Thursday, February 28, 2013

All on my own


This morning was one of those mornings that I woke up and just knew that it wasn't gonna be to good of a day. I felt exhausted from the start. I decided to stop at McDonalds before work mostly cause I needed caffeine. So I got some breakfast sandwich and a caramel mocha. The sandwich kinda freaked me out cause it had a little bit of green on the eggs... So I ate around it and my mocha wasn't disguised enough cause I still tasted coffee. Anyway so at work I had to go to some class about the four keys of which we already learned about so I didn't understand the point.

Since I had the class I only had 9 rooms, but instead of making it easy for me they give me 3 linen changes and a checkout and they took all the easy ones away, instead of taking the hard ones. The class was okay. It started off boring but the guy was pretty good so it slowly got better. At least my friend Katie (who has helped me in the past) was there. The weird part was when we were discussing ways we could show courtesy and this woman said that one time she was asked if she could wash her husbands underwear because he took a poo on one of the rides.... And she actually did it! Just so we're clear she did not have to do that, it is not in our job description.

We did get a 15 minute break so I got to eat the sandwich I brought and they gave us chips and pop. The class finally ended at noon so I had about four hours to clean all those rooms. And we didn't even get to our building until about 12:30 so exact four hours.

I started on my checkout since it was a standard room it only took a half hour. My first linen change was a suite but they only used three out of the four beds so it wasn't that bad. My second suite linen change I may have skipped some corners, same with my last linen change but hey they wanted me to get done right? I was trying to hurry because I got an extra room on the first floor when I was on second. So that took some extra time. I finished roughly 4:30 and by the time I punched out it was 4:46. I hope I don't get a point for being a minute late.

After work I went to Magic Kingdom. After getting my sorcerer cards I headed over to Space Mountain to get my Fast Pass to add to my collection. Then I decided to continue my Sorcerer card game and I beat Maleficent ( my favorite villain). I checked the wait times for Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain and they were both long so I got dinner.

I went to Pecos Bill and got the BBQ sandwich, always good! My one roommate was also there and we were gonna meet up but he couldn't get over to Big Thunder Mountain and then he said he was gonna have an anxiety attack because of all the people so he left. So I rode Big Thunder Mountain by myself.

After that I decided to ride Pirates of the Caribbean since it was only a 5 minute wait and when I got on I was the only one on the boat (other than three other people on the back). Since the fireworks were going off I decided to go on Space Mountain by myself. It seemed like it went faster that time than ever before Next, since I knew the Wishes crowd would be crowding Main Street I headed to Storybook Circus, got a cake pop, cookie and pins. Finally, I rode the Winnie the Pooh ride since I hadn't ridden it since I hadn't been on it since I've been here. Then I headed back and here I am, exhausted and having to go to work tomorrow. Hopefully I will do something fun after work. (Pictures will be coming!)

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

I rode Space Mountain!!

This morning started out like a lazy day. I only got to sleep in until about 8:30, I think it has something to do with my mattress because everytime I get up and start doing stuff it feels fine again or it could be old age, who knows. As previously mentioned I spent some time updating my blogs and mostly waiting til my friend Steven was available because he went to audition to be a Star Wars character this morning. I almost went but decided I better not.

We really wanted to go to the waterpark so we grabbed some pretzels and headed over to Typhoon Lagoon. We got changed and rode Gangplank Falls, which is where you and all your family members get into a tube and go down a slide. Next we went down Mayday Falls and Keelhaul Falls, both intertwine rides by yourself, both weren't bad at all. After that we did the Huminga Kowabunga which is a straight down hill drop with just you, no tubes or nothing. You are completely surrounded the whole time but it still feels like you're falling. Next we did the storm slides,we did all 3 they weren't bad at all! Finally we hit the wave pool. The waves are huge! Sometimes I was overwhelmed by he amount of water coming at me but it was fun! Then the park closed so we had to leave.

After Typhoon we headed over to Magic Kingdom. We got our sorcerer cards for the day and headed over to Big Thunder Mountain to experience it in the day time. We were just about to get on when these girls gave me there Fastpasses so we got right on! It's definitely different in the daytime! I still loved it! Then we decided to try and see of we could get into Be Our Guest for dinner and we could!! It was delicious! I had the pan seared salmon and triple chocolate cupcake. Right after dinner we ran out onto the bridge and caught Wishes!!

