First half of Leadership Speakers' Series!

Part of my program here at Disneyland involves taking at least one class through Disney University. A handful of courses were offered to us, varying from actual collegiate courses with homework to a speakers' series. I chose to take the latter, the Leadership Speakers' Series. Each week, a leader from a different area of the resort comes into class to talk about what they do, how they got there, and take questions from the class.

It's been a fascinating experience altogether.We've heard from everyone from the manager of Resort Enhancement to Jon Storbeck, VP of Disneyland Park.We've heard some information I can't truly repeat in this blog as well,since it has to do with financial information about the resort.

But, some of the interesting things I've heard that I can say are:

• The most expensive attraction in Disneyland Resort to upkeep is "California Screamin'", a roller coaster in California Adventure
• Disneyland cost $17 million to build in 1955, or, in today's dollars, $84 million
• In comparison, "Tower of Terror" cost $100 million to build
• Resort Enhancement is a really fun department. They are not only in charge of decorations around the park, but props inside attractions (such as the apple in the Old Hag's hand on the "Snow White's Scary Adventures" ride, which guest frequently steal)
• The resort Horticulture Department does all their work from midnight to park opening. Much of the transformations of planters and such have to happen over night. The manager we spoke to was a really great lady - she got her start just because she was an avid gardener and applied for a job for the heck of it. She thought she was really under qualified, and still got the position. She said everything from the Mickey floral planter out front to the smallest of bushes on the Rivers of America are cared for and have specific requirements
• Industrial Engineering is a actually a really fun sounding profession. The two women who came in to talk to us even had us work through problems with them so we could understand exactly what they do - which is make sure attractions and their lines are moving efficiently, and that there are the proper amount of restaurants, bathrooms and other amenities.
• How much money it takes to do even the seemingly tiniest things, like a display in a window on Main Street, is astronomical.

I've got a few more classes left, including this week's speakers from the Special Events department. I'm particularly excited about this one, and will hopefully be able to get contact information from them and speak to them more outside of class. This is the department I really want to get into with Disney, so wish me luck! :)

"You look like Buzz Lightyear! ....but the girl!"

My first month of work has just flown by! Despite working nights throwing me off in terms of everything (eating, sleeping, doing homework) I've made it through!Just to update you all on everything that's been going on...

UNLV //  Keeping up with my online classes as been a challenge at some points. After working until 1245 am, my internal clock has no idea when I should be awake or asleep. Some days, it feels like I manage to get out of bed in time to shower, get dressed, and eat before it's time to go back to work! Still, I am really enjoying the classes I'm taking this semester, and one of them ends this week anyway :)

Star Command // Work is pretty fantastic. It has it's lower points ("Code V" has already happened more than enough for me....take one guess what that code is for), and I come across the occasional not-so-magical-guest, but I really love being at work! Buzz is an Omni-Mover attraction, which means its constantly moving. This means I get a pretty decent amount of exercise by walking on the belt (or my treadmill, as I like to call it ;)) at the unload and load stations, and the main console station.

My favorite position by far is greeter. This where I get to stand outside and direct people to the correct lines, but also interact with guests and pin trade. I also get to see the fireworks when I'm out at the right time, see Buzz and PUSH the talking trash can, and the Trashcan Trio, a "Stomp" like musical group that travels around Tomorrowland. This position is where I get to make the most magical moments for guests. Some are really pleased simply with my calling them Space Rangers as they come in, but I make sure to pick out some through out the day to do more for when I can.

I've had a few magical moments that kids have given me, too! These are the little faces I hold on too when I'm having a down day. One little girl was so excited to see me outside she started jumping up and down and said, "You look like Buzz Lightyear! ...but the girl!" Another little boy pointed at me and whispered to his Dad that I was a real Space Ranger and worked for Buzz. I also love when they ask if the talking Buzz inside the attraction is real - of course he is, and he's been waiting all day for you to get here and help him on his mission!

One of my favorites happened yesterday, around 1130 pm. I was very tired and sore, and generally just ready for the voice to appear and tell me, "Disneyland has ended its normal operating hours" so I could close the line. I still had my pin trading lanyard on, and a little boy around 8 and his dad came to see if they wanted to trade. He very politely asked to see my pins, and when he didn't see anything he liked, told me thank you. I wished them a good evening, and the little boy turned back and said, "You're beautiful, miss!" Which meant a lot to a tired girl with no makeup and braided hair in a Space Ranger outfit. :)

College Program // There has been plenty of fun outside of work too!


I've been able to....

// Ride Space Mountain with the lights on after closing! // 

                                

And it didn't ruin the magic for me at all. I really just appreciate the attraction all the more now! The size of the place and seeing how simple, but detailed and well done projections create the experience was amazing.

          

      // Play in the Park! //

I'm planning on using my Cast Member ID for as long as I possibly can and as much as I possibly can! I've also been able to check out Company D, a store for Cast Members only that sells Disney merchandise a lot cheaper and some cast exclusive stuff too!

// Tour the Animation Building! //

The Animation Building is in Disney California Adventure, and any guest can visit it. However, we got to go in before the park opened for a private tour of the whole building! The attention to detail and story inside there is really neat. We also got to see a demonstration at the Animation Academy and learn how to draw Goofy and Jack Skellington. We finished up by seeing Turtle Talk with Crush. It was a really fun way to spend a Wednesday morning!

So all in all, it's been a great first month! It's been super busy, and I can't believe this is only the beginning. My class for Disney starts next week, and Halloween Time at the resort kicked off a few days ago, so my schedule will stay packed for awhile! 

  Talk to you all soon!

My roomies...The long and the short!

"we have an update on your application..."

Some days I really think my phone has it out for me - I never get phone calls unless I don't have my phone, it's dead, I'm in the shower, etc. Luckily, the voicemail always seems to work :)

I missed a call from a California number earlier today, and had a message from Annette with the Disney College Program. She said that she had an update on my application, and to call back and leave a message letting her know when she could trying calling again. I called, left the message that I would be available anytime today, (code for OMGPLEASEPLEASEPLEASECALLNOW I'M GOING TO BE STARING AT MY PHONE UNTIL YOU DO) and proceeded to sit and stew for a good 20 minutes over what she needed to tell me. It's only been a week since I had my phone interview. Was she calling to tell me I'd been denied? That I messed up my application? Or....I'd been accepted? I didn't really think it could be the last one, since only a week had passed and Wendy, (so appropriate :)) my phone interviewer, had said it would be a 4-6 week wait time.

Thankfully, before I could explode, Anette called back! And she said the very thing I have been wanting to hear since I decided I wanted to do the college program in middle school:

"We'd like to offer you a role as an attractions hostess for our

Fall College Program in Disneyland!"

I really don't know what else she or I said during the phone call, haha :) She said she'd send me the email with instructions on how to accept soon, and then told me she was glad I was so excited.

So, it is now official! I'm so, so happy that I got my first choice for a role! Honestly, I would have taken anything just to be able to go, but it's a definite bonus to get the one I was really hoping for!

Now the adventure begins! I noticed quite a few people in the DCP do blogs, and it seemed like a fun idea :)

(the required purpler folder picture - this came 2 weeks later)

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible."
 

And now....the wait until August 18th, my check in day! And the billion and one things that need done before then :)