It's Over... All the Feels.

Let me start this off with an apology. I'm so sorry that I was terrible at upkeeping my blog and vlog this program. When I first started my program, I got so caught up in experiencing everything that my camera often times was left at home, and I was so drained that I never got around to writing it down. Then towards the summer, it was too hot to do anything, all my friends left me and I was too upset to go out and do things, then before I knew it my program was almost over and I was back to going and experiencing things myself and not through a camera lens.
My program is finally over. I am back in St. George, the place I have called my home for all my life, but it no longer feels like home. I went in to work my last shift on Tuesday and cried through my whole shift. I was glow, which was my favorite position and I picked roaming, which was my favorite zone. I got to roam the park, and I watched Wishes for the final time with Jake (my incredible boyfriend) by my side. I sobbed like a baby the entire time, I walked my final lap around the park, and you guessed it, I cried. I walked upon the Goodnight Kiss and lost it in front of the guest I was helping. The poor thing looked so confused, but I had to pull myself off stage because I knew another uncontrollable crying fit was going to overtake me. I watched Fantasmic on Wednesday and cried through the whole show, Thursday I boarded my plane with a raw throat because all I've done this week has cried. I can't believe it's really over.
I'm not going too in depth right now, because I'm still not emotionally prepared for this, but I wanted to let you all know that I'm still here and will most likely keep using this as a post program blog of sorts. I'll reminisce about my program and the sorts. I wish I had been better about updating the blog throughout my program, now it'll serve as a form of closure for me. I'll be back soon.

There is a Place

There is a place that has captured my heart. It is a place where there is endless magic. A place where you can be anyone you want to be. It is a place where the old become young again. A  place where fantasy never dies. In this place you can visit the circus and then journey on over to the land of tomorrow, you can travel back in time and visit Main Street U.S.A. circa the early 1900's. You can visit with a mouse, or shrink down and see a pixie. You can transform into a beautiful princess, a dashing knight, a swashbuckling pirate or a mystical mermaid. You can cruise the jungle and see an elephant fly in the same day. That place, I'm sure you've guessed by now is Magic Kingdom.
I can't tell you when it happened exactly, but I have fallen in love with Magic Kingdom. I have fallen in love with the way the castle looks all lit up at night, the stunning sunsets you'll see throughout the park. I have fallen in love with the parade walks and feeling like I am one of the most important cast members for the next twenty minutes while the guests cheer me on. I have fallen in love with the parades, with cheering for the characters and having them interact with me. I have fallen in love with my young guests, the ones young and old alike who enter the park with their eyes gleaming from excitement and bodies brimming with excitement. I have fallen in love with the tired parents, who are clearly exhausted but still trying to make the most out of the family vacations.
I have fallen in love with magical moments, with seeing a child's face light up when I tell them Mickey said they can have the toy they've been eyeing on my glow cart for the past ten minutes. I have fallen in love with making a guest's day better just by smiling and being kind. I have fallen in love with guests good and bad alike. The amazing guests who truly care about me as a cast member teach me every day that there still is some good in the world. The angry guests help me learn how to keep a smile on my face and to finally face confrontation the Disney way. I have learned how to put myself in the shoes of a guest, and not someone who can visit the park for a hot minute before work. I am slowly learning compassion, a trait I never realized I was missing.
I have fallen in love with my job. With my wonderful coordinators and leaders, and my fellow cast members. I have fallen in love with bubble wands and Elsa spinners, with watching Wishes every night. I have fallen in love with every thing inside this Magic Kingdom. It truly is the place where dreams come true. I realize there will come a day when I won't be able to see Cinderella's castle standing before me in all it's glory. There will come a day when I can't see Festival of Fantasy in person and have to settle for a YouTube recording. There will be a day when I can't see Celebrate the Magic and Wishes. I am dreading the day when I have to leave my happy place.
I have fallen in love with the Magic Kingdom. Happy 45th anniversary to the place that has stolen my heart. One day I hope to call you my permanent home.

