Sunday, November 27, 2011

Thanksgiving and Birthdays

A quick recap of my Thanksgiving holiday, just because I'm in the mood for typing and don't feel like neglecting my blog this early into my Disney adventure!

Thanksgiving was nice, I love having time off from work and school. It was a lazy day full of cooking, watching the parade and the dog show, and reading. Smells of green bean casserole, turkey, yams, stuffing, and cranberries filled the house, and everything was lovely. That is, until my relatives came over.

Don't get me wrong, I love my family. I really do. But sometimes they tend to test my patience. Like my dear grandmother, who has gone slightly nutty ever since my grandfather passed away. She repeats questions like a broken record, and insults people in what she thinks is an undertone. She also forces me to wait on her hand and foot, and then chastises me for having my elbows on the table instead of saying thank you. I know a lot of the things she does isn't her fault, but sometimes her crabbiness and lack of regard for others really makes my blood boil.

And then there's my aunt, who takes over the television and switches it from football to....the Jewish channel. Needless to say, the males in my family were not pleased. She also is convinced that an iPhone is not a proper cell phone.

I guess everyone has things that they love and hate about their families, and it just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a few minor annoyances. Luckily, the food was amazing, my dad did a brilliant job with the turkey, and my parents successfully managed to embarrass my boyfriend Eric by singing happy birthday to him at the end of the meal.

Speaking of Eric, his birthday was on Black Friday and he is now a very distinguished 23-year-old man. We celebrated very casually, by hanging out at his house all day in our pajamas. Me playing around on Tumblr reading Disney blogs and him playing online poker. We also watched Pirates of the Caribbean (the first one) and Monsters Inc. Thank you ABC Family, for providing an awesome setup to a lazy day. It also was a fantastic alternative to battling the scary crowds at our local BrandsMart and Macy's.

Now that those two major events are out of the way, Disney is looking more and more real. In just a little less than two months I will be moving in with my lovely new roomies and stuffing my brain with as many animal facts as I can remember. However, there are still some exciting times to be had at home before I leave. Tomorrow, in honor of my mom's birthday, we are going to see Beauty and the Beast at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. It's my first time seeing the show, and I'm very excited. Pictures and a follow-up post to come.

Thanks for reading, and I hope everyone had an amazing Turkey Day :)
Friday, November 18, 2011

Arrival Information

Today I got a a rather long email from Michelle Matuszewski, one of the Animal Programs' trainers. She and Jason Martin will be the ones helping out all the new Animal interns as we begin our first few weeks of training.

For this term, there is a hiring process that is new to everyone. Every person has a dashboard that they log in to, and that dashboard lists all the recent emails and documents that have been sent to you. Also, there is Yammer, which is a social networking site (similar to Facebook) only for Animal Programs Professional Interns. It allows everyone to meet, talk with each other, and ask questions before arriving in Orlando. This turned out to be a great tool, as it provided me with tons of information and my future roommates!



My arrival day is Thursday, January 12, 2012. On this day I'll be filling out all my hiring paperwork and moving into Disney Housing. On this day I will also be receiving a detailed training outline and training guides. I will also be given an agenda for the day, which will include afternoon meetings and a social networking event in the evening. It sounds like a very busy and jam-packed day, but totally exciting as well! I've been told to dress casual this day, but since it will also be the first time meeting Disney Professionals, I'm sure I'll be obsessing over what to wear anyway. That day might include a few outfit changes :)

The email also went over the Disney Look. Disney requires that literally every inch of your body be within their guidelines- no crazy hairstyles, no crazy makeup, no crazy jewelry, no crazy piercings or tattoos- basically dress professionally and look well kept while onstage. I won't go over every detail about the Disney Look, but the rules are definitely extensive and cover everything- from the tips of your hair to the toes on your feet.

As for my costume, I am now in need of some plain brown hiking boots. I have never purchased hiking boots before, so if anyone has any suggestions on where to get some, please let me know!



