It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.

Walt Disney said that, boy was he right! I thought it would be impossible to work at The Happiest Place on Earth, but I was wrong. And golly, is it fun.

So, last we chatted I was about to take my PA I think.

Well, I passed! Woohoo! I am now qualified to push buttons!

Just kidding. There is a lot more to it than that.

I have been operating by myself for a few days now. The first day was TERRIFYING but everyone was very kind and helpful.

And so now I just continue on as a regular cast member.

I started my Disney class, Marketing You, this week.

Disneyland college programers are required to take at least one Disney class. I am taking Marketing You and Leadership Speakers Series (starting next week).

Marketing You is all about networking and promoting your self brand. I’m really excited to see what will come of this class and if it will help me set a more concrete plan for my future.

We took one of those aptitude tests for class–the ones that tell you what job you should consider. My top 5 were all things I have considered:

1)Performing arts–acting, singing, directing, PR (my major!)
2)Creative arts–investigative reporter, film/TV director, newspaper editor
3)Behavioral sciences–psychologist, sociologist (if you look at earlier blog posts, you will see I considered minoring in sociology for a while), linguist
4)Hospitality–Hotel manager, event planner
5)Visual arts–interior design, set designer, illustrator

Right, those all make sense. However, if all else fails, I have my top 6 choice.

Drum roll.

6) Transportation. Including, but not limited to: truck driver, airline pilot, sailor, helicopter pilot, bus driver, taxi driver.

….

Okay. What?

I think it’s funny, but it is probably because I want to travel. Oh well, it’s nice to have a solid backup plan. And besides, I would look AWESOME in a trucker hat.

So, needless to say I am excited to plan and see what my future brings.

And now it’s time for…

Cute/awesome/funny moments in Disneyland so far–

–Rupert Grint (aka Ron Weasley) and Tom Felton (aka Draco Malfoy) were in my jeep the other day. Tom smiled at me. We’re in love. It’s no big deal.

–A little girl asked me to sign her autograph book.
Oh, the feels.

–I tried to give a button to a guy who rode Indiana Jones 30 times in a row. It said “I’m celebrating riding Indy 30x.” He rejected it.

Epic fail.

So there you have it. That’s all I can think of at the moment. I start work in about 6 hours which will be awesome and I have friends and family coming to visit in the next two weeks! WEEEEEE!

Now for the pictures:

My Indiana Jones Costume

My roommates!

The delicious cupcake I bought, complete with pixie dust

California Adventure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will try to add more, soon!

Words for the day: If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life.

Always,
Ciara

Traditions, training, thrills and more.

So, I finally understand why people in the program don’t keep up their blogs that much.

It’s exhausting!

But so fun.  It has been two weeks but it feels like a month! I am currently working on Indiana Jones and having a blast.  Tomorrow I have my personal assessment to see if I am qualified to run the operation on my own (without a trainer whispering in my ear)!

Scary.

So, let’s talk about “Traditions.”

What’s “Traditions,” Ciara?

I’m so glad you asked.

Traditions is Disney’s orientation.  It’s your first day of work (money, WEEEEEEEEEE!!!) and the day you get your…dum dum dum DUMMMMM….name tag!

Isn’t it lovely?

I won’t give you all the details of what happens on this wonderful day, because there are lots of cool surprises.  But wear comfy shoes because you will be walking (and dress Disney Look).

The gist: You watch a lot of cute, heart wrenching videos that make you even MORE excited to be there.  Then you hear some safety tips and rules.  You meet new people, learn what land you’re in (typically you find this out when you are moving into the apartments but I’ll just put it in this area).  And then you get a special surprise from a special guest at the end of the day.

Honestly, I was doing fine watching all the videos…and then Walt came on.  Oh boy, I lost it.  The tears were flowing and my smile was big and glowing.

I think it hit me a little bit then just exactly what I was about to be doing.

