I'm Like a Shooting Star, I've Come So Far

A new post. Already. I know! It's going to be a very busy month for me, what with so many magical things to do and so little time in which to do them. 

On Tuesday, we said a Canadian farewell to one of our very special and legacy cast members, DeAnna from Attractions. A bunch of (both costumed and uncostumed) Canadian cast members flooded the pre-show area of Oh Canada to watch DeAnna's last spiel, in which the movie is traditionally introduced but the leaving cast member gets a lovely introduction and gets to say some tear-inducing words about their program. Not a dry eye in the house, DeAnna.

Briana, Sam, Amanda and I bond on Christopher Robin's bed.
I know, Canada in the UK? Gasp!

The sadness continues Wednesday, when we said au revoir to Briana and Amanda, the only two remaining merchandise cast members senior to me. The ladies got the traditional gathering in the store of friends, Canadians, former managers, loved ones and parents but managed to keep things funny by speaking in unison when they were asked how their program went (answer: "It was great!"). After leaving their handprints (literally) on the ceiling of our backroom, we all gathered to watch Amanda, Briana and DeAnna all toss their well-worn hiking boots into the waterfall (DeAnna only tossed one, it's an attractions thing) in an epic tradition that likely makes Imagineering hate us.

Merchandise and Attractions folk posing prettily. 

In the evening, Briana and Amanda had their goodbye dinner at 'Ohana at the Polynesian resort. We stuffed ourselves with too much meat served from skewers and had drinks out of pineapples.
Thursday was graduation for all cast members with programs ending prior to March 1st (my end date is the 27th, for the curious). I got all dolled up and went over to the field behind Chatham Square, a residence like the Commons, with fellow graduating Canadians Briana, Amanda, DeAnna, Chelsea, Sarah, Sam and Ashley, where we proceeded to line up multiple times for our certificates, our graduation ears, our pictures with Minnie and Mickey Mouse, our pictures with our flag, and food.

Canada, your CRP class of March 1st, 2013.

Magical twins Lindsey and Linzi  celebrating our last days together. 

We then packed a change of clothes (jeans and hoodies, it gets cold at night still) and went to Magic Kingdom for a ton of castle photos, a few rides, dinner and the last showing of Wishes for Briana, Amanda and DeAnna. Darn you Wishes, why you gotta be so happy and so sad?

Friday was everyone's last day in housing, but obviously not mine yet, so I went to Animal Kingdom with Rhys to start crossing things off of my "I haven't done this yet" list. We tackled Rafiki's Planet Watch (featuring the Conservation Station), It's Tough to Be a Bug, the Triceratops Spin, the Africa Nature Trail and we met Russel and Dug from Up. In the evening, Lindsay and I spent quality time with the $10 dinner box from Pizza Hut, Molson Canadian and Mrs. Doubtfire.

The Conservation Station!
There was a lion having dental work done, but it felt rude to watch.

Hakuna matata Rafiki, Canada will help you save the planet!

I was back to work today for a surprisingly understaffed shift spent mostly upstairs making magic for the masses and not concealing my excitement when I saw the new FriendShip Boat trading pins for the first time.

TTFN,

Note: I found out yesterday that the entirety of Magic Kingdom, plus the 30 acres of parking, can all fit in the savannah of Animal Kingdom. How amazing is that?

Thanks to: DeAnna, for passing down her legacy award to me. It's now my favourite award of all time. 

Tell Me Princess, Now When Did You Last Let Your Heart Decide?

For a limited time only, it actually snowed it little Canada last week. As part of Limited Time Magic, the thing for 2013 for Disney Parks, we had "Disney Magic" snow aka snowp (rhymes with soap, cuz that's what it is) intermittently blowing over the promenade in front of Canada, under the roof of our cart and, on more than one occasion, into our eyes and costumes. Accompanying the snow were Chip, Dale, Daisy and Donald Duck in their winter best. Donald was actually in Canada plaid, although I think he was visiting from Fort Wilderness, and the rest were in semi-Christmas gear. The event was billed as a Winter Wonderland in Canada, telling guests to come play in the snow. Naturally, guests thought Canada was going to provide their children with real Canadian snow with which to play. I actually told a guest that the Disney parks don't support hypothermia in children, and suggested a visit to real Canada.