The End of an Era

Hello! So I’m warning you right now that this is one sappy blog post. Read at your own risk. This week marks six months in Orlando. This baffles me so much because it feels like I literally just got here, and here I am moving out of my apartment and saying goodbye to all of my friends who started this journey with me. These past few weeks have been so emotional. When I came down here to do the program, I was expecting to meet all these amazing people and have lifelong friendships. It wasn’t until all my fellow cast members started leaving that I realized how true that was, well the meeting all these amazing people part of it anyway. But the biggest change that has unsettled me the most, thus prompting me to write this post is the fact that I am no longer a resident of Chatham 20202.

You read that correctly, I no longer live in Chatham 20202. As most of you know, I extended my program. Because I’ve extended my program that meant I had to move out three days before everyone in my house who didn’t extend leaves the DCP for good. Cue the feels. I thought I would be fine leaving. I mean I’ve linked with some pretty amazing people based on what I’ve seen so far, and even though I’m in Vista it means that I’ll be walking distance to Wendy’s, Chik-Fil-A, Dunkin’ Donuts, the Dollar Tree and so much more. I’m the last stop on the bus route for work, which means that leaving for work will feel like a much shorter time. And the best part about Vista is that is where my boyfriend is so we’d finally be in the same complex again, hurray! The only thing I was worried about was sharing my bathroom with three other girls, but after seeing my room I am totally over that concern.

Like I said, I was totally fine with the move… and then Moving Day came. My amazing roommate Tati somehow managed to get off work to help us move, and that ended up being a Godsend. After the three of us who were all moving left for check in to find our final fate, Tati started on a huge breakfast so we’d be all fueled for the big day. I think as we were all eating breakfast was when it hit me. This is the end of an era. As of today, the Babe Parade is no longer in the same apartment. I couldn’t have asked for a better send off than the one we received last night, laughing around pizza sharing memories that we’ve had together over the past six months. We’ve seen Babes leave the apartment, and we’ve even welcomed in a new Honorary Babe Parade member. We’ve had our fair share of yelling matches, but we always made up for them in the end. These ladies have been one of the best parts of this program for me. They have been there for so much, all those nights when I missed my family, my first date with Jake, the late nights when I came home from work upset and disheveled. I wish I could say that I was the best roommate, but I certainly wasn’t. Once my boyfriend came along, I morphed into my relationship. I let that take the front seat and while I don’t regret that one second, as Jake has also been a big part of my program, looking back I definitely would’ve done some things differently.

Looking back, there’s so much I would change. I would’ve spent more nights going out to the parks versus staying in. I wouldn’t have ran my mouth so much, and I wouldn’t have been so slow to apologize. I am going to miss these ladies, each and every one of them. From Tati, the very first roommate that I found on Facebook. The boldest pirate of us all, and the best shoulder to cry on. I wish she could see how amazing she is. She truly has been one of my best friends on this program and now that we’re saying goodbye soon I don’t think I can hold myself together. And Caitlin, my tiny roommate packed with so much sass. She’s always provided us with so many laughs and knew how to keep us on our toes. And it just wouldn’t be Caitlin without Brooke. Those two are the closest friends and I think the reason why I was so distant was because I envied that. I am so glad that they have each other, it’s going to be a weird feeling with Chip and Dale being in different states. Brooke and I have had our many differences, and she’s a much better person than I am, that is definitely for sure. I am thankful to have one member of the Babe Parade sticking around for my extension. Then there’s Ellie, I know I just met her, but I wish she could’ve been with us from the very beginning. She has been a wonderful asset and even though it feels like we’ve just said hello, it is time for a goodbye. She’ll head back to England and I’ll watch her journeys from Facebook. And of course there’s those who left us. Even though they aren’t here anymore to say goodbye, they still made the first part of my program what it was.

It truly is the end of an era. This chapter in my life has closed and it’s time to start a new one. Thank you for the memories Chatham 20202 and all the Babes in the Babe Parade. I’ve loved every minute I’ve had with you, and now it’s time to move on. Fair sailing my friends.

