From time to time they offer a behind the scenes tour of the Haunted Mansion to Cast Members. Space is very limited as they only take about 10 to 15 people on the tour. I wanted to do the tour on my last program but I never got the chance. Well this time I did. We weren't allowed to take pictures on the tour, so I don't have any to share.
The tour is at 7am while the park is empty of guests, and it was a walking tour of the attraction. We got to walk through the entire ride with the lights on and really look at all the details. There are so many things that you never even notice because of how dark it is and because the cars are moving. But if the ride needs to be evacuated then the lights come on and guests would be able to see everything, so it needs to be complete.
So we walked through and our guide showed us how the effects worked and shared some interesting facts. For example in the room where they have all the staircases only 1 staircase is real on each side, and all the rest are just from a mirror behind it. And they can change the size of the footprints that appear on the staircases, so one day they might be really big and the next really small.
We also got to go into the Ballroom, the scene with all the ghosts is really just one big special effect. If you have been on the ride you know you are looking down into the ballroom from above. Well the audio animatronic figures are actually located in the space below and above the track, and large pieces of glass separate the ballroom and the figures. What you are seeing is the reflection of the figures on the glass. Many of the figures are also in the Pirates of the Carribean ride and if you look closely you will see that the ghost in the rocking chair is the grandma from the Carousel of Progress. It was really cool to go into the actual ballroom and walk around inside.
The graveyard scene was also neat to walk through, we got to pet that little dog (whose name is Bones) and he even has a little dog treat in front of him. Finally the Hitchhiking Ghosts have the names of Gus, Ezra and Phineas. They originally were named The Prisoner, The Hitchhiker and The Traveler, but the CM's here at WDW came up with the other names. Guests would go to Disneyland and tell the CM's there that these where their names. Finally Walt Disney Imagineering came to WDW and asked about the names, and then changed the names offically. Now in all the Disney parks throughout the world they are known by the names that the FL CM's came up with.
Finally we went into one of the two stretching rooms to view that part of the ride. If you stay long enough after everyone leaves the Gargoyles in the room talk to you and giggle to eachother. Then the guide instructed us to lay on the floor and look up at the ceiling, so we did and she reset the room and made the ceiling come down. It was really strange to see the ceiling coming down at you.
It was a really cool tour and I was so glad I got to do it this time. I really learned a lot but there is only so much I can post on here because it is considered a "trade secret" or information that I'm not supposed to share. I'm hoping to take another backstage tour before I leave, but we will have to see.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Working and more working!
Since I've been finished with training I have been working a crazy amount of hours. Like 11 hour shifts and 6 days a week! One of the leaders told me it is because we are in between College Program groups and people are leaving before new people are coming in. So hopefully once we get some more CP's I won't have to work 53 hour work weeks!
I work almost every night until 12am or 2am on Tuesdays for Extra Magic Hours. Now I know what you are thinking "But doesn't Epcot close at 9?" and yes you would be correct. This is how a typical night goes. At 9pm the fireworks start and they finish by 9:20. As everyone rushes out of the park they stroll right past our store and think "Oh hey, I wanted to buy an Epcot shirt!" or "Aww crap I forgot to buy something for so and so" Which is why we stay open. Guests shop in the store until around 10:30-10:45pm, and we begin to close the registers at that time, so by the time 10:30 rolls around there is only one person on register. Everyone else has a closing assignment.
Closing Assignments vary and of course some are better than others. Jewelry, no thanks, all those earring and necklaces and charms to organize. Souvenirs is another one you don't want to get stuck with because its all key chains, magnets, postcards, basically small things that people don't put back where they belong. Any of the softlines (clothing) isn't too bad. Toys is ok too. Consumables can be a pain in the butt because you have to clean up a lot of stuff. Home Dec is my favorite because the stock room is right through a door in the area, the other stock is backstage or downstairs and sometimes you have to go to multiple places to find what you need. Home Dec is pretty easy, you just refill the displays and organize things.
