So I have some news that I have been meaning to share. Back in the beginning of September I got a call with the awesome news that I will be helping out some Teddy Bears this holiday season as they perform in Celebrate the Season (the holiday castle show). And as can be assumed by that statement, I have chosen to leave Guest Relations to go back to Entertainment to be a part of the Magic Kingdom's holiday entertainment.
It was both a hard and an easy decision to leave Guest Relations. It was hard because as much as I love performing, I know that in the long haul it isn't something my body can do forever and Guest Relations experience will serve me better in the long run. But there is a feeling I get when I am hanging out with one of my Disney friends and a little child hugs you that just can't be matched. There isn't another job in the world that will ever equal the feeling I get when I perform. So it came down to do I do what might be best for my career or do I do what makes me truly happy. I called my mom to get advice and she told me "You know what you want to do. Follow your heart." So that is what I did.
Because of the time commitment I have to give to Disney for the holiday season I have sadly had to resign from Seaworld. Seaworld's peak period is the holiday season and especially Christmas (surprising right. You thought it was summer time). As much as I wanted to stay working at both places, I simply couldn't be two places at once.
So that brings me to where I am now. I just started rehearsals for Celebrate the Season (CTS). Although I don't have much to compare this experience to as it is my first trained role, this cast is absolutely amazing. As I have mentioned before it is a goal of mine to work with articulated characters. This show has several characters who talk and watching their friends is an inspiration. It is also something of a challenge. I know I have the ability to do what they are doing and watching them perform fuels my desire to get myself there.
Thats all for now. I will post pictures at the end of the rehearsal process. :)
-M
ºoº A journal of my seasons living, working, and playing in the happiest place on earth ºoº
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
A Guest Relations Update
Hey loves! Sorry it has been a while but I am back to update!
I have been in Guest Relations a little over a month now. My TA was extended from its original end date of 8/25 to 9/29. Since I got my TA in a down time I haven't worked quite as much as I would have liked which is a real pain when I'm also not getting very many hours through Sea World. (waah waaaaaah)
Over all it has been a good experience. At first I was always anxious and dreaded going into work. That sounds horrible but I think it was really because I felt like I didn't know what I was doing. I still feel like I don't really know what I am doing but I am more comfortable than I was. Unlike what most people think, guest relations isn't really all about helping unhappy guests. A lot of what we do has to deal with Tickets (lost tickets, demagnified tickets, adding days to tickets, selling tickets, etc.). We also help make dining reservations, are in charge of lost and found, and do all sorts of other things that have nothing to do with unhappy guests. To be completely honest I prefer those things so much more than unhappy guests because I get far more anxious trying to make things right again for our guests.
Outside of the work aspect Guest Relations has been really awesome. My coworkers are a really great bunch of people. They are all super helpful always willing to teach me how to do things. It is such a change to actually know my managers and leaders. The coordinators know who I am and so do the managers. I have a homeroom manager who meets with me and is actually interested in getting to know me and my goals. That is such a positive change.
Overall its been pretty good. I will update again in the not so distant future as I have things in the works. :)
-M
I have been in Guest Relations a little over a month now. My TA was extended from its original end date of 8/25 to 9/29. Since I got my TA in a down time I haven't worked quite as much as I would have liked which is a real pain when I'm also not getting very many hours through Sea World. (waah waaaaaah)
Over all it has been a good experience. At first I was always anxious and dreaded going into work. That sounds horrible but I think it was really because I felt like I didn't know what I was doing. I still feel like I don't really know what I am doing but I am more comfortable than I was. Unlike what most people think, guest relations isn't really all about helping unhappy guests. A lot of what we do has to deal with Tickets (lost tickets, demagnified tickets, adding days to tickets, selling tickets, etc.). We also help make dining reservations, are in charge of lost and found, and do all sorts of other things that have nothing to do with unhappy guests. To be completely honest I prefer those things so much more than unhappy guests because I get far more anxious trying to make things right again for our guests.
Outside of the work aspect Guest Relations has been really awesome. My coworkers are a really great bunch of people. They are all super helpful always willing to teach me how to do things. It is such a change to actually know my managers and leaders. The coordinators know who I am and so do the managers. I have a homeroom manager who meets with me and is actually interested in getting to know me and my goals. That is such a positive change.
Overall its been pretty good. I will update again in the not so distant future as I have things in the works. :)
-M
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
More Training
So since my last post I have had an additional 5 days of training. I finished up my ATS training and then went backwards and did 2 days of general overview training.
