Day 6-8: Disney University & Training

On Saturday, I had my food and beverage class in Disney University (DU). For those of you who don't know, DU is the building where collegiate classes and seminars take place, as well as lecture-based training classes. My class didn't start until 1pm, so I was able to sleep in, which is always nice! But despite this, I was still struggling to not fall asleep as they showed us video after video about food handling, storage, and safety. After three hours of this, we went into the computer lab to complete a couple more learning modules and register for the Hub. In a nutshell, the Hub is the online information center for Disney Cast Members. Then we all got our shoes for our work locations! Hideous as they are, I am just grateful that Food & Beverage (F&B) doesn't have to pay for them like everyone else. Once we were done, I hopped on a bus, headed to Wal-Mart to pick up some food, then headed home to sleep. However, my roommates were going out to the parks, so I thought I would join them, despite the fact that I had to get up early the next day for training! We hit up Magic Kingdom, rode a few of the attractions (they were less busy since it was about 10pm and everyone was watching the firework show), and then browsed through the shops. Finally, after waiting an hour for the bus, we made it home at about 2am Sunday morning. It's safe to say that I didn't prioritize very well that night.

Yesterday, I woke up at 4:30am in order to get ready and catch my bus at 5:30. Work didn't start until 7:15, but it takes an hour to get to Magic Kingdom, and you never know when a bus is going to be late! After our leaders introduced themselves, we split into groups and got a 3 hour tour of the Magic Kingdom. Once we were nearing the end of the tour, they took us all through the fast pass line to the Haunted Mansion. Sweet! Now I can say that I got paid to go on an attraction! After this, we split up based on work role. I went with the F&B cast members to receive our training schedules, get our costumes, and complete a couple more computer-based training modules. I found out that I will first be trained in the kitchen for a few weeks before being cross-trained to work out front. That's nice because I can pick up a wider range of shifts in other locations and always work indoors in the air conditioning. My costume is super plain (black pants and a white shirt), but it's only for a few weeks! However, I have no idea what I'll be doing in the kitchen. Dishes? Cleaning? Cooking? I mean, we do have pb&j sandwiches on our menu, so that I can do!

Once I got home, I crashed at about 6pm, woke up this morning, and began to blog since I have the day off. I think I'm going to hang out here for awhile and hit up the parks in the late afternoon. Hollywood Studios, perhaps?

Day One: Check-in & Casting

At 7:30 this morning, my roommate and her dad picked me up from my hotel and we drove to Vista Way for check-in. By the time we got there, the line was already stretching around the building. After waiting in the heat for about two hours, we made it inside. There, we found out where we will be living, got our housing ID, registered vehicles, found out where we will be working, filled out I-9 paperwork, and got our itineraries. Going through all that took another hour or so. But...

I'm living in Patterson Court, 3 bed/3 bath, and will be working in the Magic Kingdom at Pinocchio Village! And lucky for me, the costumes there are not entirely tacky like some of the other locations.

After check-in, we had a couple hours to kill before we needed to catch a bus to go to casting, so we took our bags to our apartment and unpacked. (This apartment is so big! I'm digging the walk in closets.) When the time came, we boarded the bus and went on our merry way. The casting building is so cool, and is the only building to feature Alice in Wonderland door handles! There, we filled out more paperwork, found out our schedules for the rest of the week, and got fingerprinted for background checks.

We then went back to our apartment, unpacked some more, then headed over to Wal-Mart with a couple friends to pick up stuff we needed, like food! It was nearly 5pm and I was starving! I strongly advise packing a couple snacks in your bag for check-in. But this hunger was resolved as we all made spaghetti and had a nice, sit-down dinner.

For those of you who are interested, here is my schedule for the week!

Monday: Check-in, Casting
Tuesday: Housing Welcome Meeting
Wednesday: Day off
Thursday: Traditions (orientation)
Friday: Going to the parks!!
Saturday: Training Day 1 @ Disney University
Sunday: Training Day 2 @ Magic Kingdom Tunnel

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Disney University: Course Registration

Listen up all you Fall 2013 DCP participants! If you haven't already heard, course registration opened yesterday, June 24th. Be sure to head over to the online registration site to view and sign up for courses and seminars before they fill up! You can register HERE.

Collegiate courses that are offered at Walt Disney World:

• Advanced Studies in Hospitality Management ($10)
• Human Recourse Management ($10)
• Corporate Analysis* ($24)
• Interactive Learning Program ($10)
• Corporate Communications ($10)
• Marketing You: Personal and Career Development Strategies* ($30)
• Creativity & Innovation: Gaining the Edge ($24)
• Organizational Leadership ($30)
• Experiential Learning ($30)

*These are the only collegiate courses offered at the Disneyland location.

Seminars offered at Walt Disney World:

• Exploring Disney Heritage
• Exploring Marketing
• Exploring Guest Service
• Exploring Leadership
• Exploring Cast Engagement & Human Resources
• Environmentality and Sustainability Pilot

Seminars offered at Disneyland:

• Blended Learning Series
• Leadership Speaker's Series
• Professional Development Study: The Business of Show Business

For more details about these courses and seminars, or to view their syllabi, click HERE.

I signed up for Corporate Communications, and was wait listed for Exploring Disney Heritage (that seminar fills up fast)! One thing I wasn't expecting was the fee that you are charged upon registration for the collegiate courses. Luckily, Corporate Communications was one of the cheaper ones at $10. I'll be sure to put all the prices next to each course above. And don't forget that you are also responsible for purchasing any textbooks or supplies that are required for that course. 48 days until check-in!

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