Aloha!

Hello,

Long time no talk again. Whoops.

So we left off with me saying goodbye to ICON. It's been about 3 weeks since I left and I miss it like crazy. Front desk is interesting and so are the people but they aren't my Darkside or Sweetums.

My welcome to Front Desk was a very long one; 10 days straight totaling 80 hours. I was the only one in the training group who had the 10 days straight. I'm so lucky.. I started with my Aloha Day which was a welcome to the Polynesian and I went and got my costumes for my first few days. The next 4 days were spent at Disney University with 'Front Desk Cashier Training' those days were long, 8:30am - 5pm.

Once I finished that I was straight into the Polynesian for training, the first day I followed Bell Services around and learned exactly what they do and how they do it - it was interesting, but a lot of standing around. I also to to drive a pargo before i was informed that my Aussie Drivers License and International Drivers License didn't qualify and that was that. The next 4 days were Front Desk training and they were interesting. A lot of standing around doing nothing waiting to assist guests and just checking them in or out.

I then finally got 2 days off after my 10 days on, then I worked on Sunday and passed my assessment which means I'm a fully qualified Front Desk Cashier. Yay. I then had 3 days off which brings me to today - Thursday. It is my first shift without a trainer and it's 7pm - 1:30am hooray.. Not!

I have to move apartments on the 4th of August because all my other roomies are leaving due to their programs ending. Also this week a fair few Australians have left the program which is sad, but each to their own. Aside from all that not much has happened.

Brian Knapp got engaged so I'll be back here next September. So that's exciting.

But anywho,
Until next time,
Stay Magical
xx

The End is Here; well for ICON anyway.

Hello everyone,

So today I said farewell to all the people who have become my family for the last 6 months in the ICON area at Disney's Hollywood Studios. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, and I didn't cry which was a plus.

My day started by walking into Muppets and seeing my favourite coordinator Buddy was our opener, a brilliant start to the morning, especially since I hadn't got to work with him in a while because he has been living at EPIC. I also saw that Toni had made the orange cake I had requested which was even better! I knew I made the right choice in not bring any lunch to work today.

I then walked into the bathroom to get changed into my Muppets costume for the last time, and as I was leaving I yelled hi to Sweetums, today he was being kept company by Zak and Fransisco, two of my favourite people. I walked away and started work. Throughout the day while on breaks, or tasks I went and hung out with Sweetums and it was fun. Hours past and before I knew it it was 11:30am! I only had 3 hours left of my shift, had time really gone that fast?

I was walking out of preshow when who should I see other than Brian! BEST DAY EVER. I didn't really get to say goodbye to him yesterday so I was beyond excited to see him today. I went up and gave him a huge hug and asked why he was at Muppets on his weekend, and he said that he was helping out with the dark side today which was exciting because that meant that I would get to say goodbye to my Stormtroopers before I left work. I hung out with Brian for about 10 minutes before he had to leave and it was back off to work. Before I knew, it was 2pm - parade time.

I had previously asked if I could go to parade because it would be my last time, and it gave me the chance to say bye to people I wouldn't have otherwise seen today. So off Buddy and I went to parade. Now parade is a little sticky at the moment, it is going through these changes and now everyday we meant behind the Star Tours gate before moving out to our positions at 2:15-2:30 everyday. Now Buddy and I were standing there and I was talking to some of my friends who work with the dark side everyday, and its roughly 2pm, so they are halfway through a JTA show, and it's just about time for Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers to come out, and today we had a special guest there - Darth Maul.

Now this was Darth Mauls last show before he had lunch and it was about 5 minutes before he and Vader were due to go on stage, but there was a small problem. Darth Maul was no where to be found! Talk about people running around like headless chickens! Everyone was frantic and yelling, Mauls not here, Mauls not here! Shannon (one of our padawans) ran to the booth to tell the manager, but they weren't told in time, so next thing we all hear, Darth Mauls entrance music, but no Darth Maul! Not good! Darth Vader had to fight 30 kids instead of 15, he was not a happy camper.

