I'm back!

Okay -- I am resurrecting this blog. I am still a huge Disney fan, even though I don't work there anymore. I am a DVC member, with home resorts in both Animal Kingdom and Aulani.

After growing up in Florida, working at Disney, and several DVC trips -- I have found a new way to enjoy Disney. I have started running and I have registered for runDisney events.

The first event was the Tinkerbell Half Marathon on January 29, 2012 at Disneyland. The second event is the Princess Half Marathon on February 26, 2012 at Disney World.

I will have to catch you up on all of the details. However, it is late tonight. I will write more tomorrow and over the next week.

One thing that prompted me to start blogging again is because I am freaking out! I have been glued to facebook and the youtube videos of past Princess Half marathons. While I was somewhat more prepared for the Tinkerbell half marathon - I have NOT been training. I feel like I am going into the Princess COLD TURKEY! Yes - I am freaking out. Yes - I am not prepared. Yes - I am looking forward to this event. What a roller coaster of emotions and I haven't even finished the race yet.

I hope to keep you updated and even post pictures. Check back soon!

Sunday - February 3rd

Since I wanted a day off while Rocky was here, I switched a day with someone who works at the Hollywood Studios Learning Center. (Hollywood Studios used to be called Disney-MGM Studios). I went to work on Sunday - and it got off to a bad start. Disney is very strict about punctuality. Well - I went to the wrong entrance (I did not have authorization to use the area closest to the learning center.) SO.. I had to park on the opposite end of the "Studios" in the Television parking area. (that is what they call it -- not sure why....) Once I got through the Cast Services building, I was backstage. I called to verify directions, but I was told that I had to cross "on stage" through a secret passageway and then walk past guests, only to find a second secret passageway to go "backstage" again. (The Studios does not have the underground tunnels like the Kingdom does.) The directions were very confusing, so I decided to go the long way around all backstage, since I was late already.

Well, during my walk in 80+ degree heat, I realize that I am walking in the middle of a theme park attraction. A bus / tram sort of thing with about 80 guests and 4 cast members on board almost runs me over. It is apparently the Backlot Tour ride and I am standing in the middle of it, and lost. Before I know it - I think the bus (tram?) driver must have radio'ed my presence to ride coordinator - since someone rushes over to me and asks me if I am lost (like it wasn't obvious to begin with.) I am quickly escorted off on the right path before the next bus (tram?) comes along.

The Studios learning center is much larger than Port Orleans. The cast members are different too. ButI don't think it was any busier than Port. I worked with Ashley who was very nice and helpful. The best part of the day was when Joe met me for lunch! It was so great to see him again. (We were roommates for a short while at Florida State University.) He is a manager in Creative Costuming. He and his team make the more formal attire that you would see around the park in parades or special events. The dress outside his office is for a singing group called "Voices of Liberty." (I still don't know the parks well enough to know when or where I would see this group - but my guess would be Magic Kingdom, outside the Hall of Presidents.) Joe just got back from a recruiting trip at Parsons in New York City. He has great stories. I am so glad to see him happy. While he was showing me around the workroom, the bus (tram?) drove by the windows on the far side of the room, with another 80 - 100 guests looking in with curious eyes. The Backlot Tour is following me.

Closing at the Studios was a bit odd. Ashley left at 3:30, and I was there until 7:00. However, I can't say that I was alone. A lonely college program kid who was having a rough time kind of hung around. She also got lost and I told her my story from earlier that day. She thought we would walk back out together, so we could be "lost" together. (For as long as I can remember, I have had numerous experiences of people who cling to me for some reason. I am not talking about my friends who I know well - it is more like random people who hang around me for no apparent reason. Maybe they are just lonely and I fill some void in their life, but at times I feel like they are trying to suck some lifeforce out of me. In this case, I figure this was a homesick girl who had problems with her new job on the college program, and just found out that she missed the window to pick up her paycheck. It was not really a hassle for her to hang around - just a little odd. ) Since the theme park was closed, I felt comftable to walk through the park this time without the hassle of guests. It was weird to walk through the park in the dark of night and no lights - winding through secret passageways, hallways, and stairs. We started out by following couple of people, but I did have to ask for directions about halfway through. When we finally made it to the parking lot - we saw the last (?) college program bus pull away. So I ended up giving the lonely girl a ride back to the college program apartments. It was on my way home. Normally, I would not give rides to strangers, but I could easily take this girl out, if I had to. I had the urge to tell her not to trust others the way she did with me -- but she was from New York -- shouldn't she know this already? She was a little wimpy, so I wonder if she has any street cred.

