Training Day 2 & 3

Thursday, June 5 

Today was my second day of training. My shift started at 9:00 am and ended at 5:30. I wore my Beaches and Cream costume for the first time today! It is surprisingly very comfortable, including the shoes. I was trained on the in-house section. This section is responsible for making all of the ice cream dishes for the tables. I really enjoyed it! I got to make a bunch of sundaes and learned how to make the famous kitchen sink!

First Day in my Beaches & Cream Costume!

After work, I made myself dinner and then decided to go to the pool with my roommate Kat. This was my first time at the pool and it is beautiful. It is also a short walk from our apartment. We spent about two hours in the pool before we started to get cold and went home.

The pool at Chatham Square

Friday, June 6

Today I had my second day of training. I worked 1:30-11:00. My trainer today was Nickie. She first trained me on working the register for the to-go line. It is going to take some time to get use to this position, but I really enjoyed the guest interaction. I had a 45 minute break. When I came back Nickie trained me on the potium. This is a position I will never do, I am just being trained to gain a general understanding of the position. Towards the end of my shift I could see the Symphony in the Stars fireworks! After work I headed straight home and went to sleep.

First Day of Training

Wednesday, June 4

Earning My Ears

Today I had my first day of training at Beaches and Cream. I was scheduled 11:00 am - 5:30 pm. My first day of training was all about Culinary. I trained with one of the chefs, Julie. She was so awesome! Coming in today I was soooo nervous! My boyfriend has spent majority of his professional career in the kitchen, so I know how tough it can be.

Julie calmed my nerves from the beginning of my shift. She cooked on the flat top and she had me prep the sandwiches, burgers, and kids meals. It was tough work, but I really enjoyed it. I love working in a fast paced environment. My shift flew by!

Before the end of my shift, Julie went over what I need to know for my assessment, which is next Wednesday. Once I pass this assessment I will have officially earned my ears!

After work, I cooked myself dinner and prepared for my second day of training tomorrow. For the rest of the night I plan on taking it easy and then going to bed. I have in-house house training tomorrow, which includes learning how to make the sundaes and the famous kitchen sink!

Welcome Aboard! & MK with Kat

Tuesday, June 3 

What I wore to "Welcome Aboard" 

Today I had orientation at the Yacht and Beach Club. The class was called "Welcome Aboard!". It started at 8:30 am and I was done around 4:00 pm. 

The first part of class was all about the resort. Yacht and Beach Club resort is a Deluxe resort on property located across from the Boardwalk and in walking distance from Epcot. 

The resort has a nautical theme that is inspired by the summertime seashore hotels of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island in the year 1880. 

The Lighthouse at Yacht and Beach Club

I get to use themed language such as "Welcome Aboard" and "Ahoy". This resort is such a great fit for me, because I am in love with all things nautical and beachy. 

After learning all about the resort we took a tour around both the Yacht and Beach Club. This resort is a classic example of the immersive experiences that Disney offers. The theming throughout the entire resort is flawless. They also pointed out some hidden things, such as nautical flags in the Yacht Club that spell out Disney. 

My location, Beaches and Cream, is set on the Beach Club side in front of the Stormalong Bay pool. This pool is absolutely gorgeous! Resort guests come back year after year just to swim in the beautiful pool. 

When we came back from our tour we got a visit from the General Manager, Mim. This is a real treat as most general managers do not take the time to welcome the new cast members. Mim talked about the culture of the onstage and backstage areas of the resort. Every time we pass a resort guest we are to greet them and the same goes if we see a fellow cast member backstage. She has created such an amazing work atmosphere. 

Once Mim left our facilitators wrapped up the class. We were then told individually what we needed to do the rest of the day. On my schedule was to take a 30 minute lunch break, do some e-learning and then take a tour of my work location.

My e-learning was about the guidelines of serving alcohol and working the cash register. 

I then went on a brief tour of my location and saw where my manager's office is. After that it was off to costuming to get my costumes. I got four of my Beaches and Cream costumes and one culinary costume. I have culinary training tomorrow, so I needed the costume for that role. I will not be doing the culinary role, but I still need to be trained for it. 

After costuming I clocked out and called my Mom and Dad. It is their 25th Anniversary today. Love you, Mom and Dad! 

When I got home I talked to my sister and then Kat got home from her training. We decided to go somewhere on property to grab dinner. We couldn't decide so we freshened up and got on the next bus to the Polynesian. 

Once we were at the Poly we hopped on the monorail and decided to eat somewhere in the Magic Kingdom. All of the table service restaurants were reservation only, so we decided to go to a quick service location.  

Kat has never been to Pecos Bills! I had to take her there, so she could experience the amazing toppings bar. I ordered the Deluxe Cheeseburger and Kat ordered the Taco Salas. We both ordered frozen Strawberry Lemonades. Yum!

My Deluxe Cheeseburger 

Frozen Strawberry Lemonade 

Kat's Taco Salad 

From there we went on Pirates of the Caribbean, which was only a 15 minute wait! We walked around a little and made our way to New Fantasyland.  We checked out the gift shop next to Gastons Tavern. They have beautiful and unique Beauty and the Beast merchandise. 

We then went on the Little Mermaid ride and Dumbo. I haven't been on Dumbo since I was a small child. I felt like I was reliving my childhood!

Dumbo the Flying Elephant 

We headed for the monorail to take us back to the Poly right before wishes. While we were on the monorail we could see the fireworks! We waited for the bus to take us back to Chatham. I am home now FaceTiming Pete before I fall asleep. I have culinary training at 11:00 am tomorrow morning. 

First Schedule

Today I went onto the Hub to check out my schedule. I also had to add my mailing address, so that when they send out my main gate passes they arrive here and not in New Jersey. Which wouldn't really be a problem, but I don't want to inconvenience my parents.

All of the scheduling is done in military time. It is taking some time getting use to it. The way to convert it back into regular time is to subtract by 12. I converted my schedule to regular time and wrote it down in my planner so its easier for me to remember. 

I am so excited to start my on the job training!

I am also happy that I have off Sunday, because my cousin Anthony and his girlfriend Kayla are coming down for vacation. So happy I have some time off to spend time with them!

Tomorrow I have "Welcome Aboard!" at the Beach Club. This will be my third day of orientation. So excited to learn more about the resort I will be working in!

Second Day of Orientation

Saturday, May 31 

Today I was scheduled for my second day of orientation at Disney University. I had "Welcome to Operations!" at 7:30 am this morning. Today was my first day I wore my name tag and clocked in! The class material was dry material, but the facilitators made it as interesting as they could.

At 11:30 am I got a thirty minute break for lunch. They have a cafeteria where you can buy lunch, but I just packed a sandwich and snacks for myself. After I ate I went up to the second floor for my second class, "Welcome to Food and Beverage".

This classroom was a computer room. The first part of the class talked about the different categories of the Food and Beverage role, such as Quick Service or Full Service. The facilitators applied the four keys basics to Food Service. We also learned about ways to create magical moments for guests in our role.

We got a five minute break and then we registered for The Hub. The Hub is a resource for all Disney Cast Members to find out things like your schedule, request time off, discounts, and so many other things. After we were all registered we all had to take an online module about general safety guidelines when working with food, such as cleanliness and food temperatures.

After we were done with our modules we were sent to Magic Kingdom Costuming to receive our free slip resistant shoes. Going into costuming for the first time was another great CP moment. After I received my shoes I clocked out and was able to go home.

Slip resistant shoes supplied by Disney

My outfit for my second day of training