D3DC: Day 20

Day #20: Your Favorite Sequel

Toy Story 2!!

I am not going to write anything now, bc it is new years eve and I don't really have time. But tomorrow I will add onto this with a picture and why I like Toy Story 2. Although that should be obvious. Its the only sequel that was ever actually any good....

New Year's Day Addition:
Why is Toy Story 2? Well it has a plot that is actually full enough that in theory it could stand on its own. I say in theory b/c you need the first film to know the characters and understand Buzz and Woody's bond but the plot and story is as robust as a stand alone film's would be. It also introduced the world to Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl and Bullseye. Such amazing characters. Its really just a great film. :)
-M

Selecting Potential Roles

Its getting close to application time for the Fall 2011 CP season. One of the most important aspects of the application process is deciding what roles to check on the role checklist. Its kind of a big deal. What you check off is the list from which your eventual role (if you are accepted) will come from.

Obviously the more roles you check off the better your chances are of being accepted simply because you allow more room for the recruiters to place you especially as the application seasons goes on and roles begin to fill up. As a result of this I think a lot of people who really really really want to do the program will check anything and everything almost without thought. I read on facebook, disboards, and blogs where people say they don't care what role they are as long as they are in Orlando and at Disney. So they check everything on the checklist or when asked by an interviewer to add things to their list, they do. 

In my opinion that is not the best choice to make. I think that it is incredibly important to be realistic and honest with yourself when checking roles on the role checklist. Both times I have applied, I only checked roles that I knew I would not only be willing to do but that I would be happy doing. I didn't get in the first time I applied but I know that if I had checked a role such as housekeeping and ended up going I probably wouldn't have been happy. I know myself and I know how difficult and physically challenging that role can be. As a result I know that not selecting that role, even if it meant I didn't get accepted, was the best decision. If I had checked either Quick Service Food & Beverage or Custodial I probably would have been accepted to Fall 09 because they need so many people to fill those roles, but I wouldn't have been happy.

I think that people really do think that as long as I'm in Disney I will be happy, no matter what my role. But what you may not realize until you are down there and on the CP is that you are there to work and most of your time will be spent working. Yes you will play and have fun, but they have you there to work and that is what you will predominately be doing. So if you have a role that is just something you said you would do but not something you really honestly wanted to do, your not going to enjoy your time. If its a role that you don't like AT ALL but you thought you would be able to put up with to be at Disney, it will SUCK! 

One of the best parts of my CP experience was my role and the incredible times I had while at work. If I had gone in Fall 09 as say QSFB I honestly don't think I would have had as fun a time as I did. As snooty as that may sound, that role wouldn't have made me happy. 

I guess what I am trying to say with this post is be honest with yourself and only select what you would truly enjoy doing. If thats everything on that damn list, more power to ya! But if it is only 5 or 6 roles, don't pick things you wouldn't actually like doing just to make it to Orlando. It's really not worth it. I have heard far to many people bitch about the CP because of their job and I always wonder if they just checked that role to make it to Orlando thinking it was going to be a fun easy break from school. News flash people: its not a 5-7 month long spring break! Your there to work! It can be fun, but don't ever lose sight of that. 

-M

D3DC: Day 19

Day #19: Your Least Favorite Pixar Film

A Bug's Life

I love the circus bugs but I have to be honest, outside of them, the rest of the characters annoy the shit out of me. I find Flik annoying. Really the whole move just sucks. Except for the circus bugs. Heimlich amuses me greatly. As does Slim and the Ladybug that is male. 

-M

D3DC: Day 18

Day # 18: Favorite Pixar Movie

I love the Monsters!! I'm so freaking happy that they are making a Monsters Inc. 2. I have no idea what it is going to be like but I am sure it will be amazing. I hold a special place in my heart for Mike and Sully. I worked with them a whole lot at the beginning of my CP and I met my best friend while working with them. I even have a star on the wall in the Monsters break room. :)

Mike and I (with Sully in the back for once)

The next picture is from the super awesome Molly (Mollay). I LOVE her drawings. I think they are the cutest things ever. I dream of one day getting the courage to ask her to draw me. :) One day...

Tagged: 10 Random Things

I was tagged in a post by both Jessica and Katelyn in which I am supposed to post 10 random things about myself. Since I am quite the random person, this shouldn't be to hard.

1. I can touch my tongue to my nose. I can even stick my tongue in my nose. My sister can do this too. We tried to get on David Letterman's stupid human tricks as children.. but that didn't work out.
2. I spent around $500 dollars on concert tickets to 2 New Kids On The Block shows back in 08. They were the best concerts ever and totally worth the money. (Although looking back at it now... that is a shit load of money)
3. I have never been outside of the United States or really the South. I have been to NY/Pennsylvania once, DC once, and TN once all for a week (ish) each. And thats it. I have only been as far west as Abilene, TX. 
4. My favorite animals are pigs. Cute little rolly polly pigs. I have always wanted a pot belly pig, which are really very intelligent animals, but they are far to much effort. So I shall just have to dream.
5. I was born and lived the first half of my life in New Orleans. I am ridiculously proud of that and still call it home even though I haven't lived there in 11 years. 
6. My initials are MLF. I think it would be kinda cool to add a second middle name that starts with an I. Then I would be MILF. tehehe
7. My favorite color is Red. My favorite color crayon is the Scarlet crayon that you can find starting in the 24 packs of Crayola crayons. 
8. I am a rather small person (5'1) but I have a big personality with a lot of sass. 
9. I think my last name is the most awesome last name ever. It is pronounced Frizz-ell. Like the model or the animal (not the famous teacher).
10. I say "true story" all the time. Its kinda my thing.

So I am tagging Margaret and Paige. Have fun girls!!

-M

D3DC: Day 17

Day #17: Your Least Favorite Classic

Pinocchio

I don't know why, but Pinocchio is my least favorite classic Disney movie. I have always been underwhelmed by it. If its sitting in someones movie collection I don't think I would ever choose to watch it. Not to say I wouldn't watch it if someone else did, I just would not make that choice on my own.

