Ev'rybody Has A Laughing Place

Afternoon!

So this past week I’ve been sick, again. I seem to get colds more often here than I did back home, which is annoying. I’ve had the past two days and today off (because I was able to get rid of my Crystal Palace shift!) Everyone said, but think of the money you get doing that shift (since it was 12pm-11:30pm you’d get overtime), but I’d still make hardly any $$, so it wasn’t worth my unhappiness.

The 18^th was my first time working at Dinoland with Pluto – who is with another friend at that location – Goofy! I have only ever worked one pairing shift and that was with my friend Eeyore and his friend Tigger, so I was excited to have another shift with pairings. It was a lot of fun and made time go faster than usual. Sunday I was back with Rafiki at his Planet Watch, nothing new there. I wish he was able to go out and about at Oasis again like he used to before I arrived, but unfortunately most of the time he’s stuck at his Planet Watch area. Monday I got to experience an amazing shift that had me go through several emotions. I was with my friend Pluto at Give Kids the World village (for Make a Wish children) down in Kissimmee, for those who don’t know what Give Kids the World is, here’s the website: http://www.gktw.org/. The village is designed so well, everything is wheelchair height and wheelchair accessible, everything is decorated for the kid’s enjoyment (buildings decorated to look like it’s made out of candy). It’s so well done, it put a smile on my face seeing that there was something like this for these kids to enjoy. Pluto was located outside the theatre where Minnie and Mickey were meeting and greeting, so on most occasions Pluto was the first character they’d get to see! Everyone was excited to see Pluto there, apparently he doesn’t get the opportunity much to visit as there’s usually Mary Poppins there instead. If I get that shift again, I’ll definitely be looking forward to it. Tuesday was another first, my first time at the Garden Grill restaurant at EPCOT with my friend Pluto. I’m not a fan of Character Dining, but I enjoyed it here.

Wednesday was my first day off for this week, Jen and I finally made our way over to Animal Kingdom for our first visit. We weren’t there for long though. That evening I went to the first Speaker Series which was with Cast Members in the Events department of the Walt Disney World/Parks company. Seeing as I have a degree in Event Management and want a full time job with Disney, I had signed up for it and headed over to The Commons where the Speaker Series was held. I had just arrived before it started pouring down with rain and I got to experience my first (and definitely not the last) Florida thunderstorm. Like ours back at home in Brisbane, it didn’t last long. I found the class interesting, but it also made me realise that it definitely is hard for international participants to gain a job with Disney. Luckily I was able to speak to one of the Guest Speakers about it in which she recommended to look into events concerning the Disney Cruise Lines, as that’s an opportunity available for international participants. Yesterday I went to the Outlet Mall yet again, with Lauren and Jen. This time I only bought a few items and didn’t break the bank like last time… We then journeyed over to Walmart for some grocery shopping and I’m happy that they have Cadbury chocolate out for Easter! Granted, it’s a small selection, but it’s there! Also the first sad/strange thing is THEY DO NOT HAVE HOT CROSS BUNS HERE. I may cry about that… And second is that they don’t only give/receive chocolate for Easter, but jelly beans are a part of it. A little odd, but I like jelly beans so no complaints.

Today? I’ve spent the whole day in bed catching up on my TV Shows – Once Upon A Time and The Big Bang Theory. I also remembered a movie my mum hired out from the video store for me when I was a kid, and I actually really enjoyed it – Man In The Moon. I’ve found it on iTunes, so I’ll probably rent it off there to watch at some point. Today I’m really missing my cat – sorry family Luna has overtaken you for today – I’m not sure what brought it on, but I’m really missing her more than usual. I think it’s the fact I was remembering her unusual quirks…

Tomorrow I’m back at work at the Garden Grill again with my friend Pluto, a late start which means a sleep in! Before my horrid Sunday shift where I’m doing a breakfast Character Dining 6:30-12:30, then I’m back there again for 4pm-10pm, THEN Monday I start at 6am, therefore I have to be up at 4am to get the bus to Magic Kingdom. So, I’m not looking forward to that. I’m happy I’m at Magic Kingdom (maybe I’ll get pulled for the Welcome Show!) but Sunday is just annoying how they’ve got me doing a split shift.

