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!