Day 3: Ohana Means Family...

Today was super fun. We set up some spooky Halloween decorations in our common area so we are definitely ready for the holiday season! After that, we picked up some extra people and headed out to the salon so some of my roommates could get their nails done. One of my roommate's friends needed to get his hair trimmed to be in Disney Look and I needed a bang cut, so we found a place to get that done too.

We also initiated a prank war amongst our roommates. We were at Big Lots when one of my roommates innocently said how much she hated clowns after seeing a little figurine of one. So of course, I grabbed it when she wasn't looking and bought it. We decided to scare her with it and it has since escalated.

We also had super lucky Ohana reservations at 8:45 tonight. We got there early to look around, and soon enough we were seated. Ohana is family style with multiple courses and it's all delicious. The staff there was so amazing, it was truly magical! After that, we watched Hallo-Wishes from the beach then went home.

We decided to stay in and have a movie night since there was no way we'd be moving after all that food. We watched Insidious 2 even though most of us hadn't seen the first.

'Til next time!

Day 2: Everything But The...

Today was another eventful day in Vista Way. We started out with a quite early housing meeting in the Commons apartment complex. Myself and 3 of my other roommates had the same time so we all left together. It was almost exactly the same as last time- corny jokes, some updated information, and cute videos.

After the housing meeting, we all came back and had some lunch then finished decorating our rooms. It's definitely starting to feel like home! We mulled around the apartment for a couple hours until we started getting ready to head out to Beaches and Cream to conquer the delicious Kitchen Sink for a second time.

Mary Beth, Kacy, and I met up with Abby, Jenny, and Jalyn around 8:30 for our reservation. We all exchanged roommate gifts that were super cute and then we ordered the ~chocolate~ Kitchen Sink. It was SO much better than the regular plain old version. No gross toppings combinations this time!

After we filled our bellies with delicious ice cream, we walked around the lagoon to the Boardwalk resort and talked a little bit. We came back to the apartment and watched Horrible Bosses because we still do not have a modem in this apartment.

We made an impromptu reservation for tomorrow night at Ohana, so we have that to look forward to!

'Til next time!

Day 1: You Can't Step In The Same River Twice

After a very long trip that involved roughly 20 hours of driving, two nights in a hotel, and a minor league baseball game, I was finally able to check in to my second program today!

So, a quick side note about my roommate situation. We got the e-mail to fill out our DORMS registration about two weeks ago. When we did it, we were only able to link up with 2 other girls. So our apartment of 6 people was split into 2 groups of 3: Mary Beth, Kacy, and myself were in one group, and Abby, Jenny, and Jalyn were in the other.

We all found out we were in Vista Way several days ago. We now receive an arrival itinerary 3-5 days before we check in that outlines our first couple of days; it has our check-in information, casting, housing, and traditions (as well as drug tests and lifeguard tests if applicable). Since check-in is done at the complex you'll be living in, when we saw Vista Way we were all super excited that we would be in the same complex!

Jalyn and I had the same check-in time at 10:15am, so we met up in the parking lot to walk in together. After we got through the gate, we started walking through Vista towards the service center, when I heard my name being called. It was my old roommate, Kriss! She hung around while I went in to get checked in (the whole process takes about 5 minutes now- just taking my ID picture, and going over my itinerary) then we walked to our apartment. Jalyn and I compared our apartments, and they were not the same :( However, we ended up living right across the hall from each other!

I met my first new roommate Caroline right when I walked in. Her, Jalyn, and myself all had the same casting time so we turned around and headed back towards the bus. Once we got to Casting, I had a great chat with Kent, one of the education coordinators for the DCP, who went to Alabama, just like me!

This is where I also officially found out my work location. I GOT SUNSET Y'ALL. I get to be a strawberry, I AM SO EXCITED!!!!! I'll finally be able to work in a park all the time doing merchandise.

After we got back from casting, we met our other two roommates, Tiffany and Shayleigh.  These two had linked with Caroline, and ended up with our group of 3! We headed out to Wal-Mart and did some grocery shopping, and attempted to unpack a little bit.

We invited over the other girls across the hall to play Cards Against Humanity and had a great time. Some of Shayleigh's friends stopped by and played a few rounds too.

Overall, it was definitely an eventful first day back. It feels amazing being in Florida again, and I'm super excited to see how we all get along and make new friends!

