My Summer of a Million Dreams!

[Joanna71985]

After reading another CP TR, I decided to do one of my own. Here is a little background info before I start. I am from a big family, 2nd oldest of 8 kids. My family is a big Disney family. We have been coming here since I can remember. When I first started school, I heard about the CP and knew I just had to do it. I was accepted for Spring 2005 and worked in Fantasyland merchandise (I eventually ended up extending until Aug 2005 because I was having so much fun and didn't want to leave). Then it was back home, and back to reality. Or, was it? I really wanted to go back to Disney, especially since I had been there for the opening of the 50th Celebration. I wanted to help close the celebration, and start the new one. I was given the ok, so I applied for, and was accepted for, Fall Advantage 2006. This time as a character attendant. I had the best time on that CP. I made so many memories. And since I was seasonal I wanted to go back. But I couldn't miss any more school time. So I applied for the Summer Alumni program, and here I am!

 

[disneymoon_0307]

Yay! I'm the first! I can't wait to here more about your experiences at the CP. I'll be there one day I hope.

 

[Joanna71985]

Finally the day came. That day was the day to leave for Disney!! We left the house around 8:30 am on Monday the 14th. It was going to be a long drive- 18 hours! It turned out to not be too bad. We drove all day, ending around 6:30pm in SC. It was nice to stop and relax. We left the hotel the next morning around 7 am. We drove and drove, then drove some more. We finally made it to Disney!! We arrived at the hotel between 3-4pm. We then relaxed in the hotel til about 5:30, then went out to dinner. We ate at the Lone Star (best mashed potatoes). Then we went to DTD and walked around for a bit. Around 8pm we went back to the hotel for the night. After all, the next day would be....Check-In Day!!

(I don't think I mentioned it, but my dad drove me down to Disney. So that's why it is we).

 

[wdwgirl03]

Can't wait to hear about your summer!

 

[AlyssinWonderland]

Awesome! I live in Alaska and really envy your opportunity to work for Disney! Can't wait to read more!!!

 

[Joanna71985]

After a long night, the big day arrived- check in for the CP!! I was really excited and nervous, especially since I didn't know how they were going to be working housing for those doing the Summer Program. I had gone to check-in around 8:15 last time and got through pretty quickly. But this time I wanted to get there earlier. So I got to check-in at 8am. There were a few other people there, but not too many. I got my program guide and the paperwork, and got down to business. First off was housing. Now I had the biggest decision to make. I had stayed in 2-Bedroom apartments both times so far, but I thought it might be better to go cheaper this time (especially since I would only be down for 2 1/2 months). It was now my turn to get placed. The girl asked me where I wanted to go, and higher or lower rent. I asked for Chatham again (I just like it here, for some reason) and asked her about the 3-Bedroom apartments. I had heard that the 3-BRs had 3 baths, and I wanted to know if that was true. She said she was pretty sure it was. This really helped to make up my mind. So I took the plunge and asked for a 3-Bedroom apartment. I was put in Chatham at Building #6. This was in a nice location. It is pretty close to the front, right near the mail kiosk, and next door to the laundry room. Anyway. I arrived at the apartment right as another roomie got there. It turned out that there were 3 baths, which is great! We were both going back and forth looking at all 3 bedrooms and trying to decide which one. We finally both decided on the front bedroom. Soon the others arrived. My roomie and the next 2 that arrived all work in QSFB. The others had not arrived by the time the 4 of us went to the housing meeting. It was the same-old, same-old (especially for me, as this was my third time going to it). The guys running it were pretty funny, especially the stories about housing and the top-10 list. So after the meeting was over, it was back to the apartment. The 5th roomie had arrived while we were all at the housing meeting. She too is doing custodial (so it is 3 QSFB, and 2 custodial). My roomies are working at: GF 24-hour cafe (don't know the name), Cosmic Rays, Backlot Express, and MK custodial. The rest of the day was just relaxing and going food shopping. The next day I would be finding out ("officially") my work location.

 

[Joanna71985]

May 17th was the big day. This would be the day that I would be finding out my work location. Me and my roomie arrived at Vista around 8:30, and went over to the Pavilion. When we arrived, there was a table with 2 managers (including one of my old ones) who were telling the person their work location (a bit loudly too ). It was split by A-L and M-Z. Luckily I got my old manager (who recognized me). With a drum roll (on the table) I found out that I would be working in....the Epcot World Showcase! When I applied for the Summer Alumni program, I had asked for Epcot as a preference. And I had gotten it! After finding out the location, I had to go get my liscence and SS# taken care of, and getting my training schedule. After that, I was free. Since I still had my old ID, I found out that I could go exchange it. So off to Access Control I went, and got my updated ID. Since I wanted to try it out, I went to Company D and bought a new lanyard (pin? not sure exactly what it is, but it is the picture hanging from the ID lanyards). It is the Disney D with Mickey over it. Then I went over to MK for a couple of hours to catch the 3:00 parade (which was at 3:00, of course). It was good seeing familiar faces. After a bit, I headed home and just relaxed for the rest of the day. It felt so good being back in Disney.

 

[AnnNan]

Hi, I'm enjoying the CP reports. Brings back lots of memories from scared1: ) almost 20 years ago! Seems like yesterday... Again, love hearing how things have changed - and how they've stayed the same!

