Why I Love My Job

In the past week I have been going nonstop from training to park hopping to golfing!  However, between yesterday and today my training took a halt and I was assigned to park strollers for 8.5 hours both days.  By today I can tell you I was wishing to go back to Space Mountain!  I can also tell you how to operate just about any stroller you can imagine!  As I was organizing a group of strollers I stopped to talk to an elderly gentleman.  We proceeded to talk about where I was going to school and how he even had a Lutheran girlfriend from Iowa when he was younger!  After we were done talking he wished me a wonderful day because I had made his day wonderful. 
Even though I spent hours doing the simplest of tasks it was so fulfilling to have made a difference in one person's day.  And the best part was that all I had to do was be kind.  Throughout the day I saw children light up when I gave them stickers and a woman who was so grateful that I took 15 minutes to talk her through Magic Kingdom and the other parks.  Though these magical moments were only about 10% of my day they remind me why I love Disney so much.  At Disney World we all have the opportunity to hold ourselves to higher standards than most jobs.  Whether we are parking strollers, serving food, or performing in a show.  We all have the power to give someone else a moment of happiness.  And that is what makes working at Disney worth it.

The Journey Thus Far

The Disney College Program is already proving to change my life for the better!  I am having a ton of fun and keeping VERY busy!  My days have been full of Traditions, park visits, and training!  I have also met some fantastic friends along the way!  My first day of training was August 20 and involved a tour of the Magic Kingdom and finding out that I am working on Space Mountain!  This is one of the most popular attractions at any of the Disney parks and should definitely keep me on my toes! 

The next day included more basic training for all the Tomorrowland attractions.  Our group even got to meet PUSH, the trash can that moves around and talks to guests!  He called us the Tomorrowland parade and initiated us into the PUSH fan club by making us perform "I'm A Little Tea Cup." 

Today we started training at the Mountain which was thrilling and frightening at the same time!  There is so much we have to be on alert for as each guest's safety is in our hands at all times.  I had a blast meeting my trainer who is also from Iowa!  It was an all around fun, stressful day and it will only get better from here!

Check In

Today has been an absolutely exhausting, splendid, and all around great day! 

Bet, Gary, and I took off bright and early this morning from Ocala at 5:00am.  We arrived at Vista Way around 6:40 where there was a fairly short line.  I had 2 FULL suitcases and golf bag which I couldn't lug to the check in area by myself.  Soon after, my roommates came to the rescue! We met right away and they helped me out by storing a couple of bags until I was done.  I have to say I am so glad I found these girls on Facebook before check in because they are all wonderful people! 

Check in only lasted a couple hours.  We waited and waited, had our photos taken for housing IDs (which turn out to be surprisingly close up!), and then we got our positions.  I found that I will be working at Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom!  However, right after this happy news I found out that I also had to take a drug test.  I believe this is something that most if not all attractions workers have to do.  After everything we all met at the our apartment in Patterson Court.  It is extremely nice!  Everything is in good shape and it is much bigger than we could have imagined! 

We finished the night off with a late dinner and a trip to Target!  It was an awesome day with some awesome people! 

Tomorrow I am off to casting with my house meeting on Wednesday and Traditions on Friday!

Magic Everywhere

Today I met and had lunch with a wonderful couple after church.  They mentioned that they have been going to Disneyworld since the day before it was opened!  It was amazing being around two people who have experienced so much and still see the wonder in Disney!
Bette Rae and I also made a trip to Ocala's Shalom Park.  It has a beautiful walking area that winds through all sorts of nature including a thought provoking labyrinth.  It was an absolutely wonderful day!
I can't believe that in less than 24 hours I will actually be working for Disney! I also don't know how I'm going to handle all these little lizards! They're just everywhere!) I'll update tomorrow when I figure out where I will be working!

On My Way

I'm sitting in the Cedar Rapids airport right now ready to fly away to Sanford Orlando!  It has been a bitter sweet morning.  I can remember over 400 days ago when I started my countdown to the day DCP applications opened.  There is a rush of nervousness, excitement, and a wonder of the unknown.  Saying goodbye to everyone has been much harder than expected, but the tears we cry are happy ones.  Even though we won't see each other for months, it is worth it with the knowledge that it is making a dream come true. 
I am monumentally excited to stay with my Auntie Bet and Uncle Gary for the next few days!  They have been so kind to let me into their home and drive me all over Florida. I really can't thank them enough!
This adventure is just beginning and I can't wait!