One month down, 3 more to go.

Hi guys! I'm so sorry that I haven't updated in so long...but I've been so busy since I got here! I don't even know where to start about the last month. I guess the point of this blog is to give you some tips on how to do things once you're down here.


Tip #1: Unless you just love being stuck in crowds, Wishes is every bit as good from the Polynesian...where you can watch it while lying on the beach. Spent the day at MK? Try watching it from the TTC instead.


Tip #2: If you want to ride Toy Story Midway Mania, either make friends with one of the people who work there, or get to DHS super early...they run out of fast passes at like 10 am everyday.


Tip #3: You can get a new nametag with you hometown on it instead of your college so that people don't know that you're a CP...and if you trade in your CP nametag...then it is free! Otherwise it is $5. You can do this at costuming.


Tip #4: On nights when Magic Kingdom closes early, everyone will be at EPCOT. On nights when DHS has Fantasmic, DHS will be super packed. Anytime that there is extra magic hours for later than normal closing time at any park, the park that has the EMH will be the most crowded one that day. My advice is to avoid all of these days altogether.


Tip #5: Before you buy ANYTHING merchandise wise, check and make sure that it is not being sold at Cast Connection, Company D, or Property Control first.


Ok guys, I have worked open to close every night for the last week, and I just got off of work for today. However, I am off tomorrow and the next day...and will try to either update this more or do a vlog. No promises though!

All Checked In!

Hi guys! Ok, so yesterday I checked in to the Disney College Program. WOW, that was absolutely exhausting...and also surprisingly efficient. My roommates and I all met up at the Sunspree lobby at 6:45. We then drove over to Vista and got in line around 7:15. They started letting people in around 8, which was nice because it was already starting to get hot and they weren't supposed to let us in until 9. We went through and got a nametag and our program guides at the first station. At the second station we were given some documents to fill out. If I remember right, the third station was where we got our housing assignment. Sadly, since Ariana is doing the Culinary program instead of the College Program...she was not able to room with us. That left us one roommate short for a 2 br...and when that happens they make you choose between a 1 or a 3. We went ahead and chose a 3 since it is cheaper anyway. Then Mandi went and picked our our apartment complex. Sadly, they did not have anymore available in Chatham...so we had to go to Patterson instead. I'm actually glad about this...because a 3 br in Patterson is actually cheaper than an 2 br in Chatham would have been. After that they take your housing ID picture. Mine turned out AWFUL, but they say everyones does. Then you go to register your car. After that, you are given a time for casting and you housing meeting.


Casting, honestly, is just a big blur to me. It went by so quickly...and it felt like we were doing the same thing at every stop. However, I'll try to recall it...
First you are put into a line in the hallway, and you have to show them that you have done your on-boarding paperwork. Then you are told where you will be working. I'm at the 50s Primetime Cafe in DHS. Then you go in and fill out massive amounts of paperwork, and sign massive amounts of contracts. Then you go to a station where they give you your paycard. Then they fingerprint you to make sure that you check out alright. Then you are taken to a room where they give you flyers about the classes that Disney offers. Then you go and find out when you'll be having Traditions and also you will get your schedule for your first two days of training. Then they take your picture that says welcome to the CP...and you're off to go check out your apartment.


My apartment is REALLY nice. As I stated before, I'm in a Patterson 3 bedroom. The only problem that I have with it so far is that there are 5 shelves in the pantry and 6 people living here. Still don't know how that's gonna work out yet. Since we had to get a 3 br instead of a 2...we now had 3 random roomies that we didn't know. Thankfully, they are all super awesome, and I really like them a lot. So then last night after we got all settled in and everything, we were bored. So Mandi, Kristyne, Brandi, and I went to the Polynesian and got dole whips and watched the fireworks. This was my first time to ever see Wishes...and let me tell you...they were nothing short of AMAZING, ASTONISHING, and WONDERFUL! After that we decided to get on the monorail and ride it around once just to do it. THAT was interesting lol. 




So that was pretty much check-in in a nutshell :).


Here is my post check in vlog...oh yeah but most of it is HP world!!

I'm HERE!!!!!!

Ok, so I got in last night around 8 pm. After checking in to the Sunspree, my family and I went to DTD...however we didn't stay long because it was Friday night and they were CRAZY packed! We made reservations at Planet Hollywood, but we wouldn't have been able to get a table until 10:45...so we left and ate at Wendy's instead haha.


Today we are going to MK, tomorrow Harry Potter, and then on Monday I check in! I think while I'm checking in my family is going to DHS or DAK.


My mom's not too happy about the CP...she says Orlando looks too dangerous. I think that she will feel much better after I've checked in and she sees my apartment and how much security there really is. I've been trying to find Vista...but no luck yet. I'm guessing that it's behind Wendy's where all of those tall trees are...but I'm not 100% sure. Luckily, my roommate Mandi has already done the program once so she will know where it is and where to go and whatnot.

This is a pic of what a hot mess my car is...I have no clue how I'm gonna get all that stuff back home!

So it took me about 12 hours overall to get here. We ended up leaving Thursday night around 8:30 and drove about 3 1/2 hours to Prattville, AL. Then we woke up Friday morning and drove the rest of the way. 

Here is my Traveling Vlog

Ok, well I guess that's it for now...I might update again later when I get back from MK!

New Vlog and Leaving in 2 days

Okay, so first and foremost: I have a new vlog up...click here to view.