In the end, I am not sure if I would work at the Studios again. Seeing Joe was GREAT - but everything else was a little different. I guess I just feel at home in my little learning center at Port Orleans.

Feb 2 - Anna's baby shower

Anna is adopting her great nephew in a month or so. Today was her Orlando baby shower. I really did not know anyone there, so I pretty much took the photos. The showere was at the Infusion Tea House. Most of the women there were former work colleages of Anna's or they had worked on charitable events.

January 31 - The president visits

Meg Crofton is the President of Walt Disney World. She came to visit my learning center today. Actually, she was touring the Port Orleans site, and part of her itinerary was to see the Learning Center. I was actually helping a Cast Member when she walked in with some ESOL language books and CD's. So - while I did not get a chance to do the presentation of the site, the activity I was doing really showed the benefits for the Cast Members.

She is actually coming back next week for Mardi Gras. Her "office" while on site will be the conference room next to the learning center. So, I am sure I will get a chance to see her again.

EDIT: I forgot to mention something interesting. I found out the Meg Crofton used to be in Human Resources. Apparently it was shocking that she moved into the President's position instead of someone from Operations. I think it is kind of cool.

Still waiting - January 28

I am waiting to hear more information from the company in Georgia. They said it may take a few weeks. In the meantime, several realtors have been contacting us -- anxious for us to sell our house and buy another. Rocky has had to handle those calls at home. Kind of glad that I am not there. Plus, I am not supposed to have cell phones at work. Rocky sent me this photo of Dalai today. He says that her head is so heavy that she has to rest it on the CD case. Poor Dalai.

Jan 26 - My first day in the parks

Finally, finally....I got to go to the parks using my Cast Member pass on January 26. Heidi, Anna, and Matt joined me. We met Steve and Latoria (other people in DLC training) too. Both Steve and Latoria have worked at "D" before, and they have great stories. They both were "friends" of characters. They knew a lot of the parks, and knew exactly where to go. Here are photos of the first time using my pass, and Heidi is my first guest pass.

We first went to Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom. I think this may be one of my favorite rides! Matt took these photos - I think we are on this train.

We also went to see Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom, and grab some lunch. We then went to The Studios to ride Tower of Terror, Rockin' Roller Coaster, and Great Movie Ride. We had a fun day - and the best part was that it was free.

Animal Kingdom - Jan 20

After a week of training, they let Franco and myself run one of the learning centers by ourself. We were scheduled to be at Animal Kingdom. Arrangements were made for us to get through security -- but we did not have a key. We were told to call one area to bring us a key - and they never came. So the cafeteria cashier helped us to contact Access Control. We finally got in and got the day started.

As soon as I left for lunch, Franco got two tours (most likely college program folks) coming through the area. Then the manager showed up. I just sat in the adjoining cafeteria and watched the whole thing....until the manager asked to join me for lunch. The afternoon slowed down.

Each learning center is different. I really like the set up of the Animal Kingdom learning center. It has lots of windows, lots of people around, and you are right next to the parking lot. It wasn't until the afternoon, I noticed a parade in the nearby parking lot. I even saw a few characters! I saw Baloo (from Jungle Book) , Turk (from Tarzan) and an orangutan with a cooli hat (not sure if from Tarzan or Jungle Book.) These characters were walking from a bus to the parade vehicles. Just walking across the parking lot.

So some of you may think you work with a couple of characters. Well -- I actually get to see them in the parking lot!

I was almost too far away to get good pictures of the parade - since I missed the first part of it. The red truck in the photo is Franco's.