-M

50 Followers!

Yay! I have 50 followers. :) #50 is Conner Emery, one of my lovely spring 2010 d-fam.

I would like to take this chance to thank all of my followers and the people who don't follow but read my blog anyway. The fact that people read this thing brings me endless joy. Seeing an increase in followers, comments, or lots of page views makes me do a mental happy dance. So Thank YOU!

-M

D3DC: Day 16

Day #16: Your Favorite Classic

I'm going to be honest... I feel like at this point the 30 Day Challenge is starting to beat a dead horse. I feel like I am answering the same things over and over. But whatever I suppose.

I really think it would be helpful for this particular day (and tomorrow's) if classic was defined. I have decided that movies that are within the "Renaissance" period and onwards don't count as a classic. Mainly because I was alive for that period and if the movie has been created within my lifetime its not old enough to be a classic yet. Although I guess that is technically not true since The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin are definitely classic Disney movies in my eyes. But for the purpose of this entry and this challenge, pre-1980s = "classic".

After looking at a list of all of the Disney movies released, I have decided that the Jungle Book is my favorite classic Disney movie. King Louie is pretty much the coolest thing ever. One of my favorite random Disney facts is that King Louie was voiced and was based on Louis Prima. There is a really cool clip that describes King Louie's character development and the development of the song I Wanna Be Like You. King Louie is basically the most awesome characterture of Louis Prima.

-M

D3DC: Day 15

Day 15: First Disney Movie You Saw

So I don't remember this, but I know that I saw The Little Mermaid in theaters when it first came out. I have heard stories of me losing my sippy cup in the theater. So while I don't remember it (at all. I was like 8 months old), it is definitely one of my earliest Disney movies.

-M

D3DC: Day 14

Day #14: Your Favorite Kiss

I had originally decided that Aladdin and Jasmine's first kiss was my favorite kiss. But then I remembered the adorable pasta kiss from Lady and the Tramp. That has got to be one of the most adorable scenes in that movie. So I decided that Lady and Tramp's kiss at Tony's is my favorite Disney kiss. :)

-M

D3DC: Day 13

Day #13: Your Least Favorite Song

I don't totally hate this song but it definitely has the power to annoy me. Snow Whites voice is ridiculously high and warbly. The words are kinda oh someday he will get around to coming to sweep me off my feet and marry me, which is annoying to me. Basically the song annoys me greatly.

Some Day My Prince Will Come

D3DC: Day 12

Day #12: Your Favorite Villian Song

This is an easy one. Be Prepared from the Lion King is just an awesome song. Scar is a really awesome villain and Jeremy Irons has a really epic voice. I totally associate his voice with bad guys, which probably has everything to do with the fact that the first time I heard it was coming out of Scars mouth. lol Anyways here is Be Prepared by Scar (aka Jeremy Irons)

D3DC: Day 11

Day #11: Your Favorite Love Song

I had to search through Disney love songs for this entry. I don't have many favorite Disney songs, well not specific ones. But when I saw this song title it stood out to me. I really loved Hercules when I was a kid and I definitely remember belting out this song. I always loved the Muses. They made me laugh whenever they were on screen. 

I Wont' Say I'm In Love

-M

D3DC: Day 10

Day #10: Your Favorite Disney Song

With as much difficulty as I have had in selecting some of the subject for my previous 30 day challenge entries, I am almost surprised at how easy this particular entry is. I mean picking just one favorite Disney song is a big task, but I guess not for me. As I think I have mentioned before (maybe not) as a child I loved Lady and the Tramp. I remember asking for it on VHS when I was little and at one point it was definitely my favorite movie.

This song is from Lady and the Tramp. Its a song that I randomly find myself singing. In fact I randomly started singing it today when I was microwaving my food at work. Its a classic and I love it. I think I partially love it for the old sound. It was sung by Peggie Lee. You really can't get much better than that. So here it is He's A Tramp as sung by Peggie Lee.



-M

D3DC: Day 9

Day #9 :Your Favorite Original Character

DONALD DUCK!!! 

So I mentioned on the first day that I was withholding my all time favorite Disney character for another day. Well the day has come that I reveal my favorite. Donald Duck is my all time favorite Disney character. I have loved him my whole life. He is #1 in my heart. Working with him only made me love him that much more. I love his fluffy tail and sassy waddle. I love love love love him! He is mi amor. 

Kisses from Donald just make me happy.

-M

PS: DONALD'S #1!!!!

D3DC: Day 8

Day #8: Your Favorite Villian

YZMA!!!

She is the BEST EVER!!!  I freaking LOVE HER! She is really funny and evil and and and awesome. She has some of the best villian lines ever. "Ah, how shall I do it? Oh, I know. I'll turn him into a flea, a harmless, little flea, and then I'll put that flea in a box, and then I'll put that box inside of another box, and then I'll mail that box to myself, and when it arrives... I'll smash it with a hammer! It's brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, I tell you! Genius, I say!" Also her kitten form is super evil. I would love to have a small grey kitten and name her Yzma.

HAHAHAHAHAHA.. I Win.

The whole time I was at Disney I collected pins from my own lanyard to bring back to my friends. I have 2 friends that love Yzma. So I speant the whole 7 months I was there searching for Yzma pins. Let me tell you, she is not an easy lady to find. But I eventually found 2 of this pin (which is like the only Yzma pin I ever saw). And my friends loved them. :)

-M

Apartment Tour

I filmed this back in January but never posted it. It is filled with lots of awkward excitement. :) hope you enjoy.

-M

2,000 views!

At some point over the last... 10ish hours I had my 2,000th pageview! YAAAAY!! In my eyes that is a ton of pageviews. So thanks to everyone who has read this thing. It makes me happy to know that people actually read it. Hopefully I will continue to be good about posting and will create helpful entries. :D

LOVE YOU ALL!

-M

D3DC: Day 7

Day #7: Your Favorite Sidekick

This is a very hard decision for me. I really love 2 sidekicks, however one makes me laugh a lot which is important for a sidekick.

