Random new findings

As the topic above mentioned, I already have learned a lot of new findings.  Instead of posting a video or showing a new part of my time here, I thought it would be interesting to share the new facts or experiences I have had.

This isn't really going to be organized in any particular fashion. It will just be nice for me to look back on after I'm done with this and I'm sure will bring me a few laughs!

First, everything is in military time.  Our bus schedule, work schedule, and even CVS Pharmacy.  So there is me sitting in my room with the bus schedule laid out in my hand, looking at the numbers on my work schedule to match up, and looking at this friendly schedule they gave me to help convert the time! :

If I don't have this piece of paper with me (which should very well be laminated) then I am at the bus stop, discreetly counting on my fingers how much longer the bus is going to come. 21:34 - 12 = "12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,.. ah how much was that?.. 12, 13, 14, 15.. ooh that's a cute French boy... MAN! what is 21-12!?" etc.

Funzie Facts about Disney Shtuff:   

• Water is the most purchased item in all of Disney.
• Tampa, Florida is considered the thunderstorm capital of the world.
• The Disney resort is located on 30,000 acres or 47 square miles, which is about the size of San Francisco or twice the size of Manhattan.
• Animal Kingdom covers over 500 acres of this.  Animal Kingdom is so large that it can fit Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios (MGM), and Epcot into it and STILL have room for it's 6,000 available parking spaces!  Now, those animals take up room!
• Orlando is also very big on helping endangered sea turtles which reminds me of the movie The Last Song and I laugh every time.

Buses: 

Let's just say these are not the standard Grand Valley buses.  Seeing everyone in all their costumes daily is hilarious!  In a summary:

Grand Valley buses: no one talks and everyone's on their phones pretending we are texting everyone we know at 8 in the morning.

Disney buses: whoever you sit with strikes up a conversation, finds out where you work, where you live, what your major is, where you're from, etc.  it's lovely!

The major thing they do have in common is that if the bus is leaving and you run after it, they will not stop and it's a very unfortunate thing.  Unlike Grand Valley where the buses come every 5 minutes (normally), Disney only comes every 20-60 minutes depending where your location is at.  Because of this reason, having a car means you have about 9 million friends automatically.

Disney lingo:

We don't use language that any other company uses.  By this I mean, we have no "customers", "co-workers", and we certainly don't go to "work".  Of course these need to be true of any business, however we look at it in a different light.

When Walt first created Disney, he wanted it to be a place to go to that would cast away all fears of the real world, a time to relax, and a time to be put into a fantasy world.  There are no clocks or newspapers out in the open to help escape this reality.  Everyone comes for different reasons to Disney whether they are wanting to just get away for awhile, be soaked up in the sun, a celebration of an anniversary or birthday, or a terminal illness that one wants to see the happiest place on earth.  There are so many worries and stresses in life that this is a place to set them all aside and enjoy life and family.  

He wanted this to be as a part of a show.  Because of this, guests come to a show.  There are no workers in a show; there are only cast members.  And we are not "working"; we perform our role.  We also have onstage and offstage.  Onstage means that you are out performing, or working, where other guests can see you.  Offstage means that you are on break or behind the scenes where no one can see you.  And we don't have "uniforms"; we have costumes.  They don't have "receipts"; they have tickets.  We make sure that this "lingo" is used when we are onstage to make sure that the guests really feel like they are living in a fantasy land.  We also ask for their "autographs" instead of their signature when in need of a credit card receipt. (which I think is so cute!)

Magical stories: 
Magical stories are a big part of Disney.  These basically include anything that involves going above and beyond to our guest.  These could include giving them a Happy Birthday button, simply playing games with a child, or even more memorable, fulfilling a dream of theirs.  I have heard of many magical memories, even from when I first started going to the meetings 2 years ago.  They are all so precious and each one is different in many ways depending on the individual.  These included of when they upgraded a young girl's hotel room to see right out of her resort to see the perfect view of the fireworks at Cinderella's Castle on her birthday to a child wanting to specifically take a picture with the cast from Toy Story when he learned he was diagnosed with cancer and didn't have long to live.  Instead of just the original cast, they not only got the entire cast together, but they got every toy soldier as well, and even prolonged the daily parade to do so.

