I am currently sitting on BA2036 returning to London after another 2 and a half months of work at the Walt Disney World Resort. Looking back at my blog I have realised that the last few weeks have not exactly been great blog-wise - I do apologise - my last few weeks of work were 6 day weeks and I worked in excess of 60 hours a week. I can't deny that this was hard work and at times I had less than 4 hours sleep between shifts. My paychecks have however been a lot better than last year and despite spending over $200 on a night at the Contemporary I am still coming home with over $700 and 1 more paycheck yet to come - another summer that will just about pay for itself.
The last few days have been a lot of fun. On Wednesday before my last shift I got up at around 6am and headed to Chatham security with my luggage. I had planned to call a cab but when I got out there was one sitting right there. As we were about to pull away a CRP in a AKL costume came running up and asked for a cab number from the driver - she had missed the bus - he suggested we shared the cab since AKL and All Star are just around the corner from each other. I did not mind, it made the cab cheaper for both of us and I was not really in a hurry. I checked in and left my bags and headed to MK to watch Welcome Show before I started my 10.45 shift. I played around on Main Street for a while before going backstage to change. My last shift was pretty uneventful, no downtimes, no evacs, nothing of note. But that was fine - I was just happy to be finished. I had to dash back to Chatham to hand in my ID and Key before 8pm when the Front Desk closed - I got there with 30 minutes to spare! After that I needed another cab back to All Star Movies since I could not use Transportation now that I had handed in my ID. I called for one and it came pretty quickly. I went to my room in All Star and I literally collapsed on the bed - I was exhausted. I had just worked 8 days straight with little-to-no sleep most nights. I sat in my room, plugged in my laptop, turned on the TV and ordered room service Pizza. I had loads of trouble getting online but eventually a call to Guest Relations sorted it all out and in the end I got it for free! I love 'Immediate Service Recovery'!
The next morning I got up early to have my bags sent over to the Contemporary while I went to the studios in time for opening. I did Coaster 3 times and Tower once and then realised that there was really not anything else I wanted to do. I then went over to MK to see all the Thunder people for one last time and do loads of shopping for presents at the Emporium - after watching CDCT which was a non-stop approaching inclement weather version I headed to the Contemporary as I once again realised there was nothing I really wanted to do. It is definitely time to go home when you realised that you have done everything you want to do - this makes me happy - I am leaving contented.
Upon arrival at the Contemporary my Key to the World card would not let me in my room so I went down to the Front Desk for a replacement which also did not work! To cut a long story short 7 cards and 2 engineers later they gave me an override Key Card which let me get in and out of my room. At about 8 I went over to the GF to meet Alice and her boyfriend so that we could watch Wishes from their MK-view room. Much fun was had although it was sad to say goodbye to Alice and know that it could be months until I see her again. It was then back to the Contemporary for the most amazing night's sleep I have had in quite a long time. If I ever have the cash I am coming to WDW as a guest and stay at the Contemp for a week!
This morning I got up and went over to MK for some last minute gifts for my sister and one last ride on Thunder. It was the DME to the airport. I bumped into Luke and Rachel as well as one of my Managers in the Departure Lounge which was a really nice way to end the whole experience.
To conclude this blog and sum up the summer - It has been fun, it has been hard, I have met some amazing people and at least in part it lived up to my expectations. Was it better than the first time? It was certainly different, which was better is hard to say - work was better last time but I have made much closer friends this time around. As with everything to do with the Disney ICP there are pros and cons but in my mind the pros for this summer definitely outweigh the cons...
From the mid-Atlantic on the way home from the 'Place Where Dreams Come True', this is Dan Winer, signing off from ICP #2...
The latest blogs are at the top of the page. If you want to read them in chronological order scroll to the bottom of the page and work up. You can view a slideshow of the latest photos in the column to the right. All of my photos are available in the gallery, just follow the link above. If you are looking for the Packing List it can be found HERE. Also check out my advice posts for more top tips. If you are a future ICP - good luck and welcome to an elite group!
If you are looking for more insider info I would recommend Mousecatraz, as far as I know the only book about the Disney College Program, IT IS NOT ALL TRUE but it is a fun read!
Last few days of work have been pretty boring and uneventful - I am working 60 hours this week so my shifts are long and I don't have much time to relax but I only have 14 shifts left so I think I can manage!
Today Alice and I headed to MK from our standard 10am meet at the Bus Stop. I had managed to get reservations at Tony's for Lunch so the day was pretty much planned around that. We arrived in MK and headed for our standard Mansion, Philhar, Pirates combo only to discover all had significant waits of at least 20 minutes. MK was seriously busy! I also really needed a haircut so we headed to Harmony but it also had a crazy line. We killed time shopping around until our reservation time - well actually a little early. We ate a delicious lunch at Tony's - much enjoyed although Alice had to get a to-go box for her pizza as she just could not finish it!