Mushuuuuu!

Mushu has got to be one of if not the funniest character ever created by Disney. He is most definitly the funniest sidekick. While I do think Louis is a very funny character, he pales in comparison to Mushu. He has some amazing lines such as "Lets go kick some Honey Buns!" "Did you see those Huns? They popped out of the snow, like daisies!" And of course "Dragon, DRAGON, not lizard. I don’t do that tongue thing."

And just because... some concept art of the great and powerful Mushu.

-M

Rawr! I'm the scary Web Interview!

I know a lot of people are nervous about the web interview and I can totally understand why. The fact that such an impersonal thing as a web interview can stop your dreams in its tract is definitely a scary thing. But I am here to say that the web interview is nothing to be afraid of.

To begin with you have to have either attended a presentation or watched the e-presentation, completed the application, and then after that you take the web-based interview. When picking a place to do the interview, definitely choose someplace where you won't get distracted. Every individual is different in the level of noise and stuff they can take and still concentrate. Know yourself and pick someplace you can take the interview and not fear being distracted. Also I would suggest taking it alone. By that I mean, don't let your mom, dad, sister, brother, roommate, best friend, whatever, etc. hang over your shoulder and give you suggestions on answers. You know yourself (or at least I would hope you do) and having someone else around might make you second guess yourself. That might result in inconsistent answers, which is not something you want.

On to the interview itself! The best way to describe it is as a kind of personality test with a work focus. You are asked a question and then are given a sliding scale on which to choose an anwser that you feel best fits. You can answer: strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, strongly agree. You get asked questions that gauge your personality (are you self-motivated), how you interact with others (I work well with others, I'm a team player), what is your work ethic like (I'm always on time). You will also be asked things multiple times to check for consistency. So you will be given the statement "I'm always on time." Then a bit later you may be asked "I'm rarely late." Then later still you will be asked "I'm often late." They are going to look to see if you answer similarly to all of the questions. So if you are a type of person that makes sure your on time you would agree or strongly agree to the first and disagree or strongly disagree to the last.

The fact that you are asked similar questions can possibly trip you up, especially if you don't take the time to read all of the question/statement. I gave three examples above but the question could be "I'm always on time" and "I'm always late." Those are two COMPLETELY different statements that carry two totally separate connotations but they are exactly the same except for one word. Make sure to READ the questions so one little word won't trip you up.

I know that many people say to only answer strongly agree or strongly disagree. I don't know what types of "points" you get for doing this. I'm not sure how it effects the numerical score you get which allows you to pass or not. However I can give my reasoning as to why it makes some sense to answer mostly stronglys. Mind you I did just say mostly. I don't think it is bad to have some agrees/disagrees or even one or two neutrals. My opinion on why strongly agree/disagree is the way to go is as follows. Disney wants you to be confident in your opinions on yourself. To me that means answer strongly to things! Strongly equates to Hell Ya thats me! I'm most definitely always on time! I love working with other people! Its not bad to sometimes answer just an agree/disagree. And occasionally you may really not have an opinion. In that case I would even say its ok to answer neutral, just don't do it a whole lot.

It is true that some of the questions are timed. Don't let this freak you out! Read the questions and go with your gut reaction. Don't take the time to second guess yourself. You know you! Your gut reaction is the right one. I am of the opinion that you shouldn't try to answer the way you think Disney wants you to but in an honest way. By being honest and true to yourself it is going to be much easier to answer consistently because it is the way you really feel.

I hope that this post is helpful. I know that the web interview can be scary, but it doesn't need to be. Knowledge is power. I think that statement is true for most things in life and especially in this application process. I highly recommend the disboards and particularly the college board. There is lots of good information there about the whole application process as well as the move in process. Its also a great place to talk to other Disney minded people who are just as excited at the prospect of working for Disney as you are.

Please please please let me know if this was helpful! I would love some reactions.

-M

Happy News for Marion!

So in addition to today's 30 day challenge entry I actually have some happy CP related news to share. Last weekend I received a call from my friend Kaylen. She told me that she is going to apply for the Fall 2011 program with me! This makes me SOOOOOOO happy/excited.

She goes to a school that has quarters rather than semesters. Or actually I think they are trimesters.. but she did the Spring quarter program. ... Ok so I donno but the real reason I am saying this is to explain that she normally goes to school in summer and fall mesters. She had applied to the Spring 2011 program but turns out they LOST her application/file. What bums. But on the bright side that resulted in her decision to apply for the Fall Advantage program. So she will miss some school but will be in Disney with ME.

a;lkjsfglkjsdfg HAPPINESS!!

Its kinda crazy how close you can get to someone in such a short amount of time. Because Kaylen was on the quarter program she left in early April. I only knew her 4 months but I love and miss her so much its kinda crazy. I can't even begin to express how excited I am at the idea of spending 6 months with her again. :D yay!

In other news...
I was talking to my Fall 2011 D-fam last night and realized that I have a lot of information and tips to share about the application process. Since I have applied twice I have gained a lot of knowledge about the process. I had planned to write about the process as I go, but I now think that maybe writing out my tips and stuff before might be the best thing to do. So I will be working on some entries about that. I currently have  web interview, role choosing, and phone interview posts planned. I might try giving an over view of the audition process too. I will be working on those and hopefully post them in the next few weeks. :)

-M

D3DC: Day 6

Day #6: Your Favorite Animal

Louis the Alligator

I LOVE him. He makes me laugh. In fact my favorite part of The Princess and the Frog are all of the awesome supporting characters. I like them more than I like Tiana. But back to Louis. Some of the things he says are totally things I say. Such as this:

I totally yell, and yes I do mean yell, MAN DOWN MAAAN DOWN! when I am leaving a friend or get left by a friend. Or really whenever I feel it is necessary. When I saw this scene in the film I died. I was like !! YOU GO GATOR YOU GO! He is just ridiculous which is totally something I can understand and appreciate because I am ridiculous too.

 gif from: fuckyeahdisneygifs

I wish I could meet him in the parks, but sadly the only time he ever came out was for Tiana's Showboat Jubilee which has gone bye bye. The only way you could meet him at the time was if you were chosen to go on the boat. I think he occasionally comes out of the swamp for special events such as marathons. But the likelihood of me ever running a marathon is slim to umm ya NONE.

