I'm Woody! HOWDY, HOWDY, HOWDY!

Howdy pardners! Sorry I haven't posted lately. I'm one busy little bumble bee here. Work is great! My friends are great! Disney is great! I positively love everything that I'm experiencing. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party started last week, which means LOTS of adorable kids in adorable little costumes. I've even seen some equally awesome adult costumes. I'm starting to think that Halloween is my FAVORITE holiday.
I'm also a little homesick, but that's normal. I miss my family, a lot. But i talk to them quite a bit, so I'll be ok. Some of my family will be coming to visit in early October, and I can't wait!
I've also learned that since I've been here I've lost about 7 pounds, which is just a small fraction of what i want to lose, but being able to see that makes me want to go to the gym and lose even more.
I was sick with a sinus infection about a week and a half ago, and when I went to the doctor, they weighed and measured me. AND When they measured me, I measured in at just under 5'8" without my shoes on. Anyone that knows me knows that my absolute dream is to be Belle one day. Any who knows Disney knows that to play any of the princesses you have to be 5'7" or under. I'm this much closer to really living my dream. Maybe by the time I graduate and come back to do another program, I'll be able to be Belle.

But anyway enough about that. I'm off three days next week so I can go to the Halloween Party. The next week I'm working 47 hours. Should be exciting! Right now, I've gotta go get ready for a super fun late night of work. Silly Extra Magic Hours.

Until next time, have a magical day!

Living the magic!

Sorry I've been rather distant folks, this place has been keeping me busy!

So for the good news, I've passed my Assessment. This means that I can officially work at Splash Mountain. I had many terrible nightmares that I wasn't going to pass and they were going to send me somewhere else.

Me and the roomies are all getting along rather well. Maybe that's because we never see each other. I've also made a ton of new friends, who I spend my days off with in the park.

It's incredible here. The weather is crazy, but awesome. The people are wonderful. The experience is breath taking. Its still so surreal that I'm actually living my dream. Things are wonderful.

Sorry this post isn't very long, I've got laundry and homework to do before I go into work tonight. Have a magical day folks!

Finally a break!

Needless to say, they've kept me VERY busy these past few days. But they've been a lot of fun!
Traditions was incredible! My park orientation was long and my feet were covered in blisters, but fun! Then, I finally found out what attractions I'm working! Splash Mountain! Yeeeeeeeehaw! It's super exciting! I've totally geeked out a few to many times, and I think my trainer thinks I'm a little bit crazy, but it's all been so exciting!

Sorry I haven't updated sooner, tomorrow is my first day off since I've been here. Boy, am I grateful for that! Tomorrow is one of my roommates' birthdays, so we're going to the Magic Kingdom all day! YAY!

So anywho, now that I have some time, lets see where to begin!

Traditions was a 4 hour class that seemed pretty boring at first. The leaders made it fun though. Very interactive, and they take you on a little bitty park tour. It's pretty fun. Nothing too terribly exciting, except for the awesome surprise near the end, but I won't say a word. It's held in Disney University which is a very intriguing building. Lots of art and pictures all over to look at. I could spend all day there and be perfectly happy finding new things.

Then I went to my second day of training, which was Once Upon a Time is Now. Smaller group, toured some more of the park. We were on our feet ALL DAY, which is where the 4 blisters came from. Note to any future Magic Kingdom CMs, WEAR COMFY SHOES! We actually got to ride some rides and they really talked a lot about some of the history of the park and why things are a certain way. They also talk about different park wide policies and those kinds of things, but make the boring stuff fun. Then you split into even smaller groups that are just your role and your area. For me, it was just people who are doing Frontierland Attractions, so about 6 of us. This is where they give you some more specifics. Found out I was at Splash and was VERY excited. Then the group of us and a trainer went to the area and got to ride the rides and talk more about the specifics of our role in out location.

The next day was what some people call "For Our Guests". This was our first day in costume. It was slightly overwhelming, but we got to do a lot of the fun CM stuff. We started off the morning with Walkdown, where we basically walk in a line so the guests can run to the rides (it's for their safety!). IT was our first guest interaction as cast members. It was incredible. We got to explore Tom Sawyer Island and Watched Country Bear Jamboree, and of course rode Splash again.

Today was my first day of training. Unfortunately Splash has a mind of her own and is upset she's not going down for refurbishment this year because it's Thunder's turn, and she was down all day, or at least up until 3:45 when I left. So it was a pretty chill day.