Well, I leave in two days. Had a "family meeting" last night to discuss travel plans. As of right now we are arriving Friday, going to Islands of Adventure (HOGWARTS!) on Saturday. Going to MK on Sunday, with pre-arrival dinner Sunday night at 8 pm. And then Monday while I'm checking in my family is going to DAK since they're only open until 5pm that day anyway. These plans will most likely change...but this is it as of now. I'm so excited/nervous about everything. I just so hope that everything goes well and that I can finish this and say with pride that I survived the Disney College Program!


My car is (mostly) packed up...and everything fits (but just barely)! The only things that I have yet to do is even look at which travel route we are taking (I probably rely WAYYY to much on my GPS), and ask my dad exactly how much money he is putting into my checking account. I have about $200 from my yard sales and whatnot, but I'm pretty sure that it's not nearly enough. I hate asking my dad for money...it's the #1 worry in his life and asking him for even $20 stresses him out majorly. Add to that the fact that I need like $800, and that he is going to have to spend that much JUST for them to get into the Disney Parks for the 2 days we're there...and we are talking about a majorly stressed pops. Ughhh...


My suggestion to any future CPs? GET A JOB! Even if it's just a summer job...to raise a little bit of money for yourself on your CP. I tried to get one...but I made the mistake of waiting until after my birthday (June 29) because you have to be 19 to work anywhere that serves alcohol or cigarettes in Alabama. By that time nobody would hire me because it was too close to my leaving time. So my advice? Apply about mid-May for a summer job...and save at least $300 of your own for your CP. It's really gonna help a whole lot.


Also, I've been trying to practice sleeping in a twin bed by sleeping in my little brother's instead of my own. I know this sounds a little obsessive...but (a) he never sleeps in his own bed anyway and (b) I really don't want to fall off when I get there lol. It seems to be working out alright for me, but we will see :).


OK, I guess that's all for now. I'm going to pack some more of my car up before it starts t-storming again.


Have a magical day, as I know that in 2 days all of mine will be<3

For the record...

And as I have been telling you guys all along...

 

It is indeed hotter in Alabama than it is in Florida (and yes, the humidity is worse here too!). PS--I took these last night, which is why it only says 80-ish degrees. 

Today is my going away party. I will post pics of that later tonight or maybe tomorrow. Also, look for a new vlog VERY soon. It will be a random jumble of my (surprisingly busy) past week.

ALSO:

I have recently learned that the whole packing process is a HOT MESS! I have no clue how I'm going to be able to fit all of this into my tiny car, but I am determined and will find a way!

Sorry.....

Hey yall! Sorry I haven't posted in so long...but there's really been nothing to talk about! A lot of the Fall 2010 CPs have checked in, gone through Traditions, and have started training already...and I'm still just waiting at home. I am so bi-polar on how I feel about that right now. I mean, sometimes when I'm reading about how much fun other CPs are having...and how I could be there RIGHT NOW having fun right along with them...it really gets to me. But then on the other hand, I'm starting to really realize how much I'm going to miss my family and my boyfriend and my friends...and I'm glad I've gotten to spend a little bit more time with them. 

So--basically I've just been doing some rearranging on my packing...and starting to pack up some of my clothes, which is a whole lot harder than I thought it would be. I've always been the type to overpack...I like to keep my options open with my clothes. I generally pack 8 days worth of clothes for a 3 day trip...so naturally I want to take everything in my closet. However, I don't have the room in my tiny car to do that. So pretty much I've decided that I'm taking 2 northface jackets, and like 3 hoodies for my winter clothes (which is probably all that I'll need anyway). I'm taking 6 pairs of blue jeans. I'm taking my Disney Look outfits, and the rest will be summer-ish attire...which I'm pretty sure will be plenty. However, if it's not plenty...then I can always buy more when I'm there.

My going away party is tomorrow...and I am waiting on that to get more footage for my vlog...then I will do my last vlog until Disney.

I leave in 6 days. I check in in 19.

I'm slightly freaking out.

Things to do/Things I've gotten done

15 days until I leave! I'm so excited! Although, it seems like since I hit August...the days go by slower and slower. Anyway...I have been productive lately...and have gotten A LOT of things off of my old things to do before Disney list done. So here is what I've gotten done and what I still have to do :)




THINGS I'VE GOTTEN DONE:
-Cleaned out car
-Got oil changed
-Got tires rotated
-Washed and waxed car
-Got front bumper fixed
-Got paperwork from insurance company about car
-Got paperwork from insurance company about renter's insurance
-Filled out on-boarding paperwork
-Got most of my shopping done
-Got jeans, winter clothes, random stuff, and bedding packed.
-Had a yard sale and got rid of a whole bunch of junk in my room (to make what I actually need to take with me stand out a bit more)
-Booked hotel room for Holiday Inn Sunspree
-Found housemates!
-Found Disney Look outfits




THINGS I STILL NEED TO DO:
-Talk to housemates and figure out who is bringing what.
-Buy a few more things for my apartment
-Pack the rest of my clothes
-Sort clothes into what I'll need before I move into my apartment and what can wait until after I move in.
-Talk to housemates and try to set up a meeting for the night before check-in to discuss the day of check-in
-Get a copy of my birth certificate










So there you have it! Wow, I have a lot more done than I thought I did lol. Well, 15 long and painful days left and then I will be in DISNEYYY<3




Also, good luck to all of those who check in before me! Y'all be safe on the roads and HAVE FUN for me while you're there without me! Be sure to take LOTS of pictures so that I can live vicariously through you until I get there haha.