I love you Louis!

-M

D3DC: Day 5

Day #5: Your Favorite Hero

Robin Hood!!

Robin Hood was one of my favorite movies as a kid. The songs from that movie are just awesome. But this is about the hero, Sir Robin Hood. :) I LOVE him. I have always had a thing for Robin Hood (not just Disney's but the myth/folklore too). I think it has everything to do with the fact that my name is Marion and Maid Marion is one of the few recognizable figures with my name. Disney's Robin is playful and fun. He is also an adorable fox. I have dreams of one day meeting him at Walt Disney World, but I know he rarely comes out to visit. A girl can dream though right?

I want to meeeeeet him!

-M

D3DC: Day 4

Day #4: Your Favorite Prince

 

Aladdin!

So when I was thinking about who my favorite prince was, I knew that I liked the princes that have personalities. Most of the older ones (Snow White-Little Mermaid) don't really have defined personalities (IMO). That left me with 4 princes to choose from; Beast, Aladdin, Naveen, and Flynn. While I do like all 4 of them, Aladdin is my favorite although Naveen is pretty awesome too.

I think I like Aladdin because he is a heartwarming character. At the beginning he is a stupid boy who thinks you have to act a certain way (aka kinda duesche-y) to get a girl. But he figures out in the end that just being himself is what works best. I have always really liked that he freed Genie in the end. I donno... Aladdin is just a likeable guy. 

A horrible picture of Aladdin and I. But its the only one I have...

-M

D3DC: Day 3

Day #3: Your Favorite Heroine

 

Mulan!

Now this decision may or may not have something to do with the fact that I watched Mulan last night. Who knows. But she is a super awesome heroine. I mean she saves China! She is smart and doesn't take no for answer, at least when she knows she is right aka the fact that the Huns survived the avalanche and are in the imperial city about to attack the Emperor. 

And just because it looks oh so cool, the movie poster from Mulan. Look at that fierce girl!

-M

D3DC: Day 2

Day #2: Your Favorite Princess

This has actually changed over the last few weeks. I have fallen in love with Rapunzel. She really reminds me of myself. She is crafty. I love to do crafty things. I like to paint and draw. I LOVE to collage things. She is a joyful, free spirit and very curious which are things I can identify with. She also seems to make friends easily.

And beyond having a similar personality we look alike. I have blonde hair and green eyes. And for most of my life I have had reallllly long hair. When I was a senior in high school I cut off 13 inches and I have never gone back to having it long, but before that I was definitely a Rapunzel look a like.  And actually I have similar hair to her short haired look. So basically she is awesome and I love her. 

 

-M

Disney 30 Day Challenge: Day 1

So I am just going to abbreviate the title from now on. It will be D3DC: Day X. Just FYI



Day #1: Favorite Disney Character
I am just going to say that this is not my favorite Disney character, but my second favorite. My absolute favorite falls into the category for another day so I am saving that character. I will let it be known they are my favorite when that day comes. So... Marion's 2nd favorite Disney character:

 Tinkerbell!

I have loved Tinkerbell for quite some time, since I was like 8 or so. I love her sassy-ness. She is a little thing with a lot of spice, sass, and emotion packed into her. I think the reason I love her so much is I identify with that. I'm a little person with a whole lot of personality. I became motivated to try to become a character performer after I realized that you could meet Tinkerbell in the parks. I have dressed up like her three times for Halloween. The most recent time was this past Halloween.

:) Thats all for now. 

-M

I have returned!

So I am officially (as of 2 days ago) finished with this semester.

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!! HAPPY DANCE!!!

That is not only exciting because this semester has been hellacious but also because that means I have more time to update this thing! woot woot! If I am totally honest even though I don't update this thing like I should, I love it. I love going back and reading what I wrote when I was on my CP. I wish I had written more. I guess that is just the promise I will have to make to myself next time around, to write more frequently.

I'm not going to lie, I see CP blogs with a ridiculous ammount of followers and I am jealous. I want people to find this stuff interesting and helpful and decided to follow it. But I don't want to go out and solicit for that. Not to say I'm not happy with my 42 followers! I am! I LOVE YOU ALL! I love to look at the stats for this blog and see that even if people don't follow it, they visit. It just makes me incredibly happy.

Nerdy Marion is looking forward to starting the process of applying not just to get started (which is a huge reason) but to document it. I want to be helpful to others. :D

So! In other news... Holiday season means possible Disney gifts. I got myself a super adorable sweater from the Forever 21 Minnie Mouse inspired Minnie Muse line. I will take a picture of me in my super cute sweater soon. :) I asked for a few Disney books for Christmas so we shall see if I get them. The Blockbuster near my aunts house was closing so she called and asked me what movies I might want. She got me 14 movies, most of which are Disney. So I will be getting some of those for Christmas although some will be saved for my birthday in March.

In other really freaking exciting news... I'M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!! for a 10 day vacation. :D And that vacation starts in exactly 25 days, 2 hours, and 26 mins (the time my flight leaves Houston). I bought my tickets at the end of October for $150.60. That is for a round-trip non stop flight. 8O (read that as a shocked face) Southwest had a deal going on at the time I bought them. The next day the same tickets on the same flights cost around 120 dollars more. To say the least I am quite happy with the deal I got. :) 

I am so beyond excited to go back home. Many of my friends will be there at the same time including some of the all important training group.  I will be staying those 10 days with my twin/bff. Which is super awesome because I miss him like crazy but also because that means I don't have to spend money on a hotel room. I will get to play for 10 days in the happiest place on earth and the place I call home. I may try to pick up a shift not because i need to (thank you seasonal june/july) but because I miss my job. I want to experience that magic again. The one thing I am not looking forward to is having to come back home. I know it is going to just suck. It will make me experience PDD all over again.On the bright side when I come back from my vacation there will only be about 2 weeks (ish) till applications come out.