How Disney interprets 'Canadian characters'.
Donald Duck...what are you doing?

On Tuesday, I went into work early to line up in my own pavilion to meet out characters. The keeners came out in droves, and the line was never shorter than twenty minutes. Luckily, I was the last "family" before the next set, so while the characters strolled off, I did the same. I went and visited my favourite bear, Duffy, and we both pointed to Canada for pictures, then I went to experience Fountain View Ice Cream in Future World. It's closing in March to make way for a Starbucks. I just barely had time to get a new outfit for my own Duffy bear (he's Peter Pan now) before going to work for the rest of the day.

Duffy loves Canada. It's just over my shoulder.

On Wednesday, I got a very slight early release from work and spent the night in the Polynesian resort with Bailey, Briana, Amanda and Sam. It was a little too late and dark to tan when I arrived, so we got to roast marshmallows on the beach instead. I think I had six. Then we got all dolled up, took the monorail from the Polynesian to Magic Kingdom, then a resort bus from Magic Kingdom to the Yacht Club for dinner at the Yachstman Steakhouse to use a remaining 50% meal coupon.

Safety begins with fire and children on a beach. 

Me, Briana, Amanda and Sam on the Hidden Mickey at the Polynesian. 

The next morning, Bailey got up early to work, Briana and Amanda got up early to tan, and Sam and I slept in the glory that is deluxe resort beds until 10, when we had to pack it up and check out. We had lunch (I had breakfast) at the Polynesian and did some shopping until the sky had completely clouded over and we took off. I spent the rest of my weekend mostly indoors, hiding from miserable weather, and attempted to score some cheap Disney merch at Property Control.
I've compiled a list (on Disney Parks receipt paper) of things I have yet to do during the remainder of my time. I hope to accomplish and document them all, for your enjoyment and mine.

TTFN,

Note: This week's Limited Time Magic is Long-Lost Friends week in Magic Kingdom. I shall attempt to track down Robin Hood.

Thanks to: Dana, for the Canadian treats (aka chocolate maple cookies that our guests would kill us for) this week!

It's Our Problem-Free Philosophy

Hello! Sick again, of course, but still having fun.
On Tuesday, I worked a mid-shift (ie neither open nor close) but managed to sneak out a bit earlier, as my opening friends Briana, Amanda and Sam had already left Canada and checked into our family suite at Art of Animation, where we stayed for a few days for funsies. We were in the Lion King area (there's Finding Nemo, The Little Mermaid, Lion King and Cars) and had Timon, Pumba and baby Simba guarding our building.

In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the merchies sleep tonight. 

This coffee table/ footstool in our living room had no worries.

 On Wednesday, we got up on the early side to hit up Hollywood Studios, not knowing that that was also the plan of some 35,000 other people. Long lines aside, we were able to do Rock'n Roller Coaster, Star Tours and an Animation Studios drawing class (we drew Minnie and mine was not bad at all), as well as the new walk-through exhibit, The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow, before a combination of the heat and yet another illness sent me packing back to the Lion King for the evening. The others came back after not too long and we went to Landscape of Flavours, the aptly-named food court of Art of Animation for dinner.

Sam, Briana, Amanda and I going from 0 to 57 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds.

On Thursday we all slept in until Amanda and Sam had to report to Disney's Health and Fitness Expo to pick up their supplies for the upcoming Walt Disney World Marathon weekend. Both were running the half-marathon (ie 13.1 miles ie 21.1 kilometres) and needed registration numbers, etc. We reunited at the Big Blue Pool, the main pool area of Art of Animation, belonging to the Finding Nemo buildings. Underwater speakers and salt water, not to mention jellyfish-shaped waterfalls. The lifeguards were leading kids (of all ages) in the Cupid Shuffle. There's a solid chance we outshined them all. We packed it in when the clouds rolled over, got all dolled up and took the resort bus to Magic Kingdom for a dinner reservation at Be Our Guest (if you're keeping track, this would be my second time in a week and third overall). We had a lovely, fancy, French dinner, complete with delicious grey stuff, and settled our tummies with Space Mountain and Journey of the Little Mermaid.
Friday, Amanda and Briana checked out of Art of Animation early to go open Canada, but Sam and I were able to sleep in, as a mid and a closer. We had a final breakfast (Sam had lunch) at Landscape of Flavours and headed home/to work.

