The Week Jo Came To Play & More

Sorry it's been so long since my last post, feel like I haven't stopped since. So the past month has been rather busy, esp as I had a visit from my sister and her friend :) So they arrived on the Friday and I had the day off which was lucky and we had decided to go to downtown for some dinner, and to my surprise Jo arrived with the best goodie bag I could have asked for with being half way through my programme. It contained magazines, blackcurrant juice (which I had been missing greatly), 1kg of Dairy Milk, jammie dodgers and a lovely links charm of the parentals for my graduation :) We went for dinner at Paradse 37, then did a bit of shopping, before jetlag took its toll on Jo and Hannah and it was time to head home. On the saturday morning, it was an early start as we were heading to Animal Kingdom after a morning of playing and seeing the animals, I had to go to work, which meant that Jo and Hannah were left to themselves in Epcot. On the sunday we were off to Blizzard Beach, so after doing my washing, I headed off to meet them. But after an hour and 1 slide, the rain came down so it was time to leave! So we headed to the art of animation resort to have a nose round.... 

On the Monday, it was my graduation day which meant it was time to spend the day at Magic Kingdom :) We had a table booked at Cinderella's Royal Table, which was very exciting. We got to meet the 5 main princess' and also eat an amazing meal (can't believe my mother has never taken us before). After a few rides, it was time to go home as I was slightly hungover :( 
Tuesday was the day I have been waiting for since I got here, Universal and time to go back to school!!! As most of you know, Harry Potter is like my favourite thing ever and even though I have been before it still as magical as ever!! Jo and Hannah did find it very ammusing about how excited I actually was to get there, but I can't believe I hadn't been yet. I was even lucky enough to get an annual pass at discounted rate :) We went to both parks and stayed to watch the Universal nighttime show, which was pretty impressive. 
On Wedensday, it was time to revisit Jo's place of work, which she was very excited for! And was great as she had some good connections and we didn't have to queue for any of the big rides! Unfortanately I had to go to work, so I left Jo and Hannah to play in Hollywood, whilst I went off to work. 
Thursday I had to work again so, I left them to their own devices. And on Friday we went for breakfast in Boma at the Animal Kingdom lodge before Jo had to catch the plane home! We had a great week together and she treated me to some nice things and it was great to see her, although it went very qucikly! 

Since then it's been a lot of working, tanning and playing! I'm pretty sure that I've been going out more in the past 3 months that I did my whole last year of uni. Seems to be a rountine of going to HOB on a sunday and Bdubs on a wed... Loving life far too much at the moment haha! We also took on the challenge of the Kitchen Sink, which was so funny! Ended up with a food fight and us getting very strange looks! 

I now have 3 weeks left of my programme, I literally can't believe how quickly time is going! I'm so glad that I'm not coming home straight after my progamme, I have the joyest thing of my bezzie Miss Sutton coming out and joining me and Vicky to travel round the west side of the country :) 

I've already had to say goodbye to some of the best people ever, and I'm dreading having to say goodbye to the patty girls and ryan, and my roommates, seems like we have still just arrived. Hopefully I will stay in touch with all of them! 

I promise to try and update as much as possible over the next 3 weeks. Esp for Mish, Kerry and Steph who have been nagging me to update for weeks haha :) 

See you all very soon 
xxxx

Work Hard...Play Hard

Well welcome to July, I literally can't believe I've been here for a month now! It's scary how fast it seems to be going, but then it feels like a very long time until I will be returning home. I know I haven't really talked about the work side  of Disney yet so here it goes. As you all know I am working in Epcot, in Future World, which is the front section of the park. I can work in upto 6 different locations, 4 of which are shops, 1 is stroller rental and the last one which is the glow cart (which I am yet to do). So my main location is stroller rental, which is much funner than I first expected, althought the heat can get a bit too much sometimes. All the people that I work with are really nice, and I finally feel settled in at work now. However people are starting to leave next week and then people are going every week from then till I go home, which sucks as I will be saying bye to people quicker than I said hello. I mostly work in the evenings as they give all the ICP's the night shifts and the full timers the nice shifts! But I'm getting use to it now, just annoying sometimes when I don't get to go out of an evening with everyone else. 

