2020 has been a difficult year for everyone, and I am particularly saddened to see so many amazing Cast Members furloughed or let go from The Walt Disney Company. Cast Members in the Parks, Experiences and Products division were particularly hit the hardest this year. As a former Cast Member, my heart breaks for these individuals. As someone who grew up dreaming of one day working for Disney, I can’t even imagine the emotions right now.
As an optimist, I sincerely hope that 2021 will see a surge in hiring at Disney. I pray that Disney will be able to welcome back every Cast Member, restart the Disney College Program, and flourish as a global source of magic once again. In the meantime, I know I will be doing everything I can to support the company and Cast Members financially, including supporting the Cast Member pantry, keeping my annual pass (and renewing if available), taking as many trips to Disney as I can, purchasing merchandise, and of course encouraging others to do the same.
This holiday season, I would like to do something extra special for Cast Members: create a bonus episode full of thank you notes and stories from Guests. I personally appreciate and thank every Cast Member I encounter on my vacations, and I know so many others have some incredible, heart-warming stories to share.
How you can help!
My goal is to gather as many stories as I can for a bonus episode to be published on Thanksgiving Day (November 26, 2020). To support the show, please send in a story to thank you a Cast Member! There are two options available:
- Send in a voice message (preferred): Record a voice memo and submit via this form. In that voice memo, please share one story of a heartwarming interaction you had with a Cast Member. Please be sure to also say “thank you” to that individual (if you remember that person’s name, that’s of course ideal, but even if you don’t, a general description of where and when they served you will work).
- Send in a text message: If you would rather not share a voice memo, you are welcome to write out your Cast Member story and submit via this form. As indicated in option 1, please be sure to say “thank you” to that individual and include the person’s name (or where/when they served you) if possible.
Please submit your voice message or written story via this form. The deadline to submit a voice message or text message is Friday, November 6, 2020. Imagineer Podcast is in no way part of, endorsed or authorized by, or affiliated with the Walt Disney Company®.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email me at imagineerpodcast@gmail.com.
I made sure on my trip last week to tell every single cast member thank you for being there and for all they do. I feel sometimes they don’t realize they keep the magic going and are always so friendly and helpful especially during this time of uncertainty. So to all the cast members on behalf of myself and family THANK YOU