EEEEEKKK ACK! JOY!

On a side note I think I am going to start that Disney 30 day challenge. It may end up taking more than 30 days since my vacation will fall in the middle of the challenge. And lets be honest here, I'm not sure how dedicated I will be to posting the 30 day challenge while on vacation. However it would probably be good practice for making myself post even when busy with other Disney things. Hummm.. I accept this challenge. I'm going to rock it!

That is all for now. Love you all!
-M

PDD Attack

I'm not sure why, but I have been missing Disney all day. I always miss it but today has been particularly bad.

I saw a status today from a girl who I was on the CP with that said something along the lines of "today is my first day as full time and tomorrow is my one year anniversary with Disney." I'm not even going to try and lie. I am incredibly jealous of this person. She went to the extension auditions, got pulled for face, and now works in Entertainment. If that isn't a reason for me to be jealous then the fact that she is now FT in entertainment is. I know of another CP that I had chatted with before arriving in Orlando that is now part-time and a GT (I'm not entirely sure what that is but it is some sort of sub-management role, perhaps like a Entertainment Captain...). I am jealous of her too.

I am jealous of everyone that stayed in Orlando. I don't regret coming back to Austin and SEU. I know I am better off for coming back to finish my degree. I can't tell you how many people, including multiple managers, who told me to go back and finish my degree. Don't stay and get sucked in. I know that happens so much too. One manager in particular, Jeremy (my NSYNC connection lol), said that CPs stay, they get sucked in, and never finish their degrees. They end up as a Disney cog. I have far bigger ambitions than being a cog in the Disney machine. Maybe I am vain and full of myself but I think I am far better than that. So while I am jealous of those two, and really all of the people that I know that stayed in Orlando, I know that I did what was best for me.

In other anxious Marion because of Disney news...

I know absolutely no one wants or cares to hear  about this topic but oh well. Its my blog.  Any time I think about auditioning to be a performer I get all anxious. I want to pass and be a performer so bad. The first time I auditioned I honestly was just so confident and excited and didn't have any idea what I was getting myself into. It was a impulse decision to audition and I went into thinking, I'm for sure going to pass. The second time I had a better idea of what I was getting myself into. I knew it was competitive, but I still thought I can do this. I went in so hopeful due to an email I got after  I auditioned the first time, which looking back at now, I'm not sure it means what I thought it did. And I was so excited because I knew even if I didn't pass I would be going on a CP and that was just so amazing.

This time around I am so very aware of how few people pass the audition and are accepted as CP performers. I know exactly what I am going up against and what I am getting myself into. And since I have done a CP already that consolation prize isn't quite as sweet. Each time I have auditioned it has become that much more important to me to pass. After working with performers for 7.5 months I want it so bad it makes me anxious to think about auditioning. I want to be confident and sure that I will pass. I want to allow myself to day dream about finding out I am a performer and then getting to tell everyone. But I just can't let myself. I'm still to anxious and unsure. And that just sucks.

I think having so many performer friends is a bit of a curse at this point. I know I can do what they do. I am as confident in that as I am in my academic abilities (which is a whole lotta confidence. I'm a bit smug in my school abilities). On days like today I see their facebook statuses, pictures, and videos and it just makes me sad/jealous/hopeful/ack!

Its obviously just been one of those days. Can it just be 2011 already so I can get this process started again?


-M

Still fighting

It feels like the fight to get my school to recognize the college program is a never ending fight. I have finally managed to get the transcript for the CP class I took (Disney Corporate Analysis) to my registrar. The first time I ordered it, it never made it to my school. I think it must have gotten lost in the mail. But ACE was super awesome and called my registrars office and then mailed another copy (with no charge to me) when it was confirmed the registrar never got it.

So now that it has finally made it to school I am having to fight to get it to count for the correct credit. As it currently stands it counts as just an elective. The problem with this is that a year ago (maybe longer since I may have originally talked to Kim when I applied for the Fall 09 program) I was told by an Assistant to the Dean of the school of humanities that it would count as an Organizational Communication elective. So based on that I have registered for classes thinking I only need regular electives, not communication electives. And now Kim, the assistant, is telling me that she needs more information about the course in order to give me credit. Now this is all fine, dandy, and understandable but it would have been much nicer if she had mentioned this way back when I asked her about credit last fall. I have been under the impression that it is definitely going to get credit. And now I find out that is not necessarily true.

Super frustrating. I would have gotten her all of my course materials earlier in the semester had I known this. I'm not really worried about getting the communication credit. Looking at the course materials it is easy to see that it relates to communication classes at SEU. In fact I even left sticky notes all over the packet of course materials pointing out all of the similarities. And if it doesn't count as a communication elective, I will just drop the general electives I will be taking next semester and overload into a communication class. I'm a graduating senior so its not like they are going to deny me.

I guess the moral of this story for any future CPers is to stay on top of your school. If they say they are going to give you credit, keep in contact with them about that. And get started on getting that credit as soon as you get back from your program. DON'T WAIT! Because if your school doesn't have a stream lined process for doing the College Program, your likely to encounter difficulties.

-M

A Year (ish) Ago Today...

A year (ish) ago today I was auditioning to be a character performer for the Spring 2010 program. I believe the exact ate was actually Nov 4th, but who really cares about the minor details. :D

I can't believe that it has been a year. It feels like both yesterday and a really long time ago. I met both Lauren and Geoffery, people I call friends, at the audition. I also met some other CPs that I still occasionally chat with.

The audition was a great experience. I am looking forward to doing it one more time and hopefully passing this time. I think the one thing that I maybe didn't do the last two times I auditioned was really just relax. I want to be a performer so bad that its hard to just relax and be myself. I am a goof ball and if I can just chill out enough to truly be myself I think I will do better. :)

-M

Why do you love the Disney College Program?

So I was stalking the dis boards college program thread ( a everyday occurrence for me now) and someone asked the question "Why do you love the Disney College Program?" This was my response and I liked it so much I decided to post it here.

