"Always tell stories"

So far this program I've been giving the amazing opportunity and privilege to meet so many inspiring and interesting people, from guests, to fellow cast members, to the current and future leaders of Walt Disney World. One of the many highlights was meeting Lee Cockerel, former Executive Vice President of Operations at Walt Disney World Resort. Since retiring, Mr. Cockerell has written three books about his philosophy on business, Creating Magic, The Customer Rules, and Time Management Magic, his newest release. The Art of Disney store had the honor of hosting Mr. Cockerel for a book signing and while working the signing, I had the chance to speak with Mr.Cockerel and have a book personalized by him. 

Mr Cockerel had a lot of interesting things to say, but the thing that stuck with me the most was the advice he gave on interviewing for jobs, which was to "always tell stories". It was very simple advice, especially for someone like me whose always talking and trying to entertain people, but it spoke volumes on what it is that brings success and what successful people do, and it really made me feel validated in a way that I didn't expect. It let me know that there's still room for people like me in a world where the most important thing seems to be making money. Disney is obviously in the business of turning a profit, but it's nice to know that a big emphasis is placed on entertaining and storytelling, the backbones of the Walt Disney legacy, instead of things like cost cutting. It was truly a pleasure to meet Mr. cockerel, and I hope to some day he in the position where I too can write books and inspire young people like me to pursue their dreams and goals. 

Magic Kingdom versus Downtown Disney

(What is my face doing in this picture?)

A few weeks ago I had the distinct pleasure of being deployed to Magic Kingdom to work, and I wanted to tell you guys how that went and how different it was from working at Downtown Disney. 

For one thing, magic kingdom is a lot more complicated then Downtown Disney, specifically in terms of navigation. Magic Kingdom is famous for its utilidoors, an underground (well technically ground level) tunnel system beneath the elevated park that serves as the base for all cast members and operations backstage. One of the cool things when working at Magic Kingdom is getting to walk these tunnels and explore them everyday, but when you're new like me, they're super confusing and intimidating. I was used to the simplicity of Downtown Disney with its main walkway, that takes you to wherever it is you need to go. It's much more like a normal mall experience then Magic Kingdom. At Downtown Disney I just walk through the onstage area no problem, which is a major no-no at Magic!

Another difference between the two is the type of people you work with. Now, both sets of coworkers were amazing, but those at Magic Kingdom definitely skewed more towards my age, and thus we were able to really make a connection quicker than I could with my Downtown Disney coworkers. Most of my regular coworkers are much older than I am, and while they've been but kind to me, and have so many awesome stories to tell and advice to give, there's still a disconnect there from being at a completely different point in life than I am. This disconnect wasn't there as much at Magic Kingdom. Many of my coworkers were my age and many were on the same program as me, so the common ground instantly bonded us and I became quick friends with all of them. We've hung out outside of work and have become fast friends. 

When I first started the program, I was disappointed that I wasn't placed in a park, specifically Magic Kingdom, and instead placed in Downtown Disney. I thought I'd hate not being in a park and that I'd be bored out of my mind with nothing to do. Not only has that not been true, but I've come to embrace downtown Disney as my home. Magic Kingdom was certainly loads of fun and a nice change up from the usual, but there was nothing like coming back to Downtown Disney reinvigorated and excited to see everybody! Just goes to show you that anyplace an become home, even the places you least expected. Now if you'll excuse me, it pool time! Love y'all lots! 

Things are Cray-Cray...

Woo-ie it's been way too long since I've last talked to you guys! I do apologize profusely for my absence, but to my defense, I have been working 35 plus hours a week lately! Yes, things have definitely been crazy down here in the land of the Mouse, but then again I highly doubt there'll be a time when things AREN'T crazy here!

So work as usual has been tons of fun, and while it's definitely taken up much of my time, I've still found plenty of time for play! Here at Walt Disney World we work hard and we play hard, and there are times when I can't even tell what I'm more tired from, interacting with guests all day are walking around the parks!

A few days ago I was able to go to a park that may shock some of you: Universal Studios!!! Shhhhhhhh don't tell Mickey that I was playing with the enemy!

I kid of course. It was actually really interesting to learn just how open Disney is about Universal, their cast members working at both places, and in some cases even encouraging us to talk about and even experience Universal. It just goes to show how professional and respectful Disney is towards their biggest competitor. They both really do compliment each other well, each providing something that the other can't. It just depends on guest preference which one is superior, and I guess I prefer Disney's focus on environment and ambiance to Universal's focus on thrill rides.

But of course I still love Universal, so you know I was definitely excited to visit. especially when we found ourselves in the brand new Diagon Alley, an expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter that began in Islands of Adventure. I remember seeing Hogsmeade back in 2011 and thinking that nothing could top the awe of seeing Hogwarts castle, but I think the attention to detail and scope of Diagon alley has that beat. The place is indescribable in it's accuracy to the movies and books, and it's beauty! 

We also got to explore the rest of universal too (specifically Simpsons World!) 

Besides that, we've also had plenty of adventures at Disney too! 

We had Lunch at the Grand Floridian! 

Sooooooo fancy! 

The wedding pavilion, where we almost walked in on a wedding. 

There was a space launch!!! 

All in all a great few days! 

Training, Training, Training...

Hey guys! Sorry I haven’t updated in a while! Things have been super crazy down here in Orlando, in the best way possible of course! The big news is that I've been training in my position as a salesman at the Art of Disney gallery in Downtown Disney! Training has been super long and in parts definitely boring, but I've loved every minute of it so far. Interacting and talking with guests has made all the boring and repetitive moments worth it in my mind. I've gotten to meet some really cool people already in my short time here, and even learn about the art that we carry in the gallery, which is great for an art lover like myself!