On our way out of New Fantasyland we saw the wait for Enchanted Tales with Belle was only 20 mins! So we did that. Steven got to be a knight even thought he wanted to be the beast. After that we checked out the Barnstormer which is the new kiddie roller coaster, I think it goes pretty fast but is not bad by any means. Next we went on Dumbo. Steven really wanted me to go on Space Mountain. So I stalled by going the Peoplemover. Next we did Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin. I said if I beat him we weren't going on Space Mountain. So, since I lost at Buzz we were going. So, I went on Space mountain. The first time, I hated it. The darkness was scary! So Steven suggested going on again so we did and it was a little better but not by much. I need to go back to get a Fastpass since they were closed. So I may do that after work tomorrow!

Up to date!

I just spent the last hour updating everything with pictures and I figured out how to fix when the posts got out of order so everything is in order again and updated with pictures! Enjoy and I will have a new post for you later!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

I can't believe I actually like a roller coaster!

This morning started off okay. I slept in until 8:30 and then got ready to go, I was meeting up with my friend Steven. We were headed to breakfast and then we were thinking about heading to Typhoon Lagoon but this morning it was dark and overcast and kinda cold so that didn't happen, but we did go to breakfast. We finally got to Denny's at about 11. Steven decided to surprise me by inviting his roommate to come, which I thought was weird since not only are all his roommates from Puerto Rico, but he really doesn't do anything with them. So one of his roommates came, didn't eat anything just sat there watching us eat...so that wasn't awkward or anything. Steven got gas and then we were gonna go to Downtown Disney, but then he was saying he wanted a dress shirt because he has a class today and you have to dress up, so I suggested the outlets. His roommate wanted to go back though so we dropped off his roommate and went on to the outlets.

We got Steven a shirt at Calvin Klein and I got a new t-shirt for Haunted Mansion in the Disney store there! After that we had to head back because the bus was picking Steven up at around 2. So we went back, Steven went to class and I went to Epcot. I stopped at the pin store and got some pins, then got some free soda from Club Cool. The real reason I went was to ride Test Track so I got in the single rider line and was on within 10 minutes. The worst part was when they had some technical issues and had to stop the ride, while we were outside. After I got off I want to ride it again without the stopping, but they had closed the ride due to technical difficulties. On my way out I saw some toparies of The Lion King and Phineas and Ferb. (I will post later)


Next, I headed to the Contemporary Resort.I wanted to go there mostly so I didn't have to ride anything to get to the Magic Kingdom. I went in and traded some pins and then headed to the Walkway to the Magic Kingdom. Since, I actually had time I played my Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom. I beat Dr. Facilier, Ursula, Scar and Cruella De Vil. I was just about to start my next adventure. When Steven said he was on his way, besides I found out they turn some of the portals off while the fireworks are going.

So, we had decided to try Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Since it was only a 20 minute wait, we waited, I got a FastPass to add to my collection of rides I've ridden. Honestly, it was so fun that we got back in line and rode it a 2nd time and a third and after our third time we didn't have anyone waiting to get our seats so we were told we could stay on. So, that was our fourth and finally our fifth time we requested the front seat, the back is way more bumpy than the front, in my opinion the back was more fun than the front. After riding that 5 times we rode Pirates of the Caribbean and some cute little boy was panicking over how scary it was gonna be and his mom said these two guys will protect you (meaning me and Steven)and I said yes we will there's nothing to worry about. After the drop I told him that that was the scariest part. So then when we got off he was like wow that was fun! It was so cute.

