Happiest Place on Earth

The human resource representative sold me on the job from the words “you will get an amazing tan!” He continued, “We save this job for those we feel are truly special. They have amazing parties after work. And the job involves pointing at cars and driving trams.” How could I resist the Disneyland parking lot attendant? At eighteen and off to college, I needed a job that provided, well, money and flexibility. This fit the bill.

Quickly I learned how to drive the trams, direct even the largest Suburban into a small space, use zinc oxide, and give good spiel.  Thirty years later I can still rattle off, “We ask for your safety and the safety of others…….”

Those who were further “chosen” could learn the toll booth position. This involved standing all day in a booth, breathing exhaust, and listening to enthusiastic park goers cry “Fifteen dollars for parking??” If they only knew it would cost $1.3 million in today’s dollars. I kid.

A little known fact about Disneyland is that the Fourth of July is the busiest day of the year. On this day the park is jammed passed capacity. To accommodate the pressing throngs, tour buses and shuttles are asked to drop passengers off by the toll booths and exit without interrupting the traffic flow by going to the front to disembark.

In 1986 on such a holiday, I was either too hung-over or sun burnt to drive a tram and I gladly accepted toll booth duty.

Halfway through the day a huge bus pulled up full of Chinese tourist. In broken English, the driver asked to drop off at the front per his usual routine. Explaining that this is a holiday and he needed to drop off in the back, the driver seemed perplexed.

Being a teenager and rude American, I started to explain louder and slower because that’s the same as translation right?

At this point the driver slams the bus into park jumps out of the bus door on the opposite side and running to the front yelling for my manager. I quickly jump out of the booth to get him to move his bus.

As I approach the driver, he points at the sign that we’ve come to know and love. He says in the most impassioned voice I’ve ever heard, “This a sign say, ‘Disneyland a Happiest Place on the earth” and I a not a happy right now!!”

I look at him and just laugh because I get it. I wasn’t happy either. Not one to always break rules at work. This time I let our dear friend do as he liked. Because it just wasn’t worth the fight and he had a point!

I’ve lived thirty years since this man yelled at me and I think of him often. In times of trial or decision, I often think, “what does the sign say?” It helps me to decide, chuckle, and pick myself up by the bootstraps to be a happy!