I've even received cross training on how to make one of the most iconic pieces anyone could buy on their Disney vacation: Mickey Mouse ears! To be honest, the process of stitching names on the ears is far from the most exciting thing in the world, thanks to the advent of computer run sewing machines, but again, it’s the moments with the guests receiving their ears, the smiles and laughter as they put them on for the first time, that really makes it a truly amazing job. It just hit me the other day that though I’m just a small cog in the machine, I’m nonetheless apart of something far bigger than I could ever hope to be, something that’s been going on long before I was here and something that will probably go on long after I’m gone, and that’s super surreal. Sure, the job itself is far from glamorous, but when you look at it from a different perspective, it’s hard not to see the importance of it. We’re apart of people’s vacation, the moments they’ll remember, the anecdotes they’ll tell all their friends, the memories they’ll cherish. That’s pretty awesome!

Of course, outside of work I've gotten to make my own memories, along with my new friends that I’ve made here!  There’s so much that we've done in just a few short days that I’ll just do a big ole’ picture dump with a few of my lovely comments added along the way. Enjoy!

My first view of the castle! Eeeeep!

My name tag. I may or many not have cried. 

My new friend Sylvia and I in Epcot #golfballselfie

#smallworldselfie

Joey (on the left) got to meet Belle

Fireworks by Ariel's castle! 

#heaven 

My costume for Art of Disney 

My pins!!!! 

Meeting Tinkerbell! Apparently I need more pixie dust I'm so tall. 

Marie the cat! 

Merida! I only talked her ear off a little bit, but I was too excited lol 

Sylvia, me, Ariel, Joey, Josh, and James! 

WE WON, WE WON, WE WON!!!! also I'm all moved in...

UNDISPUTABLE CHAMPS!!!!! I seriously cannot believe that the Buckeyes beat Oregon last night to become national champions! I've always been proud to be a Buckeye, but last night was so amazing that I can't even describe it. It was so much fun watching them work as a team and come back from what I thought was a series of game-ending mistakes to hoist up the trophy. I can't wait to get my championship gear and wear it obnoxiously around all the parks!

In other news, I moved into my apartment yesterday and took my first steps towards becoming a fully official Disney employee! I'd be lying if I said that the process wasn't stressful. Check in was at nine and from there I didn't get fully moved in until 5. It was definitely a long day, but there were a lot of great things that happened during the day:

- I finally found out where I'd be working! I will be a salesman in the Art of Disney Gallery in Downtown Disney! I think that there was definitely some sort of divine intervention that had to occur, because this just seems too perfect for me. My love of Disney could only be challenged by my love of art and collecting, so its great to be working in a place that melds the two! I haven't officially started training (that happens Thursday) but I certainly can't wait!

- I found out where I'll be living and who I'll be living with. I was placed in Patterson Court, the newest apartment complex at Disney, with five other guys. The place itself is very nice, nicer perhaps than any other place I've lived in during college. While I'm definitely going to have to get used to with rooming with someone after having my own room, my roommate, as well as the other guys in my apartment, are pretty cool, if a little quiet (though it is just the first day). I look forward to getting to know them.

Today has been much more relaxed, if a bit sad. I had to finally say goodbye to mom and Greg after a fun three days of traveling and adventures. To say that I'll miss them while I'm here is a massive understatement. They are the reason why I've been able to come so far and there love and support are something that I'll cherish forever. I can't possibly thank them enough for all of the things they've done for me, but it doesn't hurt to try. Mom and Gred, thank you! 

I love you so much. 

Shop shop shop till you drop!

My oh my, today was a busy day. We started off early (for me at least) at 8:00 in the morning for our free breakfast buffet at the hotel. Now normally this wouldn't be anything special of note, but I mention it only because of how nice it was to see the other families starting their day and felling their infectious energy as they set out to wherever the day took them. It was especially nice to see the runners taking part in the Disney Marathon. To see such energy and excitement in one place made me even more excited then I already was to start working and do my best so that I too could be a part of the atmosphere! 

After breakfast we decided to stop at the Orlando Premium Outlets, one of the premiere shopping destinations in the city, and let me tell you, that place was swanky! Prada, Burberry, Fendi, Armani, if you can name it they had it! And at great prices too (though most was waaaayyyy out of my college graduate price range)! I was able to find a Prada tie for only thirty bucks, as well as a Disney pin to start of my collection! 

For lunch we headed to Downtown Disney, and ate at perhaps my favorite restaurant on Disney property, T-Rex Cafe. Any place with full sized animatronic dinosaurs is already tops in my book, and the large portions of yummy food didn't hurt at all! 

 

(Posing with mom and flowers at Downtown Disney)

(We survived a "meteor shower"!!!!) 

After lunch we continued to do what we do best, and shop. In the process I ended up with four more Disney pins, two of which are limited edition! I can definitely see pin purchasing being a reoccurring theme in this blog. They're just so fun and collectible, which is right up my alley coming from a family of collectors. They also make a better souvenir than a t-shirt, which is what I'd probably buy instead if I didn't have a million ready. 

(My pins) 

We ended the night with a nice relaxing dinner at Bahama Breeze, sitting outside and enjoying the calypso music. The food was good and the company was excellent as always! 

(I look dumb here) 

(And here) 

(I promise this isn't mine..... More of a martini man myself) 

And now I'm in bed watching the Simpsons. I'm not going to lie, I'm nervous about moving in tomorrow and starting my journey proper. I feel like I'm a freshman in college all over again, without the almost dying part. But at the same time I'm so so excited too. I feel ready for this, like this is something I'm meant to do. I'm ready to prove myself and to start the next leg of my life's journey, wherever it takes me!