Catch Up

I haven't posted in awhile and I finally got my iCloud synced up so here are a couple pictures to update you all. 

My side of the room ( I've added a few more decorations since then)

In late August when absolutely no one was in the parks. It was amazing!

 Two friends visited me at work :)

This needs no caption. It's beautiful.

My best friend forever came to the parks!

 The highest score I've ever gotten on Buzz Lightyear!

 My two very best friends. Kyle flew in to visit and Rachel joined us. One of my favorite days.

As for more news, I recently attended a training for Mickey's Halloween Party. They taught us how to hand out candy the proper way and let us watch the fireworks. That night was the College Program's Space Mountain ride through with the lights on. My friend and I were scheduled for the training so we unregistered from the event, but then as we were clocking out all of the College Program was standing there waiting to get on. So they still allowed us to ride in our costume! It was magical. 

The next day we had a College Program scavenger hunt. The concept seemed really cool, but in reality it wasn't what I expected. We spent most of our time sitting at tables trying to figure out clues that were difficult rather than running around the park. (maybe it was just the clues we were given). We decided to call it quits with an hour left to spare and grab some lunch. The roommates and I love food more than anything, so giving up winning the scavenger hunt for food was an easy decision.

My computer is dying so I will make this quick. Work has been great as usual, I absolutely love my  coworkers and have been actually spending more time with them after work. They are incredible people. I have a lot of events and visitors coming in the next week so I will post another update then.

Let's Talk About Yesterday

First of all, I decided to go to the park by myself. I knew I wanted to visit my roommate at her attraction and get a picture with her so I made my way over there. Then I ate lunch and went on Radiator Racers by myself. It's pretty nice going alone because you can choose what you want to do and go your own pace.

Yesterday was officially the best day of work so far. To start it was only a four hour shift and get this...it started at 10:45 PM! It was really odd starting that late and when we got on the cast shuttle the bus was pretty vacant besides the maintenance guys who work 3rd shift overnight. It just seemed really strange. Once we got there, however, it felt like an normal night. I was asked to start Go Backs (putting back items that guest didn't want) and then a lead came over and was looking for people to help with A Kiss Goodnight. I was supposed to go on registers, but I made it really apparent that I would rather help with the Goodnight. And my wishes came true and I was told to meet in front of the arcade registers. We all got to wear a Mickey glove and went out in the street and waved goodnight. Then we made a little arch that people ran through and gave high fours. 

It was probably one of the most fun things I've ever done at work and I was grinning the whole time. The guests were absolutely loving it and I've never been more happy to work here. I was awarded a Four Keys card for helping make magic. Then later that night I was helping other coworkers wrap mugs and bag items and one of the cashiers rewarded me with another Four Keys card. Two in one night!! I was so ecstatic. It was overall an incredible night.

Two Posts in One Day!

That last post was from several days ago, because I wrote it around 3 AM, but never got around to rereading it before I posted it. Work is still going really well. I joke around that I basically sold my soul to the Emporium, because I am sacrificing time with friends and special events (no more Space Mountain ride through for me) because of my schedule. But at least I am getting hours because now that they have started to take out rent, I see how crucial it is that I grab as many hours as I can. 

My best friend came and spent a couple hours with me in the park. It was a completely blessing and definitely made my week. She has an annual pass so hopefully we will be going to the park a lot. 

So far my weeks have been pretty similar. Nothing too exciting or extraordinary to report and I apologize that most of the posts basically say the same things about how exciting this is and how it is going really well. Once my class starts and peak season picks up, I will hopefully have more to talk about. 

Right now I'm just all about Starbucks and sleep. So Starbucks gift cards are a blessing.

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