Contact: Disney style

Greetings once aga-was that a yellow butterfly??

Oooh, I think it was!!

Spring is starting to get into full swing here. The weather's getting nicer, although it's still kind of chilly, and everywhere the grass is starting to turn green and thick. On Sunday, just a few days ago, the temperature was actually in the low 80s! That was pretty crazy. Sitting in the car with my Dad, I discovered I wanted the air conditioner on. Haven't had to do that in a while, lol.

As promised, I'm back to write about the little bits of Disney experiences in my life. Looking back over the past couple of entries, it's kind of sad to see that, after coming back home, my writing just kind of fell off. I didn't even really write about the day that I got home! I've been pondering the notion of going back to the beginning, and filling in any holes or any missing information that I can (and remember accurately, so you know that won't be tons lol). I mean, that was my Disney experience, right? It only seems proper to write it down.

But enough of this chit-chat, yip-yap, and flim-flam, let's get on with the stories!

The first thing I want to write about happened exactly six months ago to the day. No, I don't have some super amazing memory. Yes, I have a planner with a note written in it, lol. Regretfully, because I don't have that super amazing memory, I'm not 1,000% sure on the details, but here's what I got:

Six months ago, it was October, and I was outside in my car on my lunch break. I had been working as a temp at my office for about a month-and-a-half at this time, and I was getting worried because initially, I had been told that it was only a 2-3 month job. That meant that either at the end of October or the end of November, I was going to have to look for another job. This made me a little worried, because I had done no research into any other jobs, or a career like I really wanted. If I recall correctly, I happened to notice there was a voicemail on my phone. I listened to it, and from the few lines of notes I had written down, this is what I think happened -

I got a call from Anitra from the Casting Center telling me that my seasonal transfer had been approved. I was going to be transfered to Fantasyland(!) merchandise. I would need to be at Disney starting November 7th, and would have to stay for the full period of the season, until January 22nd. And if I can remember right, I don't think they absolutely needed me to have full availability, but I pretty much had to be available days, nights, weekends, and holidays.

The first part of that phone call THRILLED me. Oh boy did it ever. Transfered to Fantasyland? No more Mouse Gear? I could just picture myself, standing in the Dwarves' Mine (or whatever it's called), gazing with all the people as the LOUD fireworks from the castle shot off overhead. Imagine! Working in the Magic Kingdom and finally knocking off working in all four parks! And I'd be right across from the Fantasyland expansion construction! I could watch them work, and if they weren't doing anything I could see over the walls, well I could always look backstage too as I took the bus back to Westclock.

But then, the other part hit me. November 7th through January 22nd? What did they mean by that? My current seasonal situation said I come down when I can, work when I can, and there ya go - still with the company! Did this mean I'd have to go down to Florida all that time?

Luckily, Anitra had left her number, and so, with lunch minutes ticking away, I called her back to find out what was going on. It turns out, according to her, the seasonal requirements for each location are different. So while Mouse Gear has their set of requirements, a merchandise role in Fantasyland would in fact require me to be free for over two whole months. I was trying to picture this in my mind - having to move back down to Florida, needing to find SOMEWHERE I could stay for just two months (and that I could afford too). Working in Fantasyland during the holiday season (especially Christmas and New Year). Suddenly, this job opportunity wasn't seeming so much like the solution to the end of my temp job. In fact, November 7th, depending on when my temp job was over, I might actually have to leave that job earlier than expected so I could make it to Florida.

It was all so thrilling and hopeful, and crazy too. But one thing seemed pretty clear: much as I loved Disney, I didn't think it was right to be forced into a two month TEMPORARY work situation with them. But did I have a choice in the matter? I asked Anitra, and she said that I could decline the transfer, no problem. However, in doing so, I would be using up my one transfer opportunity for the next six months. I'd have to wait that long before I could try to transfer again.

And so, I declined. She pretty much said "Ok" and ended the call. And I had to rush to get back inside to work.

