Checking in. Settling in.

It's hard to believe this is actually happening.

     Sunday, around 10am, my family began helping me to load up all my things.  Despite some initial doubts, we fit it all in the two cars, and by 10:30, we were Orlando-bound.  After a stop for lunch, we arrived at Downtown Disney around 3pm, ready to stroll around.  Unfortunately, it was SO HOT, that it wasn't really a successful outing.  We checked into our hotel, caught our breath, and got ready for dinner. 

      For dinner, we had reservations at The Whispering Canyon Cafe, in The Wilderness Lodge.  After struggling to find it, we arrived 20 minutes late for our reservation.  However, we were still seated pretty quickly, with a waitress who's voice was so loud and squeaky!  You had to hope when she came by, she wouldn't be near yiour ear! 
     The food is "all you care to enjoy", and was delicious.  My personal favorite, was the White Chocolate Salted Caramel Cheesecake, it was super yummy!  I'd prefer not to spoil the experience and the gimmicks for anybody else, but I will say that's a loud, fun, upbeat restaurant, and I'd really recommend it.  It was a nice spot for our last family dinner for a while.  (Also, the hotel that it's located in is awesome!)

     After dinner, I went back to the hotel, to pick up Alyssa, Brittany, and Brittany's friend Brandy (who, with her dad, drove her down to Florida).  We tried to make it to The Polynesian, where a lot of DCP participants were planning to meet up to watch Wishes from the hotel's beach.  We could see bits and pieces of it while en route, but we ultimately were too late and missed the show.  We settled for some resort hopping along the monorail line.
     We explored The Polynesian, The Grand Floridian, and The Contemporary.  The Contemporary was surprisingly plain (except for housing Chef Mickey and The Wave), but the other two are themed so beautifully!  Even though it wasn't our original plan, we had a lot of fun just wandering around property.

 

We also snagged this Mickey balloon from the monorail, which was pretty sweet!

     Check in day arrived in the blink of an eye.  I woke up at the crack of dawn, and walked across the street from our hotel to Vista Way Apartments with Brittany and Alyssa,  to meet up with my roommate Brooke (Kim Possible!)  It was so wonderful to finally meet her after months of chatting, and for all four of us to be together!

From Left to Right: Brooke, me, Brittany, Alyssa

     We were early enough that we were close to the front of the line.  We were given our apartment assignment, and we were so pumped to confirm that we'd been placed together, in our first choice, a 2 bedroom in Patterson Court. 

     We were then given our location assignments.  This was something everybody has been super anxious about, as we've known our roles, but not where we'd be working.  When I was given my role, and my coordinator said "Old Key West, concierge".  I was unsure.  I'd heard of it, but wasn't very familiar.  Once I looked more into it, I was ecstatic.  It's a 4 star luxury resort, that looks just like Key West.  Old Key West Resort is so beautiful, and I am so excited to start on Saturday!  Brooke will be a photopass photographer in Magic Kingdom, Alyssa will be a photopass photographer in Hollywood Studios, and Brittany will be working merchandise in World of Disney, in Downtown Disney. 

     After check-in, we hopped on a bus to Casting.  Casting is where we were fingerprinted, and filled out some basic new hiring forms.  It's a pretty cute building though!

     Once I was checked in, I hopped on a bus, and headed back to Vista Way, where I walked back to the hotel to meet my family.  I rallied the troops, and we were off with all my things to begin moving in.
     Walking into our apartment for the first time with Brittany was so exciting.  It really is a pretty sweet place.  Unpacking was a looming, daunting task, but there was really a place for everything, and at least in my case, I found I had room to spare.  Probably a good thing considering I've got a Disney discount coming!
     The first picture is coming in through the front door.  The door with the "2" above it, is Brittany and Alyssa's bedroom and bathroom.  Immisitely to the right of the front door is a door to Brooke and my bathroom, which has an adjoining door into our bedroom.  There is also another door to our bedroom from the living room. 

     Once we were all back from casting, and unpacked, goodbyes were said.  Saying goodbye to my family, even just for this short while, was the hardest thing I've ever done.  I get sad just thinking about it now.  I miss my parents already.
     Later that evening, it was just the four of us roommates.  We originally had big plans to attempt the kitchen sink.  (I personally think we need more than four people, don't you?).  However, as it got later, everybody was clearly tuckered out, so we decided to postpone it for later.  We hung out, made some quick and easy dinners, and just caught our breath from the whirlwind of a day.
     I'm up before everybody else this morning (surprise!), and will probably start making some mickey waffles soon.  My Housing Meeting is at 11:00 today, and the girls' is at 1:00.  Afterwards we will probably head to Universal Studios and get some rides in, with our annual passes, before we all get so busy.  Day one was crazy, but I'm excited to see what day 2 has in store for me!

Officially a Disney resident!

xoxo

"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things..."

