Inside Scoop

   Here in Disney World, there are a few words that must be used. I'm not an employee, I'm a cast member; I don't wear a uniform, I wear a costume; and I don't serve customers, I serve guests. All this was told to me yesterday during my orientation to the park. Because I work at the Magic Kingdom, my tour was quite long; it was, however, incredibly interesting. On the other hand, it was rather bittersweet as I feel that some of the magic has been taken away from it now. Hopefully, it'll return soon. If you want to know some of the fun facts of Disney World's Magic Kingdom, just ask!
   In addition to the tour of the park, I received my costumes and my training schedule. I will be working at the Tomorrowland Terrace for their fireworks dessert party, and also at Casey's Corner, which is a baseball themed quick service restaurant. Neither of my costumes are attractive, but at least everyone around me will be wearing them also! My schedule is okay....not what I was hoping for since I am scheduled to work late and I am very much a morning person. But maybe I'll learn to sleep past 8 a.m. once I start coming home at 1:00 a.m.
   Today I have a day off, so I think I may wander around Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom in a bit. Tomorrow is my first day of training at the TLT, so wish me luck!

Day Off

   Yesterday was my first full day off where I could do whatever I wanted. I woke up with the intention of quickly changing my address in the Disney computer system (so my mail will come here and not home!), heading to the grocery store, then going to the park with my friend from home, Claire. However, 3 hours later I was still trying to change my address!! I called IT, but I don't think he understood what my problem was (or maybe I was the problem....who knows!); after several more failed attempts I finally changed it...or at least I think I did. After that debacle, I am happy to say I found Publix (the grocery store) very easily.
   Upon returning from the store and putting everything away, I met up with Claire and her roommate to go to the parks. We made a plan to go to Magic Kingdom, but then changed our minds and went mini golfing at Fantasia Gardens; I'd never been there or heard of it so I was excited. It was a very cute course and there were lots of families playing. I'm pretty sure the little kids scored better than I did, though. Oh well, I had fun! We were then heading to Magic Kingdom, but, again, got sidetracked and ended up at Hollywood Studios. We waited in line for about an hour to play Toy Story Midway Mania 3D, but it was most definitely worth it; and I must say I was much more pleased with that score than mini golf's! After that, we, of course, rode Tower of Terror; every time I ride it, I know what's going to happen, but I still get butterflies!
   Came back to the apartment and actually made a real dinner of artichoke chicken, potatoes, and cucumber salad...I was pretty proud.

Mini Golf...

at:

Claire!

One of the holes

Hollywood Studios

 

Phineas and Ferb

Muppets 3D

Well played Disney:

Toy Story

My score!

Training Day 1 and Park Hopping

   Yesterday was my first day of training for my role here at Walt Disney World; I'm going to be doing quick-service food and beverage in the Magic Kingdom. This isn't so bad for me since it's what I'm used to doing during the summer at CCB. The training was an incredibly boring 4.5 hours, but I survived! I did not get my costume yet, but I did get my shoes....the ugly black sneakers that food service people wear. Hopefully my costume will be better!
   After my training was over, I came back to the apartment and changed into a bathing suit to head to Typhoon Lagoon with my roommate, Ashley. I had never been to Typhoon Lagoon before (or a water park for that matter!) so I didn't know what to expect, but  had an idea in my mind what it would look like. Boy, was I wrong! It was HUGE!!! So much to do: a wave pool, lazy river, raft flumes, big water slides, snorkeling with sharks, and more! The best part was it was free for us to get in and the water was 81*! We spent only about 2 hours there, but it felt like we were there for 4 since there was hardly anyone there, so there were no waits at all.

Entrance to Typhoon

Typhoon Lagoon: this is just the wave pool part!

   After we finished at Typhoon Lagoon, we came back to the apartment, met up with Kaitlyn and Julie to head to Magic Kingdom (for free!!). It took us a while to get there since the monorail from the Contemporary Resort was closed, but we made it. Took advantage of the fireworks going on when we arrived to get on rides with no wait. We only had about an hour and a half there, but we made it on Buzz Lightyear, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and grabbed dinner and desserts. The new Fantasyland looked pretty awesome and I can't wait to see it in the daytime! The bus ride back was really crowded as the cast members just getting off work all wanted to head home ASAP, but everyone is just so nice that you make friends with the people you're squeezed in with!

Entering Main Street USA

the castle from Main Street

Buzz Lightyear ride queue 

 Ashley and I on Buzz Lightyear (not as good as the picture of us Lauren!)

Officially a Cast Member!

   January 24, 2013....I became a cast member at Walt Disney World! I got my official name tag at the class that is known as "Traditions". Basically, it's (<---Dad, please take note) four hours of learning about the history and magic of the Disney corporation. Although it was long, it was very interesting and fun; for part of it, we got to walk in Magic Kingdom and learn about some of the backstage elements that make the magic happen.

  Tomorrow, I have my first day of training for my job and I've got to be up for the 6:30 bus...I should probably be to bed soon!

Three of us before traditions

 

Ceiling in Disney University 

My name tag!!!!

