The "Magic" of it All

Magic Kingdom is indeed the park that comes to mind when people think of Walt Disney World. There is good reason for this, though, since it was the first park built for the popular vacation destination & is also quite similar to the original Magic Kingdom at Disneyland. Its opening in 1971 was the opening of Disney World as a theme park resort. As you already know, this park is made up of several different themed lands: Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, & Mickey's Toontown Fair.

No matter which Land guests are enjoying, though, there are several "must-do" attractions within the park which include Mickey's PhilharMagic, Cinderellabration, Wishes Nighttime Spectacular, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Space Mountain, & The Haunted Mansion.

Another major part of Magic Kingdom, though not actually within the park, is the Transportation & Ticket Center. This section of park operations is quite important as it is relied on by ALL guests. Because the park is over a mile away from its parking lot, this is an essential element that provides convienience for guests. To get to Magic Kingdom they are given two options: travel through the Seven Seas Lagoon on a ferryboat or over the lagoon by monorail. (Trams are available to take guests from their vehicles to the ferryboat or monorail.)

Despite the fact that Walt Disney was not alive to see the opening of the park, he was quite active in the planning of it, even calling it The Florida Project. A major part of this plan was the intricate set of tunnels upon which the park is built. These tunnels allow for cast members to move around freely without being seen. They cover the entire park so cast members can be anywhere at anytime, whether in costume or not. It has also been said that this unseen section of the park is like an underground city, which is not too far off the mark. The Magic Kingdom tunnels have everything a cast member will need to report to work, all literally under the radar of any guests. It is quite a sight to see & one that will never be duplicated.

~Steph :)

Mickey's Toontown Fair

Where Mickey & the gang live.

It is a common thought that this Land is only for kids, but the whole point of going to Disney World is to bring out the child within you, so it should really appeal to almost anyone. In Toontown, guests can be sure they will "run into" their favorite characters as this is where Mickey & Minnie's houses are, & there is another permanent location where other beloved characters reside. I would recommend this Land to anybody who is a child or wants to be one in a place with plenty of fun for all:

• Mickey's Country House-"Here's your chance to tour the 'cartoony' abode of the 'Big Cheese' himself."
• Minnie's Country House-"The house is decorated in Minnie's favorite color: pink!"
• The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm-"Here, would-be pilots have the 'opporTOONity' to fly above Goofy's farm & right through his barn."
• Donald's Boat-"An interactive fountain anchored in a blue duck pond."
• Mickey's Toontown Fair Depot-"Hop aboard the steam train & journey around the Magic Kingdom Park."

The Barnstormer is a cute & fun roller coaster that is my favorite part of Toontown. I like it because it is a silly roller coaster that anyone can enjoy. It is not meant to be anything other than fun in the simplest of ways, not to mention it belongs to Goofy himself. What an enjoyable time this is to just be a kid once again or even for the first time:)

Tomorrowland

The future that never was is finally here.

If you love the thought of a totally out of this world future then you will be a fan of Tomorrowland! Such a place is loaded with fun based on imaginative concepts that call for a much needed suspension of reality. Believing in the impossible is what Disney is all about, but this Land of Tomorrow takes that one step further & actually does it. So much is based on the imagination that can only take place in the mind, & yet there is room to give those thoughts a place to grow...in Tomorrowland, with some fantastical attractions:

• Space Mountain Attraction-"Blast off for a superpower rocket ship ride through the galaxy."
• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin-"Hitch a ride with some of your favorite 'Toy Story' characters."
• Timekeepers (open seasonally)-"Meet famous inventors & visionaries of the Machine Age."
• Astro Orbiter-"Pilot your own spacecraft high above Tomorrowland Area."
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway-"Drive your own race car around a twisting, turning track."
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority-"Tour Tomorrowland Area aboard ingenious transportation."
• Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress (open seasonally)-"A tour of technological progress from the beginning of the 20th century to the near future."

Ever since the first time I went to Disney World, at age 9, the Carousel of Progress was a highlight for me in Tomorrowland. I still enjoy it very much & love the story it tells! It is fun to look back over time & see how life has changed, especially in terms of technology. Parts of the attraction are humorous, particularly when it comes to the things they never thought possible that seem like no big deal today. It is also a relaxing break from the outdoor elements that are so unpredictable.

