Working at Launch Bay has been a very interesting experience. I finally have found my place at Launch Bay and have connected with some of my fellow cast members. I really enjoy working there at it is a much different environment and experience then Sunset. I am enabled and encouraged by my leaders and coordinators to find ways to make magic for our guests. Whether it is having a light saber battle with kids, giving them a special treat (like a Mickey Bar) or getting them back doored to meet our characters. These small, simple gestures can change someones vacation or brighten their day. Although our main role is talking to guests all day, sometimes the small interactions you have can have with guests change the way your day is going and maybe even the guests time at Hollywood Studios.
I am still working at Sunset when I have room in my schedule to pick up shifts. I am not ready to say goodbye for good just yet. I like that I can work in two locations and have the opportunity to have variety in my schedule each week. Working at Sunset is the same as before, but now I am luckily as my best friends have returned to Sunset. Having them back makes me want to pick up shifts there more so I can work with them again... just like it was at the beginning. I have been fortunate the last couple shifts I picked up at Sunset have been good ones. I can't wait to work there again next week.
School has been a steady increase of work. I have had so many assignments due for both my UCR classes and my Disney class, that I have been pretty busy ensuring I get them done on time. For my Creativity and Innovation class, I had to keep a journal and I was required to have 52 entries by the due date. Of course, I am not the most creative person in the world, so I found it very difficult to keep up with my journal entries throughout the whole term and I left quite a few to the last minute. I didn't realize how hard it is to be creative on the spot. Creativity is something that takes a while to develop and it is hard to come up with good ideas on a moments notice. I have 2 weeks left for both my classes, so now everything has calmed down again. I cannot believe the term is over already.
On another note, I have registered for my last semester at Capilano University. I have 3 courses to take beginning in January and then I will be graduating with my degree. I cannot believe I may be saying goodbye to school forever in just a couple of months. I am both excited and nervous to see what happens and what jobs I may find when I begin job hunting next year.
ABC was doing the Holiday taping for their Holiday Specials here at Disney world. I was fortunate enough to get tickets to go to the taping so Alex and I went together. That day we were had the pleasure of seeing Gavin Degraw and Kelly Clarkson perform. Julianne Hough was also their as she and brother Derek, are co-hosting all 3 specials this year. Gavin Degraw was on at 1:30pm and he was excellent. He ran through his song about 5 times to make sure he got it right and he really got all of us going. He was the highlight of the taping. Kelly on the other hand was awful. She was supposed to come on stage at 3:30pm but got pulled for an interview so didn't come out unitl 4pm. We waited almost 2 hours for her to come on the stage, and when she finally came on she was cranky. It was hot that day and the sun was hitting her so she was hot. She sang through her song once and called it a day. It was kind of upsetting that we waited so long for her and she was only on the stage for 2 minutes. Overall, it was great to experience the taping but I don't think I would go again. If their were some really good artisits than I may consider and thankfully it was free as I don't think I would have paid to go as well.
Last week, was probably the hardest week I have had here at Disney so far. I had found out a week and a half ago that one of my best friend Sandra, had to go home. I was shocked that she was leaving but under the circumstances, I knew I had to say goodbye whether I wanted to or not. We had bought tickets to go to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party last Tuesday and luckily she could stay so we could all go to the party to celebrate her birthday and to have one last adventure at Disney with her.
We headed to Magic Kingdom, bright and early for park opening at 9 am. I can officially say I have experienced the opening of MK. We headed straight to get our Mickey hats engraved with our names and then headed to Starbucks to get a coffee before we started our long day. We waited in line to see Minnie and Pluto in front of the big Christmas tree. All of the parks are now decorated for Christmas, and are playing all the lovely Christmas music too. After that we headed to a fast pass Kiosk and got some Fast Passes for the day. We went on Space Mountain, the Jungle Cruise, we saw Mickey's Friendship Fare and A Frozen Holiday wish. We watched Wishes, the Electrical Parade and Once Upon a Time. I also got to experience my first character lunch. We went to the Crystal Palace and we got to meet Winnie the Pooh and friends. I really enjoyed the buffet lunch and also the opportunity to take pictures with Winnie, Tiger, Eeyore and Piglet in a smaller setting.
At 7pm, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party started. They had cookie and beverage stations all around the park and they also had special characters that came out during the party. Sandra's favorite character is Mary Poppin's so we stood in line to meet her and Bert. We then headed to the line for Minnie and Daisy in their Christmas costumes. By the time we were finished with those characters, we headed to the main stage for all of the special shows they had. We watched Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration, Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas Parade and Holiday Wishes. The parade and Mickey's most merriest celebration were outstanding. Disney's creative team did an amazing job with the theme of the show. The characters in the parade and the floats they were on were excellent. Despite my tiredness, walking out of MK at 12:30am, I knew it was the right place to have spent my last day with one of my best friends.
Wednesday morning, I dreaded getting up. I knew that it was finally the end and I had to say goodbye to a person I truly didn't expect to meet while here at Disney. I had to say goodbye to someone full of life, and laughter. Sandra brought out spontaneity in me that I never new existed. I had so many great adventures with her in the parks... mostly at Hollywood Studios. I got to complete the challenge of 4 parks in one day, going to Food and Wine so many times that I can't count with her and most importantly just chilling with our other 2 best friends at her apartment and taking time out of the business of the parks. I am very appreciative of her friendship and her generosity. I don't think this experience would have been as amazing if I hadn't met her. So Sandra, if you are reading this, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!!!
Today marks 30 days until I come home and I am going to begin experiencing Disney as much as I can.
Until next week,
Michelle
xoxo
From left: Me, Alex, Sandra and Vicky with our engraved Mickey hats.
Sandra and I a Hollywood Studios.
Sandra and I on our last day in MK against "the purple wall".
