The Happiest Summer On Earth *My WDWCP Experience*

[lamagique]

CONTENTS
1. Introduction (This Post! Scroll Down!)
2. Spring Break @ WDW (PG 1, #2)
3. Day 1 of Spring Break @ WDW (PG 1, #3)
4. A Pause For The Cause (PG 1, #7)
5. Day 1, Part 2 (PG 1, #8)
6. Day 2... Let's Meet the Yeti! (PG 1, #9)
7. World Showcase vs. Future World (PG 1, #14)
8. So you think you can make magic? (PG 1, #15)
9. The Sketchies Come Out at Night!!! (PG 2, #24)
10. The Sketchies Come Out at Night!!! Part 2 (PG 2, #25)
11. Our Last Day @ WDW (PG 2, #26)
12. Should I or Shouldn't I? (PG 3, #31)
13. The Waiting Game (PG 3, #32)
14. Florida, here we come! (PG 3, #40)
15. Check it out, you're checking in! (PG 3, #42)
16. You're from the DIS Boards? (PG 3, #43)
17. TRADITIONS!!! (PG 4, #56)
18. I'm holding a secret in my heart! (PG 4, #57)
19. I'm holding a secret in my heart! Part 2 (PG 4, #58)
20. Why I work here (PG 4, #60)
21. Another Pause for the Cause (PG 5,#68)
22. Let the Show Begin! (PG 5,#69)
23. On With the Show (PG 5,#71)
24. Showkeepin’… I’m show show keepin’… WITH TIPS! (PG 5,#72)
25. My very first day off! (PG 5,#73)
26. The Longest Day Ever (PG 7, #105)
27. Interlude: The Weekend Getaway (PG 8, #113)
28. Sir, Sit Down! (PG 9, #126)
29. Around the World in a Day - Part 1 (PG 9, #128)
30. Around the World in a Day - Part 2 (PG 9, #129)
31. Happy One Month Anniversary (PG 10, #142)
32. Ups and Downs (PG 10, #143)
33. Waffle House (PG 10, #143)
34. Shop 'Til You Drop (PG 10, #143)
35. Custodial Party - Part 1 (PG 12, #169)
34. Custodial Party - Part 2 (PG 12, #170)
35. Independence Day (PG 12, #171)
36. PIRATES (PG 13, #187)
37. Busch Gardens (PG 13, #188)
38. The Grand Floridian (PG 13, #189)
39. My Absence (PG 20, #287)
40. Quadruple Whammy (PG 20, #288)
41. Quadruple Whammy - Part 2 (PG 20, #289)
42. Now it's time to say good-bye... (PG 20, #290)
***

INTRODUCTION
So, you’ve clicked on the link and you’ve read the title of this thread. You’re thinking, “Who spends their whole SUMMER at Walt Disney World?” Maybe you’re thinking that I’m really rich or really crazy. Well, guess what? You’re right!

No, just kidding. I’m neither (well, I might be kind of crazy). I got the most awesome opportunity to spend the summer at WDW because I was chosen to be a part of their college program!

I know that it’s almost a YEAR since the summer of 2006 (oh my gosh, already?), but I have a couple of reasons for posting this trip report now:

1.) I just rejoined the boards and so I just found out about trip reports! I used to be a member before, but I forgot my password. Anyway, I love trip reports and reading all about other people’s experiences. :surfweb:

2.) I’ve already posted a couple of trip reports in the Disneyland Paris section. :artist: That’s because I’m currently studying in France for a semester and I got to go there twice! YAYYY! It was great. But… that forum is a little quieter than this one… yup, this one has all of the action.

Basically, I have been dying to post a thread in this section because I love WDW and I had the craziest summer there. I want to be able to share my experiences with people who I know would appreciate them (you loyal DIS board readers). There’s so much to share: photos, experiences, memories. I am really excited about this! So, let’s get started!

First of all, I’ll introduce you a little bit to me. I’m “LaMagique” and I am 20, but at the time of all these crazy shenanigans, I was 19. I have always loved Disney. My earliest Disney memory is one of my first memories ever. I was four years old and in pre-school and it was a rainy day. Our teacher told us we were going to watch “The Little Mermaid” instead of play outside and I was super-excited. I was obsessed with “The Little Mermaid.” I loved Ariel and pretty much wanted everything having to do with her. I remember my favorite little outfits when I was younger were all Ariel. I even had three Ariel barbies! Yup, I was a Disney kid from the beginning.

My first trip to a Disney park was when I was three. It was Disneyland, but unfortunately, I don’t remember anything from that trip. I do know that I went back a couple of times when I was five, but it wasn’t until I was 7 that I was able to go to the biggest, the baddest, the coolest Disney Resort in the World: WALT DISNEY WORLD! I had a great time, of course, but it wouldn’t be until I was 17 that I would make my journey back there again. I did go to Disneyland many times in-between that, though.

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/8792/medisney3hc5.png http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/2075/medisney7bv4.png
Me at Disney when I was 3 and 7

So, all of this background is to let you know that I have adored Disney since the beginning of my life. I don’t know exactly when I knew that I wanted to work there, but it was probably around when I was 10 years old. I got the idea and knew that I had to work there.

Well, I got to college and got the best roommate ever, who we will call Kahne. We hit it off so well and she loved Disney just as much as me. Her family went there very often and stayed in the resorts. We both talked about how we wished we could just live there forever. Well, our second year of college, we decided that we wanted to plan a Spring Break trip to Disney. It was right before this Spring Break trip that we started tossing around the idea of possibly working there THAT summer. And with that, my journey to WDW begins…

Next Installment: Spring Break at Walt Disney World!

[lamagique]

I was so excited about spending my spring break at Disney World with one of my best friends, Kahne, someone who loved Disney just as much as me. I don’t remember much about planning it—her parents were coming with us and they did all of the reservations for our trip. We ended up staying in Fort Wilderness. I was so excited because it was my first time staying on Disney Property!

We stepped into our cabin and I was very, very satisfied and excited, too.

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/4731/cabinxg5.jpg

It was spacious, had a wonderful layout and decorations, and I had the sweetest bed—it was one of those wall fold-out beds that I had only seen on television before. Yes, I really excited! I was also excited because this would be my first time at Walt Disney World (or any of the Disney resorts) with a friend my age. Normally, I always went with family. So I was excited to just see the parks in a whole new way!

Anyway, it was evening when we checked in, so we didn’t plan on hitting the parks that first night. We settled in and got our things situated, and then we went to the Boardwalk. We walked around and basically just continued to be excited because we were on Disney property. We ended up eating at the ESPN Café, which was crowded because there was a pretty important basketball game playing on the television. I can’t remember what I ordered, but I’m sure it was good. After our dinner, we walked around a little bit more before we made our way back to valet in order to go back to Fort Wilderness.

Well, our rental car came up really quick. We hopped in and started heading back to the hotel when we realized that IT WASN’T OUR CAR! It was just another SUV that looked just like ours! We went back to the Boardwalk and everything sorted itself out, but it was funny that we didn’t realize it until we were almost back on the Interstate.

We got on the road after our valet mix-up, headed to Fort Wilderness (to be referred to from now on as FW) and went to bed. We had been traveling all day, with flights and all that jazz, and we wanted to be nice and well rested for our first day in the parks!

[lamagique]

Now, I’ve never been the type of girl to go to the parks at opening. I would love to, but… I just am always so tired in the morning. I’m not much of a morning person. And neither is Kahne, so that explains why we didn’t attack the parks at the crack of dawn. We did get to the parks before lunch (I think). The first park we decided to visit was my personal favorite: Disney-MGM Studios!

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/5771/mgm2kq7.jpg

I love the Studios because (1) it has my favorite WDW rides (Tower of Terror and Rockin’ Rollercoaster) and (2) I just love the atmosphere of it all. It’s the smallest of all of the parks, but the most glamorous! I just am always so happy to be at the Studios, even if my attention is always on my two beloved rides.

Anyway, we arrived at the Studios and the first thing we did was take some Photo Pass pictures. It was the Happiest Celebration on Earth and I was super-excited! I had always wanted to go to WDW during one of their big celebrations!

Now, I can’t remember the order of everything we did, but I do know that we ended up doing the following things:

1. Rockin’ Rollercoaster – TWICE! : what I love about this ride is that it’s a rollercoaster, but it’s so much more! There’s the music, there’s the atmosphere, there’s the smoothness. Everything about this coaster makes it so much better than any other coaster inside or outside of Disney. It was extremely well-done and I never tire of riding it!

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/4296/image17si7.png

2. Tower of Terror – I had wanted to go on this ride ever since I saw the “Family Matters” episode way back in the day. You know when TGIF had everyone go to WDW? Oh, I loved those episodes. Anyway, I saw the Tower of Terror and I knew I wanted to ride it. I finally got to ride it for the first time about a year and a half before, and it instantly became my favorite ride. I love that the sequence is always different, I love that it’s scary, and I love that feeling in the pit of my stomach that I always get from this ride. It’s so fun to be reacting with the other people around me, to laugh, to scream, to cry. I love this ride. And I’m so glad they finally built one at DLR! But anyway…

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/6114/image7xm7.png

3. The Voyage of the Little Mermaid – I already explained to you my love for Ariel, so this attraction was a must. The Ariel we got this time was kind of old… when she had her lines where she said, “I’m only sixteen!” or something like that, I was like, “Plus thirty more years!” It was funny.

4. The Great Movie Ride: I… am not sure what I think of this ride. I think the concept is good, but it needs updating. Not just a little video at the end. I think they should constantly be adding on. I don’t think that movies need to be wiped out from it, but… it needs to link more to the future. I think it needs a lot of work. I enjoy it when I’m on it, but that’s only because I know what to expect. I remember being disappointed the first time I rode it. And when Disney disappoints, it hurts worse than other disappointing things because Disney is supposed to be MAGICAL!!

5. Muppet Vision: I don’t think I had ridden this since I was 7, and I was surprisingly pleased. I knew it was older, so I wasn’t expecting to be wowed by the special effects, but I thought the comedy was good. It was really funny, especially the pre-show with Mickey Mouse.

6. Sounds Dangerous: This was a first for me. I had seen it, but never done it. Well, we hopped in “line” (and by line, I mean, with like 10 other people) and did it. It was okay, but… not really necessary. Another attraction that I think needs to be updated or replaced. Kahne and I had more fun doing the little things AFTER it, like recording the scene with Snow White and her disguised evil stepmother lady queen thing.

It was a fun day at the Studios, but it wasn’t done yet. After going to the studios, we took a break and then headed to… well, I guess you’ll have to find out later! (Not much of a cliffhanger, but I try!) Want more? Post #7

[averill94]

:goodvibes Looking forward to more! Thanks for sharing!

[lamagique]

:goodvibes Looking forward to more! Thanks for sharing!

Thank you, my one loyal reader! There will be more! YAY!

[OhMari]

Welcome back to the boards.
I love your pictures of when you were a little girl.
Looking forward to everything!!!

[lamagique]

BEFORE WE CONTINUE, A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR/A PAUSE FOR THE CAUSE:

So, this is sort of OFF-TOPIC but it’s on-topic in a way, too. I have just joined these boards and I have read a nice little number of trip reports. At the beginning of some reports, people would say, “Now, I’m no UtahMama, but I’ll try my best.” I kept wondering why people felt they needed to put a disclaimer on their TR or why they felt they had to justify if their trip report isn’t “as entertaining” as others.

But here I am, writing my first multi-day trip report and I can feel the pressure already! I’m like, “Hmm, all those other threads have so many readers… I’ve gotten ONE response to mine. What’s wrong? Am I… no, it couldn’t be… am I BORING? NoOoOOoOoOOoOoOOoO!”

But I guess what it is, is that people are looking for something DIFFERENT and something personal. We all know what rides are at WDW (most of us). We all know what it looks like. But you don’t know ME and you don’t know MY experiences. So I am going to back away from the whole generic thing that I’ve been doing and get a little bit more personal with you all. You’re going to get to know me better and I encourage you, if you are reading, to comment so I can get to know you better. I’m experimenting with this whole trip report thing, but we’ll see how it goes. GET READY TO GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH LAMAGIQUE BECAUSE SHE’S HERE, AND SHE’S NOT GOING ANYWHERE (except maybe to WALT DISNEY WORLD again… someday… in the future… but not today).

[lamagique]

So, I said we were going to get more personal. So, let’s go: I am the sort of person who LOVES documenting things. I love writing in my journal, which for the past few years, has happened to be an online journal. Of course after my awesome Spring Break, I came online and wrote all about my vacation at Walt Disney World. I am going to be posting some excerpts from that journal into this trip report, along with more detail and everything. So, that said, let’s continue:

After a break and the Studios, Kahne and I went to… MAGIC KINGDOM. :wizard:

We just felt like it wouldn’t be right if we didn’t visit MK on our first day. MK is my favorite unspoken park. Like, I always say that I love the Studios—and I do—but it’s like, you can’t love WDW and not love MK. It’s the original, it’s the Waltiest of them all. So, when we got there, we got really excited because you don’t really feel like you’re at Disney World until you’re in the MK.

We went later in the evening, so we got a lot accomplished. One of my favorite things to do is to go to Fantasyland at night, because usually all the little kids (and their parents) are POOPED (litterally and figuratively) by this time. So, FL is EMPTY and you don’t have to wait 3 hours just to ride on a 2 minute ride.

We ended up going on the following: Thunder Mountain Railroad (x2), Splash Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, It’s a Small World, Peter Pan’s Flight, PhilHarMagic, Snow White’s Scary Adventure, Winnie the Pooh, Tomorrowland Speedway, Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Buzz Lightyear, and Space Mountain.

We were amazed that we fit SO much in with so little time at MK. We felt like super-duper pros. I was loving being at the park with Kahne, because she got all commando like I do. She knew where everything was, like me, so we were both bobbing and weaving through the crowds. It was like we were at a football practice or something. We were running plays and no one could touch us.

JOURNAL EXCERPT:
“This day was busy and packed and fun. We accomplished a lot more than we ever expected to accomplish. We met some cute Disney workers but nothing really went beyond my saying their name (provided by nametags) and a “how are you?” Kahne and I were convinced that it was the fact that we looked like 12-14 year olds*. Oh, and the workers at Haunted Mansion were way too into it. It’s scary to ride that ride at midnight, let me tell you. Kahne and I were singing praise songs throughout the whole ride and we got stuck during the creepy mirror part. Ewww! Anyway, we kicked WDW’s butt the first day and we were ready for much more.”


*About the 12-14 year old comments: My roommate and I have been told all of our lives that we look younger than we do. Here’s a little story: when I was a senior in high school, I had braces. Well, my mom and I were at a restaurant one time and we were talking to the lady in the booth next to us, and my mom mentioned that I would be graduating that weekend. And the lady responded with: “Oh, from middle school?” OUCH! So yes… my roommate and I are convinced that the only reason that boys don’t flirt with us is because they think we’re in middle school. I mean, it could be other reasons, but anyway… *foreshadowing* this little feeling will evaporate before the end of the trip. To find out when, how, and why… well, you’ll just have to keep reading. OH YEAH.

Next Installment: Day 2... Let's Meet the Yeti!

[lamagique]

JOURNAL EXCERPT: “This day started off at the bus stop. There was this kid sitting with his parents and he was about 14. One of the bus drivers gets off, comes to us and says, “Now, I don’t know which one of you he was looking at, but that boy over there has been eyeing you.” And the guy says it loud enough for the boy to hear. He looks so embarrassed but his parents are laughing. Anyway, it turns out that this kid is going to Animal Kingdom and he has the fortune to sit by us on the bus (no other room). Well, all day we see this kid around the park and it was just funny because you know that he was embarrassed. Anyway, onto our day at Animal Kingdom…”

So, anyone who has stayed at a WDW Resort Hotel knows who Stacey is. She’s that super-hyper-active chick on the Resort Channel who counts down the Top 7 attractions, but really, she like throws 10 billion more into the mix. I’m sorry, but you can’t count a whole park as an attraction, Stacey! Anyway, Stacey’s number one attraction was “Expedition Everest” (which I repeatedly called “Mount Everest” in my journal entries, haha), which wasn’t supposed to open until a month later or something like that. Well, Kahne and I overheard someone saying that it was open, so our mission on this day was to get to AK and get on that ride!

We bobbed and weaved like usual and got to EE. We were so excited when we found out that it really was open! We felt super special. And we took tons of pictures in line to share with our friends:

http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/3821/everest1rf3.jpg
This is us sooooo excited!

http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/9397/everest3jq7.jpg
There's going to be... a YETI? I'm scurrrrred.

http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/3228/everest5vg5.jpg
Don't disrespect the Yeti. Those who do will be PUNISHED.

So, I knew from Stacey and from Raven during the Christmas Special that the ride would go backwards. But I did not know WHAT to expect. It was so cool being able to go on a Disney ride for the first time—it felt like forever since that had happened! As we got on EE and it went higher and higher, I was struck by how much I could see around me. It was awesome. The ride continued and… well, can words explain it? No. EE is just something to be experienced. But I definitely wasn’t disappointed.

After EE, Kahne and I went on another Stacey recommended ride: Dinosaur! I had gone on it about a year or so before. I didn’t like it much. It wasn’t scary and I had been expecting more as a Disneyland girl. See, if you don’t know, there’s a ride called “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” at DLR. It is THE best ride in all of the parks ever! It’s amazing! I loved that ride and waited THREE HOURS to get on it when it first opened.

Well, I had heard that Dinosaur was set to the same track and it used the same technology, but the themeing was different. After experiencing Dinosaur the first time, I was thoroughly disappointed. I told my roommate that it was not scary at all, but that I was open to doing it again.

Well, my goodness, me! I don’t know what I rode the first time, but this time the ride was TERRIFYING! Dinosaurs were rushing at my head, here and there! I was screaming, and not just that “I’m having a good time, this is fun, but I’ll scream just for fun” way. No, it was, “OH CRAP! THAT DINOSAUR IS IN MY FACE AND HE’S A HUGE T-REX!” But he didn’t get me. Because he had a big head and little arms. :lmao:

We had such a thrilling time on Dinosaur, that Kahne and I got on it two more times (also since there was no line). If you don’t compare it to Indiana, it’s a pretty good ride and one of my favorites at WDW. I think it’s underrated, to be honest. There’s rarely a LONG LONG line there, at least not in my experience.

After Dinosaur, Kahne and I headed to the last park we hadn’t yet visited: EPCOT.

Coming up in the next installment: The Battle between the World Showcase and Future World. Who will win? (Continue to #14 to find out...)

[Goofster57]

Ok, the pictures of you as a little girl are great.



We stepped into our cabin and I was very, very satisfied and excited, too.

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/4731/cabinxg5.jpg



I don’t think I have ever seen someone get that excited about a Murphy Bed before.

We have not stayed at the Fort Wilderness cabins yet, I would like too someday.


IT WASN’T OUR CAR! It was just another SUV that looked just like ours!


Ok, this is funny.
Was it someone’s personal car or another rental car?



Now, I’ve never been the type of girl to go to the parks at opening. I would love to, but… I just am always so tired in the morning. I’m not much of a morning person. And neither is Kahne, so that explains why we didn’t attack the parks at the crack of dawn. We did get to the parks before lunch (I think


Nothing wrong with not getting started until Noon


I’m so glad they finally built one at DLR! But anyway…


I have to admit that I think WDW’s is a little bit better than ours out here.



I kept wondering why people felt they needed to put a disclaimer on their TR or why they felt they had to justify if their trip report isn’t “as entertaining” as others.


I often wonder the same thing, you just need to write what you want and not worry about what people are going to thing about it.


I can feel the pressure already!


Don’t let it get to you, this should help just picture us in our underware….



I’ve gotten ONE response to mine. What’s wrong? Am I… no, it couldn’t be… am I BORING? NoOoOOoOoOOoOoOOoO!”


Absolutely not, just give it a little time. Most of us are following so many reports it takes us a day or two to get up on the new ones like yours.


GET READY TO GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH LAMAGIQUE BECAUSE SHE’S HERE, AND SHE’S NOT GOING ANYWHERE


Bring it on, the lap bar is down and locked with our hands and arms inside the ride vehicle.

[Goofster57]

So, anyone who has stayed at a WDW Resort Hotel knows who Stacey is. She’s that super-hyper-active chick


She is just to perky for me


See, if you don’t know, there’s a ride called “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” at DLR. It is THE best ride in all of the parks ever! It’s amazing


Excuse me but I think you are forgetting about “It’s a Small World”


Kahne and I headed to the last park we hadn’t yet visited: EPCOT.


Ok, now you are getting to my favorite park

Thanks for the update and pictures, I like seeing pictures that go along with the report.

[Lan]

Hi lamagique!!:yay:

I am enjoying your trip report and pictures. I am now going to read your DLP report while waiting on your to post again.

[lamagique]

Thank you so much everyone for reading and commenting!

In response to Goofster57:
I don’t think I have ever seen someone get that excited about a Murphy Bed before.

I know... I was TOO excited. I couldn't believe it. I guess I never thought that they really existed!

Ok, this is funny.
Was it someone’s personal car or another rental car?

I don't know! I think it was a rental... there was a blanket in the car and I remember thinking to myself, "Hmm, I don't remember this being here..."

I have to admit that I think WDW’s is a little bit better than ours out here.

So, I was used to the WDW version when I went to DCA. Well, I thought that we would go forward before dropping... NOT THE CASE! That was a fun little surprise... or a terrifying one, anyway!

Don’t let it get to you, this should help just picture us in our underware….

Wow, if I do that, I guess it really WILL get personal up in this thread.

Bring it on, the lap bar is down and locked with our hands and arms inside the ride vehicle.

Oh yeah I will bring it.

Thanks for the update and pictures, I like seeing pictures that go along with the report.

I love seeing pictures too. They're great!

In response to Lan:
I am enjoying your trip report and pictures. I am now going to read your DLP report while waiting on your to post again.

Thank you so much for your comments! And I really need to finish my DLP report! But thanks and see you over there, too!

[lamagique]

Well, even though Kahne and I did ride Test Track, I would have to say that World Showcase won on this trip. After our quick ride on TT, we quickly headed over to FRANCE!!! Because I was hungry and of course, it was my favorite country (I’m not partial or anything… being a French major and all… and living in France right now…). Anyway, we went to the French café where I am sure I attempted to order in French (blank stares back at me from the French CMs). I almost went broke, I ordered so much. Yipee.

http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/3052/france2kn4.jpg

We headed over to Morocco after France. Oh, Morocco. What beautiful CMs you have, I mean, buildings you have! There was the most beautiful CM in one of the shops… I passed by him and smiled (something that is not typical behavior of me, as I am very shy and awkward around guys... and when I'm not around guys, I'm just awkward). See the following picture:

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/4005/morocco2cv3.jpg

We shopped, I bought something just so I could stay around Morocco longer and look at the beautiful people—things they had for sale. And then, as we were finally leaving, I saw the same CM again, and, well, my journal entry said it best: “I smiled again and he gave me a cute smile with an eyebrow raise!!! Oh, be still my heart! And he wasn’t the only cute guy in Morocco. There were tons of hot guys. I now know where I want to travel to!” Nothing poetic, but the truth, the truth. (CAN YOU HANDLE THE TRUTH?)

Finally, we left Morocco because I didn’t want to be that crazy stalker chick. We headed to Japan and I had their famous shaved ice for the first time in my life. Kahne recommended it and I’d have to say it was PRETTY DURN TASTY!

We decided to leave Epcot after eating our shaved ice. As we were exiting, this lady in front of us was making fun of one of the Japanese CMs for having an accent! I got so pissed off! First of all, I could bet anything that that lady didn’t know any other languages! It is SO hard to speak another language, let alone speak it without an accent (which is impossible because each language has an accent and hello, LADY, uh, we speak English with an AMERICAN accent) and two, the CMs from Japan are FROM Japan! I just got so angry at her ignorance!

Hate to end this installment on an angry note, but don’t worry, there are more HAPPY times to come… Next installment: So you think you can make magic?

[lamagique]

I was so excited about the next day because Kahne and I were going to the Walt Disney World Casting Center to apply to be Cast Members! Again, I’ll bring you back to what I said at the beginning of this TR… I always knew I wanted to be a CM and I knew that this upcoming summer was the perfect time for it.

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/1306/potatosb1.jpg
This girl looks like she's ready to make some magic, don't ya think?

We got up semi-early (and by that, I mean before lunch) and got dropped off at the Casting Center, which is across the street from Downtown Disney. We went inside and we were so excited. We picked up some paperwork to fill out, filled it out, turned it in, and then waited. We were shown a mandatory video and then we sat in a waiting room and waited for them to call us for our interviews for being Seasonal CMs.

I got called a short time later and met with a really nice woman. The interview, only the second one for a job in my life, was so much fun! That’s the Disney way! It was really conversational. The recruiter went over the CAST components: Compensation, Appearance, Scheduling, and Transportation. We seemed to hit it off and we seemed to have everything in order except for one last thing: transportation. She said that it was really important that I had a car with me that summer. Well, at this point, I hadn’t gotten my driver’s license yet (I know, I was late) and being from California, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to bring a car with me even if I did get my license. But I said I would figure it out. All in all, it was a great interview.

I met up with Kahne, who said she had a great interview too, and went to Downtown Disney to do some shopping. We, of course, stopped in World of Disney, which was playing songs from “High School Musical,” our new favorite Disney Original Movie. We, of course, sang along and felt all magical.

I wasn’t going to buy anything, but I couldn’t resist… I gave in and bought the softest, plushest versions of one of my favorite Disney characters: Eeyore! I dubbed him Eeyore Morocco, a tribute to the beautiful nation in Epcot. Hehe.

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/3059/eeyoreqw7.jpg

At this point, we took a boat over to Port Orleans because we felt like visiting resorts. We had some great food (some yummy cheesecake for me):

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/4997/port1ph0.jpg

We headed back to FW for some hot dogs and a discussion about what we would name our future children. A little OT, but I’ll let you see my list:

(for girls): Alexandria, Abigail, Chloe, and Kiera
(for boys) Riley, Dylan, Chris, Cameron, and Gabriel.

Next Installment: The Sketchies Come Out at Night!!! (Post #24)

[Lan]

Hey come back and finishpopcorn::

[PrincessA]

Hello,
Your report sounds like lots of fun, I am here for the ride!! Keep the updates coming.

[Glendamax]

HEY! I have to say that my DISguide Lan, led me to your report! Wow! I wish I could go back in time and do the Disney college program!

I have NEVER seen a Murphy bed in "real - life" before, so I would've been excited too!

I'm really looking forward to the rest of your report. It's been really fun so far! :wave:

[luciloo]

Great report, can't wait for more.

[MissMichelle]

Jumping on board! Can't wait to read more...So jealous---I'd love to work @ Disney even just for a day :)

[Glendamax]

:surfweb: . . . popcorn::

[uptown_girl44]

I can't wait to read the rest! popcorn::
I leave for my CP in less than three weeks so i'm looking forward to being able to read about yours!