A Thank You Letter to My Roommates

To my College Program Roommates,

Four months ago we all moved away from our homes to start this magnificent, yet terrifying journey called the Disney College Program. We met up in Disney Springs the day before check-in and bubbled over with excitement. We were so excited to start our journey and we thought nothing could go wrong. Then check-in day happened and we were placed in a two bedroom six-person apartment. This is where you all learned just how big of a diva I can be. These past four months have had their fair share of ups and downs and with that, I would like to say thank you.

Thank you. Thank you for putting up with my mood swings, with me never being home, with my messy habits and my high maintenance lifestyle. Thank you for holding me when I’m crying on the living room couch because my schedule didn’t work out the way I needed it too when my family is in town. Thank you for all the late night conversations that really help put things in perspective.

Thank you for inviting me out, even if I’m lame and ruin the evening and even when you know I’ll say no. Thank you for understanding that some nights I just want to sit at home, and that’s okay.

Thank you for all the laughs we’ve shared. For all the nights we’ve laid in bed unable to sleep and giggling our heads off. Thank you for the random park trips. For all the times we’ve lost your car in the parking lot and spent what seemed like forever trying to find it.

Thank you for the dating advice. I’m sorry if I ignore you for my boyfriend. You are all equally important in my eyes and I feel horrible that I’ve ever made you feel otherwise.

But most importantly thank you for changing my life. Four months ago I moved away from home for the first time. But then I met you and I knew I found my home away from home. I know we haven’t always had the smoothest running operation here in the Babe Parade, but I wouldn’t change that for the world. I know we fight, and things can sometimes seem tense, but at the end of the day we’re all here for each other. Thank you for showing me that not all roommates have to be awful. Thank you for making me laugh even when I want to cry, and for caring too much. In just two short months, some of us will have to say farewell. I’m not ready for that day, but I can rest a little easier knowing that hopefully one day we can all meet again. Until then, thank you for putting up with me and my drama. I know I’m not the easiest person to live with, but I sure am lucky I get to live with you.

A Long Overdue Update

Hey ya'll!

So I've been here for almost three months already, how the time has flown! I've let my blog and vlog go to the wayside recently, so I'm making it my goal to be better about that. I'm finished with school, so hopefully that will help. I decided that I value my sanity too much and stayed away from summer classes this year. Things are going great down here. I'm really loving my job. Most of my friends however are leaving me this month, if they haven't already left me. That has been an emotional process. I look at all these people leaving and I can't help but think how thankful I am to have been accepted for Spring Advantage so that I get two extra months added to my program. I've managed to cross some stuff off my bucket list and will be dedicating several posts to those.

I auditioned for a Character Performer yesterday but sadly that is not where my program will be taking me, and I'm learning to accept that. It's probably for the best that I go home to finish out my last year of school. At this point the only thing that is holding me back from going home is the fact that I met an amazing boy out here and we've started dating. Once upon a time I was joking with my friends that I'd meet someone down here and move away from my small hometown for good. Little did I know how true that would be. I am feeling very conflicted over whether or not I should stay here for an extra semester and extend my program, or go back home to finish school. I still have another week before extension offers are sent out so at least there's time to think about it. While I do love my role and location, I was hoping for something better and in my honest opinion there just aren't that many great roles being offered for my extension. Knowing me, I'll probably apply for an extension and go from there. If you recall, I wasn't even planning on doing this program in the first place. I have a feeling the extension process will be the same way.

On another note, there is so much change going on in the parks. I am so lucky to be here to experience all of this. So far I have seen the closure of Streets of America, the ending of Dream Along with Mickey, the exit of Marie's meet and greets from the park, and I will see the opening of the new Frozen ride in EPCOT, Animal Kingdom's various new nighttime offerings (maybe even Rivers of Light), and the new release of Soarin' Around the World. It is an exciting time to be a Disney Cast Member.

