Hello, everyone! I know it’s been a while. My plan was to have this entry ready by Halloween, but alas the space-time continuum was not having any of that. I myself am in complete Christmas mode, but I’d still like to let you know what I’ve been up to this last month or so.
Every year, from September to October, Walt Disney World hosts what they so lovingly call the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. It is a separate ticketed event during which guests enjoy five hours worth of exclusive holiday fun including a parade, a stage show, fireworks, trick-or-treating and more. While I had attended the party in the past as a guest, this was my first time working the party as a cast member. And I have to say it’s been the highlight of my program so far.
I love the Halloween party! I love the atmosphere Disney creates from the decorations, to the music, to the makeup. Oh. Did I forget to mention that the maids and butlers of the Haunted Mansion receive a special makeover during the party? It’s amazing! Cast members from the cosmetology department set up shop in the break room and completely transform us into the undead. (Sorry, princesses. It’s my turn!) All it takes is a little makeup, some hairspray and some cobwebs, and all of a sudden our little attraction is taken to the next level. Best of all, you don’t have to smile. ;)
That being said, I was only able to get my makeup done twice, because I only worked at the Mansion during the party twice. The rest of the time I was working PAC. Ah, PAC. Sweet, sweet PAC.
For the uninitiated, PAC stands for Parade Audience Control. The acronym refers to the cast members who work the various parades Disney has throughout the day. At one point in time (a few months ago), there were PAC cast members whose sole role was to work the parades. But as of late, Disney has decided to instead cross-train Attractions cast members to double as PAC cast members.
That is where I come in. I was one of the Attractions cast members chosen to double as a PAC cast member. (Turns out I’m a double-crosser.) A week or so after completing my training at the Mansion, I was given PAC training. I was taught what each of the positions along the parade route were; where they were and what they entailed, what went into the set up and break down of a parade and how one controls a parade audience. Turns out, much like cattle.
Speaking of which, do you know how many species of animals I pass by on a daily basis?! Apparently Florida’s like the melting pot of wildlife. There’s squirrels, alligators, cows, deer, lizards, cats, turkeys, ducks, turkey ducks and these bizarre flying bugs that look like two bugs stuck together. I have no idea what they are, and I’m not sure nature does either. I digress.
There are a number of responsibilities one must be ready to fulfill should the time come, including the person who rolls out the rope, the person who sets up the stanchions, the person who is in charge of the disability section, etc. There’s a lot that goes into PAC. About an hour or so before the parade starts, you receive your position, and within your position, you help set up. The next hour or so is spent on the parade route redirecting guests, answering questions, and generally killing time. I swear I could a write a book filled with all of the idiotic questions I get during PAC. No, I don’t know if Pirates of the Caribbean is broken. No, I don’t know where you can get a frozen lemonade in Fantasyland. And yes, I do get asked what time the 3 o’clock parade is.
When it comes time to redirect, you feel a lot like that substitute teacher you had in high school who’s trying to get everyone to listen to what he has to say, but to no avail. You stand in the middle of the parade route encouraging guests to walk behind the rope instead of down the middle. You know, where the floats are. Some of them listen, but most of the time, you’re just shouting at them ‘til you’re blue in the face. Even more fun than that is telling people to come down from things. Walls, trashcans, railings. You name it. And at night, you get to tell them to shut their flash off. To which I am often met by, “I don’t have flash.” (Facepalm.)
Once the parade has passed, it’s time for breakdown! The most stressful and chaotic few minutes of your life. You’re tearing down the ropes, grabbing the stanchions, filling the holes left by the stanchions, pulling the carts, all the while keeping guests behind the ropes, keeping up with the parade and trying not to panic. But they do give you freeze pops when you’re done, so I call it a draw.
On average, I spend more time working PAC than I do working at the Mansion. And while there are things I like about PAC, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed. I was hired to work at the Haunted Mansion, not work the parades. I was hired to scare people, not scream at people… Yeah, I guess the Festival of Fantasy parade has a fire-breathing dragon. Yeah, I guess the Main Street Electrical Parade is a classic. And sure, Tigger always acknowledged me during Boo To You. Alright, fine! I like PAC! Not better than Mansion, but I like PAC.
I like getting to feel like a kid every time I see Mickey Mouse go by, and I like being able to sing along to some great original songs. I don’t know, it’s just got its own unique feel. That, and the light wand I get to use looks like a lightsaber. Which brings me back to Halloween. I’ve spent the last two months wearing a super tacky PAC costume, complete with a purple bat on my head. Is it awful? No. Awful would be a red and green costume covered in Pine trees, complete with a bow. Good thing it’s not Novem… Oh wait.
Until next time.
