Disney Lessons Learned
Jan. 21st, 2011 12:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
captain_slinkyLast time I went to Disneyland with my sister (this passed summer), we ate breakfast at The Carnation Cafe. Neither of us had ever eaten there, and my sister NEEDED some coffee. Can you believe that she was a Southern California resident with an Anual Pass and yet had NEVER been at the park earlier than NOON? Disgraceful.
So anywho, we're eating our breakfast (a Mickey waffle for me, Apple Pancake for her) and discussing which ride we'll conquer first, when out from the kitchen comes this old guy dressed as a chef. He's friendly, comes right over to our table and starts asking us if we're enjoying our breakfast and generally just talking to us.
My sister and I, trying to be semi-polite, we're subtly trying to do the whole "Hey old man, leave us alone, we're trying to eat our breakfast and get going here" thing. He eventually gets the hint and moves on.
So today, I read this: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/01/54-54-years-and-still-cookin-at-disneyland-park-and-still-cookin/?CMP=SOC-DLRUSENFY11Q2DLR_SocMedFacebook0007
THAT'S THE OLD DUDE WE BRUSHED OFF!!! Oscar Martinez, the longest tenured Disneyland Resort cast member! He joined the company Dec. 29, 1956, and has been a Disneyland mainstay for 54 years – and at Carnation Café since 1967!
Had I only known! I feel so embarrassed now! I would have loved to get a picture with him and chatted with him more!
Lesson learned here - treat EVERYBODY at Disneyland as if they are important and interesting because, more likely than not, they ARE important and interesting :)
So anywho, we're eating our breakfast (a Mickey waffle for me, Apple Pancake for her) and discussing which ride we'll conquer first, when out from the kitchen comes this old guy dressed as a chef. He's friendly, comes right over to our table and starts asking us if we're enjoying our breakfast and generally just talking to us.
My sister and I, trying to be semi-polite, we're subtly trying to do the whole "Hey old man, leave us alone, we're trying to eat our breakfast and get going here" thing. He eventually gets the hint and moves on.
So today, I read this: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/01/54-54-years-and-still-cookin-at-disneyland-park-and-still-cookin/?CMP=SOC-DLRUSENFY11Q2DLR_SocMedFacebook0007
THAT'S THE OLD DUDE WE BRUSHED OFF!!! Oscar Martinez, the longest tenured Disneyland Resort cast member! He joined the company Dec. 29, 1956, and has been a Disneyland mainstay for 54 years – and at Carnation Café since 1967!
Had I only known! I feel so embarrassed now! I would have loved to get a picture with him and chatted with him more!
Lesson learned here - treat EVERYBODY at Disneyland as if they are important and interesting because, more likely than not, they ARE important and interesting :)
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Date: 2011-01-21 09:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-24 08:00 pm (UTC)Yep! That's part of the charm of living here and being an AP holder. You don't HAVE to get to the park before noon. Because you can always go back the next day if you want! When my husband worked even closer to the park, he and I would meet up in Disneyland after he got off work, eat dinner, watch the fireworks, maybe ride Star Tours, then go home. But often, dinner and fireworks was it - perfect date! :) And whenever his family visits from out of town, they have to make the most of their days, so they get there when the park opens, and we usually stroll in around 2pm to join them, hehe!
Anyway, that's cool you got to at least meet the guy, even though you didn't realize who he was!
I love Maynard, the Disney cast member who's worked there forever. We met him while he was working in Haunted Mansion one evening, and he was so fun!