I recently vacationed in Kissimmee, FL with my sister and brother-in-law. My sister was attending a work conference in town and had a one-day Disney pass to be used at the end of the week as well as a spare bed in the suite they had booked. A time-off request and 10-hour drive later and I was on my way to visit The Most Magical Place on Earth.

This has long been a dream vacation of mine. I have loved Disney since I was just 3 years old where I remember the marvelous sights, sounds, and magic of Disney's Lion King. I grew up in an age of magic carpet rides, mermaids, and boys that never grow up as well as an age of lightsaber battles, Nazi-fighting super soldiers, and toys with a story to tell. It's little wonder that, as an adult, I am so enamored by the Disney/Pixar/Marvel/ Lucas Arts media conglomerate that we have come to know and love.

So, without further adieu, here are just a few things that I learned about work ethic from Walt Disney World:

Everyone's a Cast Member

I don't care who you are interacting with at Walt Disney World - Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, a Cashier, or Housekeeping - everyone is a Cast Member. I mean this literally, of course. It is no secret that all Walt Disney World employees are called cast members, but after spending a day in the parks the symbolic reasoning becomes more than clear.

At Walt Disney World, employees do not simply do their jobs; they create experiences. It is very clear that everyone, barring the odd bad day (we're all human, after all), at Walt Disney World prides themselves in contributing to those experiences.

All of us create experiences in our workplaces as well. What experience are you delivering to your customers/employees/coworkers? How we conduct ourselves at work affects those around us and I believe that it is a keen understanding of this fact that drives the Cast Member culture at Walt Disney World.

"I don't know" is Never the Answer

I interacted with a wide variety of Cast Members during my day in Magic Kingdom and, on multiple occasions, had questions to which they simply did not know the answer. However, I was never turned away or disappointed by an, "I don't know."

The instance that sticks out the most was towards the end of the day when I was hunting for a set of Frozen Disney Pins. We were in Fantasyland outside of Beast's castle at a little shop called Bonjour! and I had been searching for something Frozen themed to take home as a souvenir when I came across the Beauty and the Beast pins.

I spun on my heels and excitedly asked the cashier, "Do you know where I can find a Frozen set?" She thought for a moment and asked if I would mind waiting a moment while she found out. She then proceeded to pick up the phone and call several shops until she found one that had them stocked.

Oftentimes, especially in busy or high-stress positions, it is much easier for us to tell someone that we don't know the answer and let them keep searching. But, remember! We are creating experiences and, if we want the experiences of those around us to be amazing, we should strive to provide service above and beyond our current knowledge or our job title, which reminds me...

Nothing is Beneath You

Walt Disney World has a rule that I have always known as the Disney Way. It's simple. No matter who you are, if you see trash on the ground while walking through the parks, pick it up.

This 'rule' is a profound way of thinking that doesn't just keep the parks clean. It is a reminder to all Cast Members that, no matter your station or title, their number one function is to provide the best experience possible and that nothing is beneath them.

It is far too easy to get tied up in the politics of work and, while it is true that business runs smoother with clearly defined jobs and staying on task, a little bit of flexibility goes a very long way. Next time someone comes to you with a problem outside of your scope, instead of telling them, "I don't know," and sending them on their way, consider taking a moment of time out of your day to help them find the solution and improve the experience they have with you. They'll also most certainly appreciate it and I'm willing to bet you will be happier too.

These are just a few of the things I learned about work ethic during my trip to Walt Disney World. Has anyone else experienced any extraordinary examples of good work ethic while visiting Walt Disney World or other vacation destinations? Please feel free to share these experiences with all of us!