Pagers at Be Our Guests disappointingly do not play "Be Our Guest". 

The next day was the WDW half-marathon, and I woke up to multiple text and facebook reports of my favourite two runners, not to mention gave away hundreds of stickers and congratulations to anyone wearing the Donald Duck half-marathon trophy. This morning was the full WDW marathon, which, although it started at 5:30 this morning, I had to cross onstage in order to get to work. Duffy the bear (the 20th mile character, characters at every mile, so Disney) and I stood across the stream of runners from each other, me wanting to cross and him likely wanting sweaty runner hugs. I literally had to be directed through by a special events cast member. We got triumphant music on the promenade until about 1:30 this afternoon, when the last runner crossed into the park.
Maybe Family Fun Run 5K for me next time, but absolutely no promises. Everyone knows how I feel about running (only for life-saving purposes, and even then...).
TTFN,

Note: Disney Parks' big thing in 2013 is Limited Time Magic, in which cool and magical things happen, but only for a week or two. Next week's big special event is that, starting tomorrow, it's going to snow over the Canada Pavilion and we'll have characters for meeting and greeting. MAGICAL!

Thanks to: The cast of Hollywood Studios, for being just as magical as we were expecting.

Once You Find Your Centre, You Are Sure to Win

The new year has begun and the official countdown to the end of my program is on. I've been saying it wasn't a reality I had to face until the new year. And here we are.
My first days off in the new year were spent in true Disney fashion - at the parks, having a magical time. Thursday, I got up early (for us) to meet Aimee and Rhys for a trip to Hollywood Studios. After a few stops and lengthy cab ride involving servers from the UK pavilion, we arrived to an unexpectedly large crowd. Fast Passes for Toy Story Mania were long gone, and the waits for Rock'n Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror were in the triple digits, so we decided to just wander and do what we could do.

No lines for Studio Backlot Tour,
probably due to Rhys doing this face. 

We were able to do Drawn to Animation and Muppet Vision 3-D without terrible waits, as well as eat lunch and some snacks, but after fighting the crowds for slightly too long we went Downtown Disney to Fork & Screen. We were joined by Matt (from my New Years picture) for Les Miserables, the ending of which I never actually understood until now, even though I think I've seen the stage show twice. We wandered around Downtown Disney for a little while, and danced with the kids' entertainer for a bit, then went back to Rhys' for movies and wine.

Me, Aimee and Rhys at Hollywood Studios.
No lines for Photopass!

 The next day, my Sunday, was going to be an easy day of me and Supernatural becoming better acquainted, but I was invited via text by Jodey to join her at Magic Kingdom for dinner at Be Our Guest, where I thought I was never going to get a chance to go again. We went to Magic Kingdom well before our reservation in order to put in some quality time on the People Mover and Jungle Cruise (5 minute wait!) before dinner, as well as stopping by Storybook Circus to track down our former coordinator, Dave. We did a little shopping after our 8:45 reservation, as well as meeting the Beast and thanking him for dinner, and headed home.

A painting on the wall of the Rose Gallery.
Soon to be seen on the wall of my apartment...
Don't I wish. 

The Rose Gallery room in Be Our Guest.
Roses everywhere, unsurprisingly.