For my overview training I was by myself with my trainer Evelyn. Without a doubt that made training interesting. I felt like I got to know her better than if I had been in a group which is nice since she will be doing some of my City Hall on the job training. The two days basically consisted of learning the history of guest relations, what we do, and some of the specific programs we use. Fun fact, Mary Poppins is the character that they say best represents Guest Relations because she is practically perfect in every way and tht is how guests and other cast members see us.
The next 2 days were the beginning of my in park/ on the job training (OJT). My first day was Tip Board and Greeter training which is basically all the outside roles. Giving out buttons and maning the tip board where the essentials of the day. It is more than that too but that is the most simple way to sum it up. Day 2 was lost and found training which basically consisted of learning/practicing how to log in all the lost things and get it all ready to go to central lost and found. We also drove the van around to the various areas that we might need to pick up guests from. Which means that my long standing 2 year run of refusing to drive a company vehicle has come to an end.
Today is my first day of city hall training. I have 4 days of that total so I'm not quite sure what all it includes. But I am sure that it having to deal with guests for the first time. I am to say the least quite nervous. I am sure I will do fine but I can't help but not be excited about dealing with guests who want something that I can't give them.
So thats all the updates I have for now. Send me good vibes tonight! I will post more soon enough.
-M
For my overview training I was by myself with my trainer Evelyn. Without a doubt that made training interesting. I felt like I got to know her better than if I had been in a group which is nice since she will be doing some of my City Hall on the job training. The two days basically consisted of learning the history of guest relations, what we do, and some of the specific programs we use. Fun fact, Mary Poppins is the character that they say best represents Guest Relations because she is practically perfect in every way and tht is how guests and other cast members see us.
The next 2 days were the beginning of my in park/ on the job training (OJT). My first day was Tip Board and Greeter training which is basically all the outside roles. Giving out buttons and maning the tip board where the essentials of the day. It is more than that too but that is the most simple way to sum it up. Day 2 was lost and found training which basically consisted of learning/practicing how to log in all the lost things and get it all ready to go to central lost and found. We also drove the van around to the various areas that we might need to pick up guests from. Which means that my long standing 2 year run of refusing to drive a company vehicle has come to an end.
Today is my first day of city hall training. I have 4 days of that total so I'm not quite sure what all it includes. But I am sure that it having to deal with guests for the first time. I am to say the least quite nervous. I am sure I will do fine but I can't help but not be excited about dealing with guests who want something that I can't give them.
So thats all the updates I have for now. Send me good vibes tonight! I will post more soon enough.
-M
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Let the Training Begin!
So today is my first day of Guest Relations training. I am starting two days after the other 4 members of the group. Two other girls are going to MK, one to epcot, and one to studios.
Day one and two for me are the ATS (automated ticket system) training days. Aka ticket and money handling. When I worked for Gap I was trained to open and close the cash wrap and store safe. That always made me anxious. The idea of handling cash and counting it back Disney style
makes me uber anxious. Secret about Marion... I'm not good at math. I count cash handling as math. I am also learning a whole ton about tickets. By the time I'm done training I will be a Disney ticket guru.
As for the trainers all 3 are very nice. I have two guys (Michael and Nick) and one woman (Jenn). Both Michael and Nick used to work in Entertainment. Michael was over in Disneyland a fair few years ago and Nick was relatively recently I believe. They are all quite nice and Nick works at MK so hopefully I will probably see him around.
Anyway that is pretty much all for day one.
-M
Day one and two for me are the ATS (automated ticket system) training days. Aka ticket and money handling. When I worked for Gap I was trained to open and close the cash wrap and store safe. That always made me anxious. The idea of handling cash and counting it back Disney style
makes me uber anxious. Secret about Marion... I'm not good at math. I count cash handling as math. I am also learning a whole ton about tickets. By the time I'm done training I will be a Disney ticket guru.
As for the trainers all 3 are very nice. I have two guys (Michael and Nick) and one woman (Jenn). Both Michael and Nick used to work in Entertainment. Michael was over in Disneyland a fair few years ago and Nick was relatively recently I believe. They are all quite nice and Nick works at MK so hopefully I will probably see him around.
Anyway that is pretty much all for day one.
-M
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Going Plaid
After my last post I got a few comments saying they were sad that I would be leaving Orlando and Disney. No worries there guys I didn't and don't have any immediate plans to leave Orlando. I just like to keep my options open.
