I Wish That I Had Jessie's... Job at Walt Disney World

With apologies to Rick Springfield, I wish that I had Jessie's... former job at Walt Disney World as a castmember. In this blogpost, I interview Jessie Elyse Nourse about her time as a Castmember at the Happiest Place on Earth and her Disney fandom in general. I first met Jessie while being an invited, participating Oz author about a decade in Chittenango, New York, birthplace of L. Frank Baum. You will note the name of the village on the castmember nametags in some of her photos. 

Caption: Jessie in her Walt Disney World Castmember costume (what Castmembers call their uniforms) and wearing her nametag, etc.

1) How long did you work for Walt Disney World? Please give the range of years too.

I worked at Walt Disney World for about 8 years all together. I did two separate Disney College Program internships in Fall of 2008 and Fall of 2009, went seasonal from January 2010 until December 2010, and eventually went part time and then full time. I unfortunately left the company in October 2015.

2) What parks or resort hotels did you work in?

I worked in Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Between the two I worked at 16 different attractions, was a trainer for 5 of those attractions, worked with our area's safety team in Epcot, was one of the Queen of Hearts cards handing out candy at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, and was a Fantasyland Dream Maker during the Year of a Million Dreams.

3) What was your role or what were your roles as a Cast member?

I was an attractions cast member as well as an attractions trainer.

4) Did you work at Magic Kingdom and walk through the underground tunnels there?

Yes, I worked at Magic Kingdom for 8 months. I had to walk through the tunnels to get to my job location. It is funny how uneventful it is, yet is the talk of WDW fans everywhere.

5) What was your favorite role?

My favorite role was being a trainer at Journey into Imagination and Living with the Land. I have a special place in my heart for Figment as well as everything about Living with the Land. I loved training in general, but it was always more fun training an attraction you loved.

Caption (above two): Various roles Jessie had as a Castmember.

6) What was your favorite thing about working for Walt Disney World?

My favorite part of working at Walt Disney World was by far getting the chance to create magic for our guests. Disney has the most excellent customer service model I have ever experienced, and to be a part of that and help create special memories for thousands of people is something I will always cherish.

7) What was your least favorite thing about working for Walt Disney World?

My least favorite thing about working at Walt Disney World was probably dealing with the crowds. I worked at Magic Kingdom and Epcot on our most crowded days. This meant dealing with tens of thousands of guests a day. I suffer from anxiety and this was definitely a challenge for me, especially on holidays where I missed being with family. It was always worth it, but it was challenging at times.

8) Were you a Disney fan before you worked at Walt Disney World? Describe your fandom. Did it involve mostly movies or did it also involve collecting?

I was a Disney fan before working there. My knowledge of Disney was primarily movies, but I had been visiting WDW since I was 11. As soon as I walked into Magic Kingdom the first time I knew I needed to work there. The parks became my fandom so to speak. I loved the complexity that went into creating even the most mundane aspects of the parks. It is still a passion for me to this day.

Caption (two above): With being close to Mickey Mouse and kissing Goofy, Jessie shows she is a Disney superfan.

9) What is your favorite Disney animated film? What is your favorite Disney live action film?

My favorite Disney animated film is Pixar's "UP". It is beautifully done and has a message that I believe is important. Pixar is by far my favorite subcategory of Disney films. My favorite live action Disney film is "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End". I love the history of the time period and the music scores were probably some of the best.

Caption: Jessie poses with Russell, a character from her favorite film "UP" at WDW

10) What is your favorite Disney television show?

My favorite Disney show currently is "Puppy Dog Pals", but only because my one year old son is obsessed with it and sings the song about 27 times a day. My favorite Disney show of all time would be "Even Stevens".

11) What is your favorite Disney song?

My favorite Disney song is "You'll Be In My Heart" from "Tarzan". Though it is not my top choice to listen to, it has impacted my life in many ways. It was my mother's favorite song, and I have sung it to my son since before he was born as a way to connect him to my mother who he unfortunately will never meet. He is almost two and "You'll Be In My Heart" will still immediately calm him down. It will forever be a part of me.

12) Do you still enjoy Disney films and music, etc. after working at Walt Disney World?

