Fall Registration

After my 6:00pm - 12:00am shift, I went right home to register for fall courses. I was able to register for the two classes that I wanted to take, Exploring Marketing and Exploring Leadership.

My Fall Course Schedule 

I have my undergraduate degree in Marketing, so Exploring Marketing really appeals to me. I am very excited to learn about how Disney views marketing and hearing from the several guest speakers.

The short description of Exploring Marketing is: 
"Gain a deeper understanding of how we maintain customer loyalty by both staying true to our brand and marketing our new Guest experiences"

The syllabus can be viewed by clicking here.

My long term career goal is to be in some sort of leadership position, that is why I wanted to take Exploring Leadership. I am hoping to gain insight and tips on being a successful leader.

The short description of Exploring Leadership is: 
"Discover how our leaders balance the needs of Cast, Guest, and Business to create the most magical place on earth, and learn about different leadership styles"

The syllabus can be view by clicking here.

Since I have started my program, I have been really enjoying the time I have spent learning in the workshops and my Disney Heritage class. This is why I have decided to take two courses in the Fall.

"I Love Nails & Spa"

Saturday, June 21 

I decided to check out the "I Love Nails & Spa" today. This Spa is located on Vineland Avenue right near Chatham Square and Patterson Court. It is in the same shopping center as the Panera Bread. The atmosphere is very welcoming and calming. It is also very clean.

They offer several services. I went for the spa pedicure and eyebrow wax. They have several massage spa chairs for pedicures. The women doing my pedicure was very friendly and did a great job. All of the waxing is done in rooms located towards the back of the spa. The only negative was the lack of nail polish color options.

Pedicure Station

Cast Members receive a 10% discount.

Here are all of the prices for the services they offer:

Fist Welcome Event & DTD

Thursday, June 19

Today I had work from 12:00pm-6:00pm. I was runner/stocker the whole time. It was nice to leave work and it still be daylight outside! After work, I got a chance to talk to my sister Kaitlin who was graduating from High School in a couple of hours. Congratulations, Kaitlin!

Congratulations Kaitlin! 

When I got home I started to get ready for the first welcome event for the Fall Advantage program. All of my roommates had off, so we all planned on going together. My roommate Kats lifelong friend, Christina, also went with us. The theme for the welcome event was "Off to Neverland" and it took place right down the street from our apartment in Chatham.

When we first got there we waited in line for pizza and then found a table to sit at. After eating, we decided to wait in line for the characters. You either got the opportunity to meet Captain Hook and Mr. Smee or Peter Pan and Wendy. The line was super long! We were about two parties away from meeting the characters and it was Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, so I was kinda disappointed because I wanted to meet Peter Pan and Wendy! But then, Peter Pan and Wendy came running in and we got to take our picture with them!

Me, Christina, and Kat meeting Peter Pan & Wendy

Goofy shot 

After meeting Peter Pan and Wendy, Kat, Christina, and I decided to go to Downtown Disney. We did some shopping and I traded two of my Vinylmations at Pin Traders. We were also hungry, so we at at Earl of Sandwhich. I got my usual which is the Hawaiian BBQ. Kat ordered the summer salad, which looked really good! Once we were done eating all of the shops were closing down for the night. 

We started heading back to the West Side to get drinks at Splitsville. I bought the souvenir bottle there which was $12 with my cast member discount. If I bring the bottle back for refills it will be $10 plus my discount. Me and Kat both ordered the Pina Colada...we give it a 4.5 out of 10 rating. Christina is under 21, so she was nice and was our DD. Christina's brother, Jeff, then met up with us, who is also a Cast Member. We are planning on going back to bowl! 

Me and Kats Pina Coladas 

Tonight was the best night since I have been here. 

Exploring Disney Heritage Day 1

Wednesday, June 18 

My first day of Exploring Disney Heritage was today. It took place in one of the classrooms in my apartment complex, Chatham Square. The class is from 1:30pm to 3:30pm every Wednesday. I was notified prior to class about the attire, which is business casual or you can wear your costume. You also need to make sure to wear your name tag.

The classrooms are just a short walk down the street from my apartment, which is really nice! I left about twenty minutes early to give myself time to sign-in and get a seat. I sat next to two really nice girls, Eve and Emily. Eve works at Kilimangaro Safari and Emily works Food & Beverage at Port Orleans Riverside Resort.

Class started promptly at 1:30pm. That is when I met my instructor, Jeff. Jeff started his Disney career by doing the College Program and working at the Haunted Mansion. From there he worked Guest Relations and then started facilitating Traditions which transitioned into being an instructor for the Disney Internships and Programs. He is very enthusiastic about the company and shared his understanding of the highs and lows we all will experience on our program.

