Check-in Day

Hey everyone! Today is my 4th day of my second DCP and I wanted to update y’all on whats going on!My check-in date was June 9th and I received an email notifying me to arrive between 8-9 a.m. at Vista Way. I am lucky enough to have my car during this program so I was able to drive over to Vista which was fantastic if I do say so myself. Anyways, when I arrived I could tell that Disney Internships have definitely tried to make the check-in process easier and faster which was fantastic. I started off in a general line where you receive a name tag and your planner guide for the DCP that has all of the answers you have questions to regarding your program, housing, work, etc. Then we separated into two lines by last name; in these lines you received your work location. I will be working at Adventureland/Liberty Square Attractions, yay for Magic Kingdom! I then got in a general line where we were notified where we would be living. Before arriving I found roommates on the DCP Facebook page again. There are 6 of us and we were trying to live in a 3-bedroom at Chatham Square with no triple occupancy. We have been placed in a 4-bedroom at Chatham Square with no triple occupancy instead. Meaning there are 8 girls with 2 to a bedroom. Housing was able to keep the 6 of us together and added to girls to the mix. I have already met all 7 of my roommates and I definitely believed I lucked out with these girls. Following our housing assignments we took pictures for our housing ID’s, mine looks terrible, received apartment keys, and were given our training schedules with a Cast Member explaining to us what to expect from our schedules and what we need to do to ensure everything works out smoothly. The final steps of check-in were confirming your direct deposit for paychecks, filling out an I9 form, listening to a spiel from Internships Education, a CentraCare speech, and finally waiting to go to Casting. Everyone receives a time to attend Casting, my time was at 10:30 which was about 50 minutes later so I just hung around the Vista Way pavilion until the Casting shuttle arrived. Once I arrived at Casting several CP’s and I were ushered into a line where we received a folder with some papers/documents and were asked to verify some information we provided. I also received my lovely name tag because I won’t be attending Traditions — where you usually receive your name tag — because I am still an active Cast Member. After receiving that folder they ordered a background check. I was then led to the next step which is receiving your work training schedule, which consists of your orientation days. Since I was an active CM they had to call someone for my training schedule because it was my entire on the job training schedule instead of the first few days because I had already completed some of that training. After a little bit of seeking they found my schedule which told me my actual attraction I’ll be working. I’m excited to tell y’all that I am going to be a Pirate! I’ll be working at Pirates of the Caribbean which I am completely ecstatic about! It’s definitely on of my favorite rides and I believe it will be awesome to be part of the crew there for the next several months.Anyways, I then met with a trainer and Casting CM to confirm my I9 information and explain to me my schedule. It was pretty quick and easy. My final step was I9 submission/verification; however, mine was already on file so they didn’t have to do anything for me. I finally got back to Vista Way after a little over an hour at casting, and headed straight to Chatham Square. I got all my stuffed moved in, got my parking decal, and grocery shopped! Overall it was definitely a far smoother check-in day than my first program was. I am now living with all of lovely roommates, we headed to DTD last night for a girls night and had fun there! And I will likely start my training tomorrow as long as my drug test results come back in time. And that’s about it for now, y’all have a magical day!

I did it.

My long awaited final Disney College Program post! I’m sorry it’s so late, and I don’t really have an excuse because I have just been enjoying life outside of work and relaxing. But I am here now, and that is what counts, right?! Anyways, my program end date was August 2^nd, 2013—and my last day of work was July 31^st. I’m not going to lie, I was very anxious for my program to end; almost every one of my CP friends’ was as well. I absolutely loved the program; but after a while sharing a 3 bedroom apartment with 5 other girls, having no other transportation options except for Transtar, and getting silly hours because you were a CP was a little exhausting. This caused me to make this post a list of things that I wish I would’ve done or had known before, during, and after the program.

Before I came down to Florida for my program, I believe that I prepared myself quite well for what I was going to experience. I knew that I would work hard and consistently long hours, and that I was basically at the bottom rung of the ladder. If you decide to participate in the Facebook groups, Google hangouts, and any other way to meet new people before you arrive, just know you probably won’t hang out with half the people you met or friended on Facebook. My best friend was one of my roommates who I hadn’t even said a word to before we arrived in Florida. However, some of the greatest people whom I am blessed to call my friends and Disney family—I met over Google hangouts. You just never really know who you’re going to get along with and become friends with until you meet everyone in person. I also would highly suggest bringing your own car down with you. I knew that I’d regret not bringing mine down with me; however, it just wasn’t feasible for me. While I did have some memorable moments on those lovely buses (A, B, and K buses I’m talking to you…) my life would’ve been so much simpler if I had my own car. Just make sure you can afford the gas down there, and that you don’t mind being used as a shuttle service for some of your lovely DCP friends… I may have been guilty of this.

During the program you will have some time to play but you will definitely spend most of your time working. When you have free time go do something fun!!!!! On my days off I always tried to do something; whether it was going to the parks, watching the fireworks, tanning at the pool or water parks, planning a beach day, or just shopping at Downtown Disney. You have so many options available to you, most of which are free for your use! Don’t get me wrong a chill and relax day is definitely nice after a long work week, but just make sure your taking advantage of all of the wonderful things to do around you. You’re living next to “The Most Magical Place on Earth” which people pay thousands of dollars to visit for just one week. Visit, have fun, and enjoy your time down there.

