Pandemic Stories

Just Another Day Working At Pandemic-Era Disney World

Face shields, layoffs and reservations for the pool.

From 2020 to 2021 I worked in the resorts division of Walt Disney World Orlando, Florida. I was among the roughly 60% of the hourly workforce deemed “essential” and, therefore, dodged layoffs that impacted over 30,000 people.

Disney World, July 2020, days after opening. Making a cameo: The social distancing sticker on the trash can. Photo by the author.

I’m Going To (Pandemic-Era) Disney World

“Hey Zach! Thank you for coming to work!”

This statement, coming from that day’s leader (Disney-speak for manager), was usually punctuated with a “beep” from the hand-held thermometer and a triumphant reading of everyone’s temperature.

98.5!

97.9!

98.8!

Let me be clear. My “leader” wasn’t excited that we were healthy.

They were excited that they didn’t have to send someone home for failing a temp check. If resorts were operating at a reduced capacity, Disney staffing was operating just above empty.

We needed all latex-gloved hands on deck.

The fact that our management thanked us for coming to work when, logically, we should have thanked them for retaining us when 28,000 were…