It was depressing, just a little bit. I mean, not that there were tons of hourly roles I wanted in the first place, but it had been so cool to think that I might be working in the Magic Kingdom, and that I might be switching locations. But to be forced down there for two months? That wouldn't have worked for me, not at that time.

I was also confused, and honestly, I still am today. When I went to Casting, near the end of my program, I had applied for jobs at Disney, but I had applied for FULL-TIME jobs, not seasonal. I was looking to get into attractions or merchandise or that haha-no floral job. Sure, I had to drop attractions in favor of floral, since I could only apply for two jobs at one time, but they were all permanent, they were all full time. So why the heck did Anitra say my transfer was approved for a seasonal job? I still don't know.

But after everything was done, I flipped ahead six months in my planner and wrote a reminder that I was now able to apply to transfer again. I really have to think about it, as now I know there are the surprise different requirements for each location, and probably role, but I'm happy to have the option again, I really am.

Oh, and in looking at my planner from back in October, just a week later it was October 20th and I was marking my two-year anniversary since I took my first vacation to Walt Disney World. And apparently, this was also the first day I was getting trained to do mail. What a day that was! But wow, two years? It's amazing what's happened, and what I've done Disney-wise since then.

That's my first Disney story. I've still got a few more updates in store, but I've got plenty of other things that require my attention. I'll try to get back here again within the next week or two to do another round of updates. But in the meantime, join me in celebrating being able to finally Disney-job hunt again.

Hourly and full-time jobs, weee!!

It's---ALIVE!!

Hi!

No, really, hi! Hi there! How are you? Remember me?

I'm pretty sure I'm getting the "...and you are?" stare.

Yep, well, hello anyway. It's Katie80, and I've recently remembered that I have blogging to do.

I know, I know, it's been, what, ages since I've written? Since last August? Yeah...

Well, let's keep this simple then.

Hello. I'm very sorry I haven't written in the longest time. After leaving Disney, I came home, sat around for a couple of months trying to figure things out in my life. I worked for free on a movie, and later, for free on a music video. A temp company I joined a few years ago called me out of the blue and offered me a data entry job. I took it, and have since been hired on as a permanent employee.

But who cares about that? That's boring right? Except for the movie/music video part. This blog's about me going to Disney, and Disney in my life in general. So how about some of that?

Since I last wrote, I did end up going back to WDW to work for a couple of days as a seasonal Cast Member. And that trip, well that had some special surprises to it.

But wouldn't you know it, it took me a while to get back to this blog (needed log-in information, can you believe it? How sad), and unfortunately, I've got to head to work now. But, hopefully, within the next week or so, I'll be able to rustle up a little free time for blogging, and share with you the tale of my return to WDW.

But, I am here, I am still attempting to figure out things in my life, and I still love Disney :P

Oh, and in case you were wondering, I've been thinking about getting back to this blog for the past couple of days, but I finally managed to be convinced to do so when iTunes played "Down" by Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne, and I remembered that a guy from Sunset had sung this. I realized that, sadly, though I talked to the guy a lot, I can't quite remember his name right now x.x It's just a few feet from the tip of my tongue, but it's just not coming to me right now.

Oscar?

No...

Anyway, I figured I could come onto the blog and try to look it up. But then I realized I had to go to work, and more importantly, that I really, REALLY need to update this with Disney awesomeness.

But that comes later. Work now.

See ya in a week (or two, knowing me, lol)

CP digivolve to...

I only got three and a half hours of sleep last night and today's been a crazybusy day. I'll summarize with this:

Three years ago I graduated college, and now, I've had a Disney baby!
I've officially graduated the Disney College Program, and now I'm...well I would be seasonal, if my status had changed.

I miss Acen.
I have a lot of crap!

It's time for sleep.

Four...

Today was my last 5:30am day. For the time being anyway. I got assigned to Door 3 (hanging clothes). Kim got assigned to Door 6, and wasn't thrilled. Another girl (forgot her name, sorry) was assigned to Spider, and since it was her first time doing the 5:30am shift, she didn't know what to do. Kim asked Rob if they could trade. Rob said no. I tried to help Kim as best as I could, at least in terms of finding the "door" area and wondering with her if Door 8 (which was listed on the same sign) was her responsibility or someone else's. Turns out, it was her's.

