Week Eleven

It's been such a strange but fabulous week. Last week we finally cooled down!! I got to wear PANTS and a SWEATSHIRT. AKA highs in the 60s. So last Thursday, which was the end of the cold spell, I went to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!! YAY! IT WAS SO FANTASTIC. LIKE SO GOOD. It's essentially the exact same as the Halloween party but Christmas themed. But I'm getting ahead of myself. In the morning I went to Magic Kingdom to play with Lindsey and her coworker Becca. We ate lunch at Tony's, and got to meet Mickey which was cute as always.

We hit up all the major rides (minus dwarf train) and got Starbucks and chilled until the Christmas party. At the party they had free snicker doodles and hot cocoa, the hot cocoa was excellent but the cookies were not my fav. We got to meet all seven dwarfs which was super awesome, pictured below:

That's my roommate Lindsey and I, our other companions wanted solo pictures. But after this we got to watch the parade which was my all time FAVORITE parade, and the Frozen floats were actually really well done, even though everyone complains about them. We rode some rides with short wait times, like Space Mountain, in which we attempted a selfie shot:

Yeah, it's pretty rough. Well after this we watched the Holiday Wishes which were beautiful <3 Then got to walk main street, which snows all night long. Seriously talk about magical. Here are some other pictures from the night:

Overall I prefer the Christmas party parade for sure, and theming/decoration. I liked trick-or-treating better than the snack stations, however, and the fireworks were pretty much equal for me. A fantastic two nights nonetheless <3

This week I mostly work 2-8 with a couple noon-8 shifts thrown in. Tomorrow Lindsey and I are eating at the Rainforest Cafe for an early Thanksgiving dinner, but we'll see how much time we'll get to spend in DAK, it's supposed to rain tomorrow. Today it was absolutely pouring, and park attendance was only 10,000. It was anticipated to be 34,000. So pretty much we all got ERs. Also there was a tornado warning, so that's fun...now there's a flood warning. But it should clear but the rest of the week and be 70s! That's it :) The program is flying by, and I know it'll be over before I know it and that makes me sad.

Side note: EXACTLY one month until Christmas.

Exploring Environmentality and Sustainability: Disney Class

This is all about the class I took through Disney! It was one of the exploration series classes, aka the seminars that don't have homework. The classes that start with "exploring" are the seminar classes that usually don't count for University credit, but they're the ones to take if you're taking one for fun. The "normal" classes aka the ones that you get credit for are once a week, for four hours each week. These have homework assigned and are mostly based in the classroom. Exploration classes are two hours each once a week, and are partially taught in the parks, partially in the classroom, but have no homework. Both are eight week sessions. I took Exploring Environmentality and Sustainability, and it was absolutely AMAZING. I would recommend it in a heartbeat. Here's the rundown:

1. Class intro and info. We got to look into the history of Disney sustainability, and see how far we've come as a park. This includes literal sustainable practices, as well as movies they produced that were created to raise environmental awareness. So Bambi, Wall-E, and other Disney films that incorporate sustainability or animals with personality, which gives people a personal connection to them.
2. This week was dedicated to corporate citizenship and the DWCF. We looked at what companies practice good environmental habits, and make it known. We also look at why Disney is consistently at the top of the game for this. DWCF, Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, is super cool. People can buy merchandise and food that goes towards the DWCF, and Disney matches it dollar for dollar. None of this money goes to any Disney cast member, or administration costs. Environmental groups can send in applications for funding, and Disney gives out money to support these groups in whatever they're doing for our environment. This can be rebuilding the coral reefs, or protecting the elephants in Africa. We had a speaker from DWCF come and talk to us.
3. FIELD TRIP! We went to Animal Kingdom this week. We explored Rafiki's Planet Watch, and did a scavenger hunt throughout the area. At the end we got a super awesome magical cast specific ride on the Safari. Highlight of the day for sure. 
4. This week we had the head of recycling come speak with us. He is in charge of all recycling throughout the parks, and is a remarkable man. He has a huge job, and there's just him. We learned how Magic Kingdom recycles plastic wrap, plastics, cardboard, paper products, and gift cards all separately. We also learned more about Reedy Creek (the garbage/water/recycling company we use).
5. FIELD TRIP! We went to Epcot's the Land and started off by riding the Living with the Land ride. After this we got to do the backstage tour of the Land, led by professional interns. We also got to meet their boss, who was super cool. And eat cucumbers. 
6. This was my favorite speaker of the whole class. We had the head manager of animal care from the Animal Kingdom Lodge. He spoke the whole two hours and had us all laughing the entire time. But we learned about all that goes into animal care, specifically animal training. Super fascinating. 
7. FIELD TRIP! We went to Epcot's the Seas, and this was my favorite week. We got a backstage tour of the Seas, let by a professional intern. We got to see the dolphins, and go ABOVE the 5 million gallon aquarium you can see from the Seas. SO COOL AND SO HUGE. We got to see and talk to the divers that were going to feed the stingrays, they were all so chill. I am looking into marine mammal internships because of this day alone!
8. Last day :( We had a panel of three people from across the animal care/environment team, and it was pretty much a Q & A. We had one (super attractive) animal keeper, the lady in charge of the environment education team (AKA Wilderness Explorers) and in charge of hiring her interns, and one of the current management interns that works in DAK in Rafiki's Planet Watch area. We finished up the day by talking about what to add to the class for the future, and what to get rid of. 