So I had to work 4th July, and I have to say that was an experience in itself. I thought Boots was bad on Boxing Day, well this was a whole other level. They closed Magic Kingdom at around 7:30, which meant that everyone's second location was going to be Epcot, meaning that stroller returns was hideous once the fireworks were over and done with. On the plus side, I was in the perfect location to see all 3 set of 4th July fireworks and it was safe to say Epcot's were pretty amazing!! 

Although I am working pretty rubbish shifts, I am really enjoying it and can't believe that I only have 7 weeks left until I finish. But on the plus side Jo and Hannah arrive in 2 days, which is very exciting :) 

Also an update on the bucket list I have completed 2 things on the list: Watching wishes from the Polynesian Beach

 and Be in a parade (ish) haha! 

Hopefully will cross some more things off next week once the sister arrives on Friday. Think I've sort of covered eveything I wanted too, but tuff anyway as I have to go and get ready for work. 

Bye for now xxx

I GOT A 2:1!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As most of you have already seen on FaceBook, I will be graduating with a 2:1 in Marketing Management, and it is safe to say that I am literally soooooo happy with what I achieve and I couldn't be prouder of myself. 


As it was my day off on thursday we had already planned to go out for breakfast and then to Magic Kingdom, but with an early (ish) phone call from my mum the day got even better!! After a few happy tears, it was time to celebrate the Disney way with my 2 girlies Vicky and Becca. So we got the bus over to Fort Wilderness to have some breakfast which was amazing as all I've been having so far is Speical K, so it was time in indluge in a all you can eat American buffet.....

So after breakfast we headed over to the Magic Kingdom on the boat for a day of fun and celebration, along with the badges to match. After some standard photo's of the castle, it was time for the rides, including priates, splash moutain twice and getting equally soaked each time, a wonder round the new Fantasyland and of course seeing Mickey and Minnie. The girls even got them to sign a congraulations card for me, which is amazing!! We then headed over to the Polynesian for some champange courtesy of mother callow and a bit to eat, before we headed down to the beach for cocktails and to watch Wishes.

It was a pretty special day in all and I'm sure I'll never forget my results day! The only thing that was missing were the Family, but I'm sure we will celebrate again once I'm home and when Jo arrives :) It's only 2 weeks till she comes now, and I'm quiet looking forward to seeing her. Well thats all for now, just thought I should tell you all how I celebrated Disney style. 

xxxx

Training

It has been nearly 20 days since my last post and it has been a very busy 20 days! I will try to condense as much as possible. So basically, I have been 'earning my ears', which is what Disney call training. It's safe to say it's pretty standard training but with Disney words to go with it. The training is geared around 4 keys, which are: Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency, and it all leads back to giving legendary customer service and making sure that we as cast members are always performing in the show. Disney presents itself as a show using terms such as on-stage and off-stage, we have costumes instead of uniforms, customers are our guests and we as the staff are cast members. Training takes place in the Disney University and actually at work. So in my last place, I said that I was working in strollers and it turns out its not as bad as I originally thought, as I get to work in up to 6 different locations, with 4 of them being a shop (which is second nature to me). After a week of training, it was time to take my assessment to see if I had 'earn’t my ears' and I passed with 92%, which is possibly the highest grade I have ever achieved :) 

This then meant I had 2 more days of core training, which was yesterday and today and then I'm officially on my own. Hopefully I will remember everything, as there seems to be a lot of receipts for everything for some silly reason and some need to be stapled to others and put into certain slots, far too complicated for my liking, but I'm sure I'll get my head round it soon enough. And I now have my official sexy uniform, which I'm sure your all dying to see, so here it is ................

Amongst all the training I have had 2 days off, yes-just 2!!! In which I spent one in my favourite place, Animal Kingdom. I had a fab day, with some great people. We got very wet on the rapids and rode Everest 3 times!! Also met my fave, Pooh and Tigger robbed my hat!! 

It is safe to say I am literally having the best time ever, despite the long hours and late night shifts, I am so glad that I decided to come and work in the 'Happiest Place on Earth'. Right I need to go and my washing will be ready and I can't shower until it's finshed as I have ran out of knickers :s 


I will try and post again sooner. Hope your all not missing me too much :) 
xxxx

My First Few Days

So here I am finally at Walt Disney World!! It's been a pretty hectic 2 days if I must say, so I will start at the beginning.