I've been exhausted these past few days, but I have found out that BandAid blister bandaids work miracles!

Can't wait for tomorrow! We're going to spend it in the Magic Kingdom for one of my Roommates' Birthday!

I leave you with Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust!

AHHHHHH!!!! IT'S HERE!

Excuse the excitement, but, I am proud to say, I'm officially a college program cast member!

Sorry I haven't blogged sooner. There's been plenty going on to keep me away from this. THe road trip was lots of fun! New Orleans was kind of a disappointment, to say that it wasn't exactly what I was thinking it would be. The hotel in Biloxi was INCREDIBLE! We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Wow. It was so cool. Three shower heads in the shower. Most amazing shower of my life. Crystal River was rainy, but still very pretty. Manatees are so cute! Then we made it to the most magical place on earth. And it was truly magical. Most of my fears and anxieties went away to reveal the excitement of this great journey I'm about to embark on.

The worst thing about the trip is that my Grandmother, who had been in a car accident a few days ago, died. I found out the news in New Orleans.

But enough sadness, lets talk about what most people would want to know! Check in was crazy! Lots of long lines and many different stations. You know how Disney is, you have a line then you do a little something to break up the line, then you go into another line.

The first part of the day was the part where you figure out where you lived. Lots of paperwork all day long. I never knew who needed what. I'm living in a 3 bedroom in Patterson Court. It's VERY pretty here. The girls I live with are all very nice. My roommate is from Puerto Rico. Seeing as I don't speak a lick of Spanish, it's a good thing her English is pretty good. She's extremely nice and I can't wait to get to know her and the rest of the girls better!

After the Housing part, we got on a bus to go to the Casting building. First let me start by saying this building is AWESOME! I wish I could just go exploring! So many beautiful rooms and murals! But this is where you got your work location and finished all the rest of the paperwork. Lots more lines and stations.

So I bet you're all wondering where my location is...

Well, any of you out there who know me, it's not one of my first choices, but it'll be awesome nonetheless. I'm happy to say I'm an Magic Kingdom Attractions Cast Member in Frontierland! I hear pretty good things about it, so I'm very excited.

Then I finally got to move in. My mom and I went to get some groceries, and then went to dinner.

Yesterday was a VERY busy day, but it's the start of a very exciting journey in my life.


Have a magical day!

Hitting the Road!

The car's all packed, and there's only a few last minute things we have to do before we hit the road!

I can't believe this day is finally here! I was definitely that little boy in the old Disney World commercials that's too excited to sleep!

In mere minutes, my mother and I will get in the car and head 'em up and move 'em out so we can make it to Orlando, in a meandering fashion, by Wednesday morning.

Mickey, Tell the gang I'll see them real soon!

The next time I write, I'll be sitting either in my orlando hotel room the night before, or in my new apartment! Can't wait!

ONE WEEK!

This time next week I'll be either done or still in the check-in process. It's sneaking up on me! I have so much to do! Gotta do some last minute shopping and today I'm getting my hair cut and colored to fit the Disney look (Not that it doesn't now, it just looks like poop). I think I have all the clothes I'm taking together... except going through my pajamas again and again to make sure I'm comfy without holes in my drawers. Other than that and some final shopping today, and after I get there, I'm all set! Now, just to pack it all.

Have a magical day!
See ya real soon Mickey!

This just showed up in my email!

Oh yeah, I'm exited! I can't wait! I can't believe I check in in just a little over a week. Absolutely incredible! Can't wait to get my hair cut Wednesday. Yeah, that's kinda lame, but then I'll officially be in the "Disney Look"!

Almost time!

In exactly one week, it'll be the day I've been waiting for! Well, almost. One week from today I'll be getting in my car with my mom and everything packed to go live the dream. It's finally almost here! Now, to just move everything out of my current apartment today and clean it tomorrow. Today's my last day of work at my current job, which, with the day I have ahead of me, is slightly daunting. So much to do!

There are many changes in my life right now, and I just keep telling myself they're all for the best! You see, I'm not a fan of change. I don't handle it very well. I remember back in junior high and high school, I'd get just about the same thing every single day for lunch. Sure, they had plenty of options, but I know what I get I liked, and I'm a terribly picky eater! So, like I've said so many times before, I'm kinda scared about being away from my friends (Well, Most of them!) and family for nearly 5 months. Sure, I know I'll make tons of friends, it's just a hard transition for a lot of people.