Jerri, one of the stock women, officially celebrated 5 years with the Company today. It was actually earlier in the week, and Manager Ginny had brought her flowers, but today was official. The stockers all gathered in the managers' offices area, where they gave her a pin, a card, and Manager Meag brought out Munchkin donuts. I had two covered in small, multicolored, round sprinkles. Awesome ^-^

Back in the tunnel, however, I found out from Terri (working the other half of Door 3 with me) that 5 years used to be celebrated with a breakfast. They'd have it over in World Showcase before it opened, and there'd be a slideshow and the managers would all be there. Plus, Terri said she was trying to help Jerri put the five year pin on her name tag, and realized the pin was plastic! Apparently two people have 25 year pins, and one's different (cheaper?) than the other.

Spent some time letting my imagination go while in the tunnel ^-^

Today I also got my Public Storage unit. Found out the woman I left a message with actually LIVES at PS, which seemed kind of interesting. She showed me around, told me about the things she'd be fixing and what she planned to do, and gave me a whirlwind of information and paperwork. It cost...about the price of a hotel room for the night, but honestly, I thought it was kind of neat. I've got one box there now, and really need to get to packing things up a little more.

Finally, while trying to find out when I work tomorrow, I discovered that I'm scheduled for next week Sunday through Wednesday. I'm sure this is from when I talked to Sandra about going seasonal and she told me to put my availability in The Hub. But as the schedule's still temporary, who knows? We'll have to see about it all.

One last thing I want to mention before I go, even though it may not have been my last forever, today was my last Wave as a CP. That was always one of my favorite parts of the 5:30am shifts. It was so nice to take a break from stocking (unless I was way behind), go and sit and listen to the store updates, and then fun trying to find the right right-handed Mickey mitt to wear while standing outside in the Breezeway. Sometimes, like today, the weather would be just absolutely wonderful, and that breath of fresh air would be so rewarding. Of course I'd watch the Fab Five as they made their way around by the people. And then the "First Family" Test Track car would drive by and we'd all cheer and wave. Finally, the Guests would be let in, and sometimes it would be nothing short of a sea of people (or a little group if the weather was meh). It was always so cool to see that many people headed straight towards you, and fun watching Attractions people try to keep them in line. And more fun to watch the random stragglers from the morning's Princess Breakfast try to get out of the way. Ah and then the waving and the "Good morning"ing and the high four-ing too, all these people rushing past on their way to Test Track and Mission Space. It wasn't hard to give a geniune smile to these people.

And some would pin trade too, that I loved.

I'm also going to miss being in Epcot in the early hours of the morning. With the Flower and Garden festival going on, the air always smelled so sweet in the mornings. It would be so cool to skirt around the trucks and pargos driving on the paths and avoiding getting sprayed by the high-pressure hoses 3rd shift was using (or the watering system the park employs). Secretly, my favorite part was being able to see Spaceship Earth. It hasn't really been lit up in the mornings, "conserving energy" I guess, but today it had a bit of its nighttime glow and then some reflected white light from goodness-knows-what project was being worked on that required bright lights. Walking down the (nearly) empty pathways, seeing people work or just enjoying the quiet peace, that's something to be savored, for sure.

And walking by Test Track maintenance in the morning and peaking in to see what the guys were doing! It was always awkward when they'd say good morning to me. Polite, but then I'd feel like I should be staring. But it was still neat. Especially when I could look into the back of Test Track, right off the end of the ride, and see the sign hanging that says "Test Track, opening Spring 1997". It's nice when they keep stuff like that.

Oh my, I've got to get to bed! Here's hoping that things'll be ok, since the next couple of days are just going to be crazy. I've got lots of fun packing and organizing to do, not to mention wanting to get some laundry done (believe it or not). But sleep is good too :P