WDW college program experiences

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » Dec Fri 28, 2007 7:34 pm

Wow. I remember seeing my co-workers doing the pin trading thing. It seems like it could be fun, and a little bothersome at the same time.

Good to hear that your Christmas night was laid back. Hope that the day after was good as well. I'm sure the parks were just as busy.

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » Dec Fri 28, 2007 11:07 pm

My advice to everyone: Don't visit Disney World during Christmas week unless you like waiting in long lines in the rides, food and restrooms.

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » Dec Mon 31, 2007 2:39 am

They were testing the audio and lights for the New Years Eve Fireworks. All I have to say is that it's awesome (and that doesnt even include the fireworks yet). But they start off with a regular Illuminations then a tag is included with a narrator saying that over 6 hours ago, Japan/China celebrated their New Years then they play a sound clip of that country. And the funny thing, I recognized these song clips from the Old 1990s Illuminations. They make it around the World, covering Europe then UK/Morocco, then last is the countdown for US/Canada/Mexico. Oh it should be lots of fun.

Be prepared for a full report on Tuesday!

wdwannabe · Post by **wdwannabe** » Jan Wed 02, 2008 12:19 am

Derek, I have really enjoyed reading your posts...When is your last day? Did you get to see any mousefest celebs? I also wanted to wish you the best in your coming year at school...

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » Jan Wed 02, 2008 2:10 am

My last day is Friday, but my last day of work is tomorrow (wednesday). It is a very sad time right now, I will miss all my friends and coworkers who I've met down here. And I appreciate your goodwill, and I wish the same to you.

I will post about the happening that was New Years Eve craziness tomorrow morning. I've just had little time, trying to make sure I've packed everything before Thursday so I can go to the Magic Kingdom with Lion!

Esmeralda · Post by **Esmeralda** » Jan Wed 02, 2008 9:35 am

Thanks for all the College Program updates, packwingfn! It's been fun to read. Hope you and Lion have a blast at the Magic Kingdom!

yodiwan1 · Post by **yodiwan1** » Jan Wed 02, 2008 11:25 am

i know how ya feel about last days. Mine was depressing as anything could be, but then again I was termed after 9/11 and had no time to really say goodbye. Enjoy the last few days while you can and soak it al in.

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Jan Thu 03, 2008 4:12 am

I can't believe you're already finished (I imagine it seems even faster for you, too). Thank you so much for sharing all your updates. They were really interesting, and fun to read. Have fun today at the MK!

coasterphil · Post by **coasterphil** » Jan Sun 06, 2008 6:44 pm

Yesterday I had my first workday since all the CP's left. Half the people that worked my usual shift were CP's so it was odd not having them there. I miss them and wish all the CP's across property the best of luck in the future.

Some CM's might complain about CP's, but WDW would fall apart without them. They get worked like crazy and get paid less than a normal CM, yet they never really get the thanks they deserve. I know I wouldn't be able to handle working on the program, part time is plenty for me.

yodiwan1 · Post by **yodiwan1** » Jan Mon 07, 2008 12:12 pm

thank you for that statement coasterphil, There were plenty of fulltimers that just never got along with us, they claimed we "stole" hours from them. If only people realized how little money we actually made while working there.

Some CM's might complain about CP's, but WDW would fall apart without them. They get worked like crazy and get paid less than a normal CM, yet they never really get the thanks they deserve. I know I wouldn't be able to handle working on the program, part time is plenty for me.

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » Jan Tue 08, 2008 10:15 am

Ok I'm finally going to write about New Years Eve finally

Our preshift had EVERYBODY working, there must have been at least 50 custodials on (probably more) and it took awhile for all of us to get our assignments. They divided the showcase into 3 zones. Each zone would have a manager and coordinator. I worked in zone B which was from Germany to Morocco. I was assigned to work Italy Trash for the whole night.

We took a lot of pictures during this preshift since it was going to be the last time that we would all be together. Then we were off to our areas, I admit I was a little nervous wheN i walked on stage f0r the first time, not knowing what to expect since the crowds were going to be a lot heavier then I was used too. It was hard to move the banana boat over but luckily Italy's pathways arent congested so I had a lot more space then if I were to work in Germany per say.