Overall this class was incredible. I highly recommend taking a class, and all the exploration classes have great reviews. It's an awesome way to network, and get to know the parks in a more intimate way. Also, you always know one of your days off! Unless you usually have awkwardly late hours, then you might still work after class. But I was scheduled off every single Thursday. My only piece of advice is to only take one, so you still have one day off a week to sleep in and play the WHOLE day instead of having class in the middle of both days off. But that's it :) This ended up being super long haha as per usual!

Week Ten

I can't believe it's week ten already...it's almost THANKSGIVING! WHAT! So scary. Well I finally got sick :( I had to call in one day last week, and sounded like a chain smoker for two days. It was just a really bad cold, but it lasted a week! Well all week I worked 2-8, and I was scheduled 30 hours this week (all 2-8) but picked up an extra shift that's like 11:45-6:30 or something. So I'm working 6 days this week, like two weeks ago. Next week I'm scheduled 33 hours, so a couple of 7 and 8 hours shifts. I'm off on Thursday this week, so my roommate Lindsey and I are going to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!! YAY!!!! We're going to spend the whole day at Magic Kingdom. Lunch reservations at Tony's, then random fast passes throughout the day :) So psyched.

Next week I have Tuesday and Wednesday off which is weird, because I never have those days. But I think it's because Thanksgiving is on Thursday, so most full timers and part timers get it off. Tuesday is going to be a chore day for the most part, but Wednesday Lindsey and I are going to Animal Kingdom (haven't been in FOREVER) and eating dinner at the Rainforest Cafe! I love food. So much happy. And right after Thanksgiving, all the Christmas festivities start up in Epcot, and the gingerbread houses are open in the resorts across property, so we have A LOT to look forward to! Definitely going to try go to various Candlelight Processionals. They just have SUCH good speakers!! I really want to see Jodi Benson (Ariel), Whoopie Goldberg, and Jonathon Groff (Kristoph form Frozen). I probably spelled those all wrong. Oh well. Well today we had a tornado watch, it was pouring rain all day long so we were swamped. The rest of the country is experiencing some cold chill or something, because it's snowing everywhere. But tomorrow we have a high of 59, so that's pretty cold for us! I think on Friday after work I am going to see Big Hero 6 with some coworkers, and FINALLY get Earl of Sandwich. I've been wanting to try it since I got here, but haven't made it back to Downtown Disney!

What other news...we are decorating for Christmas in the apartment, and I'm already constantly listening to Christmas music. Sorry but I'm one of those people who likes to start early...but I definitely have no plans for Black Friday. Sounds dreadful. Oh and I made resort reservations at the Beach Club for Lindsey and I the day before we fly home so that's super exciting! With our 60% discount it's only $80 a piece :) I'm going to do a post soon on my class I took, and get an apartment blog up, hopefully with a picture/video tour!