The next two days at work, I was able to pick up a few more hours due to people calling in for various reasons. The crowds were tapering out, and are now almost completely gone due to kids going back to school. Highlight story of my program though: Lindsay and I were at the cart when a rogue Guest Relations cast member strolled by. Guest Relations are normally only seen on the promenade on their way to work or with a group of guests, so we inquired as to the location of his guests. He said they were in the UK and he was giving them some time while he wandered round Canada. Lindsay told him  she'd like to be Guest Relations for the sole purpose of showing around John Stamos, who visited the park a few months ago and had actually been spotted the day before in the Rose & Crown Pub. The Guest Relations cast member's jaw dropped and he told us that's exactly who he was showing around today. This cast member then went above and beyond, stopping back at the cart with his guests, John Stamos and a woman he was with, at with point we all shook hands and had a merry random time dying of happiness.

TTFN,

Note: Early January? Splendid time to visit Disney World. Downside? Very few College Program kids around.

Thanks to: John Stamos. For being so handsome and polite.

It is the Summer of the Soul in December

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2013 to everyone!
In case you remember or were wondering, Christmas dinner at Rhys' house pre-games was just wonderful.
Christmas day, I continued my unprecedented 50-hour work week with a whopping 12 hour, open-to-close shift. The park was actually quite busy, and guests were (again, unprecedented) extremely polite and kind, as I was thanked several times by guests for working so they could visit Epcot on Christmas Day. You're welcome, and I'm in it for the holiday pay. And the glitter. That night, after a late close, a few of us were invited to Sam's parents' apartment for a late Christmas day dinner and general taste of real life. Again, just fantastic food. Three turkey dinners for me this year, how lucky am I?
Another whopping shift the next day, in which our Canada Santa (Nowell the lumberjack) wished me a very happy Boxing Day and I was very moved that he knew that. No Boxing Day sales in little Canada, I'm afraid. Not a lot of guests at all, but it was very cold which probably kept them all indoors.
The next day, after a very brief stop at the Mall at Millenia, Rhys and I paid a visit to a very appropriate and yet definitely unfrequented (by us) theme park. The Holy Land Experience. Sponsored by The Bible Network. And Chick-Fil-A, I think.

Caffeine, Holy Land-style.

We blasphemously experienced a glittery wax museum, a 55-minute walk-through exhibit of the history of the bible (complete with audio animatronics), many many stores, a few delicious-smelling restaurants, the tiny town of Bethlehem and the world's largest indoor model of Jerusalem (with its very own wailing wall, apparently).

Doctor Who references everywhere!

The park was crowded. It was a bit disarming. Especially when we had to line up for the day's main attraction in the more-than-slightly ostentatious Church of All Nations. Let's just say I was hoping for Jesus Christ Superstar and got Sunday morning TV evangelist times a thousand. The only cure was Olive Garden.

Oooh shiny. And seasonal!

The next day, Rhys and I set out on the late side for Animal Kingdom, and I most definitely managed to get lost on the way there. The goal for Animal Kingdom was Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade, one of the few remaining Christmas attractions still kicking around. It was magical. We attempted to go Downtown Disney to see Les Miserables, but it was completely sold out (guests, you ruin all my plans), so we went to Bob Evans instead. We were going to try to watch the Holiday IllumiNations later on, but it was just pouring rain so we watched Muppet Christmas Carol instead.

Earmuffs and mittens on the tiger! So cute, Animal Kingdom!

New Year's Eve, I had switched shifts to work over midnight, with some notion that it would be very exciting to work in the park during the countdown. I started at 7:00 and ended at 1:30. I guess I wasn't the only one who thought it would be fun to be in Epcot for New Year's Eve, as we almost reached capacity at an enormous and unbelievable 84 352 people present in the park (that includes cast members, and I legit got that stat from a manager). It felt like that many. And it felt like that many were in the park exclusively to purchase glow merchandise from the Canada cart. It was utter insanity and I've never seen anything like it. The same can be said for our fireworks. Although they did start a few minutes late, almost every pavilion got their own little fireworks display, in the order that they celebrated the New Year. Canada, Mexico and the US got the share the big epic fireworks following IllumiNations. The guests mostly just filed out in an orderly, herd-like fashion afterwards, and I pretty much stood there and waved for half an hour before remembering to close to cart.

Matt Perry and I at 2am with our festive 2013 hats. 

