A bit of Disney Magic …

Just wanted to drop a quick blog post to say that yesterday I had a really good day and realised why I love this job!!!!!!!

I was in the chippie and met a family from Bristol, we were chatting away for a bit and then they went and carried on with their day. Later on in the evening I was seating guests in the Rose and Crown and I sat the same family that I was speaking to in the chippie earlier from Bristol, we got chatting a bit more about my year and things and then I left them to eat their meal. I ended up having my shift extended yesterday so instead of finishing at 8:30pm, I finished at 9pm. At around 8:45pm I went back to the podium after clearing some tables and the little girl from the family from Bristol was sat behind the podium as good as gold, apparently she was cold inside and came out to warm up. I sat down with her and had a chat, she was so sweet, she was telling me about her trip to the bibbidi bobbidi boutique (you get transformed into a princess), we were chatting for about 15 minutes, she was even asking me about what I wanted to do when I got home from Disney, she was only about 9 years old…really nice young girl! After a while her family came out and thanked me and wished me all the best for my year. It just shows that the really little things can really make your day and realise that what you’re doing is really worthwhile…cheese on toast I know, but that little girl really made my day :D

Gobble Gobble Gobble!!

Just had my 2 days off, as usual, they have flown by!!! On Thursday we went to Florida Mall, I did some serious retail therapy, I bought an ipod touch :D . Thursday evening we went to a late showing of "The Switch" at the cinema which was good.

Yesterday Gemma, Caoimhe, Vicky and I all went to Hollywood Studios. There was this rumour floating around that if you go up to the turkey leg stand in Hollywood Studios and you dance around like a turkey and go "gobble, gobble, gobble" then you get a free turkey leg. Vicky and I decided to give it a go and its true, I have put the picture up of me tucking into my free turkey leg!!

Yesterday evening we went out for a meal for my birthday (we managed to get a group picture), we went to the Olive Garden which is an Italian restaurant at the cross roads. The portion sizes are so big that they let you share main courses, they are also so cheap, that there is no point in sharing... As it was my birthday they got me a cake :D . There was a new arrival group the other week, so we went to their throw in / meet and greet and then stayed for a few drinks after which was fun. I then came home and rang Mum super early in the morning UK time to wish her "HAPPY BIRTHDAY", I also managed to say Happy Birthday in Italian as Clarissa was still up to translate for me.

Off to work today and tomorrow, I'm starting to learn the info for my pre-service test, so probs going to get stuck into that this week so that I can take my test a week on Monday and then start my spiel...I want to get into service asap!!!

Off to work at 2:30pm, so really should start getting ready as I'm still in my pj's.

x x x

Finally, some home cooking :D

Hi all,

Nearly time for 2 days off, yay!! I'm really tired at the minute actually, even though I had 2 days off not long ago, that was spent with Chloe and Ros, and we had loads of really early starts to get the most out of the parks, so I'm hanging. Thursday and Friday off though which is really good, we think we are going to Florida Mall tomorrow and then a water park on Friday.

Last night the girls and I all went to Down Town Disney for food. We went to a restaurant called Raglan Road, it's an Irish restaurant where there are Irish dancers and singers while you eat, it's such a good atmosphere. I had Colcannon soup to start and then 'bangers and booze', which was guinness sausages and mash with beef stew on top, was so good to have something other than burgers and fries.

