So I guess I will explain a little bit about Costuming here. So if you are in the college program, you are allowed to "check out" 5 sets of costumes. Some people might have more than one that they need to wear, like my roommate Amy has 2 different ones depending on which location she is assigned to. You also can get rain gear, which is very important, a heavy jacket and a lighter jacket/sweater.
How it works is you go to your costuming location, depending on where you work, and find the pieces that you need. It is basically a big warehouse with all the costumes for that location. The sizes are VERY different, so you should expect to get a costume at least 2 sizes bigger than street clothes. After you try on like 4 different sizes and find out which is right, you go and find a few of each in that size. It's just like a store, so you don't take the one that doesn't zipper or has a missing button.
Now there are two different ways that the costumes are checked out, because they are updating to a new system. With the old way the costume person scans your ID and then scans a barcode on each item. Even things like belts and hats have a barcode. With the new system the costume person scans your ID and there is a sensor bar attached to each item, you just need to place it on the counter and the sensor picks up each item. It is a lot quicker.
So after you wear it a few times you can either wash it yourself, or return it to costuming and they will wash it. When you return it you need to scan in each item you are returning, or with the new system the return chute just picks up the sensor and checks it in.
You can also order another name tag at costuming if you lose yours, or maybe you want an extra to keep on your jacket, so you don't need to switch it all the time.
The important thing to remember is to label your sweater/jacket. Everyone has the same costume at your location and they can become mixed up very easily. I just put a little piece of tape on my sweater with my name on it.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
First Impressions Day 3 and 4 and First day at POP!
So on Friday and Saturday I had my final two days of training at Disney university. On day 3 we did more practice check ins and learned how to do other procedures like cashing a personal check, changing rooms, exchanging foreign currency, etc.
On Saturday we practiced more in the lab and then learned how to do checkouts. The cafeteria was closed at Disney University because it was Sat, so we went over to the Magic Kingdom to eat. I had packed my lunch and I wanted a Dole Whip, so I headed up to adventureland and bought myself one!
On Sunday I had my first on the job training at Pop Century. I had to be there at 5:45am! Thank goodness I had my own car or else I would have to call and arrange for the bus to pick me up, because they don't even run that early. I met my trainer who's name is Catherine. She will train me for 4 days and then I will have someone else. We did some checkouts first thing in the morning. Later I got to do check ins by myself with just her watching in the background. She showed me where they keep everything in the front office and how to get my drawer at the beginning of my shift. She said I did really well and she didn't really need to go over too many things with me.
They give us 2 of the refillable mugs to use in the back, so we don't waste paper cups. They also have free coffee, tea and hot cocoa for us when we are on break. Everyone seems really nice and I am excited to work there!
I have off for Monday and Tuesday, so this morning I went to my Human Resource Management class. Tonight my roommates are having a karaoke/guitar hero party. Tomorrow most of my roommates and I have off so we are going to try to go to Typhoon Lagoon. The weather is supposed to be in the upper 70's so I am hoping it will be warm enough.
On Saturday we practiced more in the lab and then learned how to do checkouts. The cafeteria was closed at Disney University because it was Sat, so we went over to the Magic Kingdom to eat. I had packed my lunch and I wanted a Dole Whip, so I headed up to adventureland and bought myself one!
On Sunday I had my first on the job training at Pop Century. I had to be there at 5:45am! Thank goodness I had my own car or else I would have to call and arrange for the bus to pick me up, because they don't even run that early. I met my trainer who's name is Catherine. She will train me for 4 days and then I will have someone else. We did some checkouts first thing in the morning. Later I got to do check ins by myself with just her watching in the background. She showed me where they keep everything in the front office and how to get my drawer at the beginning of my shift. She said I did really well and she didn't really need to go over too many things with me.
They give us 2 of the refillable mugs to use in the back, so we don't waste paper cups. They also have free coffee, tea and hot cocoa for us when we are on break. Everyone seems really nice and I am excited to work there!
I have off for Monday and Tuesday, so this morning I went to my Human Resource Management class. Tonight my roommates are having a karaoke/guitar hero party. Tomorrow most of my roommates and I have off so we are going to try to go to Typhoon Lagoon. The weather is supposed to be in the upper 70's so I am hoping it will be warm enough.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
First Impressions Day 1 and 2
So on Wednesday and Today I had my First Impressions Class at the Disney University. On day 1 we went over guest service and the Disney Basics! I'm not sure they could think of one more place to stuff the Basics down your throat! After the Basics we talked about more guest service and watched a video starring that guy who is the sun in the Jimmy Dean commercials. It had its funny/cheesy moments. In the afternoon we learned how to sign on to the computer screens. There are two different places you have to log in for front desk. The first is called Green Screen and it is a very old computer program where you can't use the mouse and have to type everything. The other program that you actually use to check guests in is called DPMS and this one is newer and easier to use. And you can use the mouse! We went over all the steps you need to do to check in a guest. Then we did some practice check ins. After that we learned to sign out.
