December 24 - January 2nd is every theme park worker's personal hell. It's where many of us wonder where we went wrong in our lives to end up where we are. It's when many of us lose faith in humanity and also promise ourselves that we will (try) not to be working in the same location the next year.
To live through Christmas Peak Week - Think of it like Black Friday on crack that goes on and on for a week. People wait for hours, mob scene, angry people, long lines, repeat. Theme parks prep as much as they can: adding hours, adding people, extending lines, more training, more parades, fixing things in hopes that the parks can survive the mob of people invading Central Florida. As a four year veteran of the worst week every, I can say that my best advice is to avoid the area at all costs. If you want an ideal vacation with no lines, perfect weather, and sweet angel children - then come in September/October.
During this time, we see the worse in people. People who do not put on their patience pants in the morning. People who expect to be the only ones on the planet. Defiant people who think that screaming and using foul language is the key to getting what they want. All this multiplied by thousands.
One of my favorite sentences is: "This would never happen at [insert any theme park name]." But the truth is, it does.
During the middle of the 2012 Holiday Peak a video went viral of a Disney Cast Member "acting out" and "yelling" at people. Well, when you have a parade dumping into a stage show in a bottle-neck area of the park, you have a new form of hell called Magic Kingdom during Christmas. Sure the general public sees a Disney worker yelling at poor innocent people. But, but, but Disney workers are supposed to create magic!!! BLASPHEMY!
Here's what I see: an overwhelmed young, underpaid woman, whose bosses told her to do "crowd control." On a normal day, this would be fine. However, I am sure this woman endured hours of telling people to move. But why tell people to move - it is Disney after all? Because if the crowd did not move they would die. Simply, trampled or hit by a large parade vehicle or killed by an angry mob. Why did she need to yell? Because she was speaking to at least 200 people, and you can't speak quietly if you are trying to inform 200 people that they're going to die if they do not move. This girl, who probably got fired, spoke to truth when she said "I'm just a number." Honestly, she probably would be treated better working at a fast food restaurant. At least there, if she messes up, it's her fault.
Also in this video you see a line of Electronic Convenience Vehicles (ECV). Controversy warning: I would guess that 8 out of 10 people using those ECVs actually need them. The words "I can't walk/stand for long periods, etc." Translate to me as: "I'm entitled. I do not feel the need to wait in line. I deserve special treatment." If I had a dollar for everyone who is suddenly stricken with a horrible non-standing disease when visiting a park, I would not be writing this.
And that's the root of the problem. It's all fun until Everyone feels entitled. Everyone's family deserves a perfect vacation. So, do not blame the theme parks for "overselling" or "not being prepared." Trust me, this happens every year, your family was just too enamored with the idea of spending Christmas in a theme park.
So to my fellow theme park survivors, Congratulations another one down. To travelers, please stop complaining. Travel in September, it truly is much more enjoyable.
Update: The lady in the above video supposedly did not get fired! She's been seen around the MK working hard. Yay. If you know the Cast Member, please have her email me - I'd love to interview her.
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