I am crazy busy! And I'm done with training!!

Since I have last written, the hurricane didn't even rain on Orlando, I have completed my training and have officially earned my ears as an official Disney cast member. I have learned proper sizes of everything, cook times, holding times, how to work the clocking in systems, and so much more! I "learned" how to take apart (and put back together) the fryer, the ice cream machine, slushie machine, and the whipped cream machine. The reason I put quotes around learned is because my trainer was new and everything I took apart, with the exception of the fryer, had to be fixed. I get that he is new, but during my assessment when I thought I knew all the right answers, I didn't. He taught it to me wrong so I looked like I didn't know what I was talking about.

Today was the last day of training!! That's the good news. Here is the bad: the schedule that everyone told me to go off of, told me to show up at 1pm. I got a call at my apartment from a manager asking where I was because I was really supposed to be there at 11am!! I was mortified!! I get that I am an adult and that I should know what I am doing and how to read a schedule. The good that came out of this is that I am new and didn't know any better because everyone above me didn't tell me that I may or may not have another shift other than my assessment today. I am just really glad that I don't get any points off, and if I do it will only be a half of a point.

Tomorrow is my first day on my own and I am working in Fantasyland! I love that land because I create magic everyday! I know that sounds corny, but this is why I wanted this job in the first place. I love seeing families experiencing the magic of Disney. I am going to work super early tomorrow so that I can hit up costuming and get to work early! I am so glad that I don't have to wash my own costumes! Until next time...

Being a big kid is over-rated

For the past 2 training days that I have had to go to, I have had to wake up at either 5am or 6am. I have had to pack my lunch, set my coffee pot, pick out my clothes, and set my alarm all so that I will be ready that early. Today was no exception! I have to wake up around 2 hours before work so that I have enough time to get ready and have time to ride the bus to work. For the next 5 days I will be working everyday! Enough complaining about how much I don't want to grow up, I am after all a college graduate and have to get used to corporate America eventually.

Today I did some e-learning courses, got some free shoes to go with my costume, and watched a movie on how to handle food that people eat. A pretty easy day compared to some other ones I've had recently! The real work was when I came home today. I had to deal with my college loans, set up some stuff on "The Hub" (the Disney intranet), and set up my online banking so that I can get paid! This has taken around 4 hours to figure out, and I am exhausted. I am going to text my family later to see what they are up to and maybe meet up with them tonight.

Some fun news!! I figured out the code on my schedule and found out some places that I will be working. In Tomorrowland I will be working at The Lunching Pad (specialty hot dogs) and Auntie Gravity's Galactic Goodies (smoothies and soft serve). In Fantasyland I will be working at The Friar's Nook (hot dogs and freshly made chips). Hot dogs, ice cream, and chips are my 3 favorite food groups and I am going to have to be careful not to gain 6,541,587 pounds while I am working here.

Some scary news!! Hurricane Irene is supposed to hit the East coast nearest Orlando on Friday as a category 3!! I really hope they close the park if it gets bad! I will keep you updated.

I finally got my costume!!

I still have no idea where I will be working specifically, but I do know what I will be wearing!

The one on the left is what I will be wearing at Tomorrowland and the one on the bottom is what I will be wearing when I work in Fantasyland. I have a third costume, but it is boring. I am suppose to wear it when I switch locations. I am off today, but I have to go in tomorrow for my last day of generic training before I start location training. Apparently, I am supposed to get work shoes at that training.

Yesterday, I went to training in the park. I had a lot of fun, especially since we got to ride some rides! I was terrified on the Haunted Mansion ride because I had never been on it. We also got to ride the Buzz Lightyear ride in Tomorrowland, and that was a lot of fun! I know I've already talked a little about my costumes (which I love) but getting them was ridiculous. There were a million sizes of every costume in the Magic Kingdom!! It took me an hour to find all the right sizes, but in the end, I found all the things I needed. I also found out that the people that showed up the first day at 9:30 all got put in Vista Way. Good thing I got there before 9!  

My 1st official day of work!! Traditions!!

My name tag!!

