The Magic of Main Street

This post was written several days ago...

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Working Main Street has been a really inspiring experience. I am not used to 8 hour shifts, so it's a little intimidating at first, but once I actually get there the time usually flies. And so far, every single shift I've have, I've been hit with a feeling of shock and gratitude. Once it happened when I was driving out of the cast parking lot and then last night it happened when I was roaming the plush section of the store. I'll just be in my own mind realizing how cool it is that I get to do this everyday. I won't say that everyday is a piece of cake, sometimes we're bored out of our mind during non peak season, but I have some of the best managers and leads, I'm starting to get to really know other cast members, and I continue to try and make magic for the guests.

Today is my first day off this week. I work five day weeks that usually range between 6-8 hour days. The past two days ended at 3AM for our AP private event. Surprisingly my crash happens around 12 and then once we're closing, I'm wide awake and skipping around the store.

For anyone thinking about doing this program, it really is what you make of it. A couple of people aren't really fond of their role, and I can't say that I love retail all the time, but I go in and make every hour of my shift super positive. Sometimes you'll catch me walking with a little jump in my step or humming around the store. It's something that I found helps me keep smiling and loving working there.

Earning My Ears

So much has happened in the past couple days. Especially two days ago. I am officially done with my training and am now a cast member who has earned her ears. Yesterday I had my first shift without trainers nearby. It's nerve wracking, but I feel completely comfortable now with the skills I have acquired. With hopes that no one brings in a travelers check or wants something shipped. Knock on wood. 

I also earned my first Four Keys card two days ago which was something completely unexpected, and totally incredible. It's basically something saying that someone saw me do something that deserved to be rewarded. I am so ecstatic about it. It's a really big deal to me, especially getting one on only my third day of training. 

So far merchandise is great. There is definitely a lot that I will come to learn like what kind of merchandise we have and where it's located. But that will just come with time. I love interacting with customers and answering their questions. Plus seeing all of the merchandise is pretty nice.

It's been incredibly fun working everyday and coming to love my fellow Main Street CPs. My carpool buddies are already some of my closest friends. The one downfall to this week is that while I'm getting through all my training, my roommates and other friends have been bonding and running about the parks. It's really difficult seeing their fun and not feel like I'm missing out. I know that I'm getting lots of hours and meeting so many friends at work, but I still wish I could join them. However, my insanely amazing roommates know I feel terrible FOMO right now and wrote me the sweetest note for when I got home. I'm am extremely lucky and blessed to have them. Now if only I had time and a normal schedule to see them more.

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For an update on my first day of work without a trainer! It could not have gone any better! I felt comfortable with clocking in and out, I understood how to bump other cast members for their breaks, and I helped find a lot of items that guests were looking for. I definitely continued to ask hundreds of questions, but I felt like I could handle it on my own. We were oddly quiet today so I got to have a lot of extra time with guests and try and make some magical moments. I awarded two Honorary Citizens of Disneyland pins two these two siblings. They looked like they were on Cloud 9.

I also ran into one friend while coming back from break and then had an old childhood friend stop by to say hello and then come purchase something from my register. I hadn't seen her in years! It was such an incredible moment and definitely made my day :)

Overall, it was the perfect first day of unsupervised work. I know there will be difficult days in the future, but for now I am loving every minute of it.

And I am still blessed for this opportunity everyday.

Princess Katie

Sorry Oprah

A quick little note to all my friends and family reading this...I have become overwhelmingly busy with starting training and work straight after my orientations, so if contact becomes a bit distant do not panic. I realized that this was the first time I have open my laptop and have been on it for longer than ten minutes. I've given up on keeping up with the news and with my tv shows.

Let's talk about two nights ago. I had finished orientations and for the first time ALL the roommates got to go to Disneyland. We met up with another group of CPs and let me tell you...it was probably one of the best nights of my life. Completely magical. I hadn't even started my actual work yet and I felt completely blessed to be here. Almost like a Cloud 9 feeling. I can't even explain it. And not only because I got to go hang out with friends in the park, but I am now a part of the magic there everyday. I see it in a new light now. Plus, I can drop in for an hour or two, wear nicer clothes, and get discounts! And I'm glad we all got to get together  at Disneyland because I know, especially with my schedule, that it might become impossible.

 My roommates as well as quite a lot of other CPs have a nice little weekend right now to explore the parks and relax. But for our little Main Street group, we jumped right in to work. I train for three days (now two, I JUST FINISHED ONE DAY :) ) and then two days of working on my own! 

I was absolutely terrified to start training. I've never done retail before and when they were going over everything I was completely overwhelmed. It definitely got easier once we were on the registers, but I am a bit nervous for when my trainers aren't behind me. I got to converse with guests and give some advice on rides and parades (plus I get to here the fireworks and parade everyday). But one of the most magical moments was when on break, one of the trainers guided us over to an area where we were able to see the fireworks. And to stand there in my costume, after accomplishing something that was initially terrifying, was a feeling I can't begin to put words to. 

I am completely exhausted, but am trying to stay awake because my next few shifts are late ones. 