"Where to start? B/c seriously the CP was the best 7 months of my life.

Going to see the last nighttime space shuttle launch and not getting home until 7am the next morning (it didn't even end up launching lol)

Watching Wishes with my training group friends the night of our last day of training

Watching wishes with those same training group friends on our last night as CPs.

Meeting Chip and Dale in their rescue ranger outfits and pretty much all of the welcome parties.

Regularly getting to ride on golfcarts (pargos) with world famous celebrity characters like Mickey Mouse.

Seeing the joy on children (and adults) faces when they meet their favorite character.

Getting paid to play with characters everyday

Dancing with Characters while working the Rock-N-Glow dance parties.

Learning the Hoedown Throwdown with Chip, Dale, and Pluto for the Rock-N-Glow dance party.

Watching Buzz and Woody have a dance off and then do the single ladies dance all while onstage.

Going to the parks whenever you want.

Seeing Joey Fatone, a childhood idol, while working. Really more importantly being within 5 feet of him. It was a bit of a spazz out moment.

Watching SpectroMagic with friends, screaming characters names and getting lots of character attention because of it.

Singing and dancing to High School Musical 3 and the Power Rangers music.

Meeting Chewbacca and an Ewok.

Seeing Darth Maul and Darth Vader walking around back stage. That never got old.

Going to Epcot for my 21st birthday and watching Illuminations with friends.

Dancing like a fool to Block Party Bash and getting to dance like a fool in the parade a few times

Meeting my best friend who I call my twin. I donno how I lived without him in my life.

Meeting, working with, and making friends with some of the most amazing people ever.

Honestly the people you meet and the friends you make are probably the best part of the CP. Working for Disney is amazing but the bonds you make while there are truly something special. I love my D-fam and I know I will be friends with many of them for the rest of my life."

-M

Slowly growing...

The Fall 2011 group is slowly growing which makes me very happy. I remember when I joined back in July it was a tiny group. I don't remember the exact number but it wasn't that many. For a long time we hovered just under 100 people but now we are up to 140! :) Yay D-Fam!!

For some reason I feel like this group is taking a long time to grow. And it isn't super active. We are about 3 months out from when applications will go up. (140 days till Jan 20th which is when they went up last year!) For Spring 2011 3 months out was July and at that time there were regular chats going on. I realize its different because July = summer aka no school and few responsibilities and October = school, midterms, and lots of responsibilities. So they really aren't comparable. I just hope that this group is a lively bunch that gets close like the spring 2010 group did. If not oh well... (not really oh well! I want a close D-Fam!!)

I have been really good about taking monthly (sometimes more frequently that just once a month) pictures of the CP google map. It is so cool. OOOH! I just thought up a good t-shirt idea.. lol. Perhaps a picture of the first google map and then one near when we start... :D NERDA MARION! ... Anyways I thought I would post the pictures here.

This is the first picture of the group Map. 8/7/10

9/10/10

Only a few additions from September. 10/8/10

That is pretty much all I have for this post. I do have a rather cool screen shot of me on the CP website with Patrick and Lindsey. I will post that here soon. Perhaps with a discussion of housing events.

-M

Happy Birthday Walt Disney World!

39 years ago today the most magical place on earth, Walt Disney World opened to the public. In my opinion that is definitely a reason to celebrate.
In case you are wondering that picture is indeed of Cinderella's Castle. In 1996, for the 25th anniversary of the park, the castle was painted pepto-bismol pink and decorated as a cake. Most people find this to be absolutely atrocious. I tend to agree. I will say I think it looks interesting however, if you are only able to go to Disney World once in your life and you happened to go in 1996 and that is the castle that graces your pictures, I would be a bit pissed. I actually went to Disney both in 1995 and 1996 and on one of those trips saw it being painted. Let me tell you my family flipped our shit, we had no idea why it was being painted and were afraid it might be permanent. Thank god it wasn't. :)

-M

New Design

So I have changed the design of this blog like 3 or 4 times in the last week. I have changed the header image twice and the template itself 3 times. I'm still not sure how I feel about it. I have always used the colors yellow, green, and purple with white accents because those are the colors on the infamous CP purple folder. Sometimes I wonder if that is obvious or if people just think I am Mardi Gras obsessed.

I would ask what do people think but I'm really not so sure how many of the 39 followers I have actually read this. There are never any comments so I'm not sure. I guess I will ask anyway. What do you think of the design? Is it a keeper? Lemme know...

That is all. :D

-M

I want to go HOOOOOOOOOME!

I miss Disney so much its not even funny. It is so weird to me how 7 months has changed so much for me. How it happened I don't know but somehow over the 7 months I spent at Disney and in Orlando I made myself a home. I came to the realization last night that Orlando and Disney is my home. and I really want to go home.

Its hard for me to pin-point what it is exactly I miss so much. I definitely miss the friends I made, especially my twin. I miss the people I saw everyday (or almost everyday) at work. I think one of the things I miss the most is the magic. As cheesy as that sounds its true. There is just a feel to Disney that even when your day is going shitty because you had some asshole guests, its hotter than hell, and something in your work location goes all wrong, its still Disney and that means that its so much better than if all the same things had happened someplace totally different.

The magic is something I didn't realize was a part of my daily life until I moved back to Austin and school. I took it for granted. And I miss it so much. I truly worked at the Happiest Place on Earth. Working there made me really happy. Thinking about it brings a happy little bubble to my chest and a pressure to my face which usually means I am about to cry.

Austin just doesn't hold the same feelings for me that Orlando does. Its just not the same and I am very aware of it. If I truly let myself gush about Disney and the magic and all that that means, people would probably think I am a werido. One of those crazy Disney fanatics.

The other day in my Media and Professional Presentations class we were looking at past student presentations for an assignment where you have to act like you are the CEO of a company and are giving the annual report presentation to your stock holders. Some of the slides we looked at were from a presentation about Disney. We looked at the opening and closing slides, what my professor calls the "bookends." Slides that are just a picture that gives your presentation a professional look. I didn't know that we were going to see slides about Disney but up pops a slide that is of Cinderella Castle nestled in the clouds. The image was close to this one except without backwards "dreaming" text.