I think I enjoy Disney films more now that I have worked at Walt Disney World. Sometimes, I feel like there are things in movies that I find funny only because of my experiences working in the parks.

(I later asked for an example of this after our interview. I mentioned the scene with Kronk and Yzma in "The Emperor's New Groove" in which they go through ride instructions as if they are at the Disney Parks when traveling on a mini-coaster to Yzma's secret lair. Jessie gave her reply below.)

That moment with Kronk and Yzma is definitely one of my favorites that I just find so hilarious. Another is during "Finding Dory" when they're at the Marine Life center. The touch tank reminded me of all the interactive aspects at WDW and the stroller gag made me think of all the stroller parking in the parks.

13) Do you still enjoy going to the parks after having worked there?

I love going to the parks even more after working there. I try and take a trip every year and have succeeded in doing so minus the year I was pregnant with my son. My son will have gone to Walt Disney World twp times before his 2nd birthday, and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. I feel like I'm lucky to have gotten to see the parks as a kid, teenager, and single adult;now, I get to see it through the eyes of my child. Walt Disney World is a very special place for me and always will be.

Caption: Jessie takes her son to WDW and has him visit Minnie Mouse. 

14) What would you advise people to do if they want to work for Walt Disney World?

If you want to work for Walt Disney World, remember that being positive, passionate, and having patience will get you far. It is not a job for those who are doing it for the money or just to have a job. In order to do well, you must want to be a part of the legacy. Also, if you are in college or taking college classes, I highly suggest applying for the Disney College Program. That was the best decision of my entire life.

15) Have you enjoyed the changes that have been made at the parks? Is there anything you wish had not changed at the parks?

There have been many changes within the parks over the past few years. I understand the necessity for progress and adhering to the new technology and interests of today's guests. There are a few changes I have not personally enjoyed, but I understand the reasoning behind most of them.

16) I happen to know you are a fan of “The Wizard of Oz.” Were you disappointed when The Great Movie Ride was closed with its scenes from the film?

The closing of The Great Movie Ride is probably the one change I am most upset by. It was such an iconic attraction and really made the theme of Hollywood Studios (as well as MGM Studios back in the day). I honestly cried when they announced the closure of The Great Movie Ride, and to be candid, will probably not be going on the ride that is replacing it anytime soon.

17) When was the last time you went to Walt Disney World?

My last visit to Walt Disney World was June 2018 and it was the first time I took my son. It was pure magic!

18) Do you have any future plans to go to the parks?

My next visit to Walt Disney World is in August this year. I am so excited and I'm sure all my friends and family are tired of me talking about it so I'll tell you instead....I'm going to Walt Disney World next month!!!!!! My hotel and dining plan is paid for, dining reservations are booked, fastpasses made, and now I just wait.

19) What do you most anticipate seeing when you return to the parks?

So apart from taking my son on my favorite rides I am very excited for a new dining experience that is happening in Restaurantosorous this coming fall that I have reservations for. It is Sundaes and Burgers with "Paleontologists" that come talk to the diners about their discoveries. There are activities for kids and a make your own sundae bar! My son is currently obsessed with dinosaurs which makes me so excited to see how he reacts. Plus, Disney food is the best food.

20) What are some nostalgic dark rides or other things such as certain foods that are “musts” for you when you return?

My nostalgic must see rides are: Peter Pan's Flight, Living With The Land, and Journey into Imagination. My must eat foods: Dole Whip Float and Mickey waffles (gluten free for me, but they're still Mickey waffles!)

Caption: Mickey waffles are one of Jessie's favorite treats at W.D.W.

Thank you for this wonderful interview, Jessie!

SHAMELESS PLUG: If you are looking to travel to Walt Disney World or Disneyland or are looking into any type of Disney-related vacation, including a Disney Cruise, contact me, Ron with Mad Hatter Adventures Travel Company, at ron@madhatteradv.com or see my travel page at https://www.facebook.com/RonMadHatterAdventuresCompany/ . 

