So remember when I said earlier that the Muppets were getting into the Spirit of Give a Day, Get a Disney Day? Well A few friends of mine saw my blog post and wanted to give a special message to all you readers...take it away guys!
Remember, if you want to sign up for Give a Day, Get a Disney Day...head on over to the Disney Parks Website and click on the GADGADD logo. You'll find all the information you need there to begin your journey of VoluntEARing! Good luck and have a Magical Day!
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.
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!
81 years ago today, America's favorite Mouse was created and voiced by the man who started an empire and whose legacy lives on in each of us today. Although its been a long time since Walt Disney's death (and a short time since Mickey's most recent voiceWayne Allwine) ), it can be assumed that Mickey Mouse has became one of the most recognized symbols in the world...and a big part of my heart.
Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse! Though you're 81, you don't look a day over 50! (Also thanks for paying my bills...you rock for that as well.
(VIDEO: 1928's Steamboat Willie - Although this isn't Mickey Mouse's first animated film (the first being Plane Crazy in 1928) this is the short that the lovable mouse is most recognized for.)
Since Walt Disney World's Theme this year (and next) is all about celebration...it only seems fit to give Mickey a present for his birthday...so...how about lighting up all of Cinderella's Castle in a bunch of sparkling magical lights!
Do you want to know how this is done? Thanks to the Disney Parks Blog you can!
“Dipped in sugar” is how Cinderella Castle appears to Walt Disney World Entertainment’s senior show director Alan Bruun. And if you’ve seen the castle’s 200,000 holiday lights, it’s hard to disagree with the description — it’s a must see.
But how the Castle transforms for the season is just as remarkable. It takes about six weeks and involves hundreds of hours of manpower. Cranes are brought in overnight to place the LED lights around the castle and reach the highest spires. Here’s video showing some of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into lighting the Castle each year:
The Castle lights are also attached to more than 40,000 square feet of fisherman’s net dyed to specifically match the colors of the castle. There is blue net for the roof tops and gray for the walls. After the lights are hooked up on the nets, they’re programmed and tested and then written into lighting cues for the shows, according to Bruun.
To bring the lights together, 18 miles of electrical cable is used. And it’s all run on the amount of power that it takes to run three clothes dryers — it’s extremely energy efficient.
I've never been able to experience this in person myself, but I have seen videos sent from friends and over YouTube of how miraculous this event is. A lot of my castmember friends will be able to experience this and to tell the truth...I'm sort of jealous. If you know me at all, I'm a Christmas fanatic. This event not only looks beautiful and magical, but something to be shared with your entire family. If you get to make it to the parks this holiday season, I would suggest making your way over to the Magic Kingdom to see it in person!
(If you're viewing this on Facebook, you are not able to see the videos embedded in this post. To see the post in it's entirety, click here)
So as many of you have already heard, seen, or even experienced, Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom in WDW had a soft-open on Saturday after many months of renovations.
You might remember a couple of months back in this post when I announced it's closure...
Now I know we'll all miss the giant wall covering the entrance to the ride and the lovely Cast Members (sometimes CP's) who had to stand there hours upon hours to greet people and sadly tell them the ride was closed until November ?, 2009...but those days will soon be over my friends!
With the update, the storyline is being extended – and you’ll be able to take part!
Passengers will be able to immerse themselves in unique game play as they prepare for blast off, becoming part of the space station adventure. During a recent walkthrough, we deflected asteroids to keep runways clear as part of the story.
The interactive experiences are based on duties you’d find on board a long-traveling space craft, according to Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Show Designer Alex Wright. Each game lasts about 90 seconds with a 90-second interval and the games can accommodate 86 players at one time.
As you move along on your journey, there are “insider” touches typical in projects created by Imagineers. For example, if you’re up on your Disney trivia, you’ll recognize a sign bearing the logo “H-NCH 1975″ as a tribute to late Imagineer and Disney legend John Hench. There are also other “Disneyphile” references hidden throughout the attraction.
Space Mountain celebrates the Golden Age of Rocket Travel – inspired by the jet age of the early 1960s. The attraction highlights excitement around the endless possibilities regarding space travel. It did back when it opened in 1975 and I think you’ll agree it still does.
Past riders of Space Mountain have also enjoyed the dark (and might I add increasingly long) que lines with the 70's Space Adventure music, ride previews, and giant chocolate chip cookies (aka meteors) floating across a giant projector screen in the dome. Well, no longer are those ambiances available! (Sorry to anyone who actually really enjoyed the old que line) As you can see above, the new lines are brighter, more efficient and space adventure-y.