Closing assignments take until ten of 12 or 2 and then we have a meeting where we talk about our sales for the day, share guest stories and have other announcements. Then it is time to clock out!!
I'm pretty much always on register, which I don't mind, It really makes the shifts go by faster, but I could also be scheduled as floorstock sometime.
Our location is getting new costumes starting June 12th. So tomorrow I have to go to Costuming to get fitted for my new one. I'm sort of annoyed because everyone got to go while they are at work, but since costuming closes at 6pm I have to go before my shift starts.
I work almost every night until 12am or 2am on Tuesdays for Extra Magic Hours. Now I know what you are thinking "But doesn't Epcot close at 9?" and yes you would be correct. This is how a typical night goes. At 9pm the fireworks start and they finish by 9:20. As everyone rushes out of the park they stroll right past our store and think "Oh hey, I wanted to buy an Epcot shirt!" or "Aww crap I forgot to buy something for so and so" Which is why we stay open. Guests shop in the store until around 10:30-10:45pm, and we begin to close the registers at that time, so by the time 10:30 rolls around there is only one person on register. Everyone else has a closing assignment.
Closing Assignments vary and of course some are better than others. Jewelry, no thanks, all those earring and necklaces and charms to organize. Souvenirs is another one you don't want to get stuck with because its all key chains, magnets, postcards, basically small things that people don't put back where they belong. Any of the softlines (clothing) isn't too bad. Toys is ok too. Consumables can be a pain in the butt because you have to clean up a lot of stuff. Home Dec is my favorite because the stock room is right through a door in the area, the other stock is backstage or downstairs and sometimes you have to go to multiple places to find what you need. Home Dec is pretty easy, you just refill the displays and organize things.
Closing assignments take until ten of 12 or 2 and then we have a meeting where we talk about our sales for the day, share guest stories and have other announcements. Then it is time to clock out!!
I'm pretty much always on register, which I don't mind, It really makes the shifts go by faster, but I could also be scheduled as floorstock sometime.
Our location is getting new costumes starting June 12th. So tomorrow I have to go to Costuming to get fitted for my new one. I'm sort of annoyed because everyone got to go while they are at work, but since costuming closes at 6pm I have to go before my shift starts.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Earning My Ears!
So now that I have finished training and have my first week of work out of the way I figured it was time for an update.
For Training at Mouse Gear on Day 1 I got my costume, which isn't really that bad, that took a long time because the sizes on the clothes aren't the same as regualr clothing. But after trying on several sizes and lengths of pants I found some that sort of fit alright. Then the trainer showed me how to walk to our location and also explained how the Cast Bus works. At Epcot there are 2 buses, East and West. East goes to the front gate and the access to the tunnel, West goes all around the World Showcase. The tunnels at Epcot are not really like the ones at Magic Kingdom. It doesn't go all around the park it is pretty much a straight line under Future World. In the Tunnels is where my locker and breakroom is.
Mouse Gear is actually 3 floors. There is the tunnel level which is where most of our stock is kept and then the 2nd floor has a small stock room and the sales floor area. The 3rd floor is where the manager's office and the Money Room is. It is the 3rd largest store in WDW, and it can get pretty crazy in there.
The next training day was called "Discovery Day" and that was where we walked around the park and they showed us where things were. We also watched a video about how Walt's original plans for FL and Epcot were greatly different from how they are today. We did get to go on Spaceship Earth, and we rode on one of those boats around the World Showcase Lagoon and they talked about each of the pavilions.
The next training day I had to Re-take Merchantainment, which is Disney Speak for learning how to run the register. I was pretty bored since I had already done this class once and hadn't forgotten the information.
Day 3 of Training was where I actually got to use the register and do transactions. Pretty Easy. On Day 4 we learned how to do the Embroidery on the Mickey Ears hats. I actually liked doing it, and it was pretty easy. Then we took our assessment I got a 98 on the Hat Stitching and a 100 on the Merchandise test! The trainer said not very many people get 100 on it!
