Days leading up to Traditions and Traditions

Before we went to traditions and got our main entrance passes, we basically rode the monorail for hours, looking at the Disney Resorts. We went past Epcot to see it as it was closing, visited the Grand Floridian, The Polynesian, and the Contemporary. So far out of the three, The Grand Floridian is my favorite. It's super nice and fancy, not to mention it reminds me of the Hotel Del in Coronado. Here is a few pictures from the shenanigans that took place:

The floor of the Grand Floridian is covered in tile that has hidden Mickey's and other Disney characters. Here is a picture of my roommate Mercade with the Cinderella tile!

This is a picture of the carpet in the Grand Floridian. I know it seems as though I have an obsession with floors or something, but honestly the little details in the carpet and tile are ridiculous.










Then we decided to head to the Contemporary to watch wishes from a "secret" part of the resort. No one really knows about a balcony at the Contemporary where you can watch wishes from, so we got a really good view from not too far away. Here are a few pictures of us watching the show:

This is me and my roommate Michelle waiting for the fireworks to start!

Michelle and Mercade waiting for the fireworks!













The first night we got there we went to the Polynesian to watch Wishes (hey--it's free right? Might as well try to see it a lot) and get dole whips for the first time! I like Dole Whips, but I think that it was over hyped somehow. It wasn't earth shattering good, but it was good. I actually prefer the orange flavor to the pineapple original! 

So now that I've discussed the fun we had before we got our main entrance passes, let me quickly mention Traditions. There's not much I can say about it, except when everyone tells you to wear comfortable shoes, they mean it. Leave those 6 inch stilettos at home because a few hours later you will be feeling it. Also if you have an early session of Traditions, get a good amount of sleep because several people in my class we're nodding off at first. I know it's exciting to be at Disney with new roommates, but perhaps instead of going to bed at 2 am (like I did) when Traditions was at 6 am go to bed at say...midnight. Even that would be better! There a lot of surprises and awesome things about Traditions that I cannot mention, but just know it's fun and you'll meet some awesome people.

Well I'm off--I work tonight from 4pm-10pm. So I'm going to relax and get ready. The next post will probably be about training, my assessment, and work overall. 

Adios!

Check in day!

I've been in Florida for over a week now and I'm just now getting to this blog post. I'm sorry about that, I've just been busy with work type things and of course the fun stuff like going to the parks everyday. It's true, I've been to the parks every day that I've been here after Traditions! It's fun to go to the parks with friends who have never been to WDW or haven't been in years because their faces on the rides are priceless and hysterical. 

But anyway this blog post is to fill you in on check in day! 

Check in sign at Vista Way!

Since Disney decided to change their dorms system and put everything online, my check in day was different than those seen on YouTube. Instead of waking up and being at Vista at 3-4 in the morning to get a good apartment, ours was already chosen for us so we decided to get to Vista around 7:45 am. Disney stated to not come to Vista before 8 or after 10, but honestly we could have gone sooner because the line was already ridiculously long by the time we got there. We waited in line for a while (it wouldn't be Disney without long lines) and then finally got up to the desks to hand cast members our DORMS paper work that we filled out online 10 days prior to our arrival. Then they gave us a program guide and sent up to the next room which was...air conditioned! Until I arrived in Florida in August I had never really understood the beautiful thing called air conditioning. Anyway, in the next room we were told where we were living and who we were living with. We got a 3 bedroom in Patterson Court which means...two more roommates! Their names are Lily and Iris and they are both from South Korea doing the ICP (International College Program). They are both very sweet, and I can't wait to get to know them more (they started working first so we haven't had much time to talk)!

Welcome sign at check in!

The next thing we did in the air conditioned room was take our ID picture. I was hopeful it would turn out good, but they widened everyone's face so my head looks like it is about to pop. Then we got our room key and headed back out side (ugh). 

Once outside we waited in line some more and then we were separated by last names. At this point we found out specifically where we would be working (for some of us). I found out I was a park greeter in Epcot!! Even though I originally wanted Magic Kingdom, I'm now very excited that I got Epcot (I'll explain this in a different blog post about my orientation and training days).

Then onward to a drug test, filling out I-9 forms, and then finally being done with check in. We got there around 7:45 and finished around 10:15 if that helps you know how long the process is. Then because we had the largest check in group ever for the DCP (we were told that), they all split up our times of casting and traditions. I had casting the same day as check-in at 1 pm so I decided to got to our apartment, take a look around, and then leave for Casting. 

I like our apartment, but I'll make a vlog for you guys so you know what a 3 bedroom in Patterson looks like later! 

Casting was long as well, I got to the building around 1:30 and finished around 3:45. But it was fun, the building was amazing, and the cast members working in there were hilarious. I know my casting ladies were funny and super helpful! And both of them had worked at Epcot and they kept telling me it was their favorite place. Seeing them so excited about their jobs made me excited for my own.

After casting I bought some groceries and unpacked a little, but that night we had a reservation at Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary. Me and some of my roommates decided to dress up for this event. Here is a photo:

 

All dressed up for Chef Mickey's!

Chef Mickey's was good but in my personal opinion not worth the price. I know you meet the characters and it is a buffet, but 55 dollars for one person who is getting paid minimum wage is difficult. But the food was amazing and seeing the characters and hanging out was a nice way to start off the program. 

Goofy asked to take a selfie with me! haha

My next blog posts will be about:
-Activities before we got our main entrance passes
-Traditions
-Park fun
-Orientation/training

I hope you all enjoyed this blog post--more will come soon because I have two days off before my training starts up. 

I hope you all have a magical day!

The time has come the walrus said...tomorrow I fly to Orlando!

Tomorrow I am flying to Orlando to move into my apartment in Lake Buena Vista on Monday! I can't believe the time is here and soon I will be an official Disney Cast Member. I remember when I was first applying for the Disney College Program and thinking, "I really hope I get accepted," and then before I knew it, I was and there was 150 days until my program began. Now it's here and it still doesn't feel real. I don't think it will until I see all my roommates and we watch the fireworks at the Polynesian eating dole whips on Sunday! 

To say I am excited is an understatement. I know this will be a great experience and I can't wait to be down there meeting new people, making new friends, and living at the happiest place on Earth. With that being said, today I was also thinking about the fall semester I will be missing at Hofstra. I am really going to miss all my friends, the shenanigans we get into, the fall spirit around campus, and FALL FEST! Fall semester is so much fun and filled with all different activities on and around campus. I'm going to miss my friends in ESTAHOOD (the ones still living there--I know some moved to different towers like Vander Poel and Alliance etc.)! Party it up for me and keep in touch! I will probably bug you about everything anyway when I'm missing you all.

To everyone; friends and family; I will miss you and hopefully we can stay connected through this blog and other social media! Have a great semester, fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas/other December holidays, and New Year! See you guys in 2014<3

As for my roommates and all the other DCPers: See you soon! Lets work hard, make the best memories, and enjoy Disney! 

Here is a picture that I think will become true. I will randomly burst into Disney songs while living in Lake Buena Vista!! 

And so the journey begins: the time has come the walrus said to talk of Disney things!