We arrived at the airport at about 8 on Sunday to find a very excited group of familiar faces, and after a few teary goodbyes to the parents it was time to leave them for 3 months and start my adventure. I had already checked in online, so all I had to do was check my bags in, which was 26.6KG!!!!!!!!! But thankfully the very nice air steward told me that if I could get it down to 25 she would let it go without me having to pay the £30 fee. So after a panic I took out my denim jacket, which went in my hand luggage and my trainers went in Vicky’s.   Then after a long queue through security and a little shop it was time to board the plane..

The journey was pretty boring and standard, then 40mins ahead of schedule we arrived in Orlando. And then off to immigration we went, however me being the fake blonde moment I had left my shopping on the plane which mean having to RUN all the way back to the plane (not fun after 8 hours on a plane). Then it was time for immigration, something we had all been dreading, but it went nice and smoothly, well for most of us anyway. Then it was time to head over to Vista way, and find out where I would be living for the summer. And I'm in Patterson Court, which is the newest and maybe nicest apartment building. I am living with 5 American Girls called, Lauren, Leannedrah, Martha, Courtney (although I am yet to meet her) and my room mate is called Racheal, who even weirder is born the day after me!! She wasn’t here until yesterday, as she had to go home due to family issues. 

Sooo Monday was just a lot of paper work to fill in and a housing meeting about all the do's and don’ts, mainly telling the under 21's to not drink and tell the over 21's to not give them any alcohol. And then after all the boring stuff, pretty much all of us headed over to Downtown Disney for tea. Although it meant that we had to spill into small groups as there was too many of us for one restaurant. We decided to eat in Paradiso 37, which was amazing! I had possibly the best burrito I've ever eaten and a few cocktails to wash it down with. We also have the perfect view and were able to watch wishes from a far. 

Tuesday consisted of an immigration talk, which told us about what would happen if we broke the law in any sort of way, to cut it short it's not good and we shouldn't do it! Then the afternoon was filled with more paperwork and setting up our payroll cards. And then it was off to Publix to do a food shop, after 2.5 hours and a storm we finally made it home. 

Wednesday was Disney Traditions, which was at the Disney University....

This consisted of again more talks but was really interesting to learn more about how Disney was created, we also got to go round Magic Kingdom and go behind and under the scenes. Half way through traditions, there was a knock on the door and it was the boss himself Mickey Mouse, who had come along to give us our name badges :) we also received our I.D cards which allow us to go in the parks for FREEE!!! So it was straight to Magic Kingdom to playy. We rode, Big Thunder, Space Mountain and It's A Small World and then it was time for the parade and wishes. 

So todayyy was my first day in work and I found out where I would be working......... I am on stroller and wheel chair rentals and then a glow cart of an evening, selling light merchandise for the Illuminations show. Not what I would have hoped for, but I have to get on with it. I also got my uniform today, it's safe to say it is not attractive what so ever!!! But I don’t think any are at Disney. 

I feel like I have missed sooooo much out but it's pretty hard to remember everything as it all seems such a blur and all the days have rolled into one day haha! But I am having an amazing time, although lacking in sleep greatly, hopefully that will all change after my day off on Sunday. Anyway hope that’s enough information for you all to have for now :) and I will post again next week. I'm off to Wal-Mart now to purchase my work shoes and then out to Hooters tonight! By next week I should have done my first week in work so will let you know how it goes! 

That's all for now :) 

xxxxxxx

My Last Weekend

It's only 4 days now until I head over the Walt Disney World and I have had pretty much the best last weekend I could have asked for. On friday me and Lauren headed over to Liverpool to see the Olympic Torch as I had got us tickets for the special event. It was an amazing experience to see everyone enjoying being British. I even got a once in a life time opportunity to actually hold the Olympic Torch.... 

This weekend I also got my final 21st birthday present of Mish, Kerry and Steph, which was a trip to London from Sunday to Tuesday. On Sunday we headed off at about 9:30 for the lovely drive to London Town. Once we got there we checked into the hotel, after doing a bit of shopping. Then we headed to the 'Making of Harry Potter', which was just amazing!!!!! To see how the film was made and to see behind the senses was just a dream come true!! Although I have already been to the Wizarding World at Islands, this was just so interesting to see how my favourite film was actually created. 

