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

Doses of Disney

     As I obsessively count down the days until move in day,  I've had some serious Disney on the brain.  From as watching TV specials to Disney performances and making plans, I've got a little bit of Disney in my every day. 

     Recently, I was able to attend Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream.  It was so beautiful and well done, and of course it was great to spend time with some family! (click images to enlarge)

 

     
     The show consisted of pieces from Cinderella, Princess and the Frog, and Tangled.  They were able to shorten the story lines and cohesively fit in all the music.  The show was so good, and it was really enjoyable to all ages (okay and maybe I teared up a little bit...).  The dancing, skating, singing, and smiles truly made for a special afternoon!

 

 

 

     Another way I've been adding a little Walt to my wait, is a DCP countdown.  One of my roommates, Brittany made a file to color in a little Mickey each day, until our arrival date.  It's pretty cute, and let's face it, nobody really ever outgrows coloring.  I've also got an app on my phone, that reminds me with a handy little bubble, how many days until I begin living and working at "The Most Magical Place on Earth".  When opened, it's got a friendly picture smiling back at me!

 

   
     My brothers decided that, because my arrival date falls in between the end of summer and beginning of fall semesters, they would come up to Orlando with me and my parents to help with move-in, and to see me off.  I'm pretty excited that they decided they'd join us!  I still have to decide whether or not to book an extra hotel room, but I jumped on the opportunity to make us a dinner reservation at a super fun spot...

   

   The Whispering Canyon Cafe, located in Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort.  Known for it's...colorful...staff, and big portions of tasty, down-home food.  Dinner is served in a HUGE skillet for the table with all sorts of meats and sides, and with seconds (more?) if you want them! Not to mention "all-you-care-to-enjoy" milkshakes served in mason jars!  Couldn't be any more perfect for my bottomless-pit-brothers! There's also a few tricks this restaurant has up it's sleeves, and I can't wait to pull them out on my family!  

     After dinner, I will probably head to a DCP meetup that has been organized within the Facebook groups.  Right now, there is a vote going on for what activity/dinner the group wants to do.  I personally think that seeing Wishes from the beach at The Polynesian, or Chip and Dale's Campfire are the two best options, because it leaves a lot of time for interaction, and nobody has to miss out because they can't afford it. 

     This Disney site has been floating around the internet for a few weeks now...

 

Free the Disney Goat

      It's definitely one of the strangest marketing ploys I've seen, but who am I to deny this goat the magic of Disney?  I'm curious to see how they keep up with this one, and what they do if they reach whatever goal audience they were looking for. 

     As the days until check-in slowly roll by, I chat with my roommates all the time, and daydream and plan what the next 4-12 months in Orlando have in store for me. 

124 days until my next big adventure!

xoxo