Monday, October 26, 2015

Month 4: Tonsillitis, Halloween, and the Bahamas!

Time to recap my September adventures! To start off the month, I came down with a nasty case of tonsillitis. It was one of the most painful things I have ever experienced, and I ended up missing almost a week of work as a result. On the bright side, I didn't have to get my tonsils out; they simply put me on antibiotics. Thank goodness that's over with.

I have also picked up a few shifts at ESPN this month! It was a ton of fun, and made me miss the people there that much more. There was a men's softball tournament going on the weekend I worked, and there were a lot off EHH working the event. (Note: EHH are people who don't normally work in that location, but picked up the shift through the Extra Hours Hotline on the Hub). The leaders often put me in charge of various concession locations because I actually knew what I was doing, which I enjoyed!

It is officially Halloween season at Walt Disney World, as Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties have begun. Though the shifts go late into the night, I love working these events. The costumes are adorable, the parade is to die for, special Disney character fill the park, and the perimeter fireworks are jaw dropping. Plus, I was never able to work the Halloween parties on my last program since Pinocchio Village Haus only does the Christmas parties, so this is all a new experience for me!


During the last week of September, I had the opportunity to go on an impromptu cruise to the Bahamas with a group of my coworkers at ODF! I had never been on a cruise before, so I had no idea what was in store for me. The boat was absolutely gorgeous, there was unlimited food and drinks, a casino, a pool, a rock wall, and like 10 different bars throughout the boat. The first island we stopped at was Coco Cay, which was paradise. The second island was Nassau, which was a lot different. It was heavily populated, very dirty, and the poverty level was very high. We weren't able to make it to the beach in Nassau, but we did spend some time haggling at the straw market, which was a blast. I can't wait to go on my next cruise!

 

Thursday, October 15, 2015

How I Afford To Travel The World

I've finally completed my string of international flight bookings for my travels in December. When I tell people about my plans, the most common question concerns how I am able to pay for this trip. Sometimes this question suggests a negative connotation, sometimes it is just genuine curiosity. Regardless, I have decided to break everything down financially. I hope this answers these questions, as well as help others who are planning to travel in the future.

Before I make any purchases, I spend hours looking at flights on Kayak.com. This is literally what I do in my free time and what I consider "fun". I change every variable to find the cheapest flight possible: nearby airports, number of layovers, date of departure, etc. After doing this for every single flight, I make a timeline of my trip and my price range. For my trip in December, I planned out $1,800 for all my flights.

Next, I purchase the flights, one by one. I can't afford to purchase all the flights at once, so I buy one flight every other week when my paycheck comes in. I have purchased five flights total, and have been in the process of doing so since the beginning of August. I use an excel spreadsheet to track how much each flight will cost, paycheck amounts, planned dates of purchase, and my remaining balance.

Here is a breakdown of each flight purchased*:

Orlando, Florida to Glasgow, Scotland - $370
London, England to Bangkok, Thailand (BKK) - $515
Bangkok, Thailand (DMK) to Bali, Indonesia - $95
Bali, Indonesia to Bangkok, Thailand (BKK) - $135
Bangkok, Thailand (BKK) to Seattle, Washington - $635

Total: $1,750
*These prices include the additional foreign transaction fees, when applicable.

Additionally, I know people in the destinations I am traveling to, which will help to cut down on hotel and transportation costs. That is one benefit of working for the Walt Disney Company - you get to know and work with a very diverse group of people.

"I'd rather travel and be poor than be rich and never see the world."

This quote sums it all up. I am not rich; I am a broke college student living paycheck to paycheck. I completely eliminate excess spending, including shopping, alcohol, eating out, etc. I try to spend exclusively on experiences. I work my butt off to earn the right to travel - I usually work 60-70 hours during the weeks preceding a vacation. The effort I put into earning these trips makes them that much more worthwhile.

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Month 3: Goodbye ESPN, Transfers, and Seattle!

Is it September already?! The Halloween decorations are all put up in Magic Kingdom, which means it is officially fall. August has been a very eventful month, so let's hope I can remember most of what happened!

First of all, I had my last day at ESPN, and all of my friends are gone. This is what absolutely sucks about extending your program. Although I've made new friends in my new location, it's nothing compared to the summer full of memories I have with my ESPN family. However, there is a bright side to this situation. I have officially decided to travel after my program to visit some of my friends abroad! I will be going to Scotland, England, and Thailand so far. I have not bought a plane ticket from Bangkok to anywhere else yet, as I can't currently afford it. But once I save up, we'll see where I decide to go next!

