A Magical Proposal

A few months ago, I got engaged at one of the happiest places on earth. No, it wasn't Disney because I told the boyfriend that that would be the equivalent of being proposed to at work. Don't get me wrong, I know tons of people who had lovely engagements in the Magic Kingdom or Disneyland Resort. But every time I look down Main Street, I can't help but think of pushing an ice cream cart down the street in front of the three o'clock parade, frantically trying to sell to every guest flagging me down, while simultaneously trying not to get run over by the start of the parade. Happy memories! Just not an engagement-worthy location in my opinion.

So, what could be equally as magical? Hogwarts castle of course! We are both avid Harry Potter nerds, and it could not have been more perfect. It was the classic "Here stranger, can you take our picture?" When in reality, he asks them to take a video. I think it's a picture, and he pops the question! Truly magical!

It is also worth noting that we met while on the Disney College Program at ESPN Wide World of Sports!

I'm Answering Your Questions!

Congratulations to all who are beginning their Disney journey next month during the Spring 2017 college program! Be prepared for the best and busiest months of your life!

For those of you interested in applying for the college program, the next recruiting season is only a couple months away. Recruiting for Fall generally begins around February or March. Follow this link to sign up to receive a notification when applications open.

I hope that this blog has been a helpful resource for everyone considering or preparing for the Disney College Program. Please comment below if you have any specific questions, or if you would like me to create a specific blog post - I will be monitoring this daily so that I can help you to the best of my abilities!

Happy holidays, Disney friends!

The Odyssey

I have recently began writing for The Odyssey Online, which is a site made up of college students writing about most any topic they choose. If you would like to check out my Disney-related posts, here they are!

9 Controversial Lessons Disney Movies Taught Me
8 Reasons Not To Do The Disney College Program

Note that the second article is laced with sarcasm, and subliminally promotes the DCP! I have also covered topics ranging from Harry Potter to traveling to relationships.

I hope you are all enjoying the lovely spring weather. I love keeping up with those who are currently completing the Disney College Program - the pictures are fantastic and it makes me miss my home even more! I was recently able to go back to Disney World and visit all four parks. It was magical, as per usual!

For those of you who have questions, feel free to peruse this blog, comment, or email me. I am happy to help in any way possible!

Big News!

Hello Disney friends! First off, congratulations to all who have been accepted into the Disney College Program and move to Florida or California in the next few months. I have received many emails from you all asking questions about the program, and I am so excited to help!

Next order of business, I have officially launched my travel website! At BudgetingTravel.com, you can get a sneak peak into my travel tricks and tips, and see how I am able to budget my money and travel the world. This is geared toward people looking for a budget vacation. Sorry, no five star hotels and world class restaurants.

To make your life loads easier, exactly how much it costs to visit per day. It includes a detailed account of accommodation, transportation, food, and excursion costs, as well as other relevant tips on making your stay easier!
you can look at specific cities across the world - Dublin, Bali, Chiang Mai, oh my! - and see

Warning - it is still a work in progress as I am slowly creating the price profiles for each city. But it has come a long way, so feel free to check it out!

Four Crazy Months

I've completed yet another Disney College Program, and it was life-changing as always! A lot has happened since I last blogged, so how about a quick refresher?

I went on a cruise to the Bahamas with the ODF crew.

I road-tripped to Key West and Fort Lauderdale with the MK ODF girls.

I worked the Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween parties!

I went to Disneyland! (Friends, take advantage of this while you work for the company. It's only $200 round trip if you book plane tickets at the right time, and you get in for free!)

I visited old friends in Utah.

I graduated from the Disney College Program (but missed graduation because my schedule hates me).

I flew to Scotland (what?!).

Then Ireland.

Then England.

Thailand, anyone?

 

 

Bali is paradise.

Hello, Singapore!

South Korea has the best airport (though it doesn't make for good pictures).

I returned to Seattle after being abroad for five weeks.

Then I left for Florida once again (I think I'm addicted!).

10 days until I leave for Hawaii!

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!

 

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.

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!

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!

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?

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!

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!

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!

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.