Check- In Day!!!

Blog Entry August 17, 2011:


(FYI: For this blog post I uploaded a good amount of videos - so that it didn't take up a lot of space on the page they are all linked to certain words or phrases. The words you need to click on are in grey writing instead of black. Just click on the words and the video will pop up in another screen! Enjoy!)

This morning Victoria and I woke up at 6:30 am to get ready and wait in line at Disney's 'Vista Way' apartments. Disney has four different apartment complexes, but Vista Way are the ones that everyone checks in at. The check in starts at 9 am, but housing is first come first serve, and since we wanted to make sure we would get a one bedroom apartment for just the two of us, we wanted to be the first few in line.

When we pulled up to the line two hours early, there were already over 50 people ahead of us!!!! It was crazy! I wish I knew what time the person in the front got there, it had to have been around 6 am. It definitely made me a little nervous that so many people were ahead of us, but I kept my hopes high.

We ended up talking to the couple standing behind us. The boy started his college program in May and his girlfriend was starting with us. It was really good to be able to talk to him about what to expect for the first few weeks of work. It was also nice to see another person who was really enjoying their time on the program.

At around 7:45/8 am they opened the doors and starting letting people in. This was VERY exciting because it meant we would have extra down time later.

Everything was VERY organized. We stayed in a line that looped through different stations. We turned in paper work and were given times for the rest of the day. When we got to the table for housing a Cast Member came up to us and asked if we had requested a specific roommate. We told him we were roommates and sisters, and he informed us that one of us would talk with the person who would assign us to our apartment while the other waited. When he asked who would be the negotiator, I raised my hand at the same time that Victoria pointed to me, and he immediately chuckled and said “I'm guessing you're the older sister.” It was nice to share a laugh with him, because I was so nervous about getting a one bedroom.

The moment of truth arrived and I approached the booth where a nice woman was going to find an apartment for me. I immediately started small chatting and asking how her day had been so far before telling her that Victoria and I would REALLY like a one bedroom. She smiled and nodded and began typing and searching her computer. It felt like it took her FOREVER. I was getting nervous because I didn't know if the length of time meant there weren't any left, but just as my heart started really racing, she looked up and said “You have a one bedroom in Chatham!”

I was SO excited. I looked at Victoria who was waiting in the designated area across the room and mouthed “We got it!!” She immediately ran over and we started hugging each other and jumping up and down as we approached the next booth. The cast members there were smiling but were definitely wondering what we were so happy about. We told them and they handed us our key to our new apartment!!!

Then we received our housing ID and winded around to a man who told us we were on the 10 AM bus to casting! While we waited a Cast Member went over our “on-boarding paperwork,” which is all our I-9/W-4 type paper work we would need at the casting building. We of course had ours, and all the documents we needed since I compulsively checked the computer to make sure we had everything.

We soon got on our bus and were so so so excited to see the casting building and to find out where we would be working!! I really wanted either Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom (MK because it's so magical and AK because they have the best hours) and Victoria wanted either the Great Movie Ride or Tower of Terror in Hollywood Studios, or the Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom. When we pulled up to the casting building (which is located right across from Downtown Disney) it was so beautiful!!! It was very whimsical with big golden columns with a diamond pattern. Legend has it that the pattern was made to look like the design on Walt Disney's argyle socks. Inside the building is even a painting of him wearing socks in the same colors as the outside of the building. There are Mickey Mouse shaped cut outs along the top of the building and the best part – the doorknobs from Alice and Wonderland!! They are so cute (they do NOT talk but they are very fun none-the-less).

When we walked through the oversized doors and into the rotunda we were “greeted” by our favorite Disney characters. Minnie, Mickey, Daisy, and of course, Tinker Bell were perched at the top of the columns circling the room. Once we recovered from the excitement we realized a Cast Member was walking around giving us our locations. My stomach flopped in anticipation and when he finally came to us he playfully stalled, knowing how badly we wanted to know, and asked where we would like to be. Both of us said we would be happy anywhere (which of course made us no fun) so he handed us our assignments. I would be working at Restaurantosaurus at Animal Kingdom and Victoria would be at the Haunted Mansion!!! We were SO SO SO excited. We both were placed somewhere we wanted and I could NOT wait to find out what my costume would look like.

