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.