Ch-ch-ch-changes.

Oh. Heyyy. I have a blog, don't I?

So it has officially been like a month and a half since I have updated this thing. We've gotten an influx of new CPs at Hollywood and Vine, and thankfully they're all pretty cool. It kind of makes up for the loss of some of our awesome Spring Advantage people, like Michelle and April.

Work is... work. Some days are better than others. I now know food and beverage is not my calling. Unless, of course, by food and beverage you mean coffee shops. Then it's completely my calling.


I've learned a lot about myself on this program and I'm only about halfway through. And there are a couple of things I'd do differently "next time around," whenever that may be...

• Live in Chatham or Patterson in a one or two bedroom. Vista is old, and six girls in one apartment is too many for me.
• Only check off roles that I am truly excited about, not just ones I think I could handle for the sake of getting into the program.
• Bring a car. Granted, one must have a car in order to bring it with... whatever.

Speaking of next time around, I'm basically back to square one and I have absolutely no friggin' idea what's happening with my life after January 3. I'm definitely going to apply to extend, but three things can happen there:

1. I am granted an extension in Entertainment. Easy decision: I stay!
2. I am not granted an extension. Easy decision: I go seasonal and go home!
3. I am granted an extension in Character Attendant or Attractions. Decision more difficult!

So yeah. I'm applying to five (count 'em, five) schools to transfer to, but not until Fall 2011. So if my extension is denied there are a whole bunch of things I could do with those seven-ish months between the end of my program and whenever I start school.

Also, budgeting is still hard.

So, um, I guess that's kind of it for now. Anything you guys are itching to hear about?

Info Post #11: Alumni Advice!

one. Florida weather is beautiful, but it can also get chilly and rainy, so be prepared for that! Pack some sweatshirts, a light jacket, and an umbrella and rain gear. It will pour, so be ready for that. Rainy days are also a prime time to play in the parks, so take advantage of them. Of course, if you get caught in a sudden burst of rain when you're already at a park you could always rock a Mickey Poncho...


two. Make sure you understand the whole Disney Look thing before you get down there, as it will make things like check-in and Traditions much smoother for you and everyone else.

Now, to be clear about this: you do not have to be dressed in Disney Look at check-in, but they will check you there for things like natural hair color and make sure you don't have any visible tattoos or non-standard piercings, etc etc etc. I think you can wear piercings to check-in as long as they can be taken out when you need to be in Disney look, but I'm not sure.
At Traditions, however, your attire needs to match Disney Look completely or they won't let you do it that day. For the full guidelines, check out this section of the College Program website. Everything you need to review before your program is there!

three. Take advantage of all the CP has to offer! In addition to taking full advantage of the parks (like going for a few hours just because you can), go to the events held for CP participants (pool parties, Grocery Bingo, etc) and special Cast Member tours (like behind the scenes tours of attractions and more) while you're down there. The special tours tend to fill up really quickly so check the Hub often. It's a great way to meet new people and just chill. In fact, check the Hub daily so you don't miss out on any of the great opportunities down there.

four. If, like me, you won't have a car down there, pay attention to the bus schedule because it changes sometimes. And always take an earlier bus! Even if it gets you to work an hour early, you can bring your costume with you and chill in the parks as a guest for a little bit. Better to be an hour early than get half a point for clocking in late!

five. If you are also like me in that you freaking love shopping and will be there for the fall program, try to hold off on buying souvenirs until the holiday discounts kick in - they go up to 50% off! There's also a merchandise liquidation sale called SALSA (Spend a Little, Save a Lot) that happens in the Epcot parking lot - get to it as soon as possible because there's always a line to get into the tent but it's definitely worth it, as it includes merchandise from all around the resorts and parks and it's not all just Disney stuff, either.

six. Network! This could mean going to an event specifically for networking (either a CP one or one at Disney University) or just establishing and maintaining good relationships with your managers. It will make your job easier while you're there and help you out in the long run if you ever want to come back for another program, a PI, or start a career with Disney.

seven. Be open and put yourself out there - don't just hang out in your apartment if you're shy. Developing relationships with your fellow Cast Members not only gives you a social life, it makes working that much more enjoyable. Almost everyone down there is in the same situation as you: new environment, new experiences, new people. Make the most of it!

