I grew up in south orange county. I've been lucky enough to live in the same home my entire life in the absolute perfect location(well in my opinion at least). It's a 30-minute drive to the beach, old town orange, and to Disneyland. I was also lucky enough to grow up in the generation of annual passes to Disneyland. My mom and I would go often, even just to get Minnie Mouse pancakes, walk around for a bit, and leave. In that way, Disney was always a part of my life and has continued to be since then. I want to say when I was about 12, the age where I realized that all the nice people at Disneyland work there, the idea that Disneyland would be my first job was planted in my mind. 

The first summer I was finally old enough to be a cast member I started applying for my "dream job." I applied months in advance to get my name in there. Sending in my application in February to work in May. Never really caring what department I'd work in just as long as I was in the park, adding to the magic. That round of applications didn't go so well. Never heard back from the company, probably because of a lack of a resume. It was a little frustrating, but I moved on with the attitude of "maybe next summer."

Now we hit March 2016. Most of my friends at school were starting to get ready for their post-grad lives. Talk of jobs and careers was becoming a bit more common. I was reminded that I should see if I could apply for Disney again, so late one night I go browse the job listings. I see a lot of positions that were full-time, higher level type jobs that I had no business applying for and then I notice the one part-time listing, lifeguard. It was something I knew I could do. I spent half my life as a competitive swimmer so I had that background going for me. So on a whim, at 1 am I submitted another application to work at the Disneyland resort.

A few days later I get an email that I moved on to the online interview, finish that and the next day I'm making an appointment for my onsite interview. Amazed by how quickly things are moving, especially compared to the last summer where I never heard anything from them, I start to think about what was happening. I had a decent chance at being a cast member. A little bummed that it would be at the hotels rather than in the park, but I just needed to get in and maybe move around once I got there. 

Finally, it was March 31, the day of the onsite interview. I had plans with my brother after the interview so I had to drag him along with me. We are driving to the interview, pushing it with time, knowing that we are going to be late. At that point, I put it in my head that it's over. Showing up late to the interview is a textbook guarantee that you won't get the job. We walk into the building ten minutes late and sit down to wait. Just taking in the magic of the team Disney building, thinking this will probably be the only time I am allowed in this building. They call me in and I put my happiest "Disney" personality on and try my best to make this interview make-up for any judgments they could already have on me. After a few minutes, she tells me that she thought I was qualified for the position and it was mine if I wanted to accept it. I was shocked. I walked in thinking that I was just going to end up with "interview experience" and end up being offered the job on the spot. 

I walk out freaking out to my brother. I was now a Disneyland cast member. 12-year-old Julia was squealing inside me. Disneyland would be my first real job. Make my appointment to come back to fill out paperwork and we are off to celebrate. We go to downtown Disney and walk around looking at all the pool decks I will be working at, making everything feel more real. The day went from crazy to the best day ever, but it wasn't over. Our plans to see Book of Mormon became even more of a celebration and so much better. It was just a really great day.

After a couple weekends of orientation and training, I had my first day working at the Disneyland resort hotels. Now I've been working as a lifeguard for a little over a month, about 6 weeks, and I am so happy I decided to apply for this particular department. 

What I learned that is so cool about working in the Hotels rather than in the parks is we see a different type of guest. Our guests are friendly and excited because this is their big family vacation, coming to Disneyland for their one weekend in the year. They are from other countries visiting for the first time. They are celebrating something special like an engagement. Pretty much they aren't hot, sweaty, tired, passholders that come to Disneyland every week. Because of this, I find it so much more rewarding to know that I am helping add to that magic. 

Another cool thing about this department is when you work at the same location a few days in a row and see the same people, you have an opportunity to build a relationship with them in a way you never could in the parks. There was a family who was staying for three days and I happened to be at that pool for their entire visit so I saw the kids every single day. I was able to remember their names and keep a converstation with them every day. On their last day when they were leaving the pool deck one of the boys came up to me and said that I was his favorite lifeguard and he hopes to see me next summer when he comes back to visit again. Knowing I made that much of an impact on his vacation, that part of his Disney memory was going to be talking to me, really reminds me why I wanted to work at the happiest place on earth. 

The recreation department its self is a fun environment to be in. Most of the guards are closer to my age, college students or recent grads. In such a short amount of time, I've developed some close friendships with my coworkers and everything feels natural as if I've been here for so much longer than a month. Time has been moving slowly in the best possible way. It's all been nonstop since I've started here, but when I get the chance to slow down and really think about how lucky I am to be where I am it still amazes me. I'm very proud of where I am and get excited when I get to tell people I am a Disneyland cast member.

(please enjoy these pictures of the hotel pool 60 years ago when it first opened) 

*the pools look nothing like this now, but you know how much I love all things old*

Julia Carrington