The email reiterates that the first couple of weeks on the job will be VERY busy. No time off is expected for these first few weeks. I have to admit that this scares me a little, but I'm fully prepared to work hard and I know that it will be worth it in the end. I'm also a little nervous about dealing with the traffic around Orlando and finding directions to places I need to be, but I know that these are things I'll come to learn in time. Just those silly little things we all obsess about before changing our lives in a major way, no big deal.

That's all for the moment. I hope this helps any future prospective Disney interns, and entertains those who are just interested in learning about the process.
Monday, November 14, 2011

30 Day Disney Challenge- Day 30

Favorite Theme Park Attraction/ Ride

In honor of the last day of the challenge, I decided to include my favorite attraction from all four parks. Also, because it's impossible for me to pick just one.

Magic Kingdom

The Haunted Mansion



For the longest time, I was terrified of this ride. I couldn't even go near it, because the sound of the howling dog creeped me out. All I knew was that my dad loved it, and every time we went he would try to get me to go on it with him. However, he always ended up riding alone, and my mom was left to stay with me and my younger sister (I think this was before the days of the Baby Swap). Finally, one year I felt so guilty for letting him ride alone that I offered to go with him. And as soon as I got off the ride, I couldn't remember why I was so scared. It was amazing! The special effects were so incredible that I spent more time marveling at the beauty of the attraction than being scared. I spent the rest of the trip begging to ride it again, and now it's my favorite attraction in the Magic Kingdom. 

Honorable Mention: Mickey's Philharmagic (that blueberry pie smell, oh my lord. Heaven). 

Epcot

Soarin'



This is an amazing attraction, and just proves that for something to be entertaining, there doesn't have to be cheap thrills or huge drops. I love the smells of this ride (the oranges and the salty sea air), and my favorite part is the initial takeoff, when you lift off the ground for the first time. I always like that this is one of the only rides in Disney where something doesn't go "terribly wrong." It's a just a nice, family attraction and it's one that I could literally ride all day long.

Honorable Mention: Spaceship Earth (home of the most awesome animatronics in Disney).

Hollywood Studios

The Great Movie Ride



I haven't been to this park since I was fifteen, so there are a few rides I have never been on (Toy Story Midway Mania, Rock 'n' Rollercoaster, etc). However, I have always loved the Great Movie Ride. I love watching movies of all kinds, and I always like listening to the facts that the tour guides give. I love watching the movie montage at the end, and getting hijacked by gangsters and cowboys. The alien scene, on the other hand, will always scare me.

Honorable Mention: Backlot Tour (I love seeing behind the scenes at Disney and getting a glimpse of the costuming departments).

Animal Kingdom

Kilimanjaro Safari



One of the coolest attractions ever. It is my secret wish to be a driver and work at this ride. I love learning about all the animals and seeing them roam about. This ride always inspires me to become a zoologist. 

Honorable Mention: Festival of the Lion King (the one show I associate with contentment and joy). 
Saturday, November 12, 2011

30 Day Disney Challenge- Day 29

Favorite Theme Park

The Magic Kingdom (Walt Disney World)



For so many reasons. I feel like I grew up here, I came so much as a child. My family was privileged being so close to Disney, so we were able to drive up all the time, even just for a day. I love everything about this park, from the musty water smell in Pirates, to the ringing booms of the fireworks, to the wondrous spectacle of lights from Spectromagic. It's the one place where me and my family can forget about all the stresses in life and just enjoy our time together. It's the one place I associate with pure happiness.

Honorable Mention: Animal Kingdom (had to give a shout-out to my future workplace!) 
Friday, November 11, 2011

30 Day Disney Challenge- Day 28

Favorite Quote

"As the years passed, he fell into despair and lost all hope. For who could ever learn to love a beast?"