[lamagique]

Hey everyone! Thanks so much for your nice comments! A new installment is coming right up!:cheer2:

[lamagique]

Kahne and I spent the next couple of hours watching the Disney Channel (which was probably playing “High School Musical” and the same episode of “The Suite Life” over and over) before getting ready to head out to… PLEASURE ISLAND! :banana:

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/5458/dscn0632gm4.jpg
Inside of BET Soundstage.

Now, ever since I was a little girl, I had been wanting to go to Pleasure Island. I know, I know, I had big dreams. I remembered seeing “Grad Nite” specials and hearing that it was coolest place. Well, on this trip, I was finally above 18, so I would finally be able to go to my first (non-European) club ever!

Boy, oh boy, would our club experience be one to remember forever and always. I think it’s time for us to take another peek into my journal…


JOURNAL EXCERPT:
Tonight we went down to Pleasure Island, and the first thing we wanted to do was go to the Comedy Warehouse, where there was an Improv show. We had some time, so we went window shopping first and then got in line for the show. We went inside and it was a good show!

After the show, we headed to the clubs. The first one we hit up was the BET soundstage. We went inside and saw just a group of like 8 girls dancing. It was pretty disappointing. So, we left there and went over to some other clubs but they were dead, too. The last one we stopped at was Motion, the top 40 club. Well, there was no one really there except for these two guys who were eyeing us as we came in. They weren’t old or anything, they were only like 21, but they looked kind of sketchy. They were short and buff looking. I just shrugged it off as them looking at us because no one else was there.

Since no one was at the clubs, we decided to go back to the Comedy Warehouse and watch another Improv show. While we were in line, who should show up except for the Buffies? We thought it was an odd coincidence, but I sort of shrugged it off.

We watched the show and they were behind us. You could tell they wanted attention (and were drunk) because they kept yelling out obnoxious suggestions. Anyway, the show was really good.

After the show, we went to the BET soundstage club. There were more people there, but I didn’t know if I was feeling the music. I was just about to suggest to Kahne that we head over to Motion (after putting on a new coat of lipgloss) when these two guys approached us.

Guy #1 or Casanova, as I shall now refer to him as, comes over to us and gives us each a kiss on the cheek. Then he starts talking and we do not know what he is talking about. His friend, White Hat, asks us if we can speak Spanish and I tell them that Kahne can. It’s too loud to hear them, but we make our way to the dance floor. Inside, I am freaking out, man!

So, we get to the dance floor (and guess who we pass on the way? The buffies!) and I start dancing with Casanova while Kahne watches on the sidelines. I am dancing, but inside I am feeling like, “Ah! Too much, I must get away!” The guy smelled good, but he was getting too close and I was starting to think, I don’t want this guy to kiss me… because he was getting THAT close.

So, I very coolly act like my cellphone was ringing and that it was too loud to talk in the club. I keep up the act as I go outside. The guys leave the club and I am still on the phone. I wait until they are far away before I "hang up" the phone.

Kahne and I are feeling way overwhelmed at this point. Okay, so our first two days at Disney: no one notices us. Actually, our whole life basically no guys notice us and then we walk into a club and BAM! Casanova is planting kisses on our cheeks.

So, we take our time and head over to Motion. There are more people there, but we also find out that Casanova and White Hat are there. We have to avoid them because now we’re scared of them. We get tired of avoiding them, so we leave the club to get some sodas.

After drinking our sodas, we’re ready to go back inside the club. We wait for a good song to come on before entering and while we’re waiting, this guy comes up to us and is like, “Why are you girls waiting outside? You should be dancing!”

So, we go inside after Mr. Cigarette leaves us alone and it’s okay for a while. We’re avoiding Casanova and White Hat, but still managing to have a good time dancing with each other. A fun song that we dance to is “Tootsie Roll.” This one guy in the front of the club had all this energy and he was working it out! He had us all following him. It was a lot of fun until I realized that the Buffies were behind us, watching us dance. Also, at some other point of the night, Kahne and I are dancing when one of the Buffies walks past me and like sort of strokes my arm!!! I’m like, what’s up with that SKETCHBALLS? There are other little encounters with Kahne and myself and other guys, but we manage to escape.

Well, it’s hot in the club and I need some sort of refreshment. I go to the bar and as I am trying to get the bartender’s attention, I see this guy out of the corner of my eye trying to get my attention. Well, I try to ignore it and ask the bartender for “An h2o on the rocks!” (The bartender smiled at that one.)The guy is still looking at me, so I try to talk to Kahne in order to have someone else to look at, but he comes over anyway and brings a friend…

TO BE CONTINUED…

[lamagique]

The guy starts talking to me and introduces himself and I introduce myself. And he’s also still trying to get a drink, too. Anyway, he and his friend work at Walt Disney World and they are in the college program. Then the guy who is talking to me says to me, “You are so cute!” And then he tells me he is from Europe (Bulgaria) and I tell him that I lived in Europe for a little while, etc, etc. And then he tells me that I a the cutest girl and he asks if anyone has ever told me that before and I tell him no. (Well, no guy had ever said it, anyway!) :o

So, then he goes off to get his drink, so I talk to Kahne and her dude who is a lifeguard. He is inebriated, to say the least, and he keeps asking Kahne the same things over and over. Kahne hears “Gold Digger” by Kanye West playing in the background, so she’s about to rush to the dance floor in an attempt to get away from these guys, but I feel like it’s rude, so I say, “We’re going to dance,” and so the guy follows us as does Bulgaria.

Kahne's guy is dancing with her and he has this weird accent because he's from Ohio/Texas but he has a Spanish accent? (rolls eyes) Anyway, I am dancing with Bulgaria and doing my little dance moves (which are really awkward. They aren’t attractive. They are very cheesy. Think Robot. Think cabbage patch. Think Screech) and he keeps saying, “You are so cute.” And then he goes, “You are like a magnet. I am drawn to you.” (I'm like, errr, uh... okay.) And he says more stuff about that and then as he is dancing, he says, “I’m awkward, I can’t dance. I feel ashamed.” And I tell him that it’s okay, that he’s doing well. (Plus, I am the queen of awkward, so no problems there!) And the song changes to “Beverly Hills” by Weezer and so I do some of the moves that I learned at Dance Marathon from my college and he goes, “You are so cute! You are driving me nuts!” I'm not really used to attention like this, so, I just keep on dancing. :woohoo:

So, at this point, I see Kahne whip out her cell phone and dash to the bathroom. The cell phone move pulled twice in one night! I tell them that I have to go with her but that I’ll be back.

We go in the bathroom and Kahne said she was just getting bored with the guy. They had been dancing but he kept on asking her the same things.

So, we go back out and we’re in a different part of the club. All of a sudden, the Grillz song comes on and this random guy goes, “I requested this song! I requested this song!” And he points to the big screen where they were showing the videos. Then he puts his arm over Kahne’s shoulder, then he puts his arm over mine and then he starts dancing with us and “driving a car” or something. I kept trying to get away, but he was sort of blocking us in.

So, after that song, the guy goes away. And soon it is the last song of the night, which is “Unwritten.” Well, these two guys come up to us and the guy who dances with me is crazy energetic and a lot like me so we had fun dancing. We ended up doing these fun dance moves and mirroring each other the whole song. It was the most fun I had that night, but I did feel a little sad because during the song, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bulgaria walk by and he looked sort of sad.

Well, the club closed and so we walked out to the buses and on our bus, it was only us and this one guy. He introduced himself and he ended up being really funny. He was 23 and he was from Ohio and he told us about meeting sketchy girls in the club (we told him about meeting sketchy guys), and he told us how he had to get up and meet Mickey tomorrow morning at the character breakfast. He was a fun guy and not so sketchy (although he also had been sippin’ on a little Mickey juice, if you know what I mean), so we continued to talk to him for the whole bus ride.

So, overall, Pleasure Island was… interesting, to say the least. In retrospect, it wasn’t too bad but at the time, Kahne and I were just freaked out. None of the guys were bad looking and most probably would not be sketchy outside the club and sober, but for us to have never really had an experience at a club, it was definitely sort of scary. But in a thrilling, funny sort of way.

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/3484/dscn0629uz5.jpg
Me and Kahne at Comedy Warehouse

Coming Up: Our last day at WDW… sadness

[lamagique]

Since we didn’t enter the parks the day before, we thought we could visit every park on our last day just to get in some last things and see some stuff we missed. Our plan was to hit the new stunt show at MGM (and Millionaire), do Everest one last time, and do Soarin’ at Epcot, in addition to riding some favorites one last time.

Well, things didn’t quite work out the way we wanted them to because it took us like an hour to get to every place we wanted to go. Our morning already started off bad when we just missed the Animal Kingdom bus. I was upset. :mad:

http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/2206/akbusqp0.jpg

We took it to Animal Kingdom and things went okay, although Kahne’s turnstile wasn’t letting her in.

So, the first thing we did was get into the Singles Line for EE, hoping that it meant it would be a short wait, but it ended up being longer than we expected. It was fun, but I was just exhausted, tired, and grumpy. :mad:

Our next trip was over to Dinosaur, and we got on that fairly quickly. It was enjoyable. :thumbsup2

Finally, I wanted to go on “It’s Tough to Be a Bug” because I had never seen it. That ended up being a mistake, as it took about 45 minutes for us to see the show, even though the line said 10 minutes and we were at the front. I guess something went wrong, but they didn’t tell us that. :mad:

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/8324/bugor5.jpg

When the attraction was over, we walked outside only to see that we were blocked in by a parade because some smart guy decided to make the exit for “Bug!” right where the parade route was. :mad:

Well, when we finally got out of that, we got on a bus and headed to Epcot.

http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/7228/busgk5.jpg

I was pretty grouchy at this point, but I wanted to enjoy Disney World because I love Disney World. :wizard: The first thing we did was go to the Cool Club, which is free soda from around the world. It was good and refreshing and we ran into our bus buddy from the night before. He told us that he made it through the character breakfast, even if it was difficult!

After that, we found out that Soarin’ had a 70 minute wait and that there were no fast passes left, so that was out. We went instead of Ellen’s 45-minute “Universe of Energy” ride, which was good, but I was so tired so it was hard to stay awake.

I did have energy, however, for a trip to France. We went back to France and I ordered (en Français) an elephant ear and an apple turnover. Then, we headed back to Morocco to get one last glance at the Beautiful Guy. We got it! *Be still my heart.* :love:

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/7164/epcotdc2.jpg

After Epcot, we were going to head to MGM, but it closed early that day :sad1: so we just went over to Magic Kingdom. It was packed, so we decided to go on the rides that weren’t very busy (ie: Stitch, Carousel of Progress).

Then we shopped on Main Street and got trapped in the stores because of another parade. We finally got out and got Kahne’s mom’s pin that she wanted, and then we were done with Disney. This one young salesguy tried to get us to stay and watch Wishes! but we were done. So we said goodbye to Disney World and to Main Street. It was time to go, but we weren’t sad because there was always the possibility of working there during the summer!

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/959/gb1hx9.jpg
Good-bye Walt Disney World!

Coming Up… Should I or Shouldn't I?

[Lan]

The guys that you encountered were too funny.:rotfl:

[CriminyCrafft]

We decided to leave Epcot after eating our shaved ice. As we were exiting, this lady in front of us was making fun of one of the Japanese CMs for having an accent! I got so pissed off! First of all, I could bet anything that that lady didn’t know any other languages! It is SO hard to speak another language, let alone speak it without an accent (which is impossible because each language has an accent and hello, LADY, uh, we speak English with an AMERICAN accent) and two, the CMs from Japan are FROM Japan! I just got so angry at her ignorance!

Good lord, that's terrible. Did this fool even read up on World Showcase before coming to WDW? It's full of international CMs with accents. Rude moron. That's worse than the redneck guy I saw at Animal Kingdom clapping his hands and knocking on the glass to get the gorillas' attention.

The story about the creepy guys at Pleasure Island is hilarious. I pictured the Bulgarian guy as looking like Victor Krum from Harry Potter because that's the only Bulgarian character I could think of - but from your description I'm sure he didn't. :rotfl:

I can't wait to read the rest!! Thanks for posting!

[Glendamax]

You're back! Boy did this installment make me feel old! I never have enuf energy to go to the clubs in the evening. So sorry about the stalkers, but at least you had a great time anyway!

Hope you write again tomorrow!

[Goofster57]

Hey, Baby what's your sign? :thumbsup2

Yeah, I know it never worked back when I was young (stupid) and single either.
:lmao:

Enjoyed your updates, Thanks

[lamagique]

I got back to school after Spring Break and life went on as normal… sort of. In my spare time, I was online searching for apartments in Florida. I was also trying to figure out what I would do about the transportation situation. Kahne would be bringing her car, but we would most likely have different hours…

Well, before I even went to Florida, I stumbled across the College Program website (http://www.wdwcollegeprogram) and it stuck out in my mind even more after talking to some of the sketchies at the club about it.

The website was extremely detailed and had tons of info. I found out from there that I would have housing (which would not cost as much as an apartment and would have high-speed Internet access and cable, among other things) and transportation to work! The only catch? The roles.

For the semester long college program, you are able to choose from a wide-variety of roles. However, because of restrictions at my university, I could only do the new summer program that Disney was offering to first-time staff members. But… they only offered two choices… Quick Service Food and Beverage and Custodial.

At first, I was not feeling the options. I tried calling the recruiter that I interviewed with and seeing if I could get placed in Attractions as seasonal but live at the CP housing. She said that it wasn’t possible. I thought more and more about it… I wrote in my journal:

“So, it's like this: Disney World will only happen if Kahne and I do the College Program. They provide the best and cheapest housing and give us transportation to work. However, the only positions available at Disney World for the Summer College Program are Quick Food Services and Custodial jobs. I’m not sure if I want to do it, but, what are my options? Let's say I don't work at Disney this summer. Then, I get my license and be a camp counselor. Eh, alright. Let's say I do work at Disney: yeah, I won't be Jungle Cruise lady, but I will be there and I get free admission to the park (and Pleasure Island on Mondays and Thursdays) so I can hang out there when I am not working. I'll be surrounded by other college students and after you've done one Disney College Program, you can choose what you want to do the next time. Plus, you have to have worked for Disney or have done the College program to get a professional internship. So, it would be beneficial, even if it's not exactly what I want to do.”

I then went onto say to myself that I probably would not do the program unless Kahne did it with me. I asked Kahne what she thought and she said that there was no way that she’d work at Disney for three months in one of those roles. I was feeling discourage and down. I had been wanting to work at Disney all my life, especially this summer, and now, now it was dissolving in front of my eyes.

Here’s what I wrote in my journal a few hours later:
“So, I told Kahne about the College Program and she wasn't feeling it. So, she's not in for the summer. But hopefully I will be.

I was just thinking about it and I think that it would be a great opportunity for me. Kahne has her annual pass and she has connections at Disney, so that works for her. But I don't. And I don't have a car. So I won't be working at Jungle Cruise; I will still get some awesome skills no matter what I do AND I’ll get to be at DISNEY WORLD for the whole summer, with free admission to the parks and stuff. Also, it will help me for internships and stuff for later on. It is a great experience to be had.

I just sent in my application and tomorrow I am going to schedule an interview. I am actually really excited about this. When I was telling Kahne, I could tell that she wasn't into it, but somehow that gave me this liberating feeling. I just smiled when she told me she didn't want to do it because I knew that this was something I would do on my own... completely on my own.

People from all over the world go to Disney to work. This is a GREAT opportunity to make new friends and to really see who I am without the past weighing me down in any way. Sometimes people can be security blankets. Instead of taking a risk and stepping outside of one's comfort zone, they actually make it harder to reach out. By going without any friends, this makes it so that I have to make friends. I have to go out and socialize and do this on my own. I'm excited about this!! And who knows, maybe I will even see Bulgaria again... hahahahahah! :rotfl: ”

Coming Up: The Waiting Game

[lamagique]

The next day, I had my interview. It went really well and I had a good time. It was over before I knew it! I thought I did well and just hoped for the best. Before my interview, I had been struggling with what I was going to say for which role I wanted. I was leaning towards Quick Service Food and Beverage (QSFB), but I didn’t want to reduce my chances of getting in the program. So, I ended up telling the person who interviewed me that I wanted QSFB, but if I was given Custodial, I would do it.

And now it was time to wait. :surfweb: I knew from browsing various online resources that it would take at least a week and a half for me to get my response through the mail. I was super-anxious! When I wasn’t working on homework (or doing other stuff), I was online, researching about the CP, reading about other people’s experiences, and just being excited. I even found this little place…

Journal Excerpt: “It's been about 20 days since the interview. Today I went down to check the mail, I opened the mailbox and inside...

There was a packet! I got so excited! I jumped up and grabbed it and... it was something for Kahne.

Major bummer.

BUT! There is good news in all this. I finally got tired of waiting and decided to call them. I called and they said that they sent me "communication" a couple of days ago. So any day now I should be finding out if I got in or not.

Okay, so can I just say that these past few weeks have been AGONY? It's like, I just want to know!!! And then if I am in it, I want to make plans and stuff for it. And if I am not, well, I need to make plans for that as well. And I'm on all these message boards and basically everything swimming around in my head is Disney and this is basically the last week of school and next week are finals and I just want to know so we can make flight arrangements if needed and so I can mentally prepare myself either way...”

By this time, I was pretty anxious. If I was accepted for the program, the earliest arrival date was May 15th! That was only about three weeks away! I kept checking my mail every day and finally, FINALLY, I got a letter! I ran to my room announcing to my friends, who were also anxiously awaiting to see if I would make it into the program, that the letter of truth had finally come!

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/7869/disney1ly2.png

I tore the packet open… and read, "Congratulations!"

Dear LaMagique, Congratulations! You have been selected to participate as a/an Custodial Cast Member on the Disney College Program in the Summer 2006 Season....

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/8189/disney2hw3.png

I was so happy, I didn't even read the rest. I just jumped up and down and screamed and called my mom, who was very happy for me (she screamed too!).

It was a very magical experience. :wizard: I couldn't believe it! I was going to be working at DISNEY WORLD!!!! :yay:

Coming Up: Florida, here we come! (Post #40)

[oybolshoi]

Great job so far and I love your journal excerpts!

I'm going to sound like my mother (and I'm so sorry...) but you and your roommate are just too cute!!! :goodvibes

Looking forward to reading more...I wish I'd considered the College Program way back in the day. ;)

[lamagique]

Thanks everyone for the comments (and pick up lines, :laughing:). :) They make me happy!

Oh, and Gmax!!! I am glad you commented on my TR! I read the one with you and your mom before you even came to this thread and I thought it was great! I had all these comments to post, but since it was in the "completed" section, I couldn't post a response. :( (They really should change that!) But I thought it was great! Just wanted to let ya know!

[Lan]

I want to hear about your CP experience. I didn't do the CP, but worked at The Disney Store for about 3 years and that was before they were sold to The Children's Place.


Gmax is so much fun to talk toooooooo!!!

[CrAzY4DL]

Are your legs tired?

*** baby, your TR has been running through my mind alllllll day!

LMAO!!!!! :lmao:

[Glendamax]

Oh, and Gmax!!! I am glad you commented on my TR! I read the one with you and your mom before you even came to this thread and I thought it was great! I had all these comments to post, but since it was in the "completed" section, I couldn't post a response. :( (They really should change that!) But I thought it was great! Just wanted to let ya know!Thanks for reading it! I didnt know that it was in the completed section, and that you couldnt make comments. (I was wondering why people kept saying they read it, but never commented.) Glad you enjoyed it!

Gmax is so much fun to talk toooooooo!!!Pay no attention to this comment. Lan is trying to butter me up as part of a conspiracy to get me to ride Tower of Terror in September! :scared1:

Sorry you got assigned to custodial, but I am looking forward to see how it all unfolds. . . popcorn::

[Lan]

Pay no attention to this comment. Lan is trying to butter me up as part of a conspiracy to get me to ride Tower of Terror in September! :scared1:




You got me!!!!!:rolleyes1 But I will not give up:rotfl:

[Disneyolic]

Okay...I just read your first post and wanted to say that I'm going back to read the rest. I think the College Program is very interesting so I will be reading your every word! I have already told my kids (ages 2, 6 & 7) that they can work at Disney when they are in college. Have to drill them early... :lmao:

[lamagique]

Now that I had been officially accepted into the CP, I had so much to do! Like, make up a to-do list of things at Walt Disney World! Even though I had been to WDW three times now, I still hadn’t done a lot there. I started to realize that the list was much longer than I thought it would be.

In Magic Kingdom: I basically needed to do parades and shows, and couple of little rides here and there (like: Hall of Presidents, Country Bear Jamboree, and Tom Sawyer Island).
In EPCOT, basically everything besides Test Track, Mission: Space, and Soarin’.
In Disney MGM-Studios: basically all of the shows (including Fantasmic!) and the parade.
In Animal Kingdom, basically everything besides EE, Dinosaur, and It’s Tough to Be a Bug.

Man, looking at my long list, I realized that I hadn’t done ANYTHING at WDW! Let me take this time to, once again, get a little bit more personal with you all: I am the type of person that when “vacationing” at WDW, I feel like I have to do all of my favorite rides. I see parade and firework times as times to hop on more rides and more than once. When I was little, my mom and I would get on BTM at DLR over and over during the fireworks or night parades. Or we would hop on Indiana Jones. I remember riding IJ about eight times in one day! Even though I had seen a parade here or there, or caught a fireworks shows, I was all about finding my favorite attractions and doing them over and over. But now that I would be living at WDW for almost three months, I felt I could slow down and really appreciate all the little things (okay, big things too—basically all the non-fastpass attractions) that Disney had to offer.

Of course, I had my WDW to-do list, but I also had my school to do list too. Finals week was coming up and I had to study, study, study!

Well, finals went well and I returned home for a couple of weeks. Kahne wished me the best of luck and even gave me the coolest gift ever: A factbook about WDW! I devoured it on my flight back home to California.

In the weeks before the CP, I of course spent much time online and I also packed and I finally got my license! Yes, I was three years behind most of my peers, but I got it and it was a great accomplishment. :car:

Well, about a week before going to FL, I went with my mom to an exhibit about Disney that was being held at a local museum.

JOURNAL EXCERPT: “There was an exhibit about Disneyland: 50 Years of Magic. It was pretty cool. They had artifacts from Disneyland and sketches and video clips. It was definitely one of the best museum exhibits that I have ever seen. Everything was so interesting and I was just taking my time and trying to learn everything.

One of the coolest parts was about the rides that don't exist anymore or never existed. Some seemed like they would be cool. Like Donald's Water Bumps. Bumper cars, but on water. And then there was supposed to be this Peter Pan Crocodile Aquarium. That looked pretty cool, too. And there was this one ride called like Candy Mountain or something, and it was actually going to be made out of candy, but birds attacked it and the candy melted.

I ended up buying some pretty cool Disney books today. One is The Imagineering Field Guide to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World by The Disney Imagineers. It's all about the magic behind the rides and everything. That should be very cool.

The other book is Walt Disney : An American Original. It's a biography of Walt Disney's life and I am very excited to read that as well. Oh, I love Disney!

There were some other cool books at the exhibit, but I had to resist. I'll be at Disney next week though, so if I want any of those books, I'll just buy them there (for a discounted price)!”
Finally, three days later, I was packed up and got onto the plane with my mom and headed to sunny Orlando, Florida!!

We didn’t go to Disney because we didn’t want to pay and I would be there for the whole summer, so we did a couple of other things while in Orlando. We went to the Pirates Adventure Dinner:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/Dscn0992.png
It was… cheesy. I wish we hadn’t paid full price. Full price was too much. But for cheaper, it would have been okay. It… I have no words. But my journal does:

JOURNAL EXCERPT: “Anyway, the Pirate Dinner show started and… well, what can I say? It was everything I expected a cheesy dinner show to be and more. I mean, when they were serving the food, I found it hard to concentrate. They would yell at Green Team to stand up and cheer and everything, but it was like, I need to get my food. And then, when the food was gone, I found myself yearning for it to return because it was hard to concentrate on the show—period. The acting was horrible, but that sort of made it entertaining. It was kind of never-ending and it just didn’t make sense.

It was entertaining, though. There was this one gypsy lady who would try to do Cirque du Soleil tricks, but it would look all rough. Every time she was done with a trick, she would fling her arms out. And the crowd would clap quarter-heartedly.There was this one trick where this guy hung upside down and he and the gypsy lady attached these leashes to their necks. So, Gypsy Lady had a leash, and then she spun around with this thing around her neck. I was like, "Yeah, we’re cheering now, but the next thing you know, this lady will have ended up hanging herself!" It was really strange."

After the Pirate Show, we went down to City Walk and just looked around. It was nice, but I was just anxious to finally start the CP. But I still had one more day before that could happen.

Here’s what I wrote in my journal the next day:
“Today started off with going to Walmart to get most of the stuff I'll be needing for living down here. I hear it gets really busy the days when people are checking in for the Disney CP, so I think it's a good thing that we got most of the stuff now.

After Walmart and eating lunch, we headed to "Cocoa Beach." My mom really wanted to see the Atlantic Ocean again or something like that, so we headed to Cocoa Beach. Yeah, that trip didn't even really happen, though. I mean, we drove through like a billion toll booths, and we saw the Ocean, but definitely not Cocoa Beach.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/Dscn1033.png

Anyway, I started to feel really sick on the trip. My head was KILLING me and I felt like throwing up. It was horrible. Well, we finally came back and I took a nice long nap and felt a lot better after it. We went to Downtown Disney for dinner at Wolfgang Puck, and then I showed my mom around and showed her Pleasure Island. I stopped by the World of Disney store and took a picture with Cinderella. It was either her or Sleeping Beauty (to choose from)--and we know Cinderella has got it going on WAY more than Aurora. I mean, come ON! Cinderella has those cute little nibble things that she gives to the chickens (my FAVORITE part) and she sings "Sweet Nightingale."

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/Dscn1054.png

Well, tomorrow I move into either Vista Way or Chatham square. I am so excited! I am trying to convince my mom to go early because people on the message boards say to get there early, but I don't know. Check-in starts at 9, I am going to try to get there at about 8:30 or so. OH MY GOSH... tomorrow it starts. AHHH! :) I AM SUPER-DEE-DUPER PUMPED!”
COMING UP: Check it out, you’re checking in!

[Disneyolic]

Very nice! I love the journal entries. I can wait to read more.

Okay, you are going to think I'm nuts but when I first saw your name, I didn't get it. I was reading it as llama geek. So sorry!!! :lmao: I totally get it now and I don't know what my brain was thinking at the time.

Anyway, I'll be waiting for your next installment. PS..do you live in California? Just curious about whereabouts just because I have family in Southern California and it is always cool to meet someone from there.

[lamagique]

That night, I had trouble sleeping. I was too excited! I couldn’t believe that in less than 24-hours, I would be officially starting the college program. I kept having dreams about my indecisiveness concerning which apartment complex I wanted to live in.

Some explanation: The College Program (CP) has two options for CPs to live in: Vista Way and Chatham Square. The rent is taken automatically from our paycheck each week and it ranged from $69-$81/week. All of the complexes have only Disney CMs living there.