Part attendance is still predicted to be high for the week, but I think I've seen the peak attendance of my program.
Happy New Year. May you all resolve to visit the Canada pavilion this year.
TTFN,


Note: If you ever think spending Christmas or New Year's Eve at WDW is a good idea, find me. We'll chat about how wrong you are.

Thanks to: Everyone who sent me Christmas love in the form of cards, presents or facebook messages. Thanks for thinking of me, and if I couldn't spend Christmas at home, I'm grateful to have spent it at the happiest place on Earth.

Wherever You Find Love, It Feels Like Christmas

'Twas the week before Christmas, and I have been keeping busy.
I was off Saturday the 15th and spent most of the day sleeping in and packing an excessive amount of stuff in preparation for the visit of my lovely friend Angela (whom I hadn't seen in far too long). I popped over to our resort, Pop Century (I did that on purpose) around 5 in the evening, waiting for Angela's plane to land and her shuttle to arrive. We checked out Pop Century's food court for dinner and had a early bed-time for the next day. We went to Islands of Adventure the next day, spending the vast majority of our time at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, as per Angela's every wish on Earth. We thoroughly checked out every single shop and went on all the rides - Flight of the Hippogriff, Dragon Challenge and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey - as well as getting lunch from Three Broomsticks.

Angela's debating quitting life and running away to Hogwarts. 

We meandered a bit around the rest of the park just to see what there was (we totally met the Grinch!), then ended up back in Hogsmeade for another round of Butterbeer at the Hogs Head Tavern before heading back. That night, we went over to the neighbouring resort, Art of Animation (I previewed it here), to see what their food court - Landscape of Flavors - had to offer. Another early bedtime for another early wake-up, as we were up just after the sun for our trip to the Magic Kingdom the next day.
We had a surprisingly warm-for-December day, in jeans and tees we wandered about Magic Kingdom until 7pm, making magic and trying not to twirl into other guests. We went back to Pop Century for a quick breather and returned at 9 for Extra Magic Hours, in which we got on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, watched the Electrical Parade and did some necessary shopping.

Angela and I at Gaston's wonderful fountain in New Fantasyland.

We weren't back until rather late, so slept in a bit the next day for our continued adventures at Hollywood Studios and Epcot.
With a little convincing, I made my triumphant return to Tower of Terror and got Angela on Rock'n Roller Coaster. Success! We were able to get Fast Passes for Toy Story Mania and actually had to line up for Muppet Vision 3D before taking the FriendShip boat over to Epcot for the necessary stop by the United Kingdom for tea and Canada for general sight-seeing. We rode The Seas with Nemo and Friends and watched some manatees eat some lettuce before doing some shopping (it was hoodie time and they were left in the resort) and going back to Hollywood Studios for Fantasmic and the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.

Angela and I with our new friends Phineas and Ferb.

Back to Art of Animation for a different lovely dinner of build-your-own pasta (so good!), to Pop Century to get all packed and a brief snooze before Angela's shuttle came before the sun rose. I thought I worked that day, so went home and took a nap before going to work, only to realize I had been given another day off (ADO), so I went back home and took the opportunity to rest and relax.
After my closing shift Thursday, the merchandise cast members of the Canada pavilion, aka my work family,  got together at Lindsay's apartment for a spectacular and complete Christmas dinner, featuring one perfectly cooked turkey and about twelve pounds of mashed potatoes. There were fourteen of us there, and still food enough for fourteen more.

Lindsay and I are totally festive. I did help a little!

On the 21st, I went to the Mall at Millenia with Rhys and Laura. Laura and I ended up getting haircuts just in time for Christmas at a salon near the mall offering a discount for cast members, and my stylist used to work for Disney (she was friends with a few princesses and danced in parades). We had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, complete with Peppermint Bark Cheesecake for dessert. That evening, we got dolled up and went to the Orlando Ballet Company's production of the Nutcracker (on which we also got a discount). Next year, National Ballet of Canada, I think.

