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! :) 

First Day Off

Sunday, June 8 

I had off today! This morning I slept in, which felt amazing! When I woke up I did my laundry. When all of my laundry was done I went grocery shopping at the Super Target.

Loving the Palm Trees everywhere

Once I put away all of my groceries, I FaceTimed with my Mom and Dad. I then decided to head over to Downtown Disney for some shopping and dinner. I picked up a couple of goodies and then decided to eat at Wolfgang Puck Express. I ordered the rotisserie chicken with mashed potatoes, which was delicious! Plus I got a cast member discount!

Half Rotisserie Chicken - Garlic Butter & Rosemary Mashed Potatoes

Topiary in Downtown Disney

After dinner, I walked over to the AMC theater to see Maleficent. I lucked out, because when I got there the next showing was only in twenty minutes! There is also a Cast Member discount at this theatre. I loved the movie! 

My Maleficent Vinylmation

Then I headed over to check out D Street, the Vinylmation store located on the West Side of Downtown Disney. I bought a Star Wars blind box in hopes of pulling a Stormtropper. To my surprise thats exactly what I pulled! Yey! I never have good luck when it comes to blind boxes, so I was supper shocked! 

Star Wars Series 4 - Stormtropper

I then treated myself to a Very Berry Hibiscus at Starbucks and sat down to relax. The back of the Starbucks at Downtown Disney Westside overlooks the water and Characters in Flight. I called my sister to tell her I pulled the Stormtropper. She bought me my first Star Wars Vinylmation blind box in hopes that I would pull a Stormtropper, so she was happy to hear that I pulled one. 

By the time I left Starbucks Downtown Disney was super packed, so I decided to head home. Now I am FaceTiming Pete before I go to sleep. I have off again tomorrow. Yey! 

Epcot & Training Day 4

Saturday, June 7

Today I had plans to hang out with my cousin Anthony and his girlfriend Kayla. They were doing four parks in one day! I told them that I would meet them at any park. They started at Animal Kingdom and then headed over to Hollywood Studios. By that time I had gotten ready and started to head over, until I realized that this weekend there is a blackout for all cast members for DHS. This is the first year Mark Hamill, the actor who played Luke Skywalker, was going to be at Star Wars Weekend. So, I am sure that is why we were blocked out from Hollywood Studios this weekend.

I headed over to Epcot from the Beach Club. Anthony and Kayla were going to that park next, so I figured I would just hang out until they got there. When I first walked in there was a Joffreys stand and I just had to get that frozen strawberry drink again! So delicious! I then headed over to The Land to grab lunch at Sunshine Seasons. I ordered a Turkey Sandwich on focaccia bread with potato salad. So yummy!

Fresh Turkey with Lettuce, and Chipotle Mayo on Focaccia Bread

The Land 

After I ate, I talked to my Dad on the phone and then FaceTimed my Mom and Katie. It was very nice talking to them and it was just what I needed. I miss them and everyone else back home so much. It is very hard being away from my family.

I then went over to MouseGear to torture myself with all of the Disney merchandise. haha! I wanted to buy everything! I then headed over to Spaceship Earth, because Anthony and Kayla were starting to head over to Epcot. I rode Spaceship Earth and then waited outside for them.

Spaceship Earth and Palm Trees

It was so great seeing them! We headed over to Test Track. It was a 40 minute wait, but it was good because it gave us time to talk! After the ride, we started to head over to the UK pavilion. I had to walk back to the Beach Club to get ready for my fourth day of training.

For my fourth day of training I worked the entire time on the register in To-Go. I like this position the most, because of the guest interaction. Towards the beginning of my shift Anthony and Kayla came to visit me! After they left, the line was out the door until 10:15 pm! I was scheduled until 12:30 am, which is considered the closing shift. After we close at 11:00 pm, we need to clean everything! Heather taught me how to clean the To-Go station. Once we cleaned everything we got to go home. I clocked out at 12:45.

As soon as I got home I went right to sleep! I have the next two days off! Woo!

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!