Holy Cow it's Been a Month!

Lots has happened since I last wrote to all of you! I went home for a weekend  to see my sister perform and that was magical! Seeing my family was so lovely and will give me the strength to make it through this spring break rush!

One of my favorite things that's happened was I made an ice cream cone for this little boy and when I handed it to him he was like "woahhh this is epic!!" He has no idea how much of an impact that made on me to realize for some kids getting that ice cream is the best part of their day  no matter what else has happened. It's things like that that help keep the smile on my face during the day. The little princesses and the little guys are what make everyday worthwhile. Their faces of excitement in all that they have done so far remind me why I love what I have been doing here. Those kids love every little part of their trip including getting ice cream and just about everything else. They love it and make my job a lot easier to do.

My class is almost over and I'm so bummed because I have learned so much and have loved every minute of it. Last week we watched this beautiful video on what EPCOT was suppose to be, and if you would like to see that video check it out here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBNfauF6IHc  After I watched this I learned that Walt really was a visionary. He was an incredible man with incredible dreams. Everything he did, he knew exactly what he wanted and how he wanted. This class has made me have a bigger appreciation for Walt Disney himself and the company. This will forever be the greatest learning experience I have ever had.

I only have two months and 5 days left until I leave Chatham 21104 and return to Indiana. It'll be a very bittersweet leaving. I will be excited to go home to family, friends, and teddy bears. But I will miss my friends that have become my family, and Mickey heads. This place is truly amazing and I'm so happy I chose to be here and learn everything I have, and I can't wait to take back what I have learned.

Feb 10th-Feb 23rd

It's been quite some time since I've had a chance to sit down and write out a nice little post. Since my training everything has been going wonderful. I've met amazing people and have learned so much. I typically work 5 days a week at about 6-7 hours per shift. Normally I get a closing shift or a shift that is essentially closing  without having to do all of the cleaning. I've learned that Disney is very clean, and they care a lot about the presentation of what's being given to their guests. Working in food has given me such a great perspective on one of the largest parts that make up Walt Disney World. I've also learned a lot about multitasking also. Taking orders, filling orders, and everything in-between. My memory has done pretty well here so that helps a lot.

I honestly believe I am so lucky to be put in East Stands. Everyone from managers, to coordinators, to my co-workers are all very kind. I've already learned so much from each one of them. I work mostly in Fantasyland, which is cool with me because no matter where you are  you can see the fireworks. You may not actually see them, but you get to see the sky light up in those magical colors every night you work. Even though they scare me almost every night, hearing the guests go "ooooo" "aaaahhhh" reminds me why I'm so lucky to me working in such a wonderful place.

I also began my class of Disney Heritage, which is where I learn the ins and outs of the Walt Disney Company from beginning to a little after Epcot opens. I've only had two classes thus far and have already learned so much Disney knowledge, that my brain is just oh so very happy!

The most important thing of all, playing in the parks!! Being able to go to whichever park I want whatever day is amazing. I've been to Magic Kingdom a lot mainly because it's open the latest. It's just so nice to go to the park for a few hours and not feel rushed to do everything like you would on a vacation. It's one of the best perks of working here. That is all I have for now!

Training!

Training Day 1: We took a tour around our location to all of the places I will be working at over the next 4 months. We learned about each place and the types of things that are served there, where the closest restroom is and just the basics. It was fun to be able to see everything, and we even got asked a few questions by guests along the way. The first day was super simple and there was not much to it.

Training Day 2: On this day we went to Gaston's and Friar's Nook. At Gaston's we learned about the holding time for all of the foods, how to make Lefous Brew, and this was our first day on the register. It was really fun to interact with guests and hear all of the questions that they had. Gaston's is a lot of fun there multiple roles at this location, and occasionally we get visit from Gaston himself!

Next was Friar's Nook. Here they sell Gourmet Mac and Cheese, hot dogs, and other little snack things. Here we didn't work on the register, but practiced filling orders and making the different kinds of Mac and Cheese! Also here we learned how to close this location and the different steps you have to take in order to pass your walk. A walk is after you have finished cleaning everything you call for a manager and they come and make sure everything is clean and ready for the next day.

The best part of training trying food!! At Gaston's we tried Lefous Brew, Pork Shank, Chocolate Croissant, and Cinnamon Roll! So yummy! At Friar's we tried the different Mac and Cheeses. Bacon Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese, Bleu Cheese with Balsamic Vinegar, and Mac and Cheese with breadcrumbs on top. They were all very interesting.

