Traditions...traditions. TRADITIONS!

So pretty much every day here keeps getting better and better.

Yesterday we had Traditions which was long, but honestly I enjoyed every second of it. Even though we had to get there ungodly early, we learned so much and did it all while having fun. We played some games that related to Disney history, learned about the 4 keys to their customer service, and took a tour of the park. I was probably really annoying with all of my Disney trivia, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

The most magical part of Traditions was at the very end - but I won't say what happens because it's so much better if you don't know it's coming. But yes, I pretty much cried.

So now I have my ID and Nametag and I'm officially a cast member! I have a Park Ops class tomorrow morning and then On The Job (OTJ) training all next week. Today is my day off so I'm probably going to go grocery shopping and relax. I'm a bit sick (translation - I have a cold that has stolen my voice. I can't speak above a whisper) so I'm going to forgo going in to the park today.

The best part of this program so far is the people! I have met so many wonderful, friendly, excited people that are so happy to be here and love what they do! I've been playing cards, listening to great music in the car, and even went to a line dancing bar with 2 friends last night! The people here are seriously amazing - and we're just getting started!!!

Move in and Orientation!

Greetings loved ones! (Let's take a journey?)

So I am officially checked in and a member of the Disney College Program. Check in day went a little something like this:

Arrival - 7:30 am. The line is already huuuuuuuuge. I stood around for a while and talked to Kallie who was near me, and Natalie when she showed up. When I checked in they gave me some instructions and sent me upstairs (sans the parents) to take care of getting my room key, parking pass, i-9 paperwork, and commuter assistance. Based on a glance at my paperwork, it looks like I'm going to be placed in Tomorrowland, but I'll find out for sure tomorrow at the end of Traditions. Once I filled out all my paperwork (and moved my car) I climbed up 5 flights of stairs to my lovely top floor, corner room. It's a pretty big place (I'll post pictures soon) and I think we've made it pretty homey despite the fact that it's pretty much the farthest apartment from anywhere.

Moving in was....intense. Awful. Exhausting. And yet exciting at the same time. I brought waaaaaaaay too much stuff. I even consolidated and decided not to bring a lot, and it still took about 15 trips (me, mom AND dad) up either 5 flights of stairs or the crowded, hot, slow freight elevator. Not exactly my idea of fun. But I was able to get everything moved in and put away and even did some decorating - now I feel right at home. The only thing I'm NOT excited about is when I have to move out in 4 months. :-/

After all the packing (and a 1 hour housing orientation meeting) the parents and I ran to target for some errands, ate chinese food, set up the electronics in the apartment, and chatted with Lauren (roommate) and her dad. Once all the parents were gone, some of the girls and I went to get fro yo. There's one literally 2 minutes away...it's gonna be dangerous.

On our way back we noticed some boys playing cards in the window. Because everyone at Disney is friendly, we knocked on their door and invited ourselves in! Now we've got 2 great friends (Pat and Kirby!) and an unhealthy desire to play cards whenever possible.

Ok. Day 2. This day is a small orientation. You show up, get your ID picture taken, hear about class options and scheduling, CHOOSE your class and schedule (I'm doing Blended Learning Series and put full availability) and then get SNACK TIME. I feel like I'm in elementary school again, but I do love me some snack time. We then heard a bit about all the college program staff, played a getting to know you game, and did Disney trivia. I won a deck of cards (ironic?) by answering: "Who are the fab 5?" Do you know?

After orientation I joined the parents in the park for a bit, but then returned to Team Disney for the resource fair. This was basically an opportunity to get some free snacks and random stuff that no one needs. The evening consisted of dinner with our new friends, and inviting everyone we saw to our apartment to play cards. Despite being in the corner, we know how to throw a shindig :)

So that's the general info for days 1 and 2. Tomorrow is Traditions and I'm sure I'll have a lot to say about that. But the moral of the story here is that there's TONS of information SHOVED at you, and lovely people to experience it all with. Seriously, I'm living the dream.

Showing off for your muggle admirers, Potter?

So...I was pretty much right. This was the best vacation ever.

Let's start at the very beginning (a very good place to start?) The flights went well, got into Disney in the evening and had a delicious dinner at the T-Rex restaurant. Great food, great service, great night. The next morning Christina and I went to audition for American Idol Experience. We both got cast in a show and were so excited for later in the day! I performed at 1 and sang "Alone" by Heart (I was hoping I would get that song!) I won my show and went off to ride star tours (for the last time) and TOT before Christina's performance. She did an amazing job singing"Holding out for a Hero", but she had some bad luck and got placed in the same show as a hot guy singing "Circle of Life". And he sang it well. :( So he moved on instead of her. But I think she had a great time which is really the most important part. I just like competing because it's a chance to perform!

