A Fond Farewell to Orlando

     I began my life in Orlando in 2011 as an interning merchandise host in theme parks, & here we are 8 years later.  Time has flown by & in the words of one of my wife’s favorite characters, “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun.”  This was certainly true everywhere I went for work. 
 
From my college internship, I moved on to a management internship for retail.  My Temporary Assignment (TA) experience that followed was vast, taking me on a journey through several theme parks, resorts, & even airport operations (very briefly!). It was in 2015 that two wonderful experiences befell me…
 
In 2015, I met my future wife, Hannah Koehler, while making magic in theme park merchandise operations AND, in a sense, I returned home to the first park I ever worked at in 2011 as a statused leader.  What a wonderful year it was! 
 
I joined a flagship hotel for a promotional opportunity in early 2017 & married Hannah later that same year. She moved from the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee to the magical world that is Orlando to help support my dream of living out a career filled with fantasy. 
 
As I now round out my 8 year tenure with this company, I am proud to say I’ve worked in 3 theme parks, 3 deluxe resorts, & the Orlando International Airport alongside several well-respected airlines & industry competitors.  I recognize now a need to reflect & give thanks. 

     During my time in customer service in Orlando, I learned early on that we are all in the people business. Knowing this, I grew to love spending my free time with the many talented employees who are now like family. For nearly 6 years, I captained a walking league & this was a favorite tradition as it allowed employees, myself included, to connect & build relationships beyond the everyday operation. For those of you who joined our team, even only for a walk or two, you understand this. 
 
Now, I am thankful & humbled by all the time spent creating magic with countless talented people. It has supported a healthy life, given lifelong friends, taught the value of doing for others, & best of all it led me to my loving wife. 
 
Walt Disney once said, 
 
Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we're curious … and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.
 


It is in this spirit that I offer a fond farewell to my Orlando family.  Being together for 8 years has made me feel warmly welcomed & right at home.   
 
Hannah & I give thanks to all the employees & customers who have made our experience at work a magical one.
 
December 14, 2019 was the end of my work in Orlando, Florida.  
 
My wife & I have moved on to our newest adventure in Georgia, stepping into the world of Contracting.  In terms of distance traveled, our re-location was a “split the difference” move keeping us equidistant to family from both sides. 
 
To continue to be a part of our adventure, please connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, or stay tuned right here on our website https://chandlerandhannah.weebly.com/. 

See you real soon Orlando.

​- Chandler & Hannah ​