My family is coming down next week and I can't wait to see them. I can't wait to show them around the parks which I've come to know and love. This is their first Disney Vacation in ten years and their first trip to Walt Disney World, so I am very excited to be a part of that. 

That's about it for now. I'll be better about updating you guys, I promise!

See Ya Real Soon!

A Very Delayed Week 2

Week 2: Off to Work I Go

Let me preface this and say I am so sorry with how long it took me to get this post up and running. I’ve been keeping busy to say the least and the internet has been down most of the time but it’s here now. Week 3 will be going up tomorrow or so if all goes well.

Day 1: Sunday, February 7^th

Today was my first day of official training. I had to wake up to catch the bus at 6 AM for my class at 7:15. Everyone else had the same idea as I did and the bus was super packed. Once we made it to Disney University we started class. Welcome to Operations was interesting, I’m not going to disclose a lot of information but it was basically just learning the gist of our job and how all the different roles work together to create a great guest experience. After Welcome to Operations I had Welcome to Merchandise. I am so excited for my role. Merchandise definitely sounds like where I want to be. Once class was finished I went home and did laundry to kill time before the Super Bowl. At six I headed on down to the Commons to watch the Broncos rock the Super Bowl. I am so happy to say we played one great game. I miss home so much, and not being able to watch the game with my dad and brother who are diehard fans was difficult but thank goodness for FaceTime. I FaceTimed my family when I got home and then went to sleep to wake up early the next day to hit up Animal Kingdom before class started.

Day 2: Monday, February 8^th

I woke up today and went to Animal Kingdom with my roommates, Brooke and Caitlin. I’ve found one of my new favorite parks and I can’t wait to explore some more. We became Wilderness Explorers and trailed around the park earning badges. We also met some characters and I bought my first pair of ears on the program. I couldn’t resist buying a pair of zebra print ears. After spending a few hours in the park we headed on home to get ready for class. Class was so much fun. I’m taking Entertainment Production and to be in a room with that many theatre majors was incredible. I am so excited to see what I can take away from these next eight weeks. After class we went to Dollar Tree to get some decorations since it was our suitemate Kayla’s birthday. I went to bed fairly early to get ready for my Magic Kingdom Orientation the next morning.

Day 3: Tuesday, February 9^th

I had my Magic Kingdom park orientation. It was so interesting to learn all about the park I’ll be working in, and I can’t wait to actually get out and explore. I finally got my completed training schedule and holy cow was it full. The most exciting part was finally being able to see my costumes, and learned that I’ll be working on the glow carts. I’m not going to lie that fact scared me quite a bit, but I’ll have to see how I feel about it after training. After orientation, I went grocery shopping to pick up some essentials I forgot/couldn’t afford the last trip. I came home and relaxed. I was very boring this week.

Day 4: Wednesday, February 10^th

Today was my first day of on the job training. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all at first but I eventually got the hang of it. There was no register work, just a lot of walking around. Work was so draining, that I went home and crashed. Again, I was very boring this week.

Day 5: Thursday, February 11^th

Today was pay day so my roommates and I headed to Disney Springs since it was also the last day of our Holiday Discount. I purchased my first MagicBand. We headed on home for everyone to get ready for work. I had Welcome to Merchantainment. It was a four-hour long course learning how to work the registers and do merchandise the “Disney Way.” After class, Kayla and I went out to Disney Springs because I was in search for the famous Apple Pie Apple. I finally found it at Goofy’s Candy Company and it was delicious. It’s a Granny Smith Apple, dipped in caramel then dipped in white chocolate and then finally dipped in brown sugar. It was amazing, and so worth it.

Day 6: Friday, February 12

I started training on the register today. My trainer was super funny and sassy. He definitely made the night go by faster. After work I came home and crashed.

