WDW college program experiences

[packwingfn]

I found some pictures that others took of me so far during the CP

I'm with some of the people that I've met through my livejournal community:

http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos- ... 6_9623.jpg
(with a hat on)

http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos- ... 2_3052.jpg
(without a hat on)

My name is Derek by the way.

[Lion Sleeps Tonight]

Awesome. The more I think about it, the more I want to try out for Stitch.

Nice to meet ya Derek! Now we know where and who to look for at the Showcase.

Did you get your "costumes" yet?

[Esmeralda]

So in the first picture, you're the fuzzy blue one right?

Wish I could be going down while you're working so I could give you a shout out (or at least dump a little popcorn for you!). Love the updates though - keep them up!

Congrats on the position coaterphil - are you working at the front gate then?

[Lion Sleeps Tonight]

Congrats on the position coaterphil - are you working at the front gate then?

Aw, I must have overlooked the post, but (a late)congrats as well, coasterphil!

What exactly does a park greeter do?

[packwingfn]

On Monday & Tuesday, I had more on the job training, but this time during the night shift. Both days I was working 430-1 with only Tuesday being an EMH night.

First of all, I was late by 1 minute because my roommate was giving me a ride to work but we missed the exit so we had to backtrack but it's ok, I'm not mad at him. I called and said I was going to be late so they didn't frown at it. Then at the start of each shift, we have a custodial meeting where they give us a run down of some news around the parks then our assignments for the day. As each person is either assigned to work the streets or restrooms during park hours. Then each person is assigned a specfic detail after the park closes.

Since I was just following my trainer, they assigned us the UK Rose & Crown pub for the evening and during the day was just a quick walk around WS to get me used to all the different restrooms and where all the trash bins are located. On our way to Canada, I saw that Off Kilter was playing so my trainer and I just stood around cleaning the area while taking a break while listening to Off Kilter. I was super excited, they played "Nothing Changes", "Irish Rover", and "Like You", 3 songs that I really like from Celtic Armadillo.

Then as the night progressed, it was close to 9:00 so since we were assigned streets for the day, all the custodials meet towards the popcorn station near the entrnace of World Showcase and are given Mickey Hands to wave goodbye to the guests after Illuminatioins finished. I must say that so far I love watching Illuminations every night.

As soon as the big chunk of people were leaving the parks, all of the custodials made their way around to sweep up anything in the pathway, then as soon as we made it to the UK, Everyone went and did their assignment for the day. Before we went inside to clean the Rose & Crown, we had to do a trash run of all the trash cans in the UK. Then we made it inside where we had to check up on the restrooms then wash the wood floor in the dining area, polish the tables while a woman dusted the lights and vacummed the rug near the bar area.

I'll talk more about Tuesday later as I'm about to head to EPCOT soon enough.

Last night I saw Fantasmic for the third time ever and I must say that I love that show. It gives me chills as it is such a great music piece.

[Hypermommy]

As much as I love listening to Sub all day while I work, being able to glance up at Illuminations and see the globe and the fireworks would be totally awesome!!! Keep on sharing, pack. I'm loving every minute of it!

[Hypermommy]

packwing, where'd ya go? We need our CM fix, dude!

[packwingfn]

Sorry in the past 4 days, I've worked 40 hours (10 hour days) from 645-515. So that means I have to wake up at 5 to catch the 6:00 bus in order to get to work at 6:30. Today has been my first day off in a week.

Ok let's see where I left off since the last time I posted.

Last Tuesday, I had my other training day at night, we were focusing on maintaining the restrooms during the night. What you have to do is check your restrooms that you're assigned every 45 minutes. We have a nextel that we carry and you use that to scan whatever you have to do in the rest room (sweep the floor, clean the toilets) etc. After Illuminations was over, our assignment was to deep clean the norway restrooms, but since it was EMH, we couldn't start doing that until 12:15 so we had to do a trash run in Norway/China. We didn't finish and go home until 1:30, it was a long day

But it's all good because I had Wednesday & Thursday off. On Wednesday, I saw Bourne Ultimanium then went to MGM at night. We went on Muppets and when I was in the area, it made me think of Lion Sleeps Tonight lol. We also rode Rock n Roller Coaster 3 straight times since it closes next month for refurb. Then we saw Fantasmic which gives me chills after seeing it after hearing it on Subsonic for so long

