Training Assessment Passed? Check!

Howdy folks! Since my last update, I completed my third day of training and had my assessment the following day. My assessment went smoothly. I took a 90 question test over The Barnstormer and a 50 question test over Mickey’s Toontown Fair. Then, I had my Performance Assessment where I worked each position for ten to fifteen minutes. Later, I had an hour long meeting with a manager to go over the point system and what was expected of me.

I got to take the red ribbon that said “Earning my Ears” off of my name tag. I am all on my own! I have already worked two full shifts since my completion of training. I still have a few questions every now and then, but after a while I’m sure I’ll have it down great. The guests tend to have the same questions over and over so once I perfect my answer, haha, I’ll be good. Plus, the people I work with are a lot of fun. There are several other CPs or ICPs (International College Program). My co workers really make me feel at home and they are very encouraging.

City driving is an experience. I have lived in Guymon my entire life so small town driving is what I’m used to, but I’m very good at planning when I need to leave and what not to arrive on time. It is ten miles to work which computes to twenty minutes drive time for me. I have not really been out on the roads at rush hour times so I’m doing okay there. However, I have a gotten a couple of honks, which make me wish I had tinted windows. Sorry! I like to hope they blame it on my plates and think “Silly Oklahomans!”

I finally did my laundry the other morning. Since passing my assessment, I have had evening shifts; it’s nice. But our laundry matt is something else. We purchase a card and load it with money so that we do not deal with quarters. When you are ready to do a load, you put the card in and select your cycle and it takes a dollar off the card and shows your remaining balance. I got myself a free load because the washer next to mine was blinking “Reselect Cycle.” I opened it and there was nothing in it so I loaded it up and pressed a cycle and it ran without me using my card! I was pretty stoked!

I have been in Florida two weeks already! Time sure does fly! Happy February!

Enjoying my first days off!

I was so excited about my days off! I actually woke up naturally at 5 and had to make myself go back to sleep. Kaitlyn and I went to Magic Kingdom! I was such a little kid the whole way there – so excited! We rode Space Mountain, Buzz Lightgear, Barnstormer, Pirates, and Thunder Mountain. Obviously, transforming from backstage to on stage as a guest is different and I was critiquing the cast members on their friendliness and “Disney Point.” It is offensive in some countries to point with one finger, so the Disney point is two fingers or we use a full hand.

After magic Kingdom, Kaitlyn and I discovered Cast Connection which is Disney merchandise discounted for cast members. Then, next door is a property damages store, so because one thing or another was wrong with it, items are 75% off. I found a really cute light black jacket originally $55, which I purchased for $13. Of course, once I got home I figured out what was wrong with it – the zipper does not work. BUT, I hardly use zippers, soooo I’m good! J

It’s terrible that the head cold I have waited until my days off to attack me, but once I returned from Magic Kingdom, I doctored myself up with some chicken noodle soup and two full glasses of orange juice and completely crashed for like six hours. I woke up around 9pm and had some more chicken noodle soup and crashed back out for the rest of the night. Kaitlyn had to be up at 3:45 for a bus at 4:45 to be to work by 6. Those crazy early mornings are tough; I know my first few stunk!

My second day off, I slept in until 8 and it felt like Noon! I went grocery shopping and fueled up my car. Teresa and I went to Epcot for the evening and rode Test Track, Mission Space, and Soarin’. Then, we grabbed some fish and chips to wait for the fireworks. Oh, the fireworks were so beautiful; I’m looking forward to many more firework shows in the parks!

I’m ready for another full week of work. Wednesday is my closing training and Thursday is my assessment. My assessment includes two tests (90 questions over the Barnstormer and 50 questions over Minnie & Mickey’s House). Plus a performance test where someone stands back and observes me in the five spots of Greeter, Grouper, Front Lap Bar, Rear Lap Bar, and Panel.

I’m looking forward to being done with training, but then I’m mostly on evening shifts.

It’s a new adventure everyday!