On day two we practiced taking payments with different types of payment, like cash, travelers checks, credit cards, and personal checks (which no one ever uses). Next we practiced checking in guest who wanted to do all kinds of different things. Then we got to go into the Front Desk lab, which is a room set up just like the front desk of the hotel. We got to take turns being the guest and being the front desk person. After that we went over how to balance out our drawer at the end of the shift. We also did some more Elearning on the computer.
I have 2 more days of First Impressions Training, and then on Sunday I start on the job training at my resort.
On day two we practiced taking payments with different types of payment, like cash, travelers checks, credit cards, and personal checks (which no one ever uses). Next we practiced checking in guest who wanted to do all kinds of different things. Then we got to go into the Front Desk lab, which is a room set up just like the front desk of the hotel. We got to take turns being the guest and being the front desk person. After that we went over how to balance out our drawer at the end of the shift. We also did some more Elearning on the computer.
I have 2 more days of First Impressions Training, and then on Sunday I start on the job training at my resort.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Pop Into the Islands Tour
Today was my "Pop Into the Island" tour at Pop Century. I had to go to the cast service building which is shared between Pop Century and Caribbean Beach. There were 7 people in the tour group but only 3 were going to Pop. First they took our picture and had us fill out a little information card. (Later they hung up this picture and info card on a welcome board in our location.)So we watched a power point about each of the resorts and then we headed out on a tour of our resort.
The trainer took me behind the front desk and showed me where everything was. I even got to meet one of the managers on duty. He seemed very nice and was up to date on everything that had happened with me and my being "miscast". I think I will really like working front desk a lot more than merchandise anyway. We continued the tour around the resort and since one of the people was for food and beverage we went back in the kitchens too. After the tour we went to lunch, and then did this "safety in motion" class. It was really really long and boring. Basically for an hour they talked about how to position yourself while lifting heavy items. I was very tired at this point and almost falling asleep.
When that was over we went to costuming. Now costuming at this building is not open on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, but we were told to ring the doorbell and tell them we are new cast members and need to get our costumes. So we ring the doorbell, and the costuming ladies let us in. But they don't know what we need, so they have to look it up. Finally I find what I need but the shirt doesn't fit right, well that is because I had the wrong shirt. I find the right shirt and get my costume. Here is what it looks like (not on me obviously, I borrowed these images from Disney)
I actually like this costume more than the other one I had at the Studios. First off the shirt does not need to be tucked in, and it doesn't button up the front, it sort of zippers, but therefore does not bunch up and gap. The skirt, is actually a skirt, not the weird shorts, and i purposely picked a longer one so I can try and get away with only wearing knee-highs instead of full stockings. There is a sort of ugly maroon sweater we can wear, but after a few weeks I won't need it anyway.
After the costuming we had to do some more ELearning. I had already done most of mine though because all the general ones I did while training for Merchandise. I was scheduled to stay until 5:30 But I was finished at 3:30. They gave us this cheesy certificate too.
The next few days will be First Impressions class at the Disney University, and then on the job training all next week. I was shocked when I looked at my schedule for Training! Everyday starts at 5:45 AM! I hope it is only because I am training, since it seems like everyone else on the college program works the Afternoon/Night shift.
The trainer took me behind the front desk and showed me where everything was. I even got to meet one of the managers on duty. He seemed very nice and was up to date on everything that had happened with me and my being "miscast". I think I will really like working front desk a lot more than merchandise anyway. We continued the tour around the resort and since one of the people was for food and beverage we went back in the kitchens too. After the tour we went to lunch, and then did this "safety in motion" class. It was really really long and boring. Basically for an hour they talked about how to position yourself while lifting heavy items. I was very tired at this point and almost falling asleep.
When that was over we went to costuming. Now costuming at this building is not open on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, but we were told to ring the doorbell and tell them we are new cast members and need to get our costumes. So we ring the doorbell, and the costuming ladies let us in. But they don't know what we need, so they have to look it up. Finally I find what I need but the shirt doesn't fit right, well that is because I had the wrong shirt. I find the right shirt and get my costume. Here is what it looks like (not on me obviously, I borrowed these images from Disney)
I actually like this costume more than the other one I had at the Studios. First off the shirt does not need to be tucked in, and it doesn't button up the front, it sort of zippers, but therefore does not bunch up and gap. The skirt, is actually a skirt, not the weird shorts, and i purposely picked a longer one so I can try and get away with only wearing knee-highs instead of full stockings. There is a sort of ugly maroon sweater we can wear, but after a few weeks I won't need it anyway.
