Lifelong Disney fan Rebecca Toth always knew she wanted to be a Disney cast member. However, she didn’t know that when she achieved her dream, her mom, Sharlene Toth, would be alongside her as well!
After graduating college in 2018, Rebecca took a celebratory trip to Walt Disney World with her mom, during which they decided to apply for jobs with the company. Upon their return home, Rebecca and Sharlene were shocked to both be extended job offers and turned right around to move from Ohio down to Orlando to begin their Disney journey. “Getting the opportunity to work with my mom has been an unexpected surprise, but I love that it’s brought us closer together,” says Rebecca.
Beginning as a Disney PhotoPass photographer on Main Street, U.S.A., Rebecca would often carpool with her mom who worked in Security at Magic Kingdom Park. Rebecca was thrilled at the opportunity to work in the same location as her mom. “Working at the same park as my mom was great. We would occasionally have lunch together or run into each other on breaks. My favorite part would be when she would send guests to see me on Main Street and they’d say, ‘Oh, you’re Rebecca! Your mom told us to say hi!’”
Working together at the same company has brought them closer and they’re both able to enjoy cast member perks such as cast celebrations and previews. Sharlene’s favorite memory is being able to share her win of an overnight stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa with her daughter. Rebecca’s birthday falls close to Mother’s Day, which happened to be the night of their stay. Rebecca called ahead to have flowers in the room for her mom, and Sharlene called ahead to have it decorated for Rebecca’s birthday. “We both laughed so hard when we got in the room. It was so funny that we both ended up celebrating each other. It was awesome to have the room decorated with all these flowers and balloons. We spent the day at the pool and relaxing and just had the best time ever!” says Rebecca.
They’ve also been able to travel together to partake in various Disney events and experiences. “We had the opportunity, thanks to some of our Disney perks, to make our first trip out to California together to Disneyland Resort and D23 Expo. That is something that’s always been a dream of Rebecca’s. She loves ‘World of Color’ and had always wanted to see it in person. She also really wanted to attend an expo and see all the exhibits and sessions. I had not been to Disneyland since I was a teenager so it was really cool to share that experience now with my daughter,” says Sharlene.
Now as a Photo Retouch Artist and recently celebrating her five year anniversary with the company, Rebecca is grateful to have the opportunity to share her career with her mom. “Some people might think it’s too much, but I think it’s a blast. We have all these shared experiences together now. When I tell her about my day, she 100% understands what I’m talking about, more so than most parents. I’m lucky to have that relationship with her,” says Rebecca.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!