Adventureland

An exotic land of faraway places.

Here is a Land that brings the fun like no other! There is truly some uniquely delicious food & are plenty of can't-miss attractions. Spending time in Adventureland is like walking through an exotic jungle that is filled with happiness! Aladdin & Jasmine are there, along with Timon & Rafiki, & you may even be able to find Captain Hook & Captain Jack. (Do not forget Mr. Smee, either!) Guests are guaranteed to cherish their time spent here & will hopefully make time to return to a few of the best-loved attractions Adventureland has to offer:

• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin-"Ride a magic carpet into a world of make-believe & adventure."
• Pirates of the Caribbean-"Take a wild voyage with the lovable Pirates of the Caribbean."
• Jungle Cruise-"Travel on the rivers of four different continents."
• The Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management-"Join Iago & Zazu on their latest adventure as managers of The Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management."
• Swiss Family Robinson Tree House-"Relive the Disney classic 'Swiss Family Robinson'."
• J.P. and the Silverstars-"Get into the rhythm of the West Indies with this Caribbean steel drum band."

As someone who loves Adventureland & every part of it, it can be hard to pick a favorite attraction out of all it has to offer. But I have come to favor one over the others, & that is the Jungle Cruise. It is a delightful boat ride that is something like a comedy show on the water. This ride is perfect entertainment for ANY age & will surely be remembered by all who choose to embark on such a lively adventure!

Frontierland

A wild & woolly town from the old American West.

Even for those who are not a fan of country music or the old west, this Land ignores that & brings all kinds of people together to enjoy it. It is such a fun place to spend part of your day at & also has some tasty food to eat. And though the sun may beat down on the blacktop walkway, there is opportunity for relief. No two attractions are the same in this Land which is guaranteed to provide a fun time for each person who visits:

• Splash Mountain Attraction-"Scream into the Briar Patch on a five-story drop."
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Attraction-"Zip in & out of a deserted gold mine on a runaway mine train."
• Country Bear Jamboree-"Music performance by twenty life-sized bears."
• Frontierland Area Depot-"The Walt Disney World Railroad Frontierland Area Station."
• Frontierland Area Shootin' Arcade-"Use infrared rifles to hit targets & trigger silly sight & sound gags."
• Tom Sawyer Island-"A retreat designed by Walt Disney himself."

Frontierland is definitely the Land where I have the most trouble identifying a favorite attraction, simply because each one is so different from the others. Right now, I would say it is a tie between Splash Mountain & Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (though I love Tom Sawyer Island, too). Those two rides are the most similar so maybe that is why I enjoy them both about the same. I favor Big Thunder Mountain Railroad for the simple reason that it is a roller coaster, even just a small one. With Splash Mountain, there is a big hill & a few smaller ones, but I mostly love the story that is woven into the ride which is a fun [& adorable] experience!

Liberty Square

Take in the rich traditions of U.S. history.

Even though this Land has one of the most beloved rides in the park, it is often forgotten; the fact that it is so small may have something to do with this. Liberty Square is an important part of the park in that its focus is the heritage of America. Essentially, it provides guests with an entertaining way to become educated about their country or the country they have come to visit. Such a Land is a great place for families to learn together & hopefully take that positive experience away with them back home:

• Goofy's Country Dancin' Jamboree-"Kick up your heels with Goofy & friends, including stars of Disney Pixar's Toy Story 2."


• The Haunted Mansion-"Take a chilling, thrilling romp around a happy haunting ground of startling special effects."


• The Hall of Presidents-"A sweeping tribute to the office of the Presidency & the history of the United States of America."


• Liberty Square Riverboat-"Tour the Rivers of America aboard this authentic three-tiered paddle boat."


• Mike Fink Keel Boats-"Davy Crockett's buddy takes you on an up-close tour of the Rivers of America."

My second favorite ride/attraction in all of Walt Disney World is located in this Land & it is The Haunted Mansion. (I love it so much that I would not mind adding my spirit to such a fun atmosphere:) Whether during Halloween, Christmas, or any other time of the year, this Mansion is home to a great amount of fun that you are sure to want to experience over & over again. This ride brilliantly makes death seem much less scary &, though it is completely unrealistic, it provides a unique way of looking at something people tend to shy away from.