Me and The Hogwarts Model

On the Monday, we headed to Thorpe Park which got me very perpared for the queue's in Disney. I have never been before, it was really good and we had a very good day and the rain stayed off (almost). Although we were very tired and heading home about 4ish and had my final nando's til September :(

On Tuesday, we had an early rise as we were heading into London Town to see the Queen!!!! There was a lot of waiting around, but again we had an amazing day as we got to see the Queen and Kate and I got to see Sarah before I head off as she can't come home before I go! All in all a pretty amazing 5 days, and I can't wait to get to Disney now, to start the best summer ever!! 

I will hopefully post once more before I head off to Florida :) Getting far too excited now!!! 

xxxx

18 days :D

Were now officially into the teen countdown! It's 18 days until I will be jetting off to Florida, and I'm feeling pretty prepared now. This week I have sorted out everything that was left on my list, which included travel insurance, getting a credit card, photocopying all my documents, printing some photos to take with me and getting my dollars. I pretty much have all of my clothes now, just need a few final bits and pieces, especially business attire for traditions :( I also put a packing list together, and turns out a lot of people were very appreciative of my organisational skills and about 20 people ask me to send it to there email (ballache) so have put it in the group (for anyone else who needs it). 

I'm getting so excited to go now, hoping the next 2 weeks go really fast. I've got some exciting things to happen in between, Jude is turning the big 50, so we're having a party on Sunday and then having a spa day on Tuesday EEKKK :) and then the weekend of the Jubilee, I finally get my birthday present of Mishy, Kerry and Steph. We're going to the Harry Potter tour on Sunday, then Thorpe Park on Monday and then going to have British fun on the Tuesday and hopefully see the Queen. By the time I have done all that I'll only have 4 days left, and on the Friday, I'm having a little get together to see all my gorgeous girlies before I head off and don’t see them for 3 months :( But anyway all in all, a rather exciting few weeks, in the build up to what can only be described as the best summer EVER!!! 

xxxxx

Saying Goodbye To An Era....And Hello To Disney

This is my first blog as a post graduate (after a long day of packing and unpacking)... Although it is not official for another 2 months, I no longer am a student, as yesterday I had my final exam of my uni career. I don't think it has actually sunk in yet, that I won't be returning in September, but I suppose that is something I will get use to. But it is defiantly something to look forward to and will be the start of something new, however scary it may seem at the moment. As of yet, I'm still very unsure about what I want to be when I 'grow up' but I think it is safe to say that not many people do at the age of 21! But I think it's safe to say that Disney will be an amazing way to end my student life and begin my grown up life! 

It was a weird feeling today saying goodbye to my friends of 3 years, wondering whether I will see them again and whether it really was goodbye. But whatever happens I wish them the best of luck in life :) My time at university will be something that I will never forget, I made some amazing friends and created some memories, which will never be forgotten, and hopefully gained a good degree (fingers crossed everyone). Within the past 3 years so much has happened some good and some bad, but I suppose without some of them things happening I would have never made the decision to apply for job and I am grateful that they did. Being at uni has changed me in a good way, I have defiantly grown up over the past 3 years, I have learn't alot (not all in lectures though), I have drank alot, eat alot but most of all laughed alot. If I could do it all again, I wouldn't change a thing. I am very grateful for the opportunity that I have had and it will be one that stays with me forever!!

I'm sure that Disney will be exactly the same amazing experience but in 3 months rather than years. So I am now closing a door on that chapter of my life and I hope the next chapter will be just as amazing and exciting!! 

Sorry for being sooo soppy, just needed to get it out haha. 

26 Days :D 

xxx

35 days to GO!!

So once again I am avoiding doing my revision! But only have 2 exams left to do now before the summer can finally start!! The first lot of ICP'ers head of tomorrow and I am so excited/jealous of them, as I literally can't wait to go now! Although, I am starting to have an awful lot of stuff, how it will all fit into my suitcase is a mystery to me! 


This weekend Vicky came up to stay, which was exciting as we could just talk and talk about Disney to each other without annoying everyone about it!! We went on a little trip to parkgate (place where I live, which does the best ice cream ever) on thursday evening and to both of our disappointments the ice cream shop was closed! We sat and watched one of my favourite Disney films, Tarzan, which Vicky had never seen!!!! And yesterday we went and had a little shop before I had to head home and meet my cousins and it also meant the return of my car!!!!! Which has been gone for nearly 9 weeks now! 