We moved through casting looking at all the fun pictures of Walt, his brother Roy, and famous imagineers. We saw pictures of our beloved characters, as well as preliminary drawings of certain rides and movies. I often forget, by Disney was truly a pioneer in the film industry. Quick fun facts: he was the first ever to use story-boards when creating a film, he was the first to combine animation and audio in his cartoon, Steamboat Willie, and he was the first to combine animation with live action in Mary Poppins. In all areas he was told these things were impossible and couldn't be done, but he found a way.

When handing in our I-9's we met one-on-one with a Cast Member so they could see our official documents and write them in on our form. While I was talking to the woman who helped me she asked if I was interested in pursuing a career with Disney. I, of course, told her I was, and she launched into giving me advice about networking, the Professional Internship program, and what I should make sure I do on the College Program. She was the first of many CM's who helped give advice on a future with the company. It was also fun to talk to a College Program Alum who worked her way up to Casting. Very cool.

After we got back from the casting building, we met my parents and drove over to Chatham Square. One thing that is AWESOME about Disney is their security. There is only one entrance that you can access our apartment complex through as a car or as a pedestrian and they literally check each and every person's ID before they can get through. If I am going to have visitors, I have to notify security that they are coming and those people then have to present a valid state ID to get in, and are only allowed to stay until 1 AM. After 1 AM, even other CM's that live in other buildings must leave. It's very comforting knowing how strict they are.

We walked into our apartment and we love it! It's so nice (although there is green carpet – weird). But all the cabinets/ counters are nice and even the furniture isn't bad. I was expecting dorm style furniture but it's nicer than that so that's good. (As soon as we're really done unpacking I'll put up pictures!).

After we walked in, we started bring our stuff up and we quickly learned that at some point between 4 and 7 pm there is a crazy rainstorm. It doesn't last very long at all, but it POURS. Like no rainstorm I've ever seen in MA. It is CRAZY. Luckily, my stuff was almost in when it started. Still, I was SOAKED. So we loaded in our stuff and then my parents helped us unpack before we had our Housing Meeting.

The meeting was about as fun as a meeting can be. They were blasting Disney music when we walked in and they basically went over the safety regulations and protocall as well as where we go to do laundry, who to contact if our dishwasher breaks and all fun stuff like that. At the end of the presentation they played a slide show that had pictures and information about the program. It was really moving the way they put it together and it ended with “get ready to have the time of your life.” Of course, both of our eyes were filling with tears, and Victoria looked over to see that the girl next to us was crying. It was so cute, but also very comforting that we are not the only ones so so excited to be Disney Cast Members. I'm learning more and more how truly amazing the company is, I can't wait to share some of the fun and wonderful things they do with you all.

By the time Victoria and I got out we were so so hungry. Luckily, we had reservations at the Flying Fish – one of our favorite restaurants. We met my parents at their hotel and drove over to the Boardwalk Hotel together. When we got there it started to really sink it that we are Disney Cast Members. This is the hotel that we have been staying at the past few times and so I literally was walking down memory lane remembering all the times I set foot on that boardwalk wishing it was as a Cast Member, but never sure if it would actually happen.

As many of you know, college was difficult for me. Not so much scholastically, as I have always done well in school (fortunately and unfortunately, even when I didn't try), but never felt truly happy there. I had isolated moments of feeling like I belonged, but mostly either onstage, or with select friends and family. I've always felt like I could do great things and really help people while working for this company and it is so so incredible to see all the possibilities right in front of me.

At the Flying Fish we had a wonderful dinner, but it was sad again for me that Nate wasn't there. He LOVES the Flying Fish and the last two times I had been there was with him. The hardest part is just wishing he could experience this all with me. It's so incredible, and I know he would love it just as much as I do.

