A Different Role

By: Lynn

With all the hoopla surrounding the Star Tours grand openening at Disneys Hollywood Studios I decided to write about a similar experience I was involved with a few years ago.  As a Disneyland cast member we had the chance to fill a few different roles other than my usual position.  I was able to be a media host for the grand opening of The Twilight Zone Tower Of Terror at Disney California Adventure.   It was pretty simple to get involved; I had to let the media hosting leader know I was interested in a certain event.  DCA was in need of another big E ticket attraction!  I was asked to be a media host for the opening of Tower Of Terror.  We went through some training. preparing for the show, and what to expect and what the media can and cannot do.

The event was to take place over two days May 4th and 5th of 2004.  We dressed in a polo shirt, given to us that was special for the event.  The first day I was assigned to work the media center.  This is where the media checked in, did some writing, interviews, and a place to relax.  I scheduled different media for interviews with whoever was available.  The media could choose from imagineers, Disney spokes people, even the president of Disneyland.  They would have to indicate if it was a TV interview, radio, paper, ect.  The the 2nd day I had to be a host to a radio station from Arizona.  The station, along with others, had a booth set up right across from the attraction.  My job was to be sure that the radio announcers had everything they needed.  I was kind of a gofer boy.  I got them food, drinks, pretty much anything they needed while under a canopy for four hours during their broadcast.  One part of their broadcast included a ride on the attraction, which I got to participate in as well.  We rode it 4 times in a row.   I usually don't mind that ride, but after the 3rd time I was a little sick. I was also allowed a break, and given a food voucher, where I could eat almost anywhere in the park.  Mmmmmmm, Taste Pilots Grill.

This was a great change of pace from my usual post as a custodian. I was able to be in a different park and do a whole new role for a couple of days.  I met some neat people, and had lots of fun!

Thank you for reading my blog post, and don't forget to check out my podcast called The Sweep Spot. You can download it at Itunes. Lynn Barron