Before I even saw them, this is what I gathered about them through online research: Chatham Square: Bigger, nicer, quieter, but less social. The apartments are spaced out, and the transportation hub is at Vista, so it's easier to catch buses at Vista. Vista Way: Smaller, dirtier, louder, more social. The apartments are closer together and the transportation hub is here. It can get crazy at Vista, but you'll never be bored.

In my journal, I wrote: “Last night, I lay awake thinking about the choice. Did I want to go with the nicer place and have a quieter atmosphere? A lesser likelihood of roommates that would party and get me terminated? Or, did I want to take the adventurous route? I didn't know what was waiting for me at Vista, but it was kind of exciting.”

I couldn’t make up my mind! Maybe to you, the choice is obvious for whatever reason. But I could see the pros and cons about both. I just didn’t know.

Well, I still didn’t know by the time my mom and I arrived at Vista Way for check-in right around 9. There were already people there, but not too many. I was given a nametag and then a bunch of forms to fill out. After I filled out the forms, I waited around a little bit outside of this one room because they were backed up. I talked a little to this lady named Peg, I believe, from Arkansas. Then, I was able to go into the room: this room was where the housing assignments were being given out!

At this point, I was still so unsure about where to live. My line inched forward and soon, it was my turn to receive a housing assignment. They asked me first, "Lower rent or higher rent?" I said lower. (I wanted to live with 6 people.) Then they asked me which building I preferred. I didn't want to say Vista, but I didn't want to say Chatham. So, I said no preference. I decided that I would let Disney choose for me. And they chose… VISTA WAY!

So, I proceeded forward but I kept thinking to myself, "Did I do the right thing? What am I getting myself into?" But then the girl behind me said that she had done the CP before and had lived in Vista Way and was living there again and loved it. She said that Vista Way was more interesting, and so I started to feel better about my (non?) choice.

Well, I was almost done in this building when all of a sudden, I turn and see someone familiar out of the corner of my eye. "That looks like that girl who goes to my college," I think, but I go, "Oh, it must not be her." Soon, I have to leave the room, but I decide to take a chance and go up to her to see if it really was her because she was standing sideways and I only saw her profile. Well, it turned out that it was Beyonce (names have been changed to protect the innocent, haha), the girl that I thought it was! We both semi-freaked out because no one from our school does the CP. Well, I had to go but I gave her my cell. After leaving that building, I continued to stations and went through things such as fingerprinting (the line for that was long) and showing that I had the Disney Look (no visible piercings or tattoos) and stuff like that.

After check in was done, I went to my apartment. I was a little scared to know what it looked like inside, thinking that it might look really bad.... but I entered and.... it wasn't too bad after all. I was actually pleasantly surprised. All the message boards online said that Vista Way was “ghetto” (their words, not mine) and that it was horrible and dirty and nasty, but it wasn’t bad at all. It was older, but it was liveable, clean, and bigger than I thought it would be.

Some pictures:

The Living Room:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/15/Dscn1069.png

The Kitchen:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/15/Dscn1068.png

The Dining Room:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/15/Dscn1070.png

My room:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/15/Dscn1065.png
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/15/Dscn1066.png

After entering my apartment, I found out that all of the rooms were taken except for the back one. I also found out that everyone in my apartment knew each other except for the girl who would be rooming with me. They all knew each other because they were at Disney with a different group: Crusade for Christ. (That meant that they also got different jobs! Some of them worked attractions, some of them did merchandise. Even though they were there for the same exact time as I was…)

But anyway, I was so happy that my roommates were there with Crusade for Christ. Not just because I am also a Christian, but the night before, when I had been thinking about living in Vista Way, I was afraid that I was going to get roommates who wanted to drink and sleep with their boyfriends and break the rules and basically get me terminated (Disney speak for fired). But when I found out that they were there with C4C, I was like, "Hallelujah!" No threats of alcohol in our apartment (except maybe communion wine! :rotfl: )

I settled into our apartment and arranged my things. I met the girl who would be rooming with me and we spoke for a while before we all left for a Property Meeting. I was so excited… I couldn’t believe that my CP had finally started!

Coming Up: You’re from the DIS boards?

[lamagique]

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/16/Dscn1059.png
Beyonce and me at the meeting

At the property meeting, they basically told us that we could get fired for pretty much anything and to not break any of the rules or we would be fired and even if we didn't break the rules but our roommates did and no one confessed, we would be fired. Oh yeah, we signed a form that said that we could be fired for no reason at all. (We also got a lot of paperwork, people won some prizes, we laughed a lot, were told rules.)

Besides fearing random termination, I was really excited at that meeting! When I stepped off of the bus, I started hanging out with Beyonce. I found out that she is going to be a custodian too! I talked to her and her roommates, two of which happened to be girls that I met randomly before.

Anyway, I was very excited, but it was at this moment that I would find out that not everyone working at Disney had the Disney spirit. :( On the bus ride back to Vista from the meeting, there was this girl sitting on the bus and she kept badmouthing the program on her cell phone. She was like, "Ugh, is it another arrival day? People are all over the bus... This job sucks, this job is the worst job ever... the only good thing about it is that I get to get drunk every night..." I was like: that is NOT the Disney Spirit! That’s seriously what I thought. I was so mad at that girl! First of all, she was talking so loud, so that she could be heard by the whole bus. Second of all, I thought it was pretty rude to ruin the excitement for a bunch of new CPs. We were all excited about working at Disney. Just because you came for the wrong reasons doesn’t mean you have to ruin it for other people!

Anyway, I went back to the apartment to put away more things, then my mom (yes, she was still around!) took me to Super Walmart to buy some food. That's right, ladies and gentlemen... for the first time in my life, I was going to have to cook for myself: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This meant that I bought lots of dry foods such as easy mac, cereal, cup-o-noodle and other fun things such as Chef Boyardee and tuna and peanut butter and jelly and (the stuff for) grilled cheese sandwiches. I was terrified, but I knew that I would make it through… right?

Well, at 8 o'clock, it was time to meet up with some people from the DIS Discussion Boards. That’s right! You heard me! THESE BOARDS! Here’s a little story: while I was searching for info on the CP, I randomly found these boards. But I only went to the College Board section. I discussed my excitement going down there with some other CPs who were going at the same time. Since we all had the same arrival date, we decided to have a Meet-N-Greet after check-in. We were to meet at 8pm at Downtown Disney in front of Raglan Road (an Irish pub/restaurant).

After my mom dropped me off, I realized that I did not know how I would identify them. I waited and waited, wondering if I would see a big group of people my age. I didn’t. But I did see these two guys standing and looking like they were my age and possibly CPs, but I wasn't sure. Finally, I wasn't seeing anyone else so I just went up to them. It turns out that one of them was from here and the other was one of his apartment roommates. Then, three more people came and we didn't want to wait any longer, so we just went in.

We got seated quickly and ordered. I ordered the prawns, thinking that they were going to be fried—but they weren’t. So that made for awkward times as I tried to get those slippery suckers in my mouth. Well, other than that awkwardness, we had a nice conversation. We were all excited. Two people, Talin and Brian, were going to work QSFB and the rest of us were going to be custodians. We still hadn’t received our park/resort assignments yet, so we were excited to see what we get. I didn’t know where I would be working, but I of course was hoping for Disney-MGM Studios, my favorite park.

Anyway, we had a nice chat and our server ended up being someone else who had done the program. I think he gave us our cast discount even though we didn’t have our cast IDs yet (which was really nice… let the magic begin)! After dinner, we explored DTD and just looked at the shops and the lights and pretty much repeated 100x that we couldn’t believe that we were finally there and that we were actually going to be working for the mouse!!!

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/16/Dscn1062.png
At the DisBoards Meet-N-Greet

[Disneyolic]

Hey -- changing the names to protect the innocent. Come on, you have to think of a better name than Beyonce. She looks more like, uhm, hmmmm, I don't know. Maybe Bethany? :lmao: :lmao: I guess the name tag gave it away...:rolleyes1

[lamagique]

Hey -- changing the names to protect the innocent. Come on, you have to think of a better name than Beyonce. She looks more like, uhm, hmmmm, I don't know. Maybe Bethany? :lmao: :lmao: I guess the name tag gave it away...:rolleyes1


:rotfl2: :rotfl2:
You got me! Hahaha. So, I guess she'll just have to be Bethany. Haha.

And you made me crack up when you said you thought my s/n was "Llama Geek." Hilarious. :lmao:

[Goofster57]

Great Updates, looking forward to hearing all about the CP experience

[Glendamax]

Ahhhh Man! You know how you stumble upon a really good movie on TV then realize it's NOT a cable station when it goes to commercial! AGH!!!!!!!!! Well, I was REALLY hoping for another installment when I came to the end of the page :sad2: OH Well . . . .

This report has been sooooo much fun. Oh how I wish I could rewind the clock and be back in college . . . :cloud9:

Can't wait for the rest!

[LITTLEKID58]

Waiting patiently for the rest.....:lmao: :rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl2:

[robinne83]

I absolutely love reading about your CP experience so far! I have been accepted into the college program twice already. The first time I had to turn it down because of school. The second time, there were personal reasons I had to decline but I am still planning on being in the WDWCP before I am done with school. Right now, it looks like I'll be applying for Spring of 2008 and I am beyond excited about it! Reading your experiences just makes me want to go down there right now!!

And I just have to tell you that I couldn't help but laugh when you were talking about the beautiful Moroccans! I have had my share of Moroccan boys...Trust me. In fact, Ive met about 5 or 6 them at Epcot and out of those, about 3 want to marry me. Seriously. They may be cute, but they are persistent and once you get them, you never get rid of them!!! ;)

[Disneyolic]

And I just have to tell you that I couldn't help but laugh when you were talking about the beautiful Moroccans! I have had my share of Moroccan boys...Trust me. In fact, Ive met about 5 or 6 them at Epcot and out of those, about 3 want to marry me. Seriously. They may be cute, but they are persistent and once you get them, you never get rid of them!!! ;)Now I really want to see some pictures of these Moroccan boys!

Lamagigue - Did you ever get any photos of them? Do we have to patiently wait? :rolleyes:

[Glendamax]

And I just have to tell you that I couldn't help but laugh when you were talking about the beautiful Moroccans!I forgot about that part! I HAVE to go by Morocco in September! If I see any cuties, I'll make sure to post their pics here!;)

[robinne83]

Did you ever get any photos of them? Do we have to patiently wait?

I was wondering the same thing because I might actually know some of them. I know about 2 or 3 of the guys who worked there last summer and I was curious to see if your Moroccan was one of them! Let us know!

[lamagique]

Disneyolic - Yes, I do live in California (when I'm not at my college, which is in Michigan). I'm from Northern California, though. San Francisco Bay Area Represent! Haha. But if I was from Southern California, there would be no doubt that I would have an AP for Disneyland. Oh... my mouth is watering at the thought...

Goofster57 - I'm glad you're still on for the ride!!! I guess you must be boot-strapped in... (ohhhhh I'm so punny!)

Littlekid58 - Hey, welcome to the thread and YAY! I'm glad you're here! A new post will be coming soon...

Robinne83 - You, too! Welcome!!! I'm glad you're enjoying it so far. If you do the program in Spring of '08, we might have some dates that overlap (if you do Advantage). I'm hoping to do it one last time after I graduate, so that would be in Fall '08. And the Moroccans... oooh, I love them, even if the majority just want their green card. Haha. You must tell some stories!

Gmax & Disneyolic & Robinne83 - I unfortunately did not get any pictures of the Moroccans because I was too scared to take pics! I was also tazered by their beauty. :) But definitely take photos for me if you find any while you're there. *Drools*

Hmm... and Robinne, the one I was in *love* with had the prettiest eyes. They were like... gold. Haha.

[Disneyolic]

Gmax & Disneyolic & Robinne83 [/B]- I unfortunately did not get any pictures of the Moroccans because I was too scared to take pics! I was also tazered by their beauty. :) But definitely take photos for me if you find any while you're there. *Drools*

Hmm... and Robinne, the one I was in *love* with had the prettiest eyes. They were like... gold. Haha.
Bummer...but I will be going in June and I will try to get some photos with, what I consider, the cutest Moroccans. I hope we have the same taste... ;) Note to self: look for the prettiest eyes. :laughing:

[720L]

First of all, cute glasses! Second, awesome trip report!

[lamagique]

Before I *officially* start this installment, I just want to let you all know that as I delve more into the World of Disney, feel free to ask me questions at anytime! Especially if you are going to be a CP and want to know more! Okay, that said, let us begin!

At WDW, as I had found out before I left through various online resources, there is a general Cast Member orientation/training called "Traditions." For new CPs, this meeting takes place about two to five days after arrival. The days before this meeting are pretty low-key. I had about three or four days before my Traditions class and I spent my time saying good-bye to my mom, reading (the Walt Biography!), finding shoes for work, finding out my specific work location (to be revealed later) and getting to know some of the other CPs at my complex.

Why didn't I spend these couple of days in the parks? Well, you can't get into the parks (for free) without your cast ID. And you don't get your cast ID until Traditions. So even though we were all already excited for Traditions, we were ALL super excited for to get our cast IDs and go to the parks we all know and love.

Traditions, a required class for all Cast Members, is held at different times and on different days. It is around 5-hours long for CPs. The "Disney Look" is required for this meeting. The "Disney Look," outlined in a nifty looking pamphlet, is a way of making sure that everyone looks their best and professional. If people are not within the guidelines of the Disney Look upon arrival to their Traditions class, they are turned away and rescheduled for another meeting. This next meeting could be the next week, which means that (1) this cast member cannot enter the parks until then and (2) this cast member is not going to be receiving any payment until they take the Traditions course, which means, they have to pay for a week of rent out of their pocket. So it was very important that we dressed as Disney asked us to.

Another big thing for Traditions: punctuality. Again, Disney is a very professional company. The Traditions meetings start promptly. If one is late to their particular session, that person has to reschedule their meeting and the same consequences that I explained before may occur in this situation as well.

That all said, the morning of my Traditions class, I was super-dee-duper excited. I set my two alarms and woke up in plenty of time to be ready for my 12:30pm class. (I was lucky and got the early afternoon meeting... some people get the really early morning sessions.)

I planned on meeting Bethany at the Vista Way bus stop at 11am so that we could be shuttled over to Traditions using the transportation that the CP provided us with. Well, at about 10:40am, Bethany tells me to go to her apartment because we were going to get a ride. I said okay...

Now, I just ended up saying yes but as I hung up the phone, I was thinking, "Why did I say that?" I was thinking that I would end up regretting that choice. What if the car broke down? What if we got lost? If you miss Traditions, it throws off your whole work schedule. Also, I was hoping to meet some new people at the bus stop and before so I could chat and stuff with them. But I also wanted to sit by Bethany during Traditions, so I just hoped that it would be okay anyway.

Well, I went over to her apartment at about 11:45 and I found out it was Lexi, currently MIA, who would be driving us. She was still eating lunch and at a different apartment. This made me a little anxious... But she finally showed up. We didn't end up getting out of the house until noon, but I was feeling okay. I had asked Lexi if she had driven to the Traditions building before and she said, "Yeah, tons of times." She was an alumni so she had worked at Disney before. Reassured, we got in the car and then she realized that she forgot her keys. So she had to dash back and get them. And I'm starting to get more anxious... Well, finally, she comes back and then we were on our way. We were just barely out of Vista when Lexi goes, "Wait, are we going the right way?" And I'm like, "Oh no she didn't!" in my head. All I could think about was that I should have just gotten on the bus like everyone else. Instead, Rosie (another alum) was like, "Oh, go this way..." because she was sure she knew the way.

We drive and drive and it feels like we're not going anywhere. Rosie keeps saying how she's seen the buildings that we're passing before, but all I can think about in my mind is how we have basically gone in a big loop and are back where we started. The panicking sets in. In my head, I am like, "OH MY GOSH, I'M GOING TO BE LATE... MY VERY FIRST DAY OF WORK AT DISNEY AND I'M GOING TO BE LATE. OH NO. OH NO."

I keep looking at the clock on the dashboard. We're cutting it VERY close by this point. Bethany and I are in the backseat, squeezing each other's hands. I have the most petrified look on my face.

Long story short (sorta): we make it about 30 seconds before Traditions starts.

Inside, I am relieved, but I am also a little upset (and sweating from my Michael Johnson quick-dash in heels to my Traditions class which was being held on the 3rd floor (I believe) of Disney University). :mad:

But my anger quickly dissolves as I am handed my CAST ID!!! and my NAME TAG! OH MY GOSH! THE GLORIOUS CAST MEMBER NAME TAG.... *Angels sing... OH HAPPY DAY!* I am going to make dreams come true! I am... a part of the magic!!! I was sooooo excited. But I couldn't just stand there and be excited, I had to hurry up and take a seat!

Now, I can't tell you what happened in Traditions because it's a big secret... if you want to know, just become a Cast Member! ;) But I will tell you this: we did fill out paperwork during the class and every time I signed something, I felt like, "Wow, it's OFFICIAL!" I was grinning from ear to ear.

JOURNAL EXCERPT
Traditions was really great and I just thought it was interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It made me reflect on how truly great a company that Disney is and how amazing Walt Disney was (and his legacy still is amazing). I would get chills at some points during the meeting. I mean, Disney is truly magical. There was even this part at the end where I just felt like crying. Because I am going to be a part of that [making magic moments for guests]! And you know what? I haven't started working yet, but I just love the Disney Company and I really hope to be a part of this in some more ways in the future.

[lamagique]

Well, I have given you all a LOT of text in the past couple of installments. So now it's time for some pictures.

The first park I entered was EPCOT, right after Traditions. Okay, not right after. I changed out of my panty hose and heels and got into some more comfortable clothing, then headed over with Bethany and her super cool roommates that I really got along well with. It was early evening by the time we got to the park, so we got on Test Track first and then we got on Soarin'. It was so weird to be in the park as a Cast Member for the VERY FIRST TIME! It felt like I was carrying around a secret. All around me, vacationers were in COMMANDO mode, ready to take on the World with as much as they could because they didn't have much time, enough time (is there ever enough time?) Me, on the other hand, I had the whole summer. I was looking at the parks in a whole different way. It felt strange. I wondered if the people around me could tell that I was a CM (of course they couldn't). I worked at DISNEY! I WORKED AT DISNEY!!!! :cool1: I was smiling and excited the whole night. Every now and then I would go, "Guys, we are going to WORK here!" It was surreal.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Dscn1086.png
Here are my girls in line at Soarin'

That evening, I took advantage of my free CM entrance to EPCOT and later on, I used my free entrance to the clubs at Pleasure Island. I am not much of a club person, as you read earlier, but I was ready to get out and dance... I had hot feet that wanted to interpretively express the secret inside that I was carrying (I WAS A CAST MEMBER!!).

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Dscn1087.png
Me and a friend at PI. That's water I'm holding. I'm under-21, you silly-billies!

Since my training wasn't until a few more days after Traditions, I took the next day to go to Disney-MGM Studios--MY FAVORITE PARK! Now, I think I mentioned that in the beginning of this TR, but it doesn't hurt to say it again. The Studios houses my favorite WDW rides: Tower of Terror and Rockin' Rollercoaster. Excellent themeing. Woohoo.

When our group got to the Studios, we watched Star Wars Jedi Training, which was cute and involved little kids, and then we went on Star Tours. I was super excited and the lady who ran the ride noticed and pointed me out. After that, we went to Muppet Vision, which was hilarious. I love the pre-show!

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Dscn1098.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Dscn1106.jpg

After Muppet Vision, we went on the awesome Rockin' Rollercoaster, followed by Tower of Terror.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Dscn1124.jpg

Following ToT, we saw Power Rangers and stood in line for the Lights, Motors, Actions live stunt show from the Walt Disney Studios in Paris. It was cool, but cars aren't really my thing.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Dscn1142.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Dscn1138.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Dscn1154.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Dscn1160.jpg

We rode RnR and ToT one last time before leaving te park.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Dscn1163.jpg
In line at RnR

TO BE CONTINUED...

[lamagique]

After we left the Studios, we headed to the All-Star Cafe at Disney's Wide World of Sports for dinner.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Dscn1176.jpg

It was pretty good and the themeing was cool. There were TV screens everywhere showing different sports and they had a cool little box on the table that you change the channel for in order to hear the sound for whatever sport you decided to watch. I was really surprised that it wasn't busier because it was cool and the prices were great!

Later on that night, we had to stop by Pleasure Island, of course. It was a Thursday Night, an "unofficial" CM night.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Dscn1179.jpg

We went to Motions, my club of choice while I was down at Disney. It was packed:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Dscn1181.jpg

Just for contrast, here's what it looked like the night I met the Buffies:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Dscn0631.jpg

We had a good night, just dancing with each other and meeting new people. It was lots of fun!

The next day, it was TIME. Time for me to finally enter... THE MAGIC KINGDOM!

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Dscn1194.jpg

And now that I had time, I was able to watch a parade (for the first time since I was like, 7). Even though it was really hot where we were sitting, the parade was so good! I really enjoyed it!

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Dscn1204.jpg

I especially liked when the characters came by. They got so close and shook our hands. I felt like a little kid again... MAGIC! :wizard:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Dscn1225.jpg
The Zoom is not on for this picture! They were this close... YAY!

Coming Up: Why I Work Here

[Lan]

Hi Lamagique,

So what type of men did you meet this trip at Motions?:rotfl2:

[lamagique]

Now, I have a little magical story about this day at Magic Kingdom.

The whole day, we had been accompanied by a guy named Tevin and his friend Michael. Michael had a bad home life, which probably explained why he seemed to be socially behind the rest of us. He was a sweet guy, though. He came along with us to the Magic Kingdom. Now this guy's favorite character was Stitch. He absolutely loved Stitch. All he could say during the parade was, "When are we going to see Stitch? I can't wait to see Stitch! Will we get to seem him?"

After the parade, we knew he had to go on Stitch's Great Adventure. Now, this is probably one of the least favorite attractions at WDW for a lot of people, but Michael absolutely loved it. I was sitting next to him and it was more fun to watch his reactions than the show. He would smile, laugh, and sort of squee with glee. He would hit the little sensory bar in excitement. I couldn't believe it. I smiled just sitting next to him. It was amazing to watch someone get so much joy out of an attraction. Truly.

When the ride was over, we went into the Stitch store. Michael was in paradise! We probably spent at least a good 45 minutes there while he decided what he was going to get. He just didn't know. Well, as I was talking to him about what he would get, he said, "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you guys on the ride, laughing and everything." And I said, "No, if you enjoyed it, that's good." And then he said, "It's just, that's the first time I've been happy down here." And I totally felt like crying! It was like, the most emotional moment ever.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Image2.jpg
(Here's a picture. I didn't want to show his face, but I wanted to show you what he looked like in the store. He was so happy! Hopefully you can tell that by his body language.)

It was at that moment that I realized that Disney World is for people like Michael. Yes, it's for everyone--the vacationers, the dreamers, but it's mostly for people who have been hurt, who have been sad, whose reality is not that pretty. Because you can take a break from reality while at Disney World and step into a story. You can be happy. You don't have to worry about what's going on outside of life--you have a new one right here. Michael felt so happy on Stitch and that made me happy.


Well, Michael finally decided to buy Stitch ears. As we left the store, we saw that the real Stitch was meeting kids in this one corner of Tomorrowland, and Michael got so excited! But unfortunately, the CM didn't let Michael meet him, because Stitch had to take a break. So it was REALLY sad. It was like the saddest thing in the world. But we did go on Buzz Lightyear next and it was cute how all the Cast Members called Michael "Stitch" or "Trouble." He got really excited and cheered up right away.

It was at this moment that I realized how happy I was to be a CM, to be a part of the magic atmosphere that was one man's dream. "I may only be a custodian," I thought, "but my attitude here will make a difference to someone!" I was committed to preserving the magical experience for Disney guests. I had enjoyed magical moments at Disney all my life, and I was delighted to be able to give those to other people.

Next Installment: PG 5, #68

[CriminyCrafft]

OH that story about Michael got me so choked up. Poor guy. I hope things are better for him now. I loved your observations on WDW in that story as well. So true, so true! Anyone can be a dashing pirate or a beautiful princess at WDW!

Thanks so much for sharing!!

[tinawv]

I am so loving your trip report. Can't wait for the next post and viewing more pictures. :)

[Lan]

Bumping up, so she won't forget to finish.

[kath1210]

Lamagique - This is such a great trip report! It's really interesting to learn what happens "behind the scenes" at Disney. I wish I'd known about the CP when I was in college.

Keep those reports coming!:thumbsup2

[Glendamax]

I wish I'd known about the CP when I was in college.ME TOO!!!

Now where is she?!

[Lan]

ME TOO!!!

Now where is she?!

GM,
Maybe if you agree to ride ToT in Sept. she will come back:rolleyes1

[Glendamax]

GM,
Maybe if you agree to ride ToT in Sept. she will come back:rolleyes1
WUTEVA!!!!!!

[lamagique]

First of all, can I just say that I am absolutely delighted to have readers and regular ones at that? :wave: But I must pause in order to explain some things. The next few entries will be job specific. I am not sure how interesting they will be, but I feel like my trip report has two purposes:

1. To provide entertainment and vicarious living for the reader (at least, that’s why I read TRs)
2. Provide some useful information about the College Program

I want this TR to serve as a resource for other potential CPs, especially CUSTODIANS! But because of that, the next few entries might not be the most interesting parts of this TR. The reason why I want to warn you readers is because I want you to stick along for the ride! My entries will (hopefully) resume satisfaction of the #1 goal after I explain my job/duties at Disney. Okay, that is all: now, on with the show!

[lamagique]

Rewind to the second day after arriving for the CP: I woke up, got dressed, and went to the same building where I got my housing assignment the day before. From my acceptance letter, I knew that I was a custodial*, but where would I be working? I had my personal preferences, my own list of pros and cons, but Disney could place me anywhere.

List of Pros and Cons

Magic Kingdom: Most magical park, but longest hours (could be working until 3 or 4am on a regular basis)
Animal Kingdom: Shortest hours, but hottest park (and since a lot of custodial is an outdoors job, that could be difficult)
Studios: My favorite park… there are no cons!
Epcot: Potential interaction with int’l CPs… no perceived cons


I was very nervous to find out where I would be working. When I approached the table and they took my information, they told me a moment later that I would be working at… Disney-MGM Studios! I was so excited! And what’s more, they told me that I would be working on Sunset Blvd! What’s Sunset Blvd, you may ask?

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Dscn1122.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Dscn1122.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Dscn1133.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/18/Dscn1121.jpg

Sunset Blvd is the home to several shops, counter-service restaurants, Rockin’ Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror, Beauty and the Beast, and Fantasmic! Basically my favorite section of the whole park! I was so excited to be a Custodial here!



---------
*Custodial: You may be wondering why I didn’t write “Custodian.” Disney calls this job choice, “Custodial” and we other custodials found ourselves calling ourselves custodials instead of custodians. At the Studios, we were also called “Showkeepers.”