 
I completed my training at ODF (outdoor foods) in Magic Kingdom, and it's not half bad. I mostly do mobile vending, so I'm that person with the food cart that walks in front of the parades. It's a very independent job, so I don't interact with my coworkers as much as I did at ESPN. I do like it though, because there is a lot more guest interaction. My time at ODF has definitely helped me to improve my guest service skills, as well as my ability to communicate across language barriers.

One of my seven costumes at ODF!

In mid-August, I took a week and a half off to visit my family and friends in Seattle! August is my favorite time to visit home because all my friends are actually home from college and in the area. Plus, I was able to see my best friend who just returned from his mission in Brazil! It was such an amazing week, and I miss it already! Luckily, we all have an excuse to get together again next summer, as my other best friend is getting married! July couldn't come any sooner!

Green Lake Park in Seattle

I also had the opportunity to go to Universal Studios. It was so much fun, as I had not been there in over a year. Hogwarts and Diagon Alley was just as amazing as I remembered it to be. And boy, did I miss actual thrill rides! Disney rides are great and all, but they do nothing to appease my craving for a full-on adrenaline rush. The Hulk, on the other hand, does just that.



The next day, I ended up going to the doctor and finding out I had tonsillitis. This was probably one of the most painful things I have experienced. They put me on antibiotics, I took three days off work, and I am just now starting to feel normal again, almost two weeks later.

Other than this, not much has happened. Its been a busy month, so I haven't spent much time in the parks. I have some big plans in store for this month, though, so stay tuned for my Month 4 update!

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Dear 21-year-old-self,

On my main blog, All Roads Lead To Nowhere, I recently wrote a post entitled "Dear 21-year-old-self." It's a short piece explaining the reasoning behind my decision to take my senior year of college off to travel. I know it's not Disney related, but it is definitely applicable to college students everywhere!

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Top 5 Dorm Room Essentials

Whether you are heading off to college, starting the Disney College Program, or simply furnishing your first apartment, there are a few necessities on my list! I have moved so much since graduating high school, and am slowly mastering the art of downsizing while remaining comfortable. Here is a list of my top five dorm room essentials that I can't imagine going without!

1. Down Comforter

Have you ever wondered what it is like sleeping on a cloud? Look no further than a classic down duvet. Though they can be a bit on the pricey side, these duvets last a long time and are perhaps the most comfortable purchase I have ever made. Get a glimpse of what I'm talking about HERE; Parachute is a company that specializes in bedding and décor. Heavenly, right?

2. Mattress Pad

While we're on the subject of bedding, I cannot stress enough the importance of a mattress pad. Especially when it comes to dorm rooms or the assigned housing in the Disney College Program, the beds tend not to be in pristine condition. Last Christmas, I asked for a mattress pad, and it was one of the best decisions. Not only did it simply feel better, but it helped to alleviate much of my back pain from sleeping on the brick-like mattresses the university provides.

3. Bed Blocks

With all the money you pay for a college dorm, you would think a little more storage space would be included? Do not fear, bed blocks are the perfect solution! By elevating your bed, this creates more space to store luggage, school supplies, or household items. The key to dorm living is making the most of the space you're given!

4. Command Hooks

These are my lifesavers. I have used command hooks every year since starting college because of their ease of use and practicality. These can be used to hang pictures, electrical cords, or whiteboards. I have even used command hooks, duct tape, and string to construct a makeshift pulley system to turn my dorm room light on and off from the comfort of my own bed across the room!

5. Shoe Hanger

As we've previously addressed, space is a virtue in any college dorm room. Thus, it should come as no surprise that I rave over my shoe hanger. Let it be known, though, that I rarely used mine to store shoes. In my dorm, drawer space was very limited, so I used my shoe hanger to store t-shirts and other clothing. College is all about being innovative!

These five items have been absolute lifesavers, from my freshman dorm in Utah to my current Disney College Program housing in Florida. I can't imagine college living without them. What are your dorm room essentials?

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Month 2: Extension!

I am happy to announce that I will be extending my college program through December 5th! I will be taking online classes in the fall so that I will stay caught up in school. After much consideration, I decided that two and a half months in Walt Disney World was much too short (I have no idea how people can stay here for only a week at a time!). There is so much more that I want to do, especially since this will be my last college program. My new location will be outdoor foods (ODF) in Magic Kingdom!