Apartment Tour

Vlog of my apartment! Unfortunately, I forgot to show you my rather large walk in closet, but the rest is included. Later you will see the area around my apartment such as the pool, fitness room, and so forth. Enjoy the Vlog! :)

Once Upon A Time

Theme Park Orientation was magical! Unfortunately, you will hear the word magical a ton in this blog! Thursday, I rolled out of bed at 5:10 again and I was on a bus headed to work by 6:05. My training was from 7:15-16:00. Yay for military time! I also received my schedule for the rest of the week and I have Monday and Tuesday OFF, but I’m working late shifts on Wednesday and Thursday. I have learned SO much in the past two days about the history of The Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney himself, and the Magic Kingdom. It is so intriguing!

Also, I have just met a ton of people from all different walks. One girl on the bus was from Maine, but had interned in NYC for three weeks. Another girl is actually married and her husband is on the program too. I think that is really neat that they were able to arrange it with housing to live together in a one bedroom apartment. I’m also meeting CPs (College Program) in ALL field types too – attractions, food, merchandise, character, and custodial. It’s interesting to hear about their training, their costume, and their view on it all.

Friday would be considered my roller coaster day. Not literally, but obviously the trainers and management have told us throughout orientation that every day is not always magical and you are not always going to want to smile. But, WE create happiness – our common goal. Friday morning was spent with eLearning training. It actually started dramatically with a misguided security guard sending our group that got off the A3 bus to a different pavilion that was not the correct connecting bus. I thought I was going to be late for my first real day of work! But I was not as verbally upset as the people around us. The guy accommodated us with a van and we arrived right on time. Starting the day out rushed was not pleasant. Our afternoon was spent playing with the guests. We worked greeter and fast pass entrance on all rides in fantasy land; the guests are not always nice.

News flash! I am a toonie. Saturday I did OJT (On the Job Training) with the barnstormer. We opened the ride and did all the set up and checks for the coaster. Then, I trained all positions in rotation – greeter, grouper, lap-bar front, lap-bar rear, and panel. It was intense, but I am starting to feel comfortable with the location and assisting guests. Also, I drove myself to work! I left the same time I normally would for a bus just to give myself enough time in case I got lost. BUT, I did not have any issues. YAY!

I have been shopping way too much for odds and ends. I need completely black shoes for my job. I must say I am really enjoying not knowing anyone in the large shopping areas. I’m very used to our lovely hometown walmart where I see a familiar face around every corner.

I’m also enjoying cooking for myself. Breakfast this morning was bacon, eggs, toast, and a small bowl of cereal. Since I eat breakfast at 5AM, it’s got to be decent to last me until noon before I’m hungry again. There is a subway in the Utilador/Tunnel (backstage/”underground” for Magic Kingdom) so YUM, that’s what I had Wednesday and Thursday, but I packed my lunch for Friday. Dinner was chicken and cheesy rice and I’ve got leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

I am definitely getting used to that clock saying 5:10AM!

Looking forward to Monday and Tuesday OFF!

Traditions and Training

The Magical Tuesday off was not as productive as I wanted it to be, but I still accomplished most of the things on my list. Unfortunately, I am realizing that I am a tad bit OCD. It bothers me to not have my room situated and organized. I really believe “Everything has a place and everything in its place.” Ah, this concept makes life much more simple.

However, moving to a new place causes a time for decisions to figure out where everything’s new home must be. At this point, I know you are thinking “only Kim would speak about her things as if they were living and had homes.” I am slowly finding out where my belongings would function best. I even used my tools out of my new tool box to assemble storage drawers and an over the toilet space saver.

We have been struggling with the internet in the apartment because our router hates us. Or it is just not functioning correctly and since I am not as computer savy as some may think, it does not provide internet to us consistently. This is the cause for delayed postings. I did make a phone call to the provider and he reassured me that it was a resort wide problem and that it should be resolved this evening. But I had called the front desk at noon and he assured me it would be resolved this afternoon/evening. Eventually I will have consistent reliable internet. The situation does make me realize how dependant our society is on this fast paced connection.