Fantasyland

Classic Disney characters come to life.

People will often say that it is not good to live in a fantasy world, but here is a place where EVERYONE is encouraged to live there. Life in fantasy is intended to be all happy all the time, which would normally be an impossibility; and it certainly is not practical, but that is what makes it so much fun. This Land has the most attractions which often means the most people at one time. Guests do not have to worry about being bored in Fantasyland when there is so much to see:

• Mickey's PhilharMagic-"Immerse yourself in a magical 3-D adventure starring Mickey Mouse & a symphony of surprises."
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh-"Hop aboard a 'hunny' pot & get ready for adventure."
• "it's a small world"-"A musical tour featuring children from nations all over the world."
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant-"Whirl high above Fantasyland aboard your very own Dumbo!"
• Cinderella's Golden Carousel-"Gallop around & around on one of 90 handmade wooden steeds, while listening to your favorite Disney music."
• Mad Tea Party-"Board a giant tea cup & party around."
• Peter Pan's Flight-"Douse yourself with pixie dust & take a fantasy voyage to Never Land."
• Snow White's Scary Adventures-"The Evil Queen has taken a back seat in this favorite of Fantasyland area, featuring Snow White as never before."

Mickey's PhilharMagic would have to be my favorite Fantasyland attraction because it is such a delightful experience! Though it officially belongs to Mickey, Donald is its adorable host who travels through several different Disney classics equipped with special 3-D & aromatic effects. It is such a fun experience that all who love Disney are sure to enjoy. (I know I do!)

Main Street, USA

Disney's version of small town America in the early 1900's.

If you have never been here it is not too hard to imagine what it must be like. The ideal classical American street is filled with charm & happiness that brings people together to enjoy a time when life was much simpler. And though this popular Street does not have any rides, it does have a few well-loved attractions that guests insist upon coming back to time & again:

• Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams Fireworks-"This incredible pyrotechnic display fills the sky with a rainbow of color."
• SpectroMagic Parade-"Witness all the brilliant magic."
• Share a Dream Come True Parade-"A magical parade of giant Disney snow globes with characters & stories that have touched hearts through the years."
• Walt Disney World Railroad-"Narrow-gauge steam trains take you on a nostalgic journey around the Magic Kingdom Park."
• Main Street, U.S.A. Area Vehicles-"Ride down Main Street, U.S.A. area on a horse-driven trolley, omnibus, jitney, horseless carriage, or fire engine."
• Cinderella's Surprise Celebration-"This live show at the Castle Forecort Stage features your Disney favorites; meet the characters afterwards."

Without a doubt, my personal favorite is Wishes; it has such beautiful music & great storytelling that has surely helped it to become as popular as it is. As with many Disney productions, this show has some sentimental value that makes it so special, & not just to me but to many others who stay to see it. Of course, Main Street is so much more than this spectacular show, but it certainly is the most magical. I so look forward to seeing it again & living out my own sentimental wishes.

7 Layers of Enchantment

Normally, I would prefer to post my overview summary of the Magic Kingdom first, but a fellow Disney fanatic gave me the wonderful idea to write about each of the 7 different themed lands in more detail beforehand. (Rest assured, the summary is still on its way.) As someone who has been to this particular park more times than I can count, I feel as though I know it pretty well (up to 2008) & would like to share that knowledge with you here. Each land is, of course, unique & fun in its own way, although I do have my favorite. The funny thing is, though, that my favorite ride at the park is not in my favorite land; just goes to show you can find fun in every part of the park. So here's to Adventureland which is not the land of The Haunted Mansion; I look forward to returning to both!

~Steph :)

Fieldwork Assignment

For my first go around of the Disney College Program I was fortunate enough to receive college credit from a school I did not even attend. (I was considered a "guest student".) The school was Central Michigan University & the course credit I received was for Fieldwork from the Department of Recreation, Parks, & Leisure Services Administration. My faculty instructor/mentor was Dean Wallin who was quite helpful in guiding me through the program. What follows is the essay I was assigned to write which gives somewhat of an idea of my experience the first time around & reflects on how I felt about the whole journey. As you will be able to see, I was given a series of questions to answer based on three different topics which gave me the chance to elaborate on my time in the program. I hope that it gives you a good idea of what to expect & causes you to look forward to the College Program, if you choose to participate.

