Well, I finished my Disney College Program and I have moved on to the next adventure in my life - an internship in Nashville, TN.
Although I didn't posted ANY of my vlogs on my YouTube channel while I was in Orlando, you have my word that they will all be posted, slowly but surely. Some of y'all have seen my photos from my undertaking and followed me along for the ride of a lifetime through my Snapchat and Instagram stories. However, now that the magic is tucked away and I'm not working for the most magical place on earth, I wanted to give you a semi-brief rundown of my program and a few thoughts on what I got out of it.
The Job
Some days were definitely better than others. Although I was working for the most magical place on earth, somebody has to be the one to make the magic, and sometimes that means having to accommodate for some of the toughest guests.
'Magic' went both ways in my job and I was able to make some of the coolest 'Magical Moments' out there. I was able to make little girls feel like the princesses they are (I have the autographs to prove it), parents thankful for consoling their child with something as simple as a sticker or lost pin back, birthday celebrations a little extra magical, families enjoy a side of Disney they have never gotten to see before, and more. The interactions I was able to have with guests from all over the world truly meant the most to me, and I cherish the moments I got to have with everyone I came in contact with.
I got paid to watch fireworks, listen to the Beauty and the Beast stage show, interact with the Citizens of Hollywood (and act in a few of their skits), give children stickers - a TON of stickers, answer and ask Disney trivia questions, recommend my personal Walt Disney World favorites, and plenty more that made my job not feel like an actual job.
And they were roommates
As you can tell from my previous blog posting "I wouldn't have nothing if I didn't have you," I absolutely loved {most of} my roommates. There were six of us total and the first couple of weeks we all got along pretty well, there were some differences of opinion later on which caused a bit of a split. However, Frankie, Kate, and Kylie will forever be my favorite human beings on this planet, so congratulations pals, you made it. There's a lot I can update you on since the last post, but we'd honestly be here reading all day, so here are some quick highlights about my roommates.
This being my first time living with people that aren't my blood relatives, or for longer than a week at summer camp, I learned a lot about being a roommate, taking care of myself and what it's like living with other human beings that are literally crazy (I'm talking about you, Kate).
My roommates became my best friends and although we don't talk everyday like we did during the program, we still know that we all love each other and will be there in a heartbeat for one another. You learn about their little quirks and sooner or later you'll start to say things the same way. I was a basket case when Frankie left us to go home and I got misty-eyed when I had to leave Kate and Kylie. I already miss watching Stranger Things with Kylie, my extremely late night, delusional conversations with Kate, and making Totino's pizzas every night for Frankie.
I love and miss y'all every. single. day. I'm already super ready for our roommate reunion.
Friends
Outside of my roommates, I got the chance to become friends with some really amazing people. In fact, I finally got to hang out with someone I met THREE years ago and wrote a story about in high school.
Walt Disney World is the only place that I know of where you can walk into the park and
befriend pretty much anyone. If you don't believe me, ask my friend Natalie, who met me while pin trading in EPCOT's World Showcase and is now coming to visit me in Nashville - true friendship formed. Or, talk to my friend Johanne who worked in the Norway pavilion and then came over to watch The Greatest Showman after work. On top of all the people you meet at work and in the parks, you also make friends with your friend's friends/roommates! I never considered myself outgoing until I worked for the mouse; with every chance I got to talk to someone new, I took it - even while waiting in line for attractions, bus stops, and getting quick service meals. You can always spot a Disney cast member outside of the parks too. I ended up meeting cast members while waiting for a pizza at Domino's, getting groceries at Walmart, and many other locations. So if you ever feel the need to go make a ton of friends, I highly encourage you to work for WDW.
Although it was easy to make friends all over the parks, most of my really good friends were made while working in different locations around the parks and resorts then suffering through the shift(s) together.
Co-workers
I got the opportunity to work in a lot of different places while being a cast member, which also means I worked with a lot of different people. I ended up working at 12 different locations during my program, and some of those I worked more than once. Let me tell you, your co-workers are your life savers, be good to them.
You experience so many opportunities when you're at work, and you spend more time with your co-workers than you do with your roommates (shocking, right?). They listen to your every story, whether its venting about something crazy that happened or reliving your magical moments, they're there for you. I got pretty close to my fellow cast members and even FaceTime a few every now and again since I left. I think the coolest part is my (in the works) planned road trip to see all of them! Along with being pen pals with the ones who are out of the country (I'm sending letters your way, Chany!).
I made some pretty awesome memories with my work buddies in and outside of the parks.
From late night dinners at Miller's Ale House, Taco Bell and Moe's to pretending to be secret agents while running around the Orlando Convention Center at 1 a.m. Yeah, I think I really lived life with my crazy, awesome Disnerds.
Connections/Networking
I'm planning on writing a separate blog post or maybe post a video on my channel over networking in Disney, and networking in general, but I'm adding it in here too, because I cannot stress how important networking is. One of the main reasons I decided to apply and accept a position in WDW is because I wanted to make connections while there. Whether you want to work for the company full-time and have your forever career or not, it is still good to have those connections for your future. I know that for me, I got to meet head executives within the parks and resorts along with meeting guests who worked for ABC Studios and NBC News. I got to interact with a wide variety of people, guest and cast member alike. Without giving away too much information that will come at a later date, my biggest piece of advice if you decide to do any type of internship, or even when you get any job, network like crazy. Talk to everyone you can and you just might make a connection that will land you your future career.
"Dating" and Romance
No, I didn't find the love of my life while working like a lot of people thought I would. I did, however, have a few interesting guys that I had crushes on, flirted with, and had weird, complicated feelings for. I got "stood up," or really just canceled on, to go to Disney Springs. I went on a "date" (if you even want to call it that, because I don't) to Taco Bell after work one evening. I had a indescribable, complicated "fling" with a guy I worked with, but it was majority just harmless flirting back and forth. But what came straight out of a Lifetime movie was when I was working at Oscars in Hollywood Studios (park arrival - strollers, wheelchairs and ECV rentals), a man from England talked to me and ended up with my snapchat. If you want to know more about that story, just ask, but be willing to sit there for 10-15 minutes while I tell you every detail (what can I say, I'm a storyteller).
Some people find the love of their life while working there, and I know a few that did while I was there, but for me? Naaaaaah.
Conclusion
In case you've missed it from all that I've said in this post, Disney really is an amazing place and what truly made my Disney College Program worth every single second were the people I got to meet. So, here is to all of the amazing and incredible cast members and Disnerds I met during my Disney College Program and to all the future ones I'll meet later in life.
Yes, being a cast member is still a job, and it's not always an easy one either. You don't make much money (unless you're working 50-60 hours a week) and sometimes you have to deal with some pretty rough leadership and ruthlessly rude guests that make you wish you could be a one of the Disney witches (or wizards for you guys out there) and cast a spell on them.
*Will I go back to do the Disney College Program again?
Probably not, because it will never be the same as this one.
*Will I ever work for Walt Disney World again?
I'm still deciding.
*Do I still love the Walt Disney Co.?
I honestly believe I love it more.
- Morgan
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