I completed my first day of work and I am officially a Cast Member! I attended Traditions class from 8AM to 1PM. However, to be at Disney University on time, I had to be at the bus stop at 6:45AM. Rolling out of bed at 5:10AM was not pleasant, but I was actually impressed with myself on how quickly and easily I got up and around. If you know me, then you know mornings are terrible for me. I have a feeling Disney will change that quickly as tomorrow I have Theme Park Orientation at 7:15AM so I must take the 6:20AM Bus.

Goodnight!

Disney Check In

Check in cannot be described as any less than INTENSE. Kaitlyn and I woke up at 7 to prepare for our 9 am check in; however, we arrived at 8:30 thinking we would be early. Wrong! At least fifty or more were ahead of us checking in. We immediately left my mother and brother in the family and friends tent and proceeded to the Welcome Center. This began a whirlwind of events that did not wrap up until 5pm.

First, the welcome center – I received my program book with a ton of useful information packed inside. Then, housing arrangements - Kaitlyn was sent to negotiate while I patiently waited. We scored a pretty awesome place I must admit. Patterson Court - three bedrooms each with their own bathroom and walk in closet, full size kitchen and living/dining area, a small patio outside, AND on the first floor! Plus, in building number one we are directly across from the front desk, pool and fitness center. I love it.

Once paperwork at the welcome center was complete, I had approximately an hour to drive over and check out the apartment before I needed to be at the bus stop to continue to Casting. Casting was crazy. They moved me from room to room; follow that sign, straight down that hallway, and stand in this line, until I was finished. I learned my work location, reviewed the Disney Look, turned in my on board paperwork, received my payroll card, completed my I-9 form, background check, and was finger printed. Plus, I kept getting handed more papers of copies of what I signed and more information pamphlets. It was by far Information Overload!

While I was in casting, Mom and Nick unloaded the car into the apartment. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Kaitlyn and I met them back at the apartment to grab a super quick lunch because we had a two hour housing meeting in an hour. Nevertheless, today was a whirlwind of excitement and new things.

After out of the housing meeting, which I found very informative, I was impressed to think back on the day at how efficiently Disney moved all of the college students around and got the job done. I learned that between the four housing complexes Disney owns - they house approximately 7,000 interns. 2,500 live in “The Commons” and are international students representing their country in Epcot.

So, I bet you are curious… Where am I working?!

The Magic Kingdom. I will work in attractions within Fantasyland – more details to come within the week. Tuesday is a magical day OFF! Nothing to do for Disney, but plenty to do for me. I will drop Mom and Nick off at the airport, get my parking decal because security on property is tight, grocery shop with Kaitlyn, register for my Disney classes, and get to know the other four roomies hopefully! However, Wednesday starts at 6:45AM at the bus station for traditions class and Thursday starts at 7:15AM for Theme Park Orientation. I will also receive the rest of my training schedule Thursday and costume attire. Until then, business professional within the Disney look guidelines for work.

Today was the beginning of an exciting semester in the Sunshine State. I’m very excited to get settled in, learn the area, and learn my job.

Until next time, Have a Magical Day!

And we're off!

Before departing Guymon, I had a goodbye breakfast at 6AM with my family and two good friends, Leslie and Renee. Chocolate Chip Pancakes from the Pancake Haus was the start to a great trip!

Travel was excellent; we made good time. Friday, we were in the car for fifteen hours covering 960 miles. We crossed Oklahoma, Arkansas, the corner of Tennessee, Mississippi, and spent the night in Birmingham, Alabama. Saturday, we reached Orlando approximately 8pm another nine hours in the car and 550 miles with a time zone change in Georgia. The second day was full of rain; I believe it rained on us the entire time we were in Georgia. The Sunshine State was not sunny upon arrival, but the following day had a high of 75! Beautiful!

And, everything fit in my car! I was a tad bit worried that it would not all fit, but, my mother is a do-it-all mother and she strategically packed and repacked the trunk (and the backseat) until it fit perfectly. Of course, before we picked Kaitlyn up from the airport, we unloaded the backseat and half the trunk and will make two trips from the hotel to move in during check-in.

Nick was the navigator for most of the trip; he seems to think his droid has better GPS than my TomTom.