Where I had Traditions

While my sorority sisters were getting ready for recruitment back home in BG, I was starting my first official day as a Disney cast member at my orientation class called Traditions! They taught us some of the legal stuff that comes with the job, nothing I didn't already learn from going through business school, but not all of us can be business majors. This class was around 5 hours long and taught us all what it meant to work for the Walt Disney Company. At the end, we all received our name tags and became official cast members. Mickey Mouse came in and actually gave my class our name tags! And, we also got a tour of backstage and onstage of the Magic Kingdom. When we got to see the castle for the first time as cast members I was so excited!! I can't believe that I'm here and that I have the opportunity to see the castle everyday!! On our tour, we also got to see the underground of Disney, which is really cool. We also learned about some new things that Disney is doing! All in all, the day was long, but VERY exciting!! I can't wait for Monday; that's when I get to know specifically where I will be working, and what my costume will look like. I will post a picture of my costume when I know what it will be. The only downside about Monday is that I have to be on the bus at 6am to be at Disney University at 7:15 in the morning!! WOOF!!! I know it will be exciting though! For now, I am hanging out with my mom and I take her to the airport Sunday.

I'm all moved in

Yesterday I showed up at Vista Way apartments to be placed in the housing system. After about 2 hours in line and a million little stations later, I learned that I had a 3 bedroom apartment in Patterson Court and I had to report to casting in an hour. I waited in line to get on a bus and then I made it to the Casting building. The building looks like a castle from the inside! I could get used to working here. After they wound me around the building going through more stations, I was back at Vista in about 2 hours. Then the real excitement came! I would finally go to Patterson to see my apartment and meet my roommates! I have never been on the Real World, but I would assume that what I was feeling would be very similar to what the housemates felt. All of my roommates are really sweet though. I share a room with a girl from Georgia named Ann. She has red hair, was a sorority girl, and loves football. What a relief! I know that Disney wouldn't hire axe murderers, but it is a real relief that all my roommates are nice!

Patterson Court Apartments

I almost forgot to tell you all, I am working in the Magic Kingdom (in the A/C in Tommorowland or Fantasyland). I am so excited!! I will post a picture of my costume when I get my assignment Friday during Traditions class (orientation).

I finally got unpacked and settled before I completely passed out. Today is day 2 in the program, and we all had to go to a housing welcoming session. This session was not so welcoming!! We walked because we didn't know we could drive and got there a little before 10 (on time). Then they turned us away because they didn't have enough room for everyone! How welcoming is that? They told us to come back at 1pm or 3 pm, but I think I will go later so I can get back on a normal eating schedule. I will also drive so I don't melt in this crazy heat. I almost sweat my skin off on the first walk over because it is so hot here. I will post a new update later!

Snake I saw going to my car one day!!

I'm here!!!

View from our beach hotel

OMG!!! Everything fit in the car, but BARELY!!! Right now, I am at the beach with my mom loving life and soaking up all the sun I can get! I can't imagine ever getting sick of the beach. A little off topic from the beach, but I feel like I need to say that I am a little bit anxious to learn about my costume and job assignment. I guess I will find out Wednesday when I check into Vista. I will post an update when I get settled into my new Disney Apartment!

OMG I leave tomorrow!!!

not even half of my stuff!!

So I am very nervous/excited to leave for Florida tomorrow!!! Me and my mom will be driving down in my car with all of my stuff (pictures to come). I just hope more than anything that the stuff we pack in the morning will fit. *keep your fingers crossed* I spent all day today packing and getting everything ready for my trip. I even bought space bags for all of my bedding and such, and let me tell you they are the best things ever!! (Thanks Andi)! The plan is to stop at my grandmother's place when we get into Florida and then wake up refreshed and head to the beach. I don't move in until the 17th so I have a beach chair in the sand with my name on it! I still can't believe the day is finally here! If any of my sisters are reading this blog, my Skype name is Laura.Turner523, so find me and call me!! I guess that's all for now. The next blog will be from Florida!

T-4 days until I leave for Florida

I have started packing some of my stuff for the big move, and I will continue packing tomorrow. I don't really know what kind of clothes I will need, but I'm going to figure it out tomorrow when Andi comes over to help me pack. I have been getting things together before I leave, like I went to all my doctors and finally got contacts. I have also quit Cracker Barrel so I would have some time before I left. It is so crazy to think that I am leaving so soon! Mom and I are going to New Smyrna Beach a few days before I move into my apartment. I am so excited to sit on the beach, even if it is for just a few days. I also think I have all my paperwork together. I finished all my on-board paperwork and I got a replacement social security card so I don't have to worry about that. I just hope I don't end up with a million pyscho roommates. I guess I will find out soon enough. Until then...