'Til next time!

Where Do I Want To Work? (Part 2)

Hey guys!

It's been a while, huh?

Well, it's official, ya girl is a college graduate! I'm taking it easy this summer, working at my local Six Flags and desperately counting down the days until I can return to Orlando and hang out with the mouse all over again.

So my countdown is down to 70 days now until I'm on the road to Florida, and I thought it would be a good time to pick my top locations! Especially considering the last time I did this, I didn't fully understand how Disney broke down locations in merchandise.

Without further ado, I give you: My Top Work Locations for Fall 2016 (there are 7 because I don't believe in rounding to my top 5, suck it)

7) Goofy's Candy Company

frontierlandstation.com

Yeah, it's still on my list. After living in Orlando for so long, Mickey shaped sweets are always tops on my list, and Goofy's is where I go if I want a rice krispy treat shaped like Mickey's head. Although the degree of ugliness for the costume bumps it to the #7 slot.

6) Discovery Island

familytravelescapades.com

I got to work here during my first program after picking up a shift from someone. This is a common trend you'll see going down my list. I really liked it! The costume was super comfy, so bonus points there. The walk from cast parking to this work location is nice and short, though the drive is pretty long from DCP housing.

5) Main Street East

disneyparks.disney.go.com

You can't really be closer to the magic than on Main Street, U.S.A. Getting to see the parades all day and the nighttime shows would be amazing! Main Street West, AKA The Emporium, is a little intimidating. Main Street East, while very busy, has a cool variety of jobs, and you get specialty trained in a lot of things! (Plus, the Confectionary yummmm)

4) Tomorrowland

thefloridaproject.com

Tomorrowland has pretty much always been my favorite, or one of my favorite, lands in Magic Kingdom. I know there are several zones within Tomorrowland, so there's a good opportunity to work in different places, as well as rotate within a few shops/carts every day. Plus, two rides that do photos are in Tomorrowland, so I could be photo trained!

3) Hollywood Hills

disney-pals.com

Alright, now we're getting serious, the top 3! Hollywood Hills merchandise is Rock Around the Shop, Tower Hotel Gifts, and Fantasmic merchandise. AKA one of the best trios possible. I want to work at Tower Hotel Gifts SO BAD. So if it was my home location, that would be amazing.

2) Fantasyland

c1.staticflickr.com

UGH this location was so much fun to work in I did it twice! The costume is adorable, and there is a great variety of places to work. The courtyard is where I worked both shifts: Castle Couture, Sir Mickey's, and Fantasy Faire. The fact that pixie dusting people would be a regular part of my job is too good to be true.

1) Sunset Boulevard

farm2.static.flickr.com

And last but not least, Sunset Boulevard! I was super jealous of my roommate Kerry, when she was placed in my favorite place to shop. She even took me to work with her one day, so I got to be a strawberry! I had such a blast working there, and I would love to do it again. There is also a nice variety of places to work in, including Sweet Spells, which means I could be trained to make delicious desserts!

So there's my Top 7 places I want to work for this DCP. I might be doing an updated packing list, now that I've been through this process and share what I'm bringing this time around. Other than that, I don't have too many ideas :( If you are curious about anything or want me to do a Q&A, feel free to comment below or e-mail me!

'Til next time!

Updated Bucket List!

After completing one program, I soon realized how many things I didn't get to do! So, below is my DCP Bucket List, Round 2!

