Well, well, well. I got to sleep in today! And it was very much needed. Yesterday was draining... it all started at 5:45 am when I woke up. I got ready and met the bus at 6:45 to go to my first day of training, called "Traditions". It was basically a five hour introduction to the Walt Disney Company and how we, as cast members, need to keep the integrity and legacy of the Disney name intact not only here, but forever as we now represent the company. So... Disney rocks! Haha but really. I absolutely loved all five hours. Those darn emotional genes that my Grandpa Hamilton passed down to all of his posterity kicked in as soon as I walked into the Disney University Building and got to walk the halls reading Walt Disney quotes and being reminded of the incredible amount of happiness that one man has brought into the world. We were able to watch several different videos of testimonials and words of advice from cast members, Bob Iger (Disney CEO), Walt Disney, and several other prominent people. I literally had to blow on my eyes to try to dry the tears before they could drop as I could see that no one else in the room was quite as joyous as I was. About halfway through the meeting, one of our instructors was teaching us about the four keys that Walt focused on when creating his parks (safety, courtesy, show, and efficiency... in that order) and he and our other instructor had this little scripted argument. I kind of started to freak out in my seat because I figured they had something up their sleeve. The instructor up front finally said, "Why don't we go look for examples of the four keys... in the Magic Kingdom?" Now that doesn't sound excited. You guys, I had to stop myself from jumping up or screaming Hallelujah. I have never been to Walt Disney World before and the Magic Kingdom had always had this amazing appeal to it. I. was. so. excited. So we all put in these little ear buds that our instructors could speak to us through and we caught a bus (of course) to some backstage area. From there we entered the underground tunnels. Yes, it is true. Walt designed underground tunnels that allow cast members to travel quickly and without being seen underneath all of Magic Kingdom. While down there I saw Belle running to her next meet and greet, a costuming center where they stored and fixed all costumes (It looked like Tigger was taking a nap while his fur was hung out), and the underground garbage system used throughout the whole park. We finally ended up behind two very large doors. I wish you all could see me fidgeting like no other. Our instructor had this huge smile on his face and said, "You know where we are?... Main Street USA," And opened the doors. Magic. That's all. One of the girls in my group and I were beaming so brightly. That' feeling was incredible. It was like I stepped into another world. I forgot that I was a cast member, and an adult, and might have been squealing about everything. On a professional note, it was so interesting to finally see everything in action. The next time you are at a Disney location, take note of all of the small details, the cleanliness (that's me), the happiness or most everyone's face and especially the cast members, and the intimacy you feel because of the eye contact everyone gives. It's amazing! Anyways, we spent about an hour there and then returned to our classroom. Needless to say, the entire morning was inspiration, I am so excited to create happiness!
Yesterday afternoon, I went with a friend of mine to Magic Kingdom to play! On the bus ride there, a thunderstorm touched down. So, ten seconds after we got off the Monorail at the entrance to the park, we were soaked. And it stayed like that all night. But it was so warm outside and we had so much fun! We spent a few hours there and the went over to Epcot for an hour or so. Loved it! Free admission to all four Walt Disney World Parks might just be the best job perk ever.
Oh yeah...
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