eight. Go to the special events that happen during your program! For Fall and Fall Advantage, this means Epcot's Food and Wine Festival, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, and all the Christmas events around WDW like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. It's worth it to splurge on international treats (and wine, if you're over 21) at the Food and Wine Festival and pay for a discounted CM ticket to MNSSHP. In fact, since my birthday is in October I want to celebrate it by going to Food and Wine during the day then hopping to MK for MNSSHP that night!

nine. Be financially wise. A lot of people break even because they'll just spend their money paycheck to paycheck, but it is entirely possible to budget, watch what you spend, and walk away with money saved. Take advantage of CM discounts at Disney restaurants, but try and cook for yourself when you have the chance, or bring your lunch to work instead of buying it at the Mouseketeria. Even cooking your own meals and saving leftovers is cheaper than buying frozen ones all the time. Just be mindful of the fire alarms when you're busting out your inner chef.

ten. If you're under 21, don't even risk it with alcohol. It's the number one reason for CP termination. One guy extended into spring and was terminated a few weeks after extending for this. It's just not worth it.

eleven. Price Management/security in the apartments can be pretty hardcore - don't hang a towel out to dry over your balcony, put a pair of shoes outside to dry, or leave your door cracked open if you're running out for a second if you want to avoid warnings from them.

twelve. You don't have to be absolute besties with your roommates. Sure, it'd be nice and make things a lot easier, but it's possible to get along with/live with someone without being best friends.

thirteen. You're working in the most magical place on earth, but it's still a job. It will have its pros and its cons, so be ready for that. Guests are sometimes grumpy and unreasonable, CPers often get long shifts, and you're on your feet all day. But on the flip side of that.... you're working in the most magical place on earth and you get to give guests the experience of a lifetime! Just be sure you go in with realistic expectations.

fourteen. Going along the lines of tip thirteen, you're working in the most magical place on earth, so have fun with your job! Talk to the guests and ask them how their trips have been going - even a simple "hi, how are you?" can put a smile on people's faces. Especially if you're working a shop at a ride exit, talk to the guests waiting for their family members to come off.

fifteen. If you will be lucky enough to have a car down there, bring a GPS!

sixteen. If you have things you want to accomplish/do on the program, like for example seeing the Hoop Dee Doo or seeing every resort, make a list before you go! You'll get so busy once you're down there that it will be very easy to lose track of these kinds of things.

seventeen. TRY A DOLE WHIP!

eighteen. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy what is sure to become an unforgettable time in your life!!

nineteen. Try a Dole Whip float (only after accomplishing seventeen.)

twenty. Go ahead and get a second pineapple-y treat. You know you want to... classic Dole Whip or Dole Whip float, though? These are the questions that haunt CPers...


Thanks to flickr for the pictures and the lovely people on the DisBoards for advice, specifically everyone who responded to my questions. :)

formspring.me

Not a question, but I saw an addition to the Character Look-alikes section and thought of you!Female Character Look-alikes between 4'10" and 5'8" tall for roles including: Cinderella, Aurora, ARIEL, The Disney Fairies.They'll be looking for you!

This totally made me smile! Thank you! :D

im so excited to apply for the program,i go to the school meeting next week, how long is the process after that?

After the campus presentation you get to apply online, which includes a web-based interview. If you pass the web-based interview, you'll be instructed to schedule a phone interview. You have like 48 hours or something to schedule it, and then the interview itself will generally happen within the next week or so. After that comes the hard part - waiting! Disney says 4-6 weeks... people have heard sooner but some have had to wait that full 6 weeks. But it shouldn't take longer than six weeks to get your decision!

You're really cute. :)

Haha, thank you.

What does FGIT stand for?

Fairy Godmother in Training - it's what they call the Cast Members who work in the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique! :)

Is there a vlog in the making?

Eh kind of. I am SUPER swamped with schoolwork right now. Gross. But as soon as the quarter ends I'm going to start vlogging again! :) Earliest would be like the week after next....

