WDW College Program

Haunted Soiree with the boss Mickey and Minnie

Found part of my Peco’s family at the soiree

Haunted Soiree with the roomates

Waterfall located at the entrance of the Polynesian hotel

December has finally come and its the last month before everything in this program is ending. I realized that I was privileged with many chances to explore the parks and did not take advantage of it. This years graduation soiree was haunted mansion themed, what’s better then black and lace. I attended the soiree with my roommates and as the night progressed I realized I was lucky to work at Peco’s where there is a high number of CP’s (325 employees. 75 CP’s). One of my roommates only had six CP’s at her location.

While on this program I realized that Disney owned many resorts or hotels and they were all individually themed. I had the pleasure of visiting the Polynesian hotel which featured a tropical, Hawaiian feel. There they had a waterfall, tiki statues and gave out lei to guests. I had character dining and met Lilo, Stitch, Pluto and Mickey Mouse wearing a flowery shirt. I was interested in how the other hotels were and also visited the Grand Floridian which was a Victorian style resort. I was amazed at how fancy everything looked, the Christmas tree was decorated with ribbons and swans and everything was painted white. The character dining at 1900 park fair featured chandeliers, and golden horse statues along with Alice, Mad Hatter, Mary Poppins, Pooh and Tigger meet and greets.

Obtained my Ductorate Degree in Human Resource Mangement

After four months of hard work, finally received my Ducktorate degree in human resource management and experiential learning. I was  relieved that I had passed both classes and also sad that I could not have a daily meet with classmates that became my friends over time. The classes were highly educational and I feel as if I have learned and will retain this information for the future.

New restaurant opening at Magic Kingdom called the Skippers Canteen, located in Adventureland. As a cast member of Magic Kingdom we were allowed a special preview in which we were allowed to try the falafel and the punch and also tour the new location. I was interested in the concept they decided to use because it didn’t focus on one area’s food but instead several countries, they incorporated the course of the rivers the jungle cruise ride into the restaurant

Graduation photo with the boss Mickey Mouse and his girlfriend Minnie

Victoria and I at the cast member preview of the lights

First time seeing The Osborne Family’s Spectacle of Dancing Lights

Having a friend that also works at Disney and not at Magic Kingdom has its perks. Victoria is a cast member at Hollywood Studios and she was allowed to invite guests to see a special preview of the Osborne lights. I was blessed to be one of the people she brought along and I was able to meet her outdoor vending family that night. There was festive music and dancing lights the entire time. I was amazed at how festive and pretty the lights were and also how it went perfectly without any problems. I was sad to learn that this will be the last year the lights will be up. I was reminded of the lights in New York that would go up around Christmas time, especially around 5th ave and it made me a bit homesick and sad that I would miss seeing the displays and light shows back in the city.

Graduation came early, almost a month early to be exact. We were invited to our graduation at one of the housing complexes where we obtained a certificate of completion, a memory box and also a chance to take pictures with graduation Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and Goofy. Graduation made me realize how soon the time I have at Disney is coming to an end and I had so much I had not done.

New front of house costume

Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights entrance, 25th year!

After months of hearing about cross training, I was scheduled on the job training and after inquiring with my leader, he confirmed it was front of house training! I was super excited because it allowed me to wear the new costume and interact with guests. Working in the kitchen is fun but because I am always inside I do not feel as if I am working at Disney. I feel as if training for front of house was easier then back because most of the positions were basically whatever the name was. An example of this would be topping bar one, which is maintaining and refilling side 1-4 of the bar. While in Disney an interesting fact is that your uniform is referred to as a costume!

Halloween horror nights at Universal Studios was a unique experience with Victoria and her coworkers. I am a person that gets scared very easily but because I wanted to experience it at least once I decided to go. I was amazed at how different Universal and Disney celebrates Halloween. Universal had scare zones and haunted houses that were themed to various movies and shows while Disney had a not so scary Halloween party which appealed to younger children.

Great Movie Ride

Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios

First time at Blizzard Beach with room mate, then went to Hollywood studios after and rode the great movie ride. It was an interesting ride because it was education through entertainment. It immersed you as the guest into a live action set. While on the ride we were transported back to the past to classic films such as Singin’ in the Rain and Casablanca. We were transported into the scenes because the narrator steered the car and got caught in a gunfight because we were on the wrong side of town. I was highly entertained on the ride because in New York the rides were all thrill, I have come to realize most of Disney’s rides are more education then entertainment at Hollywood studios, Epcot and Animal Kingdom.

Watched Fantasmic again and while watching it I realized the magical ears that light up are all sync’d to the music so it seems as if anyone can be part of the show. I was amused at how everyone’s ears and headbands were blinking in unison.