[Disneyolic]

Thanks for the "heads up". I find the CP very interesting so I will definitely be reading your next couple of posts. However, if I fall asleep reading them, I'll promise to come back! :lmao:

And by the way, I just have to say this. I love looking at your pictures! Whenever you are in them is especially nice because I want you to know that your face really lights up in the pictures! You truly look happy and the camera does you well! It brings a smile to my face! :thumbsup2

[lamagique]

My first official day of training after Traditions was a global custodial class (meaning that there were custodians in my class from all parks and resorts) at the Disney University. I must say, Disney does an excellent job with their training. They take things that would ordinarily not be so interesting and put their magical touch on it. They also gave us breaks, which were great opportunities to get to know some of the other custodial CPs. Also, where else can you work and take your lunch break at the Magic Kingdom?

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/lots/Dscn1271.jpg

I was so excited in my global training class, but I was most looking forward to my on-property orientation of the Studios called “On With The Show!” It started early, before the park had officially opened. Our orientation group was comprised of new Studios employees, not just other custodials. It was so cool getting to see the parks completely empty! And I felt so official, standing in the Studios with my heels and a blazer on (and my Cast ID and nametag, of course!). Our training on this day took us around the Studios and we got to learn where/what everything was. After our on-site orientation was over, we got to get our costumes! I was, yes, you guessed it, so excited, as you can see from this little sneak peek:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/datenight.jpg

To be honest, it wasn’t until I slipped on my costume for the first time that I felt like I was really a Cast Member. I saw myself in the mirror and saw that famous Disney custodial uniform. It was real. I was really going to work at Disney MGM Studios!

The next couple of days were spent going through a thorough training session with my own personal Cast Member to instruct me on all that I was expected to do. At Disney, the custodians have two roles (basically) that they can be assigned each day: restrooms or streets.

For restroom training, I was shown how to properly clean a bathroom. It seems simple, but there was more to it than I expected. Now, I have never been a public restroom sort of girl. They had always freaked me out and I avoided using them like the plague. But, it was cool to see that Disney restrooms were very thoroughly cleaned and very often. I can say it because I did it! So rest assured that when you are using a Disney restroom, it should be pretty clean, although if it isn’t… well, we’ll talk about that later. (And even though they are clean, I still recommend using the protective seat covers.)

For streets, we learned how to clean up spills (anything that’s on the ground that’s not supposed to be, such as popcorn, soda, gum, or… other things). We also learned how to properly do a trash-run, which is when you empty out all of the trashcans in a certain zone. This is also done repeatedly throughout the day. It is very time consuming and energy consuming, but once I got used to it, it was kind of fun. (Also, the Disney trashcans are cleaned multiple times throughout the day, so if you want to set things on them, they usually are clean, too).

After being trained, I was assessed to make sure that I could accurately execute my job duties, and then I was released to work on my own! Which was very, very scary. Luckily, I had my friend from the DIS Boards Meet-N-Greet, Jess, working with me. She had also got assigned to the same park and the same section and we were even assessed together! So we became fast friends and were scared together.

There’s nothing like that first time you step out onstage on your own. My little “Earning My Ears” ribbon was removed from my nametag. I felt a certain sense of security with that ribbon. I felt like if I made mistakes, it would be okay because a guest could see that I was new. But now, they didn’t know. And I was scared that I wouldn’t do things right, even though I had been fine during the assessment.

I was also scared that I wouldn’t know the right answer if a guest came up to me and asked me for something.

But, everything ended up going fine on my first day. It was exhausting, but I made it through without too many bumps, although it took me forever to finish my first trash-run.

[lamagique]

Showkeepers… that’s what they called us at the Studios. We kept the show running nice and smooth. Anyway, this post is just to write about what my experience was like in general being a custodian.

Well, let’s see. For the most part, I had closing hours. I would work from around 3:00 until midnight or around then. I liked this because I could sleep, get up and do some things like watch DVDs or go online before I went to work. Even though I had free entrance into the parks, I didn’t usually go to them on a day that I was working because I was too tired. It was a very energy-consuming job. For the first three weeks, my body ached and ached. My feet felt like they were on fire. But then, I got used to it and I was fine. My body wasn’t used to all that moving and being in the sun. I’d say drink tons of water and wear lots of sunscreen to anyone who is going to be a CP/CM.

It was a difficult job. When I was out on streets, I was very, very hot. The shifts get long when you are standing outside for hours and hours at a time (with scheduled breaks, though, so that was nice). However, my favorite part about working streets was speaking with guests. I loved when they would ask me questions. I loved helping them find their way or suggesting a place to eat. While I swept, one of my favorite things to do would be to go to the benches that lined Sunset Blvd and find someone who was alone. Usually it was a mom or dad or grandparent waiting for their kids or grandchildren to finish riding Rockin’ Rollercoaster or Tower of Terror. I really liked talking to these people because they had a lot more time on their hands to chat. I had some really fun conversations. I also liked pin trading when I was on streets. It made for fun interaction and I really liked it when someone found a pin on my lanyard that they wanted.

I found that I was often in restrooms. Someone people didn’t get restrooms hardly at all, but I ended up getting them most of the summer. I didn’t mind too much because the restrooms at WDW are air-conditioned, so I was able to stay cooler. But man oh man, restrooms kept me very busy! There’s always so much going on in them, especially right after shows like Fantasmic! or Beauty and the Beast let out. They got really chaotic and it was hard to clean them quickly. I found it amazing how quickly restrooms could get dirty. I would spend 30-60 minutes cleaning one, leave for 10 minutes, and come back to find everything a mess. Sometimes that was discouraging, but it always brightened my day when a guest would say, “Thank you for all that you do.” It really encouraged me and helped me to feel like my job was important and that it mattered to someone. Also, whenever a guest would say, “This is the cleanest bathroom I have ever seen!” I would just beam!! It like, felt so cool to hear that.

I think this is about all I can say about this job here, but if you have any specific questions, just let me know. I love answering questions!


Special Hints/Tips for Guests :wizard:

Restrooms are cleanest at the beginning of the day. I would say probably before 2pm is when they are at their best because the crowds aren’t as heavy. After lunch and by early evening, they become more crowded and harder to clean/keep up with (though, oh boy, I would try so hard!)
Avoid Restrooms right after shows are about to start or just got out. The restrooms right after Beauty and the Beast let out would be very, very busy (and hard to restock while everyone was there). So your best bet is to wait or to find a restroom located in a different area.
Custodians like talking, giving directions, interacting… do not be afraid to engage them. They love it, or at least I did! It really brightens their day! Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. We also usually carry extra maps on us, we always have the park schedule/times, and we can help you out with whatever you need usually, so remember that! Or if you need someone to take a picture of you, they’d be happy to!
On which restrooms to use at the Studios: On Sunset Blvd at the Studios, there are three restrooms. The one across the street from the Vacation Club booth is a great one to go to IF BatB isn’t just letting out. If it is, then avoid it. Also, there is a restroom by Coaster that is not busy in the evenings. It’s a pretty nice one and if you catch it at the right time, it is good. Monument, the restroom closest to Tower of Terror is probably the busiest of them all, so I would say try the other ones before this one. In terms of the Studios in general, there is a HUGE restroom by “Lights, Motors, Action!” that is rarely busy (unless the show just got out). Also, restrooms by the Backlot Tour and that area of the park are more likely to be less busy than those on Sunset Blvd and by the gigantic hat or right by the park entrance (although, there is a restroom right outside of the entrance at the Studios that is only busy in the morning. After the morning, it’s ALWAYS empty.) Oh, and Fantasmic! There are tons of restrooms at Fantasmic, so it would be better to wait until you get inside the ampitheatre to use the restroom there, rather than trying to go to Monument (because everyone else will be trying to use those ones too).
Don't use the first stall in a restroom. I mean, you can, if you want. There's nothing wrong with it. But this is the stall the most likely to be used by people, and therefore it's most likely that this stall will be out of toilet paper or protective seat covers or will be one of the messiest. I say, go to the middle stalls and check on those first. Those usually aren't used as often and have more products inside.
Also, tell a custodian if you make/see a mess. We don’t get angry, we just want to know so that we can clean it up as fast as possible. We don’t want anyone stepping in anything or getting hurt. Your safety is a big concern, as well as your comfort. And also, if your child happens to make a mess on themselves or if you ever run out of any essential items while you are at the park, tell a custodian and they would be glad to help you and make sure everything is okay!

[lamagique]

As I mentioned in the above entry, I was too exhausted to go to the parks on days that I was scheduled to work. I think this was one of the things that some people (even myself at times) had the most difficulty with. They get down to Florida, think that they will be working a few hours a day, and then playing in the parks. But, even if you aren’t scheduled a lot of hours each week (which you probably will be), it’s important to relax. But it just made us so excited for off-days. I pretty much spent all of my off-days in the parks. Even though I worked in them, I still found them so magical and I still found that I was able to be a guest. I was afraid that maybe some of the magic would be ruined since I was a CM, but it wasn’t! In fact, I got a whole new appreciation for the parks!

On my first day off (after working a week straight), I did it big! I called up my friend Bethany and we went to… EPCOT!

We arrived and of course, started off by going to France. We did stop by Canada... or passed straight through it. We also talked to this girl from the UK for a bit, but it was all about France. I started speaking in French and I was just so excited!

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/lots/Dscn1341.jpg

We proceeded to the French cafe where I bought an Elephant's Ear... oh yummy doodle. Bethany and I went to the patio and peacefully enjoyed our pastries. It was delightful.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/lots/Dscn1343.jpg

After our pastries, we headed over to "Impressions of France," a film of the French countryside presented in this VERY wide screen. This was my first time seeing the film, so I was very excited. There was definitely some beautiful imagery, but being so tired from work, a movie wasn't necessarily the right thing to pick. It was hard to stay awake at the end because I was so tired, but it was good.

We then went over to Morocco! :love: We went inside the store where I had seen that beautiful guy. Well, he wasn't there (but he was in a different shop... ah, so beautiful), but there was a guy named Kamal there. He started asking Bethany if she knew where Morocco was and then he would trick her. After tricking her three times, he took us to the register and took out these card things with a map on them:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/lots/Dscn1399.jpg

And then he flipped it over and started writing our names in Arabic. Then we asked him how long he had been working there and he said for 10 months and he was on the International Program. And we told him that we were CPs. He then finished writing our names. Here's my name in Arabic:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/lots/Dscn1397.jpg

So, after that, we went to Japan and saw that artist lady make a giraffe candy and looked around their huge store. Then we went to Future World to see Turtle Talk with Crush. It was so cute. The Turtle (Crush) from Finding Nemo answers questions from kids. And he has facial expressions and everything. It was so funny and I really enjoyed it. My favorite part was when Crush was wearing a bikini top and he's like, "What's this?" And kids were like, "A bra! A bra!" and then he sort of tried to ignore them and was like, "What is this used for?" thinking the kids would say swimming, but instead this little girl says, "To cover up your pee pee!" And the whole room laughed!

Well, after that, it was time to go to the Studios because I wanted to go there and enjoy being a guest.

The first thing I did was get a hot dog on Sunset Blvd. I had been wanting one from the Studios for a couple of hours (and I was used to working and seeing guests with them and really wanting one of my own). So, I got a footlong before going on Tower of Terror. Don’t worry, I have a pretty solid stomach! But… this definitely was the scariest ToT sequence I had been on because right before we were about to drop, we stopped! Seriously, for like a minute. We were all getting really freaked out. Normally when the elevator drops, people scream, but it's like fun screaming. This sequence, we were all screaming with real terror! It was great, so we got back on right after it.

Next, we went on Rockin’ Rollercoaster. I got to sit in the front row, so you know that it was a great ride! I had lots of fun and this time, as opposed to others, I rode with my glasses on! I could see things in a lot more detail and it gave me a greater appreciation for the ride.

Finally, because on my friends had gotten Fastpasses for ToT for us, we went back on it again. This ride was crazy because we were the absolute last guests in the building and got an elevator to ourselves. We ended up riding with one of the bellhops! It was so weird to be in it with just like, 7 people. It made it scarier, but in a fun way of course. Scary, but fun. That would be the reason why ToT is my favorite ride.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/lots/Dscn1396.jpg

And finally, to end our night, I saw Fantasmic! for the very first time. Now, I had even worked AT Fantasmic a few times (emptying the trash or cleaning the restrooms), but I had never seen the show. Well, I got to see it for the first time that night and I absolutely loved it! It instantly became my favorite show at WDW! The finale was so magical and would give me chills the whole summer, even when I was working. (The end is the best part of Fantasmic! and I never understood why guests would leave before that part. It’s what makes Fantasmic worth watching!)

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/lots/Dscn1389.jpg

Well, I had a full day, but it didn’t end there. I was determined to get the most out of my day off. I met up with Talin and Jess at Pleasure Island.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/lots/Dscn1394.jpg

We went to Motions and I had a good time dancing to Shakira and making them laugh. (Did I tell you that I am not a sexy dancer? I am a goofy dancer. I can’t be serious… I just can’t!) So, I was outside taking a break but still listening to the grooves of the club and dancing (or convulsing painfully) for a second, and then I stop and laugh. This guy that I don’t know says, “Why’d you stop?” And I just shrug. Then, a couple of seconds later, he goes: "I want you to wish my friend a Happy Birthday." I was like okay. So I walked with him and he asked me where I was from and my name. So, we go up to his friends and he's like, "This is LaMagique and she is from California, which is basically the #*%@ of the United States. And she's going to wish you a happy birthday." And then he told me his friend Joe was from France. So I said in French that I spoke a little. And he said in French that he spoke a lot. And so I said Happy Birthday in English, then in French! And then the guy said "Merci" and I told him he was welcome in French. And they applauded. It was a lot of fun.

Our night ended with a bus ride back to Vista Way. We all joined in and sang “My Girl” together. It was so much fun! My first day off was AWESOME!

Next Installment: PG 7, #105

[Disneyolic]

Don't use the first stall in a restroom. I mean, you can, if you want. There's nothing wrong with it. But this is the stall the most likely to be used by people, and therefore it's most likely that this stall will be out of toilet paper or protective seat covers or will be one of the messiest. I say, go to the middle stalls and check on those first. Those usually aren't used as often and have more products inside.[/LIST]
Now that one is interesting. Awhile back, and this did not pertain to Disney World, I had heard that most people skip the first stall for some reason (maybe for privacy reasons) and that one would usually be the cleanest. So, I started using the first stalls and found that to be mostly true. Now, I will totally remember what you said when it comes to Disney. Normally there though we have to use the bigger ones to accommodate the kids...

[robinne83]

I know Kamal and Im sooo glad you got a chance to talk to him!! Hes really nice...Actually one of the nicer Moroccans Ive encountered. I met him the summer before when he started the international program and I was lucky enough to see him several times after that too! The last time I saw him was right before his graduation actually. He never proposed but he was friends with one of the Moroccans who wanted to marry me. Speaking of which, I'll have to share my Moroccan stories and pictures with you when I have a chance!! I have a feeling you'll enjoy hearing my adventures just as much as I enjoy reading about yours!:)

[Lan]

Glendamax,

Did u see the pretty picture that lamagique took on Tot? We can ride it together in Sept.:rotfl:


Lamagique,
I can't wait to hear more of your CP experience.

[Glendamax]

[And by the way, I just have to say this. I love looking at your pictures! Whenever you are in them is especially nice because I want you to know that your face really lights up in the pictures! You truly look happy and the camera does you well! It brings a smile to my face! :thumbsup2First of all Disneyolic, stop saying what I was going say!
I always smile when her pictures pop up because she looks SOOOO excited! How could Disney NOT hire her! (but yes, I'm still mad she got custodial :mad: )

Lan - What was that? I think we ave a bad con nec tiion . . . your breakin -up - -- -crackle crackle - - - - -- -

LaMagique - I wish I could comment on everything that I found interesting in your report, but that would be as long as your last installments. This has trully been one of the most interesting reports I've read! Believe me, none of it was boring. I think that if you are a true Disney fan, you do wonder about the people who work there and what they do. I must admit that I am surprised that you are still happy after the first few days of clean up duty! But it IS Disney, and you're getting to see a side of it that many will never see.

Your excitement for the World Showcase, has really got me looking forward to seeing it again in September. Especially Morrocco ;) This year, I vow to take my time and really look through the countries!

Even though you've once again given us a good chunck to read, I'm still surprised and sad when I get to the end :sad2: So I'm really looking forward to the rest. And yes, please feel free to BORE us with even more details . . .

I think a link to this report deserves to be in some of our siggies! :rolleyes1

[lamagique]

Time to catch up on comments! Thank you everyone who leaves comments for me! I read them all and it makes me really happy to know that people are reading and even *GASP* enjoying this report! It has been really great for me to write it and to relive my summer. It was definitely a summer filled with adventures, laughter, tears, friends, weird people, etc. I can't wait to share my experiences with all of you.

That said, it is now time to comment to some specific people:

720L - First of all, cute glasses! Second, awesome trip report!
Thank you so very much! I got my glasses at LensCrafters and I absolutely love them... I feel all naked without my glasses. :)

Lan - So what type of men did you meet this trip at Motions?
Hahaha... didn't really have any encounters with the male type, none really worth nothing. But there will be some more adventures in the future...

CriminyCrafft - OH that story about Michael got me so choked up. Poor guy. I hope things are better for him now. I loved your observations on WDW in that story as well. So true, so true! Anyone can be a dashing pirate or a beautiful princess at WDW! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Thank you for reading. And it's so true, about anyone being anyone at Disney. It's just such a positive place and that's why I love it! :)

Tinawv - I am so loving your trip report. Can't wait for the next post and viewing more pictures.
Thanks!! I am so glad that you are enjoying it!

Kath1210 - This is such a great trip report! It's really interesting to learn what happens "behind the scenes" at Disney. I wish I'd known about the CP when I was in college. Keep those reports coming!
Thanks for reading and I definitely will keep posting. I'm glad I had the chance to do the CP, even if it was just for a summer. It was an awesome experience!

Disneyolic - And by the way, I just have to say this. I love looking at your pictures! Whenever you are in them is especially nice because I want you to know that your face really lights up in the pictures! You truly look happy and the camera does you well! It brings a smile to my face!
Thank you! That's such a nice thing to say. I don't even know what to say except for... I'm smiling now! YAYYYY :D

Disneyolic - Now that one is interesting. Awhile back, and this did not pertain to Disney World, I had heard that most people skip the first stall for some reason (maybe for privacy reasons) and that one would usually be the cleanest. So, I started using the first stalls and found that to be mostly true. Now, I will totally remember what you said when it comes to Disney. Normally there though we have to use the bigger ones to accommodate the kids...
Yes, maybe Disney is weird like that, but people use the first stall all the time. It would be the hardest to clean and stock because people would ALWAYS be in it!

Robinne83 - I can't wait to hear your Morocco stories and everything! And see pictures... you've gotta tell me!!!

Lan - Glendamax, Did u see the pretty picture that lamagique took on Tot? We can ride it together in Sept.
Haha, you really want her to go on that. Well, I think she SHOULD because it's the best ride EVER!!

Glendamax - I always smile when her pictures pop up because she looks SOOOO excited! How could Disney NOT hire her! (but yes, I'm still mad she got custodial :mad: )
Yes, when I interviewed (for seasonal), we discussed me possibly getting a high-spiel role, which means a role with a lot of lines memorized. Something like Jungle Cruise Skipper or something like that. I still would like to do something like that, so it's off to Disney I go again after I graduate. But yes... I am not sure if my talents were best suited for the restrooms, but then again... I could clean a mean toilet! And... I can't even quote your whole thing. I just have to tell you THANK YOU!!!! And I can't believe you linked me.... I feel all honored and everything!!!!!! Thanks so much! I am so glad you are enjoying it and I am so glad... I can't even articulate myself. Just, thank you very much. Thank you. Oh, but I must point out one thing you said: "I must admit that I am surprised that you are still happy after the first few days of clean up duty!" To be honest, it was very, very difficult for me, especially the first few days. I sort of gloss it over because I got over it, to a certain degree. I'll probably talk a little bit more about my difficulties later on, but it... was hard to be positive about it. I tried, but... yes, it was hard.

[Lan]

Even though you were were not too excited about being in a custodial role, you were still magical :wizard:

[oybolshoi]

Fabulous updates and I have to agree with others - the camera loves you!! Your smile is infectious (and I mean that in a good way - :lmao: ).

Looking forward to more. :thumbsup2

By the way - I have something of a clean bathroom fetish, even in my own house, so it does my heart good to know that WDW bathrooms are cleaned so often. And I think you showed a wonderful attitude even though you didn't nab the most glamorous of summer jobs. :hug:

[Glendamax]

Hey oybolshoi - With your post count so high, I can't believe I've never bumped into you before. Just wanted to let you know that I REALLY got a kick out of your trip report titles. From now on, I HAVE to come up with something funny! ------> :headache: (that's me thinking)

[lamagique]

Even though you were were not too excited about being in a custodial role, you were still magical :wizard:

Aww, thanks. I tried my best!!

Fabulous updates and I have to agree with others - the camera loves you!! Your smile is infectious (and I mean that in a good way - :lmao: ).

Looking forward to more. :thumbsup2

By the way - I have something of a clean bathroom fetish, even in my own house, so it does my heart good to know that WDW bathrooms are cleaned so often. And I think you showed a wonderful attitude even though you didn't nab the most glamorous of summer jobs. :hug:

Gee, thanks. *blushes, but not really because my skin tone doesn't really show when I blush*

Hey oybolshoi - With your post count so high, I can't believe I've never bumped into you before. Just wanted to let you know that I REALLY got a kick out of your trip report titles. From now on, I HAVE to come up with something funny! ------> :headache: (that's me thinking)

I know... you should read her trip reports, too. I've only read one so far, but it's HILARIOUS. I keep coming back for more... GRIMACE FOR THE WIN! HAHA.

[KKCannon]

Just started reading your TR and am enjoying it so far.

[bawsmom]

your TR is great!! :cool1: :banana:

it is so "behind the scenes" and gives us a new prospective on the CM duties:) lovin' all the details... not boring at all!!!:woohoo:

ahhhh... to be young again... the opportunies...:hippie:

[Goofster57]

Really enjoying the Cast Member Prospective in your report, looking forward to more

[Bondfan531]

Love your trip report so far!!! And yes, you and your friend look young, but not in the 12-14 year range :rotfl2: Hope hotpants wasn't stalking y'all. :rotfl2: Oh and by hotpants, I was referring to the boy from AK, not the two from the clubs. :rotfl2:

[packwingfn]

Hello my name is derek and I'm doing Custodial in the Fall and I am enjoying reading your summer of Custodial so far. I love the detailed reports, I can't wait to have detailed reports of my days in the future. Keep them coming!

[solgent]

I love this report!! First, it is so cool to hear about the college program. Second, I just love your positive attitude. Disney and all the guests were very lucky to have you! I will definitely pay more attention to custodials and all the CMs on our next trip. Third, it's awesome that you're sharing your journal entries which means we can see your thoughts at the time, not just what you are remembering now. Do you write in your journal every day?

[Bondfan531]

I love this report!! First, it is so cool to hear about the college program. Second, I just love your positive attitude. Disney and all the guests were very lucky to have you! I will definitely pay more attention to custodials and all the CMs on our next trip. Third, it's awesome that you're sharing your journal entries which means we can see your thoughts at the time, not just what you are remembering now. Do you write in your journal every day?


ITA 100% here!!!! :) :) :)

[oybolshoi]

Hey oybolshoi - With your post count so high, I can't believe I've never bumped into you before. Just wanted to let you know that I REALLY got a kick out of your trip report titles. From now on, I HAVE to come up with something funny! ------> :headache: (that's me thinking)

Hi, Glendamax! :wave: Thanks for the compliment - glad to know I'm making someone smile. As for the post count - I got a lot of those over on the cruise board, so I guess I'm really a recently de-cloaked lurker. ;)


I know... you should read her trip reports, too. I've only read one so far, but it's HILARIOUS. I keep coming back for more... GRIMACE FOR THE WIN! HAHA.

Thanks! I feel like I just stole your thread, so now I'm giving it back to you and thanking you once more for your kind words. :hug: Now, may we please have another update? :goodvibes

[Joanna71985]

I just found your TR, and I am loving it so far. I too have done the CP. In fact, I am starting my third in less then 2 weeks!! I did merchandise on my first, and character attendant my 2nd. Now I am going to do custodial for the summer alumni program. So I am enjoying hearing about your experiences in custodial, since that is what I am doing. Can't wait to hear more.

[Lan]

Good Morning Lamagique!!

Time to get up and work on this trip report. Well you can work on it after you finish any school work or studying.

[lamagique]

I am so surprised by all these comments! Thank you so much everyone. I am really happy to hear your feedback on my TR! Updates will probably be later on tonight.

KKCannon - Just started reading your TR and am enjoying it so far.
Thanks! :) I'm glad you're here!

Bawsmom - your TR is great!! :cool1: :banana:

it is so "behind the scenes" and gives us a new prospective on the CM duties:) lovin' all the details... not boring at all!!!:woohoo:

ahhhh... to be young again... the opportunies...:hippie:
Oooh, thanks! I'm glad you're liking the behind-the-scenes vibe! Thanks for commenting!!!

Goofster57 - Really enjoying the Cast Member Prospective in your report, looking forward to more
Thanks Keith! Good to know you're still on for the ride. :) Hahah.

Bondfan531 - Love your trip report so far!!! And yes, you and your friend look young, but not in the 12-14 year range :rotfl2: Hope hotpants wasn't stalking y'all. :rotfl2: Oh and by hotpants, I was referring to the boy from AK, not the two from the clubs. :rotfl2:
Hahaha... I know, we look pretty young. But we figure that'll help us out when we're older. At the rate we're going, we'll look about 25 when we're 50, so maybe it's not too bad? Haha.

Packwingfn - Hello my name is derek and I'm doing Custodial in the Fall and I am enjoying reading your summer of Custodial so far. I love the detailed reports, I can't wait to have detailed reports of my days in the future. Keep them coming!
HEY DEREK! A fellow custodial!! I am glad you found this thread and I'm glad you're doing the CP! I hope you can get some useful information out of this! Feel free to ask me any questions!

Solgent - I love this report!! First, it is so cool to hear about the college program. Second, I just love your positive attitude. Disney and all the guests were very lucky to have you! I will definitely pay more attention to custodials and all the CMs on our next trip. Third, it's awesome that you're sharing your journal entries which means we can see your thoughts at the time, not just what you are remembering now. Do you write in your journal every day?
Hey there! Thanks for commenting! I tried to stay as positive as possible... something that you'll see later on is pretty hard for me. And I don't write in my journal every day, but it is pretty often. When I do, I try to write a lot. While I was at Disney, I tried to document as much of it as possible because I knew I would want to remember. I don't think I would have half the amount of detail that I have if I didn't keep a journal. I'm glad I did!

Oybolshoi - Thanks! I feel like I just stole your thread, so now I'm giving it back to you and thanking you once more for your kind words. Now, may we please have another update?
Hijack my thread whenever you want! 'cause you're crazy and I like it! And... about that update thing... well...