If your program is anything remotely like mine you will probably have two separate groups of ‘families’ as I like to call them. One will be your roommates and friends that you have met, the other will be your work family. I honestly believe with my entire heart that I had the greatest work family a girl could ever ask for, and I know that you’ll feel the same way. These people make you you feel okay working a 15 hour shift because at least you’ll get to see their face for a few minutes. If we had someone who had a car when we closed the park, you could guarantee that you would find us at IHOP or Ale House that night after work, maybe even “waffley house”. These are the people that will probably either make or break your experience down in Disney. Just know that you will get close to your fellow cast members, no matter how hard you try to tell yourself that you won’t care when you leave, you will—it’s inevitable. I know a bunch of part timers and full timers who hate CP’s because they become friends with us and become friends with us, and then their hearts are broken when we leave. It’s a terribly wonderful and horrible process that happens every semester and maybe if you’re lucky it won’t hurt as much when you leave. Because I know when I left it was the most painful thing I ever had to do; to leave these people whom you saw every day for 5 or 7 months, and then they’re just gone.

I am lucky though because I was able to go into a seasonal position at Fantasyland when my program ended. This is where I believe one of the most important aspects of this program came into play for me, networking. I hate that word; I hate the idea of it and everything that comes with it. I wish people could get an interview or a job based on their motivation, work ethic, education, and values. Unfortunately, life doesn’t like to play that game, so you need to network if you want to move up or around. Thankfully Disney makes networking pretty simple for you. They have all sorts of workshops, meet and greets, and you will have several managers whom you can always talk to and get to know. If you show them your determination and how hard of a worker you are you’ll have no issues networking.  I was lucky enough that managers got to know who I was for good reasons! I emailed my old homeroom manager and asked if it were possible for me to go seasonal in my old role; she was able to contact casting and scheduling and they were able to open a seasonal fantasyland attractions position for me! So I am still an official Walt Disney World Cast Member, and hope to continue my career with Disney far into the future.

Well guys, this’ll be the last post I make in reference to my Spring 2013 Disney College Program. Hopefully, I’ll be able to keep y’all updated on where life takes me—PI’s, management internships, coordinator positon, CEO! The possibilities are endless.

All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. – Walt Disney

Housing and stuff!

Hello world! I'm back for another rare update! Woot woot :) Well, I have been crazy busy with work and I feel like  that is the majority of my life; but, I'm okay with that because I adore my coworkers, and my attractions are pretty great!
My family just left yesterday from a quick visit. I loved seeing them, as always. But it is definitely a little different than coming on vacation with them! But we got to do a lot of fun stuff, and I loved being able to see my family and show them what I do and where I live.
I have met some of the greatest people down here! It's crazy because we are able to sing random Disney songs together, and appreciate everyone's geekiness! It is quite lovely. My friends are just some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. This program is definitely what you make of it. If you make sure you actually do stuff outside of work then your program will probably be amazing!
There are definitely some days where I wake up at 5 in the morning and think, well it won't hurt if I just call in this once... but then I get out of bed. Catch the bus (usually an hour and a half before my shift), get to work and then see all the kids who are so excited to be in the Magic Kingdom, and I just know that I have one of the greatest jobs in the world.
Here's a quick housing update for you as well! At the moment I am living in a 3 bedroom with 4 girls, including myself. I just got a letter today saying that we are supposed to get a new suite mate on March 4th, so hopefully that'll work out well! I love love love Chatham. It's the first stop for the Magic Kingdom buses which works great for me because I'm basically guaranteed a seat on the bus going to work and am the first stop back after a long night. Also, a large majority of the housing events are held here, and most of my friends live here! It was definitely just a great choice all around :)
Okay, well that's it for now but hopefully I'll be able to do another post soonish...

I earned my ears!

It’s official guys, I earned my ears! I can officially operate all of the positions for Prince Charming Regal Carrousel and Mickey’s Philharmagic on my own! I had three days of training: the first focused on the carrousel, the second was Philharmagic, and the third was a combo of each. Then, I had my assessment on Sunday, which I was super nervous about. My assessor was great and very helpful, but she did e-stop (emergency stop) the carrousel when I wasn’t looking to make sure I knew how to handle that situation. And yesterday was my first day on my own! It was actually a lot of fun. I got to see so many cute little kids and wish them Happy Birthday or call them princess, I love it! I mostly did stroller parking and the exit glasses for philhar, but I made the most of it and actually had a good time doing those!

I have lost my voice though, because I have to scream/annunciate at guests to fill in all the available space in the queue for carousel. So if you guys are ever told to move all the way down please do it! Anyways, I’ve been hanging out with my roommates and friends a lot lately, which is great! And our sixth and final roommate arrived this morning. She seems super nice so hopefully everything turns out well!

In other news, the buses suck. I waited for the Walmart/Publix bus today and it never showed. Then, once I called transportation from the apartment they said it was running half an hour late and that I would have to just guess and wait for it to arrive. Yeah, ummm no thank you. So I’m either going to Publix tomorrow or getting groceries delivered, at the moment I am still undecided. 

Well, I am going to enjoy my two days off, and to end this post I will be posting some pictures of my time here so far!

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!