After the costuming we had to do some more ELearning. I had already done most of mine though because all the general ones I did while training for Merchandise. I was scheduled to stay until 5:30 But I was finished at 3:30. They gave us this cheesy certificate too.
The next few days will be First Impressions class at the Disney University, and then on the job training all next week. I was shocked when I looked at my schedule for Training! Everyday starts at 5:45 AM! I hope it is only because I am training, since it seems like everyone else on the college program works the Afternoon/Night shift.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Not working = No $$
So I haven't worked since last Sunday. I was told that my managers would talk to housing about not taking the rent out of my check because I was not working, and it was Disney's fault.
So imagine my surprise today when there is a notice on my apartment door that says I owe them $114 for rent which had to be paid by Wed. So I call the number on the bottom of the paper. So they don't charge you rent the first week, instead they take double out of the next week. So I owed $84 for the first week and another $84 for the second week. I only worked one day last week, so I made a total of $58 and Price management took $53 of that for rent. Thus I owe them $114.
So being pretty mad and frustrated with Disney at this point I call them on the phone and try to explain what was going on. How I requested a medical accommodation weeks before I arrived, and had my restrictions approved on Jan 13th, yet when I arrived on Feb 1st management had no idea I needed accommodations. My managers then took me off the schedule and I haven't worked since the 7th. I told them that I was told that my managers would talk to housing about my situation so they would not take rent out of my check this week.
The person on the phone said she needed to talk to her supervisor who then needed to contact the Lady I had talked to at employee relations. About an hour later she called me back to say that Employee Relations had confirmed that I had done everything correctly, but that I had been miscast into the wrong role. They comped me the rent for last week since it was Disney's fault, so now I only owe them $30 for the first week still.
Tomorrow I start my training at Pop Century, doing the tour of the resort and getting my new costume. Then I have my First Impression class at the Disney University Wed through Sat. I'm glad to be working finally again, but not so happy about having to do all new training.
So imagine my surprise today when there is a notice on my apartment door that says I owe them $114 for rent which had to be paid by Wed. So I call the number on the bottom of the paper. So they don't charge you rent the first week, instead they take double out of the next week. So I owed $84 for the first week and another $84 for the second week. I only worked one day last week, so I made a total of $58 and Price management took $53 of that for rent. Thus I owe them $114.
So being pretty mad and frustrated with Disney at this point I call them on the phone and try to explain what was going on. How I requested a medical accommodation weeks before I arrived, and had my restrictions approved on Jan 13th, yet when I arrived on Feb 1st management had no idea I needed accommodations. My managers then took me off the schedule and I haven't worked since the 7th. I told them that I was told that my managers would talk to housing about my situation so they would not take rent out of my check this week.
The person on the phone said she needed to talk to her supervisor who then needed to contact the Lady I had talked to at employee relations. About an hour later she called me back to say that Employee Relations had confirmed that I had done everything correctly, but that I had been miscast into the wrong role. They comped me the rent for last week since it was Disney's fault, so now I only owe them $30 for the first week still.
Tomorrow I start my training at Pop Century, doing the tour of the resort and getting my new costume. Then I have my First Impression class at the Disney University Wed through Sat. I'm glad to be working finally again, but not so happy about having to do all new training.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
New Job
So after sitting around in my apartment all week without working someone from employee relations called me to talk about my medical accommodations. She told me that they had approved the revisions and that they were trying to find a new role for me. She said that there was an opening for a front desk position, so we talked about the requirements for that.
Well today was Saturday and I hadn't heard anything so I tried to call someone who could tell me what was going on. I was kind of mad because I did everything I was supposed to do and Disney was the ones who messed up.
Today someone called me from the Training Team to tell me that my role has been changed from Merchandise to Front Desk/Cashier at Pop Century! So on Tuesday I have like an orientation at the resort and on Wed, Thurs, and Fri is my Lasting Impressions class at the Disney University.
I'm glad that they finally got everything straightened out but now I'm nervous that I won't get the days off I wanted for when BJ is coming to visit. I asked the person on the phone and they said to resubmit them and put a note on it that says you are resubmitting them because your work location changed.