Joanna71985 - I just found your TR, and I am loving it so far. I too have done the CP. In fact, I am starting my third in less then 2 weeks!! I did merchandise on my first, and character attendant my 2nd. Now I am going to do custodial for the summer alumni program. So I am enjoying hearing about your experiences in custodial, since that is what I am doing. Can't wait to hear more.
Hey Joanna! I hope I don't sound like a stalker, but I sort of KNOW you. Not like really, but I've seen your posts a lot on the college boards (even before I did the CP) and also on other message boards, like the wdwcpinfo one, the eZboard. It's weird that this is the first time we're talking to each other, even though I've known of you for over a year. ANYWAY... I see you're doing the super-secretive summer alumni program. I probably would have considered doing it if I returned from France earlier. But anyway, I hope I can get some really useful entries out before you go! And when you get to Disney, let me know which park you're working at! I would like to KIT with you and hear about your experiences! If you have any questions, just let me know!

Lan - Good Morning Lamagique!! Time to get up and work on this trip report. Well you can work on it after you finish any school work or studying.
Good morning to you! It's so funny you say that, (1) because it's afternoon for me and (2) because I was working on a paper this morning. French literature... poetry comparisons/prose and all that. Let me tell you, I can't even analyse poetry in English, let alone in French. But anyway... I am hoping for an update later on tonight. I'll try to make it a big one because I'm going away this weekend (to Belgium!!) so... it will probably be around 6pmish my time, which would probably be around noon your time. :) Okay, time to eat lunch! :) (I'm late...)

[Joanna71985]

Hey Joanna! I hope I don't sound like a stalker, but I sort of KNOW you. Not like really, but I've seen your posts a lot on the college boards (even before I did the CP) and also on other message boards, like the wdwcpinfo one, the eZboard. It's weird that this is the first time we're talking to each other, even though I've known of you for over a year. ANYWAY... I see you're doing the super-secretive summer alumni program. I probably would have considered doing it if I returned from France earlier. But anyway, I hope I can get some really useful entries out before you go! And when you get to Disney, let me know which park you're working at! I would like to KIT with you and hear about your experiences! If you have any questions, just let me know!



Hey there. I don't think you sound like a stalker. I definitely will let you know where I am working. Only 11 days til I leave for FL!!

[Disneyolic]

Hey there. I don't think you sound like a stalker. I definitely will let you know where I am working. Only 11 days til I leave for FL!!
So you're leaving soon for the CP? Can I be a "stalker" too? Tell me where you are working and I will make a point to say hi if I see you on our vacation at the end of June! Unless you don't want too many "stalkers"...:lmao:

[Joanna71985]

So you're leaving soon for the CP? Can I be a "stalker" too? Tell me where you are working and I will make a point to say hi if I see you on our vacation at the end of June! Unless you don't want too many "stalkers"...:lmao:

Sure you can. I don't know where exactly I will be working, but I am mostly going to be doing custodial. When I find out I will let everyone know (I probably will be doing a CP TR as well).

[lamagique]

Hey everyone... I thought I was going to update before I left for my weekend trip, but it doesn't look like it will happen. I'll try to make a huge update when I get back. A little fun story though: I met this one guy who was also a custodial at the Studios who was from France. We ended up keeping in touch and this weekend, I'm going to visit him! It's a Small World After All!!!

Have a great weekend everyone!

[Glendamax]

Yes I'm disappointed, but I do I hope you have a great time! Make sure you take lots of pics - especially of the guy you just met!

See you when you get back!

[Lan]

Have a safe trip!!!

[Disneyolic]

Have a great time and I will be patiently awaiting your next installment. Well, maybe not so patiently...:rolleyes:

[jennifermae]

I am sure glad I found your TR!!!! You express yourself wonderfully!
I am anxiously awaiting more:yay: :yay:

jennifermae

[Glendamax]

:surfweb: . . . popcorn::

[mamaprincess]

I just have to say that you are the cutest ever!!! I'm raising my three girls age 3 and twins (9) to be Disney Princesses just like you!!! In our home, it's all about Disney. They've been going to "The World" every year since our youngest was 9 months old. I'm already planning their Disney weddings!:laughing: I am certain they will apply for Disney's college program.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/mamaprincess/100_0361.jpg

[lamagique]

I just have to say that you are the cutest ever!!! I'm raising my three girls age 3 and twins (9) to be Disney Princesses just like you!!! In our home, it's all about Disney. They've been going to "The World" every year since our youngest was 9 months old. I'm already planning their Disney weddings!:laughing: I am certain they will apply for Disney's college program.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/mamaprincess/100_0361.jpg


Oh my gosh, they are so cute! And how lucky are they to have a mother who is in love with Disney! :) That's crazy... in the most magical way! :wizard:

[lamagique]

My work schedule kept me very busy for the first couple of weeks, but I also got to do a lot of really fun things, like:

1. Visiting PI yet again:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/Dscn1410.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/Dscn1413.jpg

2. Having lunch at my most favorite country in the world:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/Dscn1414.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/Dscn1417.jpg

3. Watching Wishes! for the very first time
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/Dscn1442.jpg

But one of the most fun days I had was when I went to the Studios with my custodial friend (and DisBoards friend) Jess. We decided to go to the park before we had to work later on that afternoon. It was a little crazy, because that meant it was like the longest day of my life at the Studios, but it was so much fun and so worth it!

We went on Rockin’ Rollercoaster and I had the best time of my life. We didn’t just ride it, we screamed funny things throughout (don’t worry, no cuss words or anything) and it was just the most hilarious thing ever. I got off of the ride with cramps in my stomach and tears rolling down my cheeks from laughing so hard. I can’t explain it, but it’s still one of my most favorite memories of my CP.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/Dscn1447.jpg

Next, I went to go see the “Beauty and the Beast” show for the very first time in my life. The group that opened the show was very good. They are an acappella group called “Four for a Dollar.” Jess and I got nostalgic about the good ole days of NSYNC. Anyway, the show started and we enjoyed it while scarfing down our footlong hot-dogs:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/Dscn1457.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/Dscn1459.jpg

And the show was quite enjoyable. It was overdramatic and the Beast seemed to have some anger-management issues, but that made it entertaining.

After BatB, we headed over to “One Man’s Dream.” I, of course, loved it. But of course. Then we headed over to “Narnia,” an attraction that I did not understand. I hadn’t seen the movie or read the books, but it also just ended up being a long trailer for the film.

We sort of shuffled out of Narnia when it was over and excitedly went over to “Millionaire.” I hadn’t played it in a couple of years, so I was really excited.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/Dscn1478.jpg

JOURNAL EXCERPT: “As Cast Members, we're not allowed to go into the Hot Seat, but we can still play along. Also, if you are playing along and you are getting the questions right with the fastest amount of time, your seat number appears on this big screen. They do it in order and if you are #1 on that list, you could be going to the Hot Seat next. Well, one of the times, Jess' number appeared as #2 and I screamed! I honestly shrieked. Everyone looked at me and Jess was all scared, but I was so excited! It was so funny...”

After Millionaire, we headed to the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground." I hadn't been there since I was 7. We had a good time, even though it was awkward and all the kids and adults were looking at us like we were crazy.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/Dscn1481.jpg

We decided to head back to Sunset Blvd because we wanted to be there and enjoy being guests before we had to change into our costumes and clean it up. This picture explains our happiness:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/Dscn1484.jpg

On Sunset Blvd. Me: with roasted nuts. Jess: with a frozen banana. Behind us: custodial. Taking our picture: custodial. Life: good at the moment.

Before going on Tower of Terror, we decided to stop by a restroom and take a couple of pictures. I got to know this restroom really well over the course of the summer.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/Dscn1487.jpg

After sketching people out in the restroom (because we were taking pictures), we went to ToT.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/Dscn1497.jpg

It’s one of my favorite rides, so of course I had a lovely, lovely time on it. :) But I was sad to leave it because I knew it was time to head back to the locker rooms, get changed, and get ready for work.

I found out my placement for the day and was excited because it was at Fantasmic! But that night ended up being very stressful because one of the toilets overflowed and I couldn't fix it and I was getting overwhelmed by it. The water kept flowing and flowing and I couldn’t dry the floors fast enough. I was worried, because even though I had wet-floor signs out, I didn’t want any of the guests slipping. But the problem was just too big for me to handle and I was starting to freak out. They eventually sent another custodial to help me. It took us a long time to clean it up. Right when it was almost clean, we were putting everything away and someone used that stall while we were away and ended up making the toilet overflow again, only this time it was with urine. So we had to get everything back out again and clean it up, but this time it was even worse than the first one. I tried not to cry (and I don’t think I did onstage), but I was very tired and frustrated. I tried not to let it show as guests came inside to use the restrooms, although their comments sometimes added fuel to the fire. I don’t know why I took it offensively, but they would be like, “The floors are so slippery!” Or “this restroom is dirty!” And it would frsutrate me so much. I understood the standard of excellence that Disney has for their restrooms and I tried to live up to that, but sometimes messes that took longer than five minutes to clean occurred and I would feel so guilty. I would feel like I failed in providing a clean restroom for the guest.

Well, this night was stressful, but it ended well. I ended up doing a last trash run with Jess and Rico and it was so much fun. Normally, trash-runs are just for one person. But if it’s the end of the night and the park has closed and you are finished doing your own things, you help out the other people. So we helped out Jess and had a good time with it. I found that I had a lot more fun with custodial when I was working with someone else. We ended our night around midnight, completely exhausted, but with a great feeling of accomplishment.

So, I would like to end this installment with a tip for the guests: Please don’t use a restroom stall that’s closed. It’s closed for a reason. Thank you. :)

Continue to PG 8, #113

[Disneyolic]

Welcome back! I just love the potty pic! It has to be the best one ever! :lmao:

[mamaprincess]

Welcome back Lamagique! You are an excellent writer! I will be so sad when your report is over. The amount of detail really makes me feel like I am along for the ride.

Thank you for sweet comments about my 3 little princess. One of the twins is obsessed with paris so I decorated her room in parisian style. I'll have to take pics to share. Her favorite Epcot pavillion is also France. The twins both adore MGM studios because of their two favorite rides, ToT and RnR. The other twins bedroom is decorated in old Hollywood style as a nod to MGM studios and the youngest has a princess style bedroom.

[oybolshoi]

Thanks for the update - hope you had a good weekend. And I'll just add my voice to Glendamax's... do you have any pictures to share with us from your weekend getaway? :goodvibes

I loved reading this installment - you always seem to have such a positive attitude. :thumbsup2

And that picture of the bathroom...:rotfl2:

[allie_to_you]

Wow, this is one of the best TR's i've read in a while. I love all the details and getting an insiders point of view is cool. I've always wondered what "a day in the life" of a CM is like. I always wanted to do the CP and my husband and I would love to work for Disney, but just haven't and probably won't ever get the chance.

[lamagique]

Welcome back! I just love the potty pic! It has to be the best one ever! :lmao:

Well, I try, I try. :thumbsup2

[lamagique]

Welcome back Lamagique! You are an excellent writer! I will be so sad when your report is over. The amount of detail really makes me feel like I am along for the ride.

Thank you for sweet comments about my 3 little princess. One of the twins is obsessed with paris so I decorated her room in parisian style. I'll have to take pics to share. Her favorite Epcot pavillion is also France. The twins both adore MGM studios because of their two favorite rides, ToT and RnR. The other twins bedroom is decorated in old Hollywood style as a nod to MGM studios and the youngest has a princess style bedroom.

Thank you so much for the compliment! :goodvibes I am really glad that you are enjoying it!

And it sounds like I would get along well with your daughters! I love France and I love the Studios!! Their rooms sound so cool! Mine is just plain and boring. Boo. :(

[lamagique]

Wow, this is one of the best TR's i've read in a while. I love all the details and getting an insiders point of view is cool. I've always wondered what "a day in the life" of a CM is like. I always wanted to do the CP and my husband and I would love to work for Disney, but just haven't and probably won't ever get the chance.

Wow, well, blow me down! Thank you so much for the compliment! Wow... thank you! I am so glad that you are enjoying it! I hope that you and your husband get the chance to work there someday... it really is cool to see what happens backstage. :)

[lamagique]

So, I am posting this by request of Gmax and Oybolshoi...

When I was at Disney, I was sitting on one of the buses home from work one day. It was one of the rare times when I actually worked in the morning, instead of until closing time. I was sitting, chilling, when I heard the people next to me speaking in French. All of a sudden, my ears perked up. I tried to understand their conversation and test my French skills.

One of the guys noticed I was listening (non-verbal feedback) and asked me if I could understand and I said yes. We just got to talking and I found out that he too worked at the Studios, but in a different section than me (which is why I had never seen him before).

Well, we talked and then any time I would see him in the Cast Cafeteria or at work, we would chat. Mostly it was in the Cast Cafeteria. We would speak a little French and he was just a nice guy.

One day, he got scheduled to work the same restroom rotation as me on Sunset. He came into the stock closet and I said hi. And then I said, "It's gonna be a hard day." He shrugged and said, "It's not going to be that bad." I just smirked. I knew he would be feeling differently by the end of the day. And loandbehold, I was right! After my lunch break, I came back to find him very frustrated and nearly at a nervous breakdown (which is what I seemed to go through everyday, :rotfl:). At that moment, we bonded. I mean, you sweat, cry, bleed, scream, etc next to someone (okay, maybe that's an exaggeration) and you can't help but bond.

Well, I left before he did that summer but he gave me his e-mail address (and I gave him mine) to keep in touch because I knew I would be in France during the Spring.

Well, finally, this past weekend, I went to go visit him. He was an excellent host, really nice. He took me to a party with his friends, where we spent the night at their house, and then the next day, he showed me Lille. We saw some of the main sights, like the Opera House and we happened upon a little carnival and a free zoo.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/lillecollage.jpg

It was a good time. I'm really glad that I was able to make friends from the program that lasted after (one year?!... already?) and also friends from around the world. :)

Continue to Post #126

[oybolshoi]

I was getting ready to shut down my computer to go home for the night when what did I see.... but another update?! :thumbsup2

Lamagique, those are great pics and he's so cute! Ahhh, to be young and in France... where did I misplace my youth? :confused3 Oh wait, sorry this is supposed to be about you, not me. ;)

You two look like you were having a lot of fun and you both have such great smiles - those pictures just jumped right off my screen.

Thanks for sharing! :goodvibes

[Disneyolic]

Well I am glad that someone urged you to post your weekend getaway. I love the pictures. Yes...you have a wonderful little thread going! :flower3:

[Joanna71985]

Awww, how cute! He looks like a nice guy. I'm glad you had a fun time there.

And I loved the picture with the custodial guy in the background. I can't believe in less then a week I will be down in Disney doing that too.

[puggymom]

OK, I followed the link in Glendamax's siggy.


Great trip report, I wish I had known about the CP when I was in school, I wonder if it even existed 100 years ago:rolleyes1


I love hearing the perspective of a CM and the pics are great.

Looking forward to reading more.

[robinne83]

Im so glad you posted the details of your weekend getaway! It sounds like you had a great time!! Of course, how could you not when you're with cute and friendly international boys!
I also loved hearing more about your time with the WDWCP. Its so entertaining to read all your adventures....Even the less than glamorous bathroom tales! I can't wait to hear even more!!

Robinne

Oh...And by the way, I tried PMing you so I could share my international boy stories but I cant. I keep getting an error message saying I don't have enough posts. So I'll either keep trying and posting for awhile or if you send me an email address, I'll send my story that way!:upsidedow

[MomofCKJ]

I just found your TR today and had to tell you that you have another reader! I am loving hearing about your CP experience. It is really cool to see what Disney is like from that side of things. I can't wait for the rest and keep the pictures coming! I would love to see my kids do this program when they are in college, seems like a really awesome experience!

Allyson :)

[Joanna71985]

I just found your TR today and had to tell you that you have another reader! I am loving hearing about your CP experience. It is really cool to see what Disney is like from that side of things. I can't wait for the rest and keep the pictures coming! I would love to see my kids do this program when they are in college, seems like a really awesome experience!

Allyson :)

Oh it is! I am hoping my sister will do it when she is in college. It is so amazing.

[Glendamax]

Good Grief! Where can I start?

MGM Long Day - So sorry about the exploding toilet, and the unempathetic Disney guests! That whole episode will make me remember that Cast Members are people too! Last year I kept thinking: are those people ever hot, sweaty, or tired? Now I know the answer is yes, yes and yes.

Long Weekend - Glad you posted pics. I knew I was being a bit nosey, but hey this is The DIS! It seems that you had a great time - especially with your signature Disney smile!

I'm sure you've guessed why we love your report so much -

Readers, raise your hands if you wish you could turn back time and do all the stuff LaMagique is doing . . .:wave2:
Readers, how many of you are thinking: did these options even exist when I was still in school? :wave:


So thanks for letting us live through you while we are at work or at home reading this inbetween loads of laundry and such :laundy: . This has really been fun! I'm glad that you are keeping a journal so you can remember this for a long time!

Can't wait for more! :surfweb:

[averill94]

I am with Glendamax! It s sad to say I really do wish I could turn back the hands of time and have some of your experiences! Enjoy them all:goodvibes

Thank you so much for sharing

The pictures of Paris were beautiful, great job.

[Lan]

Hi Lamagique!!!

Glad that to see that you are back safe and sound. I think we are in the same time zone now, but I am not sure. I am in South Africa on vaction, Durban to be exact. I was having dis-withdrawals:rotfl: Of course I looked for your report when I got onto the boards. I have computer access until Friday, so please continue(like you don't have anything else to do:rotfl: )


I love that you love ToT. I feel you need to post another picture of the ride just for Glendamax:rotfl2:

[Glendamax]

Awwww Man! I'm being harrased from SOUTH AFRICA!!!! Good grief! Glad to hear from you Lan!

Ok LaMagique, you should be up now. We're all waiting for more!

[lamagique]

Thanks to all the new readers and the old ones too! I am glad you enjoyed my weekend getaway... so did I!! And to answer a couple of questions: the college program has been around for about 26 years... but it's true, I didn't really hear about it until I was in college and even then, I had to do some research and digging. At some colleges, it's pretty popular and at others, it's nonexistant (mine would be the nonexistant version). Anyway, it's a great opportunity and I definitely would encourage all of you with kids to get them to do it. :) Okay, onto the next installment...

[lamagique]

I had had an exhausting day at the Studios, but I was happy because I had Thursday and Friday off. I decided to go with Jake, a fellow Studios custodian, to Animal Kingdom.

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The first thing we did was go to Africa to get some food at Tusker House. I had never been there before, but I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of food, seeing as how it was counter-service. It was pretty yummy and we got to see some guys playing the drums on the patio. I secretly had the urge to get up and dance with them, but I stayed seated and watched an AK custodial do a trash run.

That’s something else: once you’re a custodial, you notice all the other custodials all the time. You notice trash runs… where they push around these big squeaky carts. Before, when I was a guest, I never noticed trash carts at all! I just never did. But now I do. I also noticed trash in the parks and would pick some up if it was on the ground (like paper or whatever). It was hard to not be a custodian, even when I was off.

We were about to go somewhere else when we finished eating when I realized that I had lost my Disney ID! I started to freak out! That was my work ID… it would get me into work and into the parks. If I lost it, I would have to pay $35 and I couldn’t get any fastpasses for the day (we all see where my priorities were). We went back to the front of the park and asked guest relations if it had been turned in—and it had! I was so relieved… whew.

After reclaiming my ID, Jake and I went to Rafiki's Planet Watch (sorry if this is the wrong name, I forget it), one of the many things on my WDW to-do list. In order to get to this part of the park, you have to take a train. We thought that our train ride would be uneventful, but it ended up being the best part of the day. We got on and there were a couple of other people. We started riding and the tour guide (over the train loudspeaker) began to speak: “The animals at Animal Kingdom go to sleep here…” Everything was normal. He continued: "Here is where we feed the animals--SIR!” All of a sudden, everything changed! “SIT DOWN! SIT DOWN SIR! SIR, SIT DOWN! IF YOU DO NOT SIT DOWN, I WILL STOP THIS TRAIN!” Then, instantly, he went back to his calm and happy voice. “The elephants are fed hundreds of pounds of food each day..." :rotfl: :rotfl2: Jake and I were laughing so hard. The guy’s voice was so panicked! But, it is true that safety is the #1 concern of Cast Members at Disney. After all, “Safe D begins with me!”

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Anyway, I had never been to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, but it seemed interesting. We didn’t do too much there, but we did do one of the soundbooth things. They have soundbooths at the Studios, too, but I really preferred the ones at Animal Kingdom. Grandmother Willow whispers in your ear and you can feel the wind and then it feels like there really are animals by you and on you. I got creeped out, but in the good magical Disney way, so I enjoyed it. (Kind of like Tower of Terror, Gmax… happy Lan? ;) )

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We got a picture with Stanley. YAY!

After Rafiki’s Planet Watch, we went to see the Festival of the Lion King.

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It was my first time seeing the show in my life. I didn’t really know what to expect… I guess I thought it would be like “Beauty and the Beast.” Well, it definitely exceeded my expectations. I thought that the show was AMAZING! It had everything: singing, dancing (even ballet), acrobatics, gymnastics, fire, animatronics, etc, etc. It was GREAT! The people who were in it were really talented, too, and the singers had such great voices. I felt like I had suddenly stepped onto Broadway, it was that good.

Unfortunately… now don’t hate me Disney, but we followed that show up with the Pochahontas show. After having my face blasted off with the excellence that was FotLK, I was expecting a pretty good show from Pochahontas. Well… if I could turn back time, I would go to see Pochahontas first, because that show was… well, I will let my journal do the talking:

Journal Excerpt: “That show was sort of disappointing. Seriously, it was so cheap. Poca had to make her own leaves float. She like grabbed a pile of them and put them over this small air hole. It was so sad. And... it didn't really make sense. ‘The porcupine has quills to protect himself. This teaches us about faith.’ Uh, what?”

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Honestly, even the other people in the audience were sort of laughing at the show and not with it. It just… was… not up to Disney standards. I’m sure kids probably enjoy it, though.

Well, after Pocha-hey-hey, we went on Expedition Everest, which was good of course but I felt a little sick after it. Well, of course in that state of mind I decided to go ahead and go on Dinosaur! Don’t worry, I didn’t get sick… but I did get scared! I think Dinosaur! scared the sick out of me.

Following Dinosaur!, we went on Kiliminjaro Safaris.

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Then we were pretty much done with Animal Kingdom. So we caught a bus to the Studios. We went on the Backlot Tour, then we went on the Great Movie Ride, and then I officially started my pin collection in the big Sorcerer Mickey's hat. I got the cutest Winnie-the-Pooh pin and then I got a Rockin' Rollercoaster one that's pretty cool (it has a moving car and it is just like the one that Oybolshoi has). We also went and jammed at Playhouse Disney!

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Oh yeah! Then after Playhouse Disney, we went over to Sunset and saw some of the people I worked with and also saw Jess who was doing a trash run. Then we went on Coaster, hung out with Jess during her break in the Cast Cafeteria and made plans for the next day. Once Jess’ break was over, we went on Tower of Terror (the best ride ever!), and then we went to Fantasmic! Oh how I loved Fantasmic!

Journal Excerpt (from an entry I had written a few days earlier) “So, basically, for the past week I have been working Fantasmic except for one night. I like working there because it's so magical. At the end, I always get chills when Mickey is on top of the mountain. He's just so magical. It makes me feel like I am back at the best place on earth, instead of the semi-okay place that it usually is when I am working. (Work, by the way, is getting better. It's like I said--I just needed to get used to it. The more I get used to it, the better it is. I mean, it's not AMAZINGLY great or anything, but it's manageable.)”

After Fantasmic!, I headed back to Vista Way. I was exhausted, plus, I would be going to Epcot with Jake and Jess the next day.

Coming Up Next: EPCOT! I'm excited about the next installment... it was a really fun day with lots of pictures!

[lamagique]

On Friday, I went with Jake and Jess to Epcot. Well, we headed over to Epcot on the bus. We all really wanted to discover the countries. But before doing the World Showcase, we wanted to get a fast pass to Soarin'. We surprisingly did get one. Since we were in the building, we did "Circle of Life" this thing with Lion King characters. It was a movie about protecting the environment, and it was surprisingly entertaining. I never even knew it existed. So then we headed off to Mexico for lunch. Mexico was really cool. I had never been inside before, and it's cool because it's nighttime all the time. We had lunch in front of the smoking Aztec pyramid and that was pretty good. Then we went on the Mexico Boat Ride, which was just strange.

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This is Jake and Jess on the bus.

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Jess and me with Mickey hats! M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!

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We had lunch in Mexico

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This was the weirdest part of the ride. There was like a people carousel with dancing puppets... I really don't know what was going on.

After Mexico, we headed to Norway, which I have also never been to. Norway was... interesting? I dunno. The ride was pretty cool--it was way more intense than I was expecting. The stores were funny because they sold ski stuff and sweaters... no one's wearing that in Florida. :) ;) (But I do understand that people from places like, uh, Michigan, do go to Florida and would find things such as sweaters useful.)

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In front of Norwegian Fountain

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After Norway, we headed to China! Now, I never really had ever been interested in China in like, my life. But we went to their Circle Vision 360 film and after that, I'm like: I WANT TO GO TO CHINA! Seriously, China seems SO awesome. I want to learn more about it. We spent a bit of time in their gift shop. China was definitely my favorite place (maybe besides France and Mexico) of the day. It was the surprise treat.

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They also had this exhibit of Disneyland Hong Kong so we did that, too. It was cool.

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Right when we were about to leave China, it started raining really hard... and it didn't let up except for a few minutes for the next few hours. We went on Soarin' and unfortunately on Journey into the Imagination again, and this Boat Ride in the Land.

After it stopped raining, we went to... England, of course. Haha. Yeah, we went to the United Kingdom. We went inside one of their shops and the Winnie-the-Pooh characters were there. YAY!

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[lamagique]

After the UK, it was time to go to... LA FRANCE! My homeland. I happened to see that one of my friends was working, so we talked to him for a couple of minutes. After that, we of course went to my patisserie to get some pastries. What did I get? The elephant ear, OF COURSE. It was sooo good.

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Us being French

After France, we went to Morocco. I saw that guy that I met with Bethany named Kamal. He remembered me! We didn't stay too long... we did see Aladdin, though.

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Next was America.

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I wanted to take this cute photo, but then all of a sudden, I lost my balance and got stuck on the pole, hanging for dear life. I was seriously like that for like 30 seconds... I couldn't move! It was so funny!

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This is the after photo... Jess helped me up!

We did go to Italy, but it was kinda disappointing. Eh. I hear the food is good, but their store was kinda bleh. Next, we went to DEUTSCHLAND (Germany). Fun stores. I also got a PHAT sugar cookie. It was goooood.

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We’re German !

Next, we went to the Outpost. Which is a conglomeration of every country and an African booth.

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On our way to France for dinner, we stopped by Japan. The front of the store smelled like Hello Kitty made a Hello Poo Poo. Where's custodial when you need them? ;)

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Talin met up with us in Japan, then we went to France for dinner. It was kind of more expensive than I would have liked and I felt like I enjoyed their lunch selections better than their dinner selections. BUT, the dinner conversation was HILARIOUS. Seriously, I was like, nearly crying and choking. It was AWESOME!