After that we headed to Animal Kingdom Lodge because we had reservations at Boma for 8:30. We ate there and the food was pretty good. The fruit was delicious! The steak and chicken were pretty good. Some of the salads looked good. My first plate was all fruit, they had the best pineapple I've ever had. Then I got some kind of pasta, a chicken drumstick, mac and cheese, and this little muffin that tasted like corn bread. The pasta was kinda gross. My next plate consisted of spinach salad, a slice of steak, a chicken flavored thigh, a pork shoulder and mashed potatoes. The salad tasted funky but everything else was good. Finally dessert, I got two zebra domes (which Steven loves),chocolate mousse cake, two peanut butter caramel cakes, a passion fruit little thing and a brownie. The passion fruit was to tart, the mousse was pretty good, the peanut butter things were excellent and the zebra domes weren't half bad either. After dinner we headed back and that was the day!

Monday, February 25, 2013

Even one drink can make things a little better


Work actually was okay today. Everyone had a lighter schedule than usual. I don't know if that's because it's Monday and more people are working or what. But I only had one checkout today and the rest were all just occupied rooms. It was great to see an easier day so that was good!

My checkout was still in the room so I did an occupied, the my checkout was out so I did that one but had a problem because the room smelled of cigarette smoke so not only do they have to use some special machine to get rid of the odor but they also charge the guest $250. So I wouldn't recommend doing that, when you could just go to a designated smoking area.

After that I did another occupied and then Heather found me saying she was going to lunch. So I decided to go, we met with Martha and her new trainee and we all went to lunch. After lunch my first room I did I got a 5 dollar tip (at least I hope it was for me, I mean why else would you leave 5 dollars in the middle of the bed by nothing else?)

In my next occupied the guests came back so they could use their bathroom so I had to wait in the room for that, then the guests in the next room came back the second that I got there to change to bathing suits so I got to wait for them. As I was finishing up that room, Martha came back with her new trainee and helped me do my last suite!

Next I stocked my cart and left! When I got back to the apt. My one roommate wanted to go to the outlets because he didn't want to be at be apt. So I suggested the movies at Downtown Disney, so we went there.

We decided to do the watch and dine option where you eat dinner while watching the movie. So we got our tickets and the. walked around and got some liquor! My roommate got something called a Golden Margarita and I got a Pina Colada mine was good!

Then we headed back to the movie theater. On the way we heard a saxophone player playing "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele it was amazing! I wish I could have listened longer! He was so good! I also got a text from one of my roommates saying his laptop was missing and if someone didnt tell him where it was he was gonna call the police. Well the roommate I was with knew where it was. i guess our final roommate picked up and put it in a drawer in the kitchen for the inspection. So instead of telling the roommate where his computer was he just didnt. We got to our assigned seats and watched previews while we waited to order. The menu is similar to Friendlys, the food was not amazing but not awful. We saw Identity Thief, it was just what we needed a comedy!

The movie was hilarious! I love Melissa McCarthy! She deserves an academy award for being so funny! Anyway so after the movie we headed back. No fighting was going on when we got back so that was good. And that was my day, now I have two days off!! I'm so happy!

Sunday, February 24, 2013

When does it get better?

Today was just one of those dad where you wish it never happened. I woke up extra early, well actually I didn't sleep good and woke up at 3 something, 5 something and finally 6:30. I thought I would have to be up earlier because the Princess Half Marathon was today it started at Epcot and went through the Magic Kingdom and they closed off a lot of roads for it, so I figured my route to work would be closed. It wasn't, in fact I only saw about a dozen other cars on my way there.

So, that meant I arrived almost a half an hour early to work, so I decided to get some caffeine from McDonalds. I got a Caramel Mocha and apparently (cause I was wearing my uniform) we get a discount there! After that I headed to work and met up with Martha and Heather and Katie. Martha is training a new guy now (so now I'm really on my own!) I got my assignments for the day I had 6 suites and 2 regular rooms. Two of the suites and one of the regular rooms were checkouts and another suite was a linen change.


All my checkouts were still occupied so I did a suite and then one of my checkouts became available. A trainer from a different section came to check on new hires and she made all my beds for my (which was great cause we had to look for bedbugs today as well) . I did a few more rooms and my second checkout suite had a do not disturb sign on the door by the time it was twenty til 1 PM I just decided to knock it and boy was it a mess, of course they could have take that off since they weren't in there anyway. But that room took a while, luckily the trainer made all my beds again with some help from our manager (mostly I think it was so they could speak Spanish to one another.


