One Month to Go!

It's December 28, meaning there is exactly ONE MONTH until I begin my next DCP! I'm so ready to get back. Becoming a Fairy Godmother in Training has been something that I've been dreaming about for a few years now, and now that it's actually happening, I couldn't be happier. I've got so much to do before I leave!!

• buy a car
• finish packing
• clean out my room
• finalize my online classes
• renew my passport

and probably a few more things I'm forgetting. Hello crazy and stressful next few weeks!!

- Andrea

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all have had a great Holiday Season! I love everything about this time of year, however this year has been a little different. I miss my home away from home like crazy and I've been itching to get back as soon as I found out I am. So this season, all I could think about was having Christmas come and go so that my move back to Disney would be that much closer. I cherished this year because I'm hoping that next year I'll be spending Christmas in Orlando as a performer. But if not, my time will come!

Now that Christmas has come and gone, the countdown (and the crack down on buying a car and picking a date to move) begins. I've hardly started packing. Okay well that's not the right word. I haven't touched my clothes (basically the whole thing) yet. I start my next program on January 28, but the other day, I changed my availability at Splash Mountain to January 20-26 so I have to be in Orlando by the 19th. I although hope to be there by the 15th, so we'll see!

Time to start making plans and get packing!! I'll leave you with my favorite gifts from this Christmas!

- Andrea

Packing My Life Away

...literally! I am in the process of doing a total clean out of my room (because this time, I'll be staying in Orlando!). Many people have asked me for my giant packing list, so here it is. I've listed what is provided in the apartments, how much of each things you should pack, and what I suggest you should buy once you get there. Oh and this is a list for a female so guys, if you see something that doesn't apply to you just ignore it. You get the point ;)

What is provided in the apartments

• twin bed (NOT XL)
• dresser
• night stand
• cork board
• lockers (must provide lock if desire to use)
• shower liner 
• dining room table w/ chairs
• kitchen appliances (stove/oven, fridge, dishwasher, microwave)
• some cookware (varies in all apartments)
• dinnerware and silverware
• couch
• sofa chair
• 2 end tables
• coffee table

My list: 

clothing/shoes (for shoes, I suggest AT MOST 2 of each kind. I brought like 10 pairs of heels... I wore maybe 3 of them, one time each. Seriously. Don't go crazy)

• shorts
• shirts 
• tanks
• cami's (for under costume)
• junk tshirts (10)
• running shorts (5)
• bras (5-8)
• undies (30)
• socks
• bathing suit (up to you. I had 3)
• jeans (3 pairs)
• hoodies: pull over (1-2)
• hoodies: zip up (1-2)
• yoga pants (I have like 6 pairs. and I wear them all. you can ignore this one!)
• long sleeved shirts (3)
• sweaters (it DOES get cold! 2-3)
• pjs (4-6)
• sport bras (5)
• sneakers
• flip flops
• sandals 
• heels
• flats
• work shoes (I suggest you don't buy them until you get there. However I know where I'll be working and I wanted to buy my shoes ahead of time)
• toms
• rain boots (if you have them BRING THEM!)
• riding boots
• short uggs (don't judge me)
• rain coat
• Columbia fleece jacket
• jean jacket
• scarves (1 for cold weather and other decorative ones)
• hat/gloves (trust me. you'll need them!)
• belt

Bathroom/Bedroom

• bedding (you can wait to buy this HOWEVER be aware that if you have a later arrival date, chances are most stores will be out of stock. so if you can buy this at home and bring it down, I suggest doing that!)
• towels
• washcloths
• makeup
• hair brush
• hair ties/headbands/bobby pins (I buy these when I get there but you may want to pack them)
• hair dryer
• straightener
• curling iron
• hanging closet organizer (for clothes and shoes)
• hangers (if you're driving I STRONGLY suggest bringing them. the stores around the area sell out of these fast)
• picture frames and pictures to hang on cork board

Kitchen

• tupperware
• toaster (buy there)
• coffee pot/tea kettle (buy there)
• dish towels
• chip clips
• special mugs you may have
• knives/cutlery set

** The apartment provides cookware however all apartments don't have the same. for example, we didn't have a colander so we had to go buy one. Wait until you get into your apartment and take an inventory of what you do not have or need and go to the Dollar Store and buy their kitchen supplies.

