Training: Complete!

"Make the fire, fix-a breakfast, wash the dishes, do the mopping, 

and the sweeping and the dusting!"

They always keep her hopping!"

- Cinderella

My training is finally complete as of 12:30pm today!

Our second day of training started with us finally getting our shoes, which meant we were show ready! Mary and Miriam took us on an extensive, exhausting tour of the park. Along with seeing the On-Stage areas, we also got to see nearly every inch of the backstage areas. I expected it would ruin a bit of the magic, but it actually amazed me even more. The custodial lockers are so well hidden in the park, I never would have guessed where they are. When we went to see the New Orleans locker, our trainers lead us through a mausoleum door into the control booth for Haunted Mansion. We were just a curtain apart from the ride, as it was powered up. Listening to the guests on the ride distracted me from our lesson on how to conduct a cleaning in a ride. However, I still passed every singe Knowledge Assessment with flying colors. 

We learned sweeping techniques, waste disposal methods, and endless other custodial duties over the next few days, but my favorites were guest interaction and queue sweeping. Queues were practiced in Fantasyland, where the lines are the narrowest. When sweeping queues, you simply stand in line with the guests, and as the line progresses, you sweep. When you get to the loading area, you signal to the attractions cast member and they let you cross to the exit. Basically, it's getting paid to stand in line. If the line is forty-five minutes long, that's how long you're there.

But the thing that actually brought me to tears happened this morning. 

Our last day as trainees, we got to greet guests as they came in to the park first thing in the morning. I smiled the entire time, and my face is still sore. We also were able to pin trade, which was magical in its own right. Being the first beaming face, the first "good morning, princess!" and the first one to wish each guest a magical day was an experience I will never forget. Guest interaction training was so heartwarming, and I found myself still smiling and interacting with guests as I visited the park after work. My first shift is Day Parade, from 3-11:30pm. I get to my locker by magically walking behind a wall near the Fantasyland Theater. 

It's official, I'm really part of this.