Then it started to rain and I forgot to bring my poncho so I had to take the bus back to my locker to get it. I felt my area would have been messy since I was going to be away for a little bit but luckily it wasnt bad. The rain slowed a lot of people down and most of them hid in the shops. Then 6:00 came and they released the Hats/Horns and the horns drove me insane for this time as EVERYONE was blowing them and it became so annoying. I had to hide in a shed in the back to block out the noise (Italy doesnt have a break room). It was like this until the first Illuminations at 7:30 which blocked all out the noise then after that, all the DJs played their loud music

There were DJs in America, Italy, & China. Being in Italy, I got to hear music the whole night, it was mainly techno in Italy and felt good but weird at the same time hearing it in EPCOT. The park also changed as the first Illuminations ended. People became rowdier and it seemed alot of kids left (not all though). Throughout the night, I kept on pulling trash but at the same time, I wanted to have a fun time so during my lunch, I walked around with other CPs to check out the other countries and what it was like over there. I only walked from Mexico to Italy but it seemed like that if the country didnt have a DJ, it was just a lot of people just standing around, drinking. It would have felt like any other night so I'm glad I got placed in Italy with the DJ. We also danced on the Italy dance floor with our pans & brooms. We got some weird looks but it was a lot of fun.

Trying to do a trash run in the Italy Courtyard, where the stage was, was pretty rough. I spent a lot of time trying to go around the backside of the stage and manevuer my way around the people but after 10:00, i gave up unless the trash looked extremely overflowed which it didnt. For my "breaks", I would just stand around and watch the people dance, it was entertaining.

Spaceship Earth became a disco ball and a clock throughout the night which helped me whenever I needed to know how much time until the fireworks. I told all the CPs in our area to meet near the donkey near the Ice Cream Cart in Italy at 11:35. We had about 15 of us to watch Illuminations, it was just the regular Illuminations at first, the best part came when "We Go On" came on, we all put our arms around each other and started singing the lyrics to it, it'll defnitely be a moment I will never forget.

Then the NYE tag came on, which started off by saying that Japan/China celebrated their New Years over 7/8 hours ago then launched fireworks behind each country to go along with some accompanying music. The next countries after that were Italy/Germany/France/Norway then Morocco/UK. The fireworks got better each time but my favorite had to be Norway/UK. Some of the music was taken from the Old Illuminations too. Finally, it was all synched up at the end saying that it was only 10 seconds away until Mexico/Canada/and US celebrate their NYE (well not really mexico) and the countdown began, showing on the Illuminations ball. The rest was a blur as we were all giving each others hugs but they looked and sounded amazing.

The party still went on until 1am then we closed our areas then went to our nigiht details. Some people's details were to sweep the promeade, but mine wasnt which I'm glad as it was a mess by the end of the night. I just had to vacuum the AA Theater with 2 other people. After our shift ended, all the CPs were hungry so we went to IHOP (all 22 of us) and we were there until 630am. It was a good last memory but by the end of the night, we were all exhausted!

rmorton50 · Post by **rmorton50** » Jan Tue 08, 2008 10:05 pm

I can't thank all of you CP'ers enough for the interesting insight into the workings of WDW. I have really enjoyed reading these posts over the past year or so. I wish you well, packwinfn, as you go on to the next part of life.

yodiwan1 · Post by **yodiwan1** » Jan Wed 09, 2008 1:35 am

New Years at Epcot is the best!! spent 2003 there adn it rained all night but we danced anyhow!!! best NYE ever!!!

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » Jan Thu 10, 2008 1:58 am

It will probably be the only time I will ever be in Disney on New Years Eve so to say I worked in EPCOT on New Years in 2007/2008 is something I can say for a lifetime.

I appreciate all of you that have read my blog over these past 5 months. I will offer any insight to any future CPers who want to start a blog of their own on here.

And I also have more to talk about but I'm still settling into home so it will take some time.

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » Jan Thu 10, 2008 7:37 pm

It was most awesome to hang out with you whenever we could get our schedules lined up.

I look forward to more of your post-CP thoughts.