I realized I was about to be working at Disneyland.  The happiest, most magical place on Earth.

Whoa.

Continue on through the week.  I went to Disneyland with my roommates, made some more new friends, and slept.  A lot.

Finally I started my On the Job Training.  This is where I found out what ride I would be working (Indiana Jones) and what I’d need to bring.

First day: Parade training and costuming.

Working in Adventureland/Frontierland (and I think New Orleans Square and Critter Country, don’t quote me) you also work the attractions and guest control on Main Street.

So, I had to get my costumes

Disney costuming is….interesting.

It’s one size fits nobody.

On one costume I was my regular pant size, on another I was two sizes BIGGER.  There are some people who are TEN sizes BIGGER.

Ugh.  No.  Girls, don’t feel bad.  They are just crazy.  (You are perfect.  Yes, your hair looks fine.  No, that dress does not make you look fat.  You just look that way, anyway…just kidding…not really).

Unfortunately, I cannot take/show you pictures of any of that area since it is back stage (i.e. employees only).

Then I continued on and got to go on stage for the first time in costume.

That’s when it really hit me.

I work for DISNEY.

Not even 20 seconds passed before a guest asked us where the closest restroom was or what restaurants were around.

Thankfully, I know Disneyland fairly well, but I definitely have a TON to learn.

Then the rest of that day we learned how to monitor guest flow on the sidewalks during parades and got to interact with people.

Awesome.

Then a few days later I started Indy training.

Holy. Cow.

So many things to remember.

From pushing buttons to knowing facts to everything in between, Indy is definitely an intense ride to work, but I am confident I am ready to pass my test.

So that’s where I am now.  Just wanted to give a little update to the few who read (I thank you for taking time to read my craziness).

I had the day off today and spent it in Disney California Adventure with my Aunt Carol, Aunt Cari and one of their friends.

There is something about Disney that makes even the most stressful of situations feel better.  It was a marvelous day (Carsland; EPIC. AMAZING. GO. NOW.) and I am so grateful I got to spend it with my family.

It also taught me that even when I am not working, I am still “working” (I took so many pictures for people today and called every little girl princess…it’s not creepy).

And that’s where we are.  I will try to update again soon.

Words for the day: Be thankful for the little moments because they make the big ones seem even bigger.

Always,

Ciara

To infinity and beyond!

What a day it has been.  As I type, I look around my new apartment, excited for what these next few months will bring.  Our walls are still bare, yet to be covered with evidence of our adventures.  Our kitchen slowly fills with food and assorted accessories.  My bedroom waits to be organized, knowing that that will happen another day.

261 other College Programers reside in these halls and another few hundred locals wait to check in soon.

 

My roommates (who are all lovely gals) are all asleep, but I am too excited to let my brain settle.

How blessed I am to be right here, right now.  I can’t thank my family enough for everything they have done.  From decorating the car to driving all this way to shopping to organizing my mess of clothes…it was so hard to watch them walk out the door!

Anyway, this is getting too sappy for me.

So, check in.  COLD COLD COLD.

I got to Carnegie Plaza (my apartment) at 7:30 ish.  Coffee and muffin in hand.  All us programers waited til 9 when they finally let us start checking in! 

The process was relatively painless–minus the weather.  Basics: paperwork, paperwork and more paperwork.

Future programers: bring a folder or binder or something of the like to organize stuff.

Then I went to my room!  Got the lovely 2 person bedroom–with my dearest Julia as a roomie! 

The space is darling!  I promise I will post pictures once everything is more put together.

From there, housing meeting and last minute shopping.

And now here I am.  Exhausted, still cold, excited, home sick, happy, anxious and beyond thrilled.

I will post my work location when I am sure about it (I have a pretty solid idea, but I don’t want to give false info).

Words for the evening: Never be afraid to just go for it.

Thanks for reading and I’ll be in touch soon–with a possible vlog and pictures!

Always,

Ciara