I was lucky enough to have the Fourth of July off work. A big group of us decided to go to Epcot to see the fireworks that night. After fending off an angry group of fifteen year-old Brazilian tourists for three hours to protect our spots in the front row, the show finally began. Boy, and I'll tell you, it was well worth the wait. This finale was the best I have ever seen of all the Disney firework shows, and I have seen many!


I also went out to a very fancy dinner with Craig, which gave me an excuse to get all dressed up! We went to Johnny's Hideaway, which was absolutely delicious! I got seared scallops and a lobster mac n' cheese, and he got the porterhouse steak. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! Here is a snapshot of how I did my hair for the night, with the help of some Pinterest inspiration.


Other than that, the rest of the month has been pretty uneventful. Last week, I worked 67 hours, so I didn't have a whole lot of free time to do anything else (oh, but my paycheck tomorrow will be well worth it!). However, a group of us are going to the beach on Friday, so I'm sure that will be a blast!

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Month 1: ESPN, the Polynesian, and More!

It has been exactly a month since I started my college program! The week one process was exactly the same as it was on my last program two years ago (check-in, casting, traditions, welcome meeting, orientation, etc.). So, if you are interested in reading about that, visit the following blog posts:

Day One: Check-in & Casting
Day 2: Housing Welcome Meeting & DTD
Day 3-5: Kitchen Sink, Traditions, & Magic Kingdom
Day 6-8: Disney University & Training

The day after I finished my training at ESPN, I was deployed to Typhoon Lagoon for a week because there were no events going on at ESPN. Since then, it has been a pretty chill place to work. However, I sometimes feel like I'm not actually working for Disney because ESPN is just a complex that hosts sporting competitions, as opposed to a theme park. But on the bright side, I love sports so I don't mind that the view from my concession stand window is a baseball game most of the time.

Last month, my friend from my last program came down to visit from Minnesota. We stayed in the Polynesian Resort, which was beautiful! This is one of my favorite Disney Resorts. And I highly recommend going to Trader Sams, for all of you who are over 21! It is a bar based on the Tiki Room in Magic Kingdom. Every time a drink is ordered, something happens based on the type of drink. The bartenders chant, the room darkens, thunder sounds... Its an amazing experience!



I ordered the HippopotoMai-Tai as the bartenders
yelled and chanted "Two shots of rum!"

We also rented a boat from the Polynesian. I didn't even know you could do this until recently! And if you are a cast member, you get 50% off! First we rented a small two-seat boat. The next day, we got the 10-seat pontoon. We took these out through the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake in front of Magic Kingdom. While in Bay Lake, we drove in front of the abandoned water park and island, Disney's River Country and Discovery Island. It was so eerie, but I would love to explore it some time!

Disney's River Country



We finished up the weekend with park visits to Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, as well as a couple games of bowling at Splitsville in Downtown Disney. Normally, I can never break 100 points, but somehow I got 5 strikes in a row this game!




Last week, a group of us went on the party bus so Drip, a new club in downtown Orlando, for a paint party. It was so much fun, and the music was great. I can't wait to go again!



This past weekend, a couple more friends from my last program, who I haven't seen in two years, came down to Orlando! We hit up all the parks, went bowling, and had a great time. It definitely did not feel like it had been two whole years. Our last program seemed like only yesterday! But it was a happy reminder of just how fast the time flies while down here on the program.



Two days ago, Craig and I had dinner at Be Our Guest, the Beauty and the Beast themed restaurant in Magic Kingdom. I had the shrimp and scallops while he had the braised pork. For desert we couldn't decide on just one, so we got the grey stuff, eclair a l'orange, and (my favorite) the strawberry cream cheese cupcake. Delicious! The castle was just as beautiful as I remembered, and you get to meet the Beast after your meal.


I forgot to take a picture before I started digging in!


Hopefully I can continue to blog at least once a month. In my spare time, I usually go to the parks or downtown. However, last week I worked 60 hours (by choice - I was not scheduled this many hours), so my free time is limited. To be continued!

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Check-In!

Today was check-in, which took surprisingly less time than I thought it would. We got through it all in about an hour. There, I found out that I will be living in Patterson Court again in a 2-bedroom 5-person apartment. Luckily, I got to the apartment early enough to not have to be in the bunk bed in the other room! Also, I will be working quick service food and beverage at ESPN Wide World of Sports! I am so excited to work here, as I have never even been to this location before. It will definitely be a new experience!

