Disney Cast Go for Gold at Housekeeping & Custodial ‘Olympic Games’
Originally published at Disney Parks News
There’s nowhere quite as special to work in a housekeeping or custodial role as at Disney. Wherein our cast creates magic for our guests and each other! Earlier this month, cast members at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort hosted more than 5,500 athletes and coaches. From all 50 states and the Caribbean for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. And while they were assisting athletes and guests onstage, behind the scenes, these cast members created and participated in a fun and unique event; called the Housekeeping & Custodial Olympic Games.
The week kicked off at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort with an opening ceremony. Featuring a microphone “torch” to represent the hotel’s music theme and a cast breakfast. Throughout the event, cast members competed in both team and individual events. Utilizing materials and tools they use daily in their roles. From Towel Toss to Build a Tower and more. Carrie Strunk, a housekeeping & custodial training manager for the resort, helped organize the games and worked with her team to coordinate the cast activities.
“Recognizing our cast is one of my favorite parts of my role,” she said. “Our housekeeping & custodial teams are our athletes. And seeing the excitement, pride and pure joy on their faces is incredible. Getting a chance to make magic for them was so special. And I’ll never forget it.”
Before each event, cast members were given updates about the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. So they could continue to celebrate athlete achievements during their stay.
“Hearing from the athletes and seeing them around the resort was amazing,” Daverious Kemp, a housekeeper at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, said. “I loved being able to say ‘Congratulations!’ to them. And sharing in those memories was something I’ll never forget.”
The Housekeeping & Custodial Games culminated in a closing ceremony. Wherein each participating cast member received a medal. Teams and individual winners were presented with awards. But cast members said that the “gold” wasn’t the best prize of the week; it was the chance to celebrate and recognize the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games athletes.
“It was an honor to be chosen as the host resort for such a special event,” said Scarlett Frias, a housekeeper at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort. “Participating in the games was fun! It’s things like this that make me incredibly proud to be a Walt Disney World cast member.”
It was a magical week filled with special celebrations and unforgettable moments for athletes and cast alike! Between making magic for guests and enjoying special cast-only recognition events, housekeeping and custodial teams get to experience Disney magic in so many ways.
Ready to be part of the team that brings one-of-a-kind experiences to life for guests of all ages? Sprinkle a little pixie dust with a role in housekeeping at Walt Disney World Resort! Attend our upcoming Housekeeping Job Fair on June 20 to explore available opportunities.
