Wednesday, June 13, 2012

And So The Magic Begins...

What a first week... the information overload, the constant running, scheduling, rescheduling, and connections. My brain's still catching up with all of it, but...

 
I MADE IT!!! :D

Okay, but for reals, it's been a hell of a week. It seriously feels like it's been a month already. I can already feel Disney sucking the life out of me, and apparently it's not uncommon to feel this way. Collectively, all Disney employees agree on one thing: Your soul belongs to Disney once you work here... it's almost like Tim Burton's characters from the movie 9.

**Disney > my life**

Really, though, the training process has been a great experience so far, and I love my mentors and superiors. If I can say anything about Disney, they treat their employees like gold. I've never been happier working for a company. The opportunities here are amazing. Even after completing my internship, I can see myself coming back to pursue career work here, if not just because I enjoy it so much. But enough about how much I looooove it here...


The rundown!

Monday: Got on the plane. Experienced what news outlets across the nation dubbed the "most ideal flight of the day... Chicago to Orlando." (Not a bad first flight for this cool cat... really, I rather enjoyed it. According to my traveling buddy, I looked like a young child with my face plastered to the window in our wing seat.)


Got off the plane. Caught a late and frazzled shuttle. Got checked in at Disney. Filled out loads of paperwork that probably killed hundreds of trees. Moved into new digs. And the digs are pretty nice, no complaints here.


Tuesday: more paperwork, plus orientation for new CP's. (CP is that epic abbreviation everyone uses for "college program" interns.)

Wednesday: Traditions, an orientation to the company, and the rite of passage that ultimately sells your soul and current life to Disney. Literally.

Thursday: Commence much learning.

Friday: More training.

Saturday: MORE training, plus I was approved for my role as a PhotoPass photographer. I'm official.

Sunday: I get to visit Animal Kingdom (where I'll be working) for the first time. I already love the park... it's quite a friendly place, though a bit muggy.

Monday-Tuesday: Disney college courses? College credit from Disney? Heck to the yes! Already, I'm reading an assigned book, and it's pretty legit... heck, it's the kind of book I could read even if it WEREN'T assigned.


 Highlights of the week: seeing a Florida sunset (they are quite beautiful), swimming for hours at a time, meeting some really cool people, dancing through a Florida downpour, messing with $8,000 worth of photography equipment, catching lizards, and exploring a Star Wars gala at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Definitely good times, to say the least.

A few quick thoughts... as a Disney Cast Member, I've realized some things, even in my first days with the company. Disney loves people. But even more than that, they love HAPPY people... and that includes employees. I have never felt more loved by a company than I do here. Seeing how committed to excellence Disney is, I feel it resonate with my desire for excellence in life. In case you don't know, I'm a stickler for excellence... if I do something, I want it perfect. Many of the things I stress in my everyday life are things that are important here as well... things like character, integrity, honesty, and dedication. It's a great feeling when your work environment harmonizes with your personal feelings and desires.

Also, I legit cried when I saw the castle at Magic Kingdom for the first time... any place that can do that to a man is definitely a powerful entity.


The perks of working for Disney are wonderful. As a Cast Member, I get so many benefits, discounts, and opportunities being here that most people would kill for. But as a Cast Member living on Disney-operated property, I get the whole shebang: utilities, maintenance, and complete access to pools, hot tubs, and workout facilities. Also there is a library with real books and movies ( **le gasp!!** ).

A few quick facts about my apartment complex, Vista Way:

    - According to urbandictionary.com, Vista Way is second only to the Playboy mansion in terms of places to get laid. Lots of sex happens here, and I'm not surprised. However, I feel that lots of ALL KINDS of sex happens here, and that fact disturbs me a bit more...

    - Vista Way is the oldest Disney-operated college apartment complex. It's also the most affordable, and in my opinion, the most fun place to live. Other apartments are larger and newer, but I'll take a Vista apartment any day over those other guys. It's cozy and friendly here.

    - Vista Way possesses the most laid back atmosphere of all the housing complexes. Unlike stuffy, burlesque Patterson Court and snobby, slutty Chatham, Vista Way is the fun, friendly place to live.

    - About 80% of the male population here is gay or bisexual. That being said, the remaining straight population is about 90% man whores. All in all, if you're straight, there's a good chance you'll be popular with the ladies, which can be good (single? be my guest), inapplicable (as in my case... I'm quite happy with my love life), or very bad (darn man whores -.- ).

Freaking man whores... 

What's really cool is that my traveling companion/accountability partner lives directly above me. Not only are her roommates hilariously adorable and fun-loving, but because of this arrangement, my living space is quite expanded... I can crash up there if my apartment is too noisy, and vice versa. It's like I live there too... much food will be shared, many good times will happen; but it's nice to know there's a friendly place nearby with friendly faces.


Disney provides free bus service to and from the parks and local stores, like Wal-Mart and Walgreen's. The thing that's awesome about free transportation is that it's free... no gas money wasted, no issues with car maintenance. BUT, what sucks about free transportation is that it's free transportation... it WILL disappoint you. What was supposed to be a quickie run to Wal-Mart for two things turned into a disastrous three-hour ordeal with grumpy bus drivers, overheating buses, and not one, not two, but FIVE breakdowns. When you're afraid that your bus is going to start on fire (yes, it has happened), bus transportation isn't exactly a great thing anymore. So... yeah. >.<

Food has been pretty legit so far... grocery shopping is oh so fun, but that elusive first paycheck is a tricky little bugger. Thankfully, for those times when I'm simply famished, there's Golden Corral. Just down the street and a short walk from where I live, I'd give it a 7 out of 10... good food at a good price, and heck, you can't beat an all-you-can-eat buffet!

(I had fried chicken, street-style chicken, steak, fish, bean salad, fried okra, fresh rolls, popcorn shrimp, pizza, mashed potatoes with two types of gravy, hush puppy, nachos and cheese, fruit, carrot cake, and cotton candy... all washed down with Dr. Pepper. GOOD EATS!) 

All in all, it's been a crazy first week, and already I've learned a lot. Disney is a wonderful place thus far, but also, there are many crevices here that have yet to be touched by the light of Christ. If this week is any indicator, the next seven months are sure to be an adventure I don't want to miss.

Comment if you must... you know the drill!
And, in the spirit of Disney, have a magical day. =P


**42**

- Knolster

2 comments:

  1. I really do enjoy the way Disney treats us :) And I enjoy the restaurants that are so close to us even more!! Yummy food is a hop, skip and a jump away!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am so happy for you. Disney has always been nice when i have visited, but now i want to know how it feels to actually work there. Keep up the great work.

    Love, Ariel♥

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