So I finally had a magical day here at Disney. I hung out with Brian at Epcot this afternoon because we decided we could probably only fit in a couple of shows at Hollywood Studios instead of doing a bunch of stuff at Epcot. So we took in The Seas with Nemo, Living with the Land, Honey I Shrunk the Audience (even more terrifying than I remember), Club Cool (where you sample pop from different countries), and all the countries (and their respective rides) at the World Showcase and made plans to eat at pretty much every restaurant there (especially Mexico, inside the temple, and Japan, for sushi). Then his roommate Jake met up with us in France after working as Tigger all day. I grabbed a turkey leg for dinner while watching Illuminations from Morocco. Totally awesome.
Then we drove home to Patterson and decided it was still really hot out and perfect for a night swim. We met up at the pool; it was so warm. Jake was teaching us some water aerobics exercises that he used to teach at the Y. Two girls asked to join, and we started talking to them. They just moved in yesterday, and they're also 22 like me. They only live one building over and said to stop by anytime. They seemed really nice, so I'll probably go over and say hi when I'm bored or invite them to a park when Brian and I go. Then a few drunks came over and were starting to get loud, and I couldn't hear what the girls and Brian were saying, and I was really pruney, so Brian and I left.
So, all in all, I had a great day, FINALLY. I know you all said it would happen, and it just takes time, but I was getting so sad that it was taking so long. But today was a good day. It's good that newbies keep coming, so that there's more and more people to meet. But the pool at night seems to be the hot spot.
I have my assessment day tomorrow, from 13:15 to 22:00. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
The Soggiest Place on Earth
Ok, so this week has been a whirlwind. Hence, no posts. Haven't had much down time where I wasn't completely beat. So, I better start from the beginning:
Monday- Dad and I drove to Vista Way Apartments to check-in. They immediately split us up, where I was ushered off through and hour and half's worth of lines. Lots of formal papers to sign and IDs to check. I found out I was place in a one bedroom apt with Heather at Patterson Court, the new apt complex. Then I got my fingerprints taken and found Dad. We drove over to Patterson and moved me into my apt. It's a palace! Huge, tons of space, all appliances and furniture brand new. We have a pool, a fitness center, a clubhouse, and I think possibly a hot tub (I still have yet to check it out because of TS Fay...more on that later). So then Dad and I found a Fuddruckers and a measly grocery store to shop at. I was getting really tired and crabby, so nothing looked good anymore. I mean, I bought pasta sauce, but no pasta. My body was shutting down mentally and in every other way as well. So I took Dad back to the hotel and I went to bed with no luck of falling asleep.
Tuesday- Got up early for my next batch of lines and paperwork. Here I found out I was going to be a Park Greeter at EPCOT! I'm so lucky I got my favorite park. I could have been placed at Animal Kingdom and then found a flight home with Dad right after. But, I found out my Traditions class (Disney orientation) was the next afternoon and my EPCOT Discovery Day on Thursday. So then, with the threat of Tropical Storm Fay drawing nearer, I took Dad to the airport to get an earlier flight. I spent the rest of the day in my apt, doing nothing of import.
Wednesday-Ah, finally my Traditions class. We learned the history of Walt Disney and his pathway to greatness. Then we went over laws and codes and harassment and safety type of things. Didn't really meet anyone noteworthy, and I went home and did more nothing because of the rain, and I have no friends.
Thursday-Discovery Day at EPCOT! We watched a movie about Walt's plans for EPCOT, and that was super interesting. I found out WDW was based around the idea of EPCOT, and not Magic Kingdom as most people, including me, think. So I feel pretty proud that I'm working at the park Walt dreamed of creating most. Unfortunately, he died before he could see his Florida Project operating as WDW. But then we took a tour of EPCOT in the pouring rain, in our nice professional clothes, under ponchos. Completely ridiculous looking. But they let us ride Spaceship Earth, which has been recently refurbished, so that was pretty cool. We then had a secret EPCOT initiation. No other park does something like that for its new cast members and not all EPCOT cast members have had the opportunity to go through it because of crowds or special events. So I feel pretty special to have gone through it, and I know it'll be a cute memory for me to have. Then we split up with different trainers, and I was paired with two CPs (College Program students) Adam and Brian. Jerry, our trainer, took us to the EPCOT cast member appreciation picnic at the World Showcase Events Pavilion for lunch. I thought it would just be some free food. But, that's not big enough for Disney. It was rows of buffet food, Goofy and Donald Duck greeting us at the door, two big screens with slideshows, DJ music, a cast member emceeing, severely-discounted merch, and a World Showcase Culinary Competition. It was amazing! I'm so glad that our training day coincided with the picnic because I was able to see the great way Disney treats their cast members. Then, unfortunately, we were stuck in front of computers for the rest of the afternoon doing e-training. Boring stuff. We were then assigned our hideous costumes and were sent on our way. I went searched desperately for white shoes in a near-hurricane at the outlet mall near my apt and then went home and did more nothing because I have no friends.