Anyway, I’m sure I’ll write about how it goes. Oh, Ben and Hannah: 136 days until I get to see your faces (and I get to sleep in a comfy bed).

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah

It’s been a week since my last post; I’m not doing too bad trying to keep this up. Then again, it has only been just over a month. I still have another 11 of me working here.

And I cannot remember what I did on my last two days off… One of them I went to MK for the afternoon with a friend. The other, I cannot remember. Oh well.  Anyway, besides those two days, I’ve just been working. Sunday the 12^th I was with my friend Rafiki at Animal Kingdom, Monday I had a spare shift, but was pulled to help Pluto with the opening show – my favourite shift. Sadly Pluto’s other friend (the one who was originally scheduled to work) turned up, so I didn’t get to do anything else besides the Welcome Show. But at least I got to do my favourite part! Did I mention last time that I won’t be getting any shifts with Buzz? I’m a tad disappointed, because I love him, but he is a handful to take care of, so I’m relieved in that part. Tuesday, Valentine’s Day, I had off. I went grocery shopping with friends, and then went to a ‘Girls Only Valentine’s Day’ Party that one of my friends organised. There was so much food! And some of the girls even cooked some goodies, we all got full quickly. I had to leave early because I had an early start the next day, but I still had a great time.

Wednesday I was back at EPCOT Character Spot with my friend Pluto. It was a long day; we had this HUGE tourist group of girls come through. One of our sets was just seeing them (that set went for 40mins!) and when we came back out for our next set, we thought it’d be all over, but no. The other half came. But! To brighten things up, Jen and our roommate Lauren came to visit Pluto and myself. Pluto got extremely excited to see them both and left him overly hyperactive for the rest of our shift – even more so than his usually hyperactive self. Afterwards I met up with the girls and we headed home so I could shower, then we headed to the AMC Dine-In theatres to see The Vow. It was sad, I didn’t cry – I got teary – but didn’t cry. It also had the dumbest ending ever.

Yesterday Lauren, Jen and myself went to MK for the day, character hunting for the characters to sign their vinylmations. That literally took up our whole day. Now, today I’m at home relaxing. I should work out a day to go to Animal Kingdom, seeing as that’s the only park I’ve yet to visit as a guest; maybe on my next two days off next week.

I’m not looking forward to one of my shifts next week. I’m with my friend Eeyore at Crystal Palace. Crystal Palace is a restaurant that has so many seats that it’s hard for Eeyore to get between them – he’s not the smallest character out there. I’m actually trying to give that shift away, but so far no luck (everyone dislikes Crystal Palace).

Anyway, that’s it for now. I will now leave you with my new countdown for when my brother arrives – 143 days!

You've Got A Friend In Me

I’m still alive!

I made it through the three days of early morning starts. One thing I hate is getting up before the sun, but at least that’s over for now. Sunday, my first of the three spare shifts, I was pulled during warm ups to go to the Polynesian Resort for the Character Dining for breakfast. My friend Pluto was probably more enthused about Character Dining, myself – I strongly dislike it. Anyway, we finished that at about 12pm and as soon as the last set was over my captain receives a call saying that ‘Amy is needed at Crystal Palace with Eeyore, first set is at 1pm’. Yaaaaayyyy. Another Character Dining place. By the time I got back, got Eeyore looking hansom it was 12:30pm. I had never been to Crystal Palace so I had no idea how to find my way. I got instructions from one of the ladies in the base whose instructions lead me the wrong way. Eventually, after someone helped me, I found the Crystal Palace stairwell, got ready then went straight into it. Well. If I strongly dislike Polynesian, I hate Crystal Palace. Way too hard for poor Eeyore to mover between tables, he ain’t the skinniest character out there. Plus the rotation/set out is more complicated than Polynesian. Luckily we only had one set that day and the remainder of my day was just me sitting around waiting for clock out time.