We ended the day with a movie at Downtown Disney. Jess and I departed from the group and went to go see The Lakehouse. It was good, but I was so tired that I fell asleep at parts. This would seem to be a pattern throughout the summer…

Continue on to post #142

[mamaprincess]

Yaay! I'm addicted. What will I do when it's over?:sad2:

Your get away sounded like lots of fun. You guys looked cute!:goodvibes

You are living the dream of all of us who wish we had known about the CP when we were in college. I shared your trip report with the twins and they laughed hysterically about the sketchies.:lmao: They have decided to do CP together when they go to college. Thanks Lamagique!:goodvibes

[lamagique]

Yaay! I'm addicted. What will I do when it's over?:sad2:

Your get away sounded like lots of fun. You guys looked cute!:goodvibes

You are living the dream of all of us who wish we had known about the CP when we were in college. I shared your trip report with the twins and they laughed hysterically about the sketchies.:lmao: They have decided to do CP together when they go to college. Thanks Lamagique!:goodvibes

Awww.. gee... thanks. :) Wow... and I am glad that they have decided to do the CP! Awesome!

[Joanna71985]

I loved the Epcot pictures (especially the one of Aladdin;) ). I'm starting to get worried that I won't be good in custodial. What happens if you don't pass the training?

[Disneyolic]

Lovin' the Around the World pictures!! :thumbsup2

[Lan]

"Kind of like Tower of Terror, Gmax… happy Lan?"

I am quite happy with this commnet. Gmax will ride it when I meet up with her in September:cool1:


Can't wait to here more of your report.

[Lan]

"Kind of like Tower of Terror, Gmax… happy Lan?"

I am quite happy with this commnet. Gmax will ride it when I meet up with her in September:cool1:


Can't wait to hear more of your report.popcorn::

[team weasel]

I am experiencing some severe CP jealousy!:rolleyes1

[Disneyland_Mama]

Ok, I'm merely on page 1, but I"m really enjoying this so far! :thumbsup2

[Glendamax]

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Seriously, Tyra Banks would be proud of these photos! If this was a challenge on Top Model, you would've won! :rotfl:

Judge #1 She really embraced the assignment
Judge #2 Even though she was tired, she really worked through it!
Judge #3 I Love that she has 3 very convincing looks . . .
:rotfl:

[Glendamax]

Everything was normal. He continued: "Here is where we feed the animals--SIR!” All of a sudden, everything changed! “SIT DOWN! SIT DOWN SIR! SIR, SIT DOWN! IF YOU DO NOT SIT DOWN, I WILL STOP THIS TRAIN!” Then, instantly, he went back to his calm and happy voice.
Ok, I dont know what people do on that train, but the same thing happened when I got on too. Shouldnt you know NOT to stand up?!!:confused:


We ended the day with a movie at Downtown Disney. Jess and I departed from the group and went to go see The Lakehouse. It was good, but I was so tired that I fell asleep at parts. This would seem to be a pattern throughout the summer…
Oh how I wish I could end my day like this!

These were great installments today! Some of the best pics! Very funny!

And yes, I am totally ignoring all references to TOT!!!!!:rolleyes1

[LITTLEKID58]

Great TR

[lamagique]

I loved the Epcot pictures (especially the one of Aladdin;) ). I'm starting to get worried that I won't be good in custodial. What happens if you don't pass the training?

Hahah, anyone can be good in custodial. It just takes time. Don't worry, the training is pretty thorough and you'll pass your assessment. I was scared about failing it, too, as was Jess, but we did fine. However, if you do fail, you just get re-trained and then reassessed. But you'll be fine. Plus, you'll be a good Custodial since you love Disney so much. Sometimes, that was all that got me through. ;)

[lamagique]

Lovin' the Around the World pictures!! :thumbsup2
Woohoo! I'm glad. I hadn't seen these pictures in a long time and they made me laugh. It was a fun day.

"Kind of like Tower of Terror, Gmax… happy Lan?"
I am quite happy with this commnet. Gmax will ride it when I meet up with her in September:cool1: Can't wait to hear more of your report.popcorn::
Well, she has to ride it now. There's no way she can chicken out of it. Has she ridden it before? The first time is the best time. :)

I am experiencing some severe CP jealousy!:rolleyes1
Don't be jealous!!! Haha, okay, be jealous. :p

Ok, I'm merely on page 1, but I"m really enjoying this so far! :thumbsup2
Hey, welcome... I'm glad you're here! Hopefully my TR will keep you interested enough to get past page 1. :rotfl:

Seriously, Tyra Banks would be proud of these photos! If this was a challenge on Top Model, you would've won! :rotfl:

Judge #1 She really embraced the assignment
Judge #2 Even though she was tired, she really worked through it!
Judge #3 I Love that she has 3 very convincing looks . . .
:rotfl:
:rotfl: I love ANTM so this was great! I'm glad you loved the pics. I'm a person that likes to give different looks if I am taking a lot of pictures, so I am glad you really appreciated that. And thank you to the judges as well!

Ok, I dont know what people do on that train, but the same thing happened when I got on too. Shouldnt you know NOT to stand up?!!:confused: Oh how I wish I could end my day like this! These were great installments today! Some of the best pics! Very funny! And yes, I am totally ignoring all references to TOT!!!!!:rolleyes1
I'm glad you enjoyed these past few installments... they were really fun to remember. And... you can run from the Tower, but you can't hide... bwahahahahaha :stir:

Great TR
Thanks and welcome! :wave:

[lamagique]

A few days after our adventure in Epcot, I was celebrating my one-month anniversary working at Walt Disney World:

Journal Excerpt:
Today marks exactly a month that I've been here. Wow. Only 1.5 to go!

So, I haven't really been in an updatey mood, even though things have been going well. Yesterday and the day before, I had off. The day before that, I didn't have work until 5:30, so I hung out at the Studios and did the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular Show, One Man's Dream, and the Art of Animation video and Tower of Terror. Pretty much the only thing left for me to do at the Studios that I haven't done is take the Art class for the animation thing and then see the parade.

On Tuesday, I wanted to have some chill time by myself. I went to Magic Kingdom and did Hall of Presidents--which I really liked. Then I did Country Bear Jamboree. After that, I did Tom Sawyer Island, which I had never done! That was cool and it looked just like VMK. I got some food, shopped... did the Enchanted Tiki Room, which was different than I remembered but still a little crazy. And I also did the Aladdin Carpets ride. After MK, I went to Walmart (which, by bus, took like three hours even though I was only in the store for like 40 minutes) and then I went to Downtown Disney. I saw a comedy show at the Comedy Warehouse and then I met up with Jess and we saw another comedy show. Then I danced in Motion with this old guy (like 45... probably someone's dad) and it was really fun.

Yesterday, I went to Animal Kingdom with Jess. We did Everest, Dinosaur, It's Tough to Be a Bug, and Festival of the Lion King. Okay, so It's Tough to be a Bug really isn't kid-friendly. You would think so, but… well, it was so funny in the audience because the kids were like screaming like they were going to die! It was hilarious, but sad at the same time. Like, it was like they were being tortured. (But in that fun, good Disney way.)

After AK, I took a nap, then I went to Olive Garden and Walmart (again!) with some friends.

Well, today I have work and I have work for the next eight days straight. But I do have off on Friday and Saturday and next week, and I got July 7th off... that's when Pirates comes out! And I hear that Johnny Depp is supposed to be at the parks, so that would be AWESOME to meet him! Heck yeah!

[lamagique]

I have been posting pretty happy things up until now, but to be honest, some of my journal entries were negative at times. I tried and tried to always be positive and happy, but sometimes being a custodian was very hard for me. I had a talk with one of my managers and it really helped to know that he noticed the hard work that I was doing and that he knew that I didn’t particularly enjoy the job, but that I never let it show to guests.

And it is true: I never brought my problems out to the guests. It frustrates me when I hear about a Cast Member having a short temper with a guest or not being magical to guests. The whole reason that Walt Disney World is so much fun and magical is because people can forget their problems! I feel like it is so rude to bring your own personal problems onto park property as a CM. Not just because people are paying to have a good time, but because that’s the whole point of the park (to leave worries behind). I also think it’s pretty selfish to decide that your problems are more important than thoses of the guests. If they can leave their problems behind, then so can the Cast Members. Plus, you never know what a guest has been through, or what that guest’s story is. It just bugs me that you could be ruining someone’s day just because you didn’t feel like living up to the job you signed up for.

So with that said, yes, I had very, very frustrating days, but I never showed it to the guests because it wasn't their problem and/or fault. In retrospect, it is kind of funny, but for me, the girl who had only done one job before in her life and it was as a camp counselor, the work was hard. But what I tried to do whenever I got negative was remember the positive things that I liked about the job—and there were a lot of positives! I wrote down a list and kept it on me at all times. Whenever I would get down for some reason, I would read my list and remember why I wanted to work at Walt Disney World so much.

Here’s a few of the reasons that I liked being a custodian (taken from a journal entry):

--Random Guest Interaction: I love it when guests come up and ask me questions. Most of the time it's the same stuff ("Where's Fantasmic?") but it makes the days go by faster and I love interacting with the guests. And it's fun to help people. I love taking people's pictures. They seem really happy about it and I like making people happy. Plus, I know how it is to want to take pictures with someone, but to not know who to ask. So it's fun to go up and be like, "Would you like me to take the picture so that you can be in it too?" Also, it's fun sometimes to have conversations with guests sitting on benches that line Sunset Blvd. Mostly I talk to adults who are by themselves.Those are fun conversations and people are really nice.

--Random Guest Thank Yous: Sometimes guests just sort of say thank you and it actually is really nice to know that people appreciate it. I mean, it's not just me doing it, but it is nice that they take the time to say thank you because it's a job that most people do not want to do, but is neccessary in order for Disney to stay Disney.

--Fantasmic: Even though every time I have had Fantasmic restrooms, something has gone wrong, I love when I have streets there. Streets usually means I am working my butt off and I have trash dripping down me and I'm coming home as a human trash can, but I love the atmosphere. There's fun music playing before the show and the show itself is just magical. It's SO Disney that it makes you happy no matter what happens.

[lamagique]

It’s funny. Right when I was starting to get down about work, things turned around. More CPs started coming to work and I made more friends. I also started getting the same shifts as my friends (particularly Jess) and, here’s the biggie: I started doing things outside of work.

I have already mentioned that I was too exhausted for the most part to go to the parks on days that I had to work. So, I saved the parks for off-days. But the thing is, it’s hard to go 6-8 days in a row of just getting up, going to work, showering, going to sleep, and then doing the same thing over again. As a human being, I needed to socialize. And with the new CPs at work, I was able to do that on my breaks and after work. It was right around this time that I started going to Waffle House after work with my fellow CPs.

This ended up being one of the most fun parts of the summer. Since we lived in different complexes and you can’t get into the one you don’t live at after 1am, we didn’t hang out very much at first. We all mostly worked the closing shift on Sunset, which was around 3:30pm until 12:00am. By the time we were done with work, it was too late to go to anyone’s apartment and hang out. It was also too late to be able to go to Pleasure Island, because by the time we would get showered and changed, PI would be closed. But then we found Waffle House. My dear, dear Waffle House, which was open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. After our late, late shifts of closing down the Studios, we would all climb into a co-worker’s car (usually Jake’s) and head to Waffle House and scarf down a bunch of food.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/n23400084_32275953_8815.jpg
The usual nightly crew at the WH. (It was always us, but sometimes other people joined us, too.) Guess who's taking the picture? That's right... KOZI! (I think anyway)

The great part is that we often got the same waitress, too, who we called Kozi. She was great. Sometimes she overcharged us, sometimes she didn’t charge us enough. Sometimes she gave us whipped cream and sometimes she didn’t.

It was great to feel like we finally had a place, after being at Disney for about a month. It felt good, so good that my whole world brightened up, both inside and outside of work. I really liked the people that I spent my off-days with, but it wasn’t until after we had spent hours and hours in the sun together and finished it off with chocolate chip waffles that I felt like we really got to know each other. We had the funniest conversations! To the point of tears and stomach cramps! I would go to bed with a smile on my face each night and it was just what I needed at this part of the summer.

[lamagique]

But of course, as magical as Waffle House was, we still of course loved playing the parks. The next time that I had a day off, I found out that Jess had one, too! We of course decided to hang out together. And we decided that we would use our off day to have a fun Disney shopping day.

The first thing we wanted to do that day was check out some of the cast-only stores that Disney has.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/Dscn1634.jpg

We ended up getting some great stuff. I also added to my pin collection by getting some cast-exclusive pins. I was so excited! We also ran into Brian, who was shopping with his parents at Cast Connection.

Next, we went to the Magic Kingdom. We still decided to continue our shopping day, even though I pretty much had spent all of my money at Cast Connection. So we looked around, caught glimpses of the parade, went by Pirates to see if it would have a soft opening (because it was closed at the moment, but due to open on the same day as the movie) and they said no… (oh, really?). Well, we took this picture anyway and Jess bought some pirate gear for the upcoming Pirates premiere.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/Dscn1636.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/Dscn1642.jpg
A parade picture

After that, we went to the Emporium and saw Brian and his parents and they offered to give us a ride back to Vista, but first, Jess and I had to buy... FRIENDSHIP NECKLACES!!! Winnie-the-Pooh, because we love the Pooh characters! She got the Pooh part and I got the Eeyore part. We felt such like 12-year-olds, but Disney does bring out the fun, childlike part of people! And it’s okay there! Oh Disney, I love you.

Before going back to Vista, we visited the Grand Floridian, where Brian’s parents were staying. I had seen the Grand Floridian on television (does anyone remember when TGIF went to WDW? You know, Family Matters, Step by Step, Full House, and Boy Meets World?) Anyway, I was blown away by the lobby. I wrote in my journal: “It is NICE... probably the nicest hotel I have ever seen in my life. Off the hook, for real.”

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/Dscn1645.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/Dscn1647.jpg

Well, after the GF, we went back to Vista, then Chatham to Jess’ apartment (Brian stayed with his parents), and then we started watching “Newsies.” Jake came over. We both ended up falling asleep (I told you there was a pattern), but I do really want to see the rest of “Newsies” someday. Then we went to the Waffle House (scrumptious) and Downtown Disney and shopped at the Virgin Megastore before going to the movies to see "The Devil Wears Prada." I really liked it. And I stayed awake the whole time! Anyway, it was a great day.

Next Installment - Page 12, Post #169

[robinne83]

I loved this update! I know you had a great time doing the CP, but it was interesting to hear about the harder days too. I think your philosophy on not bringing your personal problems to work is a great theory. The cast member interaction you have during your trip can sometimes make or break your whole vacation, and Im sure all of the guests that you encountered while working down there were appreciative of your friendly and helpful attitude, and it sounds like your manager was really noticed all the effort you were making so thats great!

I also have to say that I totally share your opinion of the Grand Floridian. I love it there. Ive only stayed there once but it was amazing and I would go back in an instant!

And I was also excited to hear that you watched Newsies! Its one of my favorite Disney movies and not many people have seen it! If you didn't see the end of it yet, you have to get a hold of it and watch it! I promise it'll be good! popcorn::

[HopingToGetEngaged]

I :love: LOVE :love: Newsies. I am 26 (almost 27) years old, and it is by far one of my favorite movies- I can repeat it word for word. I can remember my Grandmother :angel: taking me to see it in the theater - twice. What a trooper- it really is one of my most precious memories of her.
But it's kinda weird since it's like Disney's worst grossing live-action film of all time. I hope you get to see the end (at some point in life)! It's funny - DBF and I play Disney Scene-it all the time, and we're suprised that there isn't any Newsies questions in the game. :rotfl2: So, whenever we don't know an answer to one of the questions- our default answer is ALWAYS "Newsies". :)

[Joanna71985]

Hahah, anyone can be good in custodial. It just takes time. Don't worry, the training is pretty thorough and you'll pass your assessment. I was scared about failing it, too, as was Jess, but we did fine. However, if you do fail, you just get re-trained and then reassessed. But you'll be fine. Plus, you'll be a good Custodial since you love Disney so much. Sometimes, that was all that got me through. ;)

Whew! That is good to hear.:)

[steelfish535]

LOVE LOVE LOVE this report! I would have loved to have done the disney college program. I'm already grooming my 10 year old daughter for it!:cutie:
I love your thoughts on not bringing your problems to work with you. You have a wonderful work ethic. Just looking at your pics, you are the poster Disney employee. You have a love for "the world" and take pride in your work, even though it's not "glamorous". Your happiness and expressiveness (is that a word?) shows in all your photos.
I'm so looking forward to hearing about the rest of this experience. So jealous!
If you do the program again this year, you'll have to do another trip report!

[Lan]

I so love the Waffle House at night. You make me want a waffle now and there is no Waffle House in South Africa. So I have to save the desire for a waffle when I return to the States.

I also love your positive attitude. I know you still have some bad days, so here is a :hug:

[Disneyland_Mama]

Whew!!! I'm all caught up!! :thumbsup2 It only took me much of last night and today! Kind of hard with a 2 year old in your lap wanting to see the picture over and over again!! :laughing:

Anyway, this is a fantasic report! I love getting all the behind the scenes of WDW. Sounds like you had the time of your life! My nephew is currently a CM at Disneyland. He goes to college part time for now until he can join the Police Academy next year.

Can't wait to read more about your adventures!! :goodvibes

[mamaprincess]

Just chiming in to say that I am really enjoying your report. The pictures are wonderful!:goodvibes I try to always thank CM's and to pay special attention but I will make sure that I am extra especially supportive of the custodials. They aren't the most visible CMs but they have such a hard and important job. Thanks for sharing! Keep it coming.:thumbsup2

[Glendamax]

What an uplifting installment! So what I've learned: When I'm feeling sad about my job, go to the Waffle House after my shift, and I'll be happy!:bitelip: Seriouly though, it must have been a relief to finally hook up with other CMs on a regular basis. Especially with a tiring job like yours!
I need to do the same - stop waiting till the weekend to have some fun. I really need to do something during the week!

Hope you're having a good weekend in PA - REE!!!

[oybolshoi]

You're doing such a terrific job with this TR, Lamagique!

And I always walk away from it more cheerful than I was when I started reading, so thank you for that. :flower3:

And waffle house...I love the Waffle House!!!

[DisneyJo]

Just finished reading, what a great report, love all the photos :thumbsup2

[Disneyolic]

Hey everyone! Did you all notice that our dear friend Lamagique has a new tag? Of course, she did it herself, but it think it's the bestest ever! :rolleyes1

[AGPrincess]

I just discovered this TR this morning and I HAD to read it the whole way through! The College Program sounds too cool! I am SO going to talk my parents into letting me do it one summer (maybe next summer...after my freshman year...)

And I LOVE all your photos! They are TOO funny! The ones in Norway w/ the viking hats were great!

It sounds like CM's get some pretty cool perks! Where is Cast Connection? And do you mind if I ask what the Cast Cafeterias are like? I love feeling like I'm on the "inside" at Disney World!

Can't wait for more!

[Sehsun]

I have finally finished reading through your TR up till this page! I have really, really enjoyed reading through it so far - so detailed and enjoyable! Your enthusiasm for Disney is great. :thumbsup2 It makes me even more excited for my Disney CP experience this fall.

[lamagique]

Hello everyone! Thanks for your comments. Sorry that I didn't have any updates for the past few days. This weekend I went on an excursion to the Loire Valley in France and saw some pretty neat castles. But I am back and should have a couple of installments up before I go to bed.

And now, onto responses to comments left:
I loved this update! I know you had a great time doing the CP, but it was interesting to hear about the harder days too. I think your philosophy on not bringing your personal problems to work is a great theory. The cast member interaction you have during your trip can sometimes make or break your whole vacation, and Im sure all of the guests that you encountered while working down there were appreciative of your friendly and helpful attitude, and it sounds like your manager was really noticed all the effort you were making so thats great!

I also have to say that I totally share your opinion of the Grand Floridian. I love it there. Ive only stayed there once but it was amazing and I would go back in an instant!

And I was also excited to hear that you watched Newsies! Its one of my favorite Disney movies and not many people have seen it! If you didn't see the end of it yet, you have to get a hold of it and watch it! I promise it'll be good! popcorn::
1. Yes, I agree that Cast Member interaction is so important. Of course, the Disney attractions and themeing are all important too, but if all of the parks were filled with non-enthusiastic grumpy people, well, they would be much different parks. I think sometimes CMs don't realize their impact on guests, but it really is a huge one.

2. The Grand Floridian... you might see more of this hotel in installments to come... sshhhh...

3. Newsies! I think I am going to try to watch it with Jess this summer when I go to visit her... at least, I hope so!

I :love: LOVE :love: Newsies. I am 26 (almost 27) years old, and it is by far one of my favorite movies- I can repeat it word for word. I can remember my Grandmother :angel: taking me to see it in the theater - twice. What a trooper- it really is one of my most precious memories of her.
But it's kinda weird since it's like Disney's worst grossing live-action film of all time. I hope you get to see the end (at some point in life)! It's funny - DBF and I play Disney Scene-it all the time, and we're suprised that there isn't any Newsies questions in the game. :rotfl2: So, whenever we don't know an answer to one of the questions- our default answer is ALWAYS "Newsies".
Yes, when Jess mentioned Newsies, I was like, "What's that?" I had never heard of it! But it did seem really great... I just was exhausted! Hopefully I can finish it this summer because she loves and so do a lot of ther people. :) (Like you!!)

Whew! That is good to hear.:)
Yay... yes, don't worry. Just relax, and you'll be fine!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this report! I would have loved to have done the disney college program. I'm already grooming my 10 year old daughter for it!:cutie:
I love your thoughts on not bringing your problems to work with you. You have a wonderful work ethic. Just looking at your pics, you are the poster Disney employee. You have a love for "the world" and take pride in your work, even though it's not "glamorous". Your happiness and expressiveness (is that a word?) shows in all your photos.
I'm so looking forward to hearing about the rest of this experience. So jealous!
If you do the program again this year, you'll have to do another trip report!
Wow, thank you so much for your comment! :) It... is really powerful and I thank you for that! I am so glad that you could see my love for Disney! And I hope to do the program again... and if so, well, the DISers will definitely know!

I so love the Waffle House at night. You make me want a waffle now and there is no Waffle House in South Africa. So I have to save the desire for a waffle when I return to the States.

I also love your positive attitude. I know you still have some bad days, so here is a :hug:
Waffle House... mmmm, yummmm... I miss it. Are you back in the States yet? Have you gotten your waffle yet? And thanks for the hug!!

Whew!!! I'm all caught up!! :thumbsup2 It only took me much of last night and today! Kind of hard with a 2 year old in your lap wanting to see the picture over and over again!! :laughing:

Anyway, this is a fantasic report! I love getting all the behind the scenes of WDW. Sounds like you had the time of your life! My nephew is currently a CM at Disneyland. He goes to college part time for now until he can join the Police Academy next year.

Can't wait to read more about your adventures!! :goodvibes
YAY! You made it! I am so glad! I just finished your trip report and I am about to head over to your pre-trip report. But anyway, I did have a great time! Where does your nephew work at Disneyland? I noticed he went with you on your trip to WDW! Anyway, thanks again for reading!

Just chiming in to say that I am really enjoying your report. The pictures are wonderful!:goodvibes I try to always thank CM's and to pay special attention but I will make sure that I am extra especially supportive of the custodials. They aren't the most visible CMs but they have such a hard and important job. Thanks for sharing! Keep it coming.:thumbsup2
Thank you--I am so glad that you are enjoying it! And I am sure the Custodials will love the extra attention! Sometimes we just faded into the background, but we LOVED talking to guests... so if you are ever bored (like that's possible at Disney... so maybe I should say if you are ever too tired to do something), definitely find one of them to talk to.

What an uplifting installment! So what I've learned: When I'm feeling sad about my job, go to the Waffle House after my shift, and I'll be happy!:bitelip: Seriouly though, it must have been a relief to finally hook up with other CMs on a regular basis. Especially with a tiring job like yours!
I need to do the same - stop waiting till the weekend to have some fun. I really need to do something during the week!

Hope you're having a good weekend in PA - REE!!!
I am so glad you learned some valueable lessons from my TR! It's true... a waffle will make the saddest days into the brightest days. Ohhhh man, I want a waffle so bad right now. With chocolate chips. Yum! But yes, I think fun should be had on every day of the week... whether it's at Waffle House with friends, or on the DISboards!! My favorite guilty pleasure. And thanks for the weekend wish--I had a great weekend!

You're doing such a terrific job with this TR, Lamagique!

And I always walk away from it more cheerful than I was when I started reading, so thank you for that. :flower3:

And waffle house...I love the Waffle House!!!
Thanks for the feedback! I am so glad that my report... like does that for you. I feel all magical. And waffley. So thank you! And have a magical day!

Just finished reading, what a great report, love all the photos :thumbsup2
Thanks for joining and about the photos... well, there are more where those came from. ;)

Hey everyone! Did you all notice that our dear friend Lamagique has a new tag? Of course, she did it herself, but it think it's the bestest ever! :rolleyes1
Yes indeed... what can I say? I'm just a llama geek!! :rotfl:

I just discovered this TR this morning and I HAD to read it the whole way through! The College Program sounds too cool! I am SO going to talk my parents into letting me do it one summer (maybe next summer...after my freshman year...)

And I LOVE all your photos! They are TOO funny! The ones in Norway w/ the viking hats were great!

It sounds like CM's get some pretty cool perks! Where is Cast Connection? And do you mind if I ask what the Cast Cafeterias are like? I love feeling like I'm on the "inside" at Disney World!

Can't wait for more!
Yes! Definitely do the college program! Even if it is just for a summer, like me. Honestly, it will change your life! I didn't know what I would be getting out of a summer at Disney, but I got wonderful memories and great, great friends! From unexpected places, too! Definitely look into it and try to make it a possibility, because it's an experience worth having. And as for Cast Connection: it's at a secret location, haha, backstage at one of the parks. It has some great merchandise and I ended up spending a lot of my paychecks there. And the Cast Cafeterias--they are pretty nice. They have some really great food options, including Subway. I ended up getting a certain sandwich like everyday. And I also loved their grilled options... oh my gosh, they just have a lot to choose from and that's another place where I spent a lot of money because it was so good! And it's weird... this backstage stuff has all become normal to me, but I remember the first time I saw the utilidors (the "tunnels" under MK) and stuff like that, it was mind-blowing. It was like, "I'm behind the magic!" But it also was magical in its own special way, too! It was like, just really cool to be able to know how the parks work. But yes, I would definitely recommend the program! When are you looking into doing it? 2008? Because I'll be there in Fall... hopefully, if I get accepted!

I have finally finished reading through your TR up till this page! I have really, really enjoyed reading through it so far - so detailed and enjoyable! Your enthusiasm for Disney is great. :thumbsup2 It makes me even more excited for my Disney CP experience this fall.
Wow, I am so glad you are reading! I've seen you post a couple of times on the College Board... and I think you are in a couple of other groups online, too? I read about your character auditions! Anyway, congratulations on that! You are going to have such a magical experience! It'll be great!! So good luck and thanks for reading!