I had a day off and then I had to work 11 hour shifts on Friday Saturday and Sunday. Probably because it is Memorial Day weekend. I really don't like those really long shifts, since the store is pretty busy the day goes by fast, but by the end of the 3rd day I was really feeling run down. I'm scheduled mostly nights for the next two weeks with shifts ending at midnight or 2 am.
For Training at Mouse Gear on Day 1 I got my costume, which isn't really that bad, that took a long time because the sizes on the clothes aren't the same as regualr clothing. But after trying on several sizes and lengths of pants I found some that sort of fit alright. Then the trainer showed me how to walk to our location and also explained how the Cast Bus works. At Epcot there are 2 buses, East and West. East goes to the front gate and the access to the tunnel, West goes all around the World Showcase. The tunnels at Epcot are not really like the ones at Magic Kingdom. It doesn't go all around the park it is pretty much a straight line under Future World. In the Tunnels is where my locker and breakroom is.
Mouse Gear is actually 3 floors. There is the tunnel level which is where most of our stock is kept and then the 2nd floor has a small stock room and the sales floor area. The 3rd floor is where the manager's office and the Money Room is. It is the 3rd largest store in WDW, and it can get pretty crazy in there.
The next training day was called "Discovery Day" and that was where we walked around the park and they showed us where things were. We also watched a video about how Walt's original plans for FL and Epcot were greatly different from how they are today. We did get to go on Spaceship Earth, and we rode on one of those boats around the World Showcase Lagoon and they talked about each of the pavilions.
The next training day I had to Re-take Merchantainment, which is Disney Speak for learning how to run the register. I was pretty bored since I had already done this class once and hadn't forgotten the information.
Day 3 of Training was where I actually got to use the register and do transactions. Pretty Easy. On Day 4 we learned how to do the Embroidery on the Mickey Ears hats. I actually liked doing it, and it was pretty easy. Then we took our assessment I got a 98 on the Hat Stitching and a 100 on the Merchandise test! The trainer said not very many people get 100 on it!
I had a day off and then I had to work 11 hour shifts on Friday Saturday and Sunday. Probably because it is Memorial Day weekend. I really don't like those really long shifts, since the store is pretty busy the day goes by fast, but by the end of the 3rd day I was really feeling run down. I'm scheduled mostly nights for the next two weeks with shifts ending at midnight or 2 am.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Arrival Day, Casting, Traditions
So now that I finally have internet access I can update. Arrival day went really smoothley on Monday. I met up with Christine, Katelyn and Kristyn at Waffle House at 7:30am to eat breakfast. I didn't want to really eat that much because I was nervous and didn't want to feel sick. I really wish I had eaten more though because later on I was starving.
So we checked in and got in line together since we wanted to live together. I took everyone's program guides and waited in line to see about our apartment while they waited off to the side. So I told the lady we wanted a 2 bedroom at Vista, and she said she didn't have any!! I asked her if there were any 2 bedrooms at the other complexes and she said she was looking. Then she said there was a 2 bedroom at Vista but it was a Non-Wellness (Meaning you can drink Alcohol in the apartment.) We needed Wellness because Kristyn is not 21 until June. She said she could switch it for me! So we got our 2 bedroom! The Apartment is really nice, I will post pictures of it later once we get everything put away.
Then we went to casting to fill out paperwork, be fingerprinted for the background check, get our payroll card and go over the Disney Look. I was sort of nervous that my hair would not be Disney Look. I have highlights but they lighter than they should be. I figured at Casting they would really scrutinize you more than at your location so I pulled my hair back and hoped they wouldn't notice. I was also worried that my fingernails were too long, but when we went in they barely even looked at us, and didn't ask to look at our nails. I guess they figured since we are alumni that we already know the drill.
On Tuesday we didn't have anything to do Katelyn and Kristyn and I went shopping at Target and Walmart. The car had so much stuff in it there was barely any room for Katelyn in the back seat. We ended up going back again because of all the stuff we forgot.