After check-in, we went through casting and got our fingerprints done, as well as the other logistics of being a new hire. We also received our schedules for the week:

Wednesday: Housing Meeting
Thursday: Day Off
Friday: Traditions (first paid day of work)
Saturday & Sunday: Day Off
Monday: Disney University Training Day 1
Tuesday: ESPN Training Day 2

I will be sure to write another post later about the trip down to Disney World. Mongomery, Panama City, Orlando, oh my!


Tuesday, May 12, 2015

DORMS

As my check in date is exactly two weeks away, my DORMS email arrived right on schedule! For those of you who don't know, DORMS (Disney Onsite Resident Management System) is the program where which you apply for housing, select your apartment complex and room size preferences, and choose roommates. On my last program, I linked with one other girl who I met through the DCP Facebook page. For this program, however, I have decided to be a bit adventurous and leave that up to chance. Fingers crossed for a normal roommate!

I did select my preferences for complex and unit size, though. If any of you are curious about what the individual complexes are like, I wrote all about all four complexes in this post HERE. In my last program, I was in Patterson, which I loved! However, I have put Chatham as my first choice this time around. This is because Chatham hosts all the housing events, and the bus stop is located right outside of the front gates. My second choice was Patterson, and third was the Commons. I noticed that the weekly rent prices, which are deducted automatically out of your weekly paycheck, have gone up a little since my last program, but not by much. Below is a picture of the prices for each type of room offered. Sorry for the bad quality!


For more information about DCP housing, you can visit the college program website HERE. 

Monday, May 4, 2015

Three Weeks To Go!

According to my lovely Up countdown (pictured in a previous post, titled Countdown), we are officially into the teens: 19 days left to be exact. Today is the first day of finals week here at the University of Kentucky, so naturally all I can think about is how bad I want to be in Disney. I have begun planning my drive down to Orlando, which I think has turned from a 12 hour long drive into a three day adventure!

Truly the happiest place on earth!

In an effort to cross another state off my list, we will be traveling through Alabama instead of Georgia to get to Orlando. As I have never been to Alabama, we plan to spend a night in Montgomery - it looks beautiful! Plus, I love cities that have a lot of history behind them. I also plan to stop in Panama City and Cape San Blas in order to get my fair share of beaches in before heading to central Florida. I am so excited! Let's just hope that I can survive the next two days of finals week. Wish me luck!

Thursday, April 16, 2015

The Disney Look

As I just received an email from Disney regarding the "Disney Look," I figured I'd cover the topic for all of you who have questions!

Disney is prided on being on the top of their game when it comes to show. Each park you go to, it feels like you are being immersed in a totally different land, and each land has it's own story. This is why when you are working, you are considered to be "on stage." For example, I worked at Pinocchio Village Haus in Magic Kingdom. We had our cute skirts, chipper attitudes, and we occasionally did the Blue Fairy's bidding by granting wishes for young children. Everyone always seemed to be well-put together and presentable. One key component for this entire scene to be successful is the Disney look.

The Disney look is how you, as a cast member, appear. This pertains to dress, style, and hygiene. Here are a few main components of the Disney look:
  • No visible piercings on males. Females may have a single piercing on the lobe of each ear.
  • No visible tattoos. 
  • Glasses frames should be a conservative color.
  • Hair color must be natural looking. Subtle highlighting or frosting is permitted, as long as it looks uniform over the whole head.
Males:
  •  Hair cuts must be symmetrical. Hair must not fall below the ears or shirt collar.
  • Facial hair must be neatly trimmed. A fully grown-in beard or mustache is acceptable, but it must not exceed a quarter of an inch in length. If not fully-grown in, it must be shaved.
  • No shaping of the mustache or beard into a particular style.
  • Fingernails should be clean and must not extend beyond the fingertip. 
Females:
  • Hair must be neatly combed and styled. 
  • Hair below shoulder length should be pulled back while working. 
  • Braided hairstyles are permitted, but must not contain beads or ornamentation. 
  • Shaving off all or a portion of the hair is not permitted. 
  •  Makeup should be well-blended and contain natural colors. 
  • Fingernails should be clean and must not exceed a quarter of an inch beyond the fingertip. Neutral fingernail polish is permitted.*
*If working a food and beverage role, polish is not permitted.

In addition to these guidelines, a cast member must also conduct themselves in a way that reflects positively on the Disney Company. This includes not chewing gum, maintaining good posture, wearing your name tag at all times, and smiling. You are not permitted to use a cell phone, eat, or smoke while on stage.