Work Experience
1) Describe your position and work site.
-During my time spent at Disney World, I worked as a housekeeper at the Caribbean Beach Resort. It was located between EPCOT & MGM (now Hollywood) Studios. My position required me to work alongside about 20 other housekeepers on a daily basis for five days a week. For those five days, from 8am to 4:30pm, I cleaned 17 guest rooms with an average of five to six checkouts a day. The hotel I worked at was extremely large so about 45 minutes of my shift was spent just getting from place to place.

2) Describe & evaluate your orientation and training. From your perspective, what additions or deletions should be made?
-My orientation was not terribly extensive but I did feel as though pretty much all of the important information I needed to know was covered. It also took place over several days, at several different locations, so it was never boring. Training-wise, though, I felt I received better informational training from my manager than I did formal training from my actual trainer. I spent two days working with her but I felt there was quite a bit she did not inform me of which I later, more fully discovered when I was retrained after about two months.

3) Describe and evaluate the supervision you received at your work location.
-The supervision I received at my work location seemed adequate enough for me. In fact, I would have to say it was above & beyond adequate because of the exceptional manager I had, along with the other friendly housekeepers I worked with. My manager was always able to assist me with whatever I needed, & because she was so approachable I never hesitated to ask her for help. She also never caused me to feel incompetent but encouraged me on a regular basis. And even on the days she was off the managers who filled in for her were supportive as well. For me, good supervision was key in helping my job go smoothly.

4) What was the most and least enjoyable part of your position? Why?
-I would have to say that the most enjoyable part of my position as a housekeeper at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort was without a doubt the people I worked with & a majority of the people I worked for. They certainly had a positive, lasting impact on my life. Being surrounded by those good people made a difference in my level of motivation, as it generally increased the better I got to know them. I definitely worked with some unforgettable people & am a better person because of it/them. Unfortunately, though, my job was not all good all the time. The least enjoyable part of my position was the pressure I felt to get done on time every day. With a maximum of 17 rooms to clean & an average of five to six of those being checkouts, my energy seemed to run out faster every day, though there were times I felt I was getting used to the cycle of work &, therefore, felt less tired; but that was not the majority of the time. Thankfully, though, this downfall did not hamper my amazing experience.

5) In regard to your own experience, do you feel you went above and beyond what was expected of you? If yes, how? If no, what could you have done?
-Looking back at my Disney College Experience, I felt that I went above & beyond what was expected of me by never calling in sick. Though it was allowed & all of the other students seemed to be doing it, I just did not feel it was something I should take advantage of if I did not need to (& I didn't). (I did leave early because of the flu once, though, but I still never called in.) I also went above & beyond by not complaining as much about my job as many of those around me did, though I was not without my moments. I also tried my best to answer questions from guests whenever I was at Disney, even if they had nothing to do with my specific area of "expertise". I wanted people to see that I was a helpful person whether they knew I was a cast member or not & I think, for the most part, they did.

Learning Experience
6) Evaluate the Disney course(s) you took and compare it with other college courses you have taken. Did the course(s) meet your expectations? Why did you choose the course(s) you did? Who was your instructor and rate their teaching ability on a scale of 1-5 (5 being high).
-During my time on the Disney College Program I took one class, but it was not an academic class; it was part of the Disney Exploration Series which looks at how Disney itself does business. There were a variety of classes to choose from as part of this series & I chose to take the Guest Services class. It was an enjoyable class that covered different guest relation issues such as food service, merchandise, resorts, & ride operations. The class lasted eight weeks & focused on a different topic each week. Given that it was not an officially academic class, it was far more interesting than a regular school class. It was laid back & in an ideal setting (Walt Disney World, to be more specific). The teacher, Jason Klees, was energetic & fun to listen to; on a scale of one to five, with five being the best, he was definitely a five. He really seemed to have a genuine interest in the subject, as well as a genuine interest in us as students. He also gave everyone an equal chance to speak out in class & he listened to us when we did. During the course, & looking back on it, I am glad I took it. It helped me look at guest services in a more in depth way & I enjoyed seeing how Disney approaches it, from an insider's point of view.

