Crazy!

You guys, I am packing. Let me give you time to have that sink in. *tick tock* …

Ok that’s enough time. I’m packing to move to Disney World!!! Oh my gosh, this is crazy! I feel like my life is just waiting for me. It’s in my grasp, I move in 4 days and check-in is 8 days away! I’m just going to say that I feel like just two weeks ago I interviewed for the program, and here I am packing. Whoa. Just, whoa.

Day 18: Favorite Pixar

Toy Story!

2012 in Review...

It is December 31^st of 2012, otherwise known as New Year’s Eve. Let me just share with you that 2012 was a vast improvement over 2011. I have so much to be grateful for in my life and this year ensured that I knew it. I went on several family vacations, everyone is in great health, school is going well, and I achieved a long-time dream of mine; the Disney College Program.

I am so incredibly thankful for what this year has brought, and what 2013 has in store for me. This will be an adventure that I am far too excited to embark upon. And while there are several things that are up in the air for me – I mean it, there are A LOT – I know these next several months will help me find myself and figure out what I need to do to continue on God’s path for me.

So thank you everyone who has been there for me in 2012. My family; all of you have supported me throughout this difficult but exciting adventure and I am so lucky to have you all in my life. Whitney and Kelsey; I don’t think you two even know I have this blog, but you both helped me get through this year with hardly any scratches! You are some of the greatest friends a girl can ask for, and I am so lucky to have had you both be a part of my life. My Old Navy family; I was lucky enough to have some amazing co-workers and managers for my first job. You all helped me improve myself as a person, employee, and friend; for that I am greatly appreciative. And finally several of the DCP people I have been lucky enough to meet! Jenn, Kasey, Katie, Desirae, Kristen, and the several others I have had the pleasure of talking with on Google+ hangouts and the Facebook pages. You all make me so excited to go live in Florida with you all!

So that is my sappy post for today! I hope you all had a great year, and if you did or didn’t I hope that 2013 will be the best year yet!

Day 17: Least favorite classic

Dumbo, I haven’t seen it in years but I remember it scaring me when I was a kid. But I may have to give it a second chance! After all Dumbo at the New Fantasyland appearance was so adorable!!! 

Day 16: Favorite classic

Probably Peter Pan, it’s just wonderful.

Day 15: First Movie I’ve Seen

My mom said that the first movie I saw was Mary Poppins!

Day 14: My favorite kiss

Beauty and the Beast! It’s magical and the animation during this scene is wonderful.

Day 13: Least Favorite Song

I feel like all the new Disney Channel songs suck… but I can’t really judge those because it’s hard for me to watch any of the new stuff.

Day 12: Favorite Villain Song

Mother Know's Best! It’s so fun and quirky!

Day 11: favorite Love Song

Kiss the Girl is great. The entire scene is gorgeous and the lyrics are fantastic.

Day 10: Favorite song

HERE IT IS!!! I’ll Make a Man out of You! So freaking awesome, it’s just a great song :D

New Vlog Post!

I talk about a little bit of everything in this! But I hope you enjoy it!!!

Day 9: Favorite Original Character

Mickey Mouse! But I absolutely love the Disney is bringing Oswald back into the picture

Day 8: My favorite villain

Gaston! He’s so cocky and ridiculous, I absolutely love it!

Day 7: My favorite sidekick

Since I already talked about Tinkerbell… It’d have to be a tie between Lumiere and Cogsworth or Sebastian and Flounder! (Can you tell I love The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast)

Day 6: My Favorite Animal

Dory! She's just awesome in every way!

Day 5: My favorite hero

My favorite hero would have to be Flynn Rider. I know that he was a thief but he was also a hero, for himself and Rapunzel. I just love his personality and how he revealed his true self, Eugene ;), to Rapunzel.

The Smolder ;)

Day 4: My Favorite Prince

Eric! 100% hands down Eric. I don't need to explain, it's just true! haha :D

Day 3: My Favorite Heroine

Meg, Megara, however you say her name!
I am guilty of wearing her costume constantly when I was a little kid. And she's just so human. She made mistakes and was still paying for them, I absolutely adore that about her.