Once again no time for a lunch, by the time I only had one more suite left the one that was a linen change, it was already 3:20 so luckily Martha and her new trainee came and helped me since they were done and did all my beds thank goodness or I never would have finished!

After work I just went back to the apartment. My one roommate came in shortly after me and we were just watching some videos on YouTube when another roommate came in and asked us really nicely if we wanted to clean for our apartment inspection tomorrow because he heard there's a 25 dollar fee if we fail, the one I was watching videos with says no I'd rather pay the fee (probably cause he's the one who usually cleans, and I already vacuumed the other day. So they started yelling at each other, something about how one should have emptied the dishwasher cause the other put dirty I top of clean so they all had to be washed again .

I couldn't take the yelling plus I had plans to Skype with one of my best friends from back home. So I drove to Target and Skyped in the parking lot. We talked for about and hour. I called my mom and talked to her for a bit and then I tried to call another best friend but she was sick so I will try again another day. I shopped around Target got gas and came back. The two who were fighting must have made up since I got a text saying they did make up. Hopefully tomorrow will be better but I would doubt it.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Good Beginnings don't always have happy endings

Work today started out great! My first room was a suite checkout, I not only got a $20 dollar tip but since we can take whatever is left in the room (food wise that is unopened of course) I got a 24 pack of water that had 20 waters in it, 4 boxes of kool aid jammers (10 in a box so 40 of those) 9 things of yogurt, paper cups and bowls, assorted plastic silverware, 6 apples and 4 oranges and a pack of unopened paper towels. That was pretty awesome.

As the day went on I had more and more of a rough day. I has 3 suite checkouts my last one wasn't put at 12:40 and if they are there after 1 they get charged for another day, so I asked my trainer Martha, what to do and she called the help line and they called the room. I tried to tell them but they don't speak English. So our manager got to go knock on their door but as so. As she got there they were walking out. I guess they were from Argentina and didn't speak English. When I got to there room there was so much garbage on the floor, shoeboxes, Playstation 3 boxes, legos, tags for clothes, I mean it could literally have been a dump in that room it had so much garbage in it!

Next the manager checked one of my rooms and said I got an 86. She told me he cubbies in my bathroom were dusty, I didn't check the hangers and I guess there were scuff marks on the wall and she didn't like that either. Then I still had two single rooms and two suites, luckily one of the suites wanted just towels so I didn't even need to go in to there room! Thanks to the help of Martha and Maritz (our houseperson who grabbed everything I needed to stock my cart ahead of time) if it wasn't for them I would have never been able to leave, I didn't even finish until 4:15 and we are supposed to be gone by 4:30. One of the housepersons was nice enough to wait for us to drive us back! So, we got back I gave Martha a water and half the kool-aid jammers and then headed out. After work, I was so happy to change my clothes! It hit 90 degrees here today! Anyway, I met Mary Ellen, John and Jamie at the Contemporary Resort to eat at Chef Mickey's! The food is severed buffet style. The food was pretty good and the desserts were excellent the red velvet cake had to be my favorite! After we ate, we went to Magic Kingdom, where Jamie's grandparents were waiting to meet up with us. We rode Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean and the flying carpets of Aladdin, twice! After that we caught the Celebrate the Magic show projected on the castle and everyone was tired so we said our goodbyes and went our separate ways. I came back and put all my goodies away and now I'm gonna crash.

Friday, February 22, 2013

Please! Tell me it gets easier!

Work today was seriously a nightmare. First we had our meeting which was fine, one of the secretaries won the legacy award which is a huge honor and two housekeepers got some Disney dollars and golden parking (right in front of the building) for being outstanding housekeepers. I had to do 12 rooms by myself and I had no one who could help me because my trainer and the two friends I've made we're all off today. So I had to hustle. I went to my checkout that was a suite and they were still there and they said about an hour, so I went to one of my occupied suites and did that and then I did one of my single rooms, just as I was almost done, my manager comes in and she tells me the room is a checkout (it wasn't supposed to be but it was now) so essentially I had to start over again.

