.....Hi.

Although I am many things...as a blogger...well I kinda suck.

As I dust off this blog yet again for the third time...I'm reminded of the promise I made to all of my readers of how dedicated I was to keeping this alive. Well I never go back on my word so starting now...seriously...this blog will be active and lively. Everybody go "YAY!" As my video counterpart would say..."5 Second Dance Party!"

Now I'm sure I've missed alot of newsworthy and interesting Disney News in the last few months and you've missed out on alot about me. First off...Happy 2010! Here's what you missed in my Disney Life:

• Got Accepted into the College Program as a Character Attendant for Spring 2010
• I check in January 20th (that's really soon)
• I did not get a Professional Internship
• I did not get a Character Performer role.
• I graduated College (yay!)
• I acquired 5 awesome roommates
• I will be living in Chatham Square
• I went to Chicago with a bunch of CP's for "Christmas Under the Bean"
• Most of my friends from Fall 2009 have finished their programs and left.
• I picked up a few merch shifts the week before check-in and will be leaving in 4 days to complete them.
• I will be working in the Emporium at MK, MouseGears at EPCOT and Tomorrowland (so far...)
• Some people have already checked into their programs, gone through traditions and are starting training (w00t)

That's about it...to get the full scoop on me and my Disney life in the past two months...visit my Youtube and get some more info there. My hands hurt too much to type out everything.

MOVING FORWARD:

Around this time of journeying to my college program (if you didn't catch it...this will be my third)...I'd make a packing blog for you guys to read about tips, tidbits and hints on how to pack for the Disney College Program whether you will be driving or flying (or maybe even walking...but that would be VERY far...) to Florida.

But...I already did that...so I won't.

MOVING FORWARD STILL:

What I will (no pun intended) focus on this blog...as this is my first blog of the new decade and something awesome is starting from Disney Parks, I'll elaborate a little bit on Give a Day...Get a Disney Day

Announced back in September 2009 and beginning January 2010, as a part of the theme for Disney Parks "What Will You Celebrate?", and as a replacement for the "Get in free on your birthday" incentive last year, Disney Parks organized a program that celebrates the spirit of volunteerism and giving. If you give a day of service, you receive one free day ticket to any Disney Theme Park.

"In 2010, we want to recognize and add one more reason for celebration: the contributions people make to their communities every day," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "We want to inspire 1 million volunteers – people who will invest time and energy to make their own communities and neighborhoods a better place."

Partnering with the HandsOn Network - the nation's largest volunteer network, users can go to www.DisneyParks.com and to search for volunteer areas and opportunities in their communities or districts.

Even the Muppet's are getting their hands on this action. If you haven't seen any of the commercials on your television, there are a few broadcast just like the one below to get people into the spirit of giving back. Also starting today, the Muppets honor guests who have given back to their communities through volunteerism at Disneyland park and Magic Kingdom park in Disney's Honorary Volunteer Cavalcade, featuring Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.

As a Castmember and a longtime VoluntEAR, I feel that not only is this an amazing project and opportunity Disney is giving out to muster the spirit of giving, but it's also a great chance for the family to come together as a whole and share a good feeling...and then to experience a free day at a Disney Park because of it! I mean...who doesn't want a FREE day at Disney?

Even Disney Vloggers are getting into the spirit of Give a Day, Get a Disney Day. As a group, (generously and genially constructed by vlogger John Henselmier), we collaborated for YouTube's 2009 Project 4 Awesome (a day constructed by the VlogBrothers when NerdFighters and YouTubers gathered and made videos about their favorite charities in order to decrease World Suck) and made a video promoting VoluntEARS and GADGADD (Do you like my acronym? I made it mahself!) This video can be viewed below:

(P.S. More information will be given about thedisneyvloggers' YouTube channel when we make it big...we have huge plans in store for this channel!)

Alot of groundbreaking has already started on this project...I say this because the free ticket cut-off is at One Million. Yes that's right. Not that that limit should be an incentive to make you go out and volunteer yourself, the warm feeling you get when doing something for others should be enough...but...if you want that ticket, go to the site mentioned above and sign up now! To see more videos of Volunteer projects people have been involved in already, visit the Disney Park's Youtube Channel.