Immediately I said "awwwww" out loud. Then I started to get sappy smile. My professor also happens to be my academic adviser so he knew that I had been working at Disney the last 7 months. He asked me some random question about the dinsey logo and I just answered Uh-huh because I hadn't actually heard the question. I was lost in my own world. And then he flipped to the closing slide. This was the picture that made me tear up (minus the words).

I will say in my defense there were several other people in the class that all said "awwwww". However, none of them started to tear up. I honestly couldn't help it. I have such an affection for Woody that developed as a result of working with him while on my program. I think that the picture is particularly heart warming but when added to the fact that Woody is one of the characters I had the closest working relationship with and I am super Disney homesick, I think it is easy to see why I was so affected.

I commented on my tumblr that I wondered if I would spend the next 10 months (now a bit closer to 9!) feeling magnetically pulled to Orlando and Disney. If I would just feel like I am biding my time till I can return. I really hate for that to be the way I spend my senior year, but at the end of my first week of school, that is kinda the way it looks like it will be. I guess we will just have to see how I feel about that in a few months.

Thats all for now (folks!.. wrong company lol)

-M

Disney... its like a bad addiction

So its official. I'm definitely addicted to Disney. I feel like that is probably one of those statements that are going to make people say "Duh!" but I have officially decided it is official. So...ya.

Over the last week I have become increasingly involved in the Fall 2011 CP Facebook group. I made a google map for the Fall 2011 group. I started one for the Spring 2010 group where people could post their locations on the map so that we (the collective group) could see where everyone was from. It was really cool to watch it grow. I wish I had taken pictures while it grew... but I didn't. I am going to do take screen shots this time around.

Humm... other Disney obsession news....

I have already started thinking about auditioning again. I have always known that I was going to audition again but I have actually started thinking about the process. Honestly my dream is to be a performer. Working with Characters for 7.5 months only made the desire to be a performer that much stronger. Perhaps by hanging out with Characters so much some of the necessary magic has rubbed off on me. I really hope so. And if nothing else after 7.5 months living and playing at Disney I should have the necessary knowledge of characters to come up with a convincing animation of meeting one of them. I am planing on taking Modern Dance (for credit whoop whoop) again in the spring so that I can brush up on my dance skillz. And by dance skillz I mean the ability to learn choreography at something other than a snails pace. First audition (which happened to coincide with the first time I took Modern Dance) I actually learned the auditioned dance. Second time... not so much. lol

That is really all of the Disney obsession things I can think about at the moment. I know there are more signs... but like I said, I can't think of them. So that is all for now. I will be good and post again later! :D

-M

I have decided to combine my Disney Livejournal with this blog. So I am going to copy and back post all of the posts from my lj to here. Which means this blog is about to get a lot more full. In case anyone who is following cares to know why their dashboard is going to blow up. :D

-M

The end is near... oh wait it already ended...

"My 7 month season with the mouse is coming to a close. My days are numbered... 9 to be exact. The fact that I am leaving just makes my heart heavy. I don't want to leave this magical place yet. I don't want to leave the wonderful people I have met. I just dont know how I am going to survive the next couple of weeks."

So that was the beginning of a post I never finished. Per usual. lol And I can say that leaving Disney is by far the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Now that may sound a bit melodramatic but I am serious. I didn't have a hard time going off to college and I didn't have a hard time leaving college (and friends and fam) to go to Orlando. But leaving Orlando was incredibly difficult, painful, and sad. I'm not one of those crazy Disney people whose life revolves around the Mouse Man and all that his company entails. I simply loved my job, the people I worked with, the friends I collected, and the life that I made in Orlando.

I have left a part of myself in Orlando and already have plans to reunite myself with it in a little over a year. Thats right folks. If I haven't already said it to you or written it in this blog somewhere (I'm far to lazy to go back through and read to see if I have) I am going to apply for the Fall 2011 program. I might perhaps do a Fall Advantage. It just kind of depends if I can manage to graduate on time in May or if I have to take an extra class or two in the summer.

So as I predicted when I started this blog (way back in November of 09. That is like 9 months ago!) I am not just going to have one season with the Mouse. But at least 2. Go me for having the foresight to put that 's' at the end of season. I obviously wont be able to do another college program after this next one but who knows if I will stay with the Mouse for a few years and try to make a real job out of something I love. Then that 's' might really come in handy.

Because I am so Disney obsessed I have already joined the Fall/Fall Advantage 2011 group. I actually joined it back in June. I am already posting like a fiend in that group and have also joined the chats. I love that anticipation feeling. I love talking to people who are just as excited about the program, Disney, and the thought of working at the happiest place on earth.

The only difference this time around is that I know exactly what I am getting myself into. I know how wonderful the program can be if you put the effort in. I also know what I am going to do different this time. I am going to take the time to do non-Disney things. I am going to not be a bum and turn down offers to hang out with people after work. I am also going to take advantage of the fact that some Spring 2010 people who I should have hung out with more are going to do Fall 2011. I'm going to actually hang out with those people! (That means you Marina, Lauren, Joey, and Karen!)

Maybe for my next post (which will of course come like 2 months from now.) I will make a list of the things I am going to do that I didn't do the first time around. Because honestly looking forward to going back is about the only thing keeping me from the black pit of despair that leaving opened up.

That is all for now. I am hoping posting in this blog will help fill my Disney void. I guess we shall see.
:)
-M

The last days....

The last days of my college program were a very odd experience. I knew it wasn't the end for me because I was staying as a seasonal CM but all of the people I had become closest to were leaving me. I also still had to pack up and move out of Chatham which was both exciting and sad.

