They're all DRUNK in MGM!!!!

I worked 4-10 tonight on the streets. As always, I loved it. We had a good amount of people in the park although not a whole lot but then starting at 6:30 we had a corporate party (be jealous, it's friggin awesome). They had the whole park to themselves. There were 3500 people, all the food was free and the bars were all open. There were lots of ice cream and popcorn spills everywhere too. Lots of people took advantage of those open bars and I've gotta say, I have NEVER seen that many drunk people in a Disney park. The unfortunate part was that they all drank and ate till their hearts' content and then rode the Tower of Terror and Rockin' Roller Coaster. Ewww. Luckily, I didn't get called on any "protein spills" but there WERE a few. Sick.

Anyway, I have six more days of work (unless I can't find someone to take my birthday shift and then 7 more days) but hopefully that won't happen. :-)

I'm on bathrooms tomorrow (boooo) so I should really rest up!!! Night!!

We are so darn tootin' cute!!

Me and four of the roomies at Magic Kingdom on our day off!!!

My days off have been great!!!! I've lounged, played in the parks, gotten sushi, done laundry and cleaned my room. I can't believe they have scheduled me now for 9 days in a row of work. I may give a shift away because that's too many days in a row to work. Everything else is good, I'm going to enjoy my last day off and get ready for work tomorrow. I'm happy that I'll be going back to my nice pretty pan and broom. :-) Mwuahahahaha.

Don't Be Jealous.

My costume. One version at least, the pants are just too warm for right now. This is just missing the beautiful black gym shoes, side pouch and gum scraper.

Oh NO You DIDN'T Steal My Pan and Broom

I had my first full shift of work. Well, 2 really! It was good. Everything worked out okay. I enjoy being on the streets (even when it pours, oy) but bathrooms are not exactly my favorite. It's not even because of the cleaning and such, because it's really not as dirty as you think it would be but because you don't get to interact with guests as much. Adults don't want to get in your way but kids will stand there and talk to you for hours if they could!

So as I'm doing my bathroom duty, sweeping and garbage removal and such, I accidentally left my nice, new pan and broom in the storage closet where all the supplies are. Everyone has told me to NOT do that because other cast members will take your pan and broom, ESPECIALLY if it's nice (I know, ridiculous). So, being myself and believing in the innate goodness of humans I leave my pan and broom in the closet for about 5 minutes. When I get back, it's GONE. I'm so mad, fuming really. I wanted to cry a bit because it had sentimental value being my first equipment given to me (and duh, it was nicer than the icky one someone left in there) so I am just sad. I try to get over it really quickly and suck it up.

Then it starts POURING while I'm on my dinner break. Luckily, there are awesome other young people working in my area who also had a break then. They're fun to be around and just nice in general. They all laugh sympathetically of course at my pan and broom getting stolen but whatever. We're having a nice break until it's really coming down hard outside and there is terrible lightning. During severe weather, we are supposed to take cover in guest areas but since that would mean leaving the area and walking outside in the rain so that was a bad idea.

So later that night, right before I was about to head back to my locker, I see another custodial lady walking about with GOSH DARN IT MY PAN AND BROOM!!! Of course I know it is mine because mine was the only nice, new and clean one. So I ask her if she took it from the closet, she says no, she found it in a locker in the back without a lock and I tell her it's mine and she gives it back. Yay for being ballsy!!! That's my pan and broom!!! I really stuck it to her. (She pretty much volunteered it back when I told her it was mine, but whatever. I don't really care if she doesn't like me, someone stole it.)

And as you can tell, that was the excitement at my job this week!

Today I had a day off (and tomorrow and Monday, yayyy!!). My roomies (except Kelly, she had to work :-( ) went to Magic Kingdom. We also had Autumn's boyfriend and his roommate/my coworker Shan with us. We had SOOO much fun. It was Shan and Ivaleese's first time in a park (well, as a guest) so it was great to see them experience it. Magic Kingdom was magical, as always. Then we headed over to my mother ship, aka MGM to eat at Prime Time Cafe. Prime Time is the 50's diner where "Mom" comes over to serve you, no elbows on the table and you get harassed a bit. Ever since I have seen it on Unwrapped I have wanted to go and I finally got my chance!!! The food was AWESOME, just like home cooking, which was a nice change since we all realized that we have been eating pretty crappily since we've been here. It was so much fun, our "Mom" was really great. Then we rode the Tower of Terror (twice!) and Rockin' Roller Coaster. (Well, we waited a little because we didn't want to uh, get stomach aches.) It was awesome, we had a great time. Shan and Ivaleese's responses were so funny and the only bad thing was that it started to rain so we didn't stay for Fantasmic. When I got home I went with Jess to Wal Mart to get more socks for work (mine were too short) and then we watched Kill Bill. After that I talked to Jer (my hubs, I miss him!) and Laney (who I obviously also miss).

