I currently work for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US. I have held various roles at the Magic Kingdom® Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park in Merchandise, Attractions and Guest Service over the last six years. I am a graduate from Eckerd College with a degree in Environmental Studies and minors in Human Development and Communications
Tom Webster
Author's posts
Apr 10 2005
New week, New Role
Today I started training in Delivery Services at the Magic Kingdom. DS handles all the Package-Pickup and Hotel Delivery packages that are taken by the shops in the park. I’m really looking forward to getting more involved with DS as it is a nice change of pace to the strollers rush I deal with every night. After work I made the swing by Epcot to say hi to a few friends and am now just relaxing at home watching Desperate Housewives. More training tomorrow so look for a longer update then.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2005/04/new-week-new-role/
Apr 08 2005
Attractions Host?
Ok so last night was a surprise. You may be wondering why this post has the Mission: SPACE logo in it. Well, I was originally off yesterday. I ran some earns around Orlando and ended my afternoon at Epcot looking from Kimmie Sue to set up a meeting with her and to visit my friend Joe a work. Joe works as a Coordinator in Futureworld East (Spaceship Earth, Universe of Energy, Wonders of Life, Mission: SPACE and Test Track). Well, yesterday was the Extra Magic Hour Evening for Epcot and Mission: SPACE was short staffed I guess and I got talked in to working a seven hour shift at the attraction.
I wanted to do attractions when I applied to start on the college program so it was a blast. Since I am not fully trained on the attraction, I was limited to greeter and grouping positions. I still had a blast and it made me think about what my future at WDW might include if a role in Guest Relations was not to work out. I might consider a transfer to an attraction like Mission: SPACE or Soarin’ or even apply for opening crew for Expedition everest which is coming to Animal Kingdom in January. But, as much as it would be fun, Guest Relations would be my top choice and the direction I want to move.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2005/04/attractions-host/
Apr 06 2005
Two Birds with One Stone
So today I work late and decided to take my morning and get a few things done. Mainly, I needed to go to the Apple Store at Millenia and have them look at my PowerBook keyboard. I came home from work the other night and my eject key was sticking up. Not a problem, take it in the the Genius Bar and it is fixed in no time, just a few hour wait. Oh well. So while I am waiting, I am looking at headphones for my iPod. I still have my original ear-buds that came with the iPod and am looking at replacing them. Well, I found the perfect ones. I had not seen them before but, Apple now has the Plantronics MX100s headphones. What is so nice about these? Simple, it has TWO jacks on the end. One to plug in to your iPod and another to plug in to your mobile phone. Why is this good? I always have both my iPod and my mobile on me at all times (or most of the time) and the ability to share a single set of headphones for both just rocks. When a call comes in, you hit a button and the headset switches from music to mobile. I think these are going to be just what I need. Well, off to work.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2005/04/two-birds-with-one-stone/
Mar 31 2005
Cinderella Castle Update
Well folks, Cinderella Castle is nearly complete and decorated for the Happiest Celebration on Earth. If you are in the park, come visit it if not, here is a picture of the concept art. The castle is decorated with golden figures of classic Disney stories such as Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Jungle Book, and the Little Mermaid. It also features a magical stained glass window that changes throughout the day to show all the Disney Castles world wide. It is simply amazing to see. Enjoy!
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2005/03/cinderella-castle-update/
Mar 28 2005
Still around
Well, I know it has been a while since I posted. What can I say, we are on six to seven day work weeks and I am pushing around 65-70 hours this week alone. Look for more updates soon I hope.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2005/03/still-around/
Mar 23 2005
Simply Amazing
Well, yesterday I road the most amazing ride I have ever been on. As part of the Happiest Celebration on Earth, each Disney Theme Park worldwide will or has already gotten an attraction or show from another Disney Theme Park. At Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom Park received Cinderellabration from Tokyo Disneyland, Disney-MGM Studios received Lights, Motor, Action Motor Stunt Show from Disneyland Paris, Animal Kingdom will debuted Expedition Everest in January 2006, an all new attraction and last but not least, the subject of this post, Soarin’ over California from Disney’s California Adventure Park has landed at Epcot and simply known as Soarin’ on this side of the country.
