OCTOBER ALREADY!

Here we are folks! October is already here! This internship is flying by! The International Food and Wine Festival began at Epcot on Friday and it has already been interesting. We were warned by managers to watch people who looked, or smelled, like they had had a little too much to drink. Friday itself was not too bad, we were busy but the alcohol was no problem whatsoever. Now Saturday was a different story. Not to mention at 10pm we were the location for a 5K run through the park so we were open until 3am. It was also the 40th anniversary for the Magic Kingdom last night and tonight there is Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party in the Magic Kingdom. Working with tired and irritated guests on a normal day is one thing. Working with them when they are intoxicated is completely different. Remaining happy and entertaining during a wheelchair load when the ride isn't moving is definitely a challenge. Well back off to work today! See you real soon!

-KT

Finally found my groove.

Sorry it has been a while everyone. Between training and on the job experience and everything else time has been precious and sleep even more so. Working for the WDW Company from the inside was eye opening to say the least. A lot of different people in one location with many different career ambitions that may or may not apply to their College Program. Some students graduating in three years and some in seven for the same degree. There seems to be a huge pressure to finish in four years or even faster to get out into this huge world and some students feel if they stay one more year they might be able to figure themselves out and actually survive when they get their diploma. A lot of the CPs have already graduated and completed the program before. It has been said that Professional Internships with WDW are more likely with more than one program. Two of my roommates have completed at least two other programs and one is back because she needed a fall class to hold her over until the spring term. Everyone seems to have their own reasons for being here and Disney's main goal is 1) potential full time employees that have already been trained and 2) well rounded leaders of tomorrow that can and will make a difference in our world and not just sit in a chair from 9-5. These kids are the ones who will one day change the world and I believe that 100%!

Earning My Ears

Started training ,or "Earning My Ears", on Sunday Aug. 21 at Spaceship Earth at Epcot. After being fitted for costumes we began "E-learning" for the first part of our training. After learning the safety requirements and reading the work guide for the attraction operation we began hands on training. For the next five days we were trained in all 12 positions including Load 1,2 & 3, Unload 1 & 2, Wheelchair 1,2 & 3, Greeter 1 & 2, Body Builder (arcade style games) and Photo edit. A couple of 6:45am mornings of walking the track all the way up 180ft and testing all alarm systems. One day we even got to go halfway up the geosphere and walk between the two shells and look out over the park and see downtown Orlando. After five full days of 40+ hours of training I had a 6 hour assessment to pass my training. If we "fail" the assessment we either are given more training or moved to another location such as food service or merchandise. August 28th I was assessed for 6 straight hours including opening procedures, every work station, a written test and an interview. I passed all of my assessment and have officially Earned My Ears to complete my training and begin full hours starting Wednesday morning.

Have A Magical Day!

-KT

Trained Cast Member of EPCOTs Spaceship Earth

Discovery Day

Saturday I attended something called Discovery Day. I had no idea what I was getting into. All I knew was that I had to be up by 6 to catch the bus by 7 to be at Epcot by 8am... We learned how to properly pass security, clock-in and were quickly escorted to a classroom. We were presented with a video of Mr. Walt Disney himself back from the 60s when he was informing the world of the "Florida Project." Along with this Florida Project came E.P.C.O.T., the Experimental Prototype City Of Tomorrow. We learned that Epcot was supposed to be a real living, breathing city! Very sophisticated technology for the people who lived, worked and played there. The design was futuristic and the city was a mixture of space age technology and peace between all world leaders due to the "World Showcase" that allowed everyone living there to learn and respect cultures other than their own. The December after this presentation was released Mr. Disney passed away and Epcot was in a state of confusion. It was the Walt Disney Company's responsibility now to finish. But instead of finishing the city they completed it as a theme park to draw revenue for the company. The Epcot they designed is the one we all know and love today. There is still an enormous amount of space age technology shown in Spaceship Earth, Mission: Space and Test Track. Everyone is still learning through The Sea with "Nemo and Friends" and The Land with "Soarin." The World Showcase is also still present even though it is a little different than Mr. Disney had planned. The feel of the country, the smells, the tastes are all still present. The only difference is the number of countries and their presentations. Sunday is my first day of On The Job Training where we will receive our safety instructions and our "costumes." Registration for our seminars for class are next wednesday and I am registering for the Professional Performance class dealing with one of the many Stage Shows on Disney property. In the mean time Have a Magical Day!

-KT

Attractions, Spaceship Earth

Experimental Prototype City Of Tomorrow (E.P.C.O.T.)

WDW Intern 101

Hello all from the wonderful city of Orlando, FL!

I am now moved into my new apartment sharing with five (5) other girls from Jacksonville, Chicago, Seattle, Jersey and Puerto Rico! They are all very wonderful and sweet girls so it should feel just like im back at Converse already. On wednesday we all registered and took a photo for our housing ID. Our housing ID is just one of the three (3) IDs we must keep on us at all times. We use this ID for admittance into our apartment and as a bus pass to and from work. Speaking of buses. There is a bus stop right down the corner from my apartment that is for WDW Interns ONLY. They run eight (8) different routes and each stop by about every 10-15 minutes. But, it takes almost 45 minutes to get to work and you are to always show up to the bus stop 15 minutes early. Later in the afternoon we were all shuttled to the Casting Center for our work assignments. Not five (5) minutes after walking in the door I was assigned East Attractions Cast Member for Epcot. I will be responsible for at least three (3) rides on the eastern side of Epcot. I will know the specific locations on saturday at my first day of training or "Earning my Ears." After a successful background check, fingerprinting and "Disney Look" assessment we were allowed back to our apartments to unpack and collect our own groceries. Luckily the girls and I sat around the dinner table and shared information about our schools, majors and previous work positions. (I love my girls!) Thursday we attended a Welcome Meeting at another apartment location where we discussed Community Codes and Safety. We may have to be at work as early as 7am, meaning leave the apartments dressed and ready by 6am, or leaving work as late as 3am, meaning we wouldn't get to be until 5am. What a long day! Today (Thursday) is a class they call "Traditions" we will learn the history of the company and will travel the park learning about the many questions we might be asked by our "Guests." We have been casual all week and now we begin the business attire. Suits and dresses are required to attend and if you do not follow the "Disney Look" guidelines you will be sent back to your apartment to change. All night I was preparing to fit these guidelines! I'm sure we will all do fine and have a wonderful time today. We will receive our Cast Member ID and our Main Gate Pass today and i've been told we may just get to meet someone "special." My training begins at 8am tomorrow so I will be posting accordingly around my training schedule.

Have a Magical Day!

-KT Epcot Cast Member

Converse College Music Business Internship

I was just approved today to complete an internship through the Walt Disney World College Program. I am keeping this blog from June 8, 2011 through January 6, 2012 to document my experiences and lessons learned while on this exciting journey. I plan to post at least once a day on work days but I may post extra depending on occurrences throughout the process. This is open to anyone who wishes to follow! But is primarily the documentation needed for my Music Business Internship Grade at the end of the Fall Semester. I hope all of you reading will have just as much fun reading as I will posting even though I am still 69 days from moving to Florida! I will do everything I can to keep you posted and load pictures often.

Have a Magical Day!

-Kristen Thomas

(KT)