Training Day 3: Cheshire Cafe this place is super simple. Its just drinks and muffins. There's this cakes in a cup that are Mad Hatter, and the Cat. But they are pre made so no cooking!

Storybook Treats: Here we make specialty sundaes, regular sundaes, cones, and cups. I will be working on my swirl over the next couple of days, but it's been pretty good. The hardest part here is making the perfect swirl.

We got to try a specialty sundae and I had a raspberry lemonade slushy from Cheshire!

Training Day 4: Today we spent the whole day at Auntie Gravities. Here there smoothies and ice cream and floats, such things like that. It's super fun to work at. You either are on reg or fill the orders instead of doing both. It's a lot of fun, and I'm really excited to work here more! I chose not to try anything here just because I wasn't in the mood.

Training Day 5: We were at Launching Pad all day. Here we have a Philly Dog, Coney Dog, Chili Dog, Chili Cheese Dog, Cheese Dog, Regular Dog, Sweet Cream Cheese Pretzel, Mickey Pretzel, and different types of slushies. This place seems fun. You walk away smelling like hot dogs at the end of the day, but it's relatively simple tasks to achieve. I tried the Coney Dog, Sweet Cream Cheese Pretzel, and a Mickey Pretzel. All very very delicious!!

Training Day 6: Review everything and take an assessment. Which I passed and have now earned my ears yay!!!

My first day on my own is tomorrow! I'm nervous, but I know I have an amazing team behind me.

Jan 30-Feb 1st

These last three days have literally been so crazy! On the 30th, I went through traditions which is the general program orientation. You learn about what Disney expects of their Cast Members, and it's your first official day as a Cast Member. There are fun things that you get to do during this time, such as get your name tag, and go into the Magic Kingdom for a little bit. This ran about four hours and the girls did a really good job at making it fun to learn. This was day 1 of getting up early for me, and if you know me I'm no where near a morning person, so it's been quite the struggle!!

On the 31st, I did my first day of training. This was just a class to grasp the basic concept of what the Food and Beverage area is at the Walt Disney World Resort. This was also four hours and even more of a struggle for me to keep up with than traditions. At the end of this day however, I was given my free shoes for work! Since Food and Beverage need a specific type of shoe they provide them too you! This day was just a very general training day, and nothing too exciting. I did however learn a few new things about the Food and Beverage area that I didn't know before!

On the 1st, I had my theme park orientation! I got to take a tour of the Magic Kingdom, and I learned some things that I never knew before and it was just amazing! I really learned that I will be working at the most magical place in the resort, because when people think of Disney World, they think of Magic Kingdom. I believe that everyday will be so rewarding, even though I'm just in Food Service. Kids look forward to their Ice Cream. I officially found out my location today. I will be working in Breaker&StoryBook Circus, New Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland!

This includes places like, Friar's Nook, Storybook Treats, Cheshire Cafe, Gaston's Tavern, Lunching Pad, Auntie Gravity's Galectic Goodies, Cool Ship, and Space Dog. I'm really excited about the fact that I will get to change locations and not be in the same spot every day! I'm SUPER pumped about Gaston's Tavern! Oh my goodness!

I start my training tomorrow, and officially have an "earning my ears" thing hanging from my name tag! I will be finished with training on February 9th! I'm so excited to start training and do something I've never done before!!! I hope you continue to follow along with me and read about my journey!

Chatham 21104!

I am living in Chatham in a 4 bedroom apartment with 7 other girls!

Outside!

Our little desk area with Mr. Cage as Tiana

Our Kitchen!

My cork board

Mine and my roommate's sink

Our Closet

Our Bedroom

The Living Room/Dinning Room

Our Back Porch

Dinning Room

Our Bathroom

Half Bath

Our 2nd Fridge

This is all this post was for to show you pictures of my apartment! It's pretty nice, the only downside is the green carpet, and being on the first floor. My roommates are really awesome too! 

That's it for now!!

Check In!

