July Ramble: Favorite stories from working at Disneyland

This kinda made me want to work at a theme park... there are not that many in my country though and i don't think any of them are close to where i live D: Either way, loved the vid!! I'd love to hear more stories like this :) Also side note, it's fascinating to hear that you enjoyed working in guest relations! So far i've only heard bad things about jobs like that but i'm glad to hear it can be enjoyable!

Grethen S.

Great video! Loved hearing about the backstage of Haunted Mansion. It's wonderful to hear that it's atmospheric and a bit spooky, like the ride itself.

flynnparadox

When I was maybe 7, I had a conversation with a guy who worked at the Haunted Mansion at Disneyworld. (He did set-dressing or maintenance of some sort — I think he said it was his job to make sure there was lots of dust and cobwebs). I remember thinking, that’s probably the coolest guy I’ve ever met, and he definitely has the most exciting job I’ve ever heard of. For months after, I would fantasize about moving to California or Florida and working at one of the parks when I grew up. I feel like you actually lived my 7-year-old self’s dream employment, and it’s funny how I still am so captivated by all the behind-the-scenes stuff you relate here. This was one of the more personally edifying videos on here for me, so thank you!

kentismybestfriend

I found this video so incredibly interesting! I’d love to hear more of your Disney experiences in future videos!

Lauren

Pretty sure it's mirrored since the bed is against the wall, you could check the writing on Lightning McQueen to be certainly certain, though.

Shaun Cheah

Loved the BB-8 backstory... thank you for sharing! :)

Dee Crosier

since i just became a patron i'm going back through all her old content, and ik this is over a year old now and i am posting this in a comment section that will not have been active for over a year but 1. the last part of this video really hit home for me because coming home from college i only have two friends in my hometown and we all have way different work schedules and it's #lonely 2. it's just really nice to see that jenny has good friends now because of that, and also because it's just really nice to see lol. anyway parasocial relationships and all but her videos really are a super nice thing to come back to and i'm happy to have access to all these rambles now and the stories in this were top notch

Charlotte Bloys

The story about transferring departments really highlighted for me just how HUGE a place Disneyland is to work. I have never worked a job where it would be emotional to transfer to a different department at the same location, because I'd still see all the people from my old department all the time. Disneyland is like this giant town though with tens of thousands of employees. It's pretty crazy to think about.

Richard Morrall

Hey Jenny, who was your favourite goat at Disneyland?

Amanda Lawless Wasteland

is that a Four Keys card? I always try to remember who was excellent and pass it along

Andrew Kornfeld

two weeks late, sorry--I know she was on Podcast: The Ride, although I haven't listened to it. there is another one I did listen to, which was the IP challenge on Defunctland. that was great

Andrew Kornfeld

Wait, so you survived? Which ones did you try?

Steve Ray

Disney is making a Grad Nite movie for their new streaming service. Jenny should audition.

Blue Corn

Unlawfully Detained! LMFAO!

Tony LMFAO

super excited abou the creepy pasta thing!

Torie Berke

I am really excited for the ritualpasta videos, those were the first creepypastas I ever read. I even tried a few because I was such a "brave" kid. Can't wait to see you rip them apart

xdlord69

I really enjoyed this video. I'd love to hear more stories about your time at Disneyland. So excited for all the future videos!

Brianna R.

So long as Editing Jenny isn't "Mirror, Mirror"'ed, we should be okay. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_rTTXCOpL8" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_rTTXCOpL8</a>

Steve Ray

Loved hearing about your time in Guest Relations! My little sister always gets a disability access pass at Disney World because her ADHD and sensory difficulties make waiting in line so hard. It was so nice to hear that you genuinely wanted to make it easier for families!

Lily Sage

I tend to watch them twice if she posts them in the afternoon local time because I like them most in the early AM while I'm having coffee. Not to sound creepy, but Jenny is a great coffee buddy, she does all the work, and humor that takes a second for me to get is a good way for me to wake up, and get the gears turning.

Your rambles are some of my favourite videos. I just don't re-watch them as much because (as far as I know) they don't contribute towards your channel's promotion and advert payments.

Stuart Payne

Just now noticing that from "Editing Jenny" it's the first time we see her room from the other angle. Or maybe. It's mirrored?