(Beauty and the Beast)



I realize that a lot of my answers have to do with Beauty and the Beast, but that's because everything about that movie is just wonderful. The opening scene and narration always give me chills, and I love everything from the deep spoken voice, to the beautifully animated scenes of glass-colored windows, to the ominous, hauntingly lovely music. (Wow, that was quite the run-on sentence!) This quote sets the tone for the rest of the story, and really sums up the theme in such simple terms. Is it really possible to find beauty within? 

Honorable Mention: "You think I'm an ignorant savage, and you've been so many places, I guess it must be so. But still I cannot see, how the savage one is me. How can there be so much that you don't know?" (Pocahontas). 
Thursday, November 10, 2011

30 Day Disney Challenge- Day 27

Saddest Death

Ellie (Up)



The montage of Carl and Ellie's life in the beginning of Up never fails to make me tear up. I love their relationship, and how much was able to be conveyed about their lives within a four-minute montage. Their struggles to have a child and save up money for their dream vacation was heartbreaking, but the images of them enjoying their picnics and building their dream house were incredibly sweet. I yearn to have a marriage like theirs someday. When Ellie died, and Carl sat alone at her funeral holding a balloon, long after everyone had gone home....it's just the saddest thing ever. 

Honorable Mention: Mufasa (How can anyone not find this scene heartbreaking? This was the defining moment in Simba's life, where he changed from a carefree cub to someone with a huge responsibility to fill.)
Wednesday, November 9, 2011

30 Day Disney Challenge- Day 26

Favorite Scene From Your Favorite Movie

Transformation Scene (Beauty and the Beast)



I think the Beast in human form is animated so beautifully. Every time this scene comes on, I always have to stop whatever I'm doing and watch. When he stands up and turns around for the first time, and his blue eyes hit me, I just melt. I realize this means that I am insanely attracted to a cartoon character, but that's okay. I love the music that goes along with the scene as well, and I just think it's really, really well done.

Honorable Mention: Kingdom Dance scene from Tangled (My favorite part in this movie is when they go to the town square, and Rapunzel gets the whole town to dance along with her. This is the first scene that really showed Flynn falling for her, and this also happens to be one of my favorite pieces of music ever). 
Tuesday, November 8, 2011

30 Day Disney Challenge- Day 25

A Movie That Makes You Cry

Toy Story 3



The ending. Oh my god, the ending. I swear, the last 15 minutes of this movie made me the most emotional I have ever been in theaters. I can't remember crying for any movie (not Titanic, not the Notebook, not Rent...I swear, I have a heart of steel sometimes), but I definitely shed a tear or two for this one. So much of my childhood ended around the same time Andy's did, and I could relate to the feeling of having to let go and grow up.

Honorable Mention: Wall-E (Wall-E's longing for love just broke my heart, and it was so upsetting at the end when I thought he wouldn't remember Eve). 
Monday, November 7, 2011

30 Day Disney Challenge- Day 24

A Movie That Makes You Laugh

The Incredibles




I love the banter between Mr. Incredible and Frozone, and I think Edna Mode is so kooky and hilarious. I love Elastigirl's dry humor and Syndrome's sarcasm. This movie may not be your typical comedy, but it still makes me giggle. I think it's also because the sibling rivalry between Dash and Violet reminds me of me and my sister. 

Honorable Mention: The Princess and the Frog (again, not your typical comedy, but Naveen's arrogance always strikes me as humorous and Charlotte is one of the funniest Disney characters ever). 


Sunday, November 6, 2011

30 Day Disney Challenge- Day 23

An Underrated Movie

A Goofy Movie




I think a lot of Disney movies are underrated (ahem...Hunchback...Bug's Life...just to name a few), but I really enjoyed A Goofy Movie. I thought it was very well done, it had a touching, relatable story, and it had great music. I don't know why it doesn't get more recognition. They don't even sell the DVD in any stores near where I live. I thought the relationship between Max and Roxanne was adorable, and how can you not love Powerline? 

