One
thing you notice while working for Disney is that holidays last at least a
month. As soon as mid-November rolls around, it is Christmas during select
nights in the park until the end of December. Pinocchio’s Village Haus was not
open during the Halloween parties, so this was the first holiday event that I
worked. If you saw MVM on your schedule – welcome to working Mickey’s Very
Merry Christmas party in the Magic Kingdom!
These
shifts start later in the day, around 4 or 5 pm, and can last until after
midnight. Lucky for us, PVH closed a little earlier than other food and
beverage locations, so we were usually out by midnight. But the work is simple –
after regular park hours are over, you hand out hot cocoa and cookies to guests
that have bought tickets to this special event. It seems odd at first to be
wishing people “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays” in November, but after
working a few parties you get used to it. Disney themed holiday music is played
throughout the park, and the castle show is, as usual, amazing! But let’s not
forget the lovely costumes that cast members get to wear:
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Flattering,
I know. But to be honest, I miss putting on that hideous tree blouse and candy
cane striped apron and head bow every other evening! Though some nights are
long and difficult to manage, there’s nothing that brightens your day more than
being filled with Christmas spirit and sharing that with all the guests in the
park! But be warned – you will be asked to pose for many pictures, or be caught
off guard as the flash of the camera captures your laughable costume. And of
course, my favorite question from a guest during the Very Merry parties:
Funny,
tired, sarcastic old man: “Do you sell rum and coke here?”
My
automatic, equally sarcastic response: “No, unfortunately, but let me know if
you find somewhere that does!”
