Birthday Smash!

I know we haven't posted anything for quite awhile, but there's been good reasons.

There have been a lot of things developing for both Suzette and I, and I wanted to wait until things played out a little more. Some of the things I'll be posting about later: Suzette possibly becoming a trainer (she needs to have her interview first),  opportunities with Youth Education Series, and future Professional Internship positions.

This post however will be more about my birthday smash with Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.

I set a personal goal to ride Rock 'n' a total of 26 times for my 26th birthday, and do this in one day. On Tuesday, August 23, 2011 the Hollywood Studios park was open from 9am-10pm. I arrived closer to 11am, and immediately began tackling this task.

My 1st favorite photo.

My 2nd favorite photo.

This was actually ride 25.

This was actually ride 23.

My 26th ride. Suzette, Ryan, and Meaghan riding with me.

The only problems I had...

Picture 2: The lady wouldn't let me take a photo of my photo. Even after I told her about my mission.

Picture 23: I accidentally showed "2 5" on my hands... So, I switched them in this blog. Picture 23 is actually 25, and 25 is actually 23.

I only used a Fastpass twice. Rides 4 and 19.

During the 24th ride a friend of mine, Meaghan, was riding with a really nice guy in the front car. After telling him my mission, he assured us that he was going to "work some magic at the end of the ride." He sure did!

He went to the ride attendant, told him what I was doing, and we were escorted to the front car for my last two rides of the day, 25 and 26. Not only that, but at the end of our 26th ride, he escorted us to the photo merchant to give me the last photo for FREE!

What an awesome time we all had. Thanks to everyone for your Birthday Wishes.

Family Fun Time

We were able to take some time off for vacation time with our my mom and my nephew Miles. It was Miles's first time at Walt Disney World, but it definitely won't be his last.

I just wanted to share the fun we had with everyone, and show his priceless faces on nearly every ride.

Great face on Big Thunder Mountain.

Great face on Everest.

Another great face on Big Thunder Mountain.

Good face on Big Thunder Mountain.

Another good face on Big Thunder Mountain.

Mom and Miles on Everest.

All of us on Rock-n-Roller Coaster.

Suzette and I waiting for Toy Story Mania.

Miles SAYS he doesn't like it, but this picture proves otherwise.

My Goofy drawing from DisneyQuest.

Suzette's Goofy drawing from DisneyQuest.

Miles on Ben's number on the Ducks Pinball game at DQ.

Miles's first time on Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom.

Miles's second time on Dinosaur.

Riding Everest at Animal Kingdom.

Miles really like the safari at Animal Kingdom.

Miles and I on Space Mountain. Round one.

Miles and I on Space Mountain. Round two.

Makin' Opportunities Out of Nothing...

I'm really sorry Suzette and I (Mostly I now) have only been posting once a month. The title of this post is a why it has taken us so long to update everyone.

Recently Suzette started the process to become a trainer of custodial in Magic Kingdom, and is currently working on her water Mickey training. I'll try my best to catch her in the park while she works her magic.

I have been working alongside the Cast services to perfect my résumé. They have also been a HUGE help in connecting me with the right people who might get me a more "permanent' position. I put permanent in quotes, because I can always become a seasonal or part-time employee, but I'm looking for that full-time job.

Speaking of jobs.
For those that are considering the Disney College Program:

I came into this experience with the expectation that I would be WORKED, treated horribly, and WORKED some more. I really wanted to be worked. I needed the hours. I needed the money. And, it only meant that I would get to spend more time with the managers that would be a future recommendation. Unfortunately, I'm not getting WORKED like everyone told me about.

So, I'm living off of $100 a week, no more than 34hrs a week yet, and I'm paid less that what I would be if I were just a part-time employee. Not nearly enough money to pay for all the bills and the upcoming student loans.

Lately, I've been trying to look at where I can get more hours, and I remembered that I was told (by the College Program) that they wanted me to audition for costume characters. I went to the first audition, like I was told, and was very rudely kicked out because I was a "CP". More and more often, I'm finding it to be more beneficial to be a regular Cast Member than a CP. I called the college program recruiting to ask what the situation is, and they told me "It wasn't us that called you. It must have been casting."

This all sounded very familiar to my visit to the CP services center on my first week. "Nope, you do the networking yourself. We don't help you at all." is what they told me. They also recommended that I participate in the CPASS (College Program Alumni Speaker Series), but I don't think going to a culinary or entertainment speaker series is going to help me network into business development. Nice try college program!

In my perspective. If you're here to GROW within the company, these are the best roles:

Merchandise
Food & Beverage
Custodial

These three roles are open to picking up shifts across property. Enabling you to have a very broad and diverse network of managers.

That's enough for now... I thought I'd post some more pictures for everyone.

 This is what I ride to work when I visit the park before I start...

This is the Pulled Pork Dog from Casey's...

 

Suzette in front of Spaceship Earth...

Alex in front of Spaceship Earth...

Alex in front of the Sorcerer Hat at Hollywood Studios...

Suzette in front of the Sorcerer Hat at Hollywood Studios...

  

 

Suzette eating her beignet from Port Orleans.

Suzette in front the mermaid fountain from her favorite movie "Splash"...

See ya real soon!

4th of July Week

Oh Boy! As my boss would say. This phrase perfectly explains what has happened during 4th of July week.

As many of you know, I work in Parking at Magic Kingdom. Every single parking space was filled on July 4th, and we had two fights during closing. Guests are so awesome! Especially, when trying to be role models for surrounding children. Many of them their own.

Here's a video of, what we could get of, the fireworks.

Suzette had recorded a video of Space Mountain with the lights on, but I accidentally deleted it. Or, it MAGICALLY disappeared.

For those that work, or worked, at a Disney Park:

I'm sure there are a lot out there looking for pictures from our "experience" but this is all we have.

More will come soon!

For now, I'm working on my résumé. Hopefully in the next few weeks I'll be offered an opportunity to job shadow some people. My manager is really helpful in everything, and Cast Services has even helped me by forwarding my information and profile to potential hiring managers.