Work is going well, I was on a 10 hour chippie till shift on Monday and was only 2 cents up at the end of the day which is good. I did have a staggered till shift though, so I wasn't on tills for the whole of the day which is good, I was only on from about 2pm until 9pm. I'm going to start revising for my service test on my days off, fun times!!!!!!

x x x

Chloe and Ros's visit

Hi all,

Had a really nice couple of days with Chloe and Ros. I managed to get out of work early on Thursday, I met up with the girls and we went to the Ale House on I.Drive for a couple of drinks which was nice. Friday morning was a really early start, we went to Magic Kingdom first thing, we were there from 9am - 10pm, we got everything done including 2 parades and we also saw 'Wishes', the firework display at MK...I lovvvve wishes! Yesterday was another early start, we went to Hollywood Studios to do the big main rides and then we went on to Epcot. Epcot was nice and chilled, we did a few rides in future world and then went on to the world showcase, where we got some food (funnily enough we ended up getting fish and chips), we also went and got a funnel cake. I had never had one, and they came highly recommended by my friend Gemma, it was fantastic, it's basically pancake batter drizzles in oil with chocolate sauce and sugar on MMMMMMMMM! We had one each, but could have quite happily shared one between all 3 of us. We then stayed in Epcot to see 'Illuminations', which is the firework display in Epcot, really enjoyed seeing that whilst I wasn't working, it had been raining ALL day, so a lot of people had given up and gone home, so it wasn't as busy and didn't have to battle for a space to watch the fireworks. I then walked the girls out of the gate and made my way home, it was a really quick 2 days off, but I really enjoyed myself :D .

They have gone to Islands of Adventure today in Universal to see Harry Potter land. They are then off to Portland tomorrow to go on a tour of where Twighlight was filmed.

I'm working now until Thursday and then 2 days off :D . I think I need to chill those 2 days, I'm realllly tired, as these 2 days have been non - stop!

TTFN x

Another day of Disney magic!

Today was busy at work, I was on chippie close which is always a shift that goes quickly, the only problem is that you never get out on time, today I was supposed to finish at 9:30pm and I actually got out at 10:15pm. A guest actually asked me yesterday how I managed to work in the chippie and look so good (aka not sweating loads), I told him that it was Disney magic :D .... which it is, in the form of air conditioning!!

I'm working extra magic hours tomorrow, finishing at 10pm. Extra magic hours is when the park stays open until midnight and hotel and resort guests can go on the rides and stuff, it's good because it's quieter and cooler. I am hoping possibly to get an ER (early release) to get over and see Chloe and Ros as they arrive tomorrow, but it all depends on whether there is enough cover to close.

I went to Wal Mart tonight with Morgan (also works in the UK), it seemed like I bought the whole shop, was a struggle carrying it all back. This is when it is a problem living in block 28, it is the end of the earth and take 15 mins walking back from the bus.

I can't believe how quickly the last month has gone, I am really surprised how soon it is until my birthday. I am hoping to swap the day so that I can have the actual day of my birthday off. Hilde also has Mondays off so we can do something together, we haven't had a day off together in ages......with the new schedule bid my regular days off are Thursday and Friday, whereas Hilde's are Monday and Tues. It is pretty easy to switch shifts around though when you want to do things together some weeks. My schedule is also getting better with earlier finishes as there are several new arrival groups coming, so they are now getting all of the late shifts. I like earlier shifts, you can actually do something with your evenings!!!!

Right I am off to bed as it's 2:30am. Night world!! x x x

Debbie and I in our gorgy bonnets!!

Here is a pic that Hilde took when she came to the chippie one night on her day off....as you can see both me and Debbie look lovely in our bonnets!!

Hilde's Blog

Hi all,

Here is a link to my roomie Hilde's blog, check it out!!! It is in Norwegian, but I know if you use Google Chrome you can translate the page pretty easily.

http://disneyhilde.wordpress.com/

x x

Hi all,

Nothing new to report really... I start at 4pm today, so this morning I got up early as I needed to go to the post office. I also popped in to Hooters as I really wanted a Hooters Orlando top :P ... tacky I know ha!!! It's ridiculous, you can actually see Hooters from my window, but it takes 45 mins to get there on the bus because there is no straight forward way of getting there.

I am working pretty solidly this week, quite a few late shifts which is annoying as you can't really do anything with your evening when you have a late. Very excited for Chloe's arrival on Thursday, wup!!!!!