7) What kind of cultural experience was this for you? Why? Include an overview of your living experience.
-Culturally, I definitely think that this experience was good for me. I had the opportunity to be surrounded by a variety of cultures while still in my own. I will admit it was not easy at first & it took me awhile to become open to the many differences I was surrounded by. I even learned a few things about my own culture & the great variety of people who are a part of it. My living arrangements helped me to see this as I lived in a three bedroom apartment with five other girls. It was a nice setup that was fully furnished with a cable & Internet hookup that cost just $73 a week. (I thought it was a good price for all that was included.)

8) Discuss the practical "politics" that you encountered while working in the program. What did you learn from this?
-In terms of the practical "politics" I encountered while working in the program, I learned that Disney is very particular about the appearance of their cast members & want them to look presentable at all times. Disney will not allow racial discrimination & works hard to prevent it; this is more obvious in the great variety of nationalities that work there. In working for Disney, it is also clear that they care for their employees & show that through various benefits.

9) Has this experience helped you make or affirm your education/career choice? How so? What is your college major?
-When I began the Disney College Program I was a psychology major who wanted to be a psychologist; now that I have finished a semester of the college program I am still a psychology major who wants to be a psychologist. Though my ultimate career aspiration has not changed, I have decided I would like to work more for Disney & maybe even combine it with psychology somehow in the future. When I started the program I was sure that would be my one & only time working for The Mouse, but I am now even more sure I want to go back because it was a priceless experience for me.

10) How does this experience help you return to college life and the classroom?
-In general, it was quite an adjustment to go back to the way college life & the classroom were before I went to Disney, but it is working out alright. Of course, things have changed, & I am not the same person I was before I worked at Disney World, but that does not mean there is anything wrong with going back to my old college routine. I have discovered new & better ways to interact with others that I believe will help me back at home. I have also learned to be even more independent & to try new things without being so hesitant &/or afraid.

11) How would you justify this opportunity as an educational experience worth college credit? -I really believe this experience was worth college credit because it kept me busy & was a new experience for me. It gave me the opportunity to learn inside & outside of a classroom, & I took the chance to do both. It also helped me explore other career possibilities that are out there, even if I have so far chosen NOT to pursue them.

College Program
12) Would you recommend the Disney College Program to other college students? Why or why not?
-I certainly would recommend the Disney College Program to other college students! Of course, there is no guarantee other students would like it as much as I did because a great deal of it depends on the student's attitude going in. Naturally, that attitude can, & oftentimes will, change but that does not mean a person has no control over their own experience. The college program expectations & overall experiences are clearly laid out so the students participating do not have much of an excuse as to not knowing the agenda. Going back to my recommendation, it was a positively life changing experience for me & I think it can be the same for anyone else who does it as well.

13) Were the expectations you had for the college program met?
-I think the expectations I had for the college program were largely exceeded because I did make friends with amazing people, as I was told beforehand I would. I received valuable work experience from a well-known & respected company. I moved out of my comfort zone to participate in the program & came through overly satisfied with my experience. I think the major factor which determines that my expectations were exceeded is that I want to return to work for Disney, whether through the college program or not.

14) Did you participate in any volunteer opportunities (i.e. "Give Kids the World" or other programs/events)? Was it a valuable experience?
-Unfortunately, I did not participate in any volunteer opportunities while working for Disney & I wish I had. I know it would have added to my already wonderful experience & I plan to make that change the next time I go there.

15) Conclusion: Give a documented overall evaluation of what this experience meant to you. What did you gain from this experience that you lacked before? What would you still like to improve upon?
-Overall, this experience was by far the best thing I have done with my life up to this point. Going into it I was, honestly, terrified; coming out of it I was overjoyed. It was certainly not an easy experience but I learned a great deal from it & I know that is part of why it was such a great experience for me & want to return. I admit, though, that when I do return I want to have a better overall attitude towards my specific job as there were definitely times when I probably did not show guests my enthusiasm for the job. It can be difficult to remember that I am constantly being watched while I am working & I need to be positive at all times, especially when I do not want to. A job is a job no matter where I work & I need to do my best at whatever it is!