Monday, yet another spare shift at Magic Kingdom, I didn’t get pulled all day. Luckily I had a friend there to make our spare shifts less boring, although he got pulled at lunch then towards the end of my shift he was pulled for Crystal Palace (hahahaha). Tuesday, straight after warm ups…I was pulled for Polynesian. Ugh. But it was so quiet we finished really early and the rest of my day I used for reading until I clocked out.

Yesterday (Wednesday) Jen and I went to Magic Kingdom for a bit then went over to Hollywood Studios. We met some different characters at animation; they come out after 4:30/5pm when the fireworks aren’t on. So I got to meet Hook and Smee, Mulan, Belle, Pinnochio, Meeko, Goofy, Mary Poppins and Mr. Penguin, and Chip ‘n’ Dale.

Also, yesterday, I got to book the hotel that my brother and family friend will be staying at – as well as myself! After a few complications (the original hotel they chose no longer had rooms for us) we decided on the Beach Club Resort. I cannot wait! 151 days until they arrive, I’ve even got the countdown on my calendar.

Anyway that was my small catch up, today I’m at EPCOT at Character Spot with my friend Pluto. Then I have the next two days off!

Have a great day!~

Whistle While You Work

Wow. I thought I updated this since my first shift – whoops!

Well, as you can imagine, a lot has happened since my last post. I’ve had a lot of fun with my friends thus far and my legs are still getting their work out. Honestly if I don’t have amazing legs by the end of this I’ll be extremely disappointed!

My first 3 shifts…I was a Spare, which means a whole lot of nothing. You sit and wait to make sure everyone in your height range is checked in. Once everyone is checked in you get several choices (well these are the ones I’ve been offered at EPCOT) ER (Early Release) find someone who wants an ER, be friends with a rare character or go out as a greeter. In all three occasions I chose ER, mainly because I hadn’t gone out in the parks with my friends without trainers yet. January 24 I went and explored the Magic Kingdom with Jen – we began our character hunting and gained several autographs. January 27 was my first day with my good friend Pluto at EPCOT and I won’t deny it, we had a lot of fun! Music is constantly playing, so when no one was visiting Pluto, he’d almost always bust out some moves. That was also my 12am finish shift, it wasn’t too bad, but the next day I was a tad tired. Saturday (28^th) was my first shift at Animal Kingdom with Rafiki at Rafiki’s Planet Watch where there are live animals on display all day. Being friends with a baboon was also a lot of fun, different from the hyper-active Pluto, but Rafiki and I still had a great time entertaining kids, especially those who brought along their plush Simbas – Rafiki’s a little fond of posing for photos with plushes, not just Simba.

Visiting Cinderella - Magic Kingdom

Visiting Buzz Lightyear - Magic Kingdom

The 29^th brought my first shift at Hollywood Studios – I had a lot of ‘firsts’ during my first week. This time I was friends with the shy Eeyore. It was only a short shift, but Eeyore managed to be brave enough to meet a bunch of new people – he even got to meet Jen and managed to get a kiss on the nose, I think he’s still a bit shy about that. Next brings me to the 30^th – MY BIRTHDAY. Okay I wasn’t that excited and it didn’t even feel like my birthday. I’d honestly forget and when I was on my breaks I’d remember, it would slightly startle me each time. I’m the big 2 1, and had the opportunity to spend the day with Pluto at the Magic Kingdom! My favourite character (shhh don’t tell the others) AND my favourite park? It was a great 21^st, how many people can say they spent the day at their favourite theme park with a great character on their 21sts? My friend Pluto had a great time opening the park, waving to all the waiting guests as they all counted down to the opening of the park for the day. I can definitely say I had a wonderful time. After work my housemate Lauren took Jen and I to Target to grab some clothes that were not winter clothes and final things for our bathroom, it was incredibly wonderful of her. Oh! And I got this:

From both Jen and Lauren for my birthday – I love it! I was literally looking at it a few days beforehand!