1. See A Kiss Goodnight
2. Close out Magic Kingdom and take pictures on an empty Main Street
3. Take pictures with all icons in pavilions around world showcase
4. See Welcome Show at Magic Kingdom, DHS
5. Cirque du Soleil
6. Take more pictures in costume/visit people at work and take pictures of them in costume/have people visit me to take pictures of me in costume (basically just lots of pics in costume)
7. Visit Busch Gardens
8. Go to a Cubs-Marlins game (if I stay through part of 2017 of course)
9. Go to a MiLB game
10. Do a paid tour (w/ discount)- Pirates & Pals, Marceline to MK, etc.
11. Stay a night at a resort
12. During Wishes, go on: PeopleMover, Astro Orbiter, Dumbo, Thunder, Aladdin's Carpets 
13. Ride ToT 13 times in a row
14. Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom
15. Do networking events/housing events/workshops/spotlights
16. Dessert Around the World
17. Do the KidCot stations around World Showcase
18. Do a backstage tour/ride something with the lights on
19. Explore the Boardwalk at night & do the photo booth
20. Meet a character while Disneybounding as them
21. Go to a MNSSHP and MVMCP
22. Get an autograph book signed by my favorite characters
23. Brave my fears of dying and go on Characters in Flight
24. Agent P's World Showcase Adventure
25. Get pixie dusted
26. Go to HoB at least once
27. Go to Discovery Cove and swim with dolphins
28. Meet Mickey and Minnie in as many different costumes as possible
29. Celebrate my birthday in the parks
30. Meet/see someone famous
31. Get a 4 Keys Card
32. Give a 4 Keys Card
33. VoluntEAR
34. play mini-golf on property
35. Design my own t-shirt in Disney Springs
36. Visit every resort and take a picture of me with something cool
37. Watch Celebrate the Magic twice in one night- first by Casey's, second time in the Hub
38. Attend Character-palooza
39. Work in as many different locations as possible
40. Pick up a treats shift for MNSSHP & MVMCP
41. Listen to the Dapper Dans and find the Streetmosphere performers at DHS
42. Stay at a park from open to close
43. Go to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal
44. Do a 24 hour challenge or a photo scavenger hunt
45. Chip & Dale's Campfire Sing-Along
46. Find and meet Hercules and Flynn Rider
47. Get Lady & Tramp's paw-tographs
48. Go to DisneyQuest
49. Go to the Christmas Parade taping (?)
50. Go to a park on a rainy day and play in the rain
51. Go to the wishing well
52. Curtsy to Cinderella at her fountain
53. Find all the Hercules things
54. See Space Mountain with the lights on
55. Get picked for Indiana Jones (if it's still there)
56. Watch Wishes from the beach at the Poly
57. Archery @ Fort Wilderness
58. Make a blanket fort and have a movie marathon with the roommates
59. Go to JellyRolls
60. Visit Theme Park Connections (vintage store with Disney memorabilia!)

Eat at: Cape May Cafe, Whispering Canyon, 1900 Park Fare (at night), Ohana, TRex, Be Our Guest, Akershaus OR Cinderella's Royal Table, Hoop de Doo, California Grille, Garden Grove, Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's
Meet: Fairy Godmother, Anastasia and Drizella, Pluto, Bert, Brer Clan, Marie, Mike/Sulley, Olaf. And from Universal (Lucille Ball, Marvel characters, Spongebob, Dr. Seuss characters, Transformers, Minions)
Pictures: With Roy/Minnie statue, the sword in the stone, Gaston's fountain, Prince Eric's statue, in my work location, on Dumbo, on Space Mountain


Repeats but want to do again:
Annual Pass at Universal
Drink around the World
4 Parks/1 Day
Kitchen Sink
Night Show Trifecta (?)
Dapper Day
Get a picture at all park icons
Picture with roommates at Cinderella Castle on first day/last day in the parks
Become Senior Wilderness Explorers


This is something I wanted to do on my last program but I didn't end up doing. I still think it's a good idea, so I'm gonna try it this time!
Write down 1 memory/interaction each day- this can be something smaller that I don't want to forget. Inside joke, funny/rude guest, just one thing that stood out from the day's events and put into a big jar

I'M GOING HOME!!

So, this morning, as I was getting off of work and walking through the rain to my car, I heard my e-mail chime. I saw this beauty waiting for me:

I was accepted for Fall Merchandise, so I will be officially moving in on September 6th! My departure date is January 5th, like everyone else, but I plan on staying down in Florida for at least a little while.

I am so so so happy to get merchandise again! I'm hoping I get placed in a park, preferably Hollywood Studios. I've got so many cool things happening the next couple months, between graduating from college and my summer internship. Hopefully they will keep my mind distracted until September!

Now, to find roommates.

'Til next time!

Do You Wanna Do A Phone Interview?

So I had my phone interview today for the Fall 2016 DCP! It was bright and early at 8:15am my time. Kathy called me about 5 minutes late, which was totally fine, and it lasted about 30 minutes, maybe a hair more. I think overall, it went well!