After Jeffs introduction, we had an ice breaker with the people we were sitting with. Emily, Eve, and myself shared our favorite/first Disney memory and why we wanted to take this course. I have so many favorite Disney memories, so it was hard to pick just one!

Jeff then explained the expectations for this course, such as arriving on time and the no cell phone policy. He also shared an overview of what we will be learning for the next eight weeks. This course will cover the early years of the company to the opening of Epcot.

The weekly breakdown looks like this:
June 18 - Introduction to Disney Exploration Series 
June 25 - Walt and Roy: The Original Dream Team 
July 2 - No Class: Labor Exception Period (Independence Day) 
July 9 - The Very Beginnings of the Walt Disney Company (Guest Speaker Michael Lyons) 
July 16 - Early Milestones in Disney Theme Park History 
July 23 - The Man, The Mouse, The Dream - Magic Kingdom 
July 30 - The Florida Project (Guest Speaker Christopher Stewart) 
August 6 - Heritage Competition - Disney's Hollywood Studios 
August 13 - Disney Exploration Series Closing Session 

I am so excited for all of these sessions!

To close the class we got into groups of eight and played a "Who wants to be a Millionaire" trivia style game on Disney history.

Team Disney

Friday, June 13

This morning I let myself sleep in! I have been so tired lately! After I ate breakfast, I decided to do some laundry. While I was in the laundry room it started torrential downing pouring! Thank God I brought my rain jacket with me. After I did my laundry, I headed over to Team Disney to check out the Company D store.

Team Disney

Team Disney is right across from Downtown Disney. It is such a nice building! I bought myself a "Earned my Ears" pin and Cast Member Vinylmation.

Company D Purchases

When I got back to the apartment I made myself lunch and then talked to my family and Pete. Then it was time to get ready for work. I had work from 5:00 pm - 1:00 am. My position tonight was Cash in To-Go. I also had to close To-Go at the end of the night, which includes cleaning the entire station. Now I am home ready to fall asleep!

End of Training & Earning My Ears

Tuesday, June 10 

Today was my last day of training! My shift was from 5:00 pm to 12:30 pm. I trained with Rebekah on runner/stocker. This position entails running dirty dishes to the dish room, running clean dishes from the dish room to the restaurant, stocking the toppings and ice cream for in-house and to-go. This position consists of a lot of running around, hence the title "runner", but I really like this position because the time goes by so quickly.

Wednesday, June 11 

This afternoon I had my assessment at 3:00 pm. After my assessment, I worked until 12:30 am. My assigned position was for To-Go cash.

Thursday, June 12 

Today I was scheduled 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm. When I got to work I was assigned to be the runner/stocker. After a couple of hours my manager told me that I was extended until 9:00 pm, due to several call ins. At 5:00 pm I changed positions to be the breaker. In the position you break the closers that need a break, and take over their positions until they get back. This position is nice because you are not doing one thing all night. After work, I went home talked to my family and then just relaxed.

I also found out today that I got a 100% on my assessment. I have officially earned my ears!

Resume Writing Workshop & DAK

Monday, June 9 

Today was my second day off! I registered a week ago on the Hub for a two hour Resume Writing Workshop at the Vista Way classrooms for this morning at 10:00 am. The facilitator for this workshop was David, he has dedicated 19 years to the company as a recruiter and facilitator for Disney Internships and Programs. He taught us how to customize and tailor our resumes for future employment opportunities. This workshop was so helpful! I highly recommend it. I am planning on taking the rest of the workshops that are offered throughout my program. If you take five out of the six workshops you receive a certification!

After the workshop, I went back to the apartment to have lunch. Then I went to the Post Office to ship a package back home. Once I was done that I took the next bus over to Animal Kingdom. My first stop was Expedition Everest. I haven't been on this ride in years! The single rider line was only 10 minutes, so I went on four times in a row.

Entrance to Disney's Animal Kingdom

Tree of Life

Expedition Everest 

I walked around Asia some more and then headed over to Dinosaur. This ride still scares me! I explored some more and then headed over to Kilimanjaro Safari. This attraction definitely wins the award for being the most immersive experience on property. It feels like you are actually on an African Safari! I saw most of the animals, except for the lions who were hiding!

Safari Truck

Zebra!

A Flamboyance of Flamingos 

When I got off of Kilimanjaro Safari it started to thunder storm, so I headed for the bus back to Chatham. I decided to go home to have dinner and then go back out after to  Downtown Disney. Once I got back to the apartment I didn't feel like going back out, I was too tired. I FaceTimed with my family and then Pete. Now I am just relaxing before I get some sleep! I get so sleep in tomorrow! :)