I went for a late night trip to IHOP (international house of pancakes) with Vicky and Gemma last night, I had steak and potatoes there and it wasn't great, we all came to the conclusion that IHOP are only good at pancakes!!

The picture uploaded is when Vicky, Hilde, Louise and I all went to EPCOT for the day!

TTFN x x

Very rainy day off!

Hi all,

Day off today, wuhoo...accept it's raining! I haven't done a lot today, we went to a party with the Italians yesterday so my head is a bit sore today....Cathryn and I went to get a massive burger and starbucks this morning, then we went to the pool for a bit until it started raining. I then came home and broke the washing machine by putting too much stuff in it and now I have kind of flooded our laundry room....my house mates are going to LOVE me :D . I was supposed to be going to a park later on with one of the gals, but I think we'll probs see what's happening with the weather.

Work was good last night, I was greeting during fireworks which can sometimes mean that you get some stick from guests if they have been waiting a while, I have to say though, everyone yesterday was lovely, I even got chatting a family from Bristol last night too. I got handed a tip from a guy last night too, I didn't count it so not sure how much it was but I had to hand it straight to a manager as we aren't allowed to keep tips!

I'm working 7 days straight after today, it's because I swapped 2 of my days off to have next Friday and Saturday off as Chloe and her friend is coming to Florida, so I can take them to Disney and spend some time with them for a couple of days. Chloe will be the first person to get free entry with my main gate pass :D

TTFN x

Day off today!

Hi all,

I have a day off today, wup! I have just made a massive spaghetti sauce to freeze, I'm trying to be organised, because I am eating out way way way too much! I seem to eat nothing during the day, but scoff at night....it's because you work until really late and get home and your starving. I am also going to this place called Panera bread (proper crusty bread and soup) for lunch, then a pedicure (believe me, you need it here) and then we are going to cast connections, it's a place by Disney university where you can get cheap Disney merch.

I have had a good week at work this week, I have chatted to some really nice guests, however yesterday one couple did rub it in that they were going back to England the next day and would have a roast dinner waiting for them. I have to say, I am missing English food: gravy, cadburys, PG tips (accept Mum has got me sorted with PG tips), cheese, baked beans and bread that doesn't taste sweet!!! I did get a gravy fix at work the other day though, we paid $5 for charity and got some rose and crown food, I had sausages, yorkshires, gravy, roast beef and cheesy mash..AMAZING!

I am asking my manager for my pre service pack tomorrow. In order to go into service and to get into a tipped position you need to go through several stages. You need to pass your pre service test with 80% or higher, this is to show that you know your menu, wines, beers and spirits. Then you go into food running where you take the food out to the tables. Then you have to learn your spiel (how to sell the food) and then spiel to your manager and I think the final stage in the process is that you have to serve a table of senior servers and a table of managers. I wanted to get learning my menu asap, I may not take my test for a while, but it's worth getting it done so I can start getting my tips :D :D .

x x x

Magic Kingdom with Vicky : PHOTOS :D

Here are some photos of mine and Vicky's trip to MK. The picture from the ride is Splash Mountain :D x x

Back to work!!

Hi everyone!!

I've had my 2 days off, so back to work at 3:30 today, fun fun!!! Yesterday I went out for a full English breakfast at a British pub on I.Drive, I had BACK bacon, sausage, HEINZ beans, tomatoes, hash brown and coffee (but the coffee was the rubbish American stuff). We then went shopping, I was fairly restrained considering how much I normally spend!

Yesterday night, Vicky and I went to Magic Kingdom just to do some rides and things, was nice to get out in the evening for a couple of hours. We managed to blag a fast pass for Space Mountain as it was a 70 minute queue, we also did splash mountain ( :D :D :D my personal fave), big thunder, haunted mansion and philhar magic...we stayed until closing, was fun!

I'm really sorry I missed Kathy and Ste's wedding yesterday, I have seen one photo from the Wolstenholme's, and they both look fabulous!

