Some guests you love, some guests you hate and then there are some guests that are just a little special and that you'll remember for a long time. So here's some stories about guests that I'll remember.
I truly enjoy getting the guests that are celebrating truly special occasions. I get to give out lots of first visits buttons and birthday buttons and things like that but rarely do I get to give people buttons for truly special occasions. I have had the honor to write 3 "I'm Celebrating Beating Cancer Buttons", 2 of which went to children that really made me smile. They're very special little heroes in my book.
Today I got to give a button to an entirely different kind of hero. While one of my coworkers was checking in two adult parents I had the opportunity to talk to a 9 year old girl. As we started talking I soon found out that she was here celebrating the fact that she had saved her fathers life. She was an avid swimmer and took swimming and boating lessons from a young age. At one level, they learned what to do if someone is drowning and thankful for this little girls father, she paid attention. Emily's father was drowning and because she called for help, he's here today. So on her button I got to write "I'm celebrating being a hero". It was something I felt very honored to do and was incredible proud of this little girl I had only talked to for 5 minutes.
And then, there are some guests that maybe don't touch your heart so profoundly but truly do surprise you with what they do. One late night working at Jambo House, a guest approached me checking in. It was late and after having some trouble finding his reservation I discovered like many guests had done before, he was checking into the wrong building at was staying at Kidani Village. I tried to get a runner to drive him and all of his baggage and guests over but because it was so late, our runners were gone and I advised him he either had to walk over or take the bus because we couldn't unfortunately accommodate him. He was very upset about this and didn't want to but after I told him he could have bell services transfer his luggage
I bid him farewell and didn't really think anything of him after that. A few days later I was working at Kidani Village and the same man approached me. After a few words out of his mouth (he was from England so he had a distinct accent) I remembered who he was. To my shock and gratitude, he came up to apologize for being so angry at me the night he checked in. He told me that it had just been a very long and stressful trip and I happened to get the brunt end of it. I smiled and told him that it was not a problem and after finding out that he was enjoying his trip, he again went on his way. It made me smile to think that he really did care about the way he treated myself and the other cast members and was willing to admit his mistake and apologize for it. Again, some guests just surprise you sometimes.
And then...There's a ride that sits across from Peter Pan's Flight in Tomorrowland that sings a song about the world we live in. It's a small world after all couldn't have been truer than it was today.
At around 4PM today a guest approached me who looked very, very familiar. Looking At the guest with an "I know you look" I smiled and asked, "Can I ask what your last name is?" She said, "Sure, It's Andreoni. Why?" And I soon explained to her that she was my 4th grade teacher. Yes, Ms. Andreoni, my favorite grade school teacher happened to be staying at the lodge and approach me to check in. After I reminded her of my last name, took off my glasses (I didn't have them until 7th grade) and pulled down my hair, all the pieces clicked into place and I was soon catching her up on my life since TJL and reminiscing about other classmates that were in that class. She introduced me to her husband and 2 kids, John who is 5 and Abbie who I believe is not even 1 yet. John looked very confused to why his mom was so excited to talk to me and Abbie is such an adorable baby. And she's still best friends with Ms. Shannon. For those of you that were in the class and are now reading the blog, she says hello and hopes you all are doing well. It was such a small world moment seeing her but very, very exciting. I loved having her as a teacher and hadn't seen her in years. She says she's gong to come down to the desk later in the week so we can reminisce some more about that class. =)
So as you can see, guests come in all shapes and sizes. Some you love, some you hate, some touch your heart, some surprise you and some you're just surprised to see but all are special. They're what makes our job interesting and what makes the job worth while.