So I moved onto the finale show that evening and had some pretty stiff competition! A 15 year old girl put some serious soul into "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". Kristin Chenowith's distant cousin (named Krysten Chenowith...weird right?) totally rocked "Black Velvet", Christina's competition was like a boy band member singing the Lion King, and this Colombian guy brought the house down with "La Bamba!" I was pretty nervous, but when the host announced the winner he said my name! I was so surprised and pleased and sad at the same time, because I can't use my golden ticket this year! The last auditions for the season are in San Francisco on Thursday, when I will be down at Disney (and an employee of the company, so ineligible to use my ticket) I felt a little guilty taking it away from someone who may use it, but the experience was fantastic so I didn't feel THAT bad. :)

The next day we went through all of Animal Kingdom and Epcot before heading off to Universal Studios and checking into our hotel for the night. After a cheap but delicious dinner, we went to sleep, stoked for what was to come early the next morning. Because what was it? Oh none other than THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER. As soon as I walked through that archway into Hogsmeade I became a 10 year old again. I couldn't stop smiling...and if I did it's because my jaw was practically dragging on the ground. It was so incredibly magical. There are no words to explain it! So we ran and got in line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey - the main attraction for the park. It's this fantastic mixture of videos and set pieces and the ride vehicle is so smooth. You really feel like you're flying!

So while waiting in line for the attraction (which by the way, the line is in the Hogwarts castle...ummm could there be a better place to stand around for 2 hours??) we started heckling one of the employees who was dressed like a Slytherin (and looked like Draco...which I will be calling him from now on). After a little bit of waiting, our new friend Draco came to find us, whereupon he took us out of the big line, and brought us up the back entrance - putting us right on the ride! We skipped the whole line! He even rode with us, and when the ride stalled for about a minute, he told us he would get us right back on. We ended up going on the ride 3 times that morning PLUS he gave us an unlimited express pass, which basically meant we didn't wait in line all weekend!

We spent the rest of that first day exploring Island of Adventure, buying too much candy from Honeydukes, eating in the Three Broomsticks, seeing Scott Pilgrim, and downing margaritas at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville in CityWalk. The next day was slightly less enjoyable, but only because it would be hard to top the magical experience from the day before! We went to the Universal Studios theme park that day and had so much fun. My favorite ride there was probably the Men In Black ride. It's kind of like Buzz Lightyear because it's a shooting game, but you have no control over the vehicle and it throws you around a bunch. Plus I was TERRIBLE at it. So I texted our new friend Draco and asked for some tips - with his help I scored about 100,000 more points!!

Our last day at Universal Studios Orlando was absolutely perfect. We slept in, went on a few rides in the morning, and then headed over to Harry Potter where Draco not only got us on the ride with no wait again, but also gave us passes so we could come back without his assistance. By the end of the evening Christina and I had been on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey 11 times in 2 days. I even have most of the dialogue memorized now! This trip seriously

wouldn't have been the same without that employee...it gave me a great example to follow as a Disney cast member. It is so easy to make someone's trip magical - simply engaging them in an enjoyable conversation or heckling match can make the day 10 times better. Then again, helping them skip lines is always great too. :)

So now I'm back in San Jose for the evening, and I head down south bright and early tomorrow morning. Most of the packing is done - I just have some toiletries and a few more bags to stick in the car. Tomorrow is gonna be a long day of driving, more packing (dumb storage unit), doctors appointments and waiting around. But come 8am Wednesday morning I will be checked into my new apartment and (hopefully) have some kind of idea where I will be working!

All in all, fabulous final week of summer, and I can't WAIT for what is to come.

Permane ser sentados, por favor

In 8 short days I will be on my way to Florida to visit 2 of the most magical places in the world. Stop #1: Disneyworld!

My dad, good friend Christina and I will be spending 2 days at the Saratoga Springs Resort. (a DVC resort that we have not yet visited...excited to see what it's like!) While we're there I'm sure we'll dine in Mexico at Epcot, (Christina and I are addicted to Mexican food) go on Mission: Space, ride Midway Mania/TOT/Rockin Roller Coaster, and participate in The American Idol Experience! That attraction always makes me feel like a star. I mean, check it:

epic, right?

After 2 leisurely days (in which I'm sure we'll chill by the pool because of horrific Florida humidity) we're heading back into Orlando for Stop #2: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

We'll get to walk through Hogsmede, have some butterbeer, ride Harry Potter's Forbidden Journey, and experience Hogwarts up close and personal! The 10 year old inside me is freaking out.

Heck, the 22 year old on the surface is freaking out! It's the closest thing to actually being a wizard I'll ever get.

Definitely gonna have to bring my wand.

Once I return from Florida, I'll have a day to pack everything up, and then I'll be departing for Anaheim bright and early the next morning! The roomies are all planning on getting together for dinner that first night before check in, but unfortunately there's no way my fam will get there in time. Luckily we'll have a few months to hang out. :)

Dan and I are also trying to work out a plan for housing once the program is over. He wants to come down and work at the park, and then the two of us will live together once January rolls around.