Yesterday, Christine and I were supposed to go to Traditions. Katelyn and Kristyn are Campus Reps and still actively employed by the company so they didn't need to go, so they got to go pick up their ID's and go play in the parks. So about an hour before we are going to leave Casting calls Christine and says that her background check didn't come back yet. She doesn't have anything against her but it is just taking forever. I heard that it happened to a few other people too. So I went to Traditions alone, and it was pretty much the same as it has always been. We were all alumni except for one girl! The people teaching Traditions kept really playing everything up for her.
Later on in the night we decided to go out to Buffalo Wild Wings, while we were leaving the complex we met the guys who just moved in for Fall Advantage directly below us. They were going to Buffalo Wild Wings too, and on the bus ride we met some guys who were going there too. We even sang Spice Girls for Karaoke and finished off the night with some Steak n Shake.
Tomorrow is my first day of Training at Epcot, which I think is weird because I don't have the park orientation until Sat?
So we checked in and got in line together since we wanted to live together. I took everyone's program guides and waited in line to see about our apartment while they waited off to the side. So I told the lady we wanted a 2 bedroom at Vista, and she said she didn't have any!! I asked her if there were any 2 bedrooms at the other complexes and she said she was looking. Then she said there was a 2 bedroom at Vista but it was a Non-Wellness (Meaning you can drink Alcohol in the apartment.) We needed Wellness because Kristyn is not 21 until June. She said she could switch it for me! So we got our 2 bedroom! The Apartment is really nice, I will post pictures of it later once we get everything put away.
Then we went to casting to fill out paperwork, be fingerprinted for the background check, get our payroll card and go over the Disney Look. I was sort of nervous that my hair would not be Disney Look. I have highlights but they lighter than they should be. I figured at Casting they would really scrutinize you more than at your location so I pulled my hair back and hoped they wouldn't notice. I was also worried that my fingernails were too long, but when we went in they barely even looked at us, and didn't ask to look at our nails. I guess they figured since we are alumni that we already know the drill.
On Tuesday we didn't have anything to do Katelyn and Kristyn and I went shopping at Target and Walmart. The car had so much stuff in it there was barely any room for Katelyn in the back seat. We ended up going back again because of all the stuff we forgot.
Yesterday, Christine and I were supposed to go to Traditions. Katelyn and Kristyn are Campus Reps and still actively employed by the company so they didn't need to go, so they got to go pick up their ID's and go play in the parks. So about an hour before we are going to leave Casting calls Christine and says that her background check didn't come back yet. She doesn't have anything against her but it is just taking forever. I heard that it happened to a few other people too. So I went to Traditions alone, and it was pretty much the same as it has always been. We were all alumni except for one girl! The people teaching Traditions kept really playing everything up for her.
Later on in the night we decided to go out to Buffalo Wild Wings, while we were leaving the complex we met the guys who just moved in for Fall Advantage directly below us. They were going to Buffalo Wild Wings too, and on the bus ride we met some guys who were going there too. We even sang Spice Girls for Karaoke and finished off the night with some Steak n Shake.
Tomorrow is my first day of Training at Epcot, which I think is weird because I don't have the park orientation until Sat?
Saturday, May 14, 2011
I'm home
This song by Diddy - Dirty Money "Coming Home" really fits how I feel about returning to Disney.
"I’m coming home
I’m coming home
Tell the World I’m coming home
Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday
I know my kingdom awaits and they’ve forgiven my mistakes
I’m coming home, I’m coming home
Tell the World that I’m coming home"
This place was my home for 7 months and the experience had completely changed my life. When I went home I went through some really tough times, and this summer is a chance to start again. My Kingdom (The Magic Kingdom that is) has given me a chance to experience all of this again. I will leave this summer with no regrets.
I was nervous whether I was making the right choice to return, but as soon as I drove over the FL state line I knew that I made the right decision. This summer will hopefully be better than the last. I can't wait for this journey to begin again.