 

[crazy2beautiful]

I wish I could to the College Program...it sounds like so much fun. I was seriously considering trying for it, but finally decided it wasn't for me. I couldn't stay away from certain people here in Texas for a whole semester...

I can't wait to hear more about it and pretend I'm there. jkjk

 

[Joanna71985]

Hey everyone. Sorry I haven't been around, but I have been really busy. Anyway, here is the next segment.

I was off the next day (May 18th) because I didn't have to take Traditions. So I decided to go over to MGM. I must have been the Pied Piper for characters or something, because I met 36 characters! I was at MGM from park opening until around 6:40 or so. The only ride I did all day was GMR (and that was because I was waiting for a character to arrive). I also saw the DSMC parade, which was fun, and saw HSM for the first time since it moved. Anyway, the characters I met were:
*Donald Duck
*all 5 Power Rangers
*all 4 Little Einsteins
*JoJo and Goliath
*Buzz, Woody, and Green Army Men
*Wilbur, Lewis, and Bowler Hat Guy
*Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible, and Frozone
*Mike and Sully
*Sorcerer Mickey
*Kim and Ron
*Pocahontas and Meeko
*Jafar
*Snow White and Dopey
*Queen of Hearts
*Kenai and Koda
*King Louie
*And.....Clara Cluck!!
I was especially excited to meet Clara Cluck, as I was not sure if/when/where I would ever meet her. Also, the autograph pages I made before the CP have been a great success so far. For example, when I met Clara Cluck everyone with the group of characters was shocked that I actually had a page for her (she loved it, by the way. Buzz did the pose from his page. And many characters even personalized them. I will try to take pictures of them and hopefully they will come out.

 

[Joanna71985]

My first day of training for custodial was May 19th. It wasn't too bad, as far as training goes. It started at 8am, and there were 10 people altogether- 5 guys and 5 girls. 2 other people are working in Epcot as well- 1 in WS and 1 in FW. The 2 trainers leading the group were great! They were Edward and Bud. They were so funny. One of Bud's stories had the whole group in hysterics (it was about how someone threw up all over the bathroom in CRT and it smelled so bad he and another cordinator had to keep closing and opening the door). I did better then I thought I would do on the computer part (getting 100% on one, and 86%? on the other one). The next day would be interesting. I had to be at Epcot AT 6:45 am, which means I would have to wake up AT 5:00am. Blech! At least I would be done by 1:15.

 

[OhMari]

I hope you don't get to busy to keep us updating. This is really a great thread to read. It is like being on the inside.

 

[Joanna71985]

May 20th was my 2nd day of training. And it was a looooong day. I had to wake up at 5am to be at Epcot on time (the bus left at 5:45). Training started at 6:45 am. I was training by myself, and was in restrooms. We worked all over the WS, starting in Morocco. There were a lot of chemicals to remember-I hope I can remember them all. Well, at least the next day should be easier. That will be the Discovery Day at Epcot, and should be fun. Anyway, training ended at 3:15, and I was off to do some more character hunting. I had forgotten it was still Characters in Bloom. Here they are:
*Disney Bear
*Baloo
*Aurora
*Genie
*Jasmine
*Aladdin
*Pooh
*Tigger
*Eeyore
*Jessie
*Buzz
*Woody
*Esmeralda
*And...all 7 Dwarves!!
I could not believe I got all 7 Dwarves and Esmeralda. I was so excited! The last 2 were my favorites! I was so happy to meet Esmerelda. I did not know she would be out, but I was told she was and I FLEW to the garden in France. I then found out the Dwarves were out in Germany, and went over there. I thought they would be doing a group picture with no autographs, but wrong. They were doing individual pictures/autographs! I was able to get photos of/with all 7!! I also had the best interactions with the characters. I got huge hugs from Baloo and the Disney Bear (who is just so CUTE!!). I got more HUGE hugs from the Pooh crew when they saw their cards. Especially from Pooh, who just loved his. And I had the best conversation with Aladdin. Well, Aladdin saw my bag and asked about it. So I told them my friends did it for me last Christmas. He then asked if I was a CM, and I told them. So he asked if they were on the bag, and I don't think they were. So they all signed it. I ended up getting in line a 2nd time (Jasmine was not there this time) and had Aladdin and Genie sign their cards. Well, Aladdin posed me having my hands on his shoulder! Then I took a picture with just Aladdin, and he gave me a big hug. *Sigh* I love characters.

 

[Sehsun]

Wow, your character interactions sound like they were so much fun! How lucky you were that you got to meet all of the 7 dwarves and get individual pics with all of them!

 

[OhMari]

How is the summer going, you haven't checked in. You must be really busy.

 

[Joanna71985]

Sorry. Everything is going great. I can't believe that I have less then a month left. Where has the time gone? I have added to my character dinings (I had made a vow that I will eat at them all. After having done CM, and adding Norway tomorrow, I have done: CM, Norway, CRT (3x, 4 on the 19th), CP (a LOT. My family always eats there), LTT (3x), Play and Dine, Dinner at the Swan (or is it Dolphin?). So now all I need is the one at AK (especially since it is closing), the Poly, and 1900 Park Faire.