For more information on the Disney look, visit the Disney College Program website HERE

Friday, April 10, 2015

Countdown

A couple days ago, I made a countdown for my college program next month! With a little inspiration from Pinterest, I slaved over a construction paper booklet with my scissors and tape for two hours until this little beauty was born.


I thought it was too adorable to not make. With less than four weeks left of school, and 42 days until I leave for Orlando, I could not be any more anxious to get the heck out of Kentucky. Haha! Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful here! There's just a part of me that misses living in a big city right off the ocean. Plus, who doesn't love Disney World?!

Monday, March 30, 2015

Acceptance!

Two days ago, I got an email stating that I had been accepted into the DCP Alumni Summer program! I am so excited, and of course I accepted the role immediately! What better way to spend my summer than in the happiest place on earth?


I was offered the same role as last time: quick service food and beverage. This was one of my top choices, as I really enjoyed working QSFB in my last program. Not to mention, this role usually gets paid about $0.50 more an hour than the other roles, which is nice! My arrival date is May 26th, and I depart on August 13th. I can't wait for school to end so I can head to Florida! Eight weeks to go!

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Interview!

Last night, I had my interview for the summer alumni DCP in Walt Disney World. I am so ecstatic about being offered an interview because I am 100% ready to move down to Orlando for the summer! Not only that, but it doesn't conflict with my classes when they start up again in the fall! So I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this one!

I thought this would be a great time to discuss the interview process for the college program. After filling out your initial application, you will receive an email inviting you to do a web-based interview. This is a two or three part questionnaire in which they give you a statement and you choose how strongly you agree or disagree with the statement. My advice when taking the web-based is to maintain a positive attitude the entire time, as Disney is looking for candidates who are positive and cheerful.

At the end of the web-based, you will find out if you have been offered a phone interview. If you have, there will be a link where you can sign up for a time slot. Usually the phone interviews occur 1-2 weeks after you complete the web-based.

When it comes time to do the phone interview, make sure you are in a quiet place that has strong cell phone service. During my first interview, I had a paper and pen in front of me in case I needed to take notes - I used this to write down my interviewers name so that I could  thank her by name once the interview was over. 

Here are a few interview questions that they may ask. Most of them are straightforward and do not have a right or wrong answer. If there is a question that stumps you now, try coming up with an answer prior to the interview in case they ask it.

  • Tell me about a time you were in an emergency situation. How did you react?
  • Say you are working as a hostess in a full service restaurant and someone is upset that they have not been seated yet. What would you tell them?
  • Are you comfortable living in an apartment with up to seven other people? Explain how you would deal with conflict that arises. 
  • Say a guest comes up to you for help, and simultaneously the phone rings. What would you do?
  • Share an experience you've had with excellent guest service. 
  • What would you do if you had an assignment with a deadline, but other tasks keep popping up?
  • Why are you interested in doing the Disney College Program? What do you hope to get out of this internship?
  • Say you are working attractions. What would you do if a guest is too short to ride?
  • What roles interest you the most? Why? (Only list 1-3 roles here).
  • Have you ever had to present in front of a group of people, especially using a microphone? How did you feel about it?
  • Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult person?
  • Do you prefer to work individually or in a team?
  • Do you prefer to work in a slow or fast paced environment?
  • Are you comfortable standing outside for extended periods of time in the cold or heat?
  • Have you ever driven a boat before?
  • Do you have a driver's license? 
  • Do you have experience handling money or using a cash register? 
  • How would you handle a repetitive schedule or task?
Between my three interviews for Disney, I was asked all of these questions at least once. Feel free to use this, and other guides, to prepare for your interview. Remember to stay calm and be yourself. Good luck!

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Perks of Doing the DCP

Before I started my DCP, I was always curious about the perks that are involved with working for the mouse. Welcome to this exclusive tell-all, and get excited to experience these awesome rewards once you start your program!

Main Gate & Guest Passes

Last August, I visited WDW using my friend's guest pass.
After starting your program, you will  receive what is called a "main gate." This is your ticket into the parks, an unlimited amount of times, for the duration of your program. Additionally, you will receive guest passes - six total (unless this number has changed in the past two years). Each of the six passes permits up to three people access to any park for the day. You are free to use each pass as you wish, whether you want to let the same three people into the parks for six days, or you want to let three different people into the park for six days. However, if you use your guest pass for the day on less than three people, that pass will still expire at the end of the day; you can't save it for later. Also, you do not have to use these six day-long passes at the same time. Feel free to space them out throughout your program!