After dinner, we walked around the boardwalk some more, going into the stores and talking to Cast Members. It's so fun to talk to them because so many of them are so excited when they learned we have joined their Disney family. They want to give advice, tell their Disney stories, or just reassure us of how great our decision was. Everyone has been so kind to us and I hope that we continue to have good experiences with fellow Cast Members, from what I heard, the courtesy will continue.

Here is my schedule for the next few days: tomorrow I have off, Friday I have “Traditions” (which I will talk more about then), and Saturday and Sunday I have more orientation type stuff for the company and my specific job. Training at location starts Tuesday!! I'm so excited :)

Tomorrow we are getting up and going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios!!!!! I am so so so excited, but sad that Nate isn't here. I really wanted to be able to go with him, but it's expensive so when we were down here we couldn't afford it. I'm sure we'll have so much fun. I'm so lost in the world of Disney that it will be weird to switch over to the Harry Potter world, but it'll happen and I know we will have so much fun. My whole family is excited and it will be so fun to spend more time together as a family. I'll update about it soon! As well as the rest of my crazy weekend!

Ttfn!

Disney - My First Few Days

Hi all!!


I am so sorry I haven't updated in a long time. We actually just got internet yesterday. Luckily, I have been doing blog entries on my computer so today I will upload all of them to the blog so that you can see what we've been up to!!!!


Entry from August 16, 2011:


Today we arrived in Disney!!!! I am so excited and nervous and sad bundled into one. It's really great to be down here because the past few days have been a lot of driving, and they've been such a mix of emotions. It was really hard to leave Nate Sunday morning, as I knew it would be, but I really do feel like this is where I should be. He is so incredibly supportive, which I am so grateful for. It really has helped a lot. But it is definitely an adjustment and I really miss him.

I'm a Disney Cast Member!!!!!!!!! These past few days have been a complete whirlwind – they've been exciting, exhausting, and so much fun. There have been so many unbelievable moments and I will try to recount all of them for you!

I'll start with Saturday August 13. We had a BBQ that day where many friends and family members came to support our journey. It was so wonderful to be reminded of just how many people encourage us and are such a wonderful part of our lives. We had so so much fun. Part of the BBQ was a Disney trivia contest that my cousin Renee, and friend, Heather, won. Victoria and I are so looking forward to picking something out for them. We have some ideas but we haven't purchased anything yet. We'll definitely pick something out within the next week or so to send.

After the BBQ Nate and I were able to spend some time together, and I showed him the DVD I made him. It was a DVD of all movies and pictures while we've been dating set to music, and with a bit of a storyline. He loved it, but it was very sad. As much as I've wanted to do this my whole life, it has definitely been a difficult decision. We will really miss our friends and family, and it will be hard to be without each other. Thus far the most difficult part of my journey has been being so far away from him and knowing that I won't see him for a while. He has been so wonderful and encouraging and positive, which has really helped. I could not have asked for more.

Sunday morning we left around 7:45 am to begin make our way south. By the time we got gas and stopped at the bank it was 8:30 and we really got on the road. My mom drove with me (because she knew I would be really sad leaving Nate) and my dad drove with Victoria. Our plan was to stop in Arlington, VA for the night and stay with my cousin, Elena. The first part of our trip went by very smoothly. We made great time and stopped for lunch right before the NY border in CT.

Unfortunately, it was all downhill from there. We got stuck in HORRIBLE traffic on the NJ Turnpike and for two hours were going less than 5 mph. My mom and I kept our hopes up thinking when we got out of NJ everything would start looking up. However we hit hours of traffic in each state because of accidents and when we finally got to Maryland, it started down-pouring. I mean torrential rain. The kind of rain where your windshield wipers aren't even helpful. It was CRAZY. Then it started hailing!! Luckily, we finally made it to Arlington at quarter to midnight, overall a 16 hour trip. (We even took a detour at the Pentagon after getting lost. I got a little nervous when I saw signs about car searches, but fortunately there was a way out before the search. Can you imagine the time it would have taken with my car FULL of luggage and things for our apartment?) We had a really great dinner with Elena – it was so so great to see her, especially because I was having a rough time thinking about Nate. She encouraged me to enjoy my experience and her words really helped remind me of the positive reasons for doing the program.