Friday-Day one of on-the-job-training. All ready to go in our periwinkle EPCOT costume, Brian and I learned how to open the park at the turnstiles at the main entrance. There are a lot of codes and errors to memorize at the turnstiles, and many different procedures for cast member entrances to keep straight. It was a full eight-hour day, and I was exhausted at the end of it. I gave Brian a ride home because we both live in Patterson, and I wasn't going to leave him to wait for the bus. So we were able to talk more and get to know each other better. He seems pretty nice, but I didn't think we were at the friends point yet. So, I went home and did nothing. Oh, Heather and I watched The Lion King. And went to bed at 9.
Saturday(today)-Day two of OJT. We did more of opening the park, and learned new tasks that had to be done before open. We also got to help do the magical moment this morning in our area where we picked two kids to help us open the park and got to be Princess and Pirate for the day. So that was nice to treat a family to a special day (especially since they came all the way from Wales), like when we got our Dream FastPasses at MGM. I had a new trainer, who was younger and had different ideas about how to do things. So it's a little confusing about who to listen to and how strict I should be. But I figure I'll just be strict and let the coordinator be the one to decide to let people in or not, that way the blame's not on me. It was finally sunny all day, but right when I got off work, of course, it started pouring, and the blue sky was gone. I drove Brian home, and we definitely talked about going to the park and exchanged cell numbers, but he decided not to go because of the rain, but he said we should for sure go together when it's sunny. So, I think I'm making a friend, which is good. Hopefully I can meet his roomies and make some more acquaintances. So, despite the rain, I went to EPCOT alone, and the booked it straight to the WSC (World Showcase). By the time I got to Germany, the rain had stopped, and I was able to enjoy a pretzel and a turkey leg while walking around the WSC (although I could have used help finishing them :) ) I miss all you guys. Somehow the park just isn't as fun when your friends and family aren't around. I think it's also just rough because I've met a lot of people, but none of them are as awesome as the friends I already have. I think Brian might be a good guy though, so we'll see if we end up hanging out at all. It just sucks that you have to meet a hundred people before you can find one decent apple in the bunch. But I guess more and more CPs will be coming in the next few weeks, so meeting people won't stop with this week. I'm still hopeful, but I'm also exhausted. Starting a new life is rough, and Fay isn't making things any easier for me. If the weather gets better, my life might too. So all I have left to say is love you guys and miss you all. Stay dry!
Monday- Dad and I drove to Vista Way Apartments to check-in. They immediately split us up, where I was ushered off through and hour and half's worth of lines. Lots of formal papers to sign and IDs to check. I found out I was place in a one bedroom apt with Heather at Patterson Court, the new apt complex. Then I got my fingerprints taken and found Dad. We drove over to Patterson and moved me into my apt. It's a palace! Huge, tons of space, all appliances and furniture brand new. We have a pool, a fitness center, a clubhouse, and I think possibly a hot tub (I still have yet to check it out because of TS Fay...more on that later). So then Dad and I found a Fuddruckers and a measly grocery store to shop at. I was getting really tired and crabby, so nothing looked good anymore. I mean, I bought pasta sauce, but no pasta. My body was shutting down mentally and in every other way as well. So I took Dad back to the hotel and I went to bed with no luck of falling asleep.
Tuesday- Got up early for my next batch of lines and paperwork. Here I found out I was going to be a Park Greeter at EPCOT! I'm so lucky I got my favorite park. I could have been placed at Animal Kingdom and then found a flight home with Dad right after. But, I found out my Traditions class (Disney orientation) was the next afternoon and my EPCOT Discovery Day on Thursday. So then, with the threat of Tropical Storm Fay drawing nearer, I took Dad to the airport to get an earlier flight. I spent the rest of the day in my apt, doing nothing of import.
Wednesday-Ah, finally my Traditions class. We learned the history of Walt Disney and his pathway to greatness. Then we went over laws and codes and harassment and safety type of things. Didn't really meet anyone noteworthy, and I went home and did more nothing because of the rain, and I have no friends.