"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney

     Yesterday, I finally began the arduous process of packing.  I dread packing for a vacation, so packing for 4+ months is very overwhelming.  I've boxed up bedding, kitchen supplies, board games, electronic gizmos, storage, cleaning supplies, and some odds and ends to fill up spaces.  To put it simply, I did the easy stuff first, and haven't even touched my bedroom.  Optimistically, I'd like to say I'll be done by tomorrow.  Realistically however, know that Sunday morning is probably when it'll be finished.  

     My car insurance is squared away.  All the New Hire paperwork has been completed.  My roommates and I have completed our Housing Pre-Registration DORMS.  A Traditions outfit has been purchased.  I've registered for two Disney University courses, Exploring Disney Heritage and Exploring Guest Services.  Hotels for the night before have been booked.  Reservations for one last family dinner have been made.  Forms have been printed, and identification has been gathered.  I'm ready. 

Well, besides this whole packing-business...

    It's hard to believe that in under a week, I'll be writing a new chapter.   While I expect to miss my home, my family, and my friends (okay, and my cat!), I can't wait to surround myself with everything new.  I am so lucky to be given such an opportunity for adventure, and I intend to appreciate every second of it.  (Please remind me of this when I complain about a long work week!)
    My bedroom-roommate, Brooke, is already in Orlando.  She drove early, and has been playing the parks with her Mom, until her Dad and brother join her tomorrow.   I've loved getting all her fun park pictures-texts, and can't wait to join her!  Apartment-roommate Alyssa began her drive down with her parents yesterday, and will head to Orlando in a few days.  Brittany, my other apartment-mate, will be driving down in a moving truck with her boyfriend later this week.  I can't wait to see them!

See ya real soon!

xoxo

A Roommate and a Minion

     Early, early yesterday morning, I crawled out of bed, and into my car, to head up to Orlando.   One of my roommates, Alyssa, has been vacationing there with her parents for the week to celebrate her 21st birthday, and I was invited to join them!   The almost-four hour car ride had me pretty antsy, so once I was parked, I was full steam ahead into Islands of Adventure to meet up with them! I came up just in time to get our photo snapped with the Dr. Seuss characters, which was perfect timing!

(Click photos to enlarge)

     The first big ride we went on, was The Hulk.  It's been quite a while since I'd been on a roller coaster, I'd forgotten what a rush they are!  From then on out, we were riding rides and meeting superheroes (and villains!) all day. 

     My favorite of course was Captain America, and from the looks of it, Alyssa's was Green Goblin...well, she was definitely his favorite anyway!

     
      Late in the afternoon, the lines at IoA were getting very, very long, so we made our way over to Universal Studios.  We hit every ride there, including my much-anticipated Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem!  I have been waiting to ride since it opened, and it was as good as I had hoped!  We even got to dance with a little minion after the ride!  Talk about making this girl's day!

       I didn't get to go on The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman since Alyssa and her family had already been on it twice by the time I got there, and unfortunately, we all missed The Forbidden Journey in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  The line was long, we were tired, and Alyssa isn't crazy about it.  She did pinky promise she will face her fear though!  Our first day after check-in, we are heading straight for the ride and grabbing a delicious Butterbeer as a reward! 

     After a quick dinner at Steak 'n' Shake, a little birthday gift, and a round of quick showers, it was definitely time for bed.  I was worn out after only one day in the park, and they were on day five of non-stop parks!  Talk about stamina!
     In the morning, it was officially Alyssa's birthday.  She headed to Magic Kingdom, and I drove over to Downtown Disney to kill some time before my drive home.   There's so many stores there!  I bought quite a bit of goodies, and had to keep reminding myself that I'll have a pretty sweet discount in 3 months, to keep from buying way more. That discount is going to be the death of my DCP paycheck!

There were lots of topiaries for the Flower & Garden Festival

     To beat the lunch crowd, I decided to grab a bite at Earl of Sandwich early.  Those little sandwiches are so tasty, and nowhere in Miami!  (Not to mention I get to snack on the leftovers as I write this!)  I then made a quick stop in Goofy's Candy Company to pick up some yummy treats to bring home.  Although I waited to do the "Make Your Own Treat" until I'm there with my roommates, I did snag a treat for myself.  Who could pass up chocolate dipped marshmallows on a Mickey straw? Not this gal!
     While walking around the Marketplace, I saw a group of 20-somethings in business attire, being led around by a cast member, explaining various things about Disney.  I was trying to listen in without having to follow too closely, when I realized what was happening.  They had to be part of the first wave of Disney College Program participants that had moved in yesterday!  This must be part of their orientation (known in Disney as "Traditions")!  It really hit me that in 3 short months, I will be back, and going through my own orientation into the Disney company!  I can't wait to start hearing all the check-in stories from the DCP friends I've met online!
     By the time I got home this afternoon, I was exhausted.  I have now spent more than 14 hours in the car over the past 5 days.  It felt so good to curl up and snooze in my own bed again!

Moving to The Mouse's House in 90 days!

xoxo