Rhys and Laura's pre-Cheesecake Factory snack

I'm in the midst of a rather long work week, for merchandise, so this morning I woke up early and went to Downtown Disney for a bit of last minute Christmas shopping before going to work for 11. Tomorrow and Boxing Day (which isn't really a thing here), I'll be working about 12 hours a day. And I'll be merry about it.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

TTFN,


Note: Please don't ever come here for Christmas. It's so busy. Magic Kingdom reached its capacity at 11:30 this morning. My prediction for tomorrow is 9:30.

Thanks to: Angela, for making the journey from Winnipeg to come see me and that one family from Lanark County who hugged me when they found out I was from Perth.

When Hearts are High the Time Will Fly so Whistle While You Work

This week was certainly no epic story time last last week (at least last week's post). No, this may have been the singular longest and slowest week of my life, if not my program at the very least.

On Friday, Rhys and I went to the Magic Kingdom for a magical day of magic. On our way there, we stopped by Magic Kingdom costuming, as this is where food & beverage cast members (ie Rhys) pick up and check out their work shoes. Chumps in merchandise and attractions get to purchase our own boots, for better or worse. It was about twenty minutes of Rhys picking out shoes and me resisting every temptation to try on all the costumes. I stared at the Haunted Mansion maid costume for a solid five minutes, just debating but not actually touching anything. I did try on a hat on our way out. No pictures, of course, and I'll let you guess which one. All my hair fit underneath, if that give you a clue. 

The windows of the Emporium on Main Street are all
decorated with scenes from Mickey's Christmas Carol.

Our day at Magic Kingdom started with a brief trip to the Main Street Bakery, which will not be there for much longer, as it is the site of a future Starbucks (the other site being Fountain View at Epcot). Our timing was exactly right to watch the castle show, also known as Dream Along with Mickey, for my first time in my program. Granted, I'd heard and walked by it many many times, but had never actually watched it. It was, of course, magical. The kind of magic that brings tears to one's eyes (Psst, dreams come true!). 

Minnie Mouse's (and my own) dream of being a princess.

We caught yet another trolley parade and did the full gambit of favourite rides, as well as the Tomorrowland Speedway, an attraction that I, again, had never done. It's Disney World Go-Karts, essentially. We stuck around just long enough to watch Cinderella's Holiday Wish (still magical), after which I fell off a curb like the picture of grace that I am and sprained my ankle, which is why my week gets very boring. A lovely Guest Relations Cast Members (to whom I owe a Guest Service Fanatic card, I suppose) called an alpha unit for me, aka an emergency squad of Reedy Creek Fire Department paramedics stationed in the park. Fastest response times in North America. Long story short, I've been on the monorail in a wheel chair, but it is in fact just a sprain, as confirmed by nurses, paramedics and a doctor. 

From Saturday until Tuesday, I was laid up in my third floor apartment with nothing but glorious American Netflix to keep me company on my constant cycle of rest, ice, compression and elevation. I tried to go back to work on Tuesday, but to no avail, I got sent to a doctor and then sent home (still, just a sprained ankle). I left my house Thursday for grocery-type provisions (driving is easier than walking, who knew?) but have basically been locked up in my tower for days (Netflix doesn't have Tangled, I checked). I took lots of pictures of the bruises all over my right foot, but there's no way they'll be posted here anytime soon. 

I do have this picture of Rapunzel's tower behind a construction wall.
No word on its purpose yet.

Today I escaped for some low-key fun Downtown Disney in the form of The Hobbit in the Fork & Screen theatre with Rhys and Laura (neither of whom knew The Hobbit was filmed as a trilogy). Long movies need Fork & Screen, for both food and seat quality. 

Laura, me and Rhys post-Hobbit and all Christmas-y!

On the plus side, things can only get more exciting next week! A visitor and back to work! Woo!

TTFN,

Note: Both Jodi Benson (the voice of Ariel) and Lea Salonga (singing voices of Mulan and Jasmine) were both in Epcot this week to narrate the Candlelight Prcessional. And I was stuck here!

Thanks to: Ashley, Chelsea and Rhys, all of whom aided in removing me from the Magic Kingdom on Friday.