more hours or move into non-seasonal and a better situation to be able to afford only working with disney?

Sorry to hear it didn't work out the first time. It does sound like this situation is about as good as it can be to gracefully return to regroup and come down with a new plan on how to make it work.

PS - I would have mailed you a pizza or met up while there to jump into somewhere better to eat while I was there. We had a bunch of extra meal credits we could have tossed your way.

 

[tennisgirlsc]

Congrats on your being able to remain seasonal. I've followed your trip report and I want to wish you the best of luck in the future, and hopefully this is just the beginning of a long career with Disney! Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[coletteh]

I showed up pretty late to this party, and I have to admit, I was looking SOOO forward to reading more and maybe running into you at MK while there in November. I have loved reading trip reports for a long time, and rarely comment, but I lurked here for sure and definitely got sucked into your story. I think it's great that you've made a decision to go back, and that you are keeping the dream alive at the same time. You followed your heart and you had a great experience, better or worse. I wish you HUGE amounts of success and happiness, and I hope that someday I DO have the chance to run into you at Disney World. Take care and drive safely on your road trip home!