It's official. Mark it in your calendar with highlighter, red marker, puff paint. Make it clear that December 10th is a day to remember for ages to come. The day to tell your friends and family as a "remember when..." A day to sit by a roaring fire and tell bored grandchildren of days long gone.
It is the day I sing not once, but twice, with Neil Patrick Harris. I will be one of the 18 altos serenading and swooning over NPH's first night as guest narrator at Epcot's American Gardens Theatre.
Once a year, the Magic Kingdom hosts the Christian Rock festival known as Night of Joy. While overlooking the technicality that the event is actually two nights (so which one is filled with joy, and what, we may beg to question, is the other night?) it was quite the event.
The Youth Sales team kept busy this year rounding up the troops and guarding the door leading into the group leader lounge. We hustled, we bustled, and we had fun too (except for being eaten alive by bugs). Friday I worked with the Guest Relations cast members to ensure tickets had been properly filled for youth groups. Saturday, I assisted leaders into the exclusive lounge where they were able to listen to a personable acoustic performance. If only I knew who these artists were!
Three stages were set throughout the Magic Kingdom, granting the guests of the special event an opportunity to play and praise no matter where they were at the moment.
It was nice to be back in the parks with guests, though I am still working on the Big Man Upstairs granting me powers to turn off the rain. Sorry, disgruntled guests.
But while I am working on that, I hear ponchos work miracles.
The Christmas Season. The time of year that is called so many names: season of hope, season of miracles, simply THE season, merriest time, Yuletide, etc.
The season, regardless of name, usually begins with the same marked day on the calendar: Black Friday. The day that is circled and crossed out of each calendar. The day that, unless a death wish has been issued, is avoided at all cost.
We get Cast-Only pins!
Here at Disney, however, the Christmas season has already begun. Without pomp and circumstance, without ceremony, without trees lining the streets glittering with crisp snow.
It begins with song.
This Tuesday and Wednesday marked the first Candlelight Processional practices. The large room in the Disney Event Group building was filled with around 150 cast members itching to let loose the vocal pipes. And let me tell you, those pipes were put to use, no matter how rusty they might have been. Just ask the sopranos reaching for the High B.
Young and young at heart both gathered to practice the traditional songs. There were many members that had been part of the cast choir for 15+ years, and then there were those that were new to the experience (and we proudly raised our hands when asked!)
The practice was led by a former Voices of Liberty singer, who is now in charge of the Dapper Dans of Main Street. We worked on songs ranging in styles and languages, all in the name of creating the Christmas feel.
The last time I worked in Disney World, I felt that I did not take advantage of all the opportunities offered. I told myself that if given another chance, I would do more with the company. Volunteer more. Play more. Laugh more. Do more.
And that chance came to fruition.
For the past two months, it has been quite the endeavor. I go to grocery bingo, I battle endless crowds at Wal-Mart, I play in the parks until 2 o'clock in the morning. Somewhere in between there I do work as well.
And...I attempt to be part of the Candlelight Processional Cast Choir, which I knew it would be a challenge. There are about 300 vocalists chosen per voice part, and the coveted spots are extremely limited.
This past Tuesday morning, two Youth Sales interns screamed with delight as they discovered they were both selected to partake in the cast choir this holiday season. This honor means that Kristin and I will be singing along with the guest narrator (as previously mentioned, will be Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi, Susan Lucci, to name a few) and will instill the Christmas spirit into every guest within hearing at the park.
The Cast Choir sings in the center of Epcot's stage, creating a tree of green robes. Each emerald-clad cast member solemnly holds a flickering candle. On either side of the tree formation are guest student choirs from across the country (all draped in a differentiating gold robe). Funnily enough, I help organize these group trips with Youth Sales!
NPH of Christmas Past
Each performance holds about 50 cast vocalists to create the tree, meaning that all of us will rotate shows. We should each sing in four to six performances, depending on voice part. Rumor has it we can have a top three choices for the shows we would be part of, and you can bet NPH will be number 1, number 2, and number 3 on my slot sheet.
I am grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the 2011 Candlelight Processional. Though details are sparse at the moment, prepare for several updates as they become available!
Though Judy was unfortunately not able to leave her mark outside of Hollywood Studio's Oriental Theatre (not to worry-- Liza did) she did leave behind the Ruby Slippers!
We thought the chapter of our lives involving Randy was complete.
We thought wrong.
When the three interns entered the office in the early morning (no one really talks before the third or fourth cup of coffee) we were greeted by the cheerful manager that had previously mentioned her friendship with Randy (click here to read the first Randy newsflash). She exclaimed that after we put our bags down, she had something to show us.
We knew. Oh, we knew. It was Randy news.
And what news it was. We were shown her wedding album, which, when opened, revealed the manager's personal photos of the dress, her ceremony, her reception. It was all extremely lovely, but I was a bit confused why she was showing it to us. I mean, of course, beautiful pictures, but confused nonetheless.
But then, she pointed it out. One of her guests was a much younger and long-haired Randy. Not just Randy though, but a Randy that looked like he had just finished gracing the latest romance novel cover. It was AMAZING. I wish with my entire heart I could have taken a picture of it. I would never have believed it otherwise.
Another Randy secret: complete. The only step to be completed next would be to meet him in person. Cross your fingers!
At Disney, it is never too early to begin planning for the upcoming holiday season. In the Disney Youth Programs, we are already prepping for events happening in March. It's the norm. With that in mind, it is no surprise that news for the Christmas events has finally been announced.
Disney welcomes the holiday season each year at the end of November with an event known as the Candlelight Processional. This event is held in Epcot and includes a cast choir and a guest narrator, the list which has just been published. One of the narrators this year happens to include the wonderful Neil Patrick Harris, who will be visiting December 10-12.
Click here to see the list of all guest narrators!
Many do not realize that the man that led us through memorable roles in Family Guy and The Emperor's New Groove has also led a safety regulation tape for Disney's attraction Soarin'.
But then. It gets better. There is now a spoof. And it is marvelous.
Apparently working in Disney weddings can be stressful beyond belief.
Though my two roommates working in Disney's Fairytale Weddings absolutely adore what they do, it is understandable that after a bit of time, some cast members need a change of pace and clientele.
This past week, as we were introducing ourselves to area coordinators and managers in the Youth Programs department, we noticed a picture of Randy in a corner office. Not just a picture of Say Yes to the Dress's star, but a signed picture. With an inscription.
Curious, right?
Though the three of us were left to wonder, we couldn't investigate further until the end of the week. This is when we discovered that the picture owner (who is now a manager) had worked in sales at the wedding side of Disney, and had just recently moved to the Youth Programs a year prior. The best news was this: in working closely with weddings, she was in acquaintance with both Randy and David Tutera. Cherry on top of the (wedding) cake came however when we also found out one of our head directors in Marketing also knows David. Very well. Though David would not sign a copy of his most recent book on Disney weddings because he felt it still had a few steps toward perfection.
I guess this means the next step would be for me to meet them myself. Until that time however, degrees of separation now complete. Thanks, Disney!
And...I attempt to be part of the Candlelight Processional Cast Choir, which I knew it would be a challenge. There are about 300 vocalists chosen per voice part, and the coveted spots are extremely limited. 
And what news it was. We were shown her wedding album, which, when opened, revealed the manager's personal photos of the dress, her ceremony, her reception. It was all extremely lovely, but I was a bit confused why she was showing it to us. I mean, of course, beautiful pictures, but confused nonetheless.