I am excited to have the next two days off to do laundry (which I have LOTS of) and to just chill. It's been a long first week but I survived!!!!!!!!!! :-) Good night to all!!!

Sure I'll sift through trash for you!!!!!

Today I had a great time at work!! It was incredibly hot outside but I had plenty of water all day. I started out by getting my first paycheck (a whopping 65 dollars, I know, you're jealous) and then I went to my Basics class about guest service and such. Then I had my first REAL shift of work. It was great. It went by kind
of slow because I was just sweeping up and down Sunset but it was great because I got to really help a lot of people.

This one guest comes up to me and asks if I can get into the trash can. (I wanted to tell her "Yes, but it's a little uncomfortable" but I thought that was not so Disney.) So I put on my trusty gloves that I keep in my stylish side pouch and start sifting through the trash to try and find her son's admission ticket that is still good for another 4 days. Unfortunately, we do trash runs a lot and the trash had probably already been emptied. So I directed them towards guest relations and hopefully they got help there. She seemed really grateful that I looked through peoples' nasty trash for her so that was at least good!!!

I met some really nice people who also work on Sunset tonight so that was good. I'm excited that I have three days off after tomorrow. My roomies and I are going to go to the parks on Saturday, especially since one of our roomies has NEVER ever been to a Disney park. So that'll be great. For now, I think I'm going to sleep so I can get up early to work out!!! :-) Night all!!!!

Just Walk Towards the Big Hat . . .

Today was my assessment training and then my first official shift of work. The assessment training was in the morning and it was kind of weird but I passed everything! Then, I was set loose in the park to do my thang. I was set for sweeping with my pan and broom and had a great time. I talked to lots of families and guests and I absolutely LOVED this part of the job. It's so nice to have the chance to interact with guests and help them. Evidently there aren't as many "protein spills" (the Disney way of saying vomit) in my area like everything thinks there are so that's always good to hear!!! I did get lots of questions on how to get places and such so that was good because even though I know the park pretty well, I am not quite a pro like I will be when I'm done with the program. Tomorrow I had a two hour class and then an 8 hour shift (restrooms . . . blahhhh, we'll see how that goes) so I'm super tired already. I have two more days of work this week (for a total of almost 48 this week) and I'm pretty exhausted so it's time for bed!!!!!

Night all!!!

Pictures for you all!!!

Here's some pics!!!!

All the roomies at Pleasure Island.
Left to right: Kristina, Me, Kelly, Autumn and Jessica

My actual roommate Kristina.

My fave!

My official nametag. :-)

This is my Traditions pins for completing the class!!

Hmmm . . . I look silly!!

So since my last post I had another day off and then I started my on-site training at Disney's MGM Studios. During this training called "On With the Show!" we took a walking tour of MGM to see what a typical guest sees at MGM (by the way, there are 2 full service bars there!). It was hot so we were all a little bit sweaty and gross (especially since we had to wear "professional casual" clothing) but the tour only lasted about 2.5-3 hours. Then we had a break in our cafeteria there called "Take 5" (one of the many witty names used at MGM to refer to movie terms and such) and the food there is actually pretty good and reasonably priced (probably the only place in Disney reasonably priced!!). In the afternoon we had a computer training session and a little lecture type of thing about the "backstage" of MGM and then I got my costume.

Ahhhh my costume. Disney sizes are stupid. For a bunch of really smart people their costumes suck. ;-) The costume itself isn't that bad, white pants or shorts and a button down shirt. The way they fit is when they look silly. The pants don't fit anyone right and for the women, you have to go up 2 FULL EVEN SIZES than what you normally wear (not the biggest ego boost but whatever). Then we got a pretty pin that only cast members who complete "On With the Show" receive so that's cool.

Then yesterday I had my first day of custodial on-site training. Basically, I learned what chemicals and such to use while cleaning the restrooms and how to use a power vac (a big lawnmower type vacuum we use to clean up after the parade). It isn't as bad as you would think to lean bathrooms (thus far) and being out in the actual park is fun because the custodial cast members are sort of like walking guest relations. Everyone asks us anything and everything about the park, so we really need to know where everything is, what times things start and who to ask if something happens!!! They warned us that even though we are wearing our "Earning My Ears" badge under our nametag, people will still ask us ANYTHING. And they do!!! But it's cool to actually know the answers and help people.

Today I completed my actual custodial training learning how to do "trash runs" where we empty out the trash cans in an area. I also got my custodial "toys", if you will, today. I got a picker, a pan and broom and a gum scraper (which I hope to not use that often). I also got my raingear which I assure you is the sexiest thing ever and supposedly extremely warm to wear so woooo for that. I'm only waiting on my lanyard so I can trade with guests because the kids are really cute when they come up to see your pins. Tomorrow is my "Assessment Training" where they'll quiz me on everything about MGM and being custodial and I guess I need to pass to get to sweep!!! Assuming I'll pass, I will be on my own for a half of a shift sweeping down Sunset Blvd.

