The True Test

It is easy to do above-and-beyond when conditions are stable and resources are readily available, but being able to pull through when things are tough is the true test of a great company, and a great manager. It is terrifying to imagine the chaos that would ensue if there were not any contingency plans in place, and if the people helming them were not calm, competent, and decisive considering the tens of thousands guests that visit and stay at the resorts each day.

The outlined goals discussed in Barbara Higgins’ article “The Storms of Summer” are broad, but critical to bear in mind—keeping guests and employees safe, mitigation, and recovery while maintaining flexibility and being able to make difficult decisions can make the difference between life and death. Furthermore, it is the elements to achieve the goals that can make weathering a storm fairly seamless with  communication, by providing food service, offering in-resort entertainment for stranded guests and employees, and disseminating crucial updates throughout the resort.

At the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds, we went through several thorough e-learnings, during training, about how to distinguish what is considered an emergency, and what to do in the event of one. There is also a reference guide easily accessible for whenever we may need it; however, we have not conducted drills or the like. This is definitely something I would like to inquire further—what resort-specific disaster plans do we have at the ready, and how do we communicate with the rest of WDW? With guests in log cabins and campsites spanning over 700 acres of the property, it becomes even more imperative to have a centralized plan in order to protect cast members and guests.