254: Elaina was friends with Mickey
Author: Scott Johnson & Glassbox Media.
May 1, 2026
Duration: 1:03:23
Today’s episode is a little different.
If
you’re a regular listener to the show, you know that usually we
hear a story from a regular person about something they’ve
experienced that was extremely unusual. We have over 250 episodes
like that – plane crashes, mass shootings, animal attacks, and lots
more. And it’s not all trauma stories – we have some happy ones
too.
But
sometimes we change it up, and I have a guest on who has a really
unusual job. I’ve talked to Spence, who’s a lighthouse keeper,
and Dan, who prepares people for their first time going to prison,
and Jen – who works as a professional bridesmaid. You can scroll
through all the back episodes and find those and a few more.
So
today I’m speaking with Elaina. As a young person, she was hired to
work at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World – as Mickey Mouse. You
know, when you’re at Disney World, and you’re walking around
trying to decide if you go ride the Space Mountain roller coaster,
or take a break in the air conditioning and watch the Country Bear
Musical Jamboree, and all of a sudden you see standing right in front
of you is – Mickey Mouse. Waving, signing autographs, and just
making people happy.
Yeah,
that’s what Elaina did. She also played Minnie Mouse, and a few
other characters sometimes. We talked about how she ended up getting
that job, what it’s like to wear the costume, what would get you
fired, and the celebrities she crossed paths with. And of course,
what everyone wants to know about – the infamous tunnels UNDER
Disney World. You’re gonna get all the behind-the-scenes stuff
today.
And
why is this episode titled “Elaina was FRIENDS with Mickey”?
She’ll explain that too.
If
you’d like to contact Elaina, she’s in the Facebook group -
https://WhatWasThatLike.com/facebook
Full
show notes and pictures for this episode are here:
https://WhatWasThatLike.com/254
Graphics
for this episode by Bob Bretz. Transcription was done by James Lai.
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