Welcome To My New Life!

Hey everyone! It's been a while since I've written (well okay only like a week or so but you know!) but so much has happened and I haven't had much time to fill you all in!

I moved into my new apartment on Monday (Jan. 28) with my wonderful roommates. Even though we got in line at 4am there were in the middle of the group of people checking in. We unfortunately did not get the apartment that we had originally wanted but we got the next best option. We are living in Chatham Square (which is where I was last year) in a 2 bedroom apartment. I was worried about living here because it's basically a gamble. Some apartments are super nice while others are pretty disgusting. My apartment last year was one of the not so nice apartments which totally turned me off to living here again, however despite my usual bad luck, our apartment this year is wonderful! There are no gross carpet stains, all of our appliances are clean and work well, and it's pretty big! The location isn't the greatest but I keep reminding myself that it could have been a lot worse. I'll post pictures of my apartment as soon as I finish unpacking everything! (get going, I know right?)

My roommates have to be some of the best girls here. We all met on Facebook and figured that we would work well together and so we decided to live together. This couldn't be more true in person as well. Since we moved in, we haven't stopped laughing. We are all so laid back and we agree on (so far) everything. Our second night here, we had a "cookie party" and invited anyone to come over. We had about 15 people show up which was great! We made some new friends and had a blast! Kaylee is from Missouri and she is an Education major. She is working at Hollywood Studios at the Main Entrance. Skylar is also originally from Missouri but now lives in Salt Lake City. She is also an Education major and she too is at Hollywood Studios but is attractions (not yet sure where!). Both of those girls are dancers so we've talked about picking up some dance classes while we're here! Taylor is sharing a room with me! She is from Indiana and is working at Magic Kingdom in ODF (outdoor foods). I'll post pictures soon!

The past week I've been fortunate enough to get involved with CRU here at Walt Disney World. I have met some wonderful people and friends through CRU. I've already gotten so close with a few of them and I can't wait to see where my life goes here!! Tonight is a party for all of the new CP's! It starts in about a half an hour so I need to go get ready! AND my very first day of training as a FGiT starts tomorrow!! I can't wait to tell you ALL about it!

- Andrea

Splash Support

I went back to work yesterday at my old location. In attractions, in order to keep your training, you must work one shift every 6 months. My 6 months was up February 1 and so I needed to work asap. I was welcomed back with an eleven and a half hour shift (HELLO!) and open arms from my fellow cast members and managers. It was so wonderful seeing everyone. The best feeling was probably hearing from so many people how happy they were to have me back. The hugs were overflowing and it was just such a great day.

I however did not work AT Splash. Splash is being refurbished until March 20 and so I got to stand outside and pin trade with guests and answer questions. It sounds boring but it was probably one of the best Splash shifts I've ever had. I actually got to talk to people. Working in such a popular attraction, I never got the opportunity to hold conversations with guests. It was always "hey guys enjoy your day" or "the bathrooms are straight back on the right". Yesterday I actually got to talk to people and hear about their trip and lives.

I met a family with 5 girls. FIVE! The oldest was 7 and youngest was 3 months old. I actually saw them a few times during the day and I got to know all of their names and their hometown and I remembered each of them when I saw them again and they remembered me. At the end of my night I then met a family with FIVE BOYS!!! The oldest was 9 and youngest was 1. How crazy is that?!? I met two young girls who would not leave my side. They were interested in my job and if I knew the princesses and if I lived in Disney World. I ended up giving them 2 pins they were fascinated by because they had left their lanyards at their hotel and they insisted they would find me the next day to give me one of theirs. It was so sweet. My favorite guest of the day had to have been a family from Atlanta. It was a family of 4 with two grandparents. They started to talk to me about how sad they were that Splash was down, then all of the sudden the Grandfather says, "BUFFALO?!? (what my name tag says) We're from Clarence!!!" His and his wife's face just lit up. He said he's never met another Buffalonian here before and it was very exciting to him (I don't blame him. I get excited when I meet someone even remotely close to home!). They asked why I was there and I gave them a quick run down on my life and they were so attentive and curious. They thought it was great that I am chasing after my dreams and wished me all the best of luck. I promised them to send warm weather back home and they hugged me goodbye. It was just the sweetest thing.

So it was a great day. I never got to experience anything like that. It was so so wonderful.

I've been lucky enough to stay with a few friends these past few days before I move into my apartment on Monday. Until then I'll be hitting up the parks and meeting new friends!! (I've already met a few!!) I don't start training at the Boutique until February 1 so I'll have a nice long week to do some homework for my online class and enjoy my Florida life!!

