Stories of the Magic

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In this episode Holly talks about:

• Some nice things we as Guests can do for Cast Members, and the highest compliment we can give;
• Good advice for leaving compliments at Guest Relations;
• Piloting a new Guest Relations position;
• Why she chose to leave working at Disneyland;
• Realizing she was doing something really special;
• What she loved most about what she did;
• What a Guest usually really means when they ask, “What time is the 3 o’clock parade?”;
• What she would want to do if she could have any job working for Disney and why;
• Some valuable tips for planning your visit to Disneyland;
• What she never (or rarely) gets asked;
• What inspires her;
• Her advice to you for following your dreams;
• The “Yes Program”;
• Shameless Plug Time.

Find Holly:

I want to hear from you, so please email me, leave a comment below, or call the Listener Feedback line at (734) 23-STORY.

If you call in, don’t worry about having to sound perfect. If you ask me to, I’ll edit out any mistakes so you sound as good as you possibly can. You’re even welcome to start your entire story over again and I’ll use the “take” you want! If you want to submit a story anonymously, for whatever reason you may have, email it to me and tell you me you wanted it shared that way. I’ll read it on the podcast, but keep your name private.

Thanks for listening!

Subscribe by RSS.

Subscribe in iTunes.

Subscribe on Stitcher Radio.

Music and voiceovers provided by Rick Moyer.

All product links are affiliate links.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Want to know what it’s like to be a Disneyland Tour Guide or Guest Relations Cast member? Find out here!

In this episode we continue our 3-part interview with former Disneyland Cast Member Holly Bartel. Last time we talked about how she got started at Disneyland, and about her time in Fantasyland attractions. We’d just started to get into her time in Guest Relations when we had to wrap up part 1, so that’s where we pick up this time. I had so much fun editing this one, and I’m sure you’ll have fun listening!

I’ve got something very special to tell you about before we go back to the interview. My birthday was Wednesday, November 26. Today also kicks off the Christmas season in earnest. And this month marks the 1-year anniversary of the release of my book, Faith and the Magic Kingdom. So, as my gift to you, I’m bringing back the Disneyana Show offer I made back in July. For a limited time, you can get an autographed copy of that book for $17, of Once Upon YOUR Time, my first book, for $6, or of both for $20! For more details or to order, go to storiesofthemagic.com/christmas14.

In this episode Holly talks about:

• Her favorite area of Disney California Adventure, and whether she misses anything from the “old” DCA;
• Lost and Found and the Guest Relations front desk;
• The Holiday Time at Disneyland Park Tour and what made it fun, but difficult to learn;
• The Halloween Tour, and what’s unique about doing that one
• VIP tours;
• The most stressful part of being a Tour Guide, and what was fun about hosting famous people
• Some of her favorite VIP groups;
• Hosting Stana Katic and some of the crew from Castle;
• One of the nicest well-known people she remembers hosting: Lacey Chabert—this was a sweet story;
• Sharing with guests favorite hidden details;
• Becoming a Guest Relations Lead, one of the most stretching experiences of her life;
• A funny story about dealing with an irate Guest—I laughed out loud again while editing;
• A couple of examples of really special moments of extra magic—some she was involved with, some not.

Find Holly:

I want to hear from you, so please email me, leave a comment below, or call the Listener Feedback line at (734) 23-STORY.

If you call in, don’t worry about having to sound perfect. If you ask me to, I’ll edit out any mistakes so you sound as good as you possibly can. You’re even welcome to start your entire story over again and I’ll use the “take” you want! If you want to submit a story anonymously, for whatever reason you may have, email it to me and tell you me you wanted it shared that way. I’ll read it on the podcast, but keep your name private.

Thanks for listening!

Subscribe by RSS.

Subscribe in iTunes.

Subscribe on Stitcher Radio.

Music and voiceovers provided by Rick Moyer.

All product links are affiliate links.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

In this episode we begin a 3-part interview with former Disneyland Cast Member Holly Bartel. It’s been a while since I talked to someone who was strictly a Cast Member, so this was a nice change of pace, and she had some very interesting things to share and some great stories.

 

Skype acted up on us, so there are some glitches in the audio. I fixed what I could, and they don’t affect most of the interview, so I don’t think they’ll bother you too much.

In this episode Holly talks about:

• How she got started working at Disneyland;
• What the Disneyland College Program is;
• Learning and working Storybook Land Canal Boats;
• Cross-training to the Fantasyland Classics attractions;
• What got in her head the most working the dark rides—it’s probably not what you think;
• Her favorite attractions to work and why;
• Some interesting guest interactions she had;
• Participating in proposals on Storybook Land;
• A very special story I shared with Holly;
• Transferring to Guest Relations and why she wanted to;
• Working the Guest Relations phones, then the information boards;
• A couple of the comments she heard working the Disney California Adventure info board during the DCA reimagining;
• Guest Relations rotations;
• Special training that was introduced with the “new” DCA.

Find Holly:

I want to hear from you, so please email me, leave a comment below, or call the Listener Feedback line at (734) 23-STORY.

If you call in, don’t worry about having to sound perfect. If you ask me to, I’ll edit out any mistakes so you sound as good as you possibly can. You’re even welcome to start your entire story over again and I’ll use the “take” you want! If you want to submit a story anonymously, for whatever reason you may have, email it to me and tell you me you wanted it shared that way. I’ll read it on the podcast, but keep your name private.

Thanks for listening!

Subscribe by RSS.

Subscribe in iTunes.

Subscribe on Stitcher Radio.

Music and voiceovers provided by Rick Moyer.

All product links are affiliate links.