TOP 5 LIST // dream work locations

It's officially 24 days until my check-in for the Disney College Program!

One of the most exciting parts of this whole thing is that I still have no idea what my work location is. There are so many different possibilities in attractions! However, there are some I would definitely like to work at over others! I'll really be happy with the opportunity at any of the attractions, but I do have a "top 5 dream locations" list, and one runner-up. Those on my list were chosen for a variety of reasons - the costumes, the land the attraction is in, the ride itself, etc. Here's hoping the sheet I get at Traditions (the 8 hour orientation of sorts I go through on day 3 or 4 of my first week) has one of these on it!

Runner-up // Jungle Cruise

I think every attractions cast member aspires to be a Jungle Cruise skipper at some point. It's a classic ride, you get to crack bad jokes all day, It's the ultimate opportunity to be in a performance role outside of the entertainment department. You can truly become a part of the show. Still, I know becoming a Skipper is more of a process; you aren't just assigned to it as part of your rotation like other attractions. Hence, why it's only my runner up. Still, working the ride even without being a Skipper would be great!

 #5 // Splash Mountain

 I love the little costumes with suspenders, I got to see the backstage area when we were evacuated off the ride once, and how could you not be happy hanging around the Briar Patch and hearing "Zip-a-dee-do-dah" all day? I also particularly love this area of Disneyland at night, and would love hyping everyone up before they take off in their logs, and making jokes with them once they're back. Also, it's one of my favorite rides in general, and the Hungry Bear Restaurant is right around the corner - with some of my favorite cheeseburgers at any theme park!

#4 // Pirates of the Caribbean

On my very first trip to Disneyland, my parents lied to me and told me this ride doesn't have any drops so I would get on it. The Disneyland version has too short ones, and my mom likes to remind that I yelled all the way down them, "YOU LIED TO ME!" It's since become another favorite ride of mine, and I'd love dressing up every day in a pirate-y clothing. The only down fall? Being in the same building as the fantastic Blue Bayou restaurant, and having to smell the food I'm not enjoying all day :(

#3 // Haunted Mansion

Yet another ride that made me cry when I was little, I now thoroughly love every second. Also, these are some of my favorite costumes in the park.  This is one of the best themed and detailed rides in all of Disneyland (ever seen the Mansion at night? you can see The Bride gliding through the upper windows with a candle) and I love the fact that while there are Mansions in other Disney parks, every one of them is unique and has a different back story. This is another attraction I think would be easy to get into character on and have fun with the guests! I have heard some pretty interesting.scary stories of things that have happened to cast members working this ride, but it adds to my interest! Also, New Orleans Square is my favorite section in Disneyland.

#2 // Tower of Terror

Also taking a top spot on my list of favorite costumes, this is also the only ride on my list that is at California Adventure. I would definitely prefer to work in Disneyland, as it's "the park that Walt built", but the themeing and show on this ride is incredible (as are the awesome bell hop outfits!). The queue for this attraction is also pretty fun (though the full wrap around in Florida is even more so), and it's a unique take on a tower drop ride that Disney does better than anyone else.

     
      and the top spot goes to.....

 #1 // Indiana Jones

When I very first visited Disneyland, this ride was just breaking ground for construction. It wasn't quite done on the next trip, and finally, trip #3, we were able to ride. It's a great ride all around, I love the queue, and I love Adventureland. And my days would be even better knowing that I was getting up and putting on Indy's hat every morning! They also have some pretty awesome coats that you get to wear in winter,, Adventureland has plenty of shade and the Dole Whip stand is a few paces away. What more do I need than that? :)

Only about 27 more days until I find out if one of these rides will be my new home! Check back for a post on the rides I'm really hoping I don't get - though I'll be happy with anything, there are a few that are a bit farther down on my list :)

"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 :)