I remember when I was younger, Oprah said that she never ate after 7:30 because it was bad for digestion or losing weight or something. I remembered this as I sit here eating soup and casserole at midnight. Because this new schedule doesn't accommodate a normal meal schedule.

But I wouldn't change it for the world. 

Princess Katie

It's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow

I am finally here.

Checked in.

Casted.

Moved in.

The whole process of check in and move in day went a lot more smoothly and quickly than expected. There are tons of employees around helping you out, making the process go easier, and conversing with everyone. After check in we brought all of my luggage in and went off for lunch. The hardest part of the day was sitting in the 100 degree heat for a housing meeting. But I'm super excited about all the amazing events planned for us. After we settled in, me and some roommates went to Target to pick up some house necessities. 

The rest of the week is jammed packed with orientations and events, so it'll be a while before I have a chance to breathe. But I am very much excited and ready to be working at...

Main Street Stores!!!!

How stinking cool is that? Main Street is iconic when it comes to Disneyland and that is where I will be. I'll get to listen and see parades/fireworks every day. Very excited. 

The most consistent thing of all of today (and probably the rest of the week) is exhaustion. We are all so tired from today and from what I've learned, it's something I need to get used to.

We're headed off to Downtown Disney to roam around, but I can pretty much tell this will be an early night. Early morning wake up call tomorrow. 

This post was kind of all over the place, but I just have so many thoughts from today. 

I'm going to try to have a better written post at the end of the week after all of the class orientations are done.

Princess Katie 

The Paperwork

Now this post is for those of you who have been accepted and now face all the paperwork. It's a lot to see at first, but promise me...you will have plenty of time to get prepared. 

I think about a month and a half (I can't remember) before check in day I received my email about hire documentation. These are files that you need to read and virtually sign before you can proceed with the program. There were quite a few documents and their system definitely caused a lot of stress with fellow CPs. 

Tips:

Make sure you have the latest Adobe Reader installed

Use Internet Explorer (ugh)

but seriously...it's the easiest browser for it

After you sign everything you will also participate in a background check. It's a simple form from what I recall. 

I think after all that, we just waited around until it was time for class registration. Thank goodness for the FB page otherwise I would have forgotten the date until I got the email from Disney. 

YOU NEED TO REGISTER FOR CLASS BEFORE YOU CAN REGISTER FOR HOUSING

And then the housing part happens. If you are adventurous and going random with your roommates (bless you) then go ahead and register when prompted. If you have preferred roommates have ONE person register and link to the other roommates. You will then get an email saying YOU'VE BEEN LINKED and you can now resume housing registration. 

Oh, I almost forgot renter's insurance! This part was the biggest struggle because Disney has specific guidelines that need to be followed and won't accept it until it is perfect. A lot of participants use a State Farm woman down in Anaheim because she knows the drill. I used a different company and had to do a lot of emailing back and forth because the policy wasn't right up to Disney standards. 

Follow the email instructions and you should be good!

Overall, there are a lot of papers that go into participating in the college program. But trust me, when you finish them all, it is the biggest weight off your shoulder. And it's totally worth it. 

I hope this gives some people a little more information. Maybe. Hopefully it's not completely outdated for the next group of particpants. :)

Princess Katie

See Ya Real Soon!

Remember when it was 100 days left until check in? And how that felt like an eternity away? Well now I am down to just 18 short days until I begin my journey as a Disneyland cast member. 

The DCP has been a constant conversation in my daily life. I do not think a day has gone by where I haven't mentioned it or brought it up. However, I don't think it ever really sunk in until now. 

And I'm scared.

Maybe scared is too much of an overstatement. More like nervous. Or anxious. 

Now...I've lived away from home for four years while in college and it's not the living on my own or homesickness part I'm worried about. I just get panicked with big change. (Also a bit nervous about having a super demanding work schedule [I've had some pretty laid back jobs]).

But I've found some amazing roommates, I've been listening to the conversations on the big group FB page, I've done a lot of research on the program, and I know Disneyland like the back of my hand. So I couldn't be anymore prepared. I just have to trust in God and keep a positive outlook and embrace the nerves. :)

Here are a couple inspirational Disney quotes that I love

and are really helpful right now.

Princess Katie

Life Lately

So far on this magical journey there hasn't been any more exciting updates. It's this weird phase right now where I probably should be proactively looking for roommates, but since you don't actually apply until August for housing, I've just been putting it off. 

I still have until August until another part of the process starts!! Now it's just months of nothing. The waiting is agony. And I finally start enjoying all the posting on the FB page....AND IT STOPS. There aren't many acceptance waves going out so it's been pretty quiet. 

On the other hand, I saw Cinderella on the Thursday before it came out. Let's just be clear...the prince was so nice to look at. 

It truly was a beautiful rendition of the Disney classic. I loved Lily James as Cinderella--she looks exactly how I think a live-action princess would look. And the whole movie just looked beautiful. A+.

 

And let's talk about Frozen Fever. I had kind of sunk into the whole I'm-over-Frozen-now attitude so I wasn't extremely stoked for the short. But it was so good! The little snowmen were adorable and of course Olaf absolutely made the whole thing! Overall, I loved it and am now ready for Frozen 2. 

Princess Katie