Saturday, January 21, 2012
Week One: Training
10:42 PM | Posted by
Unknown
I know I still have to update on Traditions and DAKlimations, but I just wanted to document that week one of training is now complete! I have toured all of the Kids Discovery Clubs and Animal Positions, toured the backstage areas, learned where to pick up my bug boxes and what to do when an animal escapes. I have a ton of radio codes, animal facts, directions, and rotations to memorize. Oh yeah, and I also have to remember to feed and bathe myself occasionally too. I don't even think I remember what sleeping is.
Despite the hard work and stress, this is definitely the coolest job I have ever had. I get to learn all about Animal Kingdom and the amazing animals and insects that live there. Hopefully by the time this internship is over, I will have gotten to know these fantastic creatures on a more personal level and know this park inside and out. I really want to do well, and will try my best to succeed at this job. I'm a little at a disadvantage because of my lack of a zoological education, but I'm hoping that my enthusiasm with Guests makes up for that.
More updates to come!
Despite the hard work and stress, this is definitely the coolest job I have ever had. I get to learn all about Animal Kingdom and the amazing animals and insects that live there. Hopefully by the time this internship is over, I will have gotten to know these fantastic creatures on a more personal level and know this park inside and out. I really want to do well, and will try my best to succeed at this job. I'm a little at a disadvantage because of my lack of a zoological education, but I'm hoping that my enthusiasm with Guests makes up for that.
More updates to come!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
First Days
Well, it's official! I am now a Disney Cast Member!
The first few days have been a little chaotic, but extremely exciting. I left for Orlando Wednesday morning and checked-in to the All-Star Music Resort with my dad and sister. That night I met my roommates Kerstin and Heather, along with their families, for dinner at Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I have to say, meeting them definitely calmed my nerves a little bit. They were both very sweet and we bonded pretty quickly. We all have a love for reading, Disney, and Harry Potter, which, frankly, rocks (that sentence had a lot of commas).
The next morning, I checked in to Cumberland Park Apartments at 8 am. I have to be honest, I was very anxious that morning. This was my first time moving into an apartment with roommates, and having to navigate around Orlando by myself. I received my key, free t-shirt, goody bag, and housing I.D., and then we all sat in the clubhouse theater for a short spiel about the apartment rules. The complex is absolutely beautiful, complete with two pools, a gym, a pool hall, and lots more. I am in a two-bedroom apartment on the third floor. Our room comes with a walk-in closet and a glass shower, two things I am very excited about.
Later that day, I went to casting, filled out all my paperwork and got fingerprinted, and then went to a meeting with some of the Animal Programs managers. We received our schedules for the first week, and got a nice little packet of information that included helpful things like maps and phone numbers. Later that night me and my roommate put our room together and just relaxed. We were running on pure adrenaline by that point, and little by little it was starting to run out.
To be continued...
The first few days have been a little chaotic, but extremely exciting. I left for Orlando Wednesday morning and checked-in to the All-Star Music Resort with my dad and sister. That night I met my roommates Kerstin and Heather, along with their families, for dinner at Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I have to say, meeting them definitely calmed my nerves a little bit. They were both very sweet and we bonded pretty quickly. We all have a love for reading, Disney, and Harry Potter, which, frankly, rocks (that sentence had a lot of commas).
The next morning, I checked in to Cumberland Park Apartments at 8 am. I have to be honest, I was very anxious that morning. This was my first time moving into an apartment with roommates, and having to navigate around Orlando by myself. I received my key, free t-shirt, goody bag, and housing I.D., and then we all sat in the clubhouse theater for a short spiel about the apartment rules. The complex is absolutely beautiful, complete with two pools, a gym, a pool hall, and lots more. I am in a two-bedroom apartment on the third floor. Our room comes with a walk-in closet and a glass shower, two things I am very excited about.
Later that day, I went to casting, filled out all my paperwork and got fingerprinted, and then went to a meeting with some of the Animal Programs managers. We received our schedules for the first week, and got a nice little packet of information that included helpful things like maps and phone numbers. Later that night me and my roommate put our room together and just relaxed. We were running on pure adrenaline by that point, and little by little it was starting to run out.
To be continued...
Thursday, January 5, 2012
One Week
In exactly one week from now, I will be checking in at Disney and moving into my new apartment. The nerves are starting to kick in big time. I've begun the rigorous process of packing, and during this time it's finally started to hit me that this is it. I'm leaving home, and fulfilling one of my dreams. No matter what happens, I know that this experience will change me...hopefully for the better.
There are so many things I'm going to miss. My friends, my two dogs, my family, my amazing boyfriend...but I'm trying to think positive, and not let my over-analytical brain ruin things for me. I know that this new job will include long hours, long periods of standing in the hot sun, getting over my fears of doing presentations in front of an audience, and lengthy scripts for me to memorize. I know that my new apartment will include getting used to sharing a room, and working around other people's schedules. However, all of these new experiences also include being at the most magical place on earth, and a job that includes some of the best perks ever. And, if worse comes to worst, I can always drive three hours south to spend a weekend at home.
I'll try to update more once I'm actually in Orlando. Not sure if anybody is actually reading this, but I like keeping an account for myself, as a way to look back and laugh at these premature anxieties. Here goes nothing.
"Adventure is out there!"
There are so many things I'm going to miss. My friends, my two dogs, my family, my amazing boyfriend...but I'm trying to think positive, and not let my over-analytical brain ruin things for me. I know that this new job will include long hours, long periods of standing in the hot sun, getting over my fears of doing presentations in front of an audience, and lengthy scripts for me to memorize. I know that my new apartment will include getting used to sharing a room, and working around other people's schedules. However, all of these new experiences also include being at the most magical place on earth, and a job that includes some of the best perks ever. And, if worse comes to worst, I can always drive three hours south to spend a weekend at home.
I'll try to update more once I'm actually in Orlando. Not sure if anybody is actually reading this, but I like keeping an account for myself, as a way to look back and laugh at these premature anxieties. Here goes nothing.
"Adventure is out there!"
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