All in all, with only a week to go, I'm incredibly excited! I can't wait for the Road Trip of Awesome, Magical Proportions with my mom that will begin one week from today. Hopefully I'll be able to figure out how to upload pictures to this thing so I can bring you pictures of all the exciting things we see and do!

Until next time Mouseketeers!

Time slowly creeps on by.

Normally for me, it seems that time flies by, whether I want it to or not. This month is dragging by as slow as molasses in July trying to get to Christmas. I'm so ready for this fabulous opportunity. I'm ready for it to be here, and to live the dream that I've dreamed my entire life. I'm so ready to be apart of the magic that has helped to make me who I am and what I want to be. I can't wait to see Mickey!

I know this sounds crazy. When you think about it, I'll be away from my family for nearly 5 months. That's gotta be tough. I guess you could say that I'm ready to get there so I can experience and get back home (even if it's only for a little bit.)

As I've continue to ask...

Is it Disney time yet?

24 days to check in. 20 days til I begin the amazing road trip with my mom to Disney.

One month to go

Dear Bloggers,
Today is my 22nd birthday. It has been a very unproductive day seeing as I've been sick all weekend. Today is also the very exciting one month til my program starts day! What's terrifying is that I still have so much to do to get ready for it. I finally have a comforter though!

It's so exciting to think that exactly a month from now I'll be at Disney getting all settled in my new place with my new roommate(s). I haven't shared a room with another person in a while, so it'll take a little bit of getting used to again. The one person I've been paired with seems very nice, and I'm really looking forward to getting to know a bunch of new people when I get there! I'll be meeting people from all over the world! The chance to learn about new cultures is so thrilling. Maybe that makes me a nerd, who knows? Who cares? It'll be so incredible. All of it. I just hope I can not spend my entire paycheck on pins and outfits for Duffy.

I really don't have much exciting information for all you people out there in the world wide web. Hope everyone's day is phenomenal!

A little more than a month to go.

Walt Disney once said "Fantasy and reality often overlap." I'm about to embark on the most fantastical experience of my life. It's something I've always dreamed of. Working at Disney World, the place where dreams come true.

Disney has always been a part of my life, from the movies, to family vacations to Disney World, to dreams of Broadway. If you ask me what my favorite movie is I'll tell you Beauty and the Beast. Some of my most cherished memories come from one of the 7 times I've been to Disney World. Until it closed on Broadway in 2007, my dream was to one day play Belle. As you may be able to tell, I have a favorite princess, and nothing will change that! But what I'm getting at here, is that Disney is only a logical step in my life.

Ever since I'd heard about the college program, I've wanted to do it, and I've finally put in my application, and I've been accepted as an Attractions Cast Member for Fall 2011. I'm ecstatic, positively elated, and so many other extremely happy emotions. It's finally a chance to do what I've always wanted! Well, almost! My original idea was to play Belle. However, I'm pushing 5'9" and am a little thicker than the average Princess, but I'm working on it.

Attractions! How exciting is that! Loads of guest interaction and some of the most exciting opportunities  there are! Sure I have my hopes for which land I'll get. I'm crossing my fingers for Jungle Cruise, The Great Movie Ride, or Kilamanjaro Safaris, but I'll gladly take what I get.

Ok, so you may be wondering, who the heck is this person? Well lets get the boring part out of the way. I'm a theatre major from Houston, Texas. I'm 21 (until the 11th of July) and as all my friends can attest, I love Disney. In fact, as I write this I'm listening to my Disney radio on Pandora. I'm a nerd, I know, but I wouldn't change me for the world.

So let's see, I've got a month and 3 days to go before I check in. Honestly, I'm scared. I'm afraid of the homesickness, but I know I'll have plenty of distractions. 4 and a half months away from (most of) my friends and family. I know some will be coming to see me, which will definitely help! Wow, I'm rambling.

I wanted to start this as a way to chronicle my adventures, and let my friends, family, and other hopeful cast members know what it's like. I had found a few other college program blogs, and thought it might be fun to start my own. I'm hoping to update as soon as possible, and promise to take a ton of pictures to share.

But that's it for now. I'm tired. I woke up super early (for no reason) on my day off from my day job. So I shall take a nap.


See ya real soon!