While I was finishing up the guy from my suite checkout knocks on the window and asks for extra soaps cause they have the Mickey logo so I gave them to him and he also said they were done in their room. Not only was it a huge mess but they didn't even leave me a tip. So I did that room and did my other occupied single room.

At that point it was around 1 but I didn't have time for lunch so I continued to work. I did my single room checkout and then my single room linen change and then I still had a single room occupied and two more suites occupied. I finished by about 4 and then stocked my cart and left at about 4:30 by the time I turned in my key and what not.

I then headed over to Epcot to meet up with Mary Ellen, Jamie and their family. Plus, I wanted to remind myself why I put up with all this everyday. They were having dinner at the Garden Grill which is in the land pavilion. It's pretty cool the restaurant actually rotates while you dine. The food was excellent! They started us off with rolls and salad with vegetables made from the garden. Then the main course was family style, they had turkey over bread pudding, tilapia over zucchini and steak with mashed potatoes, a plate of sweet potato fries and mac n cheese. We also got to see characters, we got to see Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale! After the main course was dessert. I'm not entirely sure what it was but it was a round cake with blueberries and ice cream on the top, whatever it was it was delicious. After dinner, Jamie wanted to see the Circle of Life movie, little did he know it was gonna be about preserving the planet and what not, guess I forgot to mention that...oops! After that we went and saw Captain EO and then Jamie and I really wanted to go on Test Track but the wait was 50 minutes long, single rider was still pretty long and everyone was pretty beat so we just headed out. I drove them back to their hotel because there is no bus to the Grand Floridian, and they seemed to not have the best of luck when they take the monorail. So, I drove them back and came back myself. I get to work all day again tomorrow! I can hardly wait :(


Thursday, February 21, 2013

Successful Day at Animal Kingdom

This morning I got to sleep in again! I slept in til about 8:30 and then I had to get up and get ready because my really good friends Mary Ellen, John and Jamie were in town! And they asked me to go to Animal Kingdom with them for the day. So I left about 10 and drove over to their hotel... the Grand Floridian!


I got there and they let me see there room, wow it was so nice! It even had a dock for your iPhone! Crazy! Anyway so we headed to Animal Kingdom, they thought we were gonna take a bus but I said no I'll drive! So we headed to Animal Kingdom!!


We got there around 11. The first thing we did was get a FastPass for the Kilmanjaro Safari. Then we headed over to the Camp Minnie-Mickey Character Greetings and saw Minnie and Mickey! After that we saw the Festival of the Lion King and then went back and saw Baloo and King Louie and then Donald Duck! By then it was time to head back to the safari so we did.


Honestly, one of the best safaris I've taken! We saw an ostrich, zebra and giraffe all right next to the jeep. The baby rhino came out and elephants, alligators, hippos, cheetahs, lions! Wait till you see the pictures!!

Then we headed to Expedition Everest cause Jamie really wanted to go on it. I did not! John didn't want to eitherSo since Mary Ellen didn't want Jamie to go alone she went on. While I was waiting I got a FastPass for Everest to add to my collection. They got off and Mary Ellen said it wasn't that bad.


After that we headed to Dinoland and rode the Primeval Whirl, we all went on. John said he got a headache from the ride. I asked Mary Ellen which one she thought was worse Everest or this one and she said that one. Next we rode Dinosaur. It's okay I'm not super fond of going up and down but alright.


After Dinosaur we visited Pluto and Goofy. Then Mary Ellen treated us to ice cream! So Jamie and I got Mickey heads. After that we checked out Flights of Wonder, I had never seen it before. It's a show about birds and teaching them tricks and stuff, they fly right over your head, it's a pretty neat show!

Jamie really wanted to ride the Kali River Rapids which honestly I've never seen open so we all went on those. Mary Ellen had to borrow my poncho before she'd get on. John got the most soaked out of everyone!


We had to be at Yak and Yeti by 5:30 for dinner so we went here next, I gotta say for Asian food it was delicious! Jamie got ribs (typical, afraid to try the food) I got the beef and broccoli stir fry, it was so good! The rice on the side tasted amazing with soy sauce! Mary Ellen got the sweet and sour chicken and John got the honey chicken. We had egg rolls for an appetizer which were also good. After our meal Jamie wanted to go on Everest again. John headed back to the hotel to rest and dry off so he left us.