Blue Corn

If any farm animal has a propensity to go rouge it’s the goats. They lull you into a false sense of security with their fancy facial hair.

T. Fazekas

i really hope favorite childhood movies wins or at least gets more traction this month, if it is re suggested

ThreeRowdyRats

Thanks for sharing this!

M. R. Turnage

Did you ever get to do the running of the goats while you worked at the ranch? Any weird stories about a goat going rogue and trying to escape or anything like that?

Eric MacMillan

I also like that you were a Defender of Goats! Goats are great.

Matthew McCoy

Really glad I voted for this topic. Fascinating stuff, Jenny!

Matthew McCoy

Perfect. The oboe is the most beautiful instrument. There should be more music for oboes and maybe cors anglais and clarinets.

Stuart Payne

Yay! Always look forward to your content :D

Doctor. P

likening BB-8's voice to an oboe was unexpected but spot on

Sarah Hubbard

Don't quote me, but I think that's 'Jorn'.

A lot of this was really heartwarming. I was like tearing up over the Make A Wish part. That's sweet that Disney does that

Snappy Stettner

Defunctland and Podcast: The Ride. I prefer the later, but both are good.

T. Fazekas

Oh cool thank you this should help me plan a visit!

Luis

this was hella interesting and entertaining! looking forward to the next ramble of record-breaking length

diego kontarovsky

there is a website called "is it packed" that provides long and short term crowd forecasts. <a href="https://www.isitpacked.com/disneyland-crowd-forecast-predictor-calendar/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.isitpacked.com/disneyland-crowd-forecast-predictor-calendar/</a>

diego kontarovsky

this video had a good few minutes at the end about loneliness, surely that fulfills the mandate

diego kontarovsky

I wouldn’t have noticed her eyelashes. I just keep watching the Porg, waiting for him to move.

Alive_in_tucson

Anyone know what time of the year Disneyland is least crowded? I haven't been since I was a little kid, but this video and the dark rides ramble have me wanting to visit the park again.

Luis

It’s 11pm, my lights are off, and I made the mistake of reading about the Elevator Game and watching the video of Elisa Lam and now I can’t sleep 🙁

Mitchell Bowker

I miss it. I'm working on another license now but nothing compares to Star Wars. They used a planet I made up in an episode of The Clone Wars and it was also mentioned in the Darth Plagueis novel. I'm not sure if either one of those is considered canon by Disney. Even still, it's a good feeling to contribute to something that you love so much.

Tom Bowling

Aaaa, I can't wait for Jeff Part 2

LeapLemmings (Josh Jones)

Which podcast were those? I'd love to hear more stories.

Booty McJohnson

Disney really pulls out all the stops for the Make A Wish kids! They also get the Genie Pass, the only real "front of the line pass" available at Disney parks. VIP seating for all shows, and the lounge has free snacks and a place to lie down (and it's connected through a back door to first aid if they need access to any medical equipment or anything stored). There was a guest book in the Wish Lounge which was a beautiful read.

Jenny Nicholson

Yes! Sometimes if I had a closing shift I would intentionally park in Ball lot or the TDA garage out back, so I'd have an excuse to walk all the way back through the closed park and exit behind Toontown. There was a sweet spot where the music was off, but the work lights weren't on and the cleaning crews hadn't come out yet. Just take my time and wander a completely silent Disneyland

Jenny Nicholson

That's sick, what a cool job

Jenny Nicholson

It probably was just the storage area then, that makes sense with what I can remember. I think I have some vague recollection of what you're describing, but this was back in 2007/2008, so my memory is a bit fuzzy about some of these details now. Great video! I always like hearing these stories because even though I only worked at Disneyland for a few months in college myself, I really enjoyed my time there overall. The friends and family night they put on was awesome and I got to ride Space Mountain about 5 times in a row without any wait (and also with the lights on at one point). Between that and working a couple of graveyard shifts, it was just really cool/eerie to see the park so uncharacteristically empty.

Patrick Garcia

A video like the one about "Opposite Worlds" would be awesome! The editing on that video was perfect, I cried laughing many times and showed it to lots of friends!