~Steph :)

Living the Dream

Summer 2008 was when I had one of the most amazing jobs I could ever have, but not at all because of the work itself (though that wasn't too bad). It was the job that personally introduced me to Cirque du Soleil, which certainly was not something I was prepared for. To me, this all-human circus was only for people well-off enough to go to Vegas or some foreign country. Little did I know, it was closer than I thought. I would even be blessed to get over my lifelong fear of clowns :)

To fully understand what this job meant to me, you have to know the mindset I was in before I began my role as a quick-service food & beverage Cast Member at the La Nouba show. To start with, I wasn't terribly excited to do food service, but it was the only role that even remotely appealed to me out of the limited few they offered for the Summer Alumni Program. The most nerve-wracking part of beginning a new job in food service, though, was finding out my work location. (And for anyone who has already done the College Program, & knows a thing or two about it, the suspense of waiting to learn where you'll work is agonizing.) So as I waited for THE NEWS with my five roommates, I was praying I would be placed in one of the parks. Well, as I would soon discover, that was not to be. I was literally devastated when I was told I'd be working concessions at Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba at Downtown Disney. All I knew was that I wanted to work in a park & it suddenly felt like I never would. And even after other people told me I was "lucky" to work at the show because it was so amazing, I still wasn't sure but that didn't really matter because I did not have a choice.

Fast forwarding about a month, after a brief time at DisneyQuest while the circus was on a break, my eyes were opened to one of the most amazing experiences I would ever have. Although most of the people in my inner circle were not familiar with such a famous & unique form of entertainment, I was & it did not take long for me to become enamoured of these incredibly talented acrobats who were able to do things no human should ever be able to do. It was not at all unusual to come face to face with any one of the performers on a daily basis & there was just something pretty neat about those occurrences. (I cannot say enough about what those confrontations meant to me!) I even had the extreme privilege of forming a very small friendship with one of the "clowns"; & what a change that was from being scared of them to having them be my favorite part of the show:)

Each day of work went by faster than the one before it & all because my life was being overrun by this fantastical circus! I had never even been able to imagine this at any other point in my life & now I was actually living it. How could I have ever doubted that this was the place for me right at this time??

Looking back on my job for Disney at Cirque du Soleil, I cannot possible see how my life would have been without it & I certainly don't want to try. I now have a new passion for this world of fantasy that can't quite be explained. I am no longer afraid of clowns like I had always been;) I look at myself as crazy to have ever thought this job would not be for me. I had no problem adapting to the job I was assigned & even ended up enjoying mine better than my roommates enjoyed theirs. (And, believe me, I did not think that would EVER happen!) I have not ruled out one day going back to work there, but a large part of me simply wants to leave things the way they were & just remember what a magical experience it was...& I'm pretty sure that what I had was exactly what Walt Disney would have wanted:)

~Steph :)

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Anticipation!

Anticipation can often be the best part of a good experience. When looking forward to something we are excited about it seems to help other parts of life go more smoothly (for me, anyway). With the exception of what others may tell us, our view in anticipation is untainted because we have not yet gone through the experience. And even if something has been done before there is still the hope that it will be better than ever the next time around. This is the way I view my anticipation in preparing for the Disney College Program once again. Having done it before there are expectations I have because of what I have experienced before. There is anticipation for the good and the bad, though it may always be different the next time around. I may not be able to control every part of my experience but I can still try to do things differently. Some things I will never want to change, though, because of how great they were the first time; other things I will be desperate to change (or not let happen again). Some places at Disney World I can hardly wait to get back to. There are moments I will only be able to experience there and I certainly look forward to storing up some wonderful memories that may last forever. The opportunities are endless and it is so important to make the most out of this college program! There is no question that the program is what you make of it, so your level of anticipation ahead of time could help determine the amount of fun later on. Look at it in a positive light and it will be more likely to end well too. Believe in an amazing journey and this may become one!