Thank you again everyone for your comments! I read them all and they really do mean a lot! I am so glad that you are enjoying this and that I get to share my amazing summer experience with you all! :)

[lamagique]

I don't think I will be able to post any installments tonight, unfortunately. I will try to get some up tomorrow and get a lot up in the next couple of weeks (while taking breaks from studying for my finals)!

[Joanna71985]

I don't think I will be able to post any installments tonight, unfortunately. I will try to get some up tomorrow and get a lot up in the next couple of weeks (while taking breaks from studying for my finals)!

That's ok. Thanks to you, I decided to do a TR of my own Summer Program. I hope it is as good as yours.

[Caboosey]

GREAT trip report, I read it straight through! I always wanted to do the College Program, and kind of regret that I didn't ever apply - I had a great time in college, and was able to spend my summers working at camp and a semester abroad in London - but working for the Mouse for a semester would have been great too!

Thanks for sharing all the ups and downs with us. It's great to read - and you have such a beautiful smile, and great outlook - you're awesome!

[DebIreland]

How did I miss this?? :confused: I'm just getting started lamagique and I love it!!! :woohoo: You are so beautiful!!! I cannot wait to read more but I just had to post! Keep up the great work!! :thumbsup2

[puggymom]

These are great installments. I really admire your work ethic. Your parents must be very proud.

Love the pics, those Epcot ones were great.

Cast Connection huh, note to self, make really nice to some CM's:rolleyes1

Loved Devil's Wear Prada... I am a stomcah flu away from my goal weight:lmao:

[puggymom]

And yes, I am totally ignoring all references to TOT!!!!!:rolleyes1

Don't mean to hijack here but...


TOT is not that bad, some of the best theming EVAH!!! You really are missing out on the fun here.

OK, now back to your regularly scheduled trippie...

[disneymoon_0307]

I am on page 10 and loving your TR. I want to read the rest but if I don't go to bed now, I won't get up in 6 hours.:lmao: I can't wait to read more. I am having severe CP jealousy. I would love to work for Disney one day. I want to be a Monorail Driver.:thumbsup2 Keep it coming!!!

[AGPrincess]

But yes, I would definitely recommend the program! When are you looking into doing it? 2008? Because I'll be there in Fall... hopefully, if I get accepted!


Summer after my freshman year would be 2008, so I could do it then...

My older brother is actually just about to start the CP, so your TR has been great w/ info & tips for him...Not that he listens to his little sis much, but still...:thumbsup2

[Glendamax]

My older brother is actually just about to start the CP, so your TR has been great w/ info & tips for him...Not that he listens to his little sis much, but still...:thumbsup2Sorry to tell you that even when you're over thirty, he STILL won't listen to you. Believe me I know!

LaMagique, how many college credits did you get for working at Disney?

[lamagique]

So, at this point in the summer, life was very good at Disney. I was making friends, work was getting easier, and well, I was working at WDW! Well, life continued to get better. The scheduling people must have been smiling down at me, because for some crazy reason, all of my custodial friends and I got scheduled the same day off! This never happens, so we were all super excited! Jess and I wanted to plan a “Custodial Party.” No, this didn’t include any party decorations or hats—it just was a bunch of us custodials going to the parks for a day filled with fun!

We started the day off early and on one of the CP buses.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n23400084_32194555_5410.jpg
Peter, Rico, and me on the bus

We decided that we would start off in ANIMAL KINGDOM for our custodial party. The first thing we did was hit Expedition Everest. Instead of going for fast passes, we just went in the Single Rider line. After that, it was off to Dinosaur!

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/Dscn1652.jpg
Rico, Peter, Jake, and Jess in line for Dinosaur

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/Dscn1656.jpg
Jess and me in line for Dinosaur

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n23400084_32194557_7271.jpg
Me... being me

Dinosaur was good, I had a good time and I got to sit next to a cute guy! Yipee! And then, after that it was off to Primeval Whirl, a ride I had never ridden before. We sat three to a car—I was with Jake and Jess. I wish I could describe to you the fun that we had on this ride, but no words could possibly convey its splendid chaos. We didn’t know what to expect and well, we got a nice slappy-happy-whippy surprise… PW in one world: wild! In three words: a happy beating. I think what made it the most fun was our commentary on it: “I’m having so much fun… I’m having so much fun… oh… I’m having so much fun…” It’s the same thing I told myself on Mission: Space a couple of years earlier. Sometimes, you just have to think positive in order to make it through a tough situation. But I survived PW and therefore, I now know that I can survive anything!

Anyway, the next thing we did was get our grub on. We ate some Flame Tree BBQ and saw Minnie and friends on a boat next to this oasis type thing that we were sitting at. We got to talk and know each other better, which was really fun.

After lunch, we decided to head on over to the Magic Kingdom!

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/Dscn1657.jpg
Rico, Peter, and Jake on the bus to MK

Before we did anything, I had to say hello to my good friend Roy. Minnie happened to be there, too, so that was a nice treat. Anyway, you might have seen Roy before in the parks? He’s always sitting on the same bench. I tell him that he should try out other benches, but he never listens.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/Dscn1659.jpg

Following my visit with Roy, we stopped inside the Emporium. It was time to try on some hats! I think this is one of those required-at-least-once-during-a-vacation things at Disney. We went a little crazy, but life’s short… wear a hat.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/Dscn1661.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/Dscn1663.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/Dscn1666.jpg
Look, I’m Sorcerer Mickey from Fantasmic!
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/Dscn1667.jpg

After our mad-Hatter party, we went over to Space Mountain to get fast passes. Then it was off to Buzz Lightyear. When we came out of Buzz, it was starting to rain. We dashed over to the TTA to shelter ourselves from the rain. Did we succeed?

Well, I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n23400084_32194571_3160.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n23400084_32194570_2703.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n23400084_32194572_3580.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n23400084_32194574_6068.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n23400084_32194576_4307.jpg

Something cool that we got to see while we were on the TTA: Space Mountain with the lights on!

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n23400084_32194573_4007.jpg

After that, we couldn't stay on the ride, so we decided to go Carousel of Progress. It was starting up as usual... "This has been the longest running stage show since 1964." And then all of a sudden, there was a big CRACK sound and the curtain went down. I was like, "Well, not anymore!" And then this cast member comes over the PA and says, "Do not panic, nobody panic!!!! We have been struck by lightening! The ride is beyond our repair... DON'T PANIC!" This guy says it in this most panicked voice ever. Seriously, he was all breathless and almost screaming. I was like, "Well, I wasn't worried before, but I am now!" And he came over the PA again with another panicked message. It was hilarious.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n23400084_32194577_5654.jpg
Me panicked… will I ever get to see another great, big, beautiful tomorrow?

[lamagique]

Well, after about 15-20 minutes, and a couple of more panicked announcements, the CoP started up and we were on our way to the past and then the future. We left the ride feeling refreshed and optimistic. And still soggy from the rain. We dashed outside and ran to Space Mountain. Since we had our fast passes, it didn’t take us very long in the line. Normally I ride SM with my eyes closed because I don’t like seeing the tracks—I love being surprised. But this time, I rode it with my eyes open, and it was fun.

Next up: the most awesome PhilharMagic:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n23400084_32194578_6066.jpg

Then, It’s a Small World:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n23400084_32194580_6913.jpg


Then some funnel cake (yum) and a visit to Brian, who was working at MK for the day:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n23400084_32194584_8612.jpg

Of course, our “party” wouldn’t be complete without stopping by The Haunted Mansion. After HM, it was off to Big Thunder. I sat by Jess and we sung “Digital Getdown” by NSYNC the whole time. I am not even sure why… we both used to be really big NSYNC fans and went to a couple of concerts, but why we sang this song? I don’t know. But it was so funny and once again, my stomach was hurting so much! According to my journal, “it was the funniest thing in the world! I was crying from laughter and I was like, nearly collapsing over on the ride. Soooooo hilarious.” Well, all I can say: it’s hard to sing while on the wildest ride in the wilderness!

Once I pulled myself together again, we went to Adventureland and rode.... PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN. Remember how in the last installment, we asked the CMs if there would be a soft-opening? They said no, but well, I guess Johnny Depp called them and told them that he was my boyfriend and I would like it very much if they opened the ride before Pirates came out. Disney said okay, and so we got to go on. But on a more serious note, we didn’t care why it was open, we were just so happy that it was!

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n23400084_32194585_9070.jpg

The Johnny Depp animatronics were SOOOOOO realistic. The ride was mostly the same as before and it was good, but the Jack Sparrow animatronics rocked my world. I was like, "Is Johnny Depp freaking HERE in the ride?" I honestly had to lean and look at him… I really thought he was REAL!

After security had to physically remove me from Cap’n Jack Sparrow’s ankles, we went for a fun ride with Aladdin on his magic carpets.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n23400084_32194587_9963.jpg

Next, we went on Splash Mountain. Always good fun with those crazy critters. After Splash, we took the train to Toon Town and rode the Barnstormer:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n23400084_32194589_845.jpg

Well, at this point, we decided to start heading towards Crystal Palace because we had reservations for 9:25pm. Now, I love parades, but SpectroMagic was long and it honestly, it took us 30 minutes to get across the street. We were standing facing Casey’s when the parade started and had to go through a thick crowd of people to the front of the park and around in and back through (against) the crowd on the other side to walk to Crystal Palace. We honestly thought we were going to be late, but we got there on time.

CP (the food place) was a buffet and the food was good. This was my first time character dining and I absolutely loved it! I wrote this in my journal:
The best part was meeting Eeyore, because I was wearing an Eeyore shirt and necklace. So Eeyore was all up on me, hugging me and stuff and like at the end, I was like, "You complete me." And it was so funny. And Eeyore made an “I heart you” thing with his hands.”
It was so magical!

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n23400084_32194594_7340.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n23400084_32194595_3520.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n11400291_14998683_9040.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n23400084_32194598_4856.jpg

My favorite picture:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n23400084_32194591_1708.jpg
We didn’t plan it! I just happened to be doing something crazy as Pooh came by with this sign. Oh my life.

After the buffet, we saw Wishes… well, we sort of saw it during the buffet.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n23400084_32194590_1273.jpg

Then, we decided to head out of the park. One of us went home, but the others stayed and we went to the Contemporary and played some video games before heading to the Polynesian to look at the grounds. After that, it was time to head back to Vista. Jess shared her iPod with me and played some great pop music from like 1998-2000 and it made me very happy.

Overall, I would say that our “Custodial Party” was a success!

[lamagique]

The week of the 4th of July, Kahne came down to Disney to visit. She was just there for a couple of days, so I only got to see her while I was working, but it was a great surprise.

The night of the fourth, Jess, Jake, and I went to Pleasure Island. We took the bus and, well, it was interesting. It was so crazy! People were singing and even the bus driver was like, "Get crazy!" And, well, I guess you could say I was slightly uncomfortable:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pi/n23400084_32229493_3706.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pi/n23400084_32229493_3706.jpg
Haha, but only in the best of ways.

We had so much fun. We got to see fireworks at midnight and the atmosphere was just really fun. We had an excellent time going to Motions, 8trax, and the Beach Club. We sang to "All By Myself," did some custodial dances (cleaning the sink, anyone?) and just had a great time. Here are some pictures:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pi/n23400084_32229496_9919.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pi/n23400084_32229494_5168.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pi/n23400084_32229499_7476.jpg
This is my "Whoopi" picture. I get told by a lot of people that I look like her. It happened when I was little, it happened at Disney, and it even happened here in France. And I didn't believe it... until I saw this picture and even more so when I went to Mme Tussaud's in London:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/whoopi.gif

Anyway, after PI, we met with Brian at... you guessed it, the Waffle House!
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pi/n23400084_32229507_6974.jpg
Life was good.

Next installment: PG 13, #187

[princessjv]

lamagique-

I am completly caught up! I didn't want to post until I was up to date. I am really enjoying reading about your summer last year. I hope that my kiddos have the same desire and opportunity to experience the College Progra when they are in College. I am so glad that you found a wonderful group of friends while there. I have a great friend who also did the CP when he was in school. He is still great friends with some of the people he met while there. Last year when he brought his family to WDW, he visisted his old stomping grounds (Fort Wildernes) and was able to see some people who worked there all those years ago...

Thanks for showing us about the good and the bad of working at Fisney...it is no different than life...there are good jobs and bad jobs, even with the good jobs there are both good days and bad!

Are you having a great time studying abroad?

[robinne83]

I loved this update!! Your custodial party sounds like it was a total success despite the rain! Of course, if I was there with you I would have been totally freaking out at the CoP when it got hit by lightening! I am sooooo afraid of lightening! I would have been 10 million times worse than the guy on the PA and I would probably look even more panicked than you do in that picture! :eek:

I also have to say that its nice Johnny Depp opened Pirates early for you! What an awesome boyfriend you have!! Actually, one of my mom's best friends went to Johnny Depp's house for his Halloween party. Why she didn't invite me to come along I'll never understand! Oh well...I guess I'll just have to pretend the Johnny Depp animatronic is the real deal for now and hope that some day she takes me with her!!!

Also, I want to thank all of you for talking about the Waffle House! In my 23 years of existence, I have not once set foot in a Waffle House. However, they just built one by my house (the only local franchise that I know of actually) and all this talk about waffles on this thread gave me the biggest craving for them! So today, I went to the Waffle House for the first time, had the most delicious chocolate chip waffle, and its all because of you guys! So thanks! :goodvibes

[Violet Crayon]

Like a lot of other people, I am glad to hear about the experience from the view of a CM! I am enjoying all of the pictures and the description of the CP. It was something I thought about but I am at a private art school that would not accept my experience.

I enjoy your optimism and you do truly have the Disney spirit through the rough and magical spots! And it is nice to see you made it to the parks to enjoy the time there while working. So many people speculate that spending all of that time working in the parks is a turn off from their enjoyment. Pfft.

[Glendamax]

Clearly, in this picture, you're "phoning it in". You did NOT embrace the assignment.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/n23400084_32194555_5410.jpg

I think you did a great job in this one. Even using a Harry Potter charm to make one eye red. You really went the extra mile!
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/party/Dscn1666.jpg

Hmmmm . . . There is a likeness, but you're much cuter!
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/whoopi.gif


Congratulations LaMagique, you are still in the running for America's Next Top DISer.

[cherokeemamma]

LaMagique,

I just had to post and tell you how much I am enjoying reading about your CP experience! I am up to post #72. You are doing an awesome job! :thumbsup2 I appreciate you sharing.

I am always telling my kids that they should look into this program when they are in college (even though it is a ways off yet):lmao: I am always thinking ahead!

I have to get ready for work so I'll read more this afternoon.
Until then...:rolleyes1

TTFN
Darlene

Hi Glenda:wave:

[mamaprincess]

Thank goodness you put me out of my misery with an awesome update. I now live by your TR much like I live by "Heroes". You're going to have to do the CP again just so we can have a second season.:happytv:

I agree with Gmax that though there is a resemblance, you are waaaaaaaaaaayyyy cuter than Whoopie.

[DisneyJo]

Wow three great installments I love all your photos and your zany faces :rotfl2: You seem constantly happy :goodvibes

[Joanna71985]

I LOVE the new pictures. I actually know the attendants in one of the Crystal Palace pictures (love the food there, worked there a couple of times). I can't believe I check in tomorrow! If I decide to do a TR, I hope it is as good as yours.

[cherokeemamma]

alrighty....I am all caught up now.:yay:

I just want to say I :love: :love: :love: your report. It has such a neat perspective and it is really interesting to see things from a CM point of view.
and I must add....you are a fantastic writer, too.

Like so many others have said: You always look happy and like you are having fun all the time. :goodvibes I love your attitude and your work ethic (trying hard to instill that in my own kiddos). :thumbsup2 Your parents must be so proud of you!:)

I am curious about one thing...can CP participants get the character jobs? My DS truly aspires to be Goofy:rotfl: really.

I really did not become a Disneyholic until just a couple of years ago. I really wish I had earlier because I would have just loved the CP or something similar. So my DH and I have decided that when we retire we will head south to sunny Fl and get a job at WDW....you know better late than never.

Well, thanks again for sharing and I can't wait to read more:goodvibes .

[Dizmom0923]

I love, love, love your trip report. You have made me laugh and smile so much today and I really have needed it.:lmao: Thank you.

[kath1210]

Hi lamagique - I am still loving your report!

Questions: Do CP participants get discounts for food and merchandise in the parks? What other "perks", besides free admission, do you get?

Thanks!

[Joanna71985]

Hi lamagique - I am still loving your report!

Questions: Do CP participants get discounts for food and merchandise in the parks? What other "perks", besides free admission, do you get?

Thanks!

I'm not lamagique, but I can answer. As a CP, you get the free admission, discounts (including food, merchandise, tickets, and rooms at the resorts), and others.

[kdzbear]

I loved your trip report! I am so glad you had such a positive experience working for Disney! Thank you for sharing! :cheer2:

[oybolshoi]

Terrific updates, as usual!

I think the sorcerer's hat is definitely you, and I was :rotfl2: at Glendamax's comment about the HP spell and one red eye. Classic!! :thumbsup2

And the CP getting hit by lightning...I'm glad no one was hurt but for some reason that story just cracked me up.

Oh, and while there is a resemblance, I think you're much more attractive than Whoopi Goldberg. :thumbsup2

[Joanna71985]

I found out my work location! I will be working at Epcot in the WS!!

[lamagique]

As I wrote in an earlier installment, Jess and I were very excited about Pirates. We had heard rumors about Johnny Depp possibly being in Magic Kingdom the day that the movie came out, so we knew that we had to be there to see his gorgeous self in person.

Of course, we couldn’t just plan on just going. We decided to do it big. Jake, Jess, Brian, and I got a hotel room (so that we could hang out later than 1am because we lived in different CP complexes), and then made an obligatory stop at the Waffle House.

Funny Story: We were at the Waffle House and I needed some syrup. So I just took it out of Brian’s hands without even thinking about it. I didn’t say excuse me, or anything. I just subconsciously took it. Oops.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pirates/n23400084_32275952_7403.jpg
(A re-enactment)

After the Waffle House, we headed to the hotel and talked and at some point, Jess and I ended up re-enacting Fantasmic!, our favorite Disney show. Brian put on the soundtrack and we did the WHOLE show. Oh, we are such Disney Geeks! (And I love it!)

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pirates/n23400084_32275954_9226.jpg
Me in my creepy Britney Spears shirt

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pirates/n23400084_32275955_9646.jpgBrian and Jake laughing at us

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pirates/n23400084_32275956_60.jpg
Don’t remember what was going on in this one

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pirates/n23400084_32275957_461.jpg
Indian falling off the mountain

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pirates/n23400084_32275958_863.jpg
Ariel living out of these waters

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pirates/n23400084_32275959_1278.jpg
A scream of fright

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pirates/n23400084_32275961_2159.jpg
Mickey's finale

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pirates/n23400084_32275962_2592.jpg
"Some imagination, huh?"

Then we stayed up until like 5:45am and then woke up at like 6ish, 6:30 (with Jess rubbing her sword-like elbows into my skin and being like, "Wake up guys! Wake up! If you don't wake up then I'm going back to sleep!") Jess and I wanted to catch a cab to MK and be some of the first people there so that we could meet Johnny Depp, since he was rumored to have been there. We ended up leaving the hotel at like 7 and were dead (and had to call the cab like twice because we missed the first one).

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pirates/n23400084_32275963_2999.jpg
Jess excited... as much as she can be after an hour of sleep after a hard day of work and waffle housing... in the cab

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pirates/n23400084_32275964_3420.jpg
Us first! at the one of the turnstiles

So, this was the first time in my life that I got to a park before opening (besides when I was working) but we didn't have a view of the show because we were busy trying to figure out how we were going to beat all of the other people around us to the ride. It was the official opening of PotC and all of the Disney Park Guides had Cap’n Jack Sparrow on them, so if people didn’t know that Pirates was opening, well, now they did. I thought we'd have to powerwalk to Adventureland. Oh boy, was I wrong. No, it was a stampede/500m dash to adventureland. I did not have shoes for that!

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pirates/n23400084_32275965_3828.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pirates/n23400084_32275966_4231.jpg

Jess and I were in the first wave of people there, but we saw all these video cameras and stuff and so we thought Johnny might be there.

AND HE WAS!!! I got an awesome picture of him, even though he wasn’t looking at the camera…

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pirates/Dscn4350.jpg

Okay, so I jest. By the time we found out that the ribbon cutting had been the day before and Johnny wasn't there, the line for PotC had gotten SUPER long. So we just went on Jungle Cruise, where we had the most depressed skipper. Way to ruin the magic, buddy! And then we went on Space Mountain, got food, did Peter Pan and something else, I can't even remember. I was severely sleep deprived at this moment.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pirates/n23400084_32275967_4634.jpg
In the Space Mountain arcade. We played that game behind us.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pirates/n23400084_32275968_5039.jpg
We did meet Johnny Depp... sorta…

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pirates/n23400084_32275969_5453.jpg

I think after this point, we headed back to the hotel. We ended up taking a nap, then Brian joined us as we went to the Studios. Yup, even on my days off, I couldn’t get away from the place!

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pirates/n23400084_32275975_7965.jpg
Brian, Jess, and me in our Pirates Gear

While there, we spotted our custodial friend Rico!
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pirates/n23400084_32275976_8391.jpg



So, of course, our first mission was to go on the best ride ever, Tower of Terror. Jess and I decided to try something different and took pictures of ourselves while on the ride:


http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pirates/n23400084_32275979_9665.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/pirates/n23400084_32275978_9249.jpg

It was so much fun! We then were joined by another CM friend, named Lorna, and then we went on Coaster and then back to Tower before we declared ourselves too pooped to do anything else.

We hung out at the hotel for a little while (and ended up not napping, like we had hoped), before going to Downtown Disney’s AMC Theatres to see Pirates. Even though we had pre-bought our tickets, I was surprised at the amount of people in line for the movie! It was longer than ride-lines. I was starting to worry that we wouldn’t get seats together, but when we walked in, it ended up being the biggest movie showing room I had ever seen in my life. It was bigger than some concert venues that I had been to. It was fun seeing everyone dressed like Pirates and Jess wore her hat and everything (and her hook). The movie ended up being great (the parts I saw anyway… having about 5 hours of sleep in 48 hours did not do much for me)… and I thought the special effects were AMAZING.


All in all, it was a pretty pirate-tastic day!

[lamagique]

During the next couple of weeks that passed, I spent my off-days in the parks, as usual. My park of choice was usually Epcot (and the Studios, of course). But we had some luck again and a lot of us ended up having the same day off. We decided that we would try another park : Busch Gardens.

I didn’t write much in my journal about that day and I think the pictures do tell the story much better than my words could. But before I post the pictures, I do want to say : it was hard to not compare BG to Disney parks. I kept comparing and comparing and comparing. The rides there were mostly thrill rides, which were fun, but after four or five of them, I felt sick. We did go on some fun rides, like Gwazi (which was pretty much like riding on the edge of death) and Sheikra, this crazy rollercoaster with the biggest drop I had ever seen. The food at the park was okay. There ended up being this really big thunder/lightening storm and it didn’t lighten up after about two hours, so we left earlier than we thought we would. We did have a good time there, though. It was a lot of fun.

But don’t take my word for it : see for yourself…

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/busch/Dscn1711.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/busch/Dscn1713.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/busch/Dscn1715.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/busch/Dscn1724.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/busch/Dscn1727.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/busch/Dscn1730.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/busch/Dscn1742.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/busch/Dscn1750.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/busch/Dscn1751.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/busch/Dscn1752.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/busch/Dscn1755.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/busch/Dscn1760.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/busch/Dscn1766.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/busch/Dscn1767.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/busch/Dscn1769.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/busch/Dscn1775.jpg

[lamagique]

The next couple of weeks of work started passing by at a rapid pace. At the end of July, we had a very special treat planned for ourselves. We decided to plan a stay at The Grand Floridian Spa and Resort. I had only been to one Disney Hotel at this point in my life and I was very excited about GF because from what I had seen of it, it was going to be very, very nice.

We checked in and got our room assignment in Boca Chica, which we called “BoCheeky” for short.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/gf/Dscn1784.jpg
Jess and me waiting to check in

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/gf/Dscn1817.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/gf/Dscn1788.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/gf/Dscn1826.jpg
Our room



After settling in, we put on some pretty awesome shirts that we had made. We wanted to announce to the world that we were proud that we were CMs. Here’s the result:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/gf/Dscn1790.jpg

We went to MK with our Team Custodial gear on. We got a lot of attention, and it was fun—especially from the MK custodials. We went on Splash Mountain, and I am not sure what else. We got some Photo Pass pictures taken:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/gf/n7700053_31349878_6186.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/gf/n7700053_31349879_7604.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/gf/n7700053_31349882_9106.jpg

That night, we played card games and listened to music (and more Fantasmic!). I also got to see my good friend Stacey, from Spring Break, counting down the Top 7 WDW Attractions. My friends hated her, but I loved her. Every now and then, I would randomly turn on the TV (where the channel was already set to Stacey), just because.

The next day, we had tea and scones in the GF Tea Room and oh my gosh… they were SOOOOO good! Wonderfully delicious.

After tea and scones, we went to… where else? The Studios—did some window shopping and went on Tower, of course. Then we got ready to go to the Concourse Steakhouse. We were looking pretty snazzy if I do say so myself.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/gf/Dscn1807.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/gf/Dscn1812.jpg

So, I couldn’t afford much, but I ended up getting Onion Soup and a Caesar Salad… and OH MY GOSH! It was the BEST caesar salad I had ever had in my life… it was sooooo SCRUMPTIOUS. I am definitely going back there again when I go back to WDW.

So, no Disney hotel stay would be complete without a photo shoot, would it? No, I didn’t think so. After the CS, we did an obligatory photo shoot—which was a lot of fun. Here are some of my favorite photos:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/gf/n7700053_31318958_7390.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/gf/Dscn1865.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/gf/Dscn1873.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/gf/n7700053_31318777_1010.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/gf/n7700053_31318778_1623.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/gf/n7700053_31318784_4976.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/lamagique/happiest%20summer/gf/n7700053_31318786_7176.jpg

After that, it was time to go to bed. I had to go to work early the next morning.

Coming Up: We're getting to the end of my experience, but not before a Quadruple Whammy Attempt and Graduation, of course! Only about 2-4 more installments left. :( Next Installment: PG 20, #287

[lamagique]

Hey everyone! Thanks so much for sticking with me as I write this TR! It's been a lot of fun to reread/relive my summer experience. It's almost over, and that's sort of sad, but... that's life! :) Anyway, here are my responses to your comments:

That's ok. Thanks to you, I decided to do a TR of my own Summer Program. I hope it is as good as yours.
I hope you have a great time and be sure to send me the link!

GREAT trip report, I read it straight through! I always wanted to do the College Program, and kind of regret that I didn't ever apply - I had a great time in college, and was able to spend my summers working at camp and a semester abroad in London - but working for the Mouse for a semester would have been great too!

