Health, History, and Horses

     For the past three out of four days, I've been doing my training at the other resort I will be working at, Saratoga Springs.  It's themed pretty differently than Old Key West (my home resort), and the style behind it is "Health, History, and Horses".  It's not my favorite, but it's hard to compete with OKW!

      I've had a couple different trainers, and they've all had very different styles, so I'm working really hard to find my own blend of what to do.  It's also easy, when working two resorts, to get them confused when guests ask for information or directions.  Not to mention, that the uniform for Saratoga is UGLY!

 But, I AM in Disney, so even this ugly costume can't bring me down!

     On Wednesday, Alyssa, Brooke and I headed to another housing party, the Monstrous Summer Welcome Event, which was themed to Disney's Monster's University.  We snagged some free pizza, and got to meet Sulley in his M.U. wear!

     Tonight, I'll be heading to Beaches and Cream at Disney's Beach Club Resort, to make an attempt at the famous Kitchen Sink Sundae.  We've got 5 people (including myself), so I really don't know that it's doable, but we'll see!  It'll be nice to cross something off my bucket list, and go have some fun to celebrate being done with my training!  That's right, I've officially "earned my ears"!    Not more safety net, and no more trainers hovering nearby!  It's pretty wild, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous!

Movin' on up!

xoxo

"...it was all started by a mouse."

"I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse." - Walt Disney

     Today was a very big day on my Disney College Program journey.  Today was the day I went through Traditions.  Traditions is an orientation that every new Disney cast member has to go through.  It covers basic guidelines and Disney history.  
     Brooke and I had the same Traditions appointment, so we woke up super early to head to the bus. We took a tour of the backstage of Magic Kingdom (which was weird!), and the boss man himself actually delivered our name tags!

       It was a long day, and there isn't very much I can actually say about it, due to confidentiality.  When I left the building however.  I had a cast member ID and a name tag in my possession, making me an official Walt Disney World cast member.  
     After Traditions, we headed to Downtown Disney to make good use of our new discount,  We visited World of Disney, Basin, Tren-D, and Earl of Sandwich, for a super tasty lunch.  We got some sweet deals!  Including this little guy!

     We headed back and headed right to the Housing Welcome Party, Woody's Round-Up at Chatham Field.  They had free food, music, line dancing, and characters.  When we got to the front of the line, Jesse and Bullseye were there!  So cute!

     It was a great day, and yet another one that just flew by!

xoxo

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

I'm Going To Disney!

I GOT ACCEPTED!

     This morning, while watching T.V. with my brother, Kenny, my phone had the telltale tone of an email from Disney (something I had set up to make sure I knew if I got in asap).  I frantically open the message, to see this:

      AGAIN?!  I was very confused at first, and after reading what had been sent, I realized I had actually been accepted 5 days ago, on March 5!  For whatever reason, the information had never come up on my dashboard, and I never received any email, even in my spam folder!  However, an acceptance is an acceptance, and I'll take it!  
     After some tears and a call to my mom, I immediately made my way to a computer and logged onto my dashboard, where I saw my offer waiting for me.  Upon opening the file, I saw my role, and I got my second choice!

     I am so excited to be working Concierge!  My resposibilities were listed as:

     "...completing check in/check out process for concierge club-level guests by inputting and retrieving information from resort computer system; proactively greeting guests, exhibiting the expected high level of Disney show quality, often times interacting with VIPs, celebrities, and executives; creating individualized ticket packages; being comfortable in a strong sales enviornment; making reservations and handling any special requests from guests; handling cash and other forms of payment, including foreign currencies exchange; maintaining cleanliness of common guest living/dining areas within concierge club level; assisting with luggage and other deliveries to guest rooms; working concierge buffet line which can include maintaining overall cleanliness of buffet area, and replenishing food, serving alcohol, maintaining inventory of liquor, and partnering with the culinary team to ensure food quantity; and partnering with property VIP tour guides. Click here for more information about this role"

     It sounds like an awesome role, I'm so happy I got it!  I think it also gives me a much better chance of meeting a wide variety of people, versus my first choice, where I would have been in a small boutique with only 10 other women at a time.  And VIPs, celebrities, and executives? How fancy!  I can't wait to find out which resort I'll be working in.  I'm crossing my fingers for The Grand Floridian, but all the resorts are so beautiful, I'm thrilled to be at any of them!

     All I can do is think of all the fun adventures I'm going to have with my roommates, and what I want to pack and buy.  Now's probably a good time to start making up one of those Disney bucket lists I keep reading about.  It took all my willpower not to run to the Disney Store this afternoon! I have no idea how I'm supposed to concentrate for the next 154 days!  

I can't believe I'm moving to Disney World!

xoxo