One in particular is one of my favorite stories I heard from my trainer:

He was working at the Front Desk/Concierge in a resort and having the worst day ever.  His boss asked him to hurry and go to the airport to pick up a guest's pair of shoes that they left.  He said he would gladly do it, although was not in the mood at all.  He had a time limit to be back by 5 p.m.  He learned the name of the company that held his shoes for him, but stopped at the wrong location.  45 minutes later he arrived at the correct location after given wrong directions.  As this was increasing his frustration, the horrific traffic on top of it during rush hour and a distinct time limit to be back was not helping one bit.  He was cutting it close on time, but somehow made it right before 5 p.m.  He raced up to the hotel room and a man in a tuxedo opened the door.  With a puzzled look on his face, he looked towards the back of the room where he saw who appeared to be his mom balling and running up to him to give him a hug.  Still confused, the woman proceeded to cry out, "We thought you weren't going to make it!! We didn't know what to do!!!"  He looked at the man in the tuxedo and he shook his hand with great delight as he continued to say that his wedding was at 5 p.m.  As you can tell, my trainer had instant delight and by making them blissful, in turn, made his awful day turned into one of the greatest memories of his life.

Random stories:

I have met multiple people from France, Australia, and New Zealand.  It's so fun to talk to them and learn about the cultures.  For example, my friend Micael (pronounced as Miguel) said how weird it is for him to come to the United States and to be underage all of a sudden.  He said that the drinking age is 18 in France and so is to drive!  Talk about a big birthday party by being able to drink and drive on one birthday! (obviously not at the same time, either!!)  Of course, driving isn't as big of a deal there because Americans have cars everywhere, where in Europe, as I saw when I visited the Netherlands last year, they have multiple forms of transit.  I thought that was interesting.

Another instance.  I was talking to a new girl I met from China named Kiko.  We were on our lunch break so I proceeded to pull out my english muffin with melted cheese, bowl of fruit, carrots, and Special K bar.  She looked at me and asked if I was on a diet.  I started cracking up and said I wasn't.  She said I had such healthy food she was surprised if I wasn't dieting.  This made me laugh, but then after, I thought to any international students they probably think we just eat hamburgers and french fries every single day (which many of us do).  My friend Tegan (love the name!) from New Zealand couldn't even finish a wheat sandwich with tuna that she bought from the cafeteria.  I saw her took 2 bites out of it then set it aside because it was too sweet. (and it didn't have any condiments on it either!)

There was a girl in my traditions group that got engaged at Cinderella's Castle!! She is a Disney fanatic and wants their ceremony and honeymoon to be there.  Talk about loving Disney!  Apparently if you eat at Cinderella's Castle on the upper level, then that automatically means someone is going to purpose!  They are special reserved just for that and the ring comes out in a slipper!  So if you are sitting on the top in the castle at the dinner, you're gonna get proposed too!  Sorry if that actually happens and I just ruined the excitment for ya..

Friday Funnies:

• My first ride was Carousel of Progress and could not have put enough of a smile on my face when the little girl in front of me threw her hands up in the air as the carousel rotated to the next scene, as if it was a thrill ride!
• The 5 scary heads that pop up on the side of The Haunted Mansion look like our presidents and it's freaky.  I don't like that ride and I haven't even been on Tower of Terror yet...although Nick Carter went on it and loved it, so I suppose I will too. 

I still have so much information!  I knew this was going to happen to me. But just wanted to update what I have so far, hopefully weekly I will.

Next blog will be what my "costume" is, work location, and such!  You'll be in for a real treat!


I was going to add something witty here, but I cannot think of anything.  I can say that Betty White just turned 90 years old a few days ago and is still looking hawt. Go Betty!