Exploring O-Town

   Yesterday we had the whole day off...some much needed time for ourselves. In the morning, I went for a run/walk around the housing area to get my bearings and figure out where important buildings were located. The free day also meant we had time to explore the city of Orlando. Found a mall, outlets (my weakness!), IKEA, numerous restaurants, and attractions like Sea World, Aquatica, Wet and Wild, and Wonderworks to name a few. Since it had been warm all morning, we ventured to the pool in the afternoon around 4; unfortunately, at this point the sun was pretty blocked by the apartments so it was rather chilly. Nonetheless, it was nice to have some poolside relaxing outside in January!

   Even though we didn't have our park passes yet, we still got to enjoy the Magic Kingdom's "Wishes" fireworks show by taking the bus to Polynesian Resort (this is where my family stayed when we spent a week in Disney December '08, so it brought back lots of fun memories, but made me quite homesick). It was just as beautiful as I recalled! After the fireworks ended, we had time to kill before our bus came to the resort to take us back to the apartments so we looked around the gift shops; I found a few things I would like to buy once I have a discount! Kaitlyn and I also wandered into the art gallery located in the Polynesian's Great Ceremonial House and spent time chatting with a very nice man that worked there who took the time to give us some cast member tips and secrets, and showed us some of his favorite pieces of work in the gallery. I found several I loved, but were most certainly NOT in my price range (think $1,200 was the cheapest)!

Riding the bus to the fireworks with some of my roommates (and Danny)

Pool at the Polynesian

Fireworks!

Not sure what happened here, but it came out kinda cool

Star firework in the upper lefthand corner

More fireworks

Kaitlyn (my rooommate) and I with a friend at the Polynesian gift shop!

Polynesian Tiki Man and I in '08

Polynesian Tiki Man and I in '13

Bags on Bags

   Tuesday morning we had our housing meeting, which was just to go over the rules of the housing complexes and provide us with some info on what comes after the college program (professional internships, etc.). We got a January housing calendar that features tips, fun facts, and, of course, Disney events just for the college program! Our first one is on January 31st and will feature fun games, music, free food, and a visit from the cuddly residents of the Hundred Acre Woods..my favorites!!
   After the housing meeting, one roommate's mom drove four of us to Walmart to get a few things we were still missing...or so we thought it was a few:

(don't worry Mom and Dad, only a few bags were mine!)

   

   The rest of the day was spent relaxing, watching movies, and, for me, Skyping with Mom/Dad (and the dogs).

I'm Gonna Make This Place Your Home

We're mostly moved in, so I figured pictures were in order! We are in a 3 bedroom apartment (6 people) and each bedroom has its own bathroom.

This is what our apartment looks like (this was taken from our balcony):

when you first walk in this is what you see (our living room):

our kitchen (came stocked with pots, pans, plates, etc):

our "dining room":

view from standing in our doorway (that's my bed):

our closet and bathroom:

Kaitlyn's bed:

our balcony:

 

Move in Day

    Today started at 3:00am, as we got in line for housing and registration...and we weren't even the first ones there! However, we did get the apartment complex we were hoping for and it is so nice and very spacious. After (finally) making it through housing selection, parking pass, registration, and all that fun stuff, I went to the casting building to make sure all my documentation was in order and complete my employment paperwork. That building was amazing! Unfortunately, since it's considered "behind the scenes" no pictures were allowed except for in the lobby. That took quite a while, but I finished about 11:30 and met back up with my Mom to move into our apartment. All of my roommates are incredibly nice and everyone is just so excited to be here!
    Setting up the apartment was rather chaotic as there were 6 girls trying to move in to an apartment that's on the third floor with NO ELEVATOR! We got our workout for the day for sure! Took a break for a while to get lunch and buy more things at Walmart (thank god it's just down the road!). Sadly, not long there after I had to say goodbye to Mom at the airport which was hard; I'm not used to being this far away from family for so long. Hopefully it'll get better quickly with being so busy, but no matter what I know I'll miss my family (and the dogs!). The countdown is on until Mom and Grandma and Grandpa come visit in February :)
   Once everyone was pretty settled we enjoyed a wonderful home-cooked meal from one roommate's mom. Sitting around our big dining room table, it felt like a second family and I know it'll be a great four months with new friends and adventures.

                             Lobby of the Casting building

                             in line to check in

                             our official welcome sign!

   

Downtown, Everything's Waiting for You

   Yesterday morning Mom and I did our exploring; found Walmart, BJs, Kohls, and of course the outlet mall. The afternoon was spent back at the hotel relaxing at the pool (and watching the Sabres game on NBC!) before getting ready to head to Downtown Disney to meet up with my roommates and their families at the Rainforest Cafe. Getting to Downtown was interesting since my GPS (named her Nancy) wasn't totally sure where she was taking us and wanted us to make numerous u-turns. We eventually got into the parking lot and (weirdly?) followed a couple to their car to take their spot...drivers in FL are terrible by the way. 

   So many cool things to see and do in Downtown Disney, but we were pretty exhausted so not everything was seen. It was a blast nonetheless! 

                             Lego Sea Serpent

             
                             Hollywood Studios Entrance

                             Roommates (minus one) at dinner

                             World of Disney store

                             Seven Dwarves in legos