I've been reading (stalking) some spring people on FB, and sometimes they get to Disney and really dislike their roommates. Are you worried about that at all?

A little bit, which is why I'm trying to find a whole apartment before I head down there lol. I get along super well with the 3 girls I have found (hi Jenn, Sara, and Tracie!), but we're still looking for two more...

ask me stuff!

Top 5 Dream Locations!

I stole this idea from fellow Fall 2010-er Logan. Go read her blog for more top 5 lists and general fabulousness!
Given the huge number of amazing full-service restaurants at WDW, it's kind of hard for me to narrow this down. I have an absolute favorite number one, but after that everything is kind of tied. Disney kind of helped me narrow it down - I won't be working in any non-Disney-operated restaurants (like Rainforest Cafe and many DTD ones), any restaurants in the World Showcase, or Victoria and Albert's.


But anyway! Without further ado...

Honorable Mention... Sci-Fi Dine In






Cast members here get to rollerskate - how awesome is that? I requested upscale and really intensely themed restaurants when I emailed CP recruiting - Sci-Fi definitely falls into the themed category. Diners actually get to eat in cars and watch retro 50s B-movie clips while enjoying their meals. Disney puts in so many little touches that make this restaurant super-fun - I think I still have the glow in the dark frisbee that my kid's meal was served on when I ate there way back in like 2000.


5. 50s Prime Time Cafe






Another awesomely themed restaurant in DHS - dining here is like being plopped into a 50s Sitcom, and as a seater here I'd get to play a part in that sitcom every time I worked! Servers play the parts of "mom" and "dad" and rib the guests about finishing their vegetables - or no dessert for you! And trust me, you want dessert here - delicious options like PB&J milkshakes and smores are presented on a viewfinder. Yummy and retro-cool.

4. Hollywood Brown Derby 






I feel like the Hollywood Brown Derby is the classy older sibling of all the other DHS restaurants. Modeled after the original Hollywood landmark, Disney's Brown Derby harkens back to the golden age of Hollywood and serves up delicious fare such as the Cobb salad (made famous by the original) and grapefruit cake. As a bonus, this is the restaurant where lunch with an Imagineer takes place - networking anyone?

3. Citricos 






I've never actually eaten here but this restaurant has always appealed to me. I love the Grand Floridian and this is just a gorgeous restaurant - the food sounds amazing, too. I think that working here or at California Grill (see below) would also give me good experience for a concierge role. And something about Citricos just makes me think, "Wow! I'd love to work there!"

2. California Grill






This is far and away my favorite restaurant on Disney property - the delicious food and sweeping vistas of the Magic Kingdom are a winning combination. My friend Kristin actually worked here on her CP and has nothing but good things to say about her experience there and her managers. California Grill is on top of the Contemporary Resort, which means that guests get to take a special express elevator up to the restaurant - I don't know if that counts as seating but it might be kind of fun! (Plus I think it's a popular proposal spot - I'd love to help out a "magical moment" like that!)

1. Cinderella's Royal Table





Oh my goodness, dream restaurant. I don't even care that it's constantly busy - I prefer being busy to being slow! CRT is probably one of the most difficult reservations to get in all of Disney World, which means that I'd be dealing with an incredibly high volume of guests, which is actually exciting to me. It would certainly make those longer shifts go by more quickly! And then, of course, there's the restaurant itself - set inside Cinderella Castle and overlooking Fantasyland, Disney Princesses are now on hand at every meal. And as an added bonus - the costumes here are actually cute!

p.s. - don't forget to vote in my poll! thanks!

all images thanks to google image search and edited by me in picnik

Learning?

I'm going to do an info post on the learning portion of the CP soon, so be on the look out for that!