The next morning we slept in a little and left at 9 am. It was definitely nice to sleep in and helped us start the next leg of our journey on a good foot. We drove south and for about an hour and then stopped at a Cracker Barrel just as Nate and I had done when we drove to FL. We enjoyed a nice family breakfast where we, amongst other things, contemplated whether or not VA is a southern state. Luckily, we had a WONDERFUL trip down to Savannah, our next destination. We got there around 7 pm and went straight to Uncle Bubba's Oyster Bar. This is the restaurant owned by Paula Deen's brother Bubba. I have been lucky enough to have gone to Savannah twice already, both times with Nate, and both times to visit Hillary. It was really weird and almost felt wrong to be in Savannah without both of them. (Hill is still on summer vacation and not back in Savannah for school yet). I was really happy to have my family, that definitely helped, but it was still odd and sad.

The next day we got up and explored Savannah for a bit, stopping at the Savannah Candy Kitchen, getting pralines, and of course going to lunch at Paula Deen's restaurant, The Lady & Sons. It was really fun to be there with my mom, dad, and sister, but again, weird that Nate, Hill, and Matt weren't there. I have been to Savannah twice before and each time with Nate to visit Hill and Matt. It was strange, and of course made me think about missing Nate.

After enjoying lunch, we decided to head out and get to Lake Buena Vista, FL earlier than we initially planned. (Fun fact: Disney is actually in Lake Buena Vista, NOT Orlando, although you have in is the town over and you have to drive through Orlando to get there). We had a practically perfect drive to Disney, only hitting traffic when we got to Orlando, and not for very long (though of course, because of the close proximity to our final destination, it felt a lot longer :) ). 

When we arrived in FL I drove everyone past Disney's 'Vista Way' apartments where we would go to check in the next day, and then we checked into a hotel right next to the complex. Afterwards we drove to Disney's Fort Wilderness Lodge to eat in the restaurant there 'Artist Point.' It was so delicious! We had never eaten there before, but the travel host Samantha Brown talked about it on her Disney special, and since then we wanted to try it. It was so worth it! It's definitely a more expensive restaurant but they had delicious steak and fish. Our waiter was WONDERFUL. My sister got a roasted shittake mushroom soup for an appetizer, because apparently when shittakes are roasted they develop a smokey, bacon like flavor. Since Victoria is a vegetarian she doesn't eat bacon, but she does miss it so she wanted to try. It was INCREDIBLE. It tasted like a bacon mushroom soup! When the waiter came and asked about it I told him I loved it and it tasted so good so Victoria would have to share, and next thing you know, he brought me a bowl out on him so we wouldn't have to! So so nice. With our bread, they gave us unsalted butter that had Hawaiin black sea salt on top that you mix in. It was so cool! (And according to the waiter, expensive) Needless to say it was a wonderful night. Here are some pictures of my meal:

Overall, we had a great journey down. I've gotten to spend a lot of time with my mom since we've been driving together and that's been really nice. I love talking to her and it's been great to have that time together before I spend the next five months here. I've been so focused on leaving Nate that I had forgotten I was also leaving my parents. I knew they were driving us down, and in my weird head I had envisioned them staying even though I knew it wasn't the case. It'll be really hard when they leave on Saturday, I'm definitely not looking forward to that.

I am more blessed than I can put into words. I can't believe this is happening. Literally every time I drive past the entrance to Walt Disney World, I feel like I'm in a dream. Because we have been wanting to do this program for so long it seems as though it can't possibly be real. But it is. Ugh!! It's so so amazing. If I could bottle the feeling of my dream coming true and give it to everyone I would because it is incredible. I can't wait to see where this internship takes me, but I know there are a lot of opportunities ahead. We shall see!

Ttfn!!