- Andrea

Orlando!

We made it! My mom and I left at about 7:30 Sunday morning. We made it to Charlotte, North Carolina and decided to stop for the night around 7:30. It was the easiest drive of my life. I joke around that I'm just like a baby; put me in a car and I'll pass out. However, I didn't sleep one minute of the entire 19 hour trip! There was no traffic. None. At all. It was incredible! The weather was also amazing. There was a bit of wind when we first left Buffalo but it was pretty much finished by the time we got closer to Pittsburgh. It also started to snow pretty hard in Erie but that too ended quickly for us (unfortunately that wasn't the case for everyone back home). Other than that, our drive was easy and very safe!

We then drove on Monday to my grandparents house in Satsuma, Florida. They drove some of my things down for me and I accidentally left my work shoes with them, which I need for my shift on Friday. Oops! Luckily their house was along the way. That night we had dinner with my Great Aunt (who also lives in the area) and my cousin who was in town. It turned out to be a good accident!!

We left their house yesterday and only had a 2 hour drive to Orlando, where we finally saw traffic. Let me tell you, I DID NOT miss this traffic. If you thought traffic on Transit was bad, you have no idea. The traffic here is brutal. Although I'll take it any day over the cold back home! I'm watching the Today Show currently and can't believe how cold it is!!! I got out just in time. Stay warm everyone!

I said goodbye to my mom this morning. She's always the hardest goodbye. We always seem to get really close right before I leave. We had a lot of fun (well if a 19 hour drive is considered fun...) on our drive down and both agreed that it wasn't as bad as we thought it would be. It was quite easy and seemed to go by fast! Yesterday we went to the Outlets and I got a belated Christmas present (a raincoat. I'll definitely use that here!) and my mom spoiled herself and bought a really nice pair of Uggs. I guess it was her motivation to get on a plane to go back home to the freezing cold? Hey I would have done the same thing.

I'm going to miss my family. It was nice to be able to see them everyday for a while, but I'm excited about what's to come! I'm "moving in" to my friend's apartment today. She was generous enough to let me stay with her for a few days before I move into my apartment on Monday. Today I also have to go get my new Disney ID so I can go to work on Friday! I'm hoping to meet a few new friends at the parks after!! And tonight I'm going to a get together with a bunch of people I've met online. I'm really excited to start meeting everyone!!

Everyone back home: STAY WARM!! I won't tell you how warm it is here but to make you feel better, it's chilly! No shorts or tshirts here! Love and miss you all already!

- Andrea

TOOOOO-MARROW!

Hey, my first role onstage was Annie so I felt it was only necessary ;)

I leave tomorrow! I can't wait! I've been itching to get back ever since I knew I was going back. Seeing everyone's facebook posts and blog updates and pictures have been torture! Of course I've been excited for everyone but it has made me so anxious to get there! My mom and I are leaving bright and early tomorrow morning and we're hoping to go as far as Southern Virginia or hopefully just into North Carolina before stopping. I've got to go shopping later for some snacks for the ride. My car is pretty much packed and we'll be ready to head out!

I'm sad to leave everyone. I love my family but I am glad to be on my own again (sorry mom). I have loved seeing my parents everyday and being so close to my extended family. Tonight we're having my big crazy family over for dinner and to hang out and play games. I will definitely miss that. It'll be hard to say goodbyes. I'm not very good at them, especially because I cry at pretty much anything. I'll probably even cry saying goodbye to my cat (don't judge, she's my baby). But once I say goodbye, I'll be okay. It's like ripping off a band aid right?

A bit of a quick update. I have scoliosis. I was born with it, and lately my back has really been hurting me. I had X-rays taken yesterday and thankfully I am okay, but I need physical therapy, which will have to be done in Orlando. That took me aback but I'm thankful that I can go on with my life! Now I'm just hoping that the pain will go away soon!

I'm not sure if I'll be updating during the trip, but if not, I'll see you at Disney World!!!

- Andrea

Waiting

I had planned on leaving tomorrow. That is unfortunately not happening. I haven't been able to pick up a shift at Splash Mountain and I didn't want to go early and pay to stay there and not work. However because of a wonderful friend, I was given a shift on the 25th! As of right now, I'm not sure exactly when I'll be leaving. My mom is driving down with me and she is trying to work around her schedule. I'm hoping to leave on Saturday (the 19th) by we'll see what actually happens. Regardless, I'm extremely thankful that I'll be able to work and keep my training at Splash!! That will be such a help if I'm ever short on hours at the Boutique! Almost all of my new friends have checked in and are now officially on their program or are on their way to Orlando. Seeing all of their pictures and updates is making me incredibly anxious!! I'm so ready to be home again.

