Well, I suppose we'll start at the beginning. This week, I was originally scheduled to work almost 50 hours with Tuesday & Wednesday off. Well, my friend Penny from work wanted to trade shifts to work on Tuesday and have Thursday off so that she could attend a special Princess Lunch with her friend (Who could pass that up?!). So, I quickly chose to take her shift (plus, it was 11-7:30, which was much better than the late shift I had). Which was at Pin Central. Mind you, we mostly work as Mouse Gears and as of yet, I hadn't been sent to work anywhere else. But I didn't mind. I'll gladly take on the additional challenge! I needed a different costume and I would get that on my day off. No big deal. So, I enjoyed my two days off, gladly taking care of sweet, sick Anna banana and she happily took me to costuming on Wednesday to get all set for my shift as a pin trader. I got everything I needed with ease and we went on with our day.
Thursday arrives. I have my costume. I know where the shop is. I just gotta figure out where to clock in. I arrive a half hour early and lolly gag a little... gotta get a temporary name tag 'cause I left mine at home GRR. So, I had to be CHRIS from Orlando. Boo. I wanted to be Siara :(. I put my stuff away and arrive...find the clock in station. Locked out. I'm asked to return to cast services to clock in! Which is a good 8-12 minute walk. One minute late gets .5 point. UHM. I'm peeved, but I go. I'm supposed to see a Coordinator. But I don't know WHO that is, because Pin Central is a simple outdoor shop with only a few cast members at a time. So I choose to ring a few guests out, THAT I know how to do. But no, I'm locked out the register, too. It's not accepting my password. Trust me, I know my password. I coordinator comes over, goes to the office and calls me. Gives me two long numbers to remember. yay. So I finally begin working. I had to refer to Matt almost every time a guest had a question, which sucked. But I learned a lot and met cool people. Two hours into my shift, I get a call from Julie, a leader. What's your name? What's your ID #? You're not in our system. Find Adam. I find Adam. Stay at Pin Central, I'll come get you. Phone rings again, come to office. Where is that?! I find it. Hi, Siara, I'm Julie. You were assigned to the PIN EVENT. Which is not HERE, it's at the Yacht Club. Am I in the wrong costume? Completely. Wrong place. Wrong clothes. Wrong name. Right time?! I feel embarrassed, guilty and kinda mad. I'm barely two weeks in and I know so little. I'm such a sponge, especially when it comes to work, but I've been thrown in the ocean. This is a lot. The Pin Event leader decides to let me stay since I've already been working and it'd be more of a hassle to get me changed and transferred. Whew? I don't know. I was a little relieved, but I felt terrible! And Penny had picked up the complete wrong costume as well. Luckily, she found out in time and knew exactly where she was expected to be.
The rest of the day was pretty simple. Warm, but I was right in front of the fountain <3 And I learned about a lot of pins...traded a lot of pins...was helpful to some...was called sweetheart :)...and CHRIS way too many times. Ugh, Chris, remember me?! Thanks, Chris! I'M NOT CHRIS! ahhhh! I love that people have to glance at my name 2 or 3 times to get it right! :D And lastly, and most thankfully, they let me go home at 6. Which TOTALLY made my day! On top of their graciousness and point removal.
So, not to bad after all, but quite the adventure!
Have a magical weekend (:3
(ps- roommate updates really are coming soon.)
27 August 2010
25 August 2010
I'm lovin' it.
I apologize that I can't be the blogger that posts at a normal or regular frequency. Working 50 hours does that to a person ;) Thanks for reading! Keeps me encouraged to not just let my writing go!
I absolutely love my job. I work in one of the largest stores on property and we have near everything! Learning where everything is has been challenging, but luckily there are lots of helpful people. I'll be keeping my "Earning My Ears" badge on for a while! There are 4 entrances to this store and people are like, where is the closest ___ or which door brings me to test track? or which way is the best way to get to the buses?? And I'm like...OMG I don't know! Just pick one and figure it out! >< I know, shame. I don't really feel that way, it just frustrates me that I can't answer my guests! They rely on me to be knowledgeable and make them feel safe. But they understand that I'm learning and there's always someone else around to direct them.
What I am wonderful at, without training, is offering my guests a big smile, great conversation and a good time, even in the check out line. It's magical. I'm a little wittier and I love to crack people up. They don't want to wait in another long line forever and get to a boring or even mean cast member! Who does?! But they are on vacation at DISNEY WORLD and should have no worries and an always smile. I absolutely love it. Hi Princess! Hi Pirate! Are you enjoying your vacation?! Do you have a favorite park? Have you met any characters? Mickey would like to guard your packages and deliver them to your hotel room so they will be safe! Happy Birthday, Jordan! ... <3 These are the things that make our guests light up - and that is my favorite part! After a sweet conversation and a little surprise, an eleven year old Princess remarked to me, "Everyone just keeps making my day!" YES! That's what we're here to do. Disney is such a fitting company for me at my core. I love to love people. I love to go above & beyond! Yes, PLEASE! REALLY being able to do whatever I have to do to keep our precious guests satisfied is truly incredible. We will never say, o, that's too bad. I love it. I feel incredibly blessed to have this experience.
