The Walt Disney Company is known for many things, and topping that list is the exceptional attention to guest service. Over the decades the company, which has been around for almost 90 years, has developed a small way to create the magical world you step into when you begin your vacation. The power of words has infiltrated the company, and any new hire can only build upon the magic of the parks by living the Disney lingo.
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It all begins at the conclusion of your interview. Once you accept the job, you are officially a Disney Cast Member! As you begin your training, you learn the reason for the replacement of such a common term as employee. The Disney Company treats the job just like any of its projects; it is a high-scale film production, complete with cast, a stage, and behind the scenes work. Every move is planned out to produce the magical world of Disney and it really does begin with words. Different terms replace nearly every word commonly used in the workplace on Disney property.  Customers and visitors are never just that—they are always guests.  And those guests are always handled by cast members, not employees, who are dressed in specific costumes, not uniforms. When working and interacting with guests cast members are on stage, and whenever you are off the floor you are backstage. The list goes on, but every Disney-approved term is essential to generating that truly magical experience many of us have had in the past. Performance in your working role is one of many things that produce the amazing guest service that the company has been known for over generations. Each and every cast member is expected to perform with the highest quality to uphold that standard.Â
The lingo can be hard to get down, especially for a girl who has been in the retail world for more than a few years. But as a girl who has done her fair share of theatre productions, the concept of performing while working was nothing short of exciting. The combination of the two made me realize something that applies to all colliegettes™, not just those working for Disney. The idea of treating your job like a performance is the smartest and simplest way to ensure a high-class effort from all employees. When you’re acting, endless amounts of effort go toward producing a top-notch rendition of your role. In the theatre world the only way to get better roles is to practice and do your best, and the working world is really no different. No matter the mood you’re in or the things that have happened before you showed up for call time, the actor never falters due to outside influences. They focus on the job at hand and perform an incredible show for the audience, leaving everything else at the door. In actuality, you career should really be no different. When you’re working, especially in a new job, the most important thing to learn from the acting lingo of Disney is that you are essentially in a performance. Looking at your career as the step towards your Oscar is a great way to ensure you do the best job you can and could help you climb the career ladder much faster than others.Â
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