Now It's Time to Say Goodbye to All Our Company

Remember that time I worked at the Walt Disney World Resort and kept a blog but never finished it? I can't recall that time because it never happened. 

My last Sunday working for Disney World was topped off by dinner at Oliver Garden (Olive Garden, I shall miss you) with Sam and Bailey after a unnecessarily late shift. Afterwards, I retreated to the Commons to sadly gather all my awards, titles and stuff to be given away (including all of my "siblings") and went over the Patterson Court to what was the largest throw-out I had ever experienced. With me, there were six other hard-working and magical Canadians departing the pavilion - Jackie, Ashley, Steve, Alana, Theresa and Zach. It was a terribly sad and tragic evening but it was a great way to say goodbye to my lovely and magical Canadian-Floridian family. The motto of the night was be nice and work hard. Also be magical. 

My last Monday working for Disney World was of course started by being at work, followed by slowly packing, followed by picked up Rhys from work and Lesley from Pop Century, having returned from Canada to Disney World aka home. We were able to squeeze in one last trip to Steak & Shake (I shall miss you Steak & Shake) before going back to Rhys' for my final Games night. It was a rousing and as always, slightly dirty, round of the Game of Things with Zach, Robyn Jodey, Veronique, Rebecca, Shelby, and of course Rhys and Lesley. The evening ended with unexpected Iron horse Fairy Tale champagne, c/o Rhys, and the passing down of my title, as well as Rhys' (Governor General and Prime Minister of Games) to the very worthy Shelby and Rebecca.

The always cool Games crew. Keep it classy, kids. 

My last Tuesday working for Disney World was a rainy one, and having switched shifts with Sam, I was able to get out early for packing and various errands that definitely didn't involve taking a nap (no sarcasm here, there was very little sleep this week). 

My last Wednesday and my very last day at Disney World was a day I thought and hoped would never ever arrive, but alas all good things must end, apparently. I had to wake up early to make sure I had all my ducks in a row for what would be my last trip to Epcot. I traded pins one last time, and got all the FriendShip Boats just cuz I could, and walked onstage all the way to the pavilion for the very last time. 

I kept it together for my very last morning meeting, which I shared with Sammie, UK merchandise from my arrival group. 

The very last morning meeting crew.
What a gorgeous bunch.

Sammie and I on our last day.
One of us is clearly happier than the other. 

Lindsay, Lesley and I on my last day ever.
We're all in a very deep state of denial.

Lindsay and I took control of the cart for most of the day until 4:00 (my farewell ceremony got pushed back a little), when I was ushered upstairs in front of the massive authentic Canadian totem pole with a rather large crowd of my favourite current and former cast members for my favourite ginger (Chase, do you even read my blog?) to say a few nice things about me, which honestly I barely heard through my sobbing, and I think I said some things that I can't quite remember, probably along the lines of "Keep being magical, kids."Group pictures were taken for quite awhile, then I was relieved from work for the last time to go eat some much-welcomed and much-photographed cake brought in by Dana. 

I chose this picture because no one can tell I've been bawling my face off.
And Chase. 

With some assistance from Lindsay, I was able to get my painted handprint up on the ceiling of the back room with everyone else's, and even managed to legibly sign it.  Mickey thanked me one more time for making magic, I changed into real clothes and half-successfully tossed my year-old hiking boots into the waterfall and walked to Cast Services for one more round of Company D and to return all my costumes. 

Some of my absolute favourite people - Rhys, Lindsay, Robyn, Zach, Ashley and Alison (it was Ashley's last day too) - joined me at Magic Kingdom for a round of Lindsey's Favourite Attractions - Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Journey of the Little Mermaid, Peter Pan's Flight, the People Mover and finally Celebrate the Magic (the castle slideshow) and one more Wishes. Ashley and I watched our very last "Kiss Goodnight" - Cinderella Castle sparkles and tells people to get out of the park, and were reunited with the rest of our crew for one last musical monorail ride (the song of the ride was the Carousel of Progress song). 

"Lindsey, Perth Ontario.
Today is My Last Day."
(PITY ME)

My very last Thursday in Florida, Lesley came over during her vacation to help me pack and not panic. Both were achieved and Lesley went to Hollywood Studios while I got to be an adult and get an oil change for my car before her big trip back to Canada. Rhys and I went to Hollywood Studios for one more round of park food (alright, Disney chicken nuggets are the best) and met up one very large group of people for one more Fantasmic (spoiler, Fantasmic is fantastic, as always). 

Me, my Storm Trooper hoodie and my very last Fantasmic.

A very obviously awesome group of Canadians.

My last Friday in Florida started off by vacating the Commons and a trip to the Florida Mall with Lindsay to acquire one more souvenir - a Disney Princess Build-A-Bear. It's a thing, I didn't make it up. 

I spent my last night in Florida in a king-sized bed in All-Star Movies with a Disney Dining Plan. There is no better way to go, people. 

My Disney Princess Build-A-Bear...

...Is a Disney Princess Hipster. She also has a lab coat.

I woke up late at All-Star Movies, eventually had lunch and got myself, my stuff and my car to the Sanford Amtrak station for the beginning of my epic trip back to Canada. My car was safely tucked away in one of twenty-seven vehicle cars (a total of forty-eight cars). I somehow got the front row on the top floor, one car from the dining car. I sat with a lovely family from Pennsylvania and had a lot in common with their fifteen-year-old daughter (Side effects may include...). 

I was off the Auto Train by 9 the next morning, having not really slept, and stupidly decided to drive the entire way home in a day. I don't recommend it and I'm trying to block it out.

So my Disney adventure has come to an end. I'm back where I started now, in my favourite lab in the world and my second favourite workplace. The pixie dust has all washed off, at least on the outside, and I can point like a normal human being again, but I can still tell you how to get to Soarin' and where the closest washrooms are ("Just to the left behind the Refreshment Port" or "In the UK by the red phone booths") but I have no idea what Limited Time Magic is for the week. And that's ok. This has most definitely been the best year of my life, I'm glad I kept this blog and I hope somebody's enjoyed reading it. 

As always, but not really,

TTFN,

Note: I only a little sorry about finishing this so late. I was waiting for a new dream.

Thanks to: Each and every magical person who supported my magical and financially unstable dream.