We opened the interview with some general housekeeping questions, like verifying I had a valid U.S. driver's license, and making sure whether or not I was an international student in the U.S. on a visa. We also reviewed the Disney Look, so I talked about having some earrings and a nose piercing, but that I would take them out on stage like I did on my last program. I also told her about my tattoo and how big it was. Since it would be covered by almost every costume, it should be fine!

Then we moved on to talking about my last program. She asked me a lot of questions about my experience overall, and some role specific questions about merchandise and attractions. I think I'll put a list of questions I had at the end. She did not ask me any scenario-type questions, but that's not necessarily a bad thing for me, just different! I think most of my phone interviews before have involved at least one.

She mentioned that since I had put interest in a lot of roles, she may not mention them by name, but I would still be considered for them, and the answers I had might apply to other roles as well. She asked me about Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and PhotoPass which was a little unexpected. She then asked a few questions about Vacation Planner and my sales experience. Since I worked as a Group Sales Intern during my baseball internship, we had a lot to talk about! She went pretty in depth with this role, because she said she's had people show a lot of interest in this role, and when they start, they don't realize how sales-heavy it is. Having a number/target to reach is not for everyone, and she wanted to drive home certain points about the role to make sure I understood what it involved.

At the end, she asked if I had to choose, would I rather work in a park or a resort. I said a park, since I loved picking up shifts in the parks doing merchandise, and I really liked working in a park at Thunder Mountain. The environment is so different than at a resort!

I asked two questions at the end. I asked her which classes she recommended for networking, and then I asked to make a location request. I asked if I were offered a role that could work in a park, I would love to work at Hollywood Studios, preferably near Sunset Blvd.

So, at the end, she told me the basics. Check my dashboard twice a week to make sure I don't miss anything. Once she passed on her notes, she said it could take until mid-April to hear back, but that's the last day. Most people will be hearing back before then, in February and March.

So, fingers crossed I get to go back home! Now, all I can do is wait.

'Til next time!



Questions:
Do you understand the Disney Look/are you willing to follow it?
Do you prefer a fast pace or slow pace?
Do you prefer working outdoors or indoors? (She asked me a variation of this, asking if I preferred working outdoors in attractions or indoors at a resort)
She asked if I was comfortable speaking any other languages? Would I be willing to take a test?
What was my favorite responsibility in my past work experience, overall?
What was the toughest responsibility in my past work experience, overall?
How would I handle multiple responsibilities, such as helping a guest, another guest approaches with a question, and a leader is calling for me on a walkie?
She asked me to tell her about my living situation on my first program? This was a very broad question.
How did you handle conflicts with your roommates?
Did you ever handle an emergency situation while working at Thunder? How did you handle it?
Why do you want to come back to Disney?
How do you feel about being trained on computer systems, ticketing systems, or even reservation systems?
Are you comfortable handling large amounts of money and achieving sales goals?
How do you work while under pressure?
Do you have any experience using DSLR cameras?
Do you have any experience doing hair styling?
Are you comfortable lifting heavy items as part of your job responsibilities?
Which 3 roles do you feel you are most qualified for?
If you had the choice, would you rather work at a park or a resort?

Applications 2.0

Soooo applications for Fall 2016 went up yesterday! Legit so early, because all the tweets/e-mails have said that applications would drop in early February. But hey, the earlier I apply, hopefully the earlier I get accepted to go back home!

So I submitted my application last night, around 4pm, since I was out visiting some friends and couldn't apply earlier. The only real difference in the application I noticed was that I needed to include job responsibilities and skills into the application. In past years, for work history, they would just ask for your company, job title, start and end dates, and what industry the job was in. So I just copy-and-pasted my resume into the job responsibilities and came up with a few skills for each job I've had (up to the maximum of 5).

I got the "Thank You for Applying" e-mail about an hour after I submitted the application, and got the link to the Web-Based Interview about an hour after that. I waited until this morning when I was home (my tablet keeps freezing on me and I don't trust it with something this precious), so I took the WBI around maybe 11:30am this morning, and scheduled my phone interview shortly after!

So my phone interview, at the moment because I will definitely try to change it to an earlier date, is 8:15am next Thursday (8 days from today). I'm feeling very chill right now, the only preparing I really think I'll do is get ready for the alumni-related questions they'll probably ask me. But other than that, I'm just waiting!

'Til next time!