Living Area

• tv
• movies
• game device
• cable cord (YOU WILL NEED THIS!)
• router 
• board games
• blankets
• pillows (if you'd like)

Other things

• umbrella
• laptop
• phone
• chargers
• camera 
• broom/vacuum

WHAT TO BUY THERE:

• bath mat
• shower curtain
• shampoo/body wash/conditioner 
• pillows
• coffee pot/tea kettle
• mattress pad
• toilet paper
• paper towels
• cleaning supplies

Last little tip: pack a small bag of cleaning supplies (a roll of paper towels, Clorox wipes, surface cleaner...) so that once you move into your apartment, you can clean everything before you settle in. The cleaning staff cleans the apartment before you move in, but I really don't trust that! Just a suggestion! :)

- Andrea

Acronyms

I can promise you that I will not be posting twice in one day (I won't have time. I'll be having way too much fun) other than tonight. This is really important and something that you need to know. Disney uses a lot of acronyms. Both Cast Members and guests use them because it's easier, especially when you're writing. Here is a list of acronyms that I will most likely be using so that you can understand what I am saying!

BBB - Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
MK - Magic Kingdom
DTD - Downtown Disney
FGiT - Fairy Godmother in Training (my title)
Pixie Dust - glitter used in the Boutique ("magic pixie dust" in Peter Pan if you're stumped)
DAK - Disney's Animal Kingdom
DCP - Disney College Program
CP - College Program (or the term used for intern. plural being "cp's")
DHS/Studios - Disney's Hollywood Studios
DVC - Disney Vacation Club
DCL - Disney Cruise Line
EMH - Extra Magic Hours (park hours only allowed for guests staying in a Disney Resort)
FOLK - Festival of the Lion King
QSFB - Quick Service Food and Beverage (cafeteria style food in a park or hotel)
FSFB - Full Service Food and Beverage (a sit down restaurant)
WOD - World of Disney (the location of the Downtown Disney Boutique)
WDW - Walt Disney World
Y&B - Yacht and Beach Club Resort

These are the most common that I'd use (if I do!) but if I ever use one in a blog post, I'll be sure to define it before using it! Alright. I promise I'm done blogging tonight. My next post will probably be about packing so all of my family and non DCP friends can ignore it. But until then, goodnight!

- Andrea

I Believe Introductions Are In Order

Hello everyone! I've created this blog for my family and friends back home so that they can keep tabs on me on my second program (I got yelled at for not calling home enough and talking to my family). I've always been a fan of writing more so than talking and so this is the perfect solution. Of course my family knows me and therefore no introductions are needed, however I'm sure that there are others who will come across this blog looking for Disney College Program information and I'm here to help! So this is for you!

I'm 20 years old and I'm currently a nomad when it comes to college and what year I am. I've changed my path quite a lot (4 colleges and 3 majors to be correct) but that's who I am. I'm a girl who won't settle for anything but true happiness,which has led me to my crazy life after high school. The good new is that I've finally found the perfect major for me (which is psychology) and found my dream school (University of Central Florida) and I couldn't be happier. I'll be transferring there in the fall after my DCP.

In all of my craziness trying to pick a major and a school, I decided to take a break and do the Disney College Program (Spring Advantage 2012). Disney has always been an escape for me and it has been something that I've loved ever since I was youn. Everything about the movies and the parks makes me me. I found out about the program my senior year of high school and ever since then, I was itching to do it. On my first program, I was an attractions hostess at Splash Mountain. I made a lot of great friends and made really great connections with the leaders and management there, although I learned that working in attractions was not for me.

At this time in my life, I know what I want and where my life is headed (praise Jesus and can I say it's about time?!) however it won't start until the fall 2013 semester. ** SIDE NOTE: My one true passion is performing. It will always be (and always has been) my dream to be a character performer, or more specifically a dancer (or in Disney terms- a mover) for the Walt Disney World Company. You may (or may not) hear about my many auditions that I have and will be attending while living in Orlando. So be prepared to hear all about that as well. ** My friend, and audition buddy, suggested that instead of being miserable at home, I should take this opportunity to audition once again to be a character performer on the Disney College Program. I decided that this was a great idea (living at home after living in the Happiest Place on Earth was not my idea of fun) and I reapplied. Well... While I was applying, I saw the option to become a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Hostess. This is also another job that I've had my eye on for a few years now. I couldn't help myself, and I checked off this option.

SURPRISE! I was chosen to be a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Hostess ...and not a character performer. I can't express how excited I am to be given this opportunity. I wake up some mornings and feel like I'm still dreaming. This is something that I've been wishing for, for like I said a few years now. I will never give up on my fight to be finally given a position as a character performer, but until then, I will gladly spend my days as a "Fairy Godmother in Training", which I officially become on January 28, 2013!

I think that's about it? I'm sure I'll have more to add as time goes by but until then, I'll be slowly dying from excitedness and anxiousness!

- Andrea