Five Starcourt Malls for Stranger Things Season 3

Source (for photo): Whats-on-Netflix.com

(A potential spoiler or two is enclosed but only in generalities)

The Starcourt Mall, a seemingly typical 80s mall, is the setting for much of Season 3 of "Stranger Things". Therefore, given that the horror and characterization have been amped up this season, I give "Stranger Things Season 3" five Starcourt Malls instead of five stars. In fact, the relatively new mall does have some connection to some of the stranger things going on within the town of Hawkins, Indiana.

The opening scene seemingly contrasts the benign happy-go-lucky mall scenes which soon follow. In a stark environment, the scene shows Russians doing basically what the American government has done in previous seasons with tampering with space-time with some sort of particle machine but opening up a portal to another dimension, a dark one. (The Cold War and the nuclear arms race of the 80s have seemed to be motivators for the experiments in previous seasons.) The Russian scene appears to be a prequel scene of sorts which then flashforwards to the present day after the events of Seasons 1 and 2.

Next, some of the main youth characters have entered puberty and are in the ups and downs of relationships but at least one wants to regress, and this creates some conflicts. Eleven and Finn are getting a little too close with their relationship, and Hopper, her guardian, intervenes. Eventually, a rift is driven between them for a while. Next, Lucas and Max, "Mad Max" the feisty red-headed young lady, are having conflicts as well. As in previous seasons, there are conflicts between friends as well. Dustin is upset when his friends do not try to get in touch with him upon his return from a month-long "nerd camp." He continues his "bromance" with older friend Steve who has taken several steps down the social ladder by working at an ice-cream parlor (shades of "Fast Times in Ridgemont High" are evident in some of the Starcourt Mall facets and even the public pool scenes) with a young lady who is not charmed by him. Dustin takes more of a leadership role with Steve in some ways, so there is more of a role reversal there. Finally, Will wants things to remain with his friends more like they were when they were younger and is not pursuing any romantic interest. In fact, Will even tells his mom he probably will not be pursuing a romantic relationship. He wants to still play D&D and just hang out and talk with his friends. As his friends are more interested in pursuing romances, this puts him in conflict with them at times. The characterization seems improved thanks to these conflicts and interactions and the dynamic qualities of the characters.

The main adult characters, Hopper and Joyce, are leaning more toward romance after the loss of her uber-nerd boyfriend, Bob Newby, in Season 2. (Newby's heroism is alluded to and respected in the new season.) Hopper and Joyce's past history figures into their current relationship (hasn't it always in some ways?). The same holds true for photographer Jonathan Byers, Will's brother, who is now interning at a newspaper, and Nancy Wheeler, who is interning there too and is treated more like a coffee girl in a male dominated, chauvenistic newsroom. However, she aspires to be so much more. Their snooping and ambitions soon land them into trouble, and this jeopardizes their relationship.

As you can tell from previews, the evil force from previous seasons has returned. Much like in "It" or other works of Stephen King, whose work inspired this series, a bully, who you can probably guess without spoilers, cooperates with this evil force. Eleven, once again, is called to help go against this force but others do their best to as well. What is interesting in this season is that Eleven uses her powers almost as much for adolescent snooping and curiousity about the opposite sex as she does against the evil force. Will uses his connection to the dark force to help in this season as well.

In a kind of "Red Dawn"-esque scenario with Russian influences, multiple horror influences are played out amongst an 80s-nostalgia-heavy setting. New Coke, 80s mall store favorites, and 80s songs take one back over 30 years ago as other nostalgic aspects did in previous seasons. 80s film classics such as "The Dawn of the Dead" and "Back to the Future" are brought into the mix as well. (Oz fans will even notice the cult classic "Return to Oz" is mentioned on the mall cinema's marquee.) One 80s fantasy film classic is brought into the series is a surprising, fun way toward the end as well. In addition to 80s films nostalgia, the Duffer Brothers, directors, and screen-writers have taken aspects of "Willard", "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", "The Blob", the works of H.P. Lovecraft, Stephen King's "The Tommyknockers", and other horror tropes and have woven them into this new season. Some may question the freshness of the material thanks to these tropes, yet I think it is the blending of these aspects and other facets that keep watchers coming back for more.

Floating back from Michigan Wizard of Oz Festival

I had a great time as a special guest author who was billed as a celebrity guest at the Michigan Wizard of Oz Festival in Ionia, Michigan this past weekend.