Discounts

As a cast member, you can enjoy discounts on merchandise, food (only full-service, I believe), Disney cruises, hotels, and more! Additionally, the percentage discount changes depending on the season. For example, I received something like a 20-30% discount on merchandise at the start of my fall program, which started in August. When November rolled around, that discount went up to 40%. For more information about these discounts, visit the Hub (which you will gain access to after starting your program). Also, you will receive a little booklet of coupons sometime during your program. You can redeem these for discounts on FSFB restaurants, or things like free popcorn in the parks. But be aware, these coupons have blackout dates, so read the fine print!

Housing Events

As a CP, you are able to attend housing events, which occur throughout your program. At these events, expect character appearances, games, and free food! I think I only went to two housing events during my program, which I totally regret. However, my work schedule conflicted with many of the events, so there was nothing I could do about that.

The end-of-program formal dance.

Lights On

Don't be surprised if you get an email informing you about a special opportunity provided to just cast members - being able to ride the attractions after park hours, with the lights on! I believe they do this to make sure that the rides are running smoothly, and I wish I had done this! Many of my friends were able to ride Space Mountain and Rock 'n Roller Coaster with the lights on, which they say was amazing.

The Beaches

St. Petersburg Beach
This is not necessarily a perk of working for Disney - it's more so a perk of living in Florida (or California, if you do the Disneyland program). Orlando is right in the middle of Florida, which means you have a beach about an hour away if you go either east or west. To the west, I recommend Clearwater (or more specifically, St Petersburg, which is where I went). I went on Christmas day, and it was glorious. The water was warm, and the sun was out. To the east, I only visited Cocoa Beach. It is very quiet, and there are not a whole lot of places to go to other than the pier. However, it was a nice peaceful getaway from the hustle and bustle of Disney.

In my opinion, the perks of doing the DCP are completely worth taking a semester off school. If I come up with any more perks, I will be sure to do a second part to this post!

Friday, March 13, 2015

Two Year Anniversary

Exactly two years ago today, I was accepted into the Disney College Program for Fall 2013. I just happened to be meandering through my first posts on this blog earlier and came across the one where I word vomited all over the page after getting my acceptance email. (You can read all about that HERE). Maybe this is a sign that I will hear back from Disney about at least one of my six pending applications today!

Last week, I got the classic NLIC (no longer in consideration) for one of my professional internship applications. However, I wasn't too worried seeing as I have five more that have been submitted. And I still haven't heard a word about the summer alumni program - I want this one so bad!

On the bright side, it is finally spring break here in Kentucky. Time to start prepping for my road trip to Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi! If only I were going to Disney World... Fingers crossed that that will happen in the near future!

I have been having some major Disney withdrawals lately, so here's a batch of photos from my return trip last August. This was eight months after finishing my program in December 2013. Oh, the magic!


 




Inside Pinocchio Village Haus!

Friday, February 27, 2015

An Offer Has Arrived

About a week after my phone interview for the Fall Disney College Program, I was extended an offer to once again work at the Walt Disney Company.

Fall Quick Service Food and Beverage at Walt Disney World.


I was excited to get accepted, but I had a nagging feeling inside of me. I love experiencing new things and going new places. As far as I was concerned, accepting this offer would accomplish neither of those things. I would be in the same place as before, working the same role.

Now, don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved my experience working QSFB during my last program! It was, hands down, the best six months of my life. However, as I have advanced more in my academic career, I am ready to do something that is more pertinent to my career goals.

This is why I have declined this offer from Disney. But I have since applied for four more professional internships, so I am determined to get back to working for the mouse! In the meantime, I will keep my fingers crossed and just keep swimming.

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Withdrawals

Disney is an addiction.

For the last year and forty-seven days, I have been going through withdrawals. Minus that one week I visited Walt Disney World last August. Guys, I don't think I can handle this much longer, which is why I have applied for...

1 Fall Disney College Program,
1 Alumni Summer College Program, and
2 Professional Internships!

I have already had my phone interview for the fall DCP, and am currently in progress. For the alumni CP and PIs, I am currently in submission. The two PIs include the Disney Gift Card Projects Internship and the Disney Cruise Line Revenue Management Internship, both in Orlando.

I will be sure to keep you all updated as I hear back from Disney about these positions! I am especially nervous about the PIs. Is the interview process the same as the DCP - application, web-based, phone interview? Comment below, I'd like to know!