My Role

So what am I (barely) getting paid to do? I'm a hospitality hostess for Disney's Wilderness Lodge. Apparently I lucked out big time with my position. First, there are some obvious advantages to being in the air-conditioned "wilderness" during the hot Florida daytime. Second, I am in a GORGEOUS building (just look at these pictures!) Third, apparently I have the best management on the whole property, which is great- everyone I work with is cool, so thus far its been awesome.

In a nutshell, I'm getting paid to make people happy. For the most part, everyone who comes to Disney come because they want to, so you are usually dealing with a happy, fun group of people. Sure we have some snooty people from time to time, but nothing I haven't seen in my years at Ravenscroft or Duke! Second, I love making people happy, so when they are all excited about their trip I get all excited too and it ends up being alot of fun. For those of you who haven't brought your kids down to Disney yet, I have to say that there is NOTHING better than seeing kids get all excited about seeing Mickey Mouse. I work at the front desk checking people in and out- the process itself is not too hard, and really only becomes tricky when people come in and don't have their reservation or don't know whose reservation the name is under, etc. etc. My favorite part, of course, is playing with the kids and asking them about their favorite characters and such.

Over the next few months I'll hit a variety of spots on the Wilderness Lodge front desk- guest services, phone room, as well as my current position of cashier (your checker-in and out-er). And yes, for those of you who are curious, I do have a costume and I WILL have it up here shortly- for now, let me just describe it as "prairie chic!"