reginadrago13

[reginadrago13]

Pandemically Laid Off: Cast Member Edition

“It is with tremendous regret that we must inform you that your employment will be separated...”

It cuts like a hot knife. Words that would never have crossed my mind two years ago. A situation that would never have crossed my little mind when I was younger. I wanted to be a princess, and if not a princess, I want to work at such a fun place. 

I remember visiting my first time when I was around 8 years old. One particular memory that back then, I was upset about. I remember it was my cousin and I’s turn to meet the Mad Hatter. I was so excited to get him to sign my autograph book!

 “Brace yourselves”, my younger self would tell you, “it’s about to get ugly.” I would have told you that that butthead picked up the bottom of my braid and pulled my braid straight up for the photo! I was MORTIFIED! Yet as I grew up and kept looking at that picture, and remembering that moment I appreciate it. As an adult now, I can laugh and think that’s the kind of fun workplace I want to be at. 

I made it a goal after high school to apply for Disney’s College Program. I was turned down, so I thought I could apply for a job there instead. I was once again turned down but that was okay! Saddened but not discouraged, I decided to get a job so I could have that work experience under my belt...  Two years later, I became an Annual Passholder. Then life just, happened. I fell in love, got married and got jobs because I needed to pay bills. For six years, I was stuck in a repetitive world, but I knew I was able to escape while at the parks.

Then my husband and I had to give up our annual passes due to not being able to afford it. My husband knew it was going to break my heart, so he suggested I apply at Disneyland again. That little spark was relit again and I jumped on it, just to be disappointed again. I put that dream on hold, not wanting to get hurt again. In the end, I got a job that I was content with. Two years droned on and then my phone chimes...

“Hey, my job is currently hiring and I really think you should apply.” It was my ex’s little sister. She went on to tell me that pay may not be the greatest, but that I would love it. I agreed and she sent me the link to their job board website and some of her company information. Not thinking anything about it or studying the link, I click and as I waited for it to load I continued watching my movie. After five minutes, I looked at my phone...

My husband had to make sure he caught my jaw before it hit the floor. He asked me what was going on and I turned my phone screen towards him, as I explained what happened. I should have been happy, but I was terrified. I was afraid they would tell me no again and to be honest, if third time was not going to be the charm, I would not want to do it anymore. But both my friend and husband persuaded me. In May of 2018, my dreams had finally come true. I became a Disneyland Cast Member. 

Why am I telling you all this? Because I want you to take a look at how much I worked for this. How I took that HUGE pay and hour cut to fulfill a life long dream. From there, it got better. After a month of being there, they gave us a well deserved minimum wage. After my probational period, I applied for their Aspire program and started attending university. That’s right, I was working on getting my Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management because I wanted to be a recruiter for company. I had big plans for my future, but 9 months into working at Disneyland, I became a lead. I started picking up hours and I was finally happy and living a comfortable life with my husband. We were even able to save and purchase a car! 

Then March 16th 2020 came and it was announced we would be closing due to the pandemic. But I was okay with that. We were financially stable enough and had saved enough for two months. We would be okay. It was going to be over soon, we’d be back in 2 weeks maybe a month its cool! The company is still going to be paying us anyways...

My husband and I decided to take in his father and started looking for an apartment. We found a beautiful two bedroom apartment and my father in law was ecstatic! We planned to bring him to see his new home and new bedroom on the 29th. 

March 29th, around 3 am, my emotional and mental health started dwindling. My father in law had passed away. So now I had to be strong and present for my husband. That same day, I was told one of my cousins got abducted by a gang and to this day, we still do not know anything about him.

Then late April we heard we were getting furloughed. No more pay, and I had to apply for unemployment. But I reassured myself we were going to be okay. Hopefully by summer they will open up again. They have to... Right?

Layoffs began happening as early as August and that set off red flags. Even if they decided to open I knew my department would be obsolete. Contactless payments? No one will be going to any ticket booths. This realization came with a huge sense of resentment and depression. But until I read those words that I mentioned in the beginning, those feelings were stalking me, always 6 feet apart... Once I began seeing the posts, those feelings were breathing right at my neck. Once I read the title, those feelings embraced me and once I read the email they submerged me.

Do not get me wrong, these feelings are not strictly towards the company. They’ve been there since this pandemic started, they just began creeping up on me as our country began to divide and that division.

I feel like everything I worked for and everything I’ve been working towards has been pulled from right under my feet. I look at my friends and acquaintances and it hurts me to see them hurt and struggling to make ends meet during this pandemic. I’ve tried my best to be present for them because being a lead has taught me to support my fellow cast members... But I’m hurting too, and I am exhausted. I do not see any reason to continue with my current classes. I do not see a reason to return to a company who could have managed this situation with their employees in mind, not for the money. I feel disposable and I resent them for that. I resent a dream, that my younger self had, and that depresses me.

Right now, I do not know what the future holds for me. I do not know if I will return with magic a plenty, or if it will fizzle out and I find happiness elsewhere. What I do know, is the following:

-I wish and hope nothing but the best to all my fellow cast members right now. I feel for you. 

-I hope that this lights a fire inside of us to fight. I hope that we will rise above the ashes like a phoenix and be able to return the magic back to its rightful place. 

-But if you decide to not return, I hope that the next chapter in your life boosts you to success.

To any little 8 year old out there (or any adult) who also dreams of one day becoming a princess or working at Disneyland, hold that dream close. I remain hopeful that they will put new orders and rules in place to make sure something like this does not happen again. 

I hope to heal from all of this in time for recalls. Because if or when I return, I hope to meet you and make your dream of working at Disneyland come true.

<3

[reginadrago13]

Me:

[reginadrago13]

A veces puedo estar de buen humor y tener la cara así.