Carrie Powers

Is the animal on your Patreon homepage from Disneyland? Is that a horse, cow, or chupacabra?

Harry McDonald

Is that the game with a stuffed animal and dry rice?

Steve Ray

We know that Naomi is good on keyboards, but what instrument will Jeff play?

Steve Ray

On one hand, probably 60% of the people coming in are coming in angry or upset. 30% are coming in with just neutral earnest questions or needing help with something (disability assistance, need to exchange foreign currency, can't figure out how to book a dining reservation or something like that), and a distinct minority are coming in about something positive. On the OTHER hand, I would say GR cast members receive more actual "guest compliments" than any other department. Guest compliments are an official thing, they're printed out on cards for you and go on your permanent record, and are what higher-ups look at when you try to transfer or get promoted. It's uncommon for a guest to remember somebody's name and remember to fill out a compliment card or write an email after they get home, so in other departments getting even one is a huge deal, and you might see 1 or 2 in a year. In Guest Relations it wasn't unusual to get two a month.

Jenny Nicholson

Jenny are you a Virgo

Erin Healey

I’m so excited for the Jeff the killer 2 video

Erin Healey

Miss Jenny I am PRAYING that content trip is a collab with Lindsay

Erin Healey

Loneliness looks like it would need filler. Glad it got tacked on as a bonus in this one instead. Creepypasta : to find out more. Good hour ramble!

Dundough Breadbox

I'm into that creepypasta rituals topic because I first heard of Hide and Seek Alone years ago and I remember it kind of genuinely creeping me out at first.

Julia Collins

I'm making fun of it but I know I'm going to see it. I'm weird like that. lol

Tom Bowling

The Meg *is* an animal...maybe for November?

Steve Ray

How often does Guest Relations get positive feedback from guests?

Mister CPU

Love those behind-the-scenes Disney stories. I’ve heard two theme park podcasts featuring Jenny recently and not a single repeated story. Always glad to hear new content. Thanks!

T. Fazekas

Having never been to any of the Disney theme parks myself, and not really anticipating having an opportunity to unless I have a wife and kids someday, I really loved hearing it described through the voice of someone clearly so passionate about it! I’m worried that by the time I get to visit it’ll be years down the road, and I won’t have that enthusiasm and sense of wonder I’ve heard so many associate with it, so I really loved getting a glimpse into the experience here! It made me happy, especially from someone who clearly knows what they’re talking about and cares so much. In terms of what video I’m most excited for, I’m only a recent patron to this channel, but after watching the last few rambles and since Jeff the Killer video was one of my absolute favorites, I have been rapt with anticipation for it. I get the need for variety, but I still hope it’s in the near future! Thank you for the hour long ramble gift!

Stephen Tanquist

The "origin of Jenny's BB-8 love" story was heartwarming and incredibly wholesome! Just an idea, but maybe you could clip that into its own video on your YouTube channel as a teaser of the kind of content Patrons receive from your rambles? Unless the details in the story are too personal for public visibility. But it was a lovely anecdote! Also, I think you already covered loneliness here eloquently! Making friends in a new work environment/location is really tough when people don't have time or drive to get to know the real you. Anyway, like everyone else, I'm super excited about Jeff the Killer sequel! Keep up the great work.

Young_Scott

It's really heartwarming to hear you talk about Disneyland, like, that you were into it and didn't lose your enthusiasm by working there? I don't know it just brings some happiness back into my world

TalysAlankil

Being fired with the phrase "you were clearly untruthful about your level of horse knowledge" XD

Guy Wilson

The Make A Wish lounge sounds so amazing. Thanks for sharing your experiences behind the scenes at Disney, it was facinating!

Booty McJohnson

This was my favourite Ramble, so many great stories! Especially appreciated the BB-8 story.

Jonathan Baldie

You know, The Meg is just asking for a Jenny Nicholson review.

Tom Bowling

Also shout out to the MVP Editing Jenny for pushing this video over the 1 hour mark!

Eric MacMillan

The Disney Parks YouTube needs to give you a show yesterday.

Chris Dearing

I loved hearing about all of this, thanks Jenny.

Eric MacMillan

I'm really excited for The Kissing Booth. As soon as I watched it I really hoped you'd do something on it cause holy there is a lot to talk about.