Darth Maul was found a few minutes later, he had been getting touched up and rang the BASE to tell him that he wasn't ready to fight the younglings, and the BASE was meant to contact the manager but they never did. (Like I said in my posts last year, Disney really isn't up with the whole communication thing yet) It was okay though like I said, Darth Vader ended up fighting all 30 kids so no one missed out on their turn to fight the dark side.

After that happened it was 2:20 and time to go to my position for parade, I said goodbye to my Stormtroopers, with a smile which was hard and I was off. Before I knew it it was 2:50pm and time for my last ever bumpout at Muppets. I went back and said my goodbyes to Sweetums which was also hard to do, but I kept a smile on my face, I got changed and I was out of there. As I was walking backstage parade was still going, so I got to watch it from the Ratatouille float to the end which was fun. If you ever get the chance to watch a parade from backstage do it, it is amazing. Carl from UP again waved and blew me kisses before telling me to call him. (He did that to me previously also, and I really want to say hi to him now) Then I was out of there and I walked out of Studios as a ICON cast member for the last time.

Throughout today a lot of people asked me how I was feeling and for my thoughts so I will try my hardest to convey them for you below:

Today was a sad day, yes. It's hard to believe that 6 months ago I was getting trained here in ICON as a Muppet and then a Jedi a month later. I honestly couldn't have predicted how things were going to turn out or the friendships I would make. Over the past 6 months, I have created magic, laughter, smiles, tears from happiness and most of all MEMORIES.  

 

The friendships I have made with the people from ICON are ones I hope last a lifetime. In the last 6 months I became best friends with a Muppet called Sweetums and the Dark Side - they were something I never could have ever imagined happening to me. The people I met at not only my two roles, but the attractions that make ICON are just as special to me. They became my family. They helped me when I was homesick, they helped me when I sad, they were there when I was cranky and they made me laugh when I needed it, but most of all they have helped shape me into a better person and for that I am ever so grateful.

No I didn't cry today, not because I wasn't upset, but more because I will still see everyone for the next 5 months, the only difference is it won't be everyday. The tears will come in 5 months time, but not from sadness rather from happiness. I know they will come, because I will be leaving a magical family behind that I won't get to see everyday.

That is really my feelings about leaving ICON in a nutshell, I'm sure I will have more to say in 5 months time when my program is officially over, but until next time.

Stay Magical
xx

Time flys

Hello.

&& Just like that half of 2012 is over.

I have now been in America 6 months! Where has the time gone?

Leading on from my last post, not a lot has happened except I turned 21! It was fantastic!

I went to Chef Mickeys for breakfast with Melanie, Priscilla and Amy. I ate so much food it was ridiculous. I also got to eat breakfast with my boss, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald - and they then brought me out a birthday card which they had all signed! YAY.

We then made a walk over to the Magic Kingdom where we saw Cinderella, Belle and Rapunzel, followed by Mary Poppins and then last but not least Peter Pan! I mean who wouldn't see their favouritve character on their birthday? Peter Pan was amazing and made my whole day, he spent a good 5 minutes with us talking and hanging out and we crowed but the best part was is he broke character unintentionally when this little girl behind us said we all talked to much and he looks at me and goes "Did you hear that girl?" I don't think I have ever laughed that hard with a character. He made my day and I'm glad he spent a good 5 minutes with us.

Then it was time to farewell Amy as she wasn't feeling too well as we headed off to EPCOT.
I had 2 drinks in France, a beer in America and a Margarita from Mexio. Nothing to exciting but nothing too boring. After EPCOT it was time to say farewell to Priscilla as Melanie and I headed home for a nap and to get ready for the night ahead.

After our nap we woke up and began to get ready, I had a few more drinks and before I knew it we were at Downtown Orlando partying. Lots more drinking, some being ill and we were back home asleep. The next day I slept a little and began to eat around 3pm when I  felt I could stomach eating okay.

I worked on Monday, had yesterday off and now I begin my last 4 days hanging out with Sweetums before I move to Front Desk at the Poly. Sweetums was kind enough to give me a birthday present which kept me entertained the other night until midnight when I finished.

Until next time though
Stay Magical
xx