"I’m coming home
I’m coming home
Tell the World I’m coming home
Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday
I know my kingdom awaits and they’ve forgiven my mistakes
I’m coming home, I’m coming home
Tell the World that I’m coming home"
This place was my home for 7 months and the experience had completely changed my life. When I went home I went through some really tough times, and this summer is a chance to start again. My Kingdom (The Magic Kingdom that is) has given me a chance to experience all of this again. I will leave this summer with no regrets.
I was nervous whether I was making the right choice to return, but as soon as I drove over the FL state line I knew that I made the right decision. This summer will hopefully be better than the last. I can't wait for this journey to begin again.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Time to leave!
It seems like it has been an eternity since I interviewed and accepted my offer, and tomorrow is the day I leave! I have everything all packed up in my car and I am ready to leave at around 5am tomorrow morning. I'm driving to my Nana's house in South Carolina and staying there until Saturday morning, then I will be driving to Florida and meeting up with my former roommate Layna. She still lives in Orlando so I will be crashing at her place and hanging out until my check in on Monday morning.
Someone had looked me up on the HUB and told me that I was going to be at World of Disney (the huge store at Downtown Disney) I was pretty excited since my roommate this time around, Katelyn, worked there and she told me all about it. But later on someone called me to talk to me about my medical accommodations and told me that I was going to be at MouseGears at Epcot.
I'm actually more excited for this location! It is the parks biggest store so it will be very busy, which will make shifts go by quickly. It is indoors, so I won't be out in the heat and the very best part is......CUTE FOREIGN BOYS! Epcot is where most of the international program kids work so "Hello, boys from around the world!"
Also I worked at a resort last time so it should be fun to work at one of the parks. Also if I remember correctly the costume isn't that bad either. I'm hoping to wear sneakers since last time I had to wear dress shoes, and my feet hurt from wearing flats everyday.
And now to finish off with a quote from one of my favorite Disney attractions, "The Carosaul of Progress" - 'There's a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day! There's a great big beautiful tomorrow, and tomorrow is just a dream away!"
Someone had looked me up on the HUB and told me that I was going to be at World of Disney (the huge store at Downtown Disney) I was pretty excited since my roommate this time around, Katelyn, worked there and she told me all about it. But later on someone called me to talk to me about my medical accommodations and told me that I was going to be at MouseGears at Epcot.
I'm actually more excited for this location! It is the parks biggest store so it will be very busy, which will make shifts go by quickly. It is indoors, so I won't be out in the heat and the very best part is......CUTE FOREIGN BOYS! Epcot is where most of the international program kids work so "Hello, boys from around the world!"
Also I worked at a resort last time so it should be fun to work at one of the parks. Also if I remember correctly the costume isn't that bad either. I'm hoping to wear sneakers since last time I had to wear dress shoes, and my feet hurt from wearing flats everyday.
And now to finish off with a quote from one of my favorite Disney attractions, "The Carosaul of Progress" - 'There's a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day! There's a great big beautiful tomorrow, and tomorrow is just a dream away!"
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Less than 2 months
In less than two months I will be back at Disney! I am excited and overwhelmed at the same time. I have been trying to find someone to sublet my apartment for the summer so I don't have to pay rent, but so far no luck. I might end up paying rent here as well.
I will be finished with finals on May 5th and then will be moving everything out of my apartment (since I'm living somewhere else next year) by May 8th. I need to work on May 9th and maybe the 10th.
I plan to leave on the 11th and drive to my Nana's house in South Carolina, Stay with her until the 14th and then drive the rest of the way to FL.
I have made plans to live with some pretty awesome girls. Katelyn, Kristyn and Christine. By the end of June we will all be 21, and we are all looking to just have an awesome summer. Christine was one of my roommates on my first program, but she ended up moving out because of issues in our apartment. But she is giving me a second chance (Not that I really caused the problems to begin with).
Anyways. I plan on making a list of things I want to do while I'm at Disney this time. One will be Drinking around the world at Epcot (Not all at once) and I want to go to Harry Potter World at Universal.
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