Sarah Unan

Thank you, Jesse. I have probably have had about half a dozen different Patreon usernames beyond this point, so I don't expect anyone to keep track.

The BabaDuck

Well, back then, continuity was very important at Lucasfilm. Everything fit together like a well crafted piece of furniture. This was before the prequels. No one's work tread upon another's, especially when it came to the films. Mr. Lucas was very fond of the Wookies and he wanted to flesh them out himself. So we all correctly assumed that they would play a part in the prequel trilogy.

Tom Bowling

Great ramble Jenny and oh my god please do the slender man review I was torn on seeing it before but I mean if your gonna rip it to shreds I kinda have too.

Michael Mitrovic

What did you make the Wookies do that triggered the edict?

Steve Ray

oh I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the cars universe

Marissa Wilk

No. I was just a hack from Baltimore. They never let me within a hundred feet of a "real" writer. One time though, I wrote a story that involved Kashyyyk and the Wookies. My editor called me into the office and told me never to write anything about the Wookies again. I shrugged and told him, "Sure, no problem." On the way out of his office he stopped me and said, "And, Tom, this comes from On High." That meant it came from George Lucas. I was walking on cloud nine for months. George Lucas actually saw something I wrote.

Tom Bowling

This is the re-monikered Orphaned Skull Collector, if you don't recognize him straight off.

Steve Ray

The bb-8 story was so sweet, thank you for sharing that. This is one of my fav rambles, it was just really nice to hear you talk about a job that was more than a job for you. I had an old boss that worked 20+ years at Disneyland and she still talks extremely fondly about it and you can really still see that courtesy instilled in her when I would see her with guests at our hotel. As for coming-soon topics, I myself have been very excited for the Slenderman movie but it never occurred to me that of course you would consider a video for it. I know you touched on Marble Hornets in your Jeff the Killer video but i was wondering if you've seen any of it or would you be talking about it in the Slenderman video? It can be slow and boring at times but I have a fondness for it and I wonder how much, if at all, it will influence the movie. Anyway, thanks for the new video, Jenny!

Hilly Hamburgers

OMG! You have the greatest handle in the history of all handles!!

All while Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” plays in the background...that and Sonny Eclipse...or songs about Dinosaurs.

As an original voter of “loneliness” I am happy to say that the right topic won. You can just hear the joy and excitement in your voice over talking about your experiences at Disney. This is the fastest I think I’ve heard you speak and that is way more on brand than a whole video on an abstract concept. I enjoyed this ramble very much.

It makes me so happy to know that people like Jenny work at places like Disney. This video makes it clear that both the Corporation and the Cast Members really are trying to help people to have their best experience. I’ve had enough bad (or worse, apathetic) guest experiences at other places to really appreciate the effort that goes into sincerely trying to help people who are having a bad time. I suspect Guest Services staff are not thanked nearly enough for the incredible work they do, so at least from me, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Rick Clark

The advice expert known as "Uncle Fester" recommended using high-end hotels for nefarious purposes, the more expensive, the better.

Steve Ray

I have so many thoughts on this video especially how eerily similar some of the things you mentioned are from when I worked at the park (I'm guessing) 20+ years before. I was at the park from '87 - '92 and even though I'm watching this video in 2018 it is still so relatable as though how cast members think, feel, and react to things in the park are completely frozen in time. Makes me wonder if people who worked at the park in the 50s or 60s would also relate in the same way like time has not progressed forward. Anyway, this video is wonderful and thank you for posting!

Theme Park Review

HAHAHA They were delightful indeed :) Thanks for the warm welcome, guys!

Roxane Barbey

Very insightful, Roxane! I'm sure you noticed that one of the great things about this month's Ramble was the delightful descriptions of working with animals at the Circle-D Ranch. If you liked this fun video, you can keep more cheerful content coming by voting with the Animal Topics Coalition -- "Friends To Animals, Friends To All!"

Steve Ray

I'm so glad we got Jenny: A Star Wars Story where we learned the origin of her love for BB-8

The BabaDuck

I look forward to meeting your nephew, Spoon-Size Shred Cadmium.