I received some really exciting news 2 weeks ago. I got a call from one of the guest relations manager I had interviewed with and was offered a temporary assignment (TA) with guest relations at Magic Kingdom. I am very very excited for this opportunity. As of right now the TA is only about a month long but there is the possibility of extension. My training will start on the first and run till the 12th. Since my TA ends on the 25th I certainly hope it gets extended otherwise I will only get 12 days outside training. Lol.
While I am very excited about the TA it is to some degree bittersweet. I will still be a performer and I believe I will still be able to pick up shifts if I choose to. But I have no idea how long the TA will last and since I really hope that the TA will turn into something more permanent my time in Entertainment may be limited. If that is the case I will miss it. And I think I will always harbor regrets and a bit of unhappiness that I have never had the opportunity to be trained in a show or parade. I was hoping that this Holiday season would provide that but given the time period that casting happens and the fact that my TA overlaps with that I'm not sure I would get cast if I don't get extended.
But that is counting my chickens before they hatch. I haven't even started training yet! I will do my best to update this as much as possible with tidbits and stories about my new role. The benefit of Guest Relations is it lends itself to sharing via blogging a whole lot more than performing. (Downside- having to wear panty hose. Eww :) )
-M
I received some really exciting news 2 weeks ago. I got a call from one of the guest relations manager I had interviewed with and was offered a temporary assignment (TA) with guest relations at Magic Kingdom. I am very very excited for this opportunity. As of right now the TA is only about a month long but there is the possibility of extension. My training will start on the first and run till the 12th. Since my TA ends on the 25th I certainly hope it gets extended otherwise I will only get 12 days outside training. Lol.
While I am very excited about the TA it is to some degree bittersweet. I will still be a performer and I believe I will still be able to pick up shifts if I choose to. But I have no idea how long the TA will last and since I really hope that the TA will turn into something more permanent my time in Entertainment may be limited. If that is the case I will miss it. And I think I will always harbor regrets and a bit of unhappiness that I have never had the opportunity to be trained in a show or parade. I was hoping that this Holiday season would provide that but given the time period that casting happens and the fact that my TA overlaps with that I'm not sure I would get cast if I don't get extended.
But that is counting my chickens before they hatch. I haven't even started training yet! I will do my best to update this as much as possible with tidbits and stories about my new role. The benefit of Guest Relations is it lends itself to sharing via blogging a whole lot more than performing. (Downside- having to wear panty hose. Eww :) )
-M
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Rolling on into the Summer
Helllooo everyone!
I have been a busy bee in the last month or so. I have finally gotten my two job schedules in sync. It took far longer than it should have do to a mishap with Disney scheduling when I went part time but it is finally worked out. I currently work 3 days at Disney and 3 days at Seaworld with a day off on Wednesday. Hence the busy bee.
I went to the Traditions meeting that I mentioned in my last post. Turns out you have to have been full time or part time for 2 years so that immediately knocked me out of the running. But I got a lot of good information so I'm glad I went.
Some time in February or March I applied for a spot on the part time bench for Guest Relations. For those who do not know the bench is essentially a pool of potential candidates from which hiring managers can pull when they have an open position. I ended up interviewing in late april and gained a place on the bench. So any time in the next year ish (or until they post for the bench again) I can be called for a part time guest relations position. Im not totally clear on this but I believe it could also be for a TA or it might only be for a Part Time TA.
I have come to realize I use this blog as a depository of all of my achievements and when I am feeling down an lost I come here to remember why I am still in Orlando. I have definitely been feeling down and lost recently. I think the biggest reason for this is that I don't consider what I am currently doing for Disney (and Seaworld) as a career, I see it more of as a job. It is a job I love and I do enjoy on most days, but I know I have a limited future in it because at heart I am not a performer. I have seen a lot of my friends get trained in so many things and hired full time and I won't lie that hurts. I am happy for them but I doubt myself and I think in my heart I realize that the likelihood of that happening to me is not great. I don't have the technical training nor do I have the desire to be a starving artist for the rest of my life.
So as usual when I get to feeling like Entertainment is not where I am meant to be, I look for jobs. I have been looking at Disney but haven't found much of anything. I found 3 jobs with Universal that would be perfect so hopefully I can get some interviews for those. I have also started to look for jobs back in Texas. I found 2 in the Fort Worth area which would be nice since I have an aunt that lives there and my best friend Kyralyssa lives there too. I haven't found much of anything in Houston or Austin yet but I haven't spent as much time looking there.