~Steph :)

Christmas at Disney

As you might expect, the holidays at Walt Disney World are an extraordinary time to visit and are even more fantastical as a cast member! To have the entire season to celebrate at Disney is really something else! I have had the privilege to work there during this time and have chosen to return for a reason, even if I may not know for sure what that reason is just yet. People often refer to Christmas as a magical time of year and what better place to celebrate it than at the place "where magic lives"?? It is naturally more crowded during the holidays but no less enjoyable. The decorations are intricate and the celebrations are endless. It is also a fantastic place to learn how other cultures celebrate the season and the meaning that lives behind it for them (particularly at EPCOT). Christmas is infused in every part of Disney World at this time and it is certainly worth the added time and money it costs to enjoy. For many it may be a once in a lifetime experience and even more may never get to see it at all. Either way, it can not be enjoyed like this anywhere else in the world. But it hardly more than seems like the season is beginning and it's time to finish up. Not a moment can be wasted when this type of magic is in the air. Sure, it may sound pretty corny when put like that, but it is a truthful statement. Ask anyone who has been on Disney property around Christmas and they will surely tell you of how wonderful it can be.

~Steph :)

The Dr. Phil of Disney

Ok, so maybe I exaggerate a little, but I feel there are certain things I know from being in the College Program twice before that I wouldn't have known otherwise. Admittedly so, it is rather tough to say what has been learned without sounding like a know-it-all, but I plan to try. My point is to give others a heads up as to what may be expected & hopefully be of some help. Bear in mind that this is only based on one student intern's working & living at Walt Disney World & that it may not even be the same for me as I soon embark on a third time around.

~ Though most people complain about the bus system, it really isn't that bad. (Just leave early.)


~ Even if you're not a smoker, living with smokers isn't all bad. (I lived with several & never had a problem; I barely noticed.)


~ One TV in the apartment may seem like a stretch, but you learn to like each other's shows pretty quickly.


~ Putting dirty dishes in the dishwasher, instead of leaving them in the sink, is a small but very important & considerate gesture. (Far too many frustrations have arisen from this issue.)


~ Sharing your roommates' food may be totally fine, but ask anyway just to be safe.


~ Bringing your own car is certainly more convenient, but saving money on gas by leaving it at home isn't bad either.


~ If you eat in the parks everyday, or nearly everyday, your bank account WILL suffer!


~ Graduation is not mandatory, but it is a fun experience that is worth your time.


~ Be open to many "firsts" in your life during the program (as long as they don't make you uncomfortable), because they will happen & should be a lot of fun :)


~ If you're looking to accumulate a significant amount of savings from your income, then this program probably isn't for you (though there are always exceptions).


~ Taking an education course during your internship is NOT a waste of time, even if you're just doing it for fun.


~ Every apartment complex has advantages & disadvantages.


~ The most important parts of The Disney Look are little things like hair, nails, & tattoos (especially at Traditions).


~ You can always find a reason to complain about your job, but it will be a much better experience if you look for the positive.


~ Unless you have no interest in the parks themselves, take every opportunity to use your free entrance & do all that you can to get to know the many amazing man-made wonders of Walt Disney World!


~ It's best not to look at everything with clouded vision & know that real life goes on...even at Disney World.


~ Being considerate with the thermostat is just as important as everything else; just because it gets hot outside doesn't mean it has to freeze inside ;)


~ Realize that your "best friends" in the program may not stay that way & your "enemies" don't have to (stay enemies) either.


~ Even though the program is longer than any Disney vacation you'll ever take, know that it is not possible to do all it has to offer in a single season. (That's all the more reason to do it again!)


~ You will be the most-loved roommate in the apartment if you are a good cook :D


~ Despite the fact that Disney is all around you, it is easy to forget that you live & work at such a "magical" place. (There is a day-to-day grind you will go through.)


~ Roommates may change as often as cast members get new costumes (for various reasons).


~ It is best not to leave for work (or anything else) upset or angry with any of your roommates because you WILL have to face them later.


~ Do not, under any circumstances, overestimate the power of the toilets in your apartment; bring or buy a real plunger because they overflow at the drop of a hat!

~Steph :)