On the 27th, very bright and early, my mother and I drove to meet one of my hopeful roommates and go through the check in process. We arrived at Vista Way at about 7:45am. We jumped in line and the first station we went to was to find out what our role would be! I will be working in Magic Kingdom QSR- Stands East. I'm very excited because whenever I found out that I would be working Quick-Service Food and Beverage, that is the job I wanted. After I found out where I was working, I found out where I would be living. I will be living in a 4 bedroom in Chatham! The next station was to get my picture taken for my housing ID, then I received my key, and then I got my ID. Shortly after this we were directed to another line, in this line we were given a sheet to know when we would have traditions, casting, and our housing meeting. After this we went to a little round table and talk with someone to make sure we knew how to read the paper and where to go. After that it was time to wait for Casting!

For Casting you hop on a special bus and it brings you to this wonderful building.

Inside of the building were these beautiful statues!!

Then I waited in a line, and after I found out my work schedule for Friday and Saturday. Then after that it felt like line after line after line. They put us in the system, told us they would be running background checks, took fingerprints, and other things like this. After I finished casting I had the rest of the day to move in and shop for things! My whole check in took from about 8am to about 11:30am.

Stay tuned for more about my apartment, traditions, and more!

How did I get here?!?!

For years and years it has been my dream to be apart of this program. I've always loved Disney with every bone in my body, and now I have the chance to make magic and see magic every day for 4 months. IFor this post I'm just going to take you through the order of emails I received and how my interview process went.

I first saw that they were FINALLY accepting applications on facebook on September 5th, but got the email a little late, and it looked like this.

Now if you would like to receive these updates if you're looking to do a professional internship, or the college program go here https://disneyprogramsblog.com You can sign up for emails, and it gives great information.

Application:

The application is very basic, you just fill out your information, if you want Disney World or Disneyland, and your roll interests. If you absolutely do not want to do a job mark no interest. If you put little interest they could still mark you for that job depending on what you say in your phone interview. You also indicate which term you would like to participate in. You also mark job history(include your volunteer work too!). They also ask where you are go to school and your major. The application is just to give them the very basics of you. After you have filled out your application you get this email.

It took me about an hour to get this email. Everyone will get this email, however not everyone will get the next email which is the Web-Based Interview and looks like this.

The Web-Based Interview is basically a personality test. It asks what would you do in this situation and that situation. What people think of you, and such things like that. As you can see I got this email about 2 hours after sending in my application. Not everyone was this lucky. As I type this on October 23rd, there are still people waiting for their WBI who applied the same day as me. Not everyone gets this email, and not everyone gets it the same day they apply, I was just lucky. However, once you finish the WBI it tells you right away whether or not you made it to the phone interview or if you are no longer in consideration(NLIC).

The next email is to schedule your interview:

Phone Interview:

This part of the process is the most nerve racking and stressful part. Tip #1 Smile!! Tip# 2 Be sure to write down your interviewers name. I had totally meant to do that, but I was so excited that I totally spaced and didn't even hear her name. They ask you questions to double check what you wrote on your application. They tell you again that even if you marked little interest it is still possible you could get placed there. I put that I had interest basically everywhere except lifeguard and recreation. However, my top three were Character Attendant, Attractions, and Merchandise. She asked questions such as you are okay with standing for a long time, do you like inside/outside, have you handled large amounts of cash, and do you like groups/individual work. These questions can end up putting you in a role you may not expect.

The interview lasts about 30 minutes, and they tell you to be ready anywhere from 15 minutes before your scheduled time to 15 minutes after your scheduled time, and it comes from a blocked number. My interview lasted 22 minutes, and she was 7 minutes late calling.

After your phone interview you receive this email:

In this email, it states that in 2-3 weeks you will hear something. These options are pended, NLIC, or accepted! This is literally the longest wait of your life. I could barely focus on anything especially whenever the acceptances started to come out. I was reaching my 3 week mark whenever this dreaded email came in...

I had been pended. This just means that they need to look further at your application.

A month and one day had passed since my interview, and I received this email:

HOLY  COW I DID IT!!!!!! My first reaction was excitement I was shaking as I clicked the link to see my offer letter. Then the sadness hit, I was offered Quick Service-Food and Beverage. It's not that I wasn't excited for being accepted I was sad because I didn't get the role I really wanted. I spent the next three days crying my eyes out because I realized that I would actually have to leave my family, my boyfriend and everyone. I've never gone that long without someone who is really close to me. After having a heart to heart with one of the best managers ever I decided to accept my role!

I payed my fees, and picked my dates!! I am now officially going to be a cast member and work at Walt Disney World, I cannot believe this at all! My dream is actually going to come true! I'm very sadden to leave my boyfriend, my work friends, my family, and all my friends but I'm so excited for this journey!!