I spent my first day on the job being trained in typical things that the custodial crew does at Saratoga Springs. Because of the way that the bus runs, I had to get up at 4 a.m. to make it to work by 7 a.m., and it is too dark too read at that time in the morning. We had our morning meeting, which covered things like statistical comparisons and guest satisfaction surveys. There were also photos that showed what needed to be done better and the story of a soldier serving in Afghanistan who celebrated his 20th anniversary at the resort. I learned to use a picker – and kept thinking about that show “American Pickers” in the process. I also learned the routine for those areas with a pool. Each employee is designated an area, and that area is theirs. They take pride in the way that it looks. I’ve got about a week’s worth of training left including a very early day and a couple of late ones. I feel like I have the basics down, but pride does come before a fall. Driving a Pargo is a lot like driving one of the cars on Autopia in Disneyland. My sister would love it. |
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I guess I have been to Disneyland enough that I have a built in plan on how to get the most out of the park in a day. I like to take three or four days, but even with just two crowded days, I can get everything done that I want without feeling hurried or overwhelmed. That same sense translates to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot in Florida. However, I went to Disney Hollywood Studios and felt disoriented. I didn’t get everything done that I wanted to get done. Part of the issue is that Hollywood Studios has several live action shows that run at specific times. If you want to see the show, you have to be there 45 minutes ahead of time. The other part of the issue was that I only had six hours, but that wouldn’t have mattered because I couldn’t find a way to fit “Lights! Motors! Action!” and the Indiana Jones Stunt Show in because I arrived too late in the afternoon. I also missed out on the Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster. I could have waited the hour, but decided that I would rather go eat than wait in line. Toy Story Midway Mania had a 70 to 75 minute wait every time I passed it. Wowzer! “Lights! Motors! Action!” was tremendous. The stadium is huge, so it accommodates a lot of people. The show itself has an amazing array of car and motorcycle stunts. Even for a guy who doesn’t like cars, seeing this level of competence in any area is always breathtaking. In the end, it pays to do the research and have a plan. I probably could have gotten on Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster if I would have gotten a Fastpass when I got into the park. Every training day reveals another layer to my Disney story as the details of my job become clearer. I will not be working exclusively at Saratoga Springs like I thought. Instead, I will be splitting my time between Saratoga Springs and Old Key West.
Both properties are near each other. Old Key West was the first Disney Vacation property and is styled after the Florida Keys of the early 1900s. That was back when they had a rail system that connected all of the islands rather than a highway. I also will not be walking around for the most part. It looks like I will be driving a Pargo – think golf cart with the muscle to haul heavyish items. I am not sure where this leaves my whole no car day tally. If I am driving a Pargo for my job, I guess it still counts as a drain on natural resources. Training starts promptly at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, which means I have Monday and Tuesday off. I am going to try to get to Animal Kingdom on Tuesday. Monday I will need to exchange my shoes for a white pair, pick up some white socks and get my car’s oil changed. (I also picked up four hours’ worth of writing and have laundry that needs to be done.)
Where else does Mickey Mouse welcome you to the job in person, a tour of the Magic Kingdom is part of the training and when the training finishes, you can go meet Mary Poppins? I am now an official cast member for the Walt Disney Company. I even have an official name tag. To celebrate my status as cast member, I went to Epcot to have a meal at the German Pavilion. Here is what I love about Epcot – people who speak foreign languages as their mother tongue. It is great to hear all of the languages being spoken whether it is amongst cast members or guests. Even better for me is that I get to ride a bus to Epcot that carries cast members, so I get to hear those languages on my way to the park. The hostess and I fumbled through Germanglish until we agreed to speak just German. It was pretty comical on both sides. Everything went well from there. The food was great, and I got to sit at a table with Germans, Argentinians and another American. I spoke with the Argentinians who then asked if I knew Spanish. (A very little – Uno, dos, tres, el gato and de nada, which was enough for them to get a photo at the table.) The highlight in a day of highlights was meeting Mary Poppins. I was wandering through Epcot when I noticed people lined up next to a sign that said Mary Poppins would be arriving at 5 p.m. It was 4:58 p.m. I got in line, talked with Ms. Poppins and had a photo taken. Mary Poppins’ friend took two photos, so that was a great surprise when I got home. (I had a huge smile on my face from that interaction. It was Mary Poppins!) Waiting for the bus home, I met a guy from France. We spoke some French. Oh, and the girl who spoke German with me was on the same bus. I am getting to use my languages in a Disney atmosphere. I think I am going to try for one or two language pins after I meet my leader. Today, I received my housing and work assignments for my Walt Disney World College Program Internship. The morning started with me taking a one hour drive that should have only been twenty minutes. I printed my directions out backwards, so when I got to about half way, I turned around and came back. I even celebrated when I passed Victory Way only to find myself back at my hotel minutes later – everything looking familiar. I got some good advice from the woman working security at the All Star Music Resort gate, and I followed it, which surprised me. There was a point where I thought I knew how to get to the orientation place faster but decided against the maneuver. I made it before 9:30 a.m. Getting lost wasn’t a bad thing. The process went quickly as I proceeded from station to station with relatively small lines, though it did remind me of being in the parks. (I was told that participants were lined up around the building earlier.) The people were pleasant. I met a guy who majored in journalism and wants to be a TV personality. Another guy said that his father wanted to retire to Eagle River, AK – they had lived there for a year. We had to go to Casting to get our assignments. It felt kind of like being called on a mission, or at least what I imagine it might feel like. Someone got the Magic Kingdom, another person got Animal Kingdom, a third person got Epcot. I got… Saratoga Springs. There was a twinge of disappointment; really I want to sweep up at the Magic Kingdom. The cast members were all excited for me, and apparently, I will have a lot of freedom to go where I want on the resort grounds and to act as an information conduit for those staying at the resort. There was a lot of joking and good humor amongst cast members and CPs (College Program participants – so designated because Disney also has a professional internship program). The process took almost three hours. I am still waiting on my background check and a roommate. Tomorrow, we have a housing meeting. Wednesday is free, and Thursday, I start working. Thursday will also be the day that some of my cast member benefits will kick in. |
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