We Leave in 5 Days...

I can't believe it. We setting off for Disney in just five days. This summer has gone by so fast!

When I think about the day I got the email accepting me into the program, on one hand it seems like it was just yesterday and on the other it seems it's another life. In a way, it was; I was still in school, living in my apartment with Rachel, and babysitting. Now, I've graduated, moved out of the apartment, Rach is married, and I'm looking towards my next job, as a Disney cast member.

This journey south marks so much more than just an internship for Victoria and I. We are moving forward to new opportunities for life. We are truly seeing this as a chance to network, and learn more about other opportunities within the company that we may be interested in pursuing.

It's entirely possible that I will come home in January, happy to have had the experience, but ready to look into options elsewhere, and if that is the case, I will be satisfied knowing I was able to work for Disney for a few months, and have a bit of a vacation after four difficult years of college.

However, there is also the possibility that I will love the company and want to work for them forever. I don't know what all the opportunities are but here are a few I am thinking... One is entertainment. To be satisfied doing this, I will have to be in the shows. I don't want to be walking around in costume, I know that for sure. This would also mean I would have to be in FL or CA away from my family and friends. The next thing I know I would love is getting involved in the partnership Disney has with the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Disney does ALOT of work with them, and I would love to work one-on-one with the families to plan their Disney vacation.  I can also see myself working for the college program. This is looking quite appealing because you apply for the region you want to work in. This means, I would apply for the New England region and be assigned colleges within to visit and talk to, at job fairs, etc. Essentially I would be a college admissions employee, but for Disney. (Benefits of working for Disney + living close to home = VERY appealing)

There are so many other things I know I would enjoy but I am not sure what the possibilities are. I could definitely do events or even marketing, but we'll see! I'll try to find out as much as I can while I'm down there and network. If there's anything I learned from theatre, it's to make connections with people.

I bounce back and forth between being so excited, and being very sad about leaving my friends and family. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a family girl and that will be so so hard. My favorite time of the year is Christmas, and while it will be so exciting to see Disney decorated for the holidays, it will be difficult not to be here.

I think we appreciate everything more when we have to leave, and I have enjoyed my time with each friend or family member that much more, knowing I will be leaving soon. It's made my last few weeks here very special. I'm looking forward to having time to keep in contact by phone, or even letters (which sounds very romantic and exciting to the theatre/history nerd in me!)

I'm really hoping to have a good amount of visitors while we are down there, and it seems from talking to people that we will. We get 40-60% off hotel rooms as well as discounts on food, merchandise, and park tickets. So hopefully our family and friends will take advantage if they can. So far, there is someone thinking about coming each month to visit, so that hopefully that will come together.

I will update soon with the rest of Epcot! I'm sure I will also blog on Saturday before we leave :)

Thank you to everyone who is sharing this experience with me through blog. Strange, but it makes me feel like I'm going through it with friends.

Future World

I’m on to Epcot in “The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World.” Finally, right? As most of you know, I LOVE Epcot. Although it doesn’t hold the nostalgia and excitement of Magic Kingdom, it seems to be a place that sparks the desire to learn from all who visit.

Epcot (which stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) opened on October 1, 1982 (11 years to the date after MK opened). Originally Walt Disney had wanted to create a community where all the members worked together to create a better world to live in. He offered his vision in the “City of the Future” model (which is on display in MK) which would have residential housing, shopping, dining, and a family-oriented sports venue. These ideas are reflected all around Epcot and Disney – with Downtown Disney, the ESPN Wide World of Sports at the Boardwalk and the neighboring town of Celebration. He wanted the community to constantly be working towards effective, environmentally friendly living. He was actually quite progressive for his time.

This focus on the correlation between science, nature, and community is reflected in Future World. This side of the park represents the living world (land/sea) and the world of innovation – separated by the ‘Fountain of Nations.’ This fountain contains water from rivers and bodies of water around the world! A gallon of each was added to the fountain on opening day “as a gesture of peace and togetherness.” How cool!