On the 31^st (Tuesday) I had a day off! So I went to Magic Kingdom for breakfast with two friends, had a wander around the park, rode some rides then jumped on the monorail to EPCOT. At EPCOT we had lunch at the Japanese pavilion – Teriyaki Chicken was my lunch, yum! We didn’t start the ‘drinking around the world’ at Japan because they had Sake (gross) and plum wine (also gross), so we went over to America and got an ‘American Drink’ (or so the cast members told us) a Bid Light. Beer. I do not like beer, should have started with the Sake then… but! It wasn’t too bad. It didn’t have that aftertaste and was light – I guess I could have got that from the name… We finished that, looked around Italy and got photos, then headed to Germany. At Germany we got a shot – which I cannot remember the name of but it was B---mint or something. It was minty. We all drank it at the same time, each coming to the same reaction. It burned your nose, reminding me what it was like drinking mouthwash (though the shot tasted better than that). A few guests watching had a good laugh, so at least we provided some entertainment.

Norway was the next stop for the other two, I passed (thank god because apparently the shot they had was horrid). Then it was to Mexico! Where they love to drink from what we experienced. We all got margaritas, mine was a Wild Passionfruit, and then the two girls got some tequila shots. The bartender tried to get me to drink one, by even pouring one for me, I’m stubborn so I didn’t budge, so the girls went halves on that shot – which they got for free (as they should seeing as we didn’t order the third). Eventually we then found our way back to the UK pavilion where we all got our last drink which I can’t even remember what it was called, what was in it or what it tasted like. But I do remember it was good. Afterwards (after the girls embarrassed me by getting a somewhat drunken photo with Aurora – I refused and just stood by pretending I didn’t know them) we went to Downtown Disney for dinner at Earl of Sandwich, I will be going back there I can assure you.

Visting Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen - Magic Kingdom

Meeting My Favourite Character: Ariel! - Magic Kingdom
Oh..And Eric's there too...

That now brings me to Wednesday where I was back at work 3:30pm-10pm at EPCOT with my good friend Pluto. It was a fantastic night, at the end it was so dead Pluto got to go outside with Mickey Mouse for some photos, then Minnie Mouse joined the two and the managers were eager to get some family photos. So Pluto, Mickey and Minnie got some family portraits done that night and I’m sure they all enjoyed that. Thursday I went to Hollywood Studios for the afternoon riding the Tower of Terror (nothing like the thrill rides at Dreamworld) but it was still fun and we also jumped on Rockin’ Roller Coaster – my favourite ride. Yesterday, Friday, I was back at Rafiki’s Planet Watch with my friend Rafiki all day, and today I got to make a new friend – a Green Army Man. Let me tell you, we had A LOT of fun today. It was a short shift, but being friends with a Green Army Man has its benefits! As two Green Army Men were walking back to the toy box, two women oblivious to the two behind them got a bit of a fright when one walked up and grabbed her hand. They had a good laugh and played along before the Green Army Men left.

For the next three days I have spare shifts at the Magic Kingdom. 6am-3:30pm Sunday and Tuesday, 6am-4:15pm on Monday, but that’s because I get to meet Buzz Lightyear and I’ll see if he wants to be friends with me also. But we’ll find that out on Monday.

Celebrating My Birthday With Characters From Alice In Wonderland

Anyway, hopefully I’ve caught everyone up with everything. These days fly by, I’m not kidding! I have far too much fun with my friends, I think that’s why time flies. For my 6am starts I have to get up at 4:15am…definitely not looking forward to it. Hopefully I won’ be sitting around all day.

Until next time!~