WDW College Program

This week I can go more in depth about how I feel as a trainee at Disney. Today was actually my last day of training at Disney University. I was taking training on cash handling and guest service interaction as a Front Desk Cashier. This class was very interesting. I learned a lot about the 11 steps to check -in a guest and the 5 steps to check out. I also learned about Lilo and how it operates. Lilo is the reservation system used at Disney Resorts. This was amazing and I was so excited to learn about it. I also learned that this is not as easy as it sounds. Being a front desk cashier involves so much more than that. We learned about many scenarios we may encounter and how to handle them and we were able to put it into practice at the front desk registration simulator. This place resembles an actual front desk. Our class was divided into half; some were cashiers and others were the guests. This allowed us to put into practice what we have learned during the lesson and enhanced our guest service interaction skills. I had great instructors and they helped us acquire the necessary tools and how to apply them in certain situations.

Next week, I will embark my journey and start training at my job location. I am very excited and look forward to it. I am a bit anxious since it will be my first time working as a front desk cashier but I am ready to face the challenge and conquer it. I’m ready to use all of the knowledge acquired to perform an efficient job.

During these past couple of days, I’ve had long hours during the day scheduled for training and minor breaks in between. I took this opportunity to explore the halls of the second floor at Disney University. I noticed something very interesting on the walls; portraits of all of Walt Disney’s creations as well as his employees classic illustrations. I saw all of the sketches hanging on the walls as well as the finished drawings and illustrations of all of the cartoon characters. But It was a few minutes later that I bumped into something that left me in awe. I saw the portrait of the creators of Disney; Walter And Roy Disney themselves. In between the portraits there was written the story of how it all came to be (Disney). It is amazing to learn about their story and all they did to build this amazing empire. It’s astonishing how they started with very little and turned it into an incredible corporation that is expanding around the world but has never deviated from its main purpose; To create happiness and put a smile in people’s faces regardless of their age. I feel so lucky to be working for such astounding company. I was really excited and couldn’t help but to take a picture. Some employees walked by and smiled at me when they saw how enthusiastic I was.

I started my on the job training on Tuesday February 2nd, my trainer’s name was Scott and he was a very good resource and leader. I had 4 days of training, all 4 days I was in the vacation planning booths, making transactions and helping guests while my trainer was always next to me if I needed any help. I got all types of transactions, from military tickets to upgrades. I realized vacation planning is a very hard role but it’s rewarding. We have a rewards program called The Magic Carpet Club. This is how it works, a one day base ticket equals 10 points, but if they add the park hopper option it equals 250 points. It’s an incentive for you to tell guests about the different tickets we have. At the end of the month, all your points add up and you get gift cards according to what you sold.

On the 5th day I got my assessment. A cast member other than my trainer had to be the one to judge. She watched me during my whole shift and graded me on the 4 steps of “Selling Relationship Magic”, something we learned at the core classes. Receiving, Understanding, Helping and Keeping. We need to follow those guidelines in order to help our guests find the best fit tickets. I also had to take a quiz of 50 multiple choices, which I only got 4 wrongs. My leaders were very impressed on how much I learned in 4 days and they told me I was so ready to start on my own. Finally the red tag of earning my ears was taken off and I have never felt so proud and confident.

These are the vacation planning booths at Animal Kingdom, where I work and spend most of my time. And since I’m the first interaction guests get when they walk into the park, I need to answer all their questions, from what’s the most popular ride? to where do they have butterflies?. So I visited Animal Kingdom during my own time and I loved it! I plan on visiting it again and learning more about what will be my park for the next 4 months.

Today is my second week here at Walt Disney World CP and every day feels like a new adventure in my life. Firstly, I was supposed to  arrived January 25th but because of the SnowStorm I could not make it until the following week which was February 1st. I have to say that each day is journey for me because I am surround  by new people and new things but little by little I am adapting and trying to learn as much a possible . Last Saturday I had ”Traditions” this special even an official orientation about how this worldwide company operates, and also how Disney was created. It is a very special moment when after they go through all the history, and they say that you are an officially cast member of their company. At that moment they really make you feel welcome and also make you feel that you are an important part of this huge company.

Disney has a very special and successful way to operate, at “Traditions” we learned about the four main keys that make this company unique and different from everyone else. These four keys are  Safety, courtesy, show and efficiency. On a daily basis when cast member are working they have to perform these keys all the time when they are on stage. One of the thing I learned in this special event was that practicing safe behaviors and taking action when needed is the most important thing to provide safety for ourselves as well as for our guests, this is our first key. Courtesy is our second key, it is simply shows that every cast member has to perform positive image in the workplace because this positive attitude will keep our guests coming back. Show is also an important key because that is what guests see when they visit us. Last, efficiency is and essential key because working with efficiency can help us perform to our best ability. After I learned about the four keys, now I know why this company have been so successful.

This is my first time being in Florida and I am amazed to see how beautiful everything is. I want to see all the attractions hopefully with work and classes I still can have the time to do so but I will try my best to enjoy this amazing experience that I’m living right now.

When I first arrived on Monday, February 1, I was filled with excitement. I was looking forward to the new adventure that awaits. I was also very nervous because it definitely meant that I would be away from home for a while. I couldn’t believe that the day had come and that I will be participating in the Disney college program. When I arrived at the location for check- in, I saw that there was a long line and my first reaction was “Oh boy, this will take a while”. But in fact, the process didn’t take too long and I finished very quickly.

I settled into the apartment complex and I was very excited to be room-mates with my friend Marilyn. The first week was very calm , just trying to adapt and feel the magic around me. I spent a lot of the time doing mostly paperwork to then proceed to the next step. I was still in disbelief as to what I was experiencing and on occasions, I wondered whether if it was real or not. I am very excited to be part of such an amazing company that welcomes people from all over the world to take part in their college program and gives us the opportunity to be part of it, and create magical moments for guests.

Throughout the first week, I felt so much excitement. But it wasn’t enough compared to the joy I felt when I was at traditions, once I realized that I was officially a Disney Cast Member and that I will be working for Disney and living such an amazing experience.

This is my first week here at the Disney College Program in Walt Disney World Florida. I arrived a day before my check in date of Feburary 1st. When first leaving I did not realize how hard it would actually be to leave my family and friends, but I was very excited for the adventure ahead of me.

When first arriving at the Vista Way Pavillion the check in process went very smooth and I was able to find out where I was going to live during the duration of my stay as well as where I am going to work. I am currently at Vista Way in a 2 bedroom 4 person apartment and soon to be working at Epcot as out door vending food and beverage person. This week I have already gone threw my housing meeting and Traditions. There was a lot of information to take in threw this short amount of time but it allowed me to completely prepared and have full knowledge of the rules and regulations regarding my living and earning.

My room mates and I were lucky enough to get exactly what we wanted in terms of living. We have been in contact for over a month before our matching arrival dates and were very excited to finally meet each other. We all come from different areas of the United States so it was very interesting having such a diverse group of people. What made this week most memorable was how well me and my roommates were able to bond being that we have never seen each other face to face. All week we have been settling in to our new living space and slowly but surely getting to know each other on a more personal basis; As well as roaming the parts of Disney and familiarizing ourselves with the area. On our first night we took a long walk around Disney Springs. I was the only one out of the group who had never visited this part of Disney before. They were able to show me around with their well expanded knowledge of everything Disney. We all know the struggles and exciting adventures ahead of us, but we also know that we are lucky enough to have found each other to spend this opportunity of a life time with. Can’t wait to see what the rest of the program has to offer me.