Also new with the ride are the track upgrades. It’s the same track layout and overall look and feel but workers integrated new technology into the track while not changing the classic Space Mountain ride experience. “As technology evolves, it helps us enhance those elements without losing any essence of the attraction,” Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Show Designer Alex Wright says.
The attraction is scheduled to reopen on November 22. Since I'm currently stuck in Ohio, I haven't been able to experience this as of yet. A lot of my friends have though and that's just as good! Below is a video from my friend and fellow CPEmily who vlogged about the experience (you'll also see a cameo appearance from my good friend Matt!)
I'm really looking forward to the re-opening of this attraction...especially since it was closed all during my program this summer. If I'm able to go back this January for another program, this will be one of the first things on my list to complete...well that and moving back in and seeing all my old friends of course!
Have you been able to ride Space Mountain as of yet? Any reviews? Are you very excited for it to be finally opening back up? Let me know in the comments below.
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In other news, it's been About a month & a half since my interview for my Professional Internship, 2 weeks since my interview for the College Program, and a week since my auditions for Entertainment. The waiting game is still in effect but I promise I will(nopunintended)updatewhenIhearmore.
A few of my friends have heard back already this week (sorry to those rejected) so that leads me to believe that my time is coming...it's just that being patient is a lot harder than I thought it was going to be!
I also graduate college in a little more than a month...senioritis has definitely kicked in annd I'm just waiting to ride out this last month before I can pack my car and move down to Disney World for a little while. Who's excited? This blogger. :)
Some more vlogs coming your way. I went to Character Performer auditions for the College Program (see this post for reasons and an explanation) today. Here's what I got out of it:
An amazing opportunity for growth and knowledge in a subject about Disney that I didn't know much about (I know right?).
A solid group of friends that I will be communicating and building relationships around come January.
Experience
Weight Loss (if only a little)...
Olive Garden
A LOT OF FUN!
From what I've heard they are taking around 250 of the 1000 people that auditioned this past week. Whats the chance that my height range and talent will get me one of those 250 spots? well if you're good at math, that's 25%. If you're not (like myself) that's not alot. But yet and still, I went on the audition to have fun and to try something new. Mission accomplished.
Okay So I haven't put ANY of my vlogs since I got down to Florida on my blog for you all to enjoy yet...so to make up for that, I'm putting them ALL here in one post for you to enjoy! If you want to comment, click on the video and it will take you to my YouTube Channel.
Starting from the most recent:
See how Disney Partners up with other groups on campus!
Campus Representatives hold their first campus presentation of the semester!
Campus Reps travel to Toledo to promote our campus presentation!
Alpha Sigma Phi (my fraternity) travels to the local quarry for some fun and relaxation!
CAMPUS FEST! Campus Representatives promote the Disney College Program to students during one of the biggest meet & greets of the semester!
I'm back from my Summer Vaca as an alumni castmember...sadness personified...see my memories from the summer!
The D-Fam travels to the "Open Mouse" of Bay Lake Toers, a new resort located right next to Disney's Contemporary Resort. Check it out!
Quick little vlogs on my way to work...
POOL TIME!!
Rope Drop at the Magic Kingdom...one of my favorite pastimes!
In Honor of the 6th Harry Potter movie being released, Caitlin and I decided to celebrate...DISNEY style!
My first ACTUAL vlog in Florida. Special Cameo from Caroline!
I've never really been to another Disney Park other than Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL. But it looks like in the future, I'm going to have to add another one to my list. A major milestone has been passed for the Disney Company's Shanghai Theme Park Project! This news release from corporate comes from the Disney Parks Blog :
The Walt Disney Company today announced that the Project Application Report (PAR) for a Disney theme park in the Pudong district of Shanghai has received approval from the relevant authorities of the central government of China.
“China is one of the most dynamic, exciting and important countries in the world, and this approval marks a very significant milestone for The Walt Disney Company in mainland China,” said Robert A. Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Company.
The PAR approval will enable Disney and its Shanghai partners to move forward toward a final agreement to build and operate the park and begin preliminary development work. Upon completion of the final agreement, the project’s initial phase would include a Magic Kingdom-style theme park with characteristics tailored to the Shanghai region and other amenities consistent with Disney’s destination resorts worldwide.
As mentioned before in the article, China, more specificallyBeijing has given Disney the approval to move forward with the project which is expected to be the one of the largest-ever foreign investments in China. Estimates for the park's price tag are around $4 billion. It would allow Disney to establish a direct presence in a market that, despite its size, has presented numerous hurdles to foreign entertainment companies according to the Wall Street Journal.