I had my 1st teary-eyed moment the other day. A mother came up with a beginner's pin trading collection (pin trading is awesome!) and I began to ask her about it. She said her 2 oldest already started and her youngest was turning 4 the next day and was beginning his. He was a young guest with a disability and had just started walking. Mom had promised everyone a visit when they reached that milestone. She looked around for him, his name was Jake, and called he and dad over. I gave Jake a special gift and a high five. He was so precious. Mickey also gave him a note! They left and I turned around to attempt to clear my eyes. Still brings joy to my heart. And this is just the beginning!
I'll leave it at that for now. More on roommates and living next!
Have a magical Wednesday... (:3
-Siara
I absolutely love my job. I work in one of the largest stores on property and we have near everything! Learning where everything is has been challenging, but luckily there are lots of helpful people. I'll be keeping my "Earning My Ears" badge on for a while! There are 4 entrances to this store and people are like, where is the closest ___ or which door brings me to test track? or which way is the best way to get to the buses?? And I'm like...OMG I don't know! Just pick one and figure it out! >< I know, shame. I don't really feel that way, it just frustrates me that I can't answer my guests! They rely on me to be knowledgeable and make them feel safe. But they understand that I'm learning and there's always someone else around to direct them.
What I am wonderful at, without training, is offering my guests a big smile, great conversation and a good time, even in the check out line. It's magical. I'm a little wittier and I love to crack people up. They don't want to wait in another long line forever and get to a boring or even mean cast member! Who does?! But they are on vacation at DISNEY WORLD and should have no worries and an always smile. I absolutely love it. Hi Princess! Hi Pirate! Are you enjoying your vacation?! Do you have a favorite park? Have you met any characters? Mickey would like to guard your packages and deliver them to your hotel room so they will be safe! Happy Birthday, Jordan! ... <3 These are the things that make our guests light up - and that is my favorite part! After a sweet conversation and a little surprise, an eleven year old Princess remarked to me, "Everyone just keeps making my day!" YES! That's what we're here to do. Disney is such a fitting company for me at my core. I love to love people. I love to go above & beyond! Yes, PLEASE! REALLY being able to do whatever I have to do to keep our precious guests satisfied is truly incredible. We will never say, o, that's too bad. I love it. I feel incredibly blessed to have this experience.
I had my 1st teary-eyed moment the other day. A mother came up with a beginner's pin trading collection (pin trading is awesome!) and I began to ask her about it. She said her 2 oldest already started and her youngest was turning 4 the next day and was beginning his. He was a young guest with a disability and had just started walking. Mom had promised everyone a visit when they reached that milestone. She looked around for him, his name was Jake, and called he and dad over. I gave Jake a special gift and a high five. He was so precious. Mickey also gave him a note! They left and I turned around to attempt to clear my eyes. Still brings joy to my heart. And this is just the beginning!
I'll leave it at that for now. More on roommates and living next!
Have a magical Wednesday... (:3
-Siara
11 August 2010
The Dets!
So...drum roll, please...
EPCOT
Mouse Gears Merchandise!
47 hours next week.
Traditions was today (Disney Orientation)
Off Thurs.
Epcot Orientation Friday
Off Saturday
1st day Sunday!
Thursday the 19th is my only day off.
YAY! (:3
EPCOT
Mouse Gears Merchandise!
47 hours next week.
Traditions was today (Disney Orientation)
Off Thurs.
Epcot Orientation Friday
Off Saturday
1st day Sunday!
Thursday the 19th is my only day off.
YAY! (:3
10 August 2010
Update!
So, I had an awesome going away party on Friday. Thank you to all of the incredible people that showed up and especially those of you who helped by bringing items, decorating and voluntarily cleaning up! You ALL rock! You made by going away incredible, but very sad. Luckily, I know that great people are awaiting my return!
Fast forward to Sunday... we arrive in Florida and make our way to our hotel ...on Disney Property! Disney's All Star Sports Resort was incredible. Very colorful and mickey-fied! It was awesome to get a small taste of Disney and be able to relax before hitting the Park that night! Thanks to Brogan, I was able to experience it before my official start date. ALSO, thankfully, we were able to treat my roommate, Bethany, who hadn't been either. Fellow cast member, Emma, joined us and we had an awesome group. Our way to Magic Kingdom was awesome. It all hit me when we were on the Monorail and I saw the Castle...WOW. We saw an amazing 4D show first... it was sooo weird! (In a TOTALLY awesome way!) I've never even seen 3D, so this was really incredible. Now I can't remember the order of everything... we danced in Tomorrowland with Goofy, Stitch & the Chipmunks...went to the LAUGH FLOOR (fave!)... haunted mansion... SUMMERNIGHTASTIC...Electrical Parade!! (fave!) All pretty incredible.
Now from my diary about Monday. (Aren't you lucky??)
Monday, August 9th. (YEP, 8-9-10!)
What a FULL day! Today was check-in. The real beginning of my adventures joining an INCREDIBLE team!