I was not far from my friends, authorial colleagues, and special guests James and Amanda Wallace III. They are fine Oz authors who write great books for children. I was unable to get a photograph with Munchkin by marriage and celebrity guest Mary Ellen St. Aubin this year, but she has always been very sweet when I have spoken with her in past years.

Just as we were going in the door of the Armory (where we special guests and main vendors were) there was something that appeared to be the Book of Records with a wonderful O and Z insignia. It was a book for people to sign in on. There was also a map off to the side where people could put stars showing where they came from. Here is what the book-stand and general set-up appeared like:

Within the Armory, Oz-zy decorations and sets had been placed here and there:

Within the Armory, many Oz fans stopped by my table to purchase copies of my fantasy Corgi graphic novel, _Ziggy Zig-zags the Light and Dark Fantastic_ and my Southern literature meets Oz fantasy, _O.Z. Diggs Himself Out_ (both published by YBR Publishing of Beaufort, S.C.):

Outside the Armory, there were vendors as well going all the way down to the historic Ionia Cinema:

 Above: This vendor has a rescue dog support organization, an organization which is dear to my heart.

Looking at those vendor tents and going down to the cinema, also allowed one to gaze upon some amazing Victorian architecture in Ionia, Michigan's downtown:

Upon arrival at the Ionia Cinema one evening, after the day of meet and greets and book sales were over, I had the pleasure of seeing James Wallace III's presentation on the myths related to the 1939 M.G.M. film "The Wizard of Oz." By the way, one of the major draws for the annual festival in Ionia is that they show "The Wizard of Oz" for the original price of a quarter apiece. (It helps that the cinema is owned by the Downtown Development Association if I am not mistaken, and they also show modern films there. I almost went to see "Toy Story 4" but was just so busy there in a good wayand was tired at the end of each day.) James' presentation was incredible, and I learned some new things about some of the directors of the film, etc. (also shown are some exquisite details of the Art Deco meets Native American style of the interior of the cinema):

Like in many Oz festivals, families and individual adults dress up like the characters from the M.G.M. Oz film and sometimes even the L. Frank Baum books:

What is also very nice about the Michigan Wizard of Oz Festival is that their own official characters act out scenes from the film throughout the day and meet and greet people through the downtown area as their characters:

 (Above) Don't back "Witchy" into a corner.

 (Above) Has anybody seen my bubble?

 (Above) Professor Marvel seems a bit "too sad" and Miss Gulch is just way "too happy." ;)

 (Above) Someone looks very happy that he got his heart! I am happy for you, Tinman / Tin Woodman!

 Above: Dorothy is trying to fend off that wind from a TWISTA!

Above: What's this?! O.Z. Diggs / the Wizard of Oz standing right beside the Wicked Witch of the West? I smell a conspiracy!

 Above: Put 'em up! Put 'em up, Cowardly Lion!

Above: The whole cast is shown toward the end of the festival.

New article on Ziggy and me

Charmain Brackett, a columnist with "The Augusta Chronicle", wrote a wonderful feature on Ziggy, my Corgi, and me as well as the graphic novel based upon him. Not only are signings happening in Augusta as indicated in the article, by the way, but outside the Chronicle's coverage area in Statesboro, Georgia. The one not mentioned in the article will be happening in the back room of Galactic Comics Saturday, July 20 on E. Main St. in Statesboro, Georgia from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Here is the link to Mrs. Brackett's out-standing article:

https://www.augustachronicle.com/lifestyle/20190622/pet-project-barnwell-man-creates-graphic-novel-with-corgi-as-hero?template=ampart&fbclid=IwAR3OlOqFAZ3Ax5TfPV4Y9yYfD-K3H5HLHbHDqq_iRCC4RO26ezJnAYRZcfk

My Authorial Interview on WRUU, Savannah, GA

I had an interview with Adam Messer of WRUU in Savannah, Georgia yesterday, and it has now been put into a podcast.

I cover everything from my Corgi to my graphic novel based on him to my Oz book to Oz festivals and my history as an author. 