Day 2: My Favorite Princess

Wow this is really difficult... I have 2 favorites is that ok? I say yes! It is okay Kelsey! Alright well awesome I will continue!

I love Belle and Ariel. I love them both because of how adventurous they are. Belle loves books and people and is so kind. And Ariel took matters into her own hands. I love their kindness, and love, and personalities overall. So there! Those are my favorite princesses :)

Day 1: My Favorite Character

My favorite Character is Tinkerbell!
I know that may seem a little generic, but I have always loved her and how sassy and awesome she is. By the way, my favorite character is the original Tinkerbell not the newer Pixie Hollow version.

30 Day Disney Challenge!

I promised myself I wouldn't do this, but now I'm bored. So bare with me!
I will be doing the 30 day Disney Challenge, click here! So I guess learn a little more about me through this? I'm not sure haha :) Anyways, here we goooo!!!!!

New Hire Paperwork

I got my new hire paperwork yesterday, and I plan on finishing it all today! Its pretty ridiculous at how excited I am to fill out paperwork. I think only Disney can make anyone happy to do anything! There was a video of Bob Iger welcoming employees to the Disney family, and it just made me realize how incredible this opportunity will be. I am so lucky to be given this once in a life time chance, and I pray that I make everything I can out out of it.

Traditions Attire

Well, I just bought my dress for Traditions!!! OH MY GOSH, you guys I am so psyched! I just cannot believe how close I am! AHHHHH!!!! Sorry, I just had to get that out of my system. So anyways, yay for new clothes for Disney! And here is the lovely dress in all its glory...

Disney Email!

So yesterday a lot of people, including myself, got and email from Disney that gave a broad explanation of housing costs and roommate matching. So this year instead of using roommate matching online, they said that you will find or meet (if you have not already found a roommate) on your check-in day. This doesn't really affect me because I have already found all of my lovely suitemates and roommate! However, if you are one of the people who want to be surprised or just don't want to look for someone before you get down there, then this could be an issue. A lot of people without roommates are worried because they don't want to have twice as many items as they need (i.e. 2 tv's, 2 toasters, 2 coffee machines), and won't be able to get to know their roommate beforehand. So if you want to know your roommate and coordinate with them before check-in date, I would highly reccomend searching for someone on Facebook or Tumblr. Search anywhere you may think there are roommates available!!!
Another item on the email was when you can arrive. Disney says, "please do not plan on arriving prior to 7am as you will be turned away". If previous years are any indication then security will not turn you away if you arrive befor 7 a.m. HOWEVER, Disney has a new security company and Spring 2013 will be their first check-in so it is somewhat iffy on whether or not they will allow you to wait before 7 a.m. So I guess we'll have to wait and see what they do on the first arrival date.
Finally, what is probably the most important item of this email is, drum roll please.... Housing Prices!!!! Disney has given a pretty broad idea of what housing prices will be this coming semester. But here is what they have sent.

Chatham Square 1BR - 4BR $91 - $101	The Commons 1BR - 4BR $93 - $105
Patterson Court 1BR - 3BR $91 - $101	Vista Way 2BR - 3BR $86 - $96

These are weekly rates, and the higher the rate the fewer the bedrooms. The prices for this term have gone up. This is most likely because minimum wage has been raised from $7.67 to $7.79. Yay for a $.12 pay raise!!!! Just kidding.... Anyways, with this raise in prices, a lot of people have begun to consider switching their preference to Vista Way (which is great for me, the less competition the better!). And because all the DCP kids needed some new info and rumors to cling onto, several people are wondering if Disney will now allow us to live in the Commons. Ever since the Commons opened they have been strictly for International College Program students. However, the ICP kids apparently have a different website for all of their information, so everyone is wondering why those prices are on our website. So people are speculating on whether or not Disney is opening The Commons to all DCP's or if it is still strictly closed off to ICP's, like it always has been. Now let me just make it clear. At the moment everyone is welcome to visit The Commons! You just cannot live in them unless you are an ICP.
So I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens on check-in day and go from there! I've only got 39 days you guys! So excited :D

Most Common Questions/Comments about the DCP

Alright, so I have told several people that I know that I am participating in the Disney College Program. And I usually get the same questions and/or comments from them. So I thought I would share those questions/comments and my answers to them.