Steve Ray

OMG did you get to meet Ken Ralston and the rest of the Paranoia crew?

Steve Ray

Whaaaaaa? No, "How To Properly Name A Horse" was granted full-on video status, because it is noble and true and fun. Loneliness is part of our collective nature, yes, like hemophilia and lantern jaws are part of being a Hapsburg -- not to be denied, but not to be cultivated, either, lest we destroy ourselves by overindulgence.

Steve Ray

The video about another reality TV show is probably my top interest. I love the Opposite Worlds one.

R.G. Nairam

Yay I got the notification for this while I was at work, around 10pm my time, and couldn’t wait to get home and start watching it! I’d hoped that most of the creepy stuff would have been filtered out by the patreon paywall, so it’s a shame to hear that this month’s ramble was tainted by that. Loneliness is an interesting topic, but if it were a whole ramble video I’d feel like I was paying someone to recount sad and painful memories for my entertainment.

George Dodd

I honestly love so much hearing these cool behind the scenes stuff! I’m also a huge theme park nerd, and I have a cousin that lives and works at Disneyworld, and when I ask her anything she’s like it’s always like eh it’s boring. I’m like noooo this is the kind of stuff I wanna know. Also, I appreciate the little talk about loneliness at the very end. People are creepy and that sucks, but it’s nice to hear someone talk a little bit about it. Ps. I’m very excited for The Kissing Booth video and the reality show one.

Montana

Welcome Roxane!

Isn’t it though? 😆 (None of the credit is mine, of course - I’m still a little fearful of a cease-&-desist from Jenny’s lawyers but until that arrives I guess I’ll run amok muahahaha)

Shred Cadmium

Your user handle is awesome!

I had no idea about the "perks" granted to the Make-A-Wish kids. That's so lovely!! Also, I became a patreon yesterday and I am SO happy with all these rambles :) Enjoying the content a lot!

Roxane Barbey

Really looking forward to all of it! - but perhaps especially the Smooching Booth stuff? I can’t recall the last time I had such a strong negative reaction to a piece of media, and having seen only the very start, I’m absolutely entranced to hear it finds ways to descend from there 🍿 🍿 🍿 But, it’s all good, really. Honestly, the level of consistent quality on the channel and the humour & nuance & insight brought to bear are quite astounding, so I’ve often found, here, that [topic I don’t think I’m interested in] turned out to be [topic that is utterly fascinating]. So, as I clearly can’t predict my own preferences that makes me a useless datapoint for planning purposes! 😁 Anyway, safe travels, and I hope y’all have a good trip. 🤞

Shred Cadmium

Speaking of voyeuristic desires to bear vulnerabilities for our consumption: boats and water, eh? But seriously this was a fantastic ramble, an hour of pure quality. Great anecdotes, sufficient consolation tangent on the loneliness near the end there, incredibly exciting preview of topics to come. I'm already hyped for the travel content and that's still two months away (plus editing)!

Shaun Cheah

You could try re-submitting the idea but there is a brief consolation ramble near the end of the video sort of about loneliness, kinda in the vein of the How to Properly Name a Horse bonus we got last month but less so.

Shaun Cheah

Don't test Jenny by getting heated in the comments. Legends say her Banhammer was forged in the heart of a dying star, by a 20 foot tall Peter Dinklage dwarf. And she always aims for the head.

Greg McDaniel

The water ride story made my palms sweat. My brother and I had a bad experience on a carnival ride called the "salt and pepper shaker" when we were little kids, and my brother hasn't been on another ride since. The funny thing is that he does high speed downhill long boarding. 35 MPH on a skateboard on a road with traffic? No problem! Ferris Wheel? NOPE!

I worked at the Disneyland Hotel for about a month and a half... only stories I have involve wondering under what circumstances different messes were made. Once I had to clean up a mess in a bathroom that, to spare the disgusting details, after I cleaned it up, they let me go home. That's also the night I updated my resume. Maybe this comes from growing up with a working class family, but if I was in a minimum $350 a night hotel, I'd be hesitant to even use the bathroom, let alone destroy it.

Greg McDaniel

I feel like its an odd point to touch on but I think your humor is really great and gives your media reviews an interesting reference points for critique.