Day 7: Saturday, February 13

To make up for being so boring all week long, I finally hit the parks today. Brooke was sick so it was just Caitlin and I venturing out on our own. It definitely wasn’t the same without Brooke by our side but we made the most of it. Kayla joined us up later and we went and met Gaston. Gaston was such a fun character to meet. He’s definitely one of my favorite characters to meet in Magic Kingdom. After meeting Gaston, we headed off to Epcot. In Epcot we met Alice in Wonderland and Mary Poppins as well as Belle. We had Fast Passes for Hollywood Studios so that was our last stop. I finally watched Fantasmic for the first time and oh my Hannah, it blew my mind! It was so incredible. We came home and I realized that I was so sunburnt. I definitely learned the hard way that sunscreen is not optional and that lanyards leave the most awkward tan lines haha.  Overall it was a great day and a good ending to a crazy busy week. It’s so crazy to think I’ve been here for two weeks. I miss home so much but I know I’ve made the right decision and I can’t wait to see where these next few months bring me. That’s all for now, I’ll take at you later. 

Pictures will be posted soon, the internet doesn't like downloading things.

I'm Here! First Week Breakdown.

Hey all,

Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve made a post, I’ve been so busy with everything. I made it to Orlando and have been here for about a week now. I figured the easiest way to break this down would be to break it down day by day. I’m being lame and staying home blogging instead of going out in the parks but that’s only because it’s pouring down rain outside and I own no good rain clothes. So here we go!

Day 1: Saturday January 30

I flew out from Las Vegas and into Orlando. The flight was nice and short, only four hours which wasn’t too bad. Once I landed, my suitemate Kayla picked me up from the airport and we headed to the hotel to check in. Our hotel was just lovely… nice and muggy with damp carpets. Needless to say we didn’t stay there other than to shower and sleep. We hit Disney Springs and checked out the sites. And made plans to go to Animal Kingdom the next day, and go have some fun in the park before meeting up with the rest of the house on Sunday.

Day 2: Sunday January 31

Kayla and I decided to hit up Magic Kingdom today instead of Animal Kingdom. We woke up and headed over to the park. We spent the day running around and meeting characters and rode a few rides. It was so surreal to think that this is going to be my home for the next six months. We decided to get Fast Passes to ride Pirates of the Caribbean and to go meet Mickey in the Main Street Theatre. While we were heading to see Mickey the Cast Member gave us a Fast Pass to meet Anna and Elsa. While we were walking out of our Mickey meet and greet, Snow White was getting ready to come out and do a meet and greet so we jumped in line to see her. Kayla and I then headed over to the Jungle Cruise and braved the line to ride the ride. After the Jungle Cruise was finished we decided to head over and use our Fast Passes to meet Anna and Elsa while we were waiting to use our Fast Pass for Pirates of the Caribbean. While walking over, we saw the Fairy Godmother and of course we had to jump in the line to meet her. She gave us some fabulous words of wisdom that will carry me through my program. She told us that no matter where we get placed to work, or where we end up living to remember that we are here to make magic and have fun. Little did I know how much that would help for the next day. After Fairy Godmother was Anna and Elsa, who were so fun to meet. We went over and rode Pirates of the Caribbean and headed home as soon as we were done to get ready for dinner at T Rex.

We met up with the rest of the roommates around 7:30 or so for dinner at T Rex. It was so magical to meet everybody for the first time and to actually talk to them face to face and not over Skype or texting. The food was so good, and very filling. And at the end of the night we all went our separate ways, ready to meet again tomorrow when we’d finally move in.

Day 3: February 1

The day I’d been waiting for forever was finally here. I was finally starting my DCP. Kayla and I woke up and starting packing up her car and preparing to check out of the hotel room. Kaity, who was our first roommate to check in told us that we’d been stuck in a two bedroom, six person apartment in Chatham Square complex and we were not happy. I’d hated the idea of sharing a room with one other girl, let alone two! I was trying so hard to stay optimistic because this program is going to be what I make it, and hey at least it’s the cheapest rent at only $93 a week. Since I had an hour and a half between Kayla’s check in and mine, I met up with some people I met on the Facebook page and we went to Disney Springs and ate at Earl of Sandwich, which was so yummy. At check in I found out that I’d been placed in Magic Kingdom, but in Adventureland. I’m not going to lie, I was kind of disappointed but I know it’ll be great. My biggest upset is the thought of having to wear a long sleeve shirt to hide my tattoo. As soon as I have enough money I’m definitely buying a good tattoo cover-up kit. After coming home from Casting and getting all the information I needed for Traditions, all that was left to do was head home and start getting settled.