I am super sleepy and luckily I get to sleep in tomorrow!! (I had to get up at 5:45 today!) So for now I'm going to work out, get some food and maybe soak up some rays in a bathing suit instead of a costume. :-)

A Well Deserved Day Off

Yesterday I had my "Global Custodial Training Day". I learned about bloodbourne pathogens, how to interact with certain guests and safety while on the job. Then I learned about the different brooms, mops and equipment I'll use while working. I know, I bet you didn't know there was a right and a wrong way to mop, but there is.

Today I've had lots of fun chilling after a crazy night out with the roommates. We had a great time at Pleasure Island going to a few of the great bars there. We danced and played like crazy so it was pretty great. Today we all needed to sleep in so it was that we all had a day off!! My shoes for work came from Zappos and then I had to return the other sizes of shoes so I visited the local UPS store. I worked out in our little exercise room and then just chilled for the rest of the day. Tomorrow I need to take my car in in the morning but then after that I plan on working out and just hanging out a little more like today. I need all the down time I have because I have lots of training scheduled for next week!!!

I'm official!!!!!

I just finished Traditions and I am now officially a cast member!! I have my name tag and Disney ID so I can now roam the parks freely.

It was actually really cool. They accidentaly made 2 name tags for me so I got two instead of one!!!! I felt pretty special. :-) I went through Traditions which I actually really enjoyed. We learned about the past, present and future of Disney World and the Walt Disney Company and we got a bunch of great info.

Then tonight my roommate and I tried to go to MGM Studios with our new Disney ID's but when we got there it was absolutely PACKED. So basically we just kind of went in and ended up leaving right after. We did take the bus there though so that was good because now we know how long it takes me for me to get to and from work. It was pretty fast getting there so that was good!

I think I'm going to just hang out tonight for a little bit and then I'm going to sleep because I need to get on a bus around 7 am for my "Global Custodial Training". Hehehehe

Bye for now!!!! I'm going to start posting pics soon!!!

MGM, here I come!!!!!

So, I got my official work location today and I will be working as a "Sunset Showkeeper" at the Disney MGM Studios (soon to be renamed Disney's Hollywood Studios)!!!!!!!

With the help of an alumni of the program who happened to blog his experience on the program, I know that this will entail the regular duties of sweeping the main strip of MGM, Sunset Boulevard as well as cleaning up before and after Fantasmic! the incredible light, sound, water and firework spectacular at the park. Tomorrow I attend Traditions, the "all you need to know about Disney crash course" required for every employee of Disney and then I start my actual job training! I know, you're thinking how hard can it be to sweep and clean up spills and such but there is a lot more that needs to be seen before you can just jump in and work.

I have loooong days of training coming up but thankfully I have gotten Friday and Saturday off so I will be able to hang out and go to the parks with my roommates and new friends. Tomorrow I also receive my Disney nametag and my official Disney ID (which entitles me to entrance to all of the parks and such) so that is pretty darn exciting!!

My roommates and I had some bonding time tonight playing a game and just hanging out so that was really nice. One of my roommates is actually working in MGM also so hopefully we'll be able to see each other while we work and drive together sometimes.

So far, I am incredibly happy with everything and can't wait to complete my training!!! More good news after Traditions tomorrow. :-)

The Happiest Place on Earth!!!!!

Today was my first day of the internship!!! After dropping off my parents at the airport (and successfully driving back to where I needed to be) I began my registration process. They are just as thorough with this as they are with you when you're in the park!!!

I started out by filling out some forms (such as housing contracts and a background check form) and then got my apartment assignment and met up with my roommate who I've known about, Kris. Since this is Disney, we waited in lots of lines in the hot hot Florida weather during this whole registration process. We are in the Vista Way apartments which are bit older but a little better location. There are two nice pools and about 2500 occupants of the apartments. Then we had to be checked over to be sure we complied with the "Disney Look" and then were background checked. We then signed up for a few things and then got to move into our apartments. Just my luck, I got a 3rd floor apartment which was a bit of a bitch moving into but nonetheless, pretty nice!!! The common area is big and although I have 5 roommates total, it's not really as cramped as I imagined it being. We are pretty close to the main building and the weight room (which is handy since I am still on my super diet!). So after some major unpacking of my car (my dad literally put everything I wanted and more into it somehow) I went to dinner with my roomie and did some shopping at the local Target.

We had to sit through a presentation that basically summed up to "don't do anything stupid to get yourself kicked out of the program" and then I got to sign up for a Disney credit union account (coooool). I have another orientation tomorrow when I get my work assignment (fingers crossed!!!) so that'll hopefully be awesome. Then we get to hang out and there is an "Alien Invasion Pool Party" at one of the complexes. Stitch will be there (yayyy!!!). Then, Wednesday, I have my official first day of work at "Traditions". Traditions is every cast member's first day of work at Disney and I get my official Disney Id and stuff. I'm super excited!!!