[Princess Tessa]

LOL! Thats so funny she thinks she can "sue" Disney over that, she obviously didn't do much research on the program before going
Yeah, I'm going to be being a Nanny for my sister the month before I go and she'll pay me $1000 (as long as she gets the jobs shes hoping for) so I'll have tons of walmart money

Congrats on 500 posts by the way!

[Princessbaby]

Can't wait to read more! I'm not even planning on working there and I'm really enjoying this thread! Actually, back in the day when I was in college, I was planning on applying there and doing all the fun stuff I heard about and you are doing, but my plans fell through and I didn't apply, so I guess this is my way of still "experiencing" it.......Thanks!

[gingita]

I am glad everyone is enjoying my reports. Now that I have some dinner in me, I will continue on with my report.

[Princess Tessa]

hee hee hoorah..........boy you and I need lives, we've both been on DC all day haha

[gingita]

Training Day 1:

Once Upon A Time Is Now--My First Training Class
The purpose of this training was to tour the Magic Kingdom so we would be able to know where things were and could easily direct guests in the right direction. It was my favorite part of training though because it was so amazing! First of all we got to enter the Magic Kingdom before it opened to guests (which completely made up for having to get up so early). I got some great pictures that can be seen in my Holiday Pictures thread in the Trip Reports forum.

We walked all over the place and learned about various things I never knew. Like the names on the store windows (mainly on the 2nd floors) along Main Street are actual names of people that have something to do with Disney World. Like one of the names is M.T. Lott, which is an alias they used when they were secretly buying up Florida acres upon which to build WDW so they could get the land at a decent price. Once it was discovered that it was Walt, the prices skyrocketed.

Next we headed into a very empty Fantasyland. It was almost eery seeing it so empty. Here we talked about how WDW is constantly changing to keep things updated. And how even though it's hard to see old attractions go, they have to keep moving on. The example they gave is how they replaced Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. They asked us if we could name 5 characters from Mr. Toad....we could not come up with 5 as a group. But once they asked us to name 5 from Winnie the Pooh, it was very easy of course. So that's why they replaced it. Mr. Toad was only getting about 10-15% of the park attendance visiting the ride, whereas Winnie the Pooh is in the 90s for park attendance. It had just grown outdated and most people were not familiar with the storyline at all.

Next we moved into Tomorrowland where we stopped at Cosmic Rays for a rest and bathroom break. Here we learned that Cosmic Rays is the 2nd busiest fast food restaurant in the WHOLE world! The busiest is somewhere in Russia or something like that. I thought that was pretty interesting.

While we were sitting there, our tour guide got an urgent mobile page. It turns out it was from Buzz Lightyear--he needed our help to defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg and save the batteries! So we all responded at once! Luckily, we saved them and all was well in the toy world. And I managed to get my best score ever...again, there are pictures in the previously mentioned thread.

So what better to do after saving batteries, than head into Liberty Square?!? While here, we discussed the importance of the details Disney puts into everything...even the small things like the cobblestones on the sidewalks because it's the little touches like that, that make the show. We headed into the Columbia Harbour House, where the guide proceeded to tell us about the story behind the Haunted Mansion.

Apparently there is not an official story because like any good ghost story, it all depends on who tells the story. His version was really great, and of course afterwards, we had to go experience the ghosts for ourselves. The ride made a lot more sense to me after hearing a version of the story behind it.

As we were exiting the ride, all of a sudden, the guide pulls us into a door and we are backstage! I was actually really nervous because I had no idea what to expect. They showed us around a bit through the utilidors, which as previously mentioned, I have a strong dislike for.

Next we walked through the utilidors to Main Street where we went to one of the rooms on the second floor of one of the buildings. Interesting fact I learned: Since Florida is at sea-level, the utilidors are not actually underground--they are the first floor. The Magic Kingdom is just considered to be on the second floor...it's pretty funny to think about.

From that room, trainers came to take us away to our next section of training--specific training for our assignments. Since my official area is Adventureland/Liberty Square, I got an in-depth training on both lands. And the next section of training called Be A Guest was just as fun as the Once Upon A Time is Now training.

But I will have more on that at a later time. I am exhausted and it's time for bed!

[Princess Tessa]

Thanks Ginger!!! If it was possible, this has gotten be 10 times more excited to go!!!
The training sounds great, it's all about the show

[jk8]

Oooh, this has been great. I can't wait to hear about your daily job duties.

[The Goof Father]

I am so glad to be able to tune into your threads! Pictures and posts that are so full of little details! Simply awesome! Don't slow down, keep 'em coming!

[gingita]

I would write more now, but I am so exhausted from work. I had what's called bridge duty after the park closed at midnight. Basically I was in charge of clearing out Frontierland, Adventureland, and Liberty Square. It was quite the task...and very lonely. I basically moved around and stood on various bridges looking for stray guests. It was pretty cold outside...luckily I got to leave 30 minutes early since I got them out of there quickly. So I only ended up working until about 1:10am. But I need some sleep now. I will have more updates as soon as I have some energy.

[Princess Tessa]

ooooh that sounds spooky all alone! Thats nice you got to go early, and get prepaired for your friday shift I'm still in shock at those hours!

[Boss Mouse]

Very cool. When you've the time, tell the story of the Haunter Mansion.

[The Goof Father]

Poor Gingita!

I can see Gingita standing on a lonely bridge and in a commanding voice saying, "None shall pass!"


Thanks! I still liked hearing that little tidbit... I always wondered how Disney wrangled stragglers out of the park!

[dhoughton]

Ginger--this is a great thread!! Thanks for giving us all this cool education! Can't wait to see you in February!!

[Cosmicwaves]

How exciting. I'll have to look for you next week!!!!!!

[dhoughton]

Originally Posted by Cosmicwaves

How exciting. I'll have to look for you next week!!!!!!

Hi Cosmic!! Can't wait to hear about your trip when you get back! Tell Gingita hi for us! (BTW, your prize is going out in the mail this week!)