"To all who come to this happy place: Welcome. Disneyland is your land."
- Walt Disney
This has really been my first opportunity to sit down and tell you all what I've been up to since I moved in to my new home in Anaheim, CA last Sunday. It's been a whirlwind, and I have a feeling it will be this way for the rest of my time here. Just by trying to hash out the details to write this blog, I'm amazed at how much I've done.
SUNDAY
Sunday was the big move-in day for me and some 200 other cast members. My apartment in Carnegie Plaza is right in Downtown Anaheim, a trendy street with a farmers' market, expensive eateries, and 200 college kids hopped up on Disney magic. I'm on the third floor with a view of our lovely courtyard, complete with table tennis and more patio furniture than anyone should ever have. My two roommates, Abbey and Ellen, are both total sweethearts, and pretty quiet like me. Claiming the top bunk has been a good decision so far, but if I ever get tired of it, we have a giant comfy couch. The apartments were built less than five years ago, and are nicer than my house! (Just kidding, parents.) Sunday was full of paperwork, moving in, grocery shopping, and dinner with my family.
MONDAY
After a brief welcome session in the Team Disney Anaheim building, backstage behind the hills of Toontown, it was time to take my family to the airport and say goodbye. As much as they drove me crazy in the month I spent with them in Arizona, I know I'm going to miss joking around with my brother, having strange chats with my sister, and complaining to my mom. After my adventurous drive from the John Wayne airpot back to my apartment, I went to the big Welcome Party in front of our apartment building, sporting an Evergreen t-shirt as instructed. Part way through, I decided to head to Downtown Disney with a friend. I scouted out the things I wanted to buy with my 40% discount after getting my Cast Member ID on...
Tuesday was the big day: my first paid day as a Walt Disney Company employee. We spent all day in Traditions, a program that introduces all new Cast Members (CMs) to the culture and heritage of DIsney, as well as the four keys: Safety, Courtesy, Show, and Efficiency. This included an amazing tour of both backstage and onstage, where we pointed out the Four Keys in different areas of the park. After we returned to our classroom, MICKEY MOUSE GAVE US OUR CAST MEMBER IDs! I was trying so very hard not to cry. It was the moment I've waited for my entire life. That night, I went to California Adventure with my friends, for free! As we used our IDs to enter, a group of young ladies were whispering among themselves, "oh my god, they're cast members!" I was glowing to say the least.
Because we had finished Traditions, I don't have any responsibilities until my first day of training called "Welcome to Park Operations" this Saturday. What else to do but play at Disneyland? We took the bus to the park and played from 10 am to 9pm! Going in to the parks as a Cast Member makes you feel so special and proud, as well as more courteous to Guests. Since I can go nearly everyday for free, I was putting Guests first, despite also being there to enjoy the park. Every ride had under a twenty minute wait, and most we were able to just walk right on to. I guess it was too cold for Californians. We introduced ourselves as new Cast Members to all the characters we met. Mary Poppins and Bert talked to us for quite a while about it, but managed to stay in character the entire time! Pluto gave me all the hugs when I told him I was in Custodial. We ended the night watching World of Color. That show always manages to give me constant goosebumps, but this time it brought me to tears. When we finally got back to our apartments, we got together and watched Lion King. All in all, a perfect day.
This morning I finally explored Company D, the employee only store. I bought another Mickey State collegiate-style sweatshirt (I bought a varsity sweater in the parks), a glass for my parents, and an adorable Minnie Mouse purse for my little sister. After that, I went back into the parks, because you can't beat free fun! It was a much more relaxed day, and after the amazing Pixar Play Parade, we headed back to the apartments. As for the rest of the evening, who knows what will happen!
TUESDAY
Tuesday was the big day: my first paid day as a Walt Disney Company employee. We spent all day in Traditions, a program that introduces all new Cast Members (CMs) to the culture and heritage of DIsney, as well as the four keys: Safety, Courtesy, Show, and Efficiency. This included an amazing tour of both backstage and onstage, where we pointed out the Four Keys in different areas of the park. After we returned to our classroom, MICKEY MOUSE GAVE US OUR CAST MEMBER IDs! I was trying so very hard not to cry. It was the moment I've waited for my entire life. That night, I went to California Adventure with my friends, for free! As we used our IDs to enter, a group of young ladies were whispering among themselves, "oh my god, they're cast members!" I was glowing to say the least.
WEDNESDAY
Because we had finished Traditions, I don't have any responsibilities until my first day of training called "Welcome to Park Operations" this Saturday. What else to do but play at Disneyland? We took the bus to the park and played from 10 am to 9pm! Going in to the parks as a Cast Member makes you feel so special and proud, as well as more courteous to Guests. Since I can go nearly everyday for free, I was putting Guests first, despite also being there to enjoy the park. Every ride had under a twenty minute wait, and most we were able to just walk right on to. I guess it was too cold for Californians. We introduced ourselves as new Cast Members to all the characters we met. Mary Poppins and Bert talked to us for quite a while about it, but managed to stay in character the entire time! Pluto gave me all the hugs when I told him I was in Custodial. We ended the night watching World of Color. That show always manages to give me constant goosebumps, but this time it brought me to tears. When we finally got back to our apartments, we got together and watched Lion King. All in all, a perfect day.
THURSDAY
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