WDW college program experiences

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » Aug Fri 17, 2007 9:29 am

On Thursday, I had my first work day. I had to catch the 6:45 bus to get to the Disney University by 7:30 in order to punch in by 8:00. It's going to be a while til I get used to the bus schedule but it's interesting.

The class was long as we were supposed to be there for 8 hours but we finished in 7. We learned the basics of being a Custodial, pretty simple. The thing that I need to learn more about was talking with guests with disabilities. We took some tests on a computer about Bloodborne Pathegon and other OSHA related stuff. Well since I was the only one that works at EPCOT, I had to take another test dealing with Absothes. Most boring presentations you'll ever see. I just like making friends with fellow custodians through the class.

After, My roomie and I decided to go to Disney's MGM Studios or should I call it, Disney's Hollywood Studios? We went through the backstage entrance and came out near Muppetts. We went on Rock n Roller Coaster to see the roommate that we never see at the apartment. He was working the exit of the attraction so I'm not sure if he saw us or not. Then we got a call from Patrick who said a bunch of us were going to MK for the night, so we all met there. The best part of the night was riding Splash Mountain, and since there was 8 of us, We took up a whole log. For the picture, we all did the Disney Point

One thing i've noticed so far, even if I haven't worked yet, is I'm picking up every little detail that I would not have noticed before. It's not a bad thing though, I kind of like it already.

karenj2 · Post by **karenj2** » Aug Fri 17, 2007 12:43 pm

So what's the disney point?

Amd do you have a better picture of you? I want to be able to say hi when I'm there!

Croaker · Post by **Croaker** » Aug Fri 17, 2007 1:34 pm

she really wants to just spill popcorn in front of you to watch you work. laugh.

keep the info coming...my daughter has enjoyed it and is looking forward to joining the program in 4 years. she's only going into 9th grade. but already planning to be a mechanical/structural engineer and plans on doing the college disney program.

Post by **acp** » Aug Fri 17, 2007 3:17 pm

karenj2 wrote:So what's the disney point?

Instead of pointing with one finger, you point with two fingers or the palm of your hand.

Andy.

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » Aug Fri 17, 2007 10:31 pm

Today I explored backstage Epcot on my own to better prepare myself for my job. Even after my second visit, I'm still very confused on what areas I can enter and what areas I can't visit. I'm sure it will take some time to get used too.

I went on Test Track Today to visit my friend, I was wishing she was working tower but unfortunally she wasnt.

Tomorrow is my discovery day at EPCOT

Hypermommy · Post by **Hypermommy** » Aug Sat 18, 2007 6:23 am

packwingfn wrote:Tomorrow is my discovery day at EPCOT

Discovery day at Epcot???

Thanks for the info on the Disney point. That actually makes sense becuase then you're not pointing which my mother always taught me was rude, but there were times I could never figure out what else to do. I believe I'll start using the Disney point in my everyday life when I need to point something out. Just doing it will make me feel closer to Disney (yes, I know.... I'm such a Disney geek).

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » Aug Sat 18, 2007 12:50 pm

Hypermommy, it's fine, in my old job over the past summer, I've been practicing my disney point so that way it wouldn't feel so weird at first to get used to it.

Discovery Day at Epcot is where they show us around the park, what each ride and country is and a brief brief history of each. They also showed us a presentation of the history of EPCOT which I found fascinating as I saw pictures even I havent even seen before. Then they showed us around in the backstage area to help us get through the area without feeling so lost.

The day ended with a brief presentation on diversity since EPCOT is the home of diversity. Then afterwards, some people were scheduled to stay and some were scheduled to leave. It was noon and was scheduled to 1 so I spent the next hour trying to find my correct size in pants for Custodial. It took forever but bascially I'm keeping my pants and washing them myself since I might not get my correct size later in the future.

One more thing, I will not have pictures uploaded to my computer for a few weeks as I forgot to install the necessary software for my camera.

coasterphil · Post by **coasterphil** » Aug Sat 18, 2007 4:58 pm

I went to casting yesterday and got a position as a park greeter at MGM. I have to finish the paperwork up next week and then I'm good to go. I'm glad that I was able to get a job because so far I haven't found enough to fill up my time since I moved.

SWHorn · Post by **SWHorn** » Aug Sat 18, 2007 9:47 pm

Congrats, coasterphil! Park Greeter seems like it would be fun.

packwing, thanks for keeping us updated. It's good to hear about the fun you're having.

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » Aug Sun 19, 2007 1:45 am

World Showcase, huh? Sounds cool.

One cool thing about EPCOT is that the CMs are so diverse.

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Aug Sun 19, 2007 3:47 am

Hypermommy wrote:Thanks for the info on the Disney point. That actually makes sense becuase then you're not pointing which my mother always taught me was rude, but there were times I could never figure out what else to do. I believe I'll start using the Disney point in my everyday life when I need to point something out. Just doing it will make me feel closer to Disney (yes, I know.... I'm such a Disney geek).

We can be geeks together in this one; I started using the Disney point after I learned about it on Keys to the Kingdom for the same reason (and also in the hopes I'm not offending anyone).

These are really interesting to read, packwingfn. I hope you keep up with them for your tenure there (if you have time/interest). Thanks for sharing the experience.

Congrats on the job coasterphil!

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » Aug Sun 19, 2007 4:04 pm

Today I had my first training day as a Custodial Cast Member.

First thing we did was follow my trainer to the Morocco Restrooms. My shift began at 6:45 so since WS doesn't open until 11:00, we scrubbed the whole bathroom down with a hose and make sure we did a good job. We had to cover the men's restroom and companion restroom outside then we moved our way to the inside restrooms (which are located inside the restaurant). After he showed me everything what to do on the outside restroom, he let me do the men's restroom by myself while he washed the females restroom. Then afterwards, a manager came by to check up on our work.

The morning flew by as it was already 11:00 when we finished. So he showed me a little bit around the backstage area before we went on lunch. After we got back from lunch, he showed me a magical moment as we did the Ring Toss where we come up to the guests with children and ask the children to throw rings of wire around a bottle filled with sand. It was real neat though I just stood in the background, just handing out the stickers to all of the kids. One kid kept on getting his ring around the bottle so he got 5 stickers!

Then we walked over to Canada, while walking, I had my first experience on the streets briefly. I got to pick up popcorn with my pan & broom, yay (not). Then we just checked on the restrooms around the WS, but only checking up on certain things as other Cast Members were scheduled for those restrooms. He just wanted to show me what I should do during the day when the guests are around.

After making our way to the busiest restrooms around WS (which are alot), then that was pretty much it for the day. I filled out some paperwork and that concluded my first day of training.

While I was walking around with my trainer, My roommate and my friend Jena walked by and said hi to me so that should be fun whenever I run into people I know.

Hypermommy · Post by **Hypermommy** » Aug Sun 19, 2007 6:02 pm

Thanks for keeping us up to date pack. You know even the most mundane details are absolute food and drink to those of us starved for Disney.

Congrats on the job Phil! Let us know how things go.

Croaker · Post by **Croaker** » Aug Mon 20, 2007 9:33 am

Yes keep up the good info. its great to hear! i'll have to walk around Epcot yelling Packwingfn just until i see you and then wave.

Hypermommy · Post by **Hypermommy** » Aug Tue 21, 2007 8:49 am

Yeah, pack... you'd better get a photo of yourself up quick or we're all gonna be walking around Epcot yelling your nick! And then you can explain that one to the other CMs