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Christy Reynolds

Sign Language Interpreter

"Will that ever be me?"

Looking at the sign language interpreter seated next to me, I asked myself that question as I prepared to give my spiel on the Backlot Tour.

It was the winter of 1998, and I was a College Program Cast Member working at the Disney's Hollywood Studios. I recently changed my major in school from sign language interpreting to marketing management, when the opportunity to go to the Walt Disney World® Resort for the winter came up.

My boyfriend (now my husband) was coming to Orlando as an Advanced Intern*, and I didn't want to be left behind in the cold Ohio weather by myself. I told the recruiter that I would like to work on an attraction that had a script to learn and that would be a challenge. Little did I know, the Backlot Tour had one of the longest spiels around! For the most part, I was happy with my job placement, but I knew that it was only a stepping-stone for my career.

That's when my journey really began. I remember meeting a Cast Member with a sign language pin hanging from his nametag. He told me about taking the language tests and how, if you passed, you would get a special nametag with a flag representing the language you spoke. When it came time to take the test, I was unsure of my skill and "chickened out" because I thought that I wouldn't be good enough to pass. However, my desire to learn sign language never died.

Eventually, I discovered that my unending passion for sign language would become the center of my professional career. It is true that changing your major six times can postpone reaching your goal. However, I would never sacrifice all I have learned or change the path I have taken.

Now my journey has come full circle, and I'm back where I began - working at Walt Disney World again, only this time, I am not at the Backlot Tour as the guide giving the spiel, but as the interpreter signing it! I also am not officially a Cast Member; instead I am working through an agency as a Third Party Participant. This role allows me to make magic for Guests each day by bringing the show to life for people who otherwise might not enjoy it as much.

My advice for you is to work hard and follow your dreams - wherever they may lead. And remember, sometimes the journey to your goal isn't a straight path that is easy to navigate. But don't give up or discount all of the experiences that help you to arrive at your destination. You never know, you just may end up back where you began.

Christy Reynolds
Sign Language Interpreter

* "Advanced Internships" and "Management Internship"s are now called "Professional Internships". Additional information is available here.

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