Disney - not a stranger to operating internationally- already owns and operates a theme Park in Hong Kong, but this park (according to plans) will be much bigger and will allow for a direct access to the local market.
All of this information is newly established. I will update you as soon as new information is released. For more information visit this Wall Street Journal article or the Disney Parks Blog.
What are your thoughts about Disney drawing plans for a new theme Park internationally. Has anyone journeyed to Disneyland Hong Kong, Euro Disney or Disneyland Paris? Leave a comment below with your thoughts and/or experiences.
There has to be a Disney chip in my brain or something because I just applied for the Disney College Program...again.
Let me explain because there's a logic here...I swear. I'm graduating college in a little more than a month and a half, and I applied for a few professional internships (See this post for info...) and they said I would hear back in November...well hello November! It's nice to meet you!
I have anywhere from Today (Nov. 2) until the end of November to hear back from the company on whether or not I received a Professional role within the company...so the College Program is a fall-back...a fail safe if you will, just in case.
We had our last campus presentation, and as a Campus Representative it was my very last presentation as a student. So to say I was sad is an understatement, but to apply for the program again makes me even happier...
Now I know what you're thinking...and it's not like I want to go back into Merchantainment with my bachelors degree in Public Relations and Entertainment Marketing, which is why this time around I decided to try something different and apply for a few different roles:
Photopass
Concierge
Vacation Club
Hospitality
Character Entertainment
Character Performer
...yes you read right. Character Performer. I wanted to try something different this go round , which means I will be traveling to Michigan this weekend to Audition. Am I excited? Yes. Am I nervous? Extremely. Will I vlog about it? Most definitely. I'm not banking all my hopes on it because performers are cast based on need and height. Based on experience auditioning, I've been told I'm "dead height" (meaning there isn't a constant need for my height range as far as character performers go). So instead of worrying my pretty little head off about it, I'm going with the notion of having fun and hopefully I'll get something out of the process...
In addition I plan on taking a few classes that will help me in the long run like: Exploring Marketing, Exploring People Management, or maybe Corporate Communication and of course, using my networking skills at the Speaker Series and such to a tee that they can't help but hire me after my program is over.
I'm still keeping my hopes up about the Professional Internship but it doesn't hurt to have options right? Except for that my options are with the same company! So yeah I've applied for the College Program for a third time, but honestly...I feel this company is where I belong. If you know me at all, I never shut up about Disney! I love this company and what it has done for me professionally so why not want to continue down the path?
My interview is tomorrow (Tuesday) in the evening and I'm doing everything I can to prepare. I'm not really worried, but there's no sense in not being ready. Plus I'm auditioning for roles I've never had before so it is (in a sense) a completely different interview!
UPDATE (11/3) So for those of you wondering how my interview actually went this is for you. I received my call at around 7:30 (after freaking out mildly cause my interview was scheduled at 7:15) and after apologizing briefly Jan, my interviewer began asking me questions. After being relieved that I was an active castmember (that being she didn't have to ask so many questions) we bantered back and forth about my relationship with the company, why I'm applying for a 3rd college program and my increasing love and dedication to the company.
We talked for about a good 40 minutes about my work experiences on previous programs and why I chose the roles I did on my role checklist. She praised me on my examples and said that I was one of her favorite interviewees because she loves interviewing alumni and current castmembers because of our awesome stories and yearn to stay with the company.
What mostly stuck out to me was that she told me that she saw no reason that I shouldn't be admitted back into the program based on my interview (YAY!) and she "Would love to tell (me) right then about an offer but because (I was) auditioning on Sunday, I would have to wait until after then". So it's safe to say I'm really excited about the next couple of weeks because not only should I hear back from the Professional Internship segment of the company, I might also get a purple folder as well. The is me extremely excited for the weeks ahead.... :)
We'll know in a few weeks time what the future actually holds for me but for now I'll just keep looking to that second star to the right and wishing really hard my dreams continue to come true!
Sorry I haven't updated in a little bit...working on a few posts for next week..but for now It's Halloween! Enjoy this Awesome Mashup between the Haunted Mansion and Michael Jackson's "Thriller!"
While working in front line roles at our Theme Parks and Resorts, participants will network with leaders, learn transferable skills, gain real-world experience, and be a part of a team of Cast Members from hundreds of job disciplines.
Welcome! I'm William Scott, a graduate of Bowling Green State University and cast member of the Walt Disney Company.
I created this blog to highlight my experiences leading up to and during the Disney College Summer Alumni Program 2009, Spring Advantage Program 2010 and also Disney's Professional Internship Program in Orlando Florida.