The next tid bit I thought was interesting and plays on the company’s desire to be eco-friendly is about ‘Spaceship Earth.’ Both times Nate and I went to Epcot we weren’t able to go on ‘Spaceship Earth.’ I was disappointed because I knew he would like it, so we’ll have to make sure he goes on it when he comes to visit me! The ride was designed with a runoff system so every time it rains, no rain hits the ground and the rainwater goes directly into the World Showcase lagoon!

The ride, as some of you know, is a journey through time showing people working in/for the community. In the ancient Egyptian scene, the scrolls contain real documents written by a pharaoh to one of his agents! So cool. On that same theme, the graffiti found in the Roman scene is what was actually found on the walls of the Roman city of Pompeii. Most of you who have known me since I was younger knows my sister and I loved the ‘Magic Tree House’ series – my favorite book was “Vacation under the Volcano,” set in Pompeii, so you can imagine how exciting it was for me to learn this fun fact!

In the telegraph scene you can hear Morse code. The message being tapped out is the 1869 announcement that the golden spike linking the transcontinental railway at promontory Peak has just been driven in. How exciting!

The Universe of Energy ride, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres shows us how to use sustainable fuel choices.  The roof of the building is covered with 80,000 photovoltaic cells that provide solar energy which is converted into AC and then used to power the ride. That is why on the ride they say you are ‘riding on sunshine!’

Just before we went to Disney to dance in Tomorrowland with our dance studio, Mission: SPACE opened and a woman died. It eventually came out that she had many health problems; most of them ones that they tell you not to go on if you have, but it still scared me. It wasn’t until when Nate and I went in 2010 and he really wanted to try it that I agreed to go on. I did not like it. You’re in a small spaceship with lots of movement and I felt very sick at the end. BUT, they definitely accomplished what they wanted to with the ride, which is very true to the real thing spaceship launch. Also, in their defense you are very warned that the ride can cause motion sickness long before you get on.

For anyone interested in science, it may be worth it to walk through the line of the ride because one of the eight lunar roving vehicles that were ever created is on display. They were constructed for NASA by Boeing and three remain on the moon to this day. How fun is that?

Keeping with the theme of natural energy, Disney doesn’t use any pesticides! They only use natural pest management. That is, they release 250,000 ‘warrior insects’ to get rid of harmful pests. Guests can be a part of it via the Ladybug release at Epcot. Who knew?

Next is ‘The Land,’ now well known because it is the building that ‘Soarin’ is in. Outside of the building you will notice the mosaics on each side of the walkways there to represent the layers of earth exposed after a volcano eruption. The pigmented pavement represents lava flowing from the eruption. All the natural elements from the murals at the pavillion's entry were found on Disney property.

Here is a picture of my family in 'The Land' in 1992 before it was redone!

Inside the land is a restaruant among other things. If you eat at the restaurant (as well as the food court there and the Coral Reef Restaraunt in "The Living Seas") you will be eating vegetabes that were grown in the greenhouses on the 'Living with the Land' ride. All the plants that are in the ride are grown using hydroponics (no soil, just water). This technique was used by the ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, and eventually NASA!

Across from 'The Land' is the pavillion now called 'The Seas with Nemo and Friends," formally known as 'The Seas.' Inside the seas there is a saltwater tank that was the largest in the world until Georgia opened a new aquarium in Atlanta in 2005. It is where they do the diving and snorkling that Victoria and I want to do when we go!

That's all for the Future World section! I hope you enjoyed the fun facts, I sure do. Reading this book has been very fun and it has given me even more of an appreciation for the imagineers and all the work they put into each and every aspect of the parks, and the learning experience for the guests. Also, we check-in in 20 days. What?!

Walt Disney World Anniversaries

Victoria and I will be at WDW for some very important anniversaries!