I told Jamie if his mom went on again, especially after eating that I would go on Everest. She did so I was brave and got on too. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought, the only freaky part is when you go backwards I the dark. I don't know that I'd ride it on a full stomach again but I think I would do it again. Which made me decide that from now on when I get a FastPass for my collage I need to then ride that ride. So now I have a FastPass not only for my collage but also commemorating the first time I went on Everest ! Tell me that isn't cool!

Since the wait was only 5 minutes Jamie went on again by himself. So he went on 3 times! I was satisfied that I did it once! By then it was almost time for the park to close so we quickly caught the It's Tough to be a Bug show on the way out. After that we headed to Downtown Disney.


We just walked around Downtown Disney, went into Ghiradelli twice for free samples! Walked thorough some shops and listened to music and then left. The GPS got us a lite lost on the way back to their hotel but we made it! Then I heads back and now I'm gonna go to bed cause I have work tomorrow an I'm hopefully gonna meet up with them tomorrow!


Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Day Off

This morning I got to sleep in until 9. Then after contemplating what to do, I decided to lay low and do some stuff. I did two loads of laundry, went to the front desk, got a vacuum and vacuummed the whole apartment and then took out the garbage. Which was good because I found out that we have an apartment inspection on Monday.

Then I took the time to finally update all my blogs with pictures and what not. I'm excited for my good friends, Mary Ellen and Jamie to come into town tonight and I am gonna do something with them tomorrow.

My one roommate got home and since Magic Kingdom was open until 11 we decided to go there. We got there just in time to see Wishes. My roommate showed me the spot where he likes to go to watch it, back by the carousel because then you're right in the middle of the action, fireworks are being blown off on either side of you it's pretty cool!


After Wishes we were both pretty hungry so we went to Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe. After we ate, he wanted me to go on Space Mountain by I still won't do it. So, he said he still hasn't been to Storybook Circus so I told him we were going!


We first rode Dumbo. What made it really fun was when we each got in our own Dumbo and raced to see who could get up and down the quickest. After Dumbo, we went to the giant circus tent gift shop and since we get a discount, he got fudge and I got a cake pop and we both got cotton candy for free! Best cotton candy I've ever had!


After that we were gonna meet the characters in Pete's Silly Sideshow. So, while my roommate ran to the restroom I decided to start my collection of FastPasses (If I didn't mention yesterday, Sara suggested getting a FastPass from everything you can and make a collage out of them, and I loved that idea!!) so I got one for the Barnstormer, the new roller coaster in Storybook Circus. Then we saw The Great Goofini, The Amazing Donaldo, Madame Daisy Fortuna, and Minnie Magnifique! They all look so cool in their costumes! Since there was no line we actually got to get a picture of Donald and Goofy together!


After that we went to Enchanted Tales with Belle. It was so much more than just a storytelling experience! First you enter Belle and Maurice (Belle's Father) house and you walk through there living area complete with a beautiful portrait (seen below) of Belle as a young girl with her mother. Then you go into Maurice's workshop and see actually some diagrams for inventions like the wood chopper from the movie and a model for the giant music box in the Beasts Castle (Be Our Guest). Right before you leave the workshop you look at this mirror and you have to say take me back to the night where Belle and Beast fell in love and the mirror shows you going toward the castle and slowly expands until it closes in on a door and then magical opens and you're in the castle!!

You go in and you talk to the armoire, who assigns the parts for the story. Usually the kids get picked but sometimes an adult male will get asked to be a suit of armor or the beast! And all the props come out of the armoire! After that you enter the library and Lumiere sits on the mantle welcoming you. The whole get together is a surprise for Belle so when she comes in you yell surprise! She then re-enacts the story with Lumiere narratoring and everyone who was picked jumping in along the way. It's really cute! I would do it again!



After that we went on the Carousel and then we saw Mickeys philarmagic! The park was starting to close so we played the Sorcerer card game for a bit and then headed back. When we got back I find an empty potato chip bag on the floor I wasted my time to vacuum, sigh roommates.