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! :) 

Traditions!

Friday, May 30 

Today I had Traditions! I was scheduled for the second group at 2:30 pm. Kat and Marysa also had this time so we all went together. We caught the bus in front of Chatham at 1:30 pm. Once we got there we got separated. They divide the group into smaller groups depending on a number on the back of your program guide. 

I do not want to give too much away on what exactly happens at Traditions. I read A LOT of blogs about it, so every surprise was pretty much ruined for me. 

Traditions is an introduction to the Walt Disney World Company. It takes place at Disney University. You learn about how the Disney company started and how it turned into the amazing company it is today. You also learn about the companies rules and regulations. These are taught by the facilitators and various videos. One of the videos is of parents surprising their children with trips to Disney World. I cried the entire video! haha If you are an emotional person like me I suggest you bring your tissues! 

During one of the breaks I went into the cast member only store. I bought a new lanyard for my Disney ID, that I had received in the beginning of Traditions, and a college program pin. 

After the break the facilitators talked about the four keys; courtesy, show, efficiency, and safety. Then we headed over to the Magic Kingdom to spot some examples of the four keys in the park. We took a bus over and entered through the Utilidors. The Utililors are tunnels underneath the park for Cast Members to get to each land. That is why you will never see a Tomorrowland Cast Member in Fantasyland. 

When we got back from the park we talked about the examples we saw of the four keys in the park. I gave an example for efficiency, so I received a cute Daisy Duck figure. Then we got a special surprise  that included receiving our name tags. I have been waiting for this moment forever and it was amazing. I couldn't stop looking at it! Then I took the bus back to Chatham. 

Traditions is exactly what I needed to reassure me that I made the right decision and why I love this company so much. I am so happy that I am now apart the Disney family and I can't wait to start creating the happiness for guests from all around the world.

Chip and Dale 

My new ears

My outfit for Traditions

Housing Meeting and Moving In

Wednesday, May 28

Today I woke up early to get ready for my scheduled Housing Meeting at 8 am in the Commons Clubhouse. Two of my roommates Marysa and Merecia were scheduled for this meeting time also. We walked over to the Commons Clubhouse, which is about a 10 minute walk from our apartment in Chatham. When we got there it was about 7:50 and the line was wrapped around the building. They didn't let us into the building until about 8:20.

When we walked in they had loud music playing and gave out Disney Internship luggage tags. The meeting was about an hour and thirty minutes long. They started out with some trivia and then went over housing rules and precautions. The woman who were running the meeting tried to make it as fun and interesting as possible.

After the housing meeting I headed home to go run errand with my Dad. He picked me up in the rental car and we headed to Wal-Mart. I got a bakers rack for extra storage for my room and a couple other essentials I needed. We went back to the apartment and he put it together for me. We also cleaned the baseboards really good and vacuumed. The room did not smell good at all. I bought heavy duty febreeze and a plug in. It made the room smell SO much better. We worked on setting up my room for a couple of hours until it was finally complete minus my cork board.

We then went to pick my car up from the AAA Care Center in front of the Magic Kingdom. I was so relived and happy to have my car back. I was so scared that it wouldn't be able to be fixed. We then headed back to the apartment to get my parking permit. There was a delay because my insurance card did not have my name on it only my parents. We called the company and they were able to fax a declaration to them saying I am on the policy.

Then we headed over to the Yacht and Beach Club to check out where I am working for the next seven months. I immediately fell in love with this resort. Beaches and Cream is directly in front of there beautiful pool. We had about a ten minute wait to be seated at the counter for dinner. When I walked in I loved the decor but noticed that it is a lot smaller than I thought it would be. I ordered the turkey meatloaf sandwich and my Dad ordered the cuban sandwich. We decided to split them so we could both try them. They were so delicious. The turkey meatloaf sandwich was so different in a good way! We both were way too full to try the ice cream.

We then decided to walk around the resort and the boardwalk. The great thing about my location is that Epcot is literally a walk away. The boardwalk is also so close! After we walked all the way around we decided to go home and get some rest. 

