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

T-minus One Month...

I have one month left of my program. I don’t like reading those words because this program was the greatest decision I have made for myself. However, I am going to finish school and I will get my butt back down here as quickly as humanly possible! So for this update I’m going to talk about extensions, my new position, and any other things that are on my mind at the moment!

            Extensions!!! Oh, extensions… once these come out during the last 6 weeks of your program you will probably see three different types of people: those who apply, those who want to but won’t/can’t, and those who basically think the DCP is hell on earth. Let’s start off with those unhappy DCPers, shall we? Basically, they hate the program and Disney. They met some great people but they hate their job, hate the hours, don’t go to the parks and take advantage of the perks, and just want to get back home. There’s nothing wrong with these people, just that they didn’t have the experience they thought they would and they’re over it. If you don’t let them bother you then you won’t even notice them! :- ) Then we have the kids who would like to apply to extend – or at least like the idea of it – but they won’t or can’t. At the moment that is me and several of my friends. We are either need to finish school, have to go back home, or have different plans for our futures. Then we have the kids who will apply for extensions. You apply, then you get an email saying okay thanks we’ll let you know later, and then you wait. And the waiting sucks, and basically all you can think about is whether you were approved to extend or not. Then you get an email saying yay or nay and your plans will basically be made for the next few months!

            On to my position at All Star! There are sooo many cast members within the Front Desk role alone, but luckily I have been getting to know everyone a little more and feeling more comfortable in my position. I love being a runner; I can move around all day, walk outside, converse with CM’s and guests and face some fun challenges along the way. I’m probably at the actual front desk once or twice a week and runner 3-4 times a week. This isn’t common, but I believe the managers and scheduling knows that I like being a runner and they always see me as one so my schedule has kind of shifted towards that role. Front desk is definitely interesting, I like the ability to converse with CM’s near you and that you are one of the first people guests will see when arriving. There is a lot of responsibility such as making sure guests rooms are clean and ready, finding their reservation and ensuring everything is correct, fixing any issues a guest may have whether it was at the parks or in the resort, and making sure your bank is even. I don’t mind the bank until I pull cash (so when someone pays with cash) then it becomes a bit of a hassle. Usually, it’s just a few extra steps and then you are done; however, for me something always goes wrong! The machine will break, I can’t figure out why the computer is saying my bank isn’t even when I have counted it 30 times and I can guarantee it is. It’s just stupid things that make my day a little more difficult, but everything works out! I also just had my first curbside shift which I liked! Basically we walk around the lobby with an iPad and greet guests getting off the Magical Express, or answer any questions they may have, and try to contain the line by getting as much information as possible so that the cashier (a.k.a front desk) doesn’t have to ask. It is fun and easy, and I get to talk to a lot of people which is great for me!

            Other than work and extensions, Disney has been swell! I am trying to get everything that I want to do into my last month here, so wish me luck on that! I am also trying to hang out with everyone who is leaving or lives here before I leave, I hate goodbyes and I have to do them again! But this program has been wonderful and I cannot wait to return to Florida, I just have to get that degree and then I’m golden! :- ) 

1/3 of the way in...

Hey everyone! It’s been a long time… whoops. I’m sorry, I’ve been really busy! But I thought I’d update y’all on the program.

I’ve been working a whole lot lately. Yesterday I had a 15 hour shift and have a 58 hour work week. That’ll definitely be interesting! Other than that I’ve been hanging out with my roommates and friends; I’ve also been getting to know my coworker’s which is great, because a lot of them are CP’s as well!

I love my job too; it’s just amazing being able to work in the Happiest Place on Earth. I get to make so many magical moments for people and make their vacation just all that more memorable! My attractions are definitely interesting also… The carrousel is pretty crazy if you’re working it by yourself when the park is busy, and lots of people enjoy jumping off when it’s moving. So if you ever ride Prince Charming’s Regal Carrousel, don’t be that person! I love Philharmagic, it’s a great movie and is always fun to see people’s reactions to certain parts in the film. I have also been Wishes trained, so I can be scheduled to basically guard the castle from guests before, during, and after the fireworks. It’s just awesome being able to watch Wishes every night and get paid to do it!

Anyways, I really love it here, and it’s scary to think that I’m already almost 1/3^rd of the way into my program. I’m super excited because my parents, grandparents, and aunt are visiting next week! So I’ll get some family time and a few days off, which will be much appreciated. Well, that’s all of the updates I have at the moment, and hopefully I’ll be able to make another update soon.

The Past Week!

Hello world! Nothing of too much importance has happened these last few days. Our apartment is actually clean tonight, which makes me extremely happy! Yesterday I went to Hollywood Studios and Epcot with one of my lovely roommates Kristen. We had so much fun! I love being able to go to parks on my days off, but I have to be super careful because I spent a ton of money yesterday. Like, a lot. I had planned on saving money during this program but right now we still have a holiday discount on all merchandise, and that discount is just trying to kill my bank account. But I’ll be more careful once the discount is back to normal… hopefully ;)

Other than that I’ve just been working! I’m getting more into the groove of work and making each position my own. I’m also beginning to get to know my coworkers more, and they seem really great. The other day I submitted a form to cross-train but I have no idea if they’ll let me, but it never hurts to try!

So, yeah, that’s about all I can think about at the moment. But hopefully I’ll have more exciting stuff to share with y’all later :-)

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!

First Day of Work

So yesterday was my first day of ‘training’! I would call it more of an all-day park orientation. I took the 6 a.m. bus because I had to be there by 7:15… let’s just say that I was dead to the world until I got to Magic Kingdom. When everyone was there we were split up into two groups and took tours of the Magic Kingdom before the park was open! That was super cool because I have never seen the park empty, so that was a dream come true right there! We also got to ride Haunted Mansion and the People Mover, which I love. Then when the tour was over we split up into more groups that were specific to our locations. Right after we were separated I found out that I’ll be working Prince Charming’s Regal Carrousel and Mickey’s Philharmagic! So that’ll be cool!

            We then had lunch, and went on a tour of Fantasyland! I just love Fantasyland so much; it’s just wonderful in every possible way. Once our tour was done and when we finished riding the Barnstormer, it was time for costuming! I personally like my costume, although I was jealous of the New Fantasyland and Storybook Circus costumes lol :) Costuming took a little time only because we all had to get our costumes, make sure they fit correctly, and check them all out together. And after that my day was done!

            Today was my day off so I got to sleep in, and then I start another class tomorrow, and on the job training Thursday. So wish me luck! 

here is me in my costume!