The Happiest Summer On Earth *My WDWCP Experience*

[Dizmom0923]

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

 

[oybolshoi]

Terrific updates, as usual!

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

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.

 

[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.

(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!)

Me in my creepy Britney Spears shirt

Brian and Jake laughing at us

Don’t remember what was going on in this one

Indian falling off the mountain

Ariel living out of these waters

A scream of fright

Mickey's finale

"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).

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

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!

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…

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.

In the Space Mountain arcade. We played that game behind us.

We did meet Johnny Depp... sorta…

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!

Brian, Jess, and me in our Pirates Gear

While there, we spotted our custodial friend Rico!

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:

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…

 

[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.

Jess and me waiting to check in

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:

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:

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.

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:

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?? I'm just getting started lamagique and I love it!!! You are so beautiful!!! I cannot wait to read more but I just had to post! Keep up the great work!!

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

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

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. 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. 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...

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!

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!

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! 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) I am always thinking ahead!

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

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.

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 You seem constantly happy

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.

I just want to say I 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. I love your attitude and your work ethic (trying hard to instill that in my own kiddos). 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 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 .

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. Thank you.

I am so glad that my trip report could do that for you!!! That makes ME smile!!! 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 at Glendamax's comment about the HP spell and one red eye. Classic!!

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.

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!

 

[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..... Hope things are better for you now.....if you ever need anyone to talk to PM me

 

[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!!

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! 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.

 

[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!