User:Vistaway
From WDWIP Walt Disney World International Programs Wiki
Ever since my first visit to Disneyland Park in the spring of 1977, I have had Disney in my blood. Over one-dozen roadtrips to Walt Disney World and 6 trips to Disneyland later, I still worship the mouse! My lifelong dream was always to work at Walt Disney World. In the summer of 1997, I realized that dream. For 15 months, I was a server at Epcot's Canadian pavilion. I took the opportunity to work at various locations across Property, visit the parks many times a week, participate in the grand opening telecasts of Disney's Animal Kingdom, watch Illuminations (practically) nightly, and so much more!
It truly was the greatest experience of a lifetime, as you can imagine. It also gave me a great inside look at how the parks operate behind the scenes, and talk to the Cast Members responsible for all of the Disney magic. More importantly, I got the chance to work and live with a great group of people. One of them, a wonderful Welsh girl named Kelly, was foolish enough to fall for me! Our wedding was on June 6, 2001.
Being Canadian, I could not stay past the 15 month duration of my work visa, so I decided join the Disney Wonder as part of her Maiden Crew. I joined the ship in Venice and was lucky enough to be a part of a great team and a great launch. For 8 months, over a contract and a bit, I worked as a Dining Room Server and Service Excellence Coach. It was an interesting experience, to say the least, and allowed me to see an entirely different side of the Company.
My interest in Disney is mainly with the theme parks. I have huge collections of old guide maps, books, and license tags, as well as newer CM merch. I have visited every Disney park around the world, and return to them quite frequently. I keep up to date on all the developments down in Florida and throughout the company. But in between my years at Disney, I finished off my much-delayed degree in Political Science and Business Administration at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario.
I am currently working for EDS, an HP Company, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Kelly and I have two gorgeous sons and live happily in the little suburban-heaven of Milton, Ontario.