Q: Awesome! What character will you be?
A: I will actually be working an attraction. So I won't be a character I'll be working one of the rides! But I'm so excited to be doing that :)
*A lot of people immediately think that I will be character. Which I have no issues with. I just wish people understood that an extremely limited amount of people who work at Disney do anything with entertainment.

Q: So you're going to be going to the parks and will have no school for 5 months? Sounds like the life...
A: Actually I'll be working at the parks during the majority of my time down there. And I'll be taking a class down there as well. But I will hopefully have some time to spend in the park, and hang out with some friends!
*I personally hate this comment. Some people unfortunately believe that I will be down in Florida to screw around for 5 months. But this is an internship, I am the bottom of the food chain and will be working constantly. Sadly some people don't understand that; but it's okay because I know what I will really be doing!

Q: So are you, like, getting paid to do this?
A: Yes.

Q: OMG!!!!! You are going to Disneyland?!?!?! How much fun will that be?!?! DON'T YOU JUST LOVE DISNEYLAND AND CALIFORNIA!!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!!!
A: I'm glad you're so excited for me! Thanks :) But I'll actually be going to Walt Disney World, in Florida. It'll be really great though :)
*I hate correcting people when they say Disneyland. So I usually won't correct them, unless they go into detail about the parks, California, the rides, etc.

Q: Wow that sounds like fun! How did you apply? What is the DCP?
A: Yeah, I think it'll be great! I applied through the DCP website (click here). Basically it is a semester long internship at either the Disneyland or Walt Disney World Resort. You work for the Disney company in their parks or resorts and can possibly get internship credit through your school for doing this!

Begin rant:

This is important, I really want to make sure people understand this. This internship is a job. You will be constantly working. So if you just want to hop on the bandwagon and get free park admission, meet new people, and make some fantastic memories, that's great! But don't apply or accept this opportunity if you aren't willing to work for the extra's. College program kids are the low of the low. Some people go as far to say that we are Disney's slaves. We have minimal pay and work long hours. Expect it and accept it, and you should be fine.

End Rant!!!

If any of you have questions about the DCP, Disney, or whatever please ask!

50 days!

Well I have only 50 days left until I check-in and become an official Disney Cast Member! I am so excited and ready for this wonderful new adventure that I will become a part of.
Oh gosh I just cannot wait!!! :D

Welcome!

So a few days ago I got this email from WDW basically saying ‘woo hoo, you did it! Now here is all the info you need to know’. I’ve been searching the website they linked me to for what feels like days haha :) Anyways, the website is basically what the DCP used to send in the purple folders, but they’ve gone green now so it’s all web based. There is a part of me that wishes I still got the purple folder just to have it. But oh well I am so so excited! Only 97 days until I’m at Disney World!

What to buy?

At the moment my roommates and I are trying to figure out what we will need to buy for our place! This is a list of what is already in the apartments (courtesy of Disney :D):

Bedroom:

• Dresser w/ mirror
• Nightstand
• 2 twin beds

Dining Room

• Table w/ four chairs

Living Room (Cable hook-up only available in this common area)

• Couch
• Chair
• Two end tables

Additional Items Provided

• Shower curtain liner
• Two vanity wastebaskets
• Kitchen wastebasket
• Recycling bin

Kitchen Appliances

• Refrigerator w/ ice maker
• Stove, oven & microwave
• Dishwasher

Kitchen Utensils and Dishes

• Assortment of pots & pans w/ lids
• Mixing bowl set
• Measuring cups
• Cutting board
• Spatula
• Can opener
• Cutting knife
• Ladle
• Tea Kettle
• Serving spoons 
• Cookie sheets
• Dinner plates
• Salad plates Cereal bowls
• Drinking glasses
• Coffee cups
• Set of knives, spoons, and forks

So we are trying to figure out what we will be needing to buy/pack! If anyone has any suggestions on what we should buy (or shouldn't) please let me know!