Here is the the link:

https://anchor.fm/adammesser/episodes/Interview-with-Ron-Baxley-Jr-e4bu7v?fbclid=IwAR3yvdCodhPbX0oE4TbiFdohrka_3Rf5usjg_pwre-dqBn7YnQt0UMeUo5M

Receiving D23 10th Anniversary Pins as Contest Prize

I, Ron Baxley Jr., once again thank the - Disney History Institute - www.disneyhistoryinstitute.com for hosting this D23 10th Anniversary Pins contest and Kate Littleton for sponsoring it. I was honored to win this set of D23 10th Anniversary pins for my answer about my favorite minor character in Disney films on the Disney History Institute Facebook page. Many great answers were posted, and I am honored that I was selected as the winner. Here was my answer for which I was awarded the pins:

"Ray, the Cajun firefly from "The Princess and the Frog", is one of my favorites. He can have comic moments yet also has seemingly unrequited love for his Evangeline, who is revealed to be a star in the sky. In fact, love is often like that, unreachable, unattainable, yet we still strive for it. What makes Ray's love for the star even more thematically relevant is it ties in with the wishing Tiana wished on a star as a child and even the wishing her friend Charlotte did on it as a child and adult. What eventually happens to Ray makes his character even more poignant to me. Finally, his character and his love for a star and the wishes on the star tie in to the Disney Canon song "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Pinocchio which has also been used numerous times for Disney Parks advertisements. Ray longs for the star, just as we all long for that which transcends us. If his wish and others' wishes come true will best be left for viewings of the film." Click link to go to YouTube video with me opening the pins

Clicked Away from Oz-Stravangaza 2019

About a week ago, I clicked back to my version of Kansas, Barnwell, S.C., after having been in Oz, Chittenango, New York, for one of many times as an invited, participating author at Oz-Stravaganza over the past decade. 

Spending some time with the great grand-son of L. Frank Baum and prolific Oz author, Roger Baum, and his wife, Charlene, was great as was spending time with John Fricke and other Oz celebrities there. I was able to see Roger and his wife receive Honorary Lifetime Memberships to the International L. Frank Baum and All Things Oz Foundation during the after party. I think they had received them before but greatly deserved to be recognized again. I was very honored and humbled to receive this same award in 2016. Many deserving individuals have received it through the years, including many volunteers with the organization that runs the All Things Oz Museum and the festival (visit my Facebook page and their Facebook page for museum pictures, which I did not include in this posting). By the way, thank you to all involved with Oz-Stravaganza for the incredible work that you do to continue the legacy of original Oz author L. Frank Baum in his birthplace of Chittenango, New York! 

 Also, seeing the splendor of the Oz Park and the Oz-Stravaganza Parade as well as participating in the latter were amazing as always.

Being alongside my Oz creative colleagues, Vincent Myrand, James and Amanda Wallace, Allison Lehr, and Tom Hutchison, was a wonderful experience as was meeting and greeting Oz fans and signing books for them. 

A dear friend and Oz fan Sally Vitorrio made some special hand-sewn gifts for me this year. 

Artist Vincent Myrand paints wonderful scenes from Oz films on canvas and also illustrated my graphic novel, Ziggy Zig-Zags the Light and Dark Fantastic, Volume 1. He was an invited artist with his own separate table just as I was an invited author in the Authors and Artists Alley area of Oz-Stravaganza. 

Invited authors and artists and local residents even shared a pancake breakfast sponsored by the local Presbyterian Church at one point. Marc Baum, who heads up the Authors and Artists Alley and many other facets of Oz-Stravaganza, and his son Colton, who volunteers with the organization, are shown to the right of a group of artists and authors at the breakfast.

By the way, I sold nearly all of the copies of my Southern literature meets Wizard of Oz trade paperback, O.Z. Diggs Himself Out (YBR Publishing) there. Also, I sold half of the commemorative editions of YBR Publishing’s fantasy Corgi graphic novel, Ziggy Zig-zags the Light and Dark Fantastic, Vol. 1 (with story and scripting by me and art by Vincent) and have now gifted to family or have nearly sold out of the rest of them (just a few left for the next Oz festival I am attending). I have plenty of regular, non-commemorative editions of the graphic novel for future events.

In fact, I am now gearing up for my special guest appearance at the Michigan Oz Festival June 21-22 in Ionia, Michigan. I hope to see you there!