And you have to admit, this is like twice in one month. That's good for me :P.
So yesterday was my 3 month anniversary of working for Disney. It's hard to believe that I've been here that long, and it's even harder to believe that I only have 40 some odd days left. I feel like there is SO MUCH that I wanted to do, and I never accomplished it. I feel like I wasted so much of my short time here on petty things like sleep and laundry. I feel like I don't have enough time left to really finish my Disney to-do list. I feel like I should have applied for an extension...
So why didn't I?
Well, everyone says that when you come here and do a CP, you either love it or you hate it...that there is no in between. Well, I found this to be untrue. I feel that over all my CP was in between. There are moments when I love it, and there are also moments when I don't want to do it anymore. I guess I ended up letting my mixed feelings get the best of me, and didn't even try to apply for an extension.
However, I will say this. I could see myself getting into this pattern and living this lifestyle for the rest of my life...and being perfectly okay with it. The cast member lifestyle is pretty much the only one that I've ever 100% felt like I fit in to. It's very repetitive, day-in and day-out. Get up, go to work, come home, spend time with roommates, sleep. Repeat the next day. On my off days, get up, go play in a park, come home. But I like that. I like being a cast member. I really could see Disney as my lifetime job. But I don't like being a CP, and I'm scared to try and just jump in and go full time.
So I guess the plan for now looks something like this: I'm going to try to apply for seasonal. I'm going to go home in January as planned. I'm going to go back to school, and I'm going to actually try this time. I'm going to re-apply for the CP after I turn 21. I'm going to actually go to the character auditions...and I'm going to come back. From there, I'm going to decide if this is what I want for my life...and if it is I'm moving here for good and going full time. At this point, the dream job would be Vacation Planner or Guest Relations tour guide. I feel like I'd be good at either one of those two jobs. Annndd, if not...then I will have Disney in my memories and amazing stories to tell my children and then their children.
I guess that's all for now
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Oh heyyyy long forgotten blog...how are ya?!
Oops. Sorry y'all. The life of a CP is a busy one...and a repetitive one. I really haven't had much to talk about. It's pretty much same thing different day. Get up, go to work, come home. On off days, play in parks. There really isn't much more to it. Butttt, lets see what I can pull out for you guys.
The Halloween parties are completely over now. I went to the Poly and watched the last Hallowishes with my roommate Mandi...and yes...I cried. Halloween is my favorite holiday, and it kind of hit me that it was probably the last time I'd ever see Hallowishes...at least for 10 years or more. It also put into perspective that my CP is already half way over. I think we have something like 9 or 10 weeks left here, and I feel like I've wasted the majority of it. I still have barley tried to hang out with anyone besides my roommates. I have only been to WWoHP once and that was before I even checked in for my CP. I still haven't done a whole bunch of the things that I was planning to do. Sooo, my goal for the rest of my program is to GET ON THAT!
All of the Christmas decorations have been put up finally, and my lord they are gorgeous! That is truly Disney magic at it's finest. The Christmas parties began last night, I believe...and I desperately need to get my ticket to that. We only get discounts for the November parties, so I'll probably be going at the end of this month at some point. Allegedly, we are going to be absolutely miserably dead for the first two weeks of December, and then so busy that we're running around like chickens with our heads cut off for pretty much the rest of our program. I think I'm okay with this, though, as I'd rather be busy then dead.
Working at "Mom's House" is (for the most part) entertaining. The only bad thing is that we only have a total of 78 tables, and on busy nights we can get up to an hour behind reservation times...and then we get yelled at. But, it's not our fault. We can't control when people get up from the tables, and that's pretty much completely what it depends on. I've been yelled at in several different languages now...it's quite interesting. Butttt, on good days...it's nice to see the servers do their little skits. They are completely improv, and I absolutely love watching them work. The idea of "magical moments" in our restaurant is a bit different from the normal idea. At prime time, a magical moment could consist of naughty children having to take the dishes to the kitchen, or of someone having to put their nose in the corner for leaving their elbows on the table. I love watching youtube, and being able to see things that I was there for on the internet. It's really a whole lot of fun.
I guess that's it for now. I'm actually sitting in my costume as I type, about to get ready for work. If anyone actually does still read this...feel free to comment with questions or just to say hi...
The Halloween parties are completely over now. I went to the Poly and watched the last Hallowishes with my roommate Mandi...and yes...I cried. Halloween is my favorite holiday, and it kind of hit me that it was probably the last time I'd ever see Hallowishes...at least for 10 years or more. It also put into perspective that my CP is already half way over. I think we have something like 9 or 10 weeks left here, and I feel like I've wasted the majority of it. I still have barley tried to hang out with anyone besides my roommates. I have only been to WWoHP once and that was before I even checked in for my CP. I still haven't done a whole bunch of the things that I was planning to do. Sooo, my goal for the rest of my program is to GET ON THAT!
All of the Christmas decorations have been put up finally, and my lord they are gorgeous! That is truly Disney magic at it's finest. The Christmas parties began last night, I believe...and I desperately need to get my ticket to that. We only get discounts for the November parties, so I'll probably be going at the end of this month at some point. Allegedly, we are going to be absolutely miserably dead for the first two weeks of December, and then so busy that we're running around like chickens with our heads cut off for pretty much the rest of our program. I think I'm okay with this, though, as I'd rather be busy then dead.
Working at "Mom's House" is (for the most part) entertaining. The only bad thing is that we only have a total of 78 tables, and on busy nights we can get up to an hour behind reservation times...and then we get yelled at. But, it's not our fault. We can't control when people get up from the tables, and that's pretty much completely what it depends on. I've been yelled at in several different languages now...it's quite interesting. Butttt, on good days...it's nice to see the servers do their little skits. They are completely improv, and I absolutely love watching them work. The idea of "magical moments" in our restaurant is a bit different from the normal idea. At prime time, a magical moment could consist of naughty children having to take the dishes to the kitchen, or of someone having to put their nose in the corner for leaving their elbows on the table. I love watching youtube, and being able to see things that I was there for on the internet. It's really a whole lot of fun.
I guess that's it for now. I'm actually sitting in my costume as I type, about to get ready for work. If anyone actually does still read this...feel free to comment with questions or just to say hi...
Monday, September 20, 2010
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!
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!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
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!!
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!!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
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.
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.
Ok, well I guess that's it for now...I might update again later when I get back from MK!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
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
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
Sunday, August 15, 2010
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