That's all I have for this post, stay tune and I promise I won't be lazy (even though I leave in 4 days for my next college program!) and post more interesting and pertinent Disney and College Program news to this channel. I love you all and Keep Moving Forward!

Sources: WDW Corporate: Give a Day, Get a Disney Day, Disney Cast Hub - "The Muppets Join the "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" Celebration

So I was tagged in a survey and I thought I'd share it with you all...consider yourself tagged if you even bothered to read this!

Fill this out and tag (at least) 25 people you know who worked or still work at Disney... Remember to preserve the Disney magic with this thing though, folks. :)

1. Do/did you take your costumes home or pick them up daily?
   I took mine home and picked up a good weeks worth and returned them when I was done to repeat the cycle.
   
2. What locations do/did you work at?
   I mainly worked the the Emporium on Main Street in the MK, but was deployed a couple of times to Strollers, Glow and Adventureland. I also picked up a few shifts from time to time at DAK.
   
3. Have you ever been on an opening crew?
   Yup, early mornings at the Emporium were KILLER...but rope drop was fun waving to people as they passed by!
   
4. What positions do/did you hold?
   Merchandise Host, Glow Boy, Stroller Attendant
   
5. How many times have you come back to working for Disney?
   Not counting my Campus Rep position, none. I haven't been back to Florida since I left two years ago...I know sadness personified BUT now it's 27 days until I return!
   
6. Do/did you prefer working when it’s busy or slow?
   It depended on who I was working with and what day it was. The Emporium was seldom slow and call me crazy..but sometimes I loved the rush we would get after the fireworks or anything like that. I like helping people.
   
7. Have you ever been assaulted by a guest?
   Physically? No. But moms can get pretty verbal when you tell them that there are no more princess dresses in their daughters size! You don't wanna be on the losing end of that battle! Also this one time when I was working Glow one guest got mad at me because he literally took something off of the cart and walked away and I told he he had to pay for it bu he was just showing it to his son (who happened to be on the other side of the park but whatever) and thought I was accusing him of stealing. Meh.
   
8. What’s your favorite parade?
   Only because I saw it EVERY TIME I worked, Spectromagic, I loved the Disney Dreams Come True Parade as well, but the lights and such get to me lol.
   
9. What’s the longest shift you have worked?
   Don't even get me started...um...I think 16 hours but don't quote me on that. Grad Nites and Holidays can be BRUTAL!
   
10. Ever been let go from Disney?
    Nope.
    
11. Favorite Disney attraction to go on?
    Gotta say Pirates of the Caribbean...I get chills every time I go on that ride!
    
12. What is your favorite land?
    Adventureland. I freakin LOVE POTC, Tiki Room and Jungle Cruise.
    
13. If you could ask Walt any question, what would it be?
    "Can I have a job?"
    
14. What is your favorite show?
    FANTASMIC! ...duh.
    
15. Favorite Disney Character?
    Right now it's a tie between Stitch and WALL-E. Although Mickey will always hold a special place in my heart!
    
16. Favorite Disney Song?
    A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes
    
17. Favorite thing to do at the park other than going on attractions?
    People watching. Guests are extremely funny people. A close second would have to be character greeting.
    
18. If you could do anything at the park, what would you do?
    I would want to see Walt's Apartment and explore around. That would be extremely cool.
    
19. What’s your favorite costume you've had to wear?
    Pirates of the Caribbean by far...LOVED the long striped socks and baggy and breezy shirt/pants combination.
    
20. What’s your least favorite costume?
    The Emporium only because it was so unnecessary! The slacks and dress shirt would get hot all the time, plus I had to wear a tacky plad vest that did nothing for my complexion (haha) and the tie the boys had to wear were so complicated to put on I swear I never did it right ever.
    
    ------------------- *TWITTER BREAK* ------------------
21. Have you ever done any volunteer work for Disney?
    I did Give Kids the World once and it was one of the best moments of my program.
    
