Hello Hurricane
Sometimes, during a rare quiet moment while working outdoor vending at Magic Kingdom, I think about the machine that is Walt Disney World. I’m not talking about the mechanics of the attractions— I’m talking about the immense amount of labor and executed plans that must be completed each day in order for the parks to operate.
Today, someone spent hours cooking cinnamon pecans and almonds in the ODV garage. Several Cast Members put the handles onto popcorn buckets that will soon be sold next to the Castle. Another checked the inventory and made an order for more Coca-Cola so the park doesn’t run out.
The list goes on and on, with so many Cast Members needed to pull off the show that is Magic Kingdom. And regardless of if you term your DCP early or move far away from Florida: every single day of the week, 365 days a year, someone needs to make those pecans and someone needs to prepare popcorn buckets… because the endless stream of guests visiting Walt Disney World will never be complete. There will always be a certainty that Walt Disney World will be open and ready to welcome all who enter through the front gates.
Except, that’s not true.
As I write this, speculation is swirling about Hurricane Ian’s potential impact on the parks. Could they shut down due to the storm? It’s happened eight times before, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility. There was also a shutdown during the tragedy of September 11, 2001, when Cast Members joined hands across lands to guide guests safely towards Main Street and out of the Magic Kingdom. And most recently, some of you were present in the Magic Kingdom on March 26th 2020, the night before the parks shut down for the Covid pandemic (for almost 4 months straight).
Before those events took place, no one would have thought the “machine” was shutting down. We all assumed we’d still need popcorn buckets to be prepared for the next day, because we’ve always needed popcorn buckets. And yet, we’ve now had months at a time where not a single guest walked through the Magic Kingdom gates in a day.
The unthinkable happened.
Most of us are no strangers to the crashing waves of the unknown. Many of us have experienced planning our future, only to have it completely thrown out the window. The metaphorical hurricane came along, and it took a part of you with it. The uncertainty of events out of your control changed everything— and even though the world recovered, things have never been the same since.
A girlfriend or boyfriend cheated on you, but you were betting on marriage.
A family member passed away, and you thought you’d still have years with them.
The job you had seen yourself excelling in turned out to be a dead end.
Hurricanes are experienced far more often than late summer in central Florida, aren’t they?
They rip and tear to the depths of our very souls. But, strangely, that’s where hope comes in. Hope consistently tells us that while yes, there is a very real hurricane with a violent force, there's also a future on the horizon with all sorts of possibility and beauty shining brightly.
May you be honest about the hurricanes.
May you begin to heal from them, arriving at a place in your life where all things are being made new.
And may they never silence your love.
Hope is the anthem,
Josh