Thanks for sharing all the ups and downs with us. It's great to read - and you have such a beautiful smile, and great outlook - you're awesome!
Hey, welcome and thanks! Yes, I got lucky because they had a summer program for first-timers while I was there. If they didn't have that, then I would not have been able to do the program. But you seem a lot like me--I am currently studying abroad right now (in France) and I worked at a camp one summer too! It's awesome. Thanks for your compliments and your comments!

How did I miss this?? :confused: I'm just getting started lamagique and I love it!!! :woohoo: You are so beautiful!!! I cannot wait to read more but I just had to post! Keep up the great work!! :thumbsup2
Wow, I am so glad that you found my thread and that you are enjoying it! I have been reading your trip report and I love it! It is so detailed and you are such a great writer! Thanks for stopping by and commenting! :)

These are great installments. I really admire your work ethic. Your parents must be very proud.

Love the pics, those Epcot ones were great.

Cast Connection huh, note to self, make really nice to some CM's:rolleyes1

Loved Devil's Wear Prada... I am a stomcah flu away from my goal weight:lmao:
Yes... Cast Connection is where it's at! And yeah, I just tried to work really hard every day. It was hard sometimes, but that's just who I am. :) And DWP... awesome movie... funny, great fashion, nice looking guys--what more can anyone ask for?

I am on page 10 and loving your TR. I want to read the rest but if I don't go to bed now, I won't get up in 6 hours.:lmao: I can't wait to read more. I am having severe CP jealousy. I would love to work for Disney one day. I want to be a Monorail Driver.:thumbsup2 Keep it coming!!!
Wow... I am so glad you like it! And hey, remember... all of your dreams can come true, as long as you have the courage to pursue them. A good friend of mine once said that... old Walty Boy! :) Thanks for the feedback!

Summer after my freshman year would be 2008, so I could do it then...

My older brother is actually just about to start the CP, so your TR has been great w/ info & tips for him...Not that he listens to his little sis much, but still...:thumbsup2
Woot! If you do it then, maybe I will see you down there, then! And have you heard anything from your brother? What role did he get? :)


LaMagique, how many college credits did you get for working at Disney?[/QUOTE]
Because I did the summer program, classes were not an option for me. However, I do know that the semester gives people options, but I am not really clear as to how much credits you can receive, sorry. :( But I do know that classes are optional while on the program.

lamagique-

I am completly caught up! I didn't want to post until I was up to date. I am really enjoying reading about your summer last year. I hope that my kiddos have the same desire and opportunity to experience the College Progra when they are in College. I am so glad that you found a wonderful group of friends while there. I have a great friend who also did the CP when he was in school. He is still great friends with some of the people he met while there. Last year when he brought his family to WDW, he visisted his old stomping grounds (Fort Wildernes) and was able to see some people who worked there all those years ago...

Thanks for showing us about the good and the bad of working at Fisney...it is no different than life...there are good jobs and bad jobs, even with the good jobs there are both good days and bad!

Are you having a great time studying abroad?
Aww, thanks so much for commenting! I love your TR, btw! But I do hope to be friends with the people I met down there for the rest of my life. It's just such a magical experience. I think about it everyday... little things remind me of my time at Disney. Anyway, I am having a great time studying abroad. Soon, I will be leaving France--it about a week, exactly. My room is a mess and I have tons of finals to study for!! It's crazy. But it has been a great experience.

I loved this update!! Your custodial party sounds like it was a total success despite the rain! Of course, if I was there with you I would have been totally freaking out at the CoP when it got hit by lightening! I am sooooo afraid of lightening! I would have been 10 million times worse than the guy on the PA and I would probably look even more panicked than you do in that picture! :eek:

I also have to say that its nice Johnny Depp opened Pirates early for you! What an awesome boyfriend you have!! Actually, one of my mom's best friends went to Johnny Depp's house for his Halloween party. Why she didn't invite me to come along I'll never understand! Oh well...I guess I'll just have to pretend the Johnny Depp animatronic is the real deal for now and hope that some day she takes me with her!!!

Also, I want to thank all of you for talking about the Waffle House! In my 23 years of existence, I have not once set foot in a Waffle House. However, they just built one by my house (the only local franchise that I know of actually) and all this talk about waffles on this thread gave me the biggest craving for them! So today, I went to the Waffle House for the first time, had the most delicious chocolate chip waffle, and its all because of you guys! So thanks! :goodvibes
Oh my gosh... CHOCOLATE CHIP WAFFLES... mmmmmm *drools* Anyway... I can't believe that you didn't get to see JD! I hope you do, one day! And haha about the lightening. It was just sooooo funny. The CM was so scared! But I guess I would have been, too, in his position...

Like a lot of other people, I am glad to hear about the experience from the view of a CM! I am enjoying all of the pictures and the description of the CP. It was something I thought about but I am at a private art school that would not accept my experience.

I enjoy your optimism and you do truly have the Disney spirit through the rough and magical spots! And it is nice to see you made it to the parks to enjoy the time there while working. So many people speculate that spending all of that time working in the parks is a turn off from their enjoyment. Pfft.
Thanks for your comments. :) I am so glad to share my experience. And also, about going to the parks... I absolutely loved it. In fact, I felt like I still didn't get to do a lot, even though I was there for a whole summer. I would go into the Studios on my off-days and my co-workers would look at me like I was crazy, but I just loved it and the magic was still there for me!

Hmmmm . . . There is a likeness, but you're much cuter!

Congratulations LaMagique, you are still in the running for America's Next Top DISer.
YES! I am so glad! I hope you like this recent installment I just posted. I'm hoping to get some more of your Tyra-Banks-esque feedback on that. And thanks for saying I'm cuter than Whoopi! Wahooo! :)

LaMagique,

I just had to post and tell you how much I am enjoying reading about your CP experience! I am up to post #72. You are doing an awesome job! :thumbsup2 I appreciate you sharing.

I am always telling my kids that they should look into this program when they are in college (even though it is a ways off yet):lmao: I am always thinking ahead!

I have to get ready for work so I'll read more this afternoon.
Until then...:rolleyes1

TTFN
Darlene
Hey there! I love your report so it's good to see you here! Definitely encourage your kids to do it--with their love for Disney, they would be awesome employees! :) Thanks for your comment!

[lamagique]

Thank goodness you put me out of my misery with an awesome update. I now live by your TR much like I live by "Heroes". You're going to have to do the CP again just so we can have a second season.:happytv:

I agree with Gmax that though there is a resemblance, you are waaaaaaaaaaayyyy cuter than Whoopie.
I LOVE YOU, just for saying I'm cuter than Whoopi alone! Haha! Thanks so much for your feedback... I really hope I can have a season 2. This has been so much fun to share my experiences!!! :) I'm so glad you are enjoying it!

Wow three great installments I love all your photos and your zany faces :rotfl2: You seem constantly happy :goodvibes
While I'm not constantly happy, I try! I'm glad you like the faces... I love facially expressing myself. That's a weird phrase, but it's true! Thanks for the comment!

I LOVE the new pictures. I actually know the attendants in one of the Crystal Palace pictures (love the food there, worked there a couple of times). I can't believe I check in tomorrow! If I decide to do a TR, I hope it is as good as yours.
That's cool that you know someone! And I know your TR will be great! Have tons of fun at Disney!!!

alrighty....I am all caught up now.:yay:

I just want to say I :love: :love: :love: your report. It has such a neat perspective and it is really interesting to see things from a CM point of view.
and I must add....you are a fantastic writer, too.

Like so many others have said: You always look happy and like you are having fun all the time. :goodvibes I love your attitude and your work ethic (trying hard to instill that in my own kiddos). :thumbsup2 Your parents must be so proud of you!:)

I am curious about one thing...can CP participants get the character jobs? My DS truly aspires to be Goofy:rotfl: really.

I really did not become a Disneyholic until just a couple of years ago. I really wish I had earlier because I would have just loved the CP or something similar. So my DH and I have decided that when we retire we will head south to sunny Fl and get a job at WDW....you know better late than never.

Well, thanks again for sharing and I can't wait to read more:goodvibes .
Thanks so much for your comment! I'm glad you caught up! I really tried to stay positive and give it all I had. And I am glad that I did it, because when the experience was over, I was able to say that I had accomplished something that I never thought I ever would/could. About your question: YES! CPs can be characters. They must attend an audition, but if they pass, then it's possible! The summer program was limited in role choices (there were only two), but the semester programs offer almost everything. And I think your retirement plans sound soooo cute. :) Love it!

I love, love, love your trip report. You have made me laugh and smile so much today and I really have needed it.:lmao: Thank you.
I am so glad that my trip report could do that for you!!! That makes ME smile!!! :goodvibes WOW!

Hi lamagique - I am still loving your report!

Questions: Do CP participants get discounts for food and merchandise in the parks? What other "perks", besides free admission, do you get?

Thanks!
I see that Joanna answered your question, but thanks for reading and commenting! :)

Terrific updates, as usual!

I think the sorcerer's hat is definitely you, and I was :rotfl2: at Glendamax's comment about the HP spell and one red eye. Classic!! :thumbsup2

And the CP getting hit by lightning...I'm glad no one was hurt but for some reason that story just cracked me up.

Oh, and while there is a resemblance, I think you're much more attractive than Whoopi Goldberg. :thumbsup2
Hey there Brenda! Haha... that CP was great. He didn't get hit, I think the building did, but his panic was enough to make us a little nervous... and giggly. And thanks about the Whoopi thing. You guys are the best!

[Disneyolic]

Awesome as usual. My favorite pictures have got to be the poses you all did in the GF room! What divas you are! :cutie:

[Joanna71985]

I loved the Fantasmic reinaction pictures! They are great. Oh, and I started my TR. Here it is:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1458327

[Dizmom0923]

YAY you are back.....:cheer2: Hope things are better for you now.....if you ever need anyone to talk to PM me:grouphug:

[Traveliz]

I put this in my favorite places a few weeks ago and just got to it today - awesome report!

My daughter is doing the CP this fall in operations so I love reading your experience...it sounds like you have made the best of it!

Liz

[Lan]

Hi there lamagique!!:yay:

I made it back home today and wanted to check if you had added more to your report. Your pictures are great.

[Eventer98]

Hey there! :goodvibes I just finished your TR and I must say it was the best one I have ever read!! I am almost ready to shed some tears at the thought of your summer coming to an end. I can't wait to find out if you still keep in touch with your friends. :thumbsup2

[mrsksomeday]

This TR is FANTASTIC!!!! I loved the re-enactment of Fantasmic and your "photo shoot". You are hilarious, it looks like you had such a wonderful time. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

[solgent]

Just checking in again to say how much I love this report. The CM perspective is great, the CP details are great, but most importantly, you are great in your ability to tell your tale. You put so much energy into your descriptions, just like you radiate so much zest and glee in the photographs. I mean, so many people have this certain face they do for the camera and you see them looking just about the same in every shot, only the background changing. But you just burst off the screen overflowing with so much life, it is a true joy to read and see your report.

I am a college professor at a the flagship campus of my state university. It is a great job in many ways, but it's sometimes a bit depressing to encounter college students who have no motivation, who seem to have no interest in anything, who are so whiny, who act very entitled to all manner of exceptions and extras. Luckily these students are not too common. And even more luckily I am also exposed to students like you who are so positive in their approach to life and so mature and responsible and so capable and curious and eager to learn. It really gives me hope for the future of the world.

[belle8306]

:) I just read your TR from the start and I love it! You have a talent for writing! You and your friends looked like you had so much fun! I can't wait to read the rest! :goodvibes

[Lan]

Where are you????

[steelfish535]

I LOVE the Grand Floridian photo shoot! So serious! How hard was that for you guys? :lmao:
Great installment, looking forward to your next ones.

[TXDisneyGirl]

Love your TR! I did the CP in 05 at the Studios, so this brings back soo many memories. I'm so jealous you're in France right now. Hope you're having fun!

[lamagique]

Hey everyone! Thanks for all the AWESOME comments.

Today marks one year exactly since I started my summer CP. Wow, a year.

I was maybe hoping that I could post the final installments tonight, but I am way too swamped with school work/exhausted to do so. I had a 5 hour class today (three of those were the test)!!! YIKES!

Anyway... thanks so much for sticking along for the ride. I hope to finish it before I leave France (b/c after that I go to Austria and I am not sure how much internet access I will have there). :)

Okay, gotta go study! :)

[Disneyolic]

Take your time, but make it quick! :lmao:

Wow! Are you a little jet setter? And you're going to Austria? I have always wanted to go to that country. Just curious now, why are you going to all these different countries? Is it so you can just brag to us about it? Joking.

If you do have internet access in Austria, I so want you to keep in touch! I would love for you to send me pictures. I will PM you with my email so we can keep in touch while you travel abroad and I can live vicariously through you! :laughing:

[Lan]

I know you will pass all of your exams.

What will you be doing in Austria if I may ask?

[Dizmom0923]

Just checking in to see how you did in class today.:goodvibes :goodvibes Also ya think we could Disney together, I think we would have so much fun.:banana:

[Glendamax]

Loved your last installment! You latest photos really show how far you've come.

Congratulations LaMagique, you're STILL in the running for America's Next Top DISer!

[mamaprincess]

The photoshoot was bananas!:banana: I loved the re-enactment of fantasmic.:thumbsup2 Hilarious!:rotfl: Best of luck on your tests. Have fun in Austria. I hope you have plenty of internet access in Austria. Hope you have a great time there.

[DebIreland]

La Magique, I'm all caught up and I've gotta tell you I've enjoyed every minute of this TR so far. :woohoo:

I love your writing style. I have great admiration for you going off to WDW on your own to work for the summer. You did so great! The work does sound very difficult and even though you love MGM, when I read that you were working in Sunset Boulevard I must say my first thought was how busy that particular area always is so I'm sure it was a tough slog at times.

You look so great in all the photos. :)

Wow, you're off to Austria next! How cool!! We're going to France for 2 weeks in July - keep the sun shining for us before you leave! ;)

Can't wait to read more! Good luck with your school work!

P.S. I read early on how Disneyolic didn't initially 'get' the meaning of your name. I must admit, neither did I. I thought it might be French for 'laminate' or something like that - you know the way us Disney obsessives laminate our maps and touring itineraries. :lmao: But it's a great nick now that I see (the obvious) meaning. :rolleyes: :thumbsup2

[Disneyolic]

P.S. I read early on how Disneyolic didn't initially 'get' the meaning of your name. I must admit, neither did I. I thought it might be French for 'laminate' or something like that - you know the way us Disney obsessives laminate our maps and touring itineraries. :lmao: But it's a great nick now that I see (the obvious) meaning. :rolleyes: :thumbsup2
Thanks Deb! Glad to hear I wasn't the only one! :rolleyes:

[Joanna71985]

Thanks Deb! Glad to hear I wasn't the only one! :rolleyes:

Definitely not the only one.:rotfl:

[mlill]

lamagique-
Hi! :wave2: I'm finally here, and so far I'm in love with your TR! :love: I still have a lot of catching up to do, but I've gotta say, what an awesome summer!!! :cloud9: I'm going to send my daughter Jordan over here to read your TR, so she can see what it's like to live in WDW for the summer. She starts college in the fall, and doing the Disney college program or an internship has always been something we've talked about. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experiences with us! You are a fabulous TR writer!!! (and your pictures are great, too!) :goodvibes

Take care,
Michelle

P.S. Congratulations on the end of another school year! :banana:

[Cinderella16]

I just found your TR and read the first installment and can I just say that I love it! :love: Okay I must get back to reading now! Just wanted to let you know I am definitely subscribing. :goodvibes :goodvibes

[lamagique]

First can I say...
THANK YOU EVERYONE SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS! Love 'em.

Secondly... I have some bad news... :(

I am leaving France tomorrow morning (in just about... 6 hours)... and I am headed to Austria. I have no idea of what the internet situation will be like. So, if worse comes to worse: no updates until July. :scared1: I KNOW, I KNOW!!!!!!!!!

But I don't think it should be that long. I think I will be able to find some access, somewhere. I wanted to finish this out before I left France because I didn't want you guys to be left hanging and... just because. The next entry is a fun one... I really hope I can find some wireless somewhere in Austria!! Because there are lots of photos and things.

Okay, so my apologies if I am unable to get back to this thread until July. Seriously. Thank you so much for reading. But let's all cross our fingers that LaMagique (the magic, in French, as some of you have caught on too, haha) is able to get internet access for her laptop in Austria!! :)

[princessjv]

No, no, no, no , no , no, no, no, NO!

Say it ain't so... please go to a cafe...internet style and plug into us...we need you! It is like being stuck in book...wanting to get to the end and then you loose the book. :rolleyes:

Have a great time in Austria. What a wonderful experience for you!:)

[Glendamax]

I hope you have a great time! We'll be lurking till you get back! :wave:

[madge62]

Loving the trip report!

My daughter Brynna did the ICP program at the same time as you and was also on Sunset, working at Coaster. She loves the magic so much she reapplied and was accepted also to work at Coaster again, her dream came true once more. I just put her on the plane tonight :( and I will truly miss her for the 3 months she'll be away. Good news is we're going back to visit her in late July. Gotta love those great CM discounts on the resorts!

Can't wait to read the rest of your adventure when you get a chance to post it. Take care!


Marjorie


PS Also very much love shopping Cast Connections and Property Control!

[MeMom]

You are such a good Disney ambassador! Your smile and enthusiasm are contagious. I wish you all the best for your new travels. I've very much enjoyed your reports, and I look forward to more whenever you are able to access internet. By the way, as you talked about speaking French, I remember WAAAY back a long, long time ago when I was in high school and took French. The only thing I really remember, because the teacher said it so very often, was, "Classe, fermez la bouche!", although I can't say any of that is spelled correctly. Translation - "Everybody close your mouths!", I believe. Now, as a third grade teacher, I sometimes think those same words to myself, although I would never speak them out loud. That would just be too mean. Anyway, I, along with many others, including G-Max and some other superstar Disers, have been delighted to follow along on the adventures of such a sweet young lady as you are, and we will definitely stay tuned for more! God bless you in all you do.

[Joanna71985]

Have a great trip! I can't wait to read more.

[Lan]

Have a safe trip and you will be missed:hug:

[Eventer98]

Happy travels!! Hope you can drop in and say hello to us soon! :goodvibes

[Spaceship Earthfan]

Just popping in to say thanks for the report so far! Makes me want to be a CM one day.

[AuroraBorealis]

Somebody on the Themepark Attractions and Strategies board linked to your TR in a response about CMs liking their jobs and I'm so glad they did!

Thank you so much for sharing! Your enthusiasm is truly infectious and your summer CP sounds like it was so much fun! Wow! I think I might be a bit jealous! ;) I was truly impressed with your great attitude toward cleaning bathrooms all summer. I don't think I could do it!

You write very well and your pictures are fantastic. Thank you for sharing your journal entries, too. They are a great insight into your experience. Your story about the buffies at PI had me laughing so hard! I also enjoyed your GF getaway and the description of your run to see if Johnny Depp was at PotC!

Disney should hire you to recruit for the CP! I wish I had done it while I was in college. Do they take grad students?

Have fun in Austria! I studied abroad for a year and spent a good chunk of time in Germany and Austria, studying German. It is a beautiful country and has such a rich history and culture.

[Twilight Terror]

WOW! With work it's taken me two days to read the whole of this report, but it is absolutely amazing! The details, the stories, the photos, everything is just brilliant, and I am eagarly awaiting the updates when you have your regular internet access back.

I have to say, I certainly have a new appreciation for CM, esp the Custodials! I have a feeling I shall be talking to every single CM member I see in the parks when I go in the summer, even if it's just to say 'hello' or 'thank you'!!!

So thank you for this very insightful and unique delve into the world of Disney CMs!

[cindrela]

I just wanted to let you know, I am really enjoying your trip report, and hearing all about your experience working at Disney!!! Your pictures are fantastic, and I'm really hoping when my son is in college he decides to do the program. If he's really my son, he shouldn't hesitate (meaning he loves Disney just as much as I do). I admire you for realizing that you needed to take this opportunity to work at Disney, even if your friend wasn't going to go through with it. :thumbsup2 (Spoken like a true mom) I can't wait to finish reading. Great job!!!:cool1: :cool1:

[DaisyLynn]

Just found this TR tonight and after spending the last couple of hours completely catching up...I'm totally hooked!! Can't wait to read your next update, even if it isn't until July! I hope that you are enjoying your time in Austria!

You've kept me laughing, that's for sure!!! :goodvibes

[estherhead]

I have a question. You've mentioned numerous times that you love guest interaction & thank yous. I'm a professional baker & have considered baking a bunch of mickey shaped sugar cookies & decorating them fancy & then piping a thank you on them & putting them in baggies to hand out to CM's that make our stay really special. We'll be pushing 2 strollers around so I won't have any problem toting them around with me. However, I was a housekeeper at cabins once & we weren't supposed to take & eat anything guests left us. Would CM's be allowed to eat my cookies? Would this be a weird awkward thing to do? And would Disney frown on me making Mickey heads? Obviously I don't sell them because of copyright laws, but could I give them away?

Thanks for any info you'd have on this. We're going in Sept & I just can't stop debating this in my head.

[AGPrincess]

Oh my goodness. LaMagique, I loved, loved your latest installment. Your photos are always soo great, and your photo shoot at the Grand Floridian was absolutley too funny for words. And they're really GOOD photos too. They look like they should be in a magazine layout...

We just got back from dropping my brother off at the college program. He's in full-service restaurant. My only fear is he'll get sick of the world!

Can't wait for more!:thumbsup2

[Davidsmommy]

First of all, can I just say that I am absolutely delighted to have readers and regular ones at that? :wave: But I must pause in order to explain some things. The next few entries will be job specific. I am not sure how interesting they will be, but I feel like my trip report has two purposes:

1. To provide entertainment and vicarious living for the reader (at least, that’s why I read TRs)
2. Provide some useful information about the College Program

I want this TR to serve as a resource for other potential CPs, especially CUSTODIANS! But because of that, the next few entries might not be the most interesting parts of this TR. The reason why I want to warn you readers is because I want you to stick along for the ride! My entries will (hopefully) resume satisfaction of the #1 goal after I explain my job/duties at Disney. Okay, that is all: now, on with the show!

I haven't gotten further from this post yet, but I have to say, I am finding the whole CP stuff FASCINATING! Seriously - thank you for sharing it. I knew about the program way back when I was in college (an old boyfriend did it my senior year, but we had broken up by then, so we only talked occasionally, and I wasn't a Disney nut then) - but I know nothing about the inner workings of it, and I find it terribly exciting (hey, I am old I guess!).

And, you are really adorable. I love your excitement!

This is probably a stupid question, but the transportation would take you to the parks even when you weren't working?

I am seriously sitting here thinking if I went back to school to get my PHD, could I do the program? (lol, not really of course, I have kids). I wish I had done it when I was young. You are blessed!

[Eventer98]

I miss you!! I hope you are having a great time in Europe and you'll be able to check in soon. :goodvibes

[jenr812]

I heard this was a rockin' TR so I'm here for the ride :) Gotta catch up later though - time for sleep!:cloud9:

[Lan]

Miss you girl!!!

[Joanna71985]

I haven't gotten further from this post yet, but I have to say, I am finding the whole CP stuff FASCINATING! Seriously - thank you for sharing it. I knew about the program way back when I was in college (an old boyfriend did it my senior year, but we had broken up by then, so we only talked occasionally, and I wasn't a Disney nut then) - but I know nothing about the inner workings of it, and I find it terribly exciting (hey, I am old I guess!).

And, you are really adorable. I love your excitement!

This is probably a stupid question, but the transportation would take you to the parks even when you weren't working?

I am seriously sitting here thinking if I went back to school to get my PHD, could I do the program? (lol, not really of course, I have kids). I wish I had done it when I was young. You are blessed!

Yup, it sure does. You can use the buses even if you are not working.

[DisneyObsession]

Just spent the last few hours here at work reading your TR! (Yup, I really should be working!!!:rotfl2: )

Anyway...I have loved hearing about your experiences and am really wanting to apply at WDW someday. DH & I have talked about relocating to Orlando and working at Disney. Maybe someday.

I look forward to you coming back and finishing this! Your experiences have been informative as well as entertaining!:thumbsup2

Love the photo shoot! What fun!!! :banana:

[cherokeemamma]

LaMagique,

Just wanted to say Hi :wave: and I hope you are having a wonderful summer.

Stay safe and healthy...looking forward to your return!
Really enjoyed your report!:goodvibes

Can't wait to read more.

Darlene:wave2:

[Princess.Rachel]

This has been an absolutly fabulous post, I am now extremly interested in trying the CP. Very entertaining as well. THANKs and cant wait to read the rest!!

[JKMJ441724]

Sounds like y'all are crazy and having a wicked good time. Can't wait for you to get back and find out how it all ends.

[Joanna71985]

This has been an absolutly fabulous post, I am now extremly interested in trying the CP. Very entertaining as well. THANKs and cant wait to read the rest!!

Oh you should. The CP is a lot of fun.

[Lan]

Well it is July....where are you???

I can't wait to see the pictures you have taken.

[lgcountry]

I've just got to tell you that this is

POSITIVELY the most MAGICAL TR I've ever read. :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 and I'd do more thumbs up, but I guess you get the idea.

I really hope your are enjoying your time in Austria, and know that we've been thinking about you. You are the mostest awesomest:lmao:

[tinawv]

Just finished reading your trip report from start to finish. It is one of the best trip reports that I have ever read. You wrote about your experiences so well that it felt like I was right there with you. :) I admire you for sticking with your job because I know how hard it was at times. Just think of the stories you will have to tell your children someday. :) Looking forward to more even though I hate it to end. :)

[Glendamax]

I am leaving France tomorrow morning (in just about... 6 hours)... and I am headed to Austria.

Okay, so my apologies if I am unable to get back to this thread until July. Seriously. Thank you so much for reading. But let's all cross our fingers that LaMagique (the magic, in French, as some of you have caught on too, haha) is able to get internet access for her laptop in Austria!! :)

Ok! It's almost time! I hope we get to see some pics from Austria!

[Eventer98]

I haven't forgotten you..hope all is well!! :goodvibes

[Disneyolic]

I miss Llama geek!

[Glendamax]

Ohhhhhh! Where is she? I hope she's ok! Come back soon!

[Lan]

I guess she is tired from her trip. I know she hasn't forgotten about us.

[Philadisney]

Hi!! I stumbled upon your report recently - I don't think I had commented yet. I finally got to read the first page today and it is so much fun!! I am excited to read all about your summer at WDW - I worked there myself for 4 months in college, and you actually remind me very much of my roomie there (in fact you almost look exactly like her!). I worked at EPCOT as a 'Rescue Ranger' (filling in miscellaneous jobs all around the park), i can't wait to see where you ended up!
OK, back to catch up!:surfweb:

[mamaprincess]

The twins and I are looking forward to season 2 of your TR. They now regular talk about how they are going to do the CP! The secretary's son at their new school has been in the program for a year now (asking for and receiving extensions). He clearly loves it.

[Eventer98]

Severe withdrawal over here!! ;)