After arriving home, I realized there was still some things I needed before I could settle in for the evening, like groceries and a mattress protector. So when my roommate Caitlin offered me a ride to Walmart, I wasn’t going to say no. We went to Walmart and made it home with just enough time to hurry and get dressed for our character dinner at 1900 Park Faire. The dinner was fantastic. We met Lady Tremaine, Anastasia and Drisella as well as Cinderella and Prince Charming. It was a great way to end a not so great day.

Day 4: Tuesday February 2

I finally finished setting my room up. We decided to go shopping for a router, and after some serious searching, we were finally able to locate one and have functioning internet again, hurray! After setting the router up, we discovered the internet however is painfully slow. I was able to finish my homework and that’s all that mattered. We made dinner together and watched a movie, which was some great roommate bonding.

Day 5: Wednesday February 3

We were going to do the Kitchen Sink today, but discovered that you need a reservation to do that and booked a reservation for March. We did some shopping for the apartment together and some of the other roommates had housing meetings, so while they were doing that, we cooked dinner again so that’d it’d be ready when they got home. After dinner we went to Disney Springs and ate ice cream at Ghirardelli’s then looked around the shops. It was such a great night.

Day 6: Thursday February 4

I lounged around the house most of the day and decided to go with Brooke and Caitlin to Disney Springs for a little bit before my housing meeting. I got to experience the Florida rain. While walking to the Commons for our housing meeting, Brooke and I got drenched in the downpour. Back home we never see that much rain that fast, and I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. The housing meeting was fun and we headed back home to get ready for Traditions the next day.

Day 7: Friday February 5

I finally became a Cast Member today. I had Traditions and it was magical. I don’t want to give too much away, but it was definitely the best orientation I’ve had. I choked up so many times during that class realizing that I get to be a part of creating magical memories for other guests, and how much Disney means to some people. Once we got our Blue ID’s that prove we’re Cast Member’s (CM’s from here on out) Brooke and Caitlin wanted to head to Hollywood Studios. I was lame and stayed home to take a nap, but then changed my mind and decided to catch the next bus out to the park. Hollywood Studios was so fun. We met Darth Vader and Minnie and then decided to catch a bus over to EPCOT. EPCOT was a great park. We walked around the world first and met Aurora as well as Aladdin and Jasmine. Aurora was such a delight to talk to, she even named us her three new fairies. While walking around the world, we stopped in the American Pavilion to talk to Brooke’s CP friend and ask him where we catch the bus to head back home. After drawing us a really complicated map, he just offered to meet us when he got off work and he’d show us the way. We headed over to Mexico and rode the little boat ride there. Afterwards we went and rode Spaceship Earth which was a nice little break. We then headed on back to meet Brooke’s friend, who wasn’t there. Once we’d realized we were going to miss the bus we decided to ask a CM where to go. They showed us backstage and we got lost, but eventually found our way and thankfully caught the bus on time and made it home so Brooke and Caitlin could get to bed for their early morning training sessions tomorrow.

Day 8: Saturday February 6

I had today off, and I was going to play in the parks but it’s been raining all day and I’m not about that life. Kayla and I went out to Disney Springs to do some shopping but went home when it started down pouring. I didn’t pack any of my boots, and I’ve yet to buy tennis shoes so I was miserable. We got home and the girls decided to go out to the parks, but I decided to stay dry and stay home. I’ll start training tomorrow at 7:30 in the morning and then I’ll probably go watch the Super Bowl, so nothing too eventful planned for tomorrow. That’s it for now folks. I’ll update next week!
Have a Magical Day!