On Thursday, I went to EPCOT with my friend Jena, we left early so we could get fastpass for Soarin. We rode almost everything in Future World even did the Single Line for Test Track and we still were able to ride next to each other. We got hungry so we headed over to World Showcase. Now it didn't feel weird visiting the place where I worked so that is real good news. We tried to see if we could walk into any of the places but a lot of restaurants were overbooked so we grabbed Fish & Chips and sat down to watch Off Kilter. We saw them 3 times throughout the day haha, then we had dessert in France .

We saw the new ending in AA, which was sad cus 9/11 was in it but it was done real well. After being in EPCOT all day, I was exhausted which I was gonna regret since I had to work the next 4 days at 6:45 for 10 straight hours.

[packwingfn]

Friday was my assessment day but first I had to attend this basics class which goes over the 4 basic principles of being a disney cast member. It was a good refresher course of Traditions. All Cast members have to take this class, it's a new thing they just started. Then my trainer from Sunday was supposed to assess me as soon as I got back but I couldn't find him for 30 minutes so I just sat there then when I saw him, it was his lunch break so he told me to go outside and sweep around Odyssey. It was the scariest 30 minutes of my life being on my own for the first time. I got asked about 10 questions in that 30 minutes, mainly asking where "Fast" Track was, I'm like, you just passed by it, it's that big building right there that makes a lot of noise lol

Then after getting retold everything from my training, I had a management assessment which was easy then they gave me an assisngment to walk around all of World Showcase in the last hour I have to get a feeling of all the countries. As soon as I was about to start though, it rained real hard so I had to go get my poncho heh.

On Saturday, my first day alone, I was so lost on what to do for our morning detail. Our morning detail consists of deep cleaning a cast member restroom or a guest depending what country it is. I had to clean Canada's Break room which I had no idea where it was, then I also had to clean the Epcot Events Break Room which took me a while and there was no hose there so I had to grab a mop, It just stunk cus I was so behind. Then during the day, I had to maintain the restrooms near the Refreshment Port as well as Le Cellier's Restroom. Not knowing how often I should really check the restrooms, I went very often and tired myself out walking so fast. I realized to pace myself after that day.

[SimonTemplar]

Well packwingfn (Derek), it seems like you'll stay in good shape while you're there. I'm sure it's tough the first few days as you learn to pace yourself, but I'm sure you'll get into a comfortable routine pretty quickly.

We all look forward to your continued updates.

[Lion Sleeps Tonight]

Wow. They really made you work those first few days before saying, "okay, now go outside and represent Disney!" Sheesh.

Enjoy those 2 days off while you can

[acp]

Good to see you're enjoying it

I seem to recall I had four days of working with someone else before I was put on a cart on my own. The first day I was on my own, I was on a cart I'd never done before, so had to get as much info from the person who walked me out (all the vendors have to have someone escort them out, since they're carrying cash through the park) before they left me to it

Andy.

[packwingfn]

Isn't it overwhelming at first? Especially when people ask you all these questions and being the disney nerds that we both are, we both know the answer but your mind just goes blank for those few minutes.

The other day someone asked me how to get to the boardwalk from World Showcase. It took a few seconds to remember about the International Gateway even though I clearly know that answer

[packwingfn]

I went to Property Control today for the first time. It's where they sell discounted used stuff that was either lost or damaged in the parks. It was so funny to see some of the stuff that they sell there.

Do you want a used 2 piece bathing suit? Only $2!
Need some sunglasses? Choose from over 1000 different kinds?
Hats? Just remember to take it off when you're on a roller coaster.

I didn't buy anything besides a key chain because I despately needed one for our apartment because I hated storing it in my wallett and having to fish it out just to open the door.

[DisBeamer]

Do you want a used 2 piece bathing suit? Only $2!

Ugh. I'll pass.

Sounds like you're learning the ropes pretty well. It's really interesting to hear about the 'spin up' process, like getting assigned to walk around and get a feel for the countries. Very cool. Keep 'em coming. =)