Honorable Mention: Meet the Robinson's (The ending totally made this whole movie. I thought this was one of Disney's most brilliant films and I hate that it didn't get the raves and ratings it deserved). 


Saturday, November 5, 2011

30 Day Disney Challenge- Day 22

An Overrated Movie

The Aristocats




This was a hard one, as I don't really consider any Disney movie to be "overrated." They're all special in their own way. However, The Aristocats is a movie that all my friends seem to love, but for some reason I could never get into it. I don't know why- the characters are cute, but.... it's not something I would watch over and over again. I know there's a lot of love for this movie out there, but if I had to answer this question, then this is the movie I would pick. 

Honorable Mention: Oliver and Company (for the same reasons as above). 
Friday, November 4, 2011

30 Day Disney Challenge- Day 21

It's official! I received the link to pay for my housing, finally! I selected a two-bedroom in Cumberland Apartments, and will check-in at 8 am. I'm really impressed with the onboarding website- it's full of useful information about where to go, what to wear, what to bring, and it lists all the amenities that come with the apartment. Washer/dryer, towels, kitchen appliances, coffee maker, toaster- it literally has everything except bedding and clothes!

I'm a little worried about being able to find a nice roommate, but I'm not going to stress too much about it. I have faith that everything will work out- it's Disney, how bad can it be?

Favorite Sequel

Toy Story 2





I have to say, this is one of the few sequels that seemed as good as, if not better, than the original. It had some amazing new characters (Jessie! Bullseye! Barbie!) and a fantastic story (Woody's Roundup! Al's Toy Barn!). I must have seen this movie at least a dozen times in the theaters.

Honorable Mention: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (true, not as good as the first Pirates, but compared with all the other mediocre Disney sequels, this one definitely tops the list). 
Thursday, November 3, 2011

30 Day Disney Challenge- Day 20

Least Favorite Pixar Film

Cars




Simply based on the fact that this is the only Pixar movie I haven't seen. For some reason, Cars just doesn't interest me as much as the others do. Maybe after I see it, I'll change my mind.

Honorable Mention: Cars 2 (Have not seen this one yet either). 
Wednesday, November 2, 2011

30 Day Disney Challenge- Day 19

After a short hiatus, we continue...

Favorite Pixar Movie 

Toy Story




I love how Pixar's first movie took such a simple concept- toys coming to life when we're not looking- and turned it into such a heartwarming story with amazing characters. I love Buzz's bravery, Woody's loyalty, Potato Head's indignation, Hamm's mild sarcasm, Bo Peep's sweetness, Rex's endearing clumsiness, and Andy's imagination. Everything just fits together so well, and it is one of the only movies that I never seem to tire of. Who hasn't wondered about their toys coming to life?

Honorable Mention: Monster's Inc (I love the concept behind this movie as well- what if there ARE monsters in our closets? And Boo is just the cutest character ever). 

Update

New for future Disney PI's this year is a social networking site called Yammers. This site is exclusively for those who have been accepted into an Animal Programs and Environmental Sciences (previously Animal Programs) internship, and it gives us a chance to network and connect with some of our future coworkers.

I was so excited to get the invite to this site! Everyone I've met seem awesome so far, and it's making me even more excited to get to Orlando and meet them all in person. Everyone is so nice and friendly, and best news, they all seem obsessed with Disney like me! Now I don't feel so alone and weird. Next up will be receiving the link to an "Onboarding" website, where I'll get to pay the $100 housing deposit and receive information about check-in. At first I was a little nervous about Disney housing, but after talking to some of these girls I feel so much better- I know whoever I end up sharing an apartment with will be awesome!

In other news, I got my graduation tickets in the mail! I graduate with my BA in Anthropology on December 9th at 9 a.m. and I couldn't be more excited! I'm so ready to be done with school, and to have a semester off to work in Orlando before Grad School. November is here, time for Thanksgiving, my boyfriend's birthday, Christmas, Graduation....only good things ahead!

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