22. If you could work any other attraction, what would it be?
    Either as a host at the Haunted Mansion or Tower of Terror. I love being creepy.
    
23. Did you ever have an annual pass?
    What kind of a question is that?
    
24. Have you ever had an annual passholder tell you how to do your job?
    Yes, it always annoyed me when people came and were like "This isn't how they did it 2 years ago" or "I know you carry (this particular item), I saw it here when I was here 2 months ago. THINGS CHANGE PEOPLE!
    
25. Are you a pin trader?
    Yes, but I'm not a fanatic. My friend Caitlin and I would go to Cast Pin Parties and find cheap crappy pins and goody bags and trade while we were in the parks. As a merchandise cast member it's pretty hard not to get into Pin Trading if you wear them all the time. I'd see some that I like on my own lanyard and trade with myself. I know...sad.
    
26. What is the oddest thing you have had happen to you on the job?
    This one old lady checked me out one time and gave me the "up and down" and flashed her eyes. Very creepy.
    
27. What is the most points you have earned?
    Psh, I don't remember. I was a good(ish) Cast Member.
    
28. Ever been a trainer?
    Nope
    
29. Ever been a leader?
    Nuh-uh.
    
30. Ever worked grad nights?
    See Previous Post
    
31. Ever worked at a location that isn't there anymore?
    Falso.
    
32. CM that you miss that used to work at the parks?
    Everyone I worked with on my Spring '07 Program. Especially my roommates (neighbors included) and my special Emporium friends...
    
33. Manager that you miss that worked at the parks?
    Dwight was the best manager ever. He understood our grievances and asked us all the time if we needed anything. Sometimes even gave us ER's if things were slow or if we weren't needed. Coolest manager ever.
    
34. Do/did you love working at Disney or are you ready to leave?
    If i didn't love it, I wouldn't be going back! I had bad days, yeah, but I put myself in the mindset of "This is an experience, something that I can (and will) remember for a lifetime so I'll make the most of it."
    
35. How long have you been/were you a Cast Member?
    2 years. Spring '07 - Present.
    
36. Where was your first Disney job?
    The Emporium in the Magic Kingdom
    
37. What is your current Disney job?
    I'm a Campus Representative at Bowling Green State University and we'll see where I end up for the summer. Hopefully back at the Emporium *crosses fingers*!
    
38. Least favorite place you've worked?
    MK Strollers "Please take your strollers through the tunnel please....strollers through the tunnels please!" I swear...no one listens. Also working in the small little shop in the front of the park wasn't fun either.
    
39. What's your favorite park?
    Magic Kingdom. Always and Forever.
    
40. Favorite resort?
    I like the Polynesian. My mom loves it too, trying to get it booked one say so she can stay there.
    
41. Which mountain is your favorite?
    Splash. Gotta love the water drop!
    
42. Favorite water park?
    Blizzard Beach. I love the Lazy River.
    
43. Favorite fireworks show?
    Wishes! ...duh. I saw it every time I worked nights. Sometimes we would sneak out and watch it in the crowd with the rest of the guests. I know it by heart which is both sad and entertaining. When guests weren't looking (because no-one was in the store during Wishes unless they were smart and shopped when no-one was there) I would find one of my girl cast members and waltz with them during the middle section lol.
    
44. Do you go to Company D every week?
    Company D? No. Cast Connection and Property Control? Yes. Those stores were my heaven. Can't wait to go back and buy lots of merch on discount!
    
45. What was your most memorable guest experience (good)?
    I have alot of them. Probably going up on the roof during Grad Nite with a coupe of my CP Emporium friends and watching The Frey perform and the fireworks after. Or, when they closed down the store outside of Space Mountain (the arcade) for Emporium CP's and we had a little Goodbye party. I also loved just watching people (adults and kids) smile and have fun. Those moments were always special to me.
    
    ------------------- *TWITTER BREAK* ------------------
    
46. What was your most memorable guest experience (bad)?
    See #7. He tried to take down my name and I thought I was going to get fired after that. Meh.
    
