The Journal

Issue date: 10/27/05 Section: LifeStyle

Brad Gardner celebrates his graduation with Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

While he didn't win the Super Bowl, lottery or wish upon a star, senior Brad Gardner still got his chance to go to Disney World.

Gardner, an advertising/marketing major with a minor in Web design, chose a trip to the Magical Kingdom for his high school graduation present.

"I wasn't crazy about Disney until I went to Disney World in high school," Gardner said, adding he was amazed at the detail that went into the park. "I think I just fell in love."

After mingling with his favorite Disney characters, Gardner knew it wouldn't be his last visit to the park. With the thought of working alongside Mickey Mouse in the back of his head, Gardner started college.

It wasn't until his sophomore year, however, that Gardner learned of the Disney College Program, a program that offers students paid experience in their perspective field. One of his cousins was already in Orlando working through the program. Gardner had found his way back to Disney.

Feeling excited and motivated, Gardner applied for the program online. He then headed to Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville for an interview with a Disney associate. Gardner and another Disney College Program hopeful were interviewed at the same time, answering questions on the spot.

"You just say things that you feel," Gardner said.

While positive feedback followed the interview, Gardner still drove himself crazy worrying about whether he had been accepted into the program.

"I was desperate to find out if I really got it or not," Gardner said. "I was terrified because I knew that I had wanted it so bad."

While he waited for word from Disney, Gardner wrote a letter to the board at Webster explaining his time away from school would be for academic purposes. After a ton of e-mails, the board approved Gardner's venture and promised to hold his scholarship.

Gardner later received an acceptance letter in the mail. He left January 2004 to work at Disney World.

Working for Walt

Gardner's job was "merchantainment," a combination of a merchant and entertainer, in the World of Disney, one of the many souvenir shops inside the park.

"It's really just a fancy Disney word for a person at a register," Gardner said.

Gardner spent his days in bed and his nights at work. He had the 4 p.m. to midnight shift and sometimes worked until the wee hours of the morning.

"But then I slept in every day," Gardner said.

Disney employees clocked in for work not knowing where they would be placed that day, Gardner said. Disney's Cast Deployment System brings in a new worker so another can have a break. This means the worker who went on break had a slim chance of returning to their original location that day.

At Disney World, employees do not work, but are on stage and customers are referred to as guests. Each employee had to fulfill eight criteria when approached by a guest. For example, the employee had to address each child, smile and ask their favorite Disney movie while promoting a product or a ride.

"It was hard to do for every person," Gardner said.

The store was usually busy, causing the job to be stressful at times.

"It was like an airport," Gardner said. "I could never see the end of the line ever."

In addition to the eight criteria, Gardner said employees were being evaluated constantly - sometimes without them knowing.

"They could be watching you from behind the person in line and evaluating you," Gardner said of Disney bosses.

In the World of Disney, Gardner worked at one of the more than 30 registers, assisted guests and helped stock shelves in the eight rooms that made up the store.

"It was fast-paced and you had to work really hard," Gardner said. "You were always on the walkie talkie talking real fast."

While working in such a magical place, strict rules had to be followed. Employees were "terminated" for calling in sick one too many times or not meeting the eight criteria.

Gardner worked full time at Disney, making about $6 an hour. To make up for a small paycheck, Gardner took in some of the perks that come with being a Disney employee, like free admission to the park and a discount. On his days off, Gardner would goof off at the park with friends. He and three other men shared a two-bedroom apartment on Disney property.

Magical memories

Gardner was working at Disney when Hurricane Charley hit Orlando, causing most of the area to lose power. After receiving a call from his manager that the park would be closed, Gardner and his friends sat by the window and watched the storm.

"It was like the scene in the 'Wizard of Oz' when she's in the house and she sees the tornado," Gardner said.

In addition to hurricanes, Gardner's experience in the Disney College Program introduced him to other firsts as well. It was during his time at Disney World that Gardner became confident and came out of his shell.

"I was way shy before I went," Gardner said, adding that working at Disney forced him to interact with strangers daily. "If you're shy, you're not gonna make it."

He also admires Walt Disney for developing a sort an alternative to reality.

"I feel like Walt Disney had such a vision to create such a place that people can escape to," Gardner said. "You have to get away from what stresses you out, the bad things."

On graduation day at the end of the program, students received Mickey ears, a tassel and a diploma. While saying goodbye to new friends, one of Gardner's managers gave him a letter from a family that had visited the park. The letter thanked Disney World for an enjoyable time and tossed in Gardner's name.

"They mentioned me and how I made their vacation special," Gardner said. "I still have the letter. It means a lot to me."

The family had been searching for a particular Disney pen. After scouring the store and coming up empty handed, Gardner saw one lying on a counter.

"I found one and just gave it to them under the table," Gardner said.

Gardner also received a special pin for cast excellence from the Disney executives and a certificate from his manager.
Dedicated to Disney

Upon his return to Webster, Gardner missed having Disney in his life.

"I came back home and was like all I want to do is work for Disney," Gardner said.

While searching the Internet, Gardner stumbled upon the Web site for Radio Disney, a children's radio station that features the musical stylings of Hilary Duff, Kelly Clarkson and Bowling for Soup. He applied for an internship, impressing employers with his experience in the Disney College Program.

Gardner works Tuesday through Thursday as an advertising/marketing intern at Radio Disney, WSDZ 1260-AM, at Westport. He created the first newsletter for the station, which is mailed to potential clients. He also plans promotional events and works with RD Frequency, a group of 17 teenagers, ages 12 to 19, who perform at Disney promotional events.

"They're like this teeny-bop group," Gardner said of the teens that jam to Disney tunes. "There's a lot of energy."

Gardner currently plans the events where RD Frequency performs.

"They all get paid, I don't," Gardner said with a laugh.

The plan is that Gardner will someday be in charge of RD Frequency. While he misses the hustle and bustle of working at Disney World, Gardner likes his current behind-the-scenes position.

He hopes to someday work for Disney doing advertising for special events and celebrations. Although he has a soft spot for Disney, Gardner assures he has interests that don't revolve around magic castles.

"I don't stand in a vigil to Disney World every night," Gardner said. "I'm a normal person with normal adult interests, but I love Disney a lot. It changed me."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools