Now my Disney College Program is over. It's kinda crazy to think that it's been 6 months already. First off I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read this blog. Thank you for taking in interest in what goes on in the daily life. A big thank you goes out to all those who came and visited me making my program tolerable and one more thank you goes out to all those who sent me cards especially my sister who sent me a card ever, single week. Those cards meant a lot to me. So thank you to everyone!
Now to do the whole reflecting on my program thing. Well what can I say? I can officially say that I worked for the Walt Disney World company. All in all there were definitely some negatives to the program. The job was a nightmare. Some of my co-workers were rude. A lot of the guests were awful. Most of my roommates were the biggest jerks I've ever met and I hated being away from everything I know and everyone I love.
But, there were some good things. I learned how to be independent. I learned that I can live on my own. I got to experience every inch of Disney. I overcame my fear of roller coasters. I got to be with my "nephews" for their first visit to Disney which made everything I went through worth it, to see there faces and watch them experience Disney was amazing. Mostly importantly I met some of the most amazing people that I know I will be friends with for the rest of my life. My roommate wasn't my favorite person but we had our moments and shared the common bond of hating our other two roommates and for that I will not forget him. A select few of my co-workers Joanne, Melinda, Martha, Noel, Zobe, and Jeannette were the only ones who made working in housekeeping the slightest bit tolerable. They helped me when I need help and I returned the favor. They are all amazing people and I will miss them. My two bosses, Toni and Indy. Despite me not loving them at first, they both came through for me and I was truly happy to work with them. My dear friend Heather. Her and I are so on the same page, we have a ton in common and she is definitely one of my closest friends and of course Steven. He has been there for me since the beginning and I don't think I would have made it without him.
This program has changed me as a person. I'm not sure if it matured me more or made me think about my choices more carefully or if I'm more frugal because of it but I do know it has changed me. I have a few suggestions for those who are interested in the program or who are about to embark on a trip to do the program. First when you get your role make sure it is something that you actual want to do, otherwise you will be miserable. Don't think, oh it's an awful job but at least I will be in Disney, because at some point that won't be enough anymore. Second, meet as many people as you can. Making friends while you're there is crucial to surviving and making it through the whole program. Third, experience more than just the obvious. Yes, it's fun to ride the rides and pretend you're on a Disney vacation like everyone else but it gets old, especially after doing it for months. So, take the time to experience everything around you, meet all the characters, do the little things you wouldn't normally have time for, explore the resorts, go outside of Disney! Go to Universal or Sea World or to the beach! Just make sure you're changing it up or you will go crazy. Finally, have fun. This goes without saying but the program is about having fun and it's all about what you make out of it.
I wish you the best of luck in your program and hope my advice helped even a little bit. Now what better way to end this blog then with a quote from the man himself, a quote which really speaks to me.
"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you." ~ Walt Disney
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
One more time
One more time of working in housekeeping and in Disney in general. Unfortunately, I had to actually do housekeeping. I only had two checkouts so it wasn't awful but still I'll admit I was not happy about the fact that on my last day they made me do the job I dislike. I moved very quickly because I just wanted to be done because my mom flew in today also to drive back with me. I did get five bucks from a guest for cleaning his families two rooms. I ended up skipping lunch and finished by 3.
I went and helped Joanne cause she was freaking out about not finishing on time. Then I said my goodbyes I said goodbye to my manager. She gave me $20 from her and the other manager. She told me to go buy some alcohol for surviving! She let me leave at 3:30, which was awesome! So I said my goodbyes and clocked out for the last time.
I went back to my apartment and grabbed all my stuff and crammed it all into my car. I had to hurry because I had to get it all out by 5 in order to turn my key and housing i.d. in so I was rushing. I managed to finish by 4:50, said a goodbye to my roommate and left.
I headed to Port Orleans Riverside where I was staying for the night with my mom. The room was amazing! They've re-done all the rooms there into Royal Guest Rooms, decorated by Princess Tiana and all her friends. There's the magic carpet from Aladdin on the floor, the faucet is the genie's lamp. The coat rack has Cinderella's carriage, the chair is the foot stool from Beauty and the Beast. There are portraits of all the princesses and tapestries of the princes. It's just amazing that every tiny detail is covered! I guess I shouldn't expect any less from Disney!
We rushed to the Cast Store, since they closed at 6 and we wanted to go one more time. Luckily, we made it and we were able to shop. Next, we checked out all the pins in the Contemporary. There's five pin boards in there all together. Then we headed back to the hotel to unload the car and then we went to Downtown Disney. We just went in the Christmas store, World of Disney and the Pin store. We got dinner at Earl of Sandwich and dessert at Ghiradelli and called it a night.
I went and helped Joanne cause she was freaking out about not finishing on time. Then I said my goodbyes I said goodbye to my manager. She gave me $20 from her and the other manager. She told me to go buy some alcohol for surviving! She let me leave at 3:30, which was awesome! So I said my goodbyes and clocked out for the last time.
I went back to my apartment and grabbed all my stuff and crammed it all into my car. I had to hurry because I had to get it all out by 5 in order to turn my key and housing i.d. in so I was rushing. I managed to finish by 4:50, said a goodbye to my roommate and left.
I headed to Port Orleans Riverside where I was staying for the night with my mom. The room was amazing! They've re-done all the rooms there into Royal Guest Rooms, decorated by Princess Tiana and all her friends. There's the magic carpet from Aladdin on the floor, the faucet is the genie's lamp. The coat rack has Cinderella's carriage, the chair is the foot stool from Beauty and the Beast. There are portraits of all the princesses and tapestries of the princes. It's just amazing that every tiny detail is covered! I guess I shouldn't expect any less from Disney!
We rushed to the Cast Store, since they closed at 6 and we wanted to go one more time. Luckily, we made it and we were able to shop. Next, we checked out all the pins in the Contemporary. There's five pin boards in there all together. Then we headed back to the hotel to unload the car and then we went to Downtown Disney. We just went in the Christmas store, World of Disney and the Pin store. We got dinner at Earl of Sandwich and dessert at Ghiradelli and called it a night.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
I thought the horrible groups were gone?
Another day of shadowing the manager! I unfortunately had to be at work at 7. The managers had to do back up boards because the computer system was down. So I helped my favorite manager do them today. Then we had the breakout meeting and she had to lead the meeting and I was the one who got to click the mouse for the PowerPoint! I know exciting stuff.
After the meeting we handed out the boards and keys and stayed back for a little bit. Once we headed to the building, we already had an issue to deal with. Okay so yesterday we had a room that had a big red carpet stain. The manager told them to take the room out of the inventory but they had a group coming in those rooms and the person in charge of pulling it out of the system didn't think it'd be a problem. Well guess what was a complaint today?
We went to those rooms and asked to speak to the group leader. So this one woman introduced herself as the group leader so we discussed with her the problems of her rooms. That one, and another room had a problem draining in the tub and sink. So, they were asked when they we're leaving. This group leader told us that they were all leaving at 12:30 and the manager just explained how we can't clean all of those rooms after 12:30. So they agreed to just have their towels and trash taken care of.
Well for the rest of the day we checked rooms, we got lunch and did some room inspections so it was like 3:15 and we had to go back to the office to collect keys and check boards. Well at about 4, the front desk manager calls and says the group leader isn't happy. Apparently she wanted the beds made and they weren't because they told us not to.
The manager headed to the rooms to see what this lady wanted and left me in charge. I had to collect the keys, look up on the computer to make sure the rooms were punched. It wasn't difficult but when you get like 6 housekeepers in that office it gets a little crazy. The lady wasn't there but she found a business card so she called her.
So this lady was the group leader. She was not the woman we had talked to earlier who introduced herself as the group leader. This new woman was very upset cause we didn't talk to her earlier and apparently she claimed that she told front desk to tell us not to disturb her group until 12:30. So she complained we knocked earlier than that.
In the end, one of housepersons had to stay and work overtime to make all the beds. The manager and myself helped as well. We didn't leave until 5:45. So thank you Polish Group from Ohio. After work I said my goodbyes to my favorite manager. Then I headed back to the apartment. Packed like crazy and ended up at Heather's house for one more Tuesday of watching our shows together and then I said goodbye to her.
After the meeting we handed out the boards and keys and stayed back for a little bit. Once we headed to the building, we already had an issue to deal with. Okay so yesterday we had a room that had a big red carpet stain. The manager told them to take the room out of the inventory but they had a group coming in those rooms and the person in charge of pulling it out of the system didn't think it'd be a problem. Well guess what was a complaint today?
We went to those rooms and asked to speak to the group leader. So this one woman introduced herself as the group leader so we discussed with her the problems of her rooms. That one, and another room had a problem draining in the tub and sink. So, they were asked when they we're leaving. This group leader told us that they were all leaving at 12:30 and the manager just explained how we can't clean all of those rooms after 12:30. So they agreed to just have their towels and trash taken care of.
Well for the rest of the day we checked rooms, we got lunch and did some room inspections so it was like 3:15 and we had to go back to the office to collect keys and check boards. Well at about 4, the front desk manager calls and says the group leader isn't happy. Apparently she wanted the beds made and they weren't because they told us not to.
The manager headed to the rooms to see what this lady wanted and left me in charge. I had to collect the keys, look up on the computer to make sure the rooms were punched. It wasn't difficult but when you get like 6 housekeepers in that office it gets a little crazy. The lady wasn't there but she found a business card so she called her.
So this lady was the group leader. She was not the woman we had talked to earlier who introduced herself as the group leader. This new woman was very upset cause we didn't talk to her earlier and apparently she claimed that she told front desk to tell us not to disturb her group until 12:30. So she complained we knocked earlier than that.
In the end, one of housepersons had to stay and work overtime to make all the beds. The manager and myself helped as well. We didn't leave until 5:45. So thank you Polish Group from Ohio. After work I said my goodbyes to my favorite manager. Then I headed back to the apartment. Packed like crazy and ended up at Heather's house for one more Tuesday of watching our shows together and then I said goodbye to her.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Finally learning stuff!
Today I got to shadow a manager! So, the day started like normal. We handed out the boards, she told me to wear the radio, which made me feel important. After waiting for all the extras to be assigned to a location, we would normally head to the building but since we were both hungry we went to Dunkin Donuts!
After grabbing breakfast we got to the office and ate. I was showed all the funny videos of the managers throughout All-Star dancing and singing to Call Me Maybe, Good Time and What Makes You Beautiful. After that we set to work we inspected a bunch of rooms in building four. We also had to walk to front desk to get a safe key, which was cool cause I was behind where the people check you in and I got to see behind the scene there.
For lunch, I thought we were just gonna eat in the cafeteria but my fav manager got someone to cover for her so we could go to Panera ( not my favorite but who am I to complain). We went back and inspected rooms in building three in total we checked 17 rooms! We were also checking because Quality Assessment Team was around so we had to be careful.
At the end of the day, she had me prepare the boards for tomorrow. Checking off which rooms are checkouts. We left around 5 because we had to wait for a housekeeper. I can honestly say I learned more today then I have during my whole program. After work I got dinner and headed back. I did laundry and packed like crazy. I think I'm almost packed, but I will need more time tomorrow.
After grabbing breakfast we got to the office and ate. I was showed all the funny videos of the managers throughout All-Star dancing and singing to Call Me Maybe, Good Time and What Makes You Beautiful. After that we set to work we inspected a bunch of rooms in building four. We also had to walk to front desk to get a safe key, which was cool cause I was behind where the people check you in and I got to see behind the scene there.
For lunch, I thought we were just gonna eat in the cafeteria but my fav manager got someone to cover for her so we could go to Panera ( not my favorite but who am I to complain). We went back and inspected rooms in building three in total we checked 17 rooms! We were also checking because Quality Assessment Team was around so we had to be careful.
At the end of the day, she had me prepare the boards for tomorrow. Checking off which rooms are checkouts. We left around 5 because we had to wait for a housekeeper. I can honestly say I learned more today then I have during my whole program. After work I got dinner and headed back. I did laundry and packed like crazy. I think I'm almost packed, but I will need more time tomorrow.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Final Day in the parks
Back to work for my last week. Not a horrible day only 2 checkouts. I finished around 3:45 I would have finished sooner had I not been watching Hairspray as I worked but oh well! After work I went to Animal Kingdom to do all the penny machines that I missed. Then I headed to Hollywood Studios to get a couple Tower of Terror shirts and some Star Wars stuff. Since the wait was only ten minutes, I rode Tower of Terror also.
Finally I headed to Downtown Disney. I booked straight for he Characters in Flight Balloon. I waited in line, paid and was about to go when I changed my mind. I don't know if it was cause I had a slight headache cause I hadn't eaten in awhile or because I saw it swaying back and forth and it freaked me out, either way, I didn't do it. I can't help being a little disappointed in myself cause I've wanted to do it since I got here. I was able to get a refund, I headed to Earl of Sandwich and ate dinner and pretty much called a night after that.
Finally I headed to Downtown Disney. I booked straight for he Characters in Flight Balloon. I waited in line, paid and was about to go when I changed my mind. I don't know if it was cause I had a slight headache cause I hadn't eaten in awhile or because I saw it swaying back and forth and it freaked me out, either way, I didn't do it. I can't help being a little disappointed in myself cause I've wanted to do it since I got here. I was able to get a refund, I headed to Earl of Sandwich and ate dinner and pretty much called a night after that.
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Last Day at Epcot
Today was not only my last day at Epcot, but also my last full day in a park. First thing I did once I got there at 11:30, was get a FastPass for Soarin. I was gonna do the single rider line at Test Track but it was a 70 minute wait and I was like no way. So, I traded some pins at the Epcot Pin Store. Next I made a stop at MouseGears to get my graduation hat written on. I wanted it to say my name and then DCP 2013. The guy like freaked out when I asked that he's like we can't do that cause that's a trademark for Disney. I was like oh I just thought I could cause I'd seen other people with it on theirs. He said Magic Kingdom is doing it but they're not supposed and they will probably get fired so I just got my name and the year.
I checked Test Track again and single rider line was only 10 minutes so I waited. I rode Mission Space after that, on the green side of course. Next I started my walk around the world. I started in Mexico, taking pictures and I rode the Gran Fiesta Tour. I decided it would be fun to take a picture in different hats around the world too. Norway was next, I also rode the Maelstrom, which cleared up some things from the Kingdom Keepers book I'm reading.
China was after that. I saw the movie Reflections of China. Which was cool because it's presented in circle vision. They have screens all around you and it truly feels like you're in China, I'd recommend seeing it just for the circle visions. Germany was next. Then I had to run back to Soarin. I did The Seas with Nemo and friends next.
I decided to head over to the Universe of Energy after that and ride Ellen's Energy Adventure since that was something I hadn't done before. It was just okay, I'm not sure I would sit through it again. After that I headed back to the Showcase I took my hat picture in Mexico and Norway. Walked to America and did pictures there and in Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom and Canada.
I went back to America to watch the American Adventure Show,I ended up yelling at the lady next to me for using her phone as a flashlight to look at the map during the show. Again the show was just alright. I headed back to France to watch Impressions de France, which I liked and then since it was close to park closing, I ended the night with a ride on Spaceship Earth.
I checked Test Track again and single rider line was only 10 minutes so I waited. I rode Mission Space after that, on the green side of course. Next I started my walk around the world. I started in Mexico, taking pictures and I rode the Gran Fiesta Tour. I decided it would be fun to take a picture in different hats around the world too. Norway was next, I also rode the Maelstrom, which cleared up some things from the Kingdom Keepers book I'm reading.
China was after that. I saw the movie Reflections of China. Which was cool because it's presented in circle vision. They have screens all around you and it truly feels like you're in China, I'd recommend seeing it just for the circle visions. Germany was next. Then I had to run back to Soarin. I did The Seas with Nemo and friends next.
I decided to head over to the Universe of Energy after that and ride Ellen's Energy Adventure since that was something I hadn't done before. It was just okay, I'm not sure I would sit through it again. After that I headed back to the Showcase I took my hat picture in Mexico and Norway. Walked to America and did pictures there and in Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom and Canada.
I went back to America to watch the American Adventure Show,I ended up yelling at the lady next to me for using her phone as a flashlight to look at the map during the show. Again the show was just alright. I headed back to France to watch Impressions de France, which I liked and then since it was close to park closing, I ended the night with a ride on Spaceship Earth.
Friday, August 2, 2013
Last Day at Hollywood Studios
It's been just a little rough, slowly realizing I won't be back in these parks for a while but this one is my favorite and it will be the one I miss. Honestly I may end up back here one more time before I leave. Today was also a little more fun because my friend Heather decided to join me.
As everyone knows when getting to Hollywood Studios you must get a FastPass for Toy Story Midway Mania, so we got that and I finally had an eclair at Starring Roles Cafe, which I've heard is amazing from a couple people ( thanks Sara and Sharon) and that it was. We made a reservation for dinner at the Sci- Fi Dine-in Theater. Since most of the rides were prettying waits we ended up doing The Backlot Tour, in which Heather volunteered to be the mechanic ( who gets a big thing of water dumped on her).
Next I took some pictures at the Honey O Shrunk the Kids playground and New York. Then we did the Great Movie Ride and Star Tours. We caught a round of auditions at The American Idol Experience and saw Muppet Vision 3-D. I finally got to see Lights, Motor, Action Extreme Stunt Show. I took some pictures everywhere.
Next up, we got FastPasses to Tower of Terror and waited for Rockin Roller Coaster. Then Tower of Terror and we hurried over to catch the finale of American Idol, which was good. Until today I had never done American Idol. We walked around Walt: One Man's Dream and got to see the movie about how Walt's Dream became the parks today. It was time for our dinner reservation after that for Sci-Fi. The waiter was kinda weird, he asked of we were dating, to which we said no and then he asked if we were friends with benefits, also no. Umm there was kids in the row right in front of us so that made more inappropriate! Not that it was his business to begin with but even more so in that situation. After dinner, we headed over to catch the last showing of my favorite show, Fantasmic, a perfect way to end the night.
As everyone knows when getting to Hollywood Studios you must get a FastPass for Toy Story Midway Mania, so we got that and I finally had an eclair at Starring Roles Cafe, which I've heard is amazing from a couple people ( thanks Sara and Sharon) and that it was. We made a reservation for dinner at the Sci- Fi Dine-in Theater. Since most of the rides were prettying waits we ended up doing The Backlot Tour, in which Heather volunteered to be the mechanic ( who gets a big thing of water dumped on her).
Next I took some pictures at the Honey O Shrunk the Kids playground and New York. Then we did the Great Movie Ride and Star Tours. We caught a round of auditions at The American Idol Experience and saw Muppet Vision 3-D. I finally got to see Lights, Motor, Action Extreme Stunt Show. I took some pictures everywhere.
Next up, we got FastPasses to Tower of Terror and waited for Rockin Roller Coaster. Then Tower of Terror and we hurried over to catch the finale of American Idol, which was good. Until today I had never done American Idol. We walked around Walt: One Man's Dream and got to see the movie about how Walt's Dream became the parks today. It was time for our dinner reservation after that for Sci-Fi. The waiter was kinda weird, he asked of we were dating, to which we said no and then he asked if we were friends with benefits, also no. Umm there was kids in the row right in front of us so that made more inappropriate! Not that it was his business to begin with but even more so in that situation. After dinner, we headed over to catch the last showing of my favorite show, Fantasmic, a perfect way to end the night.
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