Okay, so here's the rundown. Whether you're a potential CP (College Programmer, I think) or a curious browser just looking for a Disney read, I'm about to give you the details of my first ten days as a Cast Member!
1. The rumors are true. Pack half of what you think you'll need.
Before I left my Mississippi State home, slowly packing my life into boxes, I read about the 'packing light' rumors. I had to fill my little Altima to the brim, but also leave room for two passengers and a driver. By the time it was all said and done, I had cut my packing plan approximately into thirds. Once I moved into my third story apartment, I bought storage essentials and a few decorative tools, but for the most part, I had all I needed in the third I brought. So, pack less than you need, and thank me later.
2. Traditions will brainwash you in a better way than you could ever hope to be brainwashed.
Traditions is basically Disney's Orientation into the corporation. Unfortunately, I can't give very many details. We weren't allowed to take video or have our phone out at all during most of the day, but it put so much extra magic into Walt Disney World. If you're a guest reading this, I can truly tell you that every Cast Member is centered around you. The entire corporation is built around the magic that we get to make for you, and all of the emphasis that Traditions put on that was awe-inspiring. We spend days learning about how we can make your vacation as magical and as wonderful as possible, and to see how much love Disney has for its guests made me love Disney that much more. The details are top secret, but I can tell you that it was an amazing and emotional day for me.
3. Training is so difficult, but so worth it.
I'm a PhotoPass Photographer at Hollywood Studios. The training has been tedious, and it's so hot and crowded outside. However, being trained to make magic for guests and being able to have that one-on-one connection with them when they come into the park is something that I wouldn't trade for the world already. When I applied, I mentioned my love of people in my phone interview, and they couldn't have put me in a better place. The sweat is tough, and it's definitely challenging, but I feel so lucky to be challenged here. Each of my roommates face struggles and long hours in their respective jobs, but we all feel incredibly lucky and blessed to be able to work for Disney. With each struggle comes wonderful opportunities to reach people and make vacations truly memorable.
The past two days have been my first off from traditions, and I've enjoyed resting and visiting my home park of Hollywood Studios today. I'm excited to learn and experience new adventures here for the next few months. If you have any questions about my journey, then please ask here. I'll do my best to answer them all, and hopefully do an Instagram Live soon to answer some more questions and talk about my journey to Disney a little bit (It's way too much to type). Follow @literallytwentysomething to make sure you don't miss out on the Live or on the journey! All of us here have our own struggles and challenges within our respective duties, but we all feel incredibly lucky and blessed to be here to make magic for our guests. I look forward to telling you more stories and giving more updates on what's going on here in the Happiest Place on Earth!