One frustrating thing when it comes to traveling in my Jetta VW – it’s diesel. It’s fantastic on mileage, we averaged 47 MPG. That’s not the frustrating part, it’s finding car pumps with diesel – I typically end up on the semi side having to hold the nozzle the entire time because its sensors are made for huge semi tanks. Then, you have the store clerks and semi drivers questioning you that you are putting diesel into your car. One gentleman approached my mother, “Now I know you know more than I do, but you do know that’s diesel you are fueling your car with right?”

On our relaxing day before check-in, we ventured around the area and stopped in the Orlando Premium Outlets and the Florida Mall. These places are huge and I picked up maps for both places so I can return later in my venture. I also purchased a book called “Top 10 Orlando.” Now I can start planning my days off, right?

Tomorrow is the big day – check in, move in, meet the other roomies, learn job location, work/training schedules and a housing meeting.

One Week Until Departure

Well, as you can tell from the title, one week left until my adventure officially begins. Of course, it all really started as soon as I applied in my thought process, but it’s finally ALMOST time!

I absolutely love my hometown; it is such a supportive community. I was able to be on the Coffee Shop weekday morning interview show with 1210 KGYN and they are also following the blog on kgynradio.com/news. You can hear the interview on their site under the Coffee Shop player. The Guymon Daily Herald also did a story on it! It should appear in the weekend edition. My internship has really has gotten more attention than I imagined.

I’m very excited to get on the road. Of course, it’s sad/scary to leave the familiar area and travel to an unfamiliar one. But, I’m ready. I’m not traveling 1500 miles alone – my mother and brother will be accompanying me in the car ride and then after I am checked in and moved in, they will fly back.

And coincidentally enough, through Disney’s roommate matching option, I already know my roommate, Kaitlyn from Indiana. I first met her in the summer of 2008 at the E-Venture Conference as we were both selected as McKelvey Entrepreneur Scholars, but we met up again in the summer of 2009 to fly to Germany together. We didn’t spend time in Germany together because we split up to be with our exchange sisters that had lived with us in the U.S., but we were travel buddies! However, the apartments Disney puts us in have up to four bedrooms, so possibly eight girls total!

Expectations – I’m honestly trying not to have any. Of course, I want to have a good time and capture the most out of the experience, but I don’t want to expect anything and be disappointed.

You might be curious as to my title of the blog – traveling tie dye. I sat for way too long trying to think of what to title it. “Kim’s Disney Adventure,” really didn’t cut it. However, I have become known for tie dye; I tend to be wearing it rather often. So, of course, the blog isn’t about tie dye at all, but the alliteration of traveling tie dye seemed catchy enough for me.

To add to the excitement of tie dye, Lori Mendenhall, owner of Three Dogs Studio in Guymon, has prepared tie dye bed sheets for me! I am taking my collection of tie dye so I really can be “traveling tie dye.” I have a blanket, a scarf, socks, t-shirts, dresses, and hoodies - quiet the assortment I do think so myself.

One Week – I have a small list of tasks to finish and a week is just enough time.

The next time you hear from me, I should be in the Sunshine State!

My first blog.

Allow me to introduce myself briefly – I am a sophomore college student preparing to explore the world, or maybe, just Florida. However, that is the purpose of this blog – for you to catch a glimpse of my life at Disney and how the experiences I obtain impact my world view and add to my education.

Therefore, January 18 – May 21 shall be spent in the sunshine state working for Disney. I was accepted into the college program in the fall and offered a role as a “Hopper” Cast Member. My role may include working in different locations within the same role, or working in multiple roles, such as Quick Service Food & Beverage, Merchandise, Attractions, Custodial, and Main Entrance Operations. I very much hope to be working in different roles and in different locations as it will only enhance the experience.

Of course, I have not arrived in the sunshine state just yet. I am still preparing for the journey. The car is getting its oil changed, new tires, and a set of jumper cables for the trunk. The packing is another story entirely, but by the time I have it all together, I am certain it will fit in the trunk nicely.

In exactly two weeks, I will depart for my journey 1500 miles from home.