As sad as I would be to leave Orlando, I miss my family and Texas too. I miss living in an area where music artists always come for concerts. And I miss having people who are willing to come with me to concerts. I miss having a normal work week and a regular schedule. I miss not being so torn and confused. God bless college and the regular schedule it creates. I miss that more than anything.
Moral of the story graduating college and then trying to become an adult with a career and such (aka being 20 something and trying to figure out your life) is really difficult and living and working in Disney World doesn't make it any easier.
So I guess this entry ended up being just as much about venting as it did about updating. Lets be honest though that is the story of this blog.
Love you all! Post again soon.
-M
PS: Hope you like the random picture updates. They are the world's easiest way to update.
I have been a busy bee in the last month or so. I have finally gotten my two job schedules in sync. It took far longer than it should have do to a mishap with Disney scheduling when I went part time but it is finally worked out. I currently work 3 days at Disney and 3 days at Seaworld with a day off on Wednesday. Hence the busy bee.
I went to the Traditions meeting that I mentioned in my last post. Turns out you have to have been full time or part time for 2 years so that immediately knocked me out of the running. But I got a lot of good information so I'm glad I went.
Some time in February or March I applied for a spot on the part time bench for Guest Relations. For those who do not know the bench is essentially a pool of potential candidates from which hiring managers can pull when they have an open position. I ended up interviewing in late april and gained a place on the bench. So any time in the next year ish (or until they post for the bench again) I can be called for a part time guest relations position. Im not totally clear on this but I believe it could also be for a TA or it might only be for a Part Time TA.
I have come to realize I use this blog as a depository of all of my achievements and when I am feeling down an lost I come here to remember why I am still in Orlando. I have definitely been feeling down and lost recently. I think the biggest reason for this is that I don't consider what I am currently doing for Disney (and Seaworld) as a career, I see it more of as a job. It is a job I love and I do enjoy on most days, but I know I have a limited future in it because at heart I am not a performer. I have seen a lot of my friends get trained in so many things and hired full time and I won't lie that hurts. I am happy for them but I doubt myself and I think in my heart I realize that the likelihood of that happening to me is not great. I don't have the technical training nor do I have the desire to be a starving artist for the rest of my life.
So as usual when I get to feeling like Entertainment is not where I am meant to be, I look for jobs. I have been looking at Disney but haven't found much of anything. I found 3 jobs with Universal that would be perfect so hopefully I can get some interviews for those. I have also started to look for jobs back in Texas. I found 2 in the Fort Worth area which would be nice since I have an aunt that lives there and my best friend Kyralyssa lives there too. I haven't found much of anything in Houston or Austin yet but I haven't spent as much time looking there.
As sad as I would be to leave Orlando, I miss my family and Texas too. I miss living in an area where music artists always come for concerts. And I miss having people who are willing to come with me to concerts. I miss having a normal work week and a regular schedule. I miss not being so torn and confused. God bless college and the regular schedule it creates. I miss that more than anything.
Moral of the story graduating college and then trying to become an adult with a career and such (aka being 20 something and trying to figure out your life) is really difficult and living and working in Disney World doesn't make it any easier.
So I guess this entry ended up being just as much about venting as it did about updating. Lets be honest though that is the story of this blog.
Love you all! Post again soon.
-M
PS: Hope you like the random picture updates. They are the world's easiest way to update.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Window Watching
"Sitting outside watching the boys through the window. Makes me miss hanging out with my toys. "
(taken at Woody's Picture Shootin' Corral)
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Visit from a friend
My friend from college, Shane came to visit me this weekend. He was basically only in town for two days but I had a lot of fun and I am glad he came to visit. We went to visit Magic Kingdom today. He has never been to a Disney Park EVER! So of course we had to make a stop to visit Mickey and Minnie. This picture is from one of the trunks in Mickey's dressing room in Town Square Theatre.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Star Wars Weekend
"Hoooooooo-plaaaa! Hyperspace Hooooo-plaaa!"
(taken at Hyperspace Hoopla - Star Wars Weekends)
(taken at Hyperspace Hoopla - Star Wars Weekends)
The other night I agreed to take a friend to Hollywood Studios after work. He convinced me to go to watch Hyperspace Hoopla with him. It was a great decision. I have never seen it in person before and now I have seen it and on its opening night. It was so fun and awesome. From some friends who are working this years weekends and have worked them in the past it is "the best yet". So if you are going to go to one of the Star Wars Weekends make sure you stick around for Hoopla. It is totally worth it.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
Springtime Brings New Beginnings
It seems that spring time has brought me lots of good things.
