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

Whoops

Hello,

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while, I have just been really busy with work.

So what's new?

Not a whole lot, I move to Front Desk at the Polynesian Resort on July 10.

I had my last shift today at Jedi Training Academy.

I have my last shifts at Muppets on July 7.

This will be my last post as a 20 year old, as it is my 21st in just under 4 hours.

That is really all that has happened since my last post, just been working lots and on my days off just sleeping and watching netflix. Such a fun life I lead.

So until next time where I will tell you all about my amazing 21st birthday.

Stay Magical.
xx

PS. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY AMAZING POP (June 28), MUM (June 29) and EBF JESSE (July 1).

Hoopla Hyperspace Hoopla

Hello!

Let's jump right into this.

Star Wars Weekends for 2012 is officially OVER!

So after 4 weeks of having to get up at 5am, to catch a 5:45am bus, to arrive at work just after 6 which is when the crazy Star Wars fans begun to arrive it is finally over, and what an experience it was. 

From the stampede or the running of the bulls to get to us at 7:30am to sign children up at EPIC, to watching a show every 30 minutes, seeing Ventress for the first time, to cancelling shows due to weather and having meet and greets with 30 children and their parents, to sharing our sign in space with celebrities from the movies, to watch the 501st Legion parade, to rolling our stanchions up for the Pixar Parade to just set them back up again, to watching the final show and getting to roll them up and set up for the following day.

So how was it really you ask? Star Wars Weekends was something I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams. It was a rollercoaster ride of emotions from fear, to anger, to excitement, to boredom, to joy.  I tried to find a definition for Star Wars Weekend but alas one hasn't been made so I will try to define it for you. 

Star Wars Weekends:

A time when all the crazy fans join together at Disney's Hollywood Studios every weekend for a month. Most noted guest from every year; Lynda Skywalker. 

So we really only had one big day of cancelled shows this year for Jedi Training and it was a Friday with 60% chance of rain all day. During our sign-ups this was made very clear to the guests more then a dozen times, every cast member they spoke to informed them that the shows are weather permitting. Now every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for SWW we would sign up 480 younglings with guaranteed spots in the show and would then go and sign up roughly 90-100 alternates. On this particular Friday this is how the day panned out; 

9:15am 

9:45am

10:15am

10:45 am

11:15am 

11:45am

12:15 am 

Motorcade/501st Legion

1:30pm

2:00pm

Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun

3:45pm

4:15pm

4:45pm

5:15pm

5:45pm

6:15pm

6:45pm

The Blue shows are the ones that we had that day. 13 out of 16 shows and our 2 parades were rained out. What does that mean? Not only a fair few angry guests but taking children down with their parents for a meet and greet with Darth Vader and his 2 troopers up the top of Star Tours, now on a normal day it is okay but when your doing 60 kids every 30 minutes - not my definition of fun.

So aside from work did I get a chance to play and see what all the hype was about? Why yes, yes I did. I'm sure if I was an avid Star Wars fan I would've loved it, but I'm not so I didn't really do much, I met a few characters only 2 were from the light side the rest were the dark side, got a name tag in the Star Wars language and watched Hyperspace Hoopla twice.

Hyperspace Hoopla is a dance-off that happens between the "Good Guys" and the "Bad Guys" and it was a lot of fun to watch, however if you were a big Star Wars fan you may not enjoy it, as it is out of character for everyone, but it is a good way to end the night.

I think however this post is rather lengthy so I will leave you now with minimal text and some photo and videos. 

Meet and Greets 

 

Jen Sandwich 

Ewok, Jen , Chewy

Queen Armadalla

Aurra Sing and I 

Boba Fett and I 

Boba Fett and I 

Guard and I 

Darth Maul and I 

Ventress and I 

Hyper Space Hoopla 

My Boss and His Friends

My Best Friends are rather cool too

They are kinda loveable 

Skit 1

 Skit 2

Here are some of the highlights from this years Hyperspace Hoopla

If you really have the time here is the whole thing 

Until next time,
Stay Magical
xx

Aussie Friends?

Hello!

So what has happened since we last spoke?

Not a great deal. Still Star Wars Weekends unfortunately. However this week a guest tried to tip me, which I had to politely refuse, because I found his lost child and helped get him on stage to fight the dark side and taught him the routine. I did however mention if they go to guest relations and mention what I did, I get a certificate so we shall see what happens. 

This week at Muppets was fun, I took some photos with Tara and Sweetums which are rather cute;

Tara and I 

Tara and I again

Sweetums and I 

My favourite picture to date. 

Followed closely by this one. 

Yesterday I went to Blizzard Beach, EPCOT and Studios with Priscilla and her friend Amanda and it was super fun. I got into a slight accident at Star Tours and I went to speak to a coordinator and whilst this was happening a guest came and stood beside her, so I went to step aside and I hear "G'Day!" and I turned and looked and it was my friend Ryan! I literally jumped into his arms and hugged him forever! I then met his girlfriend and his friends he was there with and it was time for goodbye as we were leaving and I would be seeing him today.