First off, this year is the 30th anniversary of the college program itself! It launched in 1981 and consisted of 200 students from 30 schools working in Magic Kingdom. Since then more than 45,000 students have participated. I'm sure we will be celebrating something as CP's, of course I won't know how much until we are there. Luckily we only have to wait 24 more days. (yikes)

The second big anniversary is the 40th anniversary of Magic Kingdom! The park opened on October 1, 1971. Disney has yet to announce plans for the big day, but they have released the merchandise they are selling for the year. (For anyone that is a huge Disney collector, these are for them!)

Disney's Senior Graphic Designer, Natalie Kennedy, created a 40 anniversary collage which is featured on many anniversary merchandise. In order to create the collage she collected Disney memorabilia from across the years. Taking elements from all four parks, as well of images of Walt himself, she worked for three months to finish the collage.

In stores all around Magic Kingdom, and the resorts purses, hats, journals, etc, will adorn Kennedy's collage. Many of the images she chose are iconic Disney photos and memorabilia.

Another quintessential Disney icon is (of course) the Cinderella Castle. Naturally, the Disney Theme Park Merchandise team created a special pattern of different Disney attractions that have made Magic Kingdom what it is today. This collage, in the shape of the castle, was "created to evoke nostalgic memories for guests, and hopefully make a few say, "Oh my gosh! I forgot how much I LOVED that attraction when I was younger!" says Disney Cast Member, Dara Trujillo, Manager of Merchandise Synergy, Events, and Communication.

There are 18 different attractions in the castle. See if you can identify some!

Of course, they had to design purses for the anniversary as well. I have been looking for a small shoulder bag that fits snug to me that I could use when we walk around the parks and now I can wait to buy an anniversary purse (at my discounted rate of course!). For anyone who is a Disney collector but not able to visit us and use our discounts, you can buy them online and receive up to 30% off on certain dates!

The Dooney and Bourke bags are very cute and also have a nostalgic style. They feature everything from retro WDW icons to classic silhouettes of Mickey, original park tickets and maps, and autographs.


The last bit of merchandise I'll discuss are the mouse ear hats! These hats have a 1970's MK map on the upside of the hats!

They are also designed in the 1970's style, which anyone who was able to go when the park first opened will recognize.

I know I wrote some details on the opening of Magic Kingdom in a previous entry but here are a few more interesting facts I did not include:

The park opened to 10,000 visitors with 21 attractions including Cinderella's Golden Carousel, Country Bear Jamboree, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Hall of Presidents, Jungle Cruise, Swiss Family Treehouse and Snow White's Adventures. Incredible, huh? These are some of my childhood favorites, I'm guessing they were yours too :)

For kicks, here is a picture from when my dad went to Disney the year it opened with his younger brother Brian and older brother, Jay.

The Art of Animation

So sorry friends! I have been seriously slacking. I didn't realize how busy the summer would be between work, my bio class, and weddings!

I recently was told that Disney is planning to build a new resort to add to their list of value resorts in WDW. I looked it up and it's going to be called the 'Art of Animation Resort' and is scheduled to open in the spring of 2012. Like all of the WDW resort, it will feature four themes: The Lion King, Cars, Finding Nemo, and The Little Mermaid.

The resort, like all of the WDW resorts will be connected to the transportation line which Disney offers so that guests can easily travel to all of the parks, Disney Quest, mini golf, golf, as well as Downtown Disney.

Like the other value resorts, the fare is generally cheap (under $100/night) as hotels go, and will create over 750 permanent jobs. The hotel is still in construction, but here are some pictures of the projected design:

Finding Nemo:

The Lion King:

Cars:

The Little Mermaid:

Getting to work on King Triton!

I'm really looking forward to being around for so many events! It will be interesting to see the construction on this resort as well as the new Fantasyland in MK! More updates to come.

Disney Inspiration

At the beginning of the summer Victoria and I decided we wanted to watch every Disney animated movie we hadn't seen yet. One of those was "The Princess and the Frog." Today, while babysitting the kids wanted to watch it, and though my sister wasn't there, I agreed.

When the movie started and the Disney theme began to play (as it does before every Disney movie begins) I couldn't help but feel excited. It's the same feeling I get when I'm sitting in the audience of a Broadway show; when the overture begins, I get butterflies in anticipation of what I'm about to be a part of, almost the same as when I'm about the go onstage myself.