Soarin’ is so amazing. It isn’t a roller coaster or a rough ride like Test Track or Mission Space. As you enter the building, you feel as if you have just entered an airport. The Imagineers have based the design of the que. and entry area off of three airports, Charles Degaulle Airport in Paris, Orlando International and Chicago O’Hare. As I walked in, I was simply in amazement on how amazing this building looks. The ride it self as described by Disney is ass follows:
Hold your breath as you experience the ultimate sensation of free flight. Your soarin’ journey takes you from one end of the Golden State to the other in this awe-inspiring scenic tour.
- Take in immersive breath-taking aerial vistas while flying in this simulated hang glider
- Your toes dangle just above the awe-inspiring landscapes such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Yosemite
- Feel the wind in your hair as you see California as you’ve never seen it before!
I was in awe the entire time. You can smell the pine forests and the citrus farms. You will lift your feet up for fear of them getting wet as you soar over the ocean complete with the sea air smell. The whole thing ends as you soar through downtown Los Angeles and right over Main Street USA up to Sleeping Beauty Castle to enjoy a fireworks show complete with Tinkerbell. If you have not had a chance to ride this ride at either Disneyland or on a limited preview here at Walt Disney World, make sure you get to your favorite Disney Theme Park and come home this summer and give this attraction a spin. You will be amazed as your breath is taken away and you are in awe at the beauty of California and of soarin’ over the mountains, ocean, forests and Disneyland in your own hang-glider.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2005/03/simply-amazing/
Mar 22 2005
Neverland is Here!
Just a side note, Finding Neverland is out on DVD today. Check it out. One of the best movies of 2004 I think.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2005/03/neverland-is-here/
Mar 20 2005
Life at the Beach
Well, this weekend has been great. I finally got the chance to get away from Orlando for the first time since last fall. I drove to Naples to meet up with my family for a nice long weekend. This is my third and final day at the pool and beach. I am heading back to work tomorrow and the start of a ten day stetch before my next day off. Back to the sun and fun.
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This message was sent wirelessly via my BlackBerry mobile device, so the reply will be short and may even include some words that are not spelled properly.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2005/03/life-at-the-beach/
Mar 17 2005
End of Week One
Well, this is the end of my first week at my new location. Strollers is really not what I expected at all. It is actually a lot of fun. What I like the most about it is that it is that it is more of an operations role instead of a merchandise role. It’s a nice change and offers a variety. The Cast is great and the Managers couldn’t be better. I am so happy with my move. I am home early tonight and finishing up packing since I am heading to Naples this weekend to see my family which I haven’t seen in a while. So until then, have a great weekend!
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2005/03/end-of-week-one/
Mar 14 2005
Welcome to Our Family
Well, I didn’t get a chance to really post much when I got in last night due to the time. For those that haven’t tuned in for a while, I have been working as a Seasonal Cast Member (CT) at the Emporium in the Magic Kingdom. After waiting a while, I have finally gotten a Full-Time (FT) role with the company and with it, a transfer to Main Entrance at Magic Kingdom where I will be working in Strollers, Newsstand, Station Break and Package-Pickup (in time). Yesterday (3/13) I had my one day of training and went through the review of registers (The Emporium had me in a support role and I hadn’t really been on a register since December), learning how to drive an ECV, clean and stack strollers, and be the information point for the front of the park. I know it isn’t the place most people would pick but, I think it will be fun. The management team so far and the Cast have been nothing short of welcoming and willing to help me every step of the way. For those that have seen ‘Brother Bear’, think of the song “Welcome” (Welcome to our family time. Welcome to our happy to be time. This is our festival, you know and best of all we’re here to share it all). I can’t wait to see where this takes me. I have never had a team that has welcomed me so much as I saw yesterday.
Today will be my first ‘real’ day on my own up there but I can’t wait. I know that I will miss the friends and family I have in the Emporium but I will be making a new set of friends and family up at Main Entrance and who knows, I may even be auditioning for a role in Guest Relations this summer. Until then, I look forward to spending the next part of my career at Main entrance Merchandise and kicking off the Happiest Homecoming celebrating 50 years of Disney Themeparks. Look for more information to come later about the Happiest Celebration on Earth. For all that come to the Magic Kingdom, I will be on evening shifts and as of now, I have a Thursday/Friday day-off schedule. I couldn’t be happier with where I work and what I do. Thanks to all those that have supported me this far. Hope to see you real soon!
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2005/03/welcome_to_our_family/
About
Welcome to Webby Aquatics! This site will give you a look in to the life of Tom Webster. For more information, please visit About Webby or one of the social networking sites above.