Traditions of...

On day 4 in Florida I was able to start getting paid which really is a lot of the reason I came here ;) Of course, I have been trying to have my chance to work at Tower of Terror but I do like getting paid for the work I do here as well. I wish it didn't require sitting through training classes so much but that's just how it must be & what helps to set Disney apart from other, competing companies; in the end, it really will pay off for those who truly care about their jobs & being successful at them. I, for one, do enjoy learning about the history of Disney & being reminded of its creator's legacy. It is always nice to know how the place you work for came to be, &, of course, Disney has a pretty good story to tell. Like any job [location] this one's not for everybody, but it's nice to know that I'm one of the ones it is. I, naturally, look forward to starting my training at my specific attraction & to form a routine that I can follow throughout my internship.

~Steph :)

Rain Rain All the Time!

On day 3 in Florida this rain just won't let up! Yes, I am used to it from the last two times I was here, but that doesn't mean I prefer it. Thankfully, though, it doesn't affect park operations too much as most attractions are indoors. (Not that I mind being down for weather;) Since fall is on its way I do hope the weather will straighten out before it gets here. Today was another grocery day where the roommates were all working to get what we felt we needed in our apartment for the time being. It seems like we have a lot of food now but I know it won't last long enough. Oh well - such is life. I almost can't believe I'm going on 4 days being here but, at the same time, it sometimes feels like a bit longer. I'm constantly being told time will go fast, & it has for me both times before, but somehow I always seem to think that this time will be different. Anyway, tomorrow is the first day of getting paid so that means it's down to business, but I'm pretty ready for it since I am eager to get to my location, put in a good word for myself, & start work at the Tower of Terror :D

~Steph :)

Let the Games Begin...

So here I am, once again living in the apartment complex of my choice: Chatham Square. I lived there both times before & was really hoping to do the same this time around. Not only am I at the same complex but I am in the building right behind both of the other buildings I was in for my last programs AND I am in the same room as well. Yes, I am pleased with how things have turned out in that respect & I do hope those living arrangements will assist in my having a good time at Disney. Also, I have been assigned the work location of Sunset Attractions at Hollywood Studios which is either Tower of Terror or Rock 'N' Roller Coaster! As you might imagine, I am overjoyed at the results of my efforts to continue with the program until I received the job location of my choice. I truly do look forward to starting work & I hope that it will greatly exceed my expectations for the semester.

~Steph :)

Day 1 of Many

I have now arrived at the point in time where I can actually write based on what is currently going on with me at Disney. I check-in tomorrow morning but arrived in Florida around 5 p.m. this evening. Of course, I am quite tired & not sure when I will be able to get a real good night sleep since life never seems to slow down in the college program. I do look forward to many things but it is always an adjustment for me to reaquaint myself with this somewhat odd & unfamiliar place. Thankfully, though, I do know my way around the area pretty well, even if I don't have a car to drive it. On the way to the hotel I was able to see 2 of my greatest loves in life which are the Tower of Terror (of course!) & my old place of employment at Cirque du Soleil. Both are/were very moving to see & I so look forward to spending more time "with" them. And speaking of Tower of Terror, I am a bit nervous to find out where I will be working for the semester, whether it's the specific ride or park. Naturally, I have my hopes but I don't want to get too cought up in them just in case I am disappointed. Even so, I am glad to finally be working with attractions at Disney World this time around:)

~Steph :)

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.