Today we went to Magic Kingdom and there was 7 of us, and we did almost every single ride bar the little kids ones and it was an amazing day. Even though it rained a bit it was so much fun, hanging out with 5 other Aussies and 1 of them being a close friend for the past 6 years. It was so good to hang out and it was as if we had seen each other 2 days ago, nothing had changed in our friendship which was the best! We even got a photo in front of the castle to prove I didn't make him up and that he actually visited; 

Ryan and I 

That really is about the extent of my life, I feel a little homesick after spending a day with him but I know I will be fine, just over 6 months to go in my program and 31 days until my 21st! HOORAY.

So until next time, which will be June!

Stay Magical
x

Whoops

Hello everyone.

Whoops, so it's been a while since I posted but I have a good reason. I have been working non-stop, my life for the past 3 weeks has been sleep, eat, work, eat, sleep. It has been crazy!!

The past 2 weeks went by pretty fast, a lot of CP's finished their programs or moved locations, which has been sad, unfortunatly that meant for me I have gone back to Muppets shifts which involve closing until 10:30pm and 01:30am. My body doesn't like that for one second, but I am seeing a lot of my best friend Sweetums which I do enjoy.

Earlier in the month Amy went on a cruise so I had the room to myself for a few days which was odd. My body has become so used to sharing a room that on the first night she was gone I couldn't fall asleep until nearly 3am. Lucky the next day I had a late start! I was glad to see her when she came back and had a great sleep that night.

This past week has been fun I have been on a few lunch dates with Priscilla and this week Tara joined in on Wednesday, and we all went out to dinner that night and met up with Brian and Zak who also brought some friends who had a baby, who was super cute at Fridays. We spent a few hours there before we all headed to Retro Room for a little bit. I drove Priscilla home and then drove myself home, which meant I kept her car until the next day when I drove it back to her just before work. So I had her car and I went to Wal-Mart and got my groceries, went to Downtown Disney and got Brian's birthday present and then I dove to her house and she took me to work.

However quiet my life was on Thursday, which is was (23k in the park) all that was about to change and I had no idea. Every year for 4 weekends in May/June Studios becomes home to all the crazy Star Wars fans, with Star Wars Weekends. This year it started on Brians birthday - May 18. It runs Friday-Sunday and it is crazy. Fridays estimated guest count was 40k but it could be higher. Err CRAZY!

This year was the first year that we had sign-ups for JTA, so there were about 7 of us that started at 6:45am because the park opened at 8. Well they opened the gates at around 7:45am and it was like running of the bulls to get to us at sign-ups. For SWW we have 16, two tier (30 kids instead of 15) shows daily starting from 9:15am and finishing at 6:45pm. That works out to be literally every 30 minutes with 2 breaks for the 2 parades that go through - The 501 and the Pixar Pals Count Down to Fun Parade. Sign-ups was finished by 8:45-9am and it was off for the first show.

So our day is going good until 2:30, parade clearing time. So I'm standing over in my position and we clear the streets for the parade and it begins to spit rain, after being clear for 99% of the time that had passed. Parade is at 3, can't go in the rain for safety reasons. Coordinators are running around and let us know at 2:45 that parade is going early so we need to clear the remaining stranglers NOW! SO I do that and I'm standing there holding my rope to stop traffic and this guest comes and starts asking to cross to get to his daughter, I politely explain that the street is closed and he cannot cross and ask is someone is with his daughter which he says yes, and I leave it at that, however 5 seconds later an announcement comes over that the parade is delayed and this guest comes back and says its delayed let me cross.

Now I'm not allowed let people cross because the parade can start at any given moment they see fit, so I call my manager to talk to him which just happened to be the only manager closest to me, which was our big boss. He spoke to him, told me to let him cross and this guest did so, but then proceeded to say something about me which can't be repeated, my big boss heard and went and stuck up for me and tried to explain I was doing my job and then the guest got super dooper rude to my boss and was escorted. I now have a higher respect for him, because I have never seen him defend his cast members before.

The rain stops and parade begins, however our parade was 2 floats long and was over in about 5 seconds. WHY? Parade was going to be cancelled however due to the slippery surface, lightning, thunder and the chance it could start raining at any second again, but 2 of the floats could not be reversed because while this was all happening a Alpha Unit (paramedics) were called for a guest at the Backlot Express resturant which is right next to the parade start and the ambulance gets priority backstage and it was behind the 2 floats. A lot of guests were annoyed but they will live, like I said to them, I can't control the rain and it is for our cast members and guest safety.

My 12 hour day at Jedi finally ended at 6:45pm and it was home to bed. Not for long however because it was time to wake up and spend 12 hours at Muppets. Yay. I get home last night at 11pm and it's time to eat and skype Mum, because I haven