Disney Cast Members know how to create magic long after they take off their mouse ears. There’s a reason Walt Disney World is so special and it’s in large part because the people who work there are special. They are creative and talented. So it’s no surprise that many of them go on to do big things afterward. Case in point: Benjamin Ptashinsky.
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Many of you already know him from the Hollywood Studios’ Frozen Sing-Along. He worked as a professional comedian for almost 20 years, also dedicating 15 of those years to Disney. He’s gained a reputation among Disney fans, under the name “Equity Ben, ” with many park-goers timing their show viewings around his schedule.
I remember the first time I saw him perform. My two-year-old couldn’t stop laughing at his jokes, even though she probably didn’t understand any of them. His delivery is just that good and he knows how to command a room. Anyone who has followed him on Instagram knows that his funny antics don’t end when the curtain falls either.
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Unfortunately for all his fans, the furlough last March turned into retirement from the Disney stage. “It forced me to spend time with family and I had an Oprah ‘a-ha!’ moment and realized I needed to be home with my family”.
But Equity Ben is a performer at heart and wouldn’t stay away from giving his fans what they wanted. He started reading children’s books online every night, calling them “Ben Time Stories.” This led to another realization: “You read all of these books, they’re so much fun. They’re so silly and they’re not real. So they teach kids great and valuable lessons, but the one lesson I found missing in these children’s books is life isn’t always perfect. You can have a bad day and that is A-OK.”
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So he decided to write a book for kids: “GoodyBen Makes Lemonade.” The book features his daughter and the lessons she learns about life not being perfect. It teaches kids how to deal with disappointment and consequences while still having joy. It sounds like the kind of book parents and kids can both learn from!
Having finished his “Ben Time Stories” series, Ben Ptashinsky has moved on to cooking classes online. Every Monday and Thursday, he brings a new recipe to his Instagram audience, along with a sprinkling of humor. He self-deprecatingly refers to the fact that he was thrown into being a stay-at-home dad and doesn’t know what he’s doing, but it’s endearing and relatable, much like his new book.
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Maybe it’s the fact that Equity Ben is a former WDW Cast Member, maybe it’s his dedication to his family, or perhaps it’s his undying hilarity. Whatever it is, he knows how to make ordinary things magical and we are just lucky to be looking on. Be sure to grab his new book “GoodyBen Makes Lemonade” for your kids or yourself! And find him on Instagram @EquityBen.
Photos courtesy of @EquityBen / Source ClickOrlando
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