We then headed back to the Barbers waited about 10 minutes before deciding the wait was crazy and that we would head to the Contemporary for a haircut there. The Salon there is AMAZING! It cost $10 for a great haircut - much better than Main Street and Alice even had a bit of a trim and hers also cost $10 - bargain! We did a bit of Monorail resort hopping with a quick stop at the Poly before heading back to MK and then giving up on the craziness and heading to DHS.
DHS was busy but not quite as bad although in the end we really only did Star Tours and Mania before giving up due to the crazy heat. It has been hot the last few days and I mean seriously hot - 95 degrees in the shade!
Back to work tomorrow for 6 days before my next day off - got my eyes on the prize at the moment - booked my last night in the Contemporary and after a quick visit today I am more excited than ever!
Today Alice and I headed to MK from our standard 10am meet at the Bus Stop. I had managed to get reservations at Tony's for Lunch so the day was pretty much planned around that. We arrived in MK and headed for our standard Mansion, Philhar, Pirates combo only to discover all had significant waits of at least 20 minutes. MK was seriously busy! I also really needed a haircut so we headed to Harmony but it also had a crazy line. We killed time shopping around until our reservation time - well actually a little early. We ate a delicious lunch at Tony's - much enjoyed although Alice had to get a to-go box for her pizza as she just could not finish it!
We then headed back to the Barbers waited about 10 minutes before deciding the wait was crazy and that we would head to the Contemporary for a haircut there. The Salon there is AMAZING! It cost $10 for a great haircut - much better than Main Street and Alice even had a bit of a trim and hers also cost $10 - bargain! We did a bit of Monorail resort hopping with a quick stop at the Poly before heading back to MK and then giving up on the craziness and heading to DHS.
DHS was busy but not quite as bad although in the end we really only did Star Tours and Mania before giving up due to the crazy heat. It has been hot the last few days and I mean seriously hot - 95 degrees in the shade!
Back to work tomorrow for 6 days before my next day off - got my eyes on the prize at the moment - booked my last night in the Contemporary and after a quick visit today I am more excited than ever!
OK so it has been 4 days since my last post. Work has been mundane - a few celebs through the mountain but more often than not I don't even know who they are - but other than that life has been pretty quiet.
I had yesterday off and on Tuesday night I finished at about 4pm so I went over to Epcot to meet Alice who was there with her friend from work who's name escapes me at the precise time! We had a lot of fun in innoventions avoiding the rain and then we watched Illuminations before Alice and I headed on to MK for food and fun - we did not really do a lot of rides but lots of chilling out in the happiest place on earth!
Yesterday we went to DAK and did everything and I mean everything! OK, maybe we missed a bit of Chester and Hester but that does not really count... Much fun was had and we even headed back to MK again in the evening - it is almost like we have a magnetic attraction to the place! We finished pretty early though since I had to get up at 5am this morning to go to work for my 12 hour shift!
Work today was actually pretty fun - I was not in station all day and the heat index was over 100 degrees. Despite all that the guests were actually really nice and I worked a little bit of magic with a couple who had just got married today - they got front of the line access and special treatment! I am really tired now and this blog post probably makes no sense and certainly does not give a lot of detail - sorry - I will do better - I promise!
I had yesterday off and on Tuesday night I finished at about 4pm so I went over to Epcot to meet Alice who was there with her friend from work who's name escapes me at the precise time! We had a lot of fun in innoventions avoiding the rain and then we watched Illuminations before Alice and I headed on to MK for food and fun - we did not really do a lot of rides but lots of chilling out in the happiest place on earth!
Yesterday we went to DAK and did everything and I mean everything! OK, maybe we missed a bit of Chester and Hester but that does not really count... Much fun was had and we even headed back to MK again in the evening - it is almost like we have a magnetic attraction to the place! We finished pretty early though since I had to get up at 5am this morning to go to work for my 12 hour shift!
Work today was actually pretty fun - I was not in station all day and the heat index was over 100 degrees. Despite all that the guests were actually really nice and I worked a little bit of magic with a couple who had just got married today - they got front of the line access and special treatment! I am really tired now and this blog post probably makes no sense and certainly does not give a lot of detail - sorry - I will do better - I promise!
Day off no 2...
There was a vague plan that Kev, Lou and I might head to the Florida Mall at some point today but nothing was firrm. I had to head to the studios to sort out some MATRA stuff so that I can pick up merch shifts. That did not take long and I headed back to housing. I decided to stop at the Commons and head to the Premium Outlets. I got 2 pairs of jeans, 2 pairs of trainers and 10 t-shirts in under an hour and at pretty reasonable cost... I was impressed!
I got back to Chatham to discover the others had not left yet. We went over to Patterson to use the ATM but it was down so a detour back to Chatham was required. It wad then the I-ride plus a taxi to the Florida Mall. After a stop for some food we headed to Hollister so that Kev could 'rape' it's stock - his words not mine! Lou and I had somewhat under-appreciated the extent of the obsession. I made the mistake of offering to hold the selected clothes - my right arm still has not recovered! It was quite possibly one of the funniest shopping expeditions of my life and was roundwd off by a taxi on the way home accompanied by crazy Christian talk radio!