47. Favorite California Adventure Attraction?
    I've never been to DisneyLand. And it's a sore subject for me so lets skip it ;)
    
48. Least Favorite Cast Member Dining Location?
    Adventureland. It was a small like break room where people had to squeeze to get into. Blech.
    
49. Favorite Cast Member Dining Location?
    Mouseketeria by far. Good food, Subway, everyone goes there and it was cool seeing the characters in full makeup trying not to smudge their costumes.
    
50. Favorite dining location?
    Crystal Palace. I got taken there on my birthday by a good friend.
    
51. Have you been on the Disney cruise?
    Not yet, I'm planning one for my family though if I get a full-time job though.
    
52. Do/did you eat at work or do you pack your lunch?
    Sometimes I bought lunch but most of the time I packed it.
    
53. Least favorite guest question?
    "What time is the 3:00 Parade?"
    "Why is this stuff so expensive?"
    "Do you guys have the Shrek or Thing 1 & 2 shirts? I saw people wearing them and I want it."
    "Where's the castle?"
    "Where's the Golf Ball?"
    "Why are you all wearing the same thing?"
    "Where's the Tower or Terror?"
    "How many Mickey's are there?"
    "Do you have any shirts left" (when there are clearly none on the rack...)
    "Do I get a discount?"
    "Is this all one store?"
    "Where's the bathrooms?"
    "Do you work here?"
    
    

Shall I go on?

....Well if you stuck around and read all this, then good for you. Maybe you learned a little about my Disney life, or maybe you're just that bored but in any case have an awesome weekend and make it magical!

Right about now is the time where high school seniors in schools across the country have the opportunity to partake in Grad Nite at Walt Disney World where they basically get the park to themselves. Cast members beckon to their every whim where they'll get to ride rides, buy merchandise, see entertainers perform and explore the park late into the night in the ultimate Grad Party!

Alright now that the spiel is done lets get to the basics.

My school never participated in Grad Nite...mostly because I live in Michigan and the price to get there plus the price to participate would have been so exponentially high that money would have to have grown on trees for all of us to have enjoyed it. But I did get to work Grad Nite in 2007 in the Magic Kingdom in 3 different areas: Main Street at the Emporium, Adventure Land at Pirates of the Caribbean and a small shop near it, and doing Glow which was my personal favorite, pushing portable carts full of glow merchandise around the Magic Kingdom.

I met kids in all of my areas, had personal conversations with them and got to experience Grad Nite with hem...even though I was either stuck behind a counter, or a portable cart trying to fend off people from stealing the merchandise...I experienced foam dance parties, people on stilts dancing with me, celebrities performing and more.

Not to say that I didn't have my downers during Grad Nite...I had to fend of people stealing from my Glow Cart, tell hopefuls that we were out of the Grad Night T-Shirts or Grad Mickey Dolls and hope they didn't start crying, and to answer stupid questions like "Is all this stuff free?" Yeah...you think about that young graduating senior. Your high school taught you well!

The extremely long hours wasn't a perk either...while it did give a bunch of us CP's a chance to break away from the repetitive Main Street Music and work along to some awesome tunes that blasted over the speakers...but working in the Emporium, we tend to get out late anyway. I can honestly say that the latest shift I've ever worked was Grad Nite getting off at 5:00 am after cleaning up for 2+ hours and getting home at 6:00am while most of my roommates had 2 - 3 hours of sleep left, I was just getting into bed for the night. That, plus every student would come to the Emporium for merchandise (not unlike any regular day at the MK) and we would run out so fast that we would have to restock every hour!

I also heard of crazy stories going on during Grad Night like student's making out in bathrooms and on dark boat rides (i.e. Pirates of the Caribbean, Small World, Peter Pan's Flight etc.), and one that I cannot believe...student Mickey Mouse over into the moat...and because he took his head off to breathe, he got termed. Not sure if I believe this story, but I wouldn't doubt it being Grad Nite...

I experienced Grad Nite on a different level as well with my CP friends. Our managers loved us so much (or just did it to shut us up) that they took us on the roof of Main Street (right next to Casey's) to watch the Frey perform on the main castle stage. It was probably one of the most magical and best experiences on my College Program.

