This was the last official week of my Disney College Program and I have some thoughts + emotions + things I feel like sharing.  This year has been so influential for me.  I finally was able to fulfill my dream of working for Disney, and am blessed to be able to continue that dream by being part time. I have learned so many things (some a little tragically but mostly magically) that will continue to shape me for the rest of my life. So, in no particular order, here is a list of the things this sweet program has taught me:

Magic exists for those willing to find it

As Walt said, “You can design and create and build the most wonderful place in the world, but it takes people to make the dream a reality.”  That doesn’t just mean cast members.  You can walk down Main Street as just the road to your next ride, or you can pause and let the feeling of childhood and fairy tales and home creep into your system and reignite your excitement for everything Disney has to offer.  You can choose to let the stress of 100,000 people in Florida heat break you down, or you can choose to enjoy the people you are with and the ice cream sandwich dripping all over you.  If we aren’t open to the magic, we are much less likely to enjoy it fully.

Kindness is the true magic

Treating people with kindness will never go out of style or ever be overlooked.  We should always be practicing kindness, but at Disney I promise it creates a much more positive environment for the people you’re with and allows for a much more enjoyable trip.  We see it everyday as cast members, people making a choice between kindness and acting out on their stress. The guests who choose kindness are always having more fun, and are the ones who are much more likely to receive a magical moment. So be bigger than your stresses, and choose kindness.

We can’t FastPass pain

No matter what you’re going through or where you’re at, you have to fully feel it.  You can’t push it aside no matter how much easier that would be.  Eventually it will all hit you & you’ll have to deal with those emotions, anyways. Don’t be like the guests who jump into the FP line only to get sent right back to the front of standby. Fight for friendships, don’t apologize for your opinions, and don’t be afraid to share your feelings.  Be where you’re at and learn to grow from whatever you’re facing.

Friendship is the fifth key

We have four keys to success at Disney, but the most important key to your personal success is the relationships you build along the way.  I could gush & gush about the incredible roommates I had, but I’ll try to contain it.  I was able to find a community that was supportive of every thing I did, and willing to walk and laugh alongside me through whatever I was facing. And the beautiful thing is that the community I experienced in Florida has continued past our time together there.  I can still reach out for any reason and know they’ll understand and help.  I always read that the friendships you make at Disney are unlike any other, and it’s so true.  This journey bonds you in a way that you really can’t understand until you’ve gone through it.  As much fun as “Disney” is, it would not be the same without all of the wonderful people I’ve built a home with here.

You are more than what you have become

In the middle of Happily Ever After, Mufasa appears to shatter our hearts and inspire us beyond our wildest dreams.  He reminds us we are more than what we have become.  And how amazing is it that no matter what role you are participating in currently – good, bad, inspiring, or draining – you can become more if you are willing to go the distance.

Bold is brave

I would say that I am normally a pretty bold person, unafraid to ask for what I want. However, I’ve seen that tested a lot this year, professionally and in personal relationships.  There is a fear of rejection that comes with asking for what we want and for showing more of who we are.  And we should acknowledge that fear, but then shoot it with an arrow of courage and ask anyways, just like Merida. It’s our own fate we’re dealing with, and unless we have the courage to ask, we will never be given the chances we deserve.

Nothing is more powerful than the imagination

Mickey, the best boss in the world, graciously reminds us every single night at Fantasmic that beauty + love + magic + goodness will always reign supreme and will ALWAYS conquer evil.  He also shows us the power of our imaginations – the way our minds can dream up entire fantasy worlds full of light and wonder only to have outside forces destroy them.  But we should never be discouraged when what we dream up begins to face challenges, because if we had the power to dream it in the beginning, we can rebuild the dream again.  If we choose to fight for what is good and for our dreams and for each other, we will find magic.

Some inspiration, huh?

There’s just no telling how far I’ll go

Moana is inspirational for thousands of reasons, but in this moment, I am inspired by the way she sails into the unknown to follow a dream she doesn’t fully understand.  I am sitting right beside her on that canoe, paddling to who knows what.   I may not know the way yet, but it’s okay.  There’s just no telling how far I’ll go with this company, and I’m so excited to find out.  Because the castle? It calls me.

Cool now that I’ve quoted all of Moana, I’ll wrap this up.  I could continue writing little life lessons for ages because I’ve truly learned so much during this year. I will cherish these memories forever, and reap from the lessons I’ve learned forever. And now I get to keep going on adventures and keep learning and keep dreaming, all thanks to the amazing opportunities I found on the Disney College Program. So thanks Walt for one amazing year, and here’s to many more!