When I last posted I had just been offered a role with Universal. I feel like that was the start of good things or maybe it was getting hired with SeaWorld. Either way I don't regret turning Universal down. Just seeing how much effort my SeaWorld friends had to put into making the rehersals fit with their other work schedules makes me glad I didn't put myself through that.
I am also really glad I didn't take it because on the 12th I got a call from Disney Casting offering me part time in my current role as a performer. This is awesome for so many different reasons and totally made possible by my only having the one other job rather than two.
My part time goes into place on 4/29. Which means on 4/29/2013 I will finally get my one year pin after working for the company three years and 4 months. Not gonna lie I am excited for that pin.
In other news I am going to an info session for Traditions hosts soon. Traditions host is a role that I have listed as a dream role and would definitely love to eventually get. I would also love to get into the training aspect of entertainment in either core training or as a Welcome to Entertainment facilitator. I have lots of areas I want to look into and I feel like finally getting part time will put me on the right track to achieving some of them.
I will post again soon!
-M
When I last posted I had just been offered a role with Universal. I feel like that was the start of good things or maybe it was getting hired with SeaWorld. Either way I don't regret turning Universal down. Just seeing how much effort my SeaWorld friends had to put into making the rehersals fit with their other work schedules makes me glad I didn't put myself through that.
I am also really glad I didn't take it because on the 12th I got a call from Disney Casting offering me part time in my current role as a performer. This is awesome for so many different reasons and totally made possible by my only having the one other job rather than two.
My part time goes into place on 4/29. Which means on 4/29/2013 I will finally get my one year pin after working for the company three years and 4 months. Not gonna lie I am excited for that pin.
In other news I am going to an info session for Traditions hosts soon. Traditions host is a role that I have listed as a dream role and would definitely love to eventually get. I would also love to get into the training aspect of entertainment in either core training or as a Welcome to Entertainment facilitator. I have lots of areas I want to look into and I feel like finally getting part time will put me on the right track to achieving some of them.
I will post again soon!
-M
Friday, March 2, 2012
Bullet point updates
My how time does fly. December doesn't seem like all that long ago at all but March is already here.
Here is a quick update of what has happened since December.
- finished my second college program and went seasonal
- moved out of cp housing and into a nice apartment
-felt defeated, scared, and depressed because of Disney and total invisibility by Casting
- went to Seaworld Audition
- got hired at Seaworld as a Performer 1 (I not only do meet and greets but i also perform in their sesame show)
- learned how to use articulated heads at Seaworld
- started playing Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. Super fun game.
-went to One More Disney Day 12pm to 12am.
- went to a Universal audition for both regular sets as well as their new parade
- went to an articulated head workshop at Disney. Had a lot of fun and rediscovered a passion for my job
Which brings me to yesterday. I heard back from universal and was offered a role in their new parade. After a few hours of debate and an important phone call to my mom I decided to turn down the offer. While Universal pays the most out of all 3 parks and it would have been a really cool expierence, in order to work at all 3 I would have to have 0 availability with Disney. By doing that I essentially prevent myself from ever being assessed or trained. Since Disney is where I really want to find a career and I don't really want it to be in performing, I decided that the Universal job wouldn't get be closer to my goal.
Thats where I am at now. Still looking to get that big girl job but content with where I am.
-M
Here is a quick update of what has happened since December.
- finished my second college program and went seasonal
- moved out of cp housing and into a nice apartment
-felt defeated, scared, and depressed because of Disney and total invisibility by Casting
- went to Seaworld Audition
- got hired at Seaworld as a Performer 1 (I not only do meet and greets but i also perform in their sesame show)
- learned how to use articulated heads at Seaworld
- started playing Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. Super fun game.
-went to One More Disney Day 12pm to 12am.
- went to a Universal audition for both regular sets as well as their new parade
- went to an articulated head workshop at Disney. Had a lot of fun and rediscovered a passion for my job
Which brings me to yesterday. I heard back from universal and was offered a role in their new parade. After a few hours of debate and an important phone call to my mom I decided to turn down the offer. While Universal pays the most out of all 3 parks and it would have been a really cool expierence, in order to work at all 3 I would have to have 0 availability with Disney. By doing that I essentially prevent myself from ever being assessed or trained. Since Disney is where I really want to find a career and I don't really want it to be in performing, I decided that the Universal job wouldn't get be closer to my goal.
Thats where I am at now. Still looking to get that big girl job but content with where I am.
-M
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