Ema Earns Her Ears: My Secret Walt Disney World Cast Member Diary (Earning Your Ears Book 2)

I remember from a very young age dressing up in a homemade, golden Belle gown, or as Pocahontas complete with long black wig. My playroom was covered from floor to ceiling with Disney characters, including a scene of Peter Pan chasing his shadow around the ceiling light that my mum had painted. I loved my childhood.

I remember my first trip to Disney World, and it’s complete with a quote that my dad will never let me forget. He asked me, on camera, where we were, to which I replied enthusiastically: “
DISNEY!
” We weren’t a family that would return to the “Happiest Place on Earth” every year, and I’m glad, because each visit was special, and not just an annual pilgrimage that we had to take. My family worked hard to afford these trips. Even now, I still get excited over a prospect of a trip to Disney World. My life revolved around watching a new Disney film on VHS, while being surrounded by my mountains of Disney character plush toys, and being able to visit the place where these characters seemed to exist made it all real, at least to a child, and I suppose to a few adults, as well.

As a kid, I was always Disney orientated; I don’t really know how or why I became this way, but when I reached age where I realized that the true magic of Disney was made by people like myself, I decided that one day I wanted to make that magic, too. I wanted to become a Disney cast member.

In December 2008, we were on a holiday in Disney World. I remember engaging in conversation with a cast member working on front desk at the Pop Century resort while we were checking in. I told her that I wanted to work here, and that I wanted to make magic. Although she was trying to go through the process of explaining to my parents everything they needed to know, from transportation and Disney park hours to the food court, she did spend some time at the end of our check in and gave me a number for Casting. I was over the moon.

But little did I, and little did that cast member, realize that to be able to work in Florida, as an International, I would need a working VISA, and Disney wouldn’t just hand one over to me. I never rang Casting when I was there, and thinking back, I don’t really know why, but I kept the piece of paper, and still to this day I can tell you it’s in a cardboard, pin-striped shoe box under my bed. I’ve kept hold of it like a dream.

Even though I’ve now worked for Disney, and seen what it’s like from behind the curtain, Disney is still a huge part of who I am, even though my childish notions of princesses and characters and magic have given way to their sometimes harsh reality. Every little girl may dream to one day grow up to be a Disney princess, and I had those dreams, but at some point they changed to dreams of becoming a Disney cast member.

And you know what? My dreams came true.

This book is about what happened next.

My first program took me on an up and down journey in the world of housekeeping at Walt Disney World, starting May 6, 2012, and ending on August 3.

As they say, “For every up, there is a down, that’s what makes the world go round.” I seemed to get more than my fair share of lows, but I always remained positive and tried to find the good in every situation.

If we are to start right at the very beginning, where we should, I have to take you back to November 2009. I was traveling with my dad to the University of Chester in England for an open day event. I was applying for a combined degree in drama and events management, and I wanted to attend a presentation put on by the Events Management Department. Since I knew next to nothing about events management, this presentation was a big deal for me.

As I sat outside the seminar room, along came a man who introduced himself in a warm, friendly voice as Martin Metcalfe. Little did I know that this man, a complete stranger, was about to deliver some information that would change my life. Within five minutes into the presentation, I knew that events managements would be right for me, and I was completely sold on taking Mr. Metcalfe’s course. Then, the presentation slide changed, and there was a picture of Mickey Mouse standing in front of Cinderella Castle on Main Street, U.S.A., in Walt Disney World. My mind froze; I fixated upon that image. I listened intently as Metcalfe explained about the Disney College Program and the many students from the University of Chester who had enrolled and had enjoyed the experience immensely.

Now come with me to September 2010. I had packed up my room at home and bundled all of my books and electronics into the car, along with all manner of odds and ends that I couldn’t leave behind. Once again, my dad and I set out on the two-hour drive to Chester, where I would be attending classes and moving into an all-girls dorm house.

And now we’ll jump forward one more time, to October 2011. I was attending a work-based learning lecture on how boring the next six weeks of my life will be. But I knew that things were about to change, since finally it was time for me to apply to the Disney College Program, as I had planned to do since first setting foot in the University of Chester. Not only would I work at Disney World, if accepted, but the experience would earn me credits toward my degree. Perfect!

Except for one problem: I hadn’t been told to sign up for an interview or been told to attend the presentation.

My heart sunk. I felt that I had missed my chance and was able to hold back the tears only because I didn’t want others to see me cry. I found the room where members of Disney’s UK recruitment company were conducting interviews, and I stood outside the door for 30 minutes in hopes that someone would notice me and invite me inside. Other students asked me if I was here for the interview, too, and without even thinking I said “yes”. As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt guilty about the lie; I felt like I was jinxing an opportunity that I hadn’t even been given yet.

I heard chairs moving and lots of talking and all of a sudden the door opened. I saw a lot of people, all dressed similar to me, then I saw a man thanking people for coming. His black polo shirt had the recruiting company’s logo embroidered on it, and I knew he was the man I had to see.

By now, the hall was packed with students who were scheduled for this group interview slot. I couldn’t bluff my way in, and so I steeled myself for the embarrassment of having to ask the man if he could add me to a later group. I just hoped the girl I had lied to moments ago didn’t overhear! I walked quickly toward the man at the door, knowing I might have to fight for my dream. He stood patiently as I explained my situation, and then he let me walk straight into the interview. If only it all had went so smoothly…

The room that now was full of people, maybe 20–30 in all, and some of them were wearing three-piece suits. Most were dressed at least semi-professionally. I, on the other hand, was wearing a pair of faded blue jeans, brown boots, and a bright pink university hoodie.

Could it get any worse? Yes.

I sat down in the only seat left, at the front next to the two recruiters. I watched the other candidates pull out their resumes and photographs and cover letters. I had none of these things. I began to regret talking my way into this interview. But the Disney gods must have been smiling upon me, because after a recruiter chatted briefly with me, she agreed to let me email her the necessary documents as soon as I got back home. With renewed hope, I decided to give this my best shot.

Still, I felt an insane amount of pressure and overwhelmed by the number of students (just from my university alone) competing against me for the limited number of positions available. I also felt unprepared and inadequate. And the worse did, in fact, happen: I made a complete and utter fool of myself, which really is no different than what I do during any other day in my life, but the one time when I needed to be sensible and prove my worth, I did one of the silliest things, ever.