Have a magical week <3

Week Nine

I can't believe how fast my program is going...it's scary. It is officially CHRISTMAS in Disney!! So that's exciting. The castle is now being lit up at night by Elsa, I have yet to see it but I will on Wednesday after work! Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (I think I got the name right?) started two days ago, so our hours are now extended to 7pm. The cast preview was Wednesday at 9pm, and it was only open to cast members and we could use our guest passes to get up to three others in. They have out free hot chocolate and snickerdoodle cookies which was super fun and cute :) I highly recommend doing a cast preview. Osborne Lights is super cool, it's like two hours of lights synced to Christmas music, from traditional to modern remixes. My favorites are Carol of the Bells by Trans Siberian Orchestra and the traditional songs :) There's also a nativity scene, and other religious elements which I think is pretty cool. This takes place on Streets of America which is right next door to us, so we get to hear the music at night which is super fun <3 We get to dance and sing and make people happy. It finally cooled down, so I bring my jacket to work most days, which is awesome.

My last day of class is Thursday :( So weird since I've been in class basically my entire program. I absolutely loved my class. I'll do a post on it later, but last week we got to do marine sciences stuff backstage of the Seas in Epcot which was SO SO SO cool oh my gosh. We got to go ABOVE the massive gigantic tank where they keep all of the marine animals, and it was like the coolest thing ever, but I'm super into marine biology so it's kind of my thing. Well aside from Christmas stuff and class, since our hours are extended now I have a lot of 2-8pm shifts which is pretty unusual. I finally got register trained! Did I mention that last week? Probably. I love it. Let's see, what else...Christmas decorations have exploded within our apartment. Some Thanksgiving as well, but we were so ready to be done with the past two months which were all Halloween. Once Upon A Time is intense. I went grocery shopping. My sister is starting to apply for college. That's about it! I'm in such a routine now that I forget what I write on here and what I leave out!! I worked 40 hours this past week, and I work 31 this week, so I'll try pick up a shift. Yep. That's it. Hope y'all have a fabulous and magical week <3

Week Eight

We officially reached our halfway point for our program...WHAT. SO crazy that all the Christmas festivities start up tomorrow! BUT I AM SO EXCITED. It's been Halloween for two months, so I'm ready for the next holiday. We change our cupcake every month or so, so we just got in a pumpkin with maple frosting cupcake which is pretty exciting...and I finally got register trained! SO NICE. Shifts seriously go by so much faster this way. Last week I took a much needed glorious three day weekend, and it was fantastic. Thursday class we had the animal care manager from Animal Kingdom Lodge come and speak and HE WAS SO GOOD and it's something I'm really interested in, so that was great. Friday I went to Hollywood Studios and finally saw shows! I did the Frozen Sing-A-Long which is actually super cute, Indiana Jones, and Fantasmic. I also ate so much sugar that I had a 48 hour stomachache. So don't do that. Saturday I went to Magic Kingdom and brought my nice camera, and just played. It was 50s and 60s all weekend which was a nice change, finally some fall weather! Cast preview for Osborne Christmas whatever the whole title is, is tomorrow night, with guest showings starting on Friday. So that means starting Friday our hours are extended to 7pm, and I have later shifts (no complaints here!). So basically all next week I'm 2pm-8pm, but I might see if I can come in early a few times and get 8 hour shifts instead. Elsa lights up the castle tomorrow night for the first time, so Christmas is upon us! Christmas merch is already out at MK and I had to buy Mickey Christmas PJs, so so so cute.

To make up for my 3 day weekend, I'm working 40 hours this week with just one day off. I need money. Everything's been great. Work is finally not scary for me, study abroad is all coming together, and it's cooling down!! Life is just really good :) Big congrats to all those who got accepted for spring!! Y'all are going to have the most magical experience EVER. I think I covered it all. Our holiday coupon booklets came out, which I probs already mentioned, but I'm planning on using my dining discounts soon!! (one 30% off, one 40%, and one 50%) That's it for now, have a magical week <3

We can now link our maingates (entrance pass) to a magic band, and we get one for free!! They came in these adorable personalized boxes, so here's mine :)