Oh! There's been another huge update in my life. On Friday I brought home my baby! Having a car is one of the best feelings in the world. I've never had a car of my own and I feel so independent. I can't wait to have it in Florida with me!

I hope I'll be able to give more updates by the middle of this week!

- Andrea (oh and here's some pictures of my new car "Pixie!")

One Step Closer!

Hi everyone! I have a bit of exciting news!

I finally decided on the car that will work best for me! I put a deposit down on the down payment and the dealer is now in the process of getting the car for me. I'm really excited about it! This is my first huge purchase and I'm nervous but really happy about it. This is a big step! I'm excited to have a car with me in Florida so I no longer have to depend on others for grocery runs or anything else. I finally have my independence!

In other news, I found out my location! As a current Cast Member, I have access to the HUB, which is Disney's online world to their employees. It tells you everything from your work schedule to discounts you're eligible  for; and everything in between. There is a section that allows you to look up anyone in the system (if you need your manager's phone number or things like that) and I was getting extremely frustrated because my status kept telling me I was still at my old location (which technically I am). I finally realized and accepted that my status wouldn't change until my transfer date, which is the day I check in.

Well the other day my friend (who is also a current CM) told me that she looked on her record card and her new location was listed! To answer the question I know you're asking, a record card is where your progress is tracked. It lists every time you have called out, been late, or no call no shows. It also lists every time you have been recognized by someone and given a GSF (Guest Service Fanatic Card - I'm sure I'll get into these more in my later posts) for excellent work. Long story short, when you're looking to transfer roles or change locations, your managers look at this to see if they want you to move up.

I looked on my record card and it told me Magic Kingdom. I currently work at the Magic Kingdom and so I didn't think anything of that. There are two locations for the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. One is at the Magic Kingdom in Cinderella's Castle, and the other is located in World of Disney at Downtown Disney. I originally wanted to work at the DTD location because I wanted to work in a new area; somewhere I'm not used to. Then I met and became really good friends with a girl who used to work in the Castle and she started getting me thinking about how much fun it could be to work there! So basically I didn't care where I worked. I started actually looking on my record card and low and behold, the Magic Kingdom wasn't connected to "Frontierland Attractions" but it said "MK Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Hostess". So I am working in Cinderella's Castle!

I'm so excited! I've heard wonderful things about the Castle. There are pros and cons to both locations. There are more full time ladies and less CP's working in the Castle but the managers (or so I've heard) are extremely nice there. There are a lot more people working in the MK location so I won't get as many hours as I could at DTD (MK is only open until 8pm vs. DTD 10pm). DTD is where most CP's go and so there are more kids my age there. The GOOD news is that I can always pick up shifts in both locations and I plan on being known both areas (I have to pay for a car now right??) I have also heard rumors that Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother sometimes make an appearance in the Boutique so I'm really excited for that!! Oh and I have to tell you a secret. I have also heard that past CP's have gotten a personal tour of the Cinderella Castle Suite! AHHHHH!

So much to be happy and thankful for this past week! And now to finish packing up and start saying my goodbyes! Leaving in a week and a couple of days!

- Andrea

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2013! I can not only say that I officially move back to Florida this year but also this month! I keep forgetting it's January! I'm hoping to leave by January 14th so if that is the case, I have 11 days left at home!

I've begun and have nearly finished packing. I've gotten a lot done I must say. I've gone through all of my clothes and thought long and hard about what I wore and what I didn't during my previous program and packed what I only found necessary. That being said, I've got a lot less that I'm taking this time around. Which is kind of strange because I now have plans to permanently stay in Orlando. But I'm happy with it!

If you're struggling with packing, put away your computer. Put away your phone (unless your iPhone is also your iPod...) and play some music to get you in a "packing mood". I've downloaded a ton of Disney Parks music onto mine and I play that when I pack (heck I play it all the time!) and it really helps me pack. Think of packing as cleaning out your room. Make sure it's clean and it looks like you're moving out! Maybe that's weird but it helps me!

On another note, I've been car searching. Can you spell stressful? There are so many decisions to be made and it's literally driving me nuts. Leasing vs. buying. New vs. used... it's just insane. I think I have finally made my decision and (if you're a Christian or believe in it) pray for me that I make the best decision possible. I really could use it!!

- Andrea