I awoke at 6:45 to pack my things back up from the Resort to make it up to Vista Way to meet up with my roommates. Running a little behind was lucky because Bethany was, too, so we were in line together. Although the process was long & warm, the people are phenomenal. (What else would you expect??) It was a BLAST, even if it was mostly standing in line! My favorite part? Receiving our apartment location & KEYS! Fun story...originally, the 4 of us decided that we wanted a 2 bedroom at Chatham Square. I get up to apt. check-in and she says "2/br @ Vista or 4/br @ Chatham" ...well, we KNEW we didn't want Vista, but none of us planned to have that many roommates! (There are EIGHT of us total!) We talked it over and took a leap of faith to have the Chatham apartment! (More later.)
After check-in, we took the 10 o'clock bus to DISNEY CASTING! Yes! It still blows my mind that I was THERE. Anyway, the ride over was a blast, with guide "almost perfect" John from Chicago. He was an absolute delight! Engaging, knowledgeable, entertaining. He told us a LOT of great tips. Anyway, Casting was all of the nitty gritty employment stuff...paperwork, fingerprints, tax forms, etc. But still a BLAST! haha I have never had so much fun in a hiring process :) All of the cast members blew me away. The all had tedious jobs, but you'd never know it by there behavior. At the end, we got a couple photos to start our photopass account!
...More bus waiting...
Move-in time!!
Thankfully, Anna has her car and her Grandma was kind enough to fill her truck with our stuff to lug us over to the apartment. Our move was easy...and boy did we hit the jackpot! Our apartment door is at the ground floor, with stairs inside, like a townhouse! (loooove it.) Our apt is big & open. My bedroom is the first one on the left. Four bedroom, 2.5 bath, rooms are connected suites-style and we have a corner balcony. Furniture is dorm-style, but decent. Pictures later.
After we moved our stuff, we went to the housing meeting and that was the end of day one! If any of you would like to have my address while I'm here, just let me know and I'll be in touch. I am so thankful for all of you. <3
Signing off magically,
Siara (:3
Fast forward to Sunday... we arrive in Florida and make our way to our hotel ...on Disney Property! Disney's All Star Sports Resort was incredible. Very colorful and mickey-fied! It was awesome to get a small taste of Disney and be able to relax before hitting the Park that night! Thanks to Brogan, I was able to experience it before my official start date. ALSO, thankfully, we were able to treat my roommate, Bethany, who hadn't been either. Fellow cast member, Emma, joined us and we had an awesome group. Our way to Magic Kingdom was awesome. It all hit me when we were on the Monorail and I saw the Castle...WOW. We saw an amazing 4D show first... it was sooo weird! (In a TOTALLY awesome way!) I've never even seen 3D, so this was really incredible. Now I can't remember the order of everything... we danced in Tomorrowland with Goofy, Stitch & the Chipmunks...went to the LAUGH FLOOR (fave!)... haunted mansion... SUMMERNIGHTASTIC...Electrical Parade!! (fave!) All pretty incredible.
Now from my diary about Monday. (Aren't you lucky??)
Monday, August 9th. (YEP, 8-9-10!)
What a FULL day! Today was check-in. The real beginning of my adventures joining an INCREDIBLE team!
I awoke at 6:45 to pack my things back up from the Resort to make it up to Vista Way to meet up with my roommates. Running a little behind was lucky because Bethany was, too, so we were in line together. Although the process was long & warm, the people are phenomenal. (What else would you expect??) It was a BLAST, even if it was mostly standing in line! My favorite part? Receiving our apartment location & KEYS! Fun story...originally, the 4 of us decided that we wanted a 2 bedroom at Chatham Square. I get up to apt. check-in and she says "2/br @ Vista or 4/br @ Chatham" ...well, we KNEW we didn't want Vista, but none of us planned to have that many roommates! (There are EIGHT of us total!) We talked it over and took a leap of faith to have the Chatham apartment! (More later.)
After check-in, we took the 10 o'clock bus to DISNEY CASTING! Yes! It still blows my mind that I was THERE. Anyway, the ride over was a blast, with guide "almost perfect" John from Chicago. He was an absolute delight! Engaging, knowledgeable, entertaining. He told us a LOT of great tips. Anyway, Casting was all of the nitty gritty employment stuff...paperwork, fingerprints, tax forms, etc. But still a BLAST! haha I have never had so much fun in a hiring process :) All of the cast members blew me away. The all had tedious jobs, but you'd never know it by there behavior. At the end, we got a couple photos to start our photopass account!
...More bus waiting...
Move-in time!!
Thankfully, Anna has her car and her Grandma was kind enough to fill her truck with our stuff to lug us over to the apartment. Our move was easy...and boy did we hit the jackpot! Our apartment door is at the ground floor, with stairs inside, like a townhouse! (loooove it.) Our apt is big & open. My bedroom is the first one on the left. Four bedroom, 2.5 bath, rooms are connected suites-style and we have a corner balcony. Furniture is dorm-style, but decent. Pictures later.
After we moved our stuff, we went to the housing meeting and that was the end of day one! If any of you would like to have my address while I'm here, just let me know and I'll be in touch. I am so thankful for all of you. <3
Signing off magically,
Siara (:3
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