TTFN!

K x x x

Photos

PLANET HOLLYWOOD

Life as a CRP in the UK pavilion in Epcot

Hi all!

Well it's been a while since I have properly updated, so I just wanted to let you know what I have been up to this week, as I finally have a day off today. When I have an early finish we tend to go out and do something in the evening, and if I have a late start I just tend to have a much needed lie in, it seems I can sleep all day when I am here - so I am really sorry it has been a while since I have properly updated.

Last week I had a couple of days off, Hilde, Vicky and Louise went to EPCOT for the day, we hadn't been properly other than our discovery day since we have started, so we went and had a wonder around the world showcase and did a couple of rides. The world showcase is where I am working in EPCOT, it is where each of the countries pavilions are. This was good, it seems that cast members who are working can spot fellow cast members that are visiting a mile off, a couple of times we were asked if we were cast members without even showing any ID or speaking to them!! After EPCOT we then went to Magic Kingdom to watch the electrical parade and then the fireworks, unfortunately due to a storm the parade was cancelled, but the fireworks were excellent. Magic Kingdom have a new firework display for summer, it's called summer nightastic, was FAB. The whole fireworks were based around the castle, and you would hear voices of different characters and then there would be fireworks based on the film. For example, Captain Hook's voice was heard and then there were loads of fireworks in the shape of skulls and cross bones and canons, it was fantastic.

On my other day off last week we went to Planet Hollywood for dinner, the service and the food was appalling. The good thing is, as Disney cast members we get VIP queue jump, so we didn't have to wait in the 1hr queue for a table!

The week at work has been good. I have managed to take my 'earning my ears' badge off, I am now officially trained, wuhooo!! Accept this does mean that I can't use the "Oh I'm sorry I don't know because I'm still training" line!! I am enjoying the job, I really enjoy interacting with the guests and playing hop scotch with them, it's great when you get the parents doing it. I have been able to start seating and greeting this week which was nice, it's good to move around, and there is more interaction with guests...however, time does drag, as you tend to get very busy (which is good) periods, but also you get very quiet (baaadddd) periods at the restaurant, which can be hard when you have to stand out in the heat for long periods of time. There has been a couple of good storms this week at work. I really enjoy it when it rains, apart from the fact that it cools you down, it's something different to deal with. We are all outside when we are seating and greeting, so everything moves inside. The only problem is that our costume gets absolutely soaked, and the material doesn't dry off very quickly!

We went to this amazing T-REX restaurant the other day, it's in Down Town Disney, the whole place has a dinosaur theme, and there are loads of dinosaurs around your table that move and stuff, it's great!

I have today and tomorrow as a day off, today I am taking a ride on the i-ride, which is a bus that goes up and down international drive, we are just going on a bit of an explore and then getting some food. Tomorrow I am going to a British pub called 'Best of British' for a full English with Louise (she is from Bristol, and is also my 'Mum' here), we are then going to Prime Outlets and possibly cast connections, where you can get loads of discounted merchandise.

That's all for now, I'll post some photos too! x x x

SUUUUUUUPER quick update

Hi all,

Just wanted to update you, I have been working loads recently, and am off out for dinner in down town Disney in a bit!

Work is going good, I have been working on the podium of the Rose and Crown this week, seating and greeting....there is a lot more guest interaction which is good, it's a bit boring during down time though, so I tend to just wonder round chatting to kids and giving them stickers!!!!!

We had our first tropical storm yesterday which was fun as I was working, I did get quite wet! It's difficult when it rains as 2/3rds of the restaurant is outside, but in the rain everyone wants to sit outside under the cover because they are too cold and wet to sit inside. However in the sun, everyone wants to sit inside....it's really hard to please everyone!!!

Anyway I will do a full post soon, but just wanted to do a quick update.

P.S. I'm getting a cold ... BOOOOOOOOOOOO x x x