Hey, friends. It’s been a tough week, watching the fires around Los Angeles devastate many areas we love. Though the flames themselves have not threatened the Disneyland Resort, the burning lands of surrounding areas are causing a lot of commotion around the city. As I sit at home and watch the coverage on TV, my mind is constantly with friends and family who live in the affected areas. What a terrifying time to be anxiously waiting. As an Australian, I am no stranger to wildfires (or bushfires here), and I know what that wait feels like. It’s all-consuming, eating away at you minute by minute while you and your closest people are displaced from your homes. Constantly in touch with loved ones, fearful for those you can’t reach until you hear each and every voice again. It’s crushing.
My beautiful friend, Jackie, wrote earlier in the week about the proximity of the fires to Disneyland, reassuring soon-to-be tourists that their vacation destination was still operating for those unfamiliar with the area. While the gates and attractions might still be open, my thoughts are with the cast members who are showing up to bring magic to our experiences despite having fears or concerns about the people at home. I know from my own cast member friends that many don’t live in the immediate vicinity of Anaheim, and several travel from quite a distance to come to work. It’s easy to concentrate the devastation of fires down to those who have lost everything, forgetting about all the chaos that can occur in between and the toll that alone can take. Trying to go about your daily life while the threat of potential peril burns around your home city is unthinkable. Many are pressing on under great strain during this time, and I keep them in my thoughts. I appreciate their efforts and sympathize with the struggle that is sometimes simply the agony of waiting.
I had a banger of a Disney Debate topic for this week, but after some reflection, I’ve decided to save it for next weekend. There will be no debate this time; we will send love and support to those in and around the Los Angeles area, especially our Disney cast member friends who work tirelessly to bring the enchantment we love and appreciate to our time in the Disney Parks. We hope you are okay (whatever version of that is possible) and that everyone you hold near and dear safely comes through this tragic time. A special shout out to friends and family of the first responders who are working around the clock to save people, pets, and property from the path of each blaze. What an unimaginable burden to sit with.
I know these are just words, but they are all I have to offer: appreciation for everything that you do and recognition that even in a trying time for locals, you show up for us whenever possible. Disneyland cast members, I see you; thank you.