I wouldn't trade that experience for anything however...I loved Grad Nite and I really wish that I was down there this year to experience it.

Here's what I found on the website what's in store for this year's Grad Nite...

• Multiple live stages featuring the hottest musical acts including Katy Perry, Lloyd, Metro Station, Mishon, The White Tie Affair, Lesley Roy, and Wynter!
  Celebrity host Hayden Panettiere
• One talented Senior, each night, will earn the opportunity to sing on the Grad Nite main stage!
• Celebrity appearances including Jaslene Gonzalez — Cycle 8 winner of America's Next Top Model and reality TV stars Paula and Ryan from MTV's The Dual 2!
• Red-carpet treatment
• Complimentary music album download card
• Multiple live DJ's and dance zones throughout the Park including celebrity DJ Roonie G
  Special Class of 2009 fireworks
• Free-play arcade
• Interactive video games
• Unlimited access to thrilling rides & attractions including Rock 'n' Roller Coaster® starring Aerosmith, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, all-new Toy Story Mania!, the all-new American Idol Experience and more!

To get the scoop on this year's Grad Night and more information, click the title of the post to go to Disney' Grad Night 2009 website.

So from the looks of it it looks like this year's Grad Nite is going to be set at the Disney Studios which is a change of venue from when I got to work it back in 2007. Not sure how I like it at the Studios but then again my opinion doesn't really matter...I had a blast in my three areas during my Grad Nite...so much that I bought a $10 T-Shirt that I still wear! (It looks awesome!)

What about you guys...any Grad Night Experiences, from the student's perspective or cast members...cool stories, tragic breakdowns? Anyone working Grad Nite this year that's excited or nervous about it? I wanna hear them all! Leave them in the comments below...and if you ever get stressed during Grad Nite, doing what Julie does below is totally acceptable..no matter what your manger says!

DISCLAIMER: it's now 2:18am and I should be in bed, but a good Blogger never turns down their thoughts for sleep. So any misspellings or rambles is completely and directly related to my stubbornness and lack of sleep.

During my daily Twittering, I noticed John Hensel made this tweet about working over 145 hours this week because of the Easter Holiday. He even made this video for his YouTube subscribers apologizing that he won't be able to make a full-video due to his lack of sleep and excessive work schedule (okay so maybe not ALL good bloggers turn down their thoughts for sleep!):



This led me to thinking, I know it's a holiday weekend, ergo a lot of people will be spending time at the parks...but does over 145 hours seem a little excessive? When I was a CP in '07, they capped our hours during holiday and peak times at 60-something and wouldn't allow us to work longer than that...and I worked on Main Street in the Emporium! We would always get flooded during the day and especially at night-time after the fireworks when everyone was exiting the parks.

Anyone I've worked with, who has worked in the Emporium or even visited the shop knew how terribly busy we were. Anyone who closed would yearn for the time when managers would say gather round and we would wave goodbye to electronic Mickey as he reminded us to have a magical day and we would slavishly wander in the tunnel to the bus to take us home (or for us CP's, the bus to take us to the OTHER bus to take us home...)

I remember one time I had to work until 3 or 4am (I think it was also around Easter time), got home at around 3:30 because of stupid American Coach (but we'll save that for a different time) and had to be up and back at work at 8am the next day. I was not magical that day let me tell you that.

Even when I worked Grad Nights in May and we would get down close to 5 in the am and some people just stayed in costume downstairs because they had to be back in 5 hours to work a 14 hour shift and felt staying downstairs would benefit more than 3 hours in bed!

Trying to think of the major holidays I'll be working this summer makes me both excited and partially scared: July 4th, Father's Day, heck just summer in general!

So I definitely feel John's pain and I understand it's a holiday weekend, but 145 hours? Really Mickey? What do you guys think? Any work experiences where scheduling just didn't seem to be your friend? Leave them in the comments blow...

Okay the furnace just turned on and being up alone in the basement of my apartment is scaring me so I'm going to bed. Have a magical night!