Thursday-Discovery Day at EPCOT! We watched a movie about Walt's plans for EPCOT, and that was super interesting. I found out WDW was based around the idea of EPCOT, and not Magic Kingdom as most people, including me, think. So I feel pretty proud that I'm working at the park Walt dreamed of creating most. Unfortunately, he died before he could see his Florida Project operating as WDW. But then we took a tour of EPCOT in the pouring rain, in our nice professional clothes, under ponchos. Completely ridiculous looking. But they let us ride Spaceship Earth, which has been recently refurbished, so that was pretty cool. We then had a secret EPCOT initiation. No other park does something like that for its new cast members and not all EPCOT cast members have had the opportunity to go through it because of crowds or special events. So I feel pretty special to have gone through it, and I know it'll be a cute memory for me to have. Then we split up with different trainers, and I was paired with two CPs (College Program students) Adam and Brian. Jerry, our trainer, took us to the EPCOT cast member appreciation picnic at the World Showcase Events Pavilion for lunch. I thought it would just be some free food. But, that's not big enough for Disney. It was rows of buffet food, Goofy and Donald Duck greeting us at the door, two big screens with slideshows, DJ music, a cast member emceeing, severely-discounted merch, and a World Showcase Culinary Competition. It was amazing! I'm so glad that our training day coincided with the picnic because I was able to see the great way Disney treats their cast members. Then, unfortunately, we were stuck in front of computers for the rest of the afternoon doing e-training. Boring stuff. We were then assigned our hideous costumes and were sent on our way. I went searched desperately for white shoes in a near-hurricane at the outlet mall near my apt and then went home and did more nothing because I have no friends.
Friday-Day one of on-the-job-training. All ready to go in our periwinkle EPCOT costume, Brian and I learned how to open the park at the turnstiles at the main entrance. There are a lot of codes and errors to memorize at the turnstiles, and many different procedures for cast member entrances to keep straight. It was a full eight-hour day, and I was exhausted at the end of it. I gave Brian a ride home because we both live in Patterson, and I wasn't going to leave him to wait for the bus. So we were able to talk more and get to know each other better. He seems pretty nice, but I didn't think we were at the friends point yet. So, I went home and did nothing. Oh, Heather and I watched The Lion King. And went to bed at 9.
Saturday(today)-Day two of OJT. We did more of opening the park, and learned new tasks that had to be done before open. We also got to help do the magical moment this morning in our area where we picked two kids to help us open the park and got to be Princess and Pirate for the day. So that was nice to treat a family to a special day (especially since they came all the way from Wales), like when we got our Dream FastPasses at MGM. I had a new trainer, who was younger and had different ideas about how to do things. So it's a little confusing about who to listen to and how strict I should be. But I figure I'll just be strict and let the coordinator be the one to decide to let people in or not, that way the blame's not on me. It was finally sunny all day, but right when I got off work, of course, it started pouring, and the blue sky was gone. I drove Brian home, and we definitely talked about going to the park and exchanged cell numbers, but he decided not to go because of the rain, but he said we should for sure go together when it's sunny. So, I think I'm making a friend, which is good. Hopefully I can meet his roomies and make some more acquaintances. So, despite the rain, I went to EPCOT alone, and the booked it straight to the WSC (World Showcase). By the time I got to Germany, the rain had stopped, and I was able to enjoy a pretzel and a turkey leg while walking around the WSC (although I could have used help finishing them :) ) I miss all you guys. Somehow the park just isn't as fun when your friends and family aren't around. I think it's also just rough because I've met a lot of people, but none of them are as awesome as the friends I already have. I think Brian might be a good guy though, so we'll see if we end up hanging out at all. It just sucks that you have to meet a hundred people before you can find one decent apple in the bunch. But I guess more and more CPs will be coming in the next few weeks, so meeting people won't stop with this week. I'm still hopeful, but I'm also exhausted. Starting a new life is rough, and Fay isn't making things any easier for me. If the weather gets better, my life might too. So all I have left to say is love you guys and miss you all. Stay dry!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
First Post
First post of my new all-Disney related blog. In here you will find horror stories, funny anecdotes, and miscellaneous information about my internship with the Disney College Program. I'm leaving in three days, and I'm pretty anxious (from excitement and nerves). Since I don't know a lot about what I'm doing down there right now, the first couple of days will provide plenty to write about. All I know is I'm living with another Heather S. and working as a Role Hopper. Everything else will be revealed upon check-in and in my Traditions class (orientation, Disney style). Look for my next post, straight from Orlando!
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