So pretty much, my life is awesome and God is good.

The end.

Celebrate you!

19 days!!! So excited I can barely stand it!

In other news, Disney posted on their blog that they are creating a new show for California Adventure that will take the place of High School Musical: Right Here, Right Now. This new show will be along the same lines with dancers, 4 main vocalists, and a moving float. It will incorporate songs from HSM, Camp Rock, StarStruck, and other Disney Channel music. Here is the link: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/07/new-show-coming-to-disney-parks-this-fall/

But here's the issue...auditions are 2 days before my sister's wedding. So basically, that's not happening. I suppose that works out for the best because I couldn't be in the show this fall anyway, and I'm sure they'll have auditions again in a few months. But anyway, exciting new development that includes another opportunity for me to perform at a Disney park! (Even though I'm too tall)

If any of you are interested in the auditions, you can go to DisneyAuditions.com to check it out, but basically they are August 5th for girls and the 6th for boys.

Meanwhile I'll keep counting down the days until my real life starts!

"See you real soon!"

Today I got a really wonderful email. It was titled "See you real soon!" and you know what? I WILL see them real soon! The email was all about checking in - what we need to have with us, wear, how long it will take, where we will go, and what those first few days should look like. According to the email:

Day 1:

Arrival and Check in: Family and friends are welcome to join you and can wait in one of our common areas while you check in. Due to limited space they may not proceed through the check in process with you. You can expect to spend approximately 90 minutes checking in and completing your housing and I-9 paperwork. Attend 45 minute mandatory housing meeting in the Housing Office, #300. Your specific housing meeting start time will be scheduled upon arrival.

Day 2:

Finalize On-boarding processes and attend Orientation in the Casting Theater. Attend Disneyland Resort Resource Info Fair: 5:30-6:30 P.M. Here, you will have the opportunity to meet and learn about many of the different Organizations and resources available to you as a Disneyland Resort Cast Member

Day 3 or 4:

Attend Traditions: Your first paid day of work, you will meet your on-boarding Specialist, receive a training schedule and other information to begin on the job training. You will have the day off whichever day you are not scheduled to attend Traditions.

So all in all, I'd say pretty freaking exciting! I check in at 8am (bright and early, but at least that gives me plenty of time to unpack and figure out what I need to put back in storage) and then I get to spend the day getting to know my lovely new roommates! I'm also happy to know that Day 2 will not be super busy, so I'll probably be able to join the parents as they frolic around the parks. Awesome.

The email also reminds us to arrive with the "Disney Look". Luckily, today JC Penney had a massive sale and I was able to complete my "business wardrobe". For anyone who is curious, that wardrobe consists of a pencil skirt, some slacks, long shorts, button up blouses, sweaters, and a few dresses from Anthropologie that definitely have a sophisticated look. After reviewing the "Disney Look" email I am confident that those will be more than adequate for the few times we have to be dressed professionally. To be honest though...I sort of enjoy dressing up. I keep saying I'll most likely just wear my costume to class, but who doesn't love an excuse to wear a great outfit?

So anyway, that's all the news I've gotten recently. 25 days until check in! I'll update as I learn more, but until then...see you real soon!

The Road to Tomorrow!

Quick update - only 1 month until I head down to Anaheim! I am so excited I can barely stand it. I just have to get through this paper, my sister's wedding, and a fantastic vacation to Disneyworld and Harry Potter World! (What a horrible life I lead)

Last week I auditioned for the Aladdin show at DCA. I've auditioned for Disney a few times in the past and never made it anywhere. I always sit around at auditions for a few hours, go in, sing my 16 bars, and get dismissed with a "thank you for your time". In the past I haven't always sung my best, so I always blame my lack of advancement on that; however, this time, I totally ROCKED "Just Around the Riverbend". I mean, it's a pretty easy song, so there's no way my singing ruled me out. So I have now reached the conclusion that I am just too tall to perform for Disney. Which sucks, because there is absolutely nothing I can do about it.

On the other hand, I also auditioned to be a host for Innoventions - a job that doesn't have a height requirement! The audition included more waiting (of course) and then we auditioned in groups of 10. We were each asked a few questions about ourselves, then given one of the monologues to read. It was pretty easy and fun - I just got to be myself! Only problem? Training is for three weeks starting August 7th - non negotiable. Fiona's wedding? Saturday August 7th. There is NO WAY I am missing that. So when they called to offer me the job, I unfortunately had to decline. Major bummer. But it would also mean that I wouldn't get to participate in the college program anymore. No college housing with awesome roommates, no classes, no fun activities...no. I am happy with the decision I made.

And maybe I can audition again in 6 months when my program is over. If they wanted me once, why wouldn't they want me again? :)