The Disneyland Monorail

Disneyland was personally built and owned by Walt Disney through his company, WED Enterprises. Eventually, Walt returned Disneyland to Walt Disney Productions, but he kept two attractions for himself - The Disneyland Railroad and the Disneyland Monorail. Those who operated these attractions were employees of Walt through another company called Retlaw (Walter spelled backwards). Knowing this history helped me to realize that it was a privilege to work the monorails, though the transition from the Mark V to the Mark VII was rough and generated much frustration from guests. This experience really helped me to hone my guest relations skills...but, I have to admit - the monorails are fun to drive!

Star Tours (The Original Series)

The cast member in the top photo is not me, but is one I worked with often. This also shows the original costume that got me the most compliments from guests. The bottom two photos were of the last day of operation before Star Tours was redesigned and reopened in 2011. I was on the second to last flight and had the privilege of meeting and speaking to Imagineers Tom Fitzgerald and Tony Baxter. Star Tours has a special place in my heart as it was the attraction that I frequented the most as a 12 year old and, while it wasn't a life-long dream to work the attraction, it was an awesome privilege to bring the magic of Disney and George Lucas to newer generations of Star Tours passengers. 

Disneyland Autopia

That might be me in the bottom of this picture

The legendary Autopia - Not the easiest attraction to work considering that you and the guests are at the mercy of other guests operating the ride vehicles and there is no "E-Stop". But it was an honor to work one of the few remaining attractions from Disneyland's opening day in 1955. Though the attraction has changed considerably since it reopened in 2000, it was fun to see how parents who enjoyed the attraction as children are now passing along this Disneyland "rite of passage" to their children.