Right now we already have decided that we will need:

• TV
• Iron/ironing board
• DVD player
• Coffee Maker
• Wireless Router

WE need some help, haha...

Also, how did you split costs of items with your roommates? And did one roommate take an item when you left or did you sell those items? Sorry for all the questions!

Oh wow!

I feel like everyday I'm hit with this bomb (a good bomb, mind you!) that I am going to be living in Florida and working for WDW! I'm sooo excited! I cannot wait to have all these new experiences! And while I know there will be some difficult moments and long hours, it'll all be completely worth it!
And even though I've seen Cinderella's Castle too many times to count, I know that even when I'm a CP and I see the castle AT LEAST once a week, this'll always be my expression.

I only have...

Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust
Kelsey O8

Roommate Survey!

Alrighty I posted my roommate survey up onto my tumblr, so just click here  if you'd like to see it!

Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust,
Kelsey O8

By the way...

I made this blog on tumblr as well! So if you prefer tumblr, click here! It'll basically be the same blog, just different formats!

Roommates!

So I thought I should go over my personal 'Finding a Roommate' experience! Basically what a lot of people have been doing is posting roommates survey's on the fb (facebook) group, so I did the same! I got responses and found two great girls!

 

Now we are looking for 3 more! I will say this about the whole roommate survey thing. A lot of people may comment saying something like, "OMG!!!!!! We have sooo much in common I love this and this too"! Then you think awesome! I found someone who is like me. Then you look at their survey and you think yeah we do have two things in common, but nothing else... So beware! Make sure you look at their survey as well!
Just some info on the whole roommate situation. If you find roommates ahead of time* you will need to make sure you all arrive on the same day. I found one of the sweetest girls ever, but she checked in a day before my roommates and I. She tried to change her date but it was already full :(. So don't get your hopes up until you know that they have the same arrival date and preferences for building, # of roommates, (non)wellness, etc., as you do. Also on the arrival day you need to stand by all of your roommates when you are checking in! Then they will take you by each pair (make sure that it's by room pairings) and everyone needs to say that you want to live together in the same building/room type! If not, you may only end up with your one roommate instead of all the others. Anyways that's all I can think of to say right now! I'll let y'all know if something new and exciting happens!

Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust,
Kelsey   O8

*You do not have to pick your roommates beforehand!!! That is completely up to you! A lot of people have said they just arrived and got randomly placed and loved the turnout! So don't worry if you don't have/find a roommate.

Finding Roommates...

Right now, I'm having a bit of a moment. It's extremely ridiculous, but oh well! I have decided my dates for when I will be participating in the DCP, and now I need to find a roommate (queue dramatic horror movie music)!
There should be absolutely no reason for my freak-out as I only got accepted yesterday. However, it seems as though everyone on facebook is connecting with different people, and I'm over here in my little corner like...

But it is only the first day and it'll all work out, hopefully... ;)


Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust,
Kelsey O8

Deciding Dates

Right now I am trying to decide the dates that I will be participating in the program. Its all pretty cut and dry, but I want to make sure that I have a date that works best for me! There are so many elements in picking dates! There is the: cost of airline tickets, making sure that you find someone you like (roommate wise) and shares the same check-in date as you, availability of room combo's at the apartment complexes, and just making sure I am comfortable with the overall dates! Well I have a couple of days to decide, so now it's just research and waiting.

Revision: It's official! I will be arriving January 8th, 2013 and leaving May 31! I am so excited!


Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust,
Kelsey O8

Accepted!

At 12:17 p.m. today, I was accepted for the Spring 2013 Disney College Program! I will be an Attractions Cast Member at the Walt Disney World Resort. I am so excited to begin this adventure and share my experiences before, during, and after the program!


Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust,
Kelsey O8 <-- Yay for sideways Mickey!