Graduation was at Mickey's Retreat despite the rain. It was almost identical to last year and not the best but I got my ears and my picture with the boss! It was them over to the Commons for a Pizza Party with Robyn, Lou and Kev. Papa Johns screwed up and it took almost 2 hours for us to recieve the wrong pizza bit it was free in the end so I guess I can't really complain! We left just before 1 and I went to bed in order to be up for my 12 hour shift.
There was a vague plan that Kev, Lou and I might head to the Florida Mall at some point today but nothing was firrm. I had to head to the studios to sort out some MATRA stuff so that I can pick up merch shifts. That did not take long and I headed back to housing. I decided to stop at the Commons and head to the Premium Outlets. I got 2 pairs of jeans, 2 pairs of trainers and 10 t-shirts in under an hour and at pretty reasonable cost... I was impressed!
I got back to Chatham to discover the others had not left yet. We went over to Patterson to use the ATM but it was down so a detour back to Chatham was required. It wad then the I-ride plus a taxi to the Florida Mall. After a stop for some food we headed to Hollister so that Kev could 'rape' it's stock - his words not mine! Lou and I had somewhat under-appreciated the extent of the obsession. I made the mistake of offering to hold the selected clothes - my right arm still has not recovered! It was quite possibly one of the funniest shopping expeditions of my life and was roundwd off by a taxi on the way home accompanied by crazy Christian talk radio!
Graduation was at Mickey's Retreat despite the rain. It was almost identical to last year and not the best but I got my ears and my picture with the boss! It was them over to the Commons for a Pizza Party with Robyn, Lou and Kev. Papa Johns screwed up and it took almost 2 hours for us to recieve the wrong pizza bit it was free in the end so I guess I can't really complain! We left just before 1 and I went to bed in order to be up for my 12 hour shift.
Today I remembered why I am here! Alice and I started the morning in DHS - fastpass for Tower and then GMR to watch Kev's show - it was sooo good despite all kinds of problems nothing to do with him - we promised we will be back to see a perfect show! After Tower we went to watch Playhouse Disney Live on Stage which I had never seen - a group of kids plus 2 20 year-olds - much fun for all involved! We then went for a picture with Mickey at Animation Courtyard which was fun even if Mickey did take about a million breaks while we were in line!
We then headed to MK with no real idea of what we wanted to do... On the way we decied to stop at the Grand Floridian to see if Luke was working. I had never been inside before and I loved it! I really want to stay there at some point. We wandered around for a while and could not find Luke so we sat in the lobby and ate a Rice Crispie treat and just enjoyed the AC and the surroundings for a while. When we got bored we continued on to MK...
We did Pirates, got some food, did the Carousel of Progress (one of Alice's favourites apparently!) and then noticed it was about to rain so we went to do Stitch thinking it was long and inside. We came out and it was pouring accompanied by a rather spectacular storm. We decided to chill out under the cover of the store at the end of the attraction and wait for the storm to pass. While we were waiting the standing water was starting to rise and got to about 2 or 3 inches. We then noticed an MK manager who we assumed was a custodial manager standing in the pouring rain trying to keep the drains clear so that the water could flow away. He stood out there with no rain gear for over 30 minutes in torrential rain and lightning which was hitting the Astro Orbiter feet away. We were impressed - definitely going 'Above and Beyond'. Another manager was nearby and started chatting to us and told us that the man's name. After the storm was over we rode Buzz and then went to Guest Relations so that we could fill out a GSF card for the manager - definitely a true Disney moment!
After the storm passed the rain continued and Spectro was cancelled so we rode Small World and Peter Pan before watching a delayed Wishes from the Train Station on Main St which actually gives a surprisingly good view!
We then headed to MK with no real idea of what we wanted to do... On the way we decied to stop at the Grand Floridian to see if Luke was working. I had never been inside before and I loved it! I really want to stay there at some point. We wandered around for a while and could not find Luke so we sat in the lobby and ate a Rice Crispie treat and just enjoyed the AC and the surroundings for a while. When we got bored we continued on to MK...
We did Pirates, got some food, did the Carousel of Progress (one of Alice's favourites apparently!) and then noticed it was about to rain so we went to do Stitch thinking it was long and inside. We came out and it was pouring accompanied by a rather spectacular storm. We decided to chill out under the cover of the store at the end of the attraction and wait for the storm to pass. While we were waiting the standing water was starting to rise and got to about 2 or 3 inches. We then noticed an MK manager who we assumed was a custodial manager standing in the pouring rain trying to keep the drains clear so that the water could flow away. He stood out there with no rain gear for over 30 minutes in torrential rain and lightning which was hitting the Astro Orbiter feet away. We were impressed - definitely going 'Above and Beyond'. Another manager was nearby and started chatting to us and told us that the man's name. After the storm was over we rode Buzz and then went to Guest Relations so that we could fill out a GSF card for the manager - definitely a true Disney moment!
After the storm passed the rain continued and Spectro was cancelled so we rode Small World and Peter Pan before watching a delayed Wishes from the Train Station on Main St which actually gives a surprisingly good view!
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