Random Tips and Advice

Super random tips and advice, sorry it's gonna be super chaotic but whatevs

• Go to the parks at night. They're so much emptier without small kids, and you need to watch Wishes whenever you can <3 We literally walked on Space Mountain twice with 15 minutes, and that would've been shorter if not for the long walk!
• Order kids meals when you eat out. You get an entree, sides, and a drink for half the price of an adult meal! It's plenty of food, and they don't even question if it's for a kid or something.
• Never buy a water bottle. Either bring in your own water bottle or ask a quick service place for a cup of water because that's always free.
• Bring food into the parks so you're spending less money, or save that money for one good meal or a couple of snacks.
• Don't be afraid to go to the parks by yourself! It's awesome.
• Try LeFou's Brew and other Disney specialties, they're famous for a reason.
• Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Take advantage of the beautiful food.
• If you're 21, drink around the world! How many times will you have all those unique drinks in one place??
• Try for a balanced diet. Make sure you're buying protein and fruits/veggies aside from the inevitable ramen and mac n cheese.
• Limit yourself your first month. Unless you plan on spending more than you make, the first month is by far the most expensive. You're making the least amount of money, and spending the most. I, for example, spent SO much on groceries (that initial trip is killer), Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP), and my Universal annual pass.
• Buy a ticket to MNSSHP!!! I am SO excited to go. What I hear is that you walk away with an absurd amount of candy, Hallowishes is the coolest thing ever, and the Halloween parade is the best Disney puts on. And you get a September discount, may as well use it!
• Tell your family not to come over Christmas because you can't use like any perks...found that out the hard way! Basically the week of Christmas is blacked out, meaning you can't get anyone but yourself in for free. Go for September-early November.
• Book any hotels early! There's only a limited number of cast discounts per hotel per night/week.
• If you need multiple days off for any reason, put that request in ASAP. As CPs we have the lowest priority for days off.
• Join your work location's Facebook page for shift giveaways. There are so many part timers that need more hours! They will gladly pick up any shifts you don't want. 
• That being said, make sure you're working enough hours to afford your lifestyle.
• DON'T QUIT. It's a job, you are here to work AND play, not just play. The amount of people that self-term is ridiculous.
• Give the DCP and your work location at least a month. It does suck in the beginning, but gets SO much better. One of my coworkers put in a request to self-term after a week or two, but after working longer and getting to know his coworkers, he loved it! One of his biggest regrets...
• The guest is always right. Just grin and bear it.
• Choose your roomies before coming, and choose them for their lifestyles. You don't need to be best friends, you need to live together comfortably. Chances are you'll also become good friends, but don't expect that. After the first week, your schedules will be so crazy that you'll never all be home and awake at the same time.
• Be considerate at night. For your roommates and neighbors sanity, don't blast music at 2am. It sucks. 
• Don't forget to call the family once in awhile! It's hard to find time sometimes but they miss you :)
• Don't drink if you're under 21. This is a huge reason people get termed, and it's so easily avoidable. Just be smart!
• Don't wait forever to do laundry. 
• TAKE PICTURES! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, take advantage of that and document your experience.
• When people know you can get them into Disney for free, they'll mob you. Don't accept bribes (termed.) or give them out to distant family. Save them for good friends and family!
• Even if you bring a car, taking the buses is not a bad idea. You save gas, and the buses are not as bad as everyone says. Post about that to come.
• Cook/bake at least once in awhile. It's so nice to come home and remember you made homemade muffins or a homemade meal!
• Florida is hot and humid, come into the program with the right clothes and attitude.
• Most of the boys are gay, don't come in expecting to meet a husband! Just expect to make some amazing lifelong friends :)
• Do all the rides, but don't forget the shows. They are SO cool. Be sure to watch The Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom!

That's all I got for now. It ended up super long...but oh well! Someday I'm planning on doing a "DCP: Real Talk" kind of thing, as well as one detailing life in QSFB, housekeeping, and custodial. I know this is post #2 within an hour, but whatever. My brain can't shut down!