But for now I want to discuss, well, me. I am seriously considering taking a class or two while down there. I don't have to, since I'll be withdrawn from school, but since I want a future with Disney this seems like a great opportunity. There are four that really pique my interest:

1. The Entertainment Show Production Professional Development Study! "The Entertainment Show Production Professional Development Study offers students majoring in performing arts, theater or show production an opportunity to explore how Walt Disney World Resort develops, implements and maintains their productions. Specific topics include Business Planning & Creative Investigation, Concept Development, Show Development, Production & Opening, and Operations. This program consists of eight sessions lasting two to three hours in length." Except this course is major-specific, and I don't know if a Media Studies concentration counts. Which is too bad, because this class sounds incredibly interesting to me and I would absolutely love the chance to network with the brains behind Disney's incredible Entertainment department.
2. Marketing You! "Through participation in this course, students learn how to market their skills of communication, customer service, problem solving, conflict resolution, decision-making, self-management and creative thinking. Key elements include the development of a career focus and a personal marketing plan that encompasses the creation of a cover letter, résumé and networking strategy. The students will also learn interviewing and negotiation techniques." This course sounds both super-useful and really fun. What? I'm a nerd! I was reading the course syllabus and the projects sounded like something I would enjoy!
3. Exploring Communication Processes at the Walt Disney World Resort! "Examine how we incorporate our Quality Standards of Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency in providing a vast communication network that can respond rapidly to anything, from weather emergencies to disgruntled Guests."
4. Exploring Marketing at the Walt Disney World Resort! "Gain a deeper understanding of how we maintain customer loyalty by both staying true to our brand and marketing our new Guest experiences."

Those last two are part of the Disney Exploration Series - which means they don't have homework! Definitely a pro. If I can't get into the Entertainment Show Production Class, I'm definitely considering taking at least one other class: probably Marketing You. And I may decide to take Exploring Marketing as well.


What do you guys think? Will you be taking a class down there? Do you have to? Do you want to? Let me know!

And, as always, feel free to formspring me any other questions!

What are you going to do next?

Not much happened today. Did some homework, chatted with some people, got accepted to the FAQ program. You know, no big deal.

WAIT, WHAT?


YOU READ THAT RIGHT.

I'M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!

 

I actually got TWO purple emails. The first came with the subject line "Thank You For Interviewing." I opened it, no big deal, looking for the link to take the survey again because I wanted to write more about the E-Pres and how it needs to be updated. So I just scroll right past the "Congratulations" and am thinking, "Huh. There's no survey link! This isn't the right... OH MY GOD WAIT THIS IS AN ACCEPTANCE!!!!"

And then I got another one that actually said "You're Invited!" in the subject line, so I knew it wasn't a fluke. Only 11 days after interviewing, too! Super-quick turnaround.

I was accepted into FSFB, which wasn't in my top 3, but that's okay because I'm super excited anyway! I've only heard good things about it, and with an abundance of awesome restaurants in the parks and resorts I'm sure I'll enjoy my role.

And of course, there are the auditions in March!  

CONGRATS to all who were accepted today, and good luck to those still waiting!

Have a magical day!

My application process.

I submitted my application on January 20  (nerd much?) and called the next day around 11:30 to schedule my interview. I had to re-dial a few times due to a busy signal, but finally got through. I was on hold for maybe ten minutes or so, but that was okay because the hold music was epic - all park stuff. Basically I want to stream the Disney College Program Interview Line hold music, because I am a dork. My interview is at 7:45 tomorrow evening... woohoo! 24 hours from now I'll probably be staring at my phone and freaking out, not going to lie.

I checked off the following roles:

1. Character Performer
2. Concierge
3. Attractions (Jungle please please please please please?)
4. FSFB
5. Hospitality
6. PhotoPass

Performer, Concierge, and Attractions are definitely my top 3, though. I've talked quite a bit in this blog about why I want to do both performer and concierge, but haven't focused quite as much on attractions. I know it's a bit foolhardy to pin your hopes and dreams on one attraction, but I REALLY want to be a Jungle Cruise Skipper. My interest in creating characters and improv lends itself to that, I think. I know I would be so energized working there - I'm sure I'd have off days and everything, but what a great role, you know?

So I have been compiling a list of interview questions by role, and thinking about how I might answer them. If anyone would like the list, I can definitely e-mail it to you! It includes roles other than just what I checked off, but sadly it's not comprehensive and some roles are left off. Just comment with your e-mail address and I'll send it along.


I'll most likely blog again tomorrow, after my interview. In the meantime, if you have any questions for me please feel free to ask on my formspring!