Yesterday Amy, Elizabeth, Brittany, Ren, Nicole and I went to the Magic Kingdom at night. It had poured all day so the park was basically empty. Britt and Amy forgot their ID cards so they had to go back to the apartment. They were going to meet up with us but Brittany never found hers so they didn't. Elizabeth, Nicole, Ren and I went on all the rides in Fantasyland, the park was empty, we walked right on Dumbo. We rode Goofy's Barnstormer twice! and got to go in Mickey and Minnie's houses while they were completely empty, so we got to look at everything. On the way out we watched Spectromagic at 11 and then headed back to the apartment.
I don't know if people want to do stuff after they get back from work tonight. Since it is presidents day weekend the Magic Kingdom is open until midnight tonight.
Well today was Saturday and I hadn't heard anything so I tried to call someone who could tell me what was going on. I was kind of mad because I did everything I was supposed to do and Disney was the ones who messed up.
Today someone called me from the Training Team to tell me that my role has been changed from Merchandise to Front Desk/Cashier at Pop Century! So on Tuesday I have like an orientation at the resort and on Wed, Thurs, and Fri is my Lasting Impressions class at the Disney University.
I'm glad that they finally got everything straightened out but now I'm nervous that I won't get the days off I wanted for when BJ is coming to visit. I asked the person on the phone and they said to resubmit them and put a note on it that says you are resubmitting them because your work location changed.
Yesterday Amy, Elizabeth, Brittany, Ren, Nicole and I went to the Magic Kingdom at night. It had poured all day so the park was basically empty. Britt and Amy forgot their ID cards so they had to go back to the apartment. They were going to meet up with us but Brittany never found hers so they didn't. Elizabeth, Nicole, Ren and I went on all the rides in Fantasyland, the park was empty, we walked right on Dumbo. We rode Goofy's Barnstormer twice! and got to go in Mickey and Minnie's houses while they were completely empty, so we got to look at everything. On the way out we watched Spectromagic at 11 and then headed back to the apartment.
I don't know if people want to do stuff after they get back from work tonight. Since it is presidents day weekend the Magic Kingdom is open until midnight tonight.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Days off = bored
So I haven't been working but my roommates have. The parks are only open until around 9pm right now so by the time they get home from work it is too late to go. My roommate Amy and I went to Downtown Disney a few times because we could get a 50% holiday discount until the 11th. So I bought everything I wanted while I could get half off instead of the regular 20%.
I spilled iced tea on my laptop and it died. I was really mad at myself. I took it to Best Buy were the guy told me it would cost $85 to send it out to have it looked at and for that type of damage it would cost over $300 fix. So it would have been $400 to fix a laptop that I paid $700 for. I decided to buy a new one, so I went to Staples and bought one for $730. It is a little bigger than my old one but it had the newer operating system.
I also started my class with the Disney University. I am taking Human Resource Management. It is once a week for 4 hours. So far it seems interesting and the instructor is very nice. In March I will also be taking a seminar series on Guest Service.
Last night Lene, Nicole, Christine and I went over to the Magic Kingdom, because it was the last day to get our discount. We went on Pirates and then on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Then we watched Wishes. We made our way up to Main Street were it was packed because people were trying to leave, but other people were sitting on the sidewalks to watch the nighttime parade! We went into the Ice cream shop and got ice cream with little chocolate circles stuck in the scoop to look like Mickey ears!
After that we went shopping and watched some of Spectromagic (the parade) Lene, Nicole, and I went to Downtown Disney and got something to eat at Earl of Sandwich!
Magic Kingdom is open until 11 tonight because it is Presidents day weekend, so when Amy and Elizabeth come back from work we might go over there and ride some rides.
I spilled iced tea on my laptop and it died. I was really mad at myself. I took it to Best Buy were the guy told me it would cost $85 to send it out to have it looked at and for that type of damage it would cost over $300 fix. So it would have been $400 to fix a laptop that I paid $700 for. I decided to buy a new one, so I went to Staples and bought one for $730. It is a little bigger than my old one but it had the newer operating system.
I also started my class with the Disney University. I am taking Human Resource Management. It is once a week for 4 hours. So far it seems interesting and the instructor is very nice. In March I will also be taking a seminar series on Guest Service.
Last night Lene, Nicole, Christine and I went over to the Magic Kingdom, because it was the last day to get our discount. We went on Pirates and then on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Then we watched Wishes. We made our way up to Main Street were it was packed because people were trying to leave, but other people were sitting on the sidewalks to watch the nighttime parade! We went into the Ice cream shop and got ice cream with little chocolate circles stuck in the scoop to look like Mickey ears!
After that we went shopping and watched some of Spectromagic (the parade) Lene, Nicole, and I went to Downtown Disney and got something to eat at Earl of Sandwich!
Magic Kingdom is open until 11 tonight because it is Presidents day weekend, so when Amy and Elizabeth come back from work we might go over there and ride some rides.
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