...not in the way you might be thinking however.

I recently stumbled upon this website through a friend of mine called Castmember.com , an interactive web community specifically designed and operated by Disney Cast Members past and present.

It's operated entirely almost the same as Facebook where users can interact with other cast members around the world through wall posts, group discussions and photo upload capabilities. It even has a user feed just like Facebook that lets you know what your friends are up to and what groups have been updated.

What I find most interesting is being a social networking site itself, it encompasses a lot of other social networking sites within it like Twitter, Facebook, Myspace and more all in their own database so that friends can browse their friends other social networking sites without even leaving the website.

There's also a "CastBlog" feature (mirroring Facebook's "Notes" function) where cast members' blogs can be read by other members of the site - leaving opportunities for others to make friends and get to know them.

 I haven't been able to explore the website fully but I joined on Monday and I have one friend so far, my future co-worker Jaime. I don't know how popular this will be on my list of websites to visit every day but it looks interesting none-the-less. 

Have you guys heard about this website? And if you're on it please be my friend...being the Social Networking fiend that I am, I can't stand not having online friends. I just won't stand for it. 

A recent fad going around on the Summer Alumni Facebook group is having cast members who are currently statused and have access to the Hub to find out what their work location is early.

For those unaware, the Hub is a virtual resource that provides all Cast Members with a single source for accurate, timely and

relevant information, including messages from executives, company news, work schedules, information about products and services, tools Cast Members need to perform their roles, Cast discounts and Cast activities.

I haven't had access to the Hub since May of 2007, the last time I was in Florida and on WDW property, and I can't log in again because every 3 months they make you change your password for security reasons. Ergo, I cannot log in and try to see my work location early.

Some people (including myself) have tried getting people who do have access to look them up under contacts and try to see that way if their work status would show. For some of them, they work, for others they don't, and for some they are not even in the system yet. For me, I've had two people try to see if my status shows, and since I am a Campus Representative, it either shows up as "Attractions H/H" or "Campus Representative" ... meaning until they transfer me over (when the season ends), I cannot find out my work location for the summer.

A part of me is relieved, I kind of like the element of surprise - which is one of the reasons I'm rooming blind, I mean unless an awesome roommate potential comes along and sweeps me off my feet (literally) and I change my mind. The day I was on my first check-in and I was told I was working in the Magic Kingdom, my heart jumped out of my chest (literally...it wasn't a pretty sight) and I had the biggest smile on face because of the surprise...

On the other hand, when I go for my second check-in and I get lets say...a resort or EPCOT - two places where working merchandise would not appease me - and they tell me I get one of those areas in Merchandise, I don't want to have my heart sink into a dark abyss and be disappointed the entire summer...I mean don't get me wrong, but once you work at a place like the Emporium, it's pretty hard to upgrade.

But none of that currently matters, because I cannot check my status until they change me over anyway and 20 days is seeming to come closer and closer now, so I'll guess I'll just wait.

What would you guys do? Would you keep trying to see if they put up your status? Would you wait out the storm? Would you contact a old manager friend and pull some strings? Leave your comments below...

Oh! That reminds me...I had a little chat with one of my favorite managers Dwight about a week ago. (Before my computer screen died...sadness) He was very excited that I was coming down for another program (though it may be short) and said he'd try to pull some strings to get me back into the Emporium...so maybe I'm doing all of this worrying for nothing! We'll see in 20 days.

-----------------------------------------------

In other Disney News:

• If you're a fan of Pixar Animation character's turning up in the parks like Wall-E or Remy from Ratatoullie then you'll be pleased to hear (a rumor) that the Pixar logo him/her self will make an appearance in the WDW parks soon. Luxo Jr., the lamp shown at the beginning of all Pixar Films either jumping on the I, or doing something else funny is being worked on right now. Read all about it at TheDisneyBlog.

• As I said in my last Vlog on Friday, I'll be having lunch/dinner with LaurenandMatt from YouTube - however, not in Michigan as I planned...when we get down to Florida we'll have a grand 'ol time in one of the parks or off property getting to know each other cause they're such awesome people!

• There has been some controversy with Disney changing the name and profession of the first Black princess in The Frog Princess scheduled to open soon. Instead of being a chambermaid - she'll be an aspiring restaurant entrepreneur and her name will be changed from Maddy (being too closely related to "Mammy" a common term for Black Female slaves) to Tiana. I plan on doing a blog on this later so I won't focus too much on it here. Just making you aware.

Enjoy your week and make it magical!

- Will

Wow! I make alot of Talky Blogs...I have a problem!

"Hi! My name is Will, and I'm addicted to making Talky Blogs!"

Anyway, I'll get pack to regular posting sometime this weekend... this week has been crazy stressed out with reports and homework and the like so until then, enjoy this next Talky Blog where you'll get a tour of my fraternity house plus some other updates with me and the college program.

23 Days until the best summer job ever!

- Will

Sad day...again. I woke up to this on the Orlando Sentential

Two people died in a head-on collision on Epcot Center Drive early Sunday,
Florida Highway Patrol said.A 50-year-old Orlando man was traveling north on
Epcot Center Drive in the wrong direction at about 2 a.m. Authorities said he
collided with a Honda that was driving south. Both vehicles caught on fire, and
both drivers were trapped in their vehicles.They died at the scene of the
accident, FHP said.The driver of the Honda was 19-year-old Aaron Pichoff of Winter
Garden. Authorities have not released the name of the other
driver.

Investigators have not yet determined whether the driver of the
first car had been drinking.

This news follows from a couple of weeks ago when a Cast member was killed in an automobile accident with a Disney World Bus. I strongly urge all of my Cast member friends to drive safely and be very aware of your surroundings.

Please keep the families of all the victims in your thoughts and prayers.

Talky Blog interviewing myself so you can get to know me better...plus a few other updates as well...

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!

So I did two Vlogs last night and since YouTube onl lets you put up 10 minute videos at a time, I had to do two (that's right two) videos for you guys! Just updates on what's goig on with me and my program (30 DAYS =P), Shoutouts to other future CP's CS's and Vloggers, and my life as a Campus Representative for my school.

I want to make a questions vlog sometime so send me your questions either here, on the videos or on my twitter --> "@willalphasig".

Stick ound because there's even a Bonus Feature on the second video for you guys featuring one of my favorite characters! Enjoy!

Part One


Part Duex

So any fans of Saturday Night Live have probably watched last nights episode with host Zac Efron and the High School Musical 4 skit. I was literally laughing my butt off! Especially with the part of Walt Disney coming back to life and advising Troy to go back to High School because Disney Channel Stars aren't supposed to go to college (example: Raven, Phil of the Future, etc.).

Take a look for yourself...your thoughts? LOL worthy?

This was shown to me during my Traditions couse and about 4 times after during my following training sessions. I fell in love with this little movie quickly and smiled the widest smile when I found it on YouTube a few minutes ago.

This is what I've done for two years, will be doing in one month, and will hopefully do for years to come.

I am a dream maker!