My Dad dropped my off at my apartment, but before I went to bed I wanted to get my bulletin board done. Once I completed that I was officially set! I was so relieved! I felt so uneasy not having my room how I wanted it. I am so happy with how it turned out.

Check-In Day

Tuesday, May 27th 

Yesterday was my check-in and first day of my program. I enjoyed three amazing days in the parks with my family prior to check-in. We stayed at the Art of Animation resort and went to Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot. The highlight of the trip was experiencing Star Wars Weekend for the first time and riding Seven Dwarfs Mine Train for the first time in the front row!

I woke up at 6:00 am to get ready for check-in. My amazing Dad also woke up to drop me off at Vista Way. We arrived around 7:15 am and there was already a line forming at security. I waited about ten minutes until they took us back to check-in. 

Once at the building where check-in is I waited about twenty minutes before getting into the building. They gave out program guides and temporary name tags during that time. The first stop was to find out where I was working. I found out I will be working at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at Yacht and Beach Club. Ahhhh!!! I almost cried I was so happy! 

My next stop was to find out where I was living. For the next seven months I will be living in Chatham Square in a three bedroom apartment with five other roommates. Then I took a picture for my housing I.D., received my apartment key, then picked up my housing I.D. 

After that I waited in another line to receive my itinerary for Casting, and the Housing Meeting. I ended up having Casting at 9:30 am that day and the Housing Meeting the next day at 8:00 am in the Commons Clubhouse. 

After receiving that itinerary you are called in groups of four or five to speak to a representative that will go over that itinerary. They stress how important it is to arrive to all of your classes on time dressed in appropriate dress. Casting and the Housing Meeting are casual dress, unlike Traditions and Training which require professional dress. 

The last stop was Safety. Then I grabbed a snack they provided and sat on a bench to wait for Casting. I had about an hour to kill, but it didn't seem like that long at all since I was getting to know a few girls. The entire check-in process took about an hour and a half. 

Casting was amazing and stressful at the same time. My biggest advice for Casting is to bring a folder for all of your important documents they need to see and for all the papers you receive. 

After Casting I was able to head back to Vista Way where my parents and sister were waiting for me. They were so excited about where I was working!  We went to Earl of Sandwich for lunch before heading to the apartment to unpack. My Mom and sister helped me unpack until they had to leave, which was about two hours. We left to take them back to the resort to get on the Magical Express. I hated saying goodbye to them. :( 

From there my Dad and I went to Wawa so he could teach me how to pump gas, because Jersey girls don’t pump gas! We then headed to the Super Target to pick up apartment things and groceries. After we went back to the apartment to unpack more and put my groceries away. For dinner we grabbed a bite to eat at the Panera which is right down the street. 

We were both so exhausted from the busy day we had, my Dad wanted me to take him back to his hotel, All Star Music, so we both could get some sleep. As soon as I dropped my Dad off at his hotel my car started making the weirdest noises. I turned right around and had my Dad come back out to look at it. To make a long story short we had to wait for Triple A to come tow my car to the AAA Care Center in-front of Magic Kingdom. The tow truck didn’t arrive till 11:40 pm!!! We went into the lobby to ask the front desk to call me a cab, but I ended up asking if there were any buses that would take me back to Chatham Square and there was one that was coming in twenty minutes. Whew! I got back to the apartment at 1:00 am and had to be up at 6:00 am for the housing meeting. 

I will update about the following day(today) and the housing meeting tomorrow. 

1,000 Page Views

My blog has hit 1,000 page views! I hope that everyone who reads my blog is enjoying the content. I am committed to keeping up with it throughout the duration of my program. I am so excited to start blogging while on the program.

I have three goals for this blog.

1. To document my experience, so I can have something to look back on later.

2. To share what I am up to for my family, boyfriend, and friends in New Jersey.

3. To share useful information about the Disney College Program for potential participants. I waited many years to apply for the College Program and during that time I looked to blogs and vlogs to give me insight and information on the program.