That is all my exciting news for now! And a Good Luck to everyone who is going to tomorrow, see you next month :)


xxx

7 weeks to go....

Soo 7 weeks today I will probably be on the plane to Florida with all the other excited ICPer's, getting ready for possibly my best summer ever! I am starting to get pretty excitied now, but before the excitiment officially kicks in, I have to complete my final year of uni, which means sitting 3, 3 hour exams :( and then find out the dreaded degree results. Seems like there is a lot to happen before I will finally be on that plane and heading stateside, but I know that it will be here in no time. 

Thinking about what I will be doing in 7 weeks time is pretty scary, as I will be finding out where I will be living, who I will be living with, where I will be working, and the plans for the next few days (which I'm hoping that at least one will be making a trip to Universal). I literally cannot wait for the summer to begin and to start what I think will be the best summer ever!! 


Lets hope the next 7 weeks fly by :) 
xxx

Month of March

So last month was a pretty busy month regarding preperation for Disney, and involved some exciting things :)


At the beginning of March we received our hoodies, which had been designed by Carly, she did such an amazing job with them and I can't wait to wear it at the airport with the rest of the crew!! I went for a pretty boring colour, as wasn't sure if a bright colour would tear away from the deisgn but from what I can see, they all look rather good. This is mine 

Also last month I had the joyful experience of going to get my visa, which was also a great excuse to go and stay with Miss Warsaw for the evening :) So I travelled down on the Tuesday and had a lovely date with Sarah. Then on the Wednesday we were up nice and early as I had planned to meet Justine, Laura and Bee for breakfast, which consisted of going to Maccies!! Then after a much needed Starbucks for me and Bee we headed over to the embassy. First stop of course was to drop our bags off at the pharmacy, we then queued to get through security, to which I had a nice flirt with the security man. But then me being the dosey one, had left my headphones in my bag which meant that I then had to run back to the pharmacy, to which I then had to argue with the man about whether the belongs we had put in were actually mine. So then off back to the embassy I went.

On entry we were given an number which would be called out twice, my number got called pretty quickly and then Laura got called for her second one about 20 mins after, we all thought it was to good to be true if we were in and out that quickly, turns out we weren't. 2 hours and one extra friend later, our numbers were finally called!! 

The man who served me was very nice, asking me about what I was going to be doing at Disney and what my plans were once I returned, and once again I was faced with the deemed question and gave me usual response of 'who knows?'. My visa was then approved which meant that I was officially going to work at DisneyWorld. 

So that was my visa experience, and I have to admit it's not one that I wish to repeat any time soon!! Stuck in a hot and sweaty room, its a good job I was with company otherwise the day would have been hideous. 

Anyway thats all for now :) 


xx

My First Post

Hi everyone,


This is my first post as some exciting stuff happened today! This morning our welcome packs arrived which included all the details regarding getting our visa. So I have spent all morning, putting off doing any sort of work and have booked and paid for my visa. My appointment is on the 28th March at 11:30, I also know another girl called Justine who has her appointment that day too. 

So, so far not a lot has happened, I have booked my flights, which drained my student loan! And booked my visa appointment, with the help of mother callow :)


Someone who is going this summer has designed hoodies for us all, so I have also ordered myself one of them which I am intending on wearing on the plane! 


I have also meet up with a few people, so it will be good to know a friendly face once I arrive. There is also a meeting happening in Liverpool on the 24th March, where it seems that everyone from the areas of merseyside are going, which will be great fun as I will get to meet loads of new people. 


From today the countdown from 90 days begins, which means that within that time I will have taken all of my final exams and finished all coursework and finally handed in my dissertation, which seems pretty scary stuff at this moment in time! But it will all be worth it once it's over and done with!! 


It also means that I have 30 days to pay my programme fee, which goes towards parties pretty much :) Also 30 days to pay my medical insurance, which we all have to buy through Disney as part of the programme, but annoyingly we also need to get travel insurance afterwards.


All in all a pretty exciting day, I will keep you posted on any other exiciting news :) 


xx