Joseph Leonard

Hey that's awesome advice. Thanks!

Hailey S

Oh also this is my only real "life hack" advice but when you go to Guest Relations for help, don't wait in the long line at City Hall on the way in! It can be a half hour or longer. Go a bit further into the park to one of the outdoor Info kiosks. They can sign you up for disability programs and do literally anything City Hall can do other than money-based transactions, and usually have no line.

Jenny Nicholson

Yeah, they have several different services specifically to help different concerns! Just talk with Guest Relations about what your specific concerns are as thoroughly as possible. (For example there's one service intended for guests using wheelchairs or mobility aids, but another for autistic guests which you might find more helpful.) Also telling them things like group size/your goals for the day help them figure out which one is best! Disneyland is such an accessible place, that was one of my favorite aspects of the job because there really were options for everybody.

Jenny Nicholson

I really liked hearing the neat job stuff of working Disney because it seems like such a varied place to work. But yeah, I was pleasantly surprised by the brief stuff you brought up about disability and accommodation at the park as my girlfriend is autistic and uses a wheelchair to move around due to a heart condition, so it was great to hear that they'd be likely to work with us so that we can both have a fun time whenever we do get a chance to go. So yeah, thanks for sharing your experiences, they were both interesting and potentially helpful.

Hailey S

Honestly sounds like a dream! I’m just curious about their method of hiring for that, you’d figure they already have the staff figured out and locked in. Opening day is going to be absolutely insane.

Daniel Stephan

I think that's gonna be a really fun place to work! I'd say go for it, at least for a summer to see how you like it. I heard they're going to train everyone working Galaxy's Edge to be in character, it should be amazing.

Jenny Nicholson

I'm not sure I will at this point just because of some of the weird responses I got... thisiswhywecanthavenicethings.gif

Jenny Nicholson

I think you're describing the outdoor storage area/break area that's on your right when you're facing the ride exit? I've actually never gone into that one. The one I was talking about is accessed by going in the cast access gate to the porch, going around the right of the mansion (past the pet cemetery), squeezing down the path behind the mansion, then sneaking in a door on the back left corner of the building. (They have a birdhouse on that side of the house now if that helps your mental image.) Then once you go in, to your right is a break room, and straight ahead down the dark creepy metal stairs are the guts of the mansion and the computer you clock at, restrooms, chip machines, etc.

Jenny Nicholson

You kind of blew my mind with the Haunted Mansion break area description. The one I remember for it was just a small, narrow alleyway that you get to through a metal gate that is just off to the side where the queue meets the doorway to the mansion. Maybe because you were in a different department you had access to this other place? I feel like I missed out on that now. But I did really enjoy working in that area as well because I would get to see a good chunk of the Fantasmic show most nights and it was good spot to see the fireworks.

Patrick Garcia

This was a very interesting ramble. I'm not usually the kind of guy who likes to peek behind the curtain but I was glued to my PC for the entire hour. I've learned the hard way that "dream jobs" are not so dreamy most times. I worked as a tabletop game designer for a few years. On my last job, I got to work with the folks at Lucasfilm because I was assigned to the Star Wars RPG at West End Games. I even won an award for one of my adventures, "Droids Defiant." No kidding, Google it. Anyway, I thought, this is great, Star Wars! I'm going to get to meet a lot of cool, creative people that I can finally relate to! No such luck. They were the most mundane and grumpy folks I ever worked with. The lady next door, who worked at Dunkin Donuts, was more interesting. I think, sometimes, with stuff like Disney and Star Wars, it's better not to look too close. At least if you want to maintain the magic in your own perspective.

Tom Bowling

So many great insights and the BB-8 story was amazing!

Luis

Thanks for the video, Jenny!

Bill Holt

I may not be as big of a fan of Disneyland as you are, but your enthusiasm shines through when you explain your memories there, so I can appreciate your stories and in turn makes your anecdotes interesting to hear. Speak of what you love, and you can make any topic interesting to listen to.

Bill Lehecka

Will you ever make the Loneliness ramble? I really wanted to hear what you had to say about it

Zeke Gonzalez

Looking forward to this topic. Have been contemplating applying to Disneyland myself to work at galaxy’s edge

Daniel Stephan