Written by the wonderful Randy Newman, the first song, "Down in New Orleans" sets the tone for the rest of the movie. Here is a clip if you haven't heard it:

In the very beginning of the story, Tiana is helping her father cook dinner and it is revealed that James, her dad (voiced by Terrence Howard) has always wanted to own a restaurant. They live in a small home on the poor side of town but it is made very clear that they are incredibly happy and content because they have such love in their family.

Little Tiana says she will wish on a star to help her father's dream come true. He replies "Yes, you wish and you dream with all your little heart. But you remember, Tiana, that old star can only take you part of the way. You got to help him with some hard work of your own. And then... Yeah, you can do anything you set you mind to. Just promise your Daddy one thing? That you'll never, ever lose sign what is really important."

Of course, at this point I'm already crying because of all the love in this animated little family, but it reminded me of a conversation my sister and I had just a few days ago about what we've learned from our parents, and as silly as it seems what we've learned from the Walt Disney company.

One thing our parents did really well was constantly remind us that we could do anything we wanted to do, whatever our dreams were, they would give us the tools that we needed to accomplish them. But the second part of the equation, which some parents don't emphasize nearly enough, is that you have to WORK. They told us that it will almost NEVER be easy. We learned we had to put in the time if we wanted to succeed and to never give up because part of the reward is what is experienced on the journey. We learned this lesson well not only because my parents told us over and over again that we could accomplish anything we set out to do, but they LIVED IT. We watched both of them day after day work so incredibly hard to give us a good life and we are so incredibly grateful and blessed for that. There was simply no such thing as "I did the best I could," it was either you accomplished it or you didn't; as much as that seems harsh, it was important to learn that sometimes you don't accomplish what you set out to do and that's okay, you learn and you work even harder next time. We love them for these lessons, and they're the reason I could pull off this semester (22 credits, 2 gym classes, working 25 hours a week, and a senior project - I didn't sleep, but I did it!)

The second half of our life lessons in inspiration and dreams was as I said due to the Disney corporation. Walt Disney World itself is a place to be inspired. Walt Disney himself was an extremely hard worker and constantly pushed himself and his employees to accomplish great things, a to dream big. That's the main reason he was a pioneer in the film industry. Disney accomplished things other filmmakers didn't attempt because they didn't believe it was possible, and at the time it wasn't. So Disney invented what was needed.

When Disney created Disneyland he wanted it to be a place of inspiration. It's incredible to me that though Disney past away before WDW was even open, he had so immersed himself in the company that everyone knew what he wanted and the parks are still run that way today.

He was an incredible man. If anyone is interested to know all of his unique accomplishments there is a great documentary on his life. It's called "Walt: The Man Behind the Myth." It's a tear-jerker (at least for my family - which doesn't say much!)

One thing so many people want to know is what we'll be doing while we're working in Walt Disney World. While we aren't sure which building we will be working in, or even which park, we know that we will be helping inspire the families and children that are there. One thing that always struck me as different when I've been in the parks is that it always seems like each cast member is working just for you, which of course would make anyone feel special and important. The focus is on the guest experience and I am so so excited to be a part of that. I feel so blessed that I will be able to help someone to have a "magical day." I think about the families who are there with the 'Make-a-Wish' foundation, or the single parent who saved up for years to take their family vacation. Victoria and I are so excited to help make it the best memory for each of those children and adults, because that's what it was for us.

The last night Nate and I were in Disney in '10, we saw the "Wishes" fireworks at Magic Kingdom. It is so inspiring, it sounds so corny but you leave there feeling like you can do anything. Here is a video of the display, the beginning and the end are wonderful - the middle is too but it is just fireworks to music so if you don't have a lot of time skip ahead :)

"All the adversity I've had in my life, all the trouble and obstacles, have strengthened me. You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you." - W.E.D.

51 days until we leave! 54 days until we're officially Disney employees!