On Wednesday I worked my last shift as a CP. In an amusing twist of fate I worked my last day at the Hat which also happens to be the place I worked my first shift out of training. I was Hat attendant 7 which meant that instead of breaking a location after lunch and then doing evening sets I did "magical moment" sets and was finished at 3. The magical moment sets for that day were the weirdest and most amusing thing I have ever done as a character attendant. Unfortunately because they were so magical I can't actually write what made them so special but it is definitely one of those Disney experiences I will remember forever. They also resulted in my first Great Service Fanatic cards which are basically like a Disney kudos type thing. I got mine for "going above and beyond during meet & greets." Basically I made some international cps last day really special. :)

On Wednesday evening I went to Fantasmic! with some of my training group friends. As with all of the times when we attempted to get the whole (or most) or the group together, things when wrong and only a few people showed up. We weren't originally supposed to go to Fantasmic! which is probably why so few people came. But the cool thing about having the small group was that we got to have a special meet and greet with some Fantasmic! characters.

Top: Jess, Pocahontas, Mickey, Katelynn, Robert (not from my training group)
Bottom: Caitlyn, Gianna, Dopey, & Me

I spent most of Thursday packing my room up and then moving stuff to my new place. It probably took much longer than it should have because I am the world's worst packer. Seriously. After I had dropped off some of my stuff at my new place I went to Magic Kingdom to meet my friends Gianna and Will. We rode on Big Thunder Mountain and then met up with our other friend Lindsey and her parents to watch Spectromagic. We acted like complete goons the whole time and screamed the characters names when they went past us. This usually produces good results and this was no exception. Halfway through the parade we got a little boy who was probably 3 or 4 to sit with us. He ended up getting lots of characters coming up to him because we acted like asses. I think my favorite picture I caught was of Donald Duck jumping because we were chanting "Donald's Number 1!" His bow tie was already falling off and when he started jumping it totally came off. :) best picture ever!

Donald's Number 1!

After Spectro Gianna, Will, and I ran to the front of the Castle to watch Wishes. It was kinda like a repeat of our last night of training except not everyone was there and those of us who were, were not standing together. I think the hub (the area around the statue of Walt and Mickey) was like 90% CPs and everyone was crying. It was super sad. After wishes we met some of our friends in front of Walt and Mickeys statue. We hugged and cried and said goodbye. It is quite possibly one of the saddest things I have ever been through. I grew really close to my training group and to have to say goodbye to them was just heartbreaking. The worst part is it didn't hit me till the next day.

My lovely girls Luz, Lindsey, and Gianna. <3

On Friday I got up bright and early (totally against my will) and started packing the rest of my stuff. My wonderful friend Josh came to help me pack and move everything. Once everything was loaded up into my car I went to turn in my apartment key, housing id, and parking decal. I almost cried when I had to do that. Sheer force of will stopped the tears. Josh and I drove over to my new place and we unloaded my stuff and then attempted to organize. Attempted is the key word here because it took me until well after Josh had left to do it.

Like I mentioned in the last post I have been in limbo since my program ended. I am still in Orlando but I haven't worked since last Wednesday. I haven't hung out with any other cps since I moved. I feel really isolated and it kinda sucks. My training group buddy Ryan Frisinger is a musician and I have both of his cds on my iTunes. Anytime they come on I get sad because it reminds me of everyone who left me. I am really looking forward to Saturday which will be my first day back to work. I never thought I would ever look forward to going back to work, but I totally am.

That is all for now. More posts soon! (because 2 in one day just isn't enough)
-M

PS: Speaking of Ryan's awesome music if you are reading this you should totally go check out his myspace and listen to the awesome-ness. http://www.myspace.com/ryanfrisinger

The end is near... or is it just a new beginning?

So I am basically the worst blogger known to man. Its true. I haven't updated in like 5 years and so much has happened. The end of my college program has come and gone. I'm still in Orlando though. I currently have a bunch of free time though so perhaps I can convince myself to write a whole lot of entries in the next few days to catch up.

I guess the most important thing to write about is the fact that I am staying in Orlando for a few more months. My plan coming into the program was to leave in May at the end of my program and return to Austin. I thought that I would live in my new apartment and take classes at ACC over the summer. I didn't finalize the living arrangements until like February or March. When registration time rolled around I found out that my roomie wouldn't be in Austin over the summer. I totally can't afford rent on my own so my plan for living in Austin over the summer went down the drain.

I kinda assumed I would be in Austin taking the 2 classes I need to stay on track to graduate in May. By the time I realized that wasn't going to work I it was to late to extend my program. When everyone started getting responses about their extension requests I kicked myself for not extending. At that point I thought I would be living in Houston at home over the summer taking at least one of the classes I needed online and trying to find a job. I decided I didn't want to go home to that boring situation and found a way to stay in Orlando just a bit longer.

My solution? Become a seasonal ("casual temporary") cast member. I talked to my manager and based on my record card I was already on a list to automatically roll into seasonal status. So I could just give open availability until the date I wanted to leave and be placed on the schedule. I had to find someplace to live since I couldn't stay in CP housing after my program end date. I searched around, thought I had found something, discovered it was super far away, kept searching and then eventually found something.

I currently reside in a house in Davenport, Fl which is about 20 mins away from work. I live with 3 other girls who are all former CPs. Allison owns the house and works with the Disney Vacation Club and does room pricing (or something like that...) Lauren is doing a professional internship and is a manager in one of the resorts ( I can't remember which one at the moment). Brittney, like me, just finished her CP although she had extended her program. I am not sure exactly what she is doing now but I know she worked in a resort.

For the most part I like the living arrangements so far. I didn't give availability far enough in advance to be put on the schedule for the last week. So I haven't worked in a week and am not scheduled to work till Saturday. I have never wanted to work so badly in my whole entire life. I am pretty much bored out of my mind. My CP id expired on the 14th and I was not able to get a new one until the 16th but because that was a Sunday and Access Control is not open Sat or Sun I had to wait until Monday to get my id. That meant I couldn't go to any of the parks. :P That SUCKED! But on Monday I went with my friend Josh to Access Control and got my new pretty red ID that says Marion is a seasonal cast member. yay! :) eventually I will take a pic of it and post it on here for everyone to see.

I feel like this post is long enough so I will write a separate one about the last couple of days of my CP.

<3 you all!
-M