Earning my Ears .... Again

I finally had another day off on Sunday and I decided I needed too get out of the house for part of the day. I started my day off by going to 9:30am mass. After church, I went back to my place and did some homework before I headed out to HS. I went to get my costume for my new role first and then I went to scope out where I would be working. After that I went on Rockin Rollercoaster as it is going under refurbishment at the end of the month. There was a long line up for the ride so that took up the bulk of my time. My friend came and picked me up and we headed back to housing to so he could change. Then it was off to Epcot to see the Plain White T’s in concert. I don’t know much of their music besides their hit single ‘Hey There Delilah’. They had 3 different sets and sang a variety of songs. Alex and I went to their second set and they were excellent live. We were supposed to wait until our other friend Sandra was off and head to MK to see the last electrical parade as it has now left Disney World. Unfortunately I wasn’t feeling well so Alex drove me home and the two of them went on their own.

Monday was my first official day of training for my new role as an attractions cast member. I had to attend class again and it was my welcome to operations class. I was fortunate enough that Gabby and Stephanie also had class with me so we all sat together. A representative from UCR was in town for his mid program check in. He was trying to get together with as many students as he could and set up a meet at Epcot. So after class, the 3 of us headed over to Epcot and met up with him and some of our fellow students. We walked around the world showcase and found some other students too. It was nice to see some familiar faces that I haven’t seen in a long time.

After I was done with them, I met up with Sandra and Alex and we found a spot to watch the fireworks. I managed to try some foods from the food and wine festival and crossed them off my list. I still have so many places I have not had a taste of yet so my goal by the end of food and wine is to have tried a food or drink from each country. I have a month left to do this so I hope I can accomplish that.

Tuesday and Wednesday were my first days at Star Wars Launch Bay. Attractions is very different than food and beverage so it will take me some time to get adjusted. The roles at Launch Bay are not difficult but they all involve speaking loudly and insuring guests know where to go. I also have a position in Theatre that requires me to make a safety speech at the beginning of the presentation. This was very daunting the first day even though I am a good public speaker. I managed to do it once before the end of my shift and my trainer was pleased. As I am not a Star Wars fan, it is hard for me to pick up the themed language they want me to use. Luckily, I listen to my fellow cast members and I am able to pick stuff up pretty quick. I also think the more I work there the more it will come natural to me.

Thursday was my class day. After class Sandra and I had a girls day. We went to have a pedicure and then did a little shopping. I ended of the week training again and had 2 more days of training. They were much of the same and I felt very confident in all of the positions. I also felt confident I could answer all the answers on the written assessment perfectly. I couldn’t wait to not be “earning my ears” again.

That's all for my recap for the week but I do want to highlight something that I have realized since being at Disney.

I am able to interact with guests a lot and it really is humbling when I hear and see families spending time together at Disney. Talking to guests and discovering why they chose Disney is also very fascinating and families always tell me that it took a lot for them to get their families to Disney. I truly believe it. Like any vacation, there are so many elements that need to be taken care of before stepping foot into a resort or park. But it’s not the tangible things they care about…. It is the memories they are making. So I just want to say that I am beyond grateful that I have been able to experience this wonderful place guests rave about and also that I was and still am able to experience vacations with my family. Whether it be at Disney or not, time spent with family is like no other and those are the memories that last a lifetime. So thank you Mom and Dad for choosing to make memories that I will never forget and especially allowing me to experience this memory.

Much love,

Michelle

xoxo

From Left: Alex, Me, and Sandra after the Illuminations Fireworks

From Left: Michael, Me, Kyley, Tania, Stephanie, 

Lucy, Matt, Tyler Becca and Gabby with our Advisor (Matt) in the Parks

Hurricane Matthew

I’m back everyone. This blog post is long overdue but it has been another crazy week for me. I have had a lot of homework to do that has prevented me from updating you all on what I have been up too. But I finally have some time to write.

Last week was a very unique week to say the least. The major event that happened was the possible disaster of Hurricane Matthew. It was a very unique experience having to prepare for something that I have only heard about on the news and radio before, but never experienced or been in a city where it is common to have this type of natural disaster occur.

The beginning of the week was just like normal. I was in the middle of working 8 days straight so I was working every day and didn’t have anytime to do anything. I hung out with my friends after work and watched some tv/movies a couple of those nights. We were told on Monday that their was a possible hurricane coming and we were advised to start getting things together in case the hurricane hit and we were stuck with no water or electricity. I really didn’t think anything was really going to happen at this point.

By Wednesday, it was still predicted that Hurricane Matthew was going to hit, so my friends and I decided to go to the store and get some supplies. We waited a bit to late and so it was difficult to find a flashlight. Water and bread were sold out at most grocery stores but we managed to get large bottles of water at the gas station by the Target we were shopping at. Later that evening, I got an email from Disney saying that they were cancelling my class on Thursday but our assignments were still due. After I got dropped off from shopping I finished my assignment and submitted it.

Thursday was when Hurricane Matthew hitting us really became a reality. Disney made the decision that they would be closing all the parks at 5pm and that they would remain closed through Friday. When Disney decides to close their doors, you know that the results could be serious. Luckily for me, since I had class I didn’t have to work so I was able to be at home before the storm was predicted to hit. After 5pm on Thursday, nothing was open. I mean nothing… no grocery stores, malls, gas stations etc. Some fast food places were open but only doing dine in. There was really nothing to do but sit inside and let the storm pass. I was hanging with my friends and some of their roommate. We colored, watch some TV, and chatted. It was very relaxing and nice to just chill knowing we had nowhere to be. As the night went on the wind got a bit faster and it rained periodically but nothing out of the ordinary. We all went to bed around 2am and we thought the worst of it would come while we were sleeping.

We woke up Friday morning and when I looked outside, nothing was really different. There was no wind or rain and we still had power and water. Since the whole city was on restriction (meaning no one was allowed to leave their house until restriction was lifted), we just lounged around. Finally at 2pm, the restriction was lifted. So my friends and I decided we wanted to get out of the apartment so we went on a drive to Tampa. Since nothing was open near us we had dinner there and then we came back to Orlando. My friends came over to my place to do some laundry and we just chilled. Since I lost my hours on Friday, I managed to pick up a shift on Saturday that started bright and early at 8am.

Saturday I worked a long shift so I didn’t do anything. Sunday was my day off so I got up early and put some chili on to cook in the crock-pot. I put some laundry in and then I headed to church. I really enjoy going to Mary Queen of the Universe Shrine when I can. It is such a beautiful place and they have so much stain glass windows inside to look at. After church, I came home for a bit, did some cleaning and what not and then I headed to Hollywood Studios to get my new costume for my training that started on Monday. I went into the park to figure out where I would be working and of course rode the Rockin’ Rollercoaster since it will be closing soon for refurbishment. My friend came and picked me up and then we went back to housing so he could change.

We then headed to Epcot. We walked around and ate some food. We then headed over to the outdoor stage to watch the Plain White T’s perform. I only know one song of theirs which is called Hey Their Delilah, but overall they are a really good performers live. Their were many people in the audience and they performed 3 different sets at different times so you could see them more than once if you wanted.  After the show we walked around some more. I wasn’t feeling all that great so I came home and finished my cooking. I even froze the chili so I have meals ready to go.

Anyways, that's all for now. I will do my best to post my next one on Sunday.

Michelle

xoxo

Michael Buble in Theatres

Another week has gone by and its time for a quick update on what I have been up too. We have now entered into the slow season at Disney. Park hours are being reduced a little bit each month, which translates into less working hours. HS now closes at 8pm, and on some day’s 7:30pm. It is so weird being home by 9pm but at the same time its great as I can still do stuff after work before I have to go to bed. I can even go grocery shopping, as most stores are open until 11pm or 12am. Its great!!

I didn’t have the chance to do too much stuff last week. I only had one day off and that was the day I went to see Michael Buble’s concert movie called Tour Stop 148. Michael did a great job of highlighting the best parts of his tour. Doing a question and answer session at the beginning of the movie was a good way to get the audience interested and also introduce the people in the movie who help run his tours. Since I have never seen him in concert, it was nice to see what a Michael Buble concert feels and looks like. Like most artists, Michael really gets his fan interaction going throughout his concerts and takes the time to recognize a special fan from the audience. I really enjoyed myself and my friends (who are big Michael Buble fans) also enjoyed the concert movie.

I attended my second class at Disney on Thursday. This week the class focused on innovation and what it takes to be an innovator. I am really enjoying the class so far. Even though I have to get up early and sit in a classroom for 4 hours, time goes by fast and we are always doing different activities, which keep us all busy. My instructor Ellen is also fantastic and enthusiastic about the topic so that also helps.

Saturday at work was probably one of the best shifts I have had in a while. I was working outside bussing (cleaning tables and talking to guests) and Rob (the proprietor for Food and Beverage) walked over and pulled me aside. He wanted to give me a 4 keys card. A 4 keys card is a way cast members (mostly managers and coordinators) can reward other cast members for demonstrating Disney’s key behaviours. Coming from Rob, it is an even bigger deal because he has a lot of pull within the company and it is hard to get recognized by him. I was very happy and it made me realize that my hard work is noticed. I was very grateful for it and it made my day. One of my fellow cast members over heard our conversation and I think he was a bit jealous.

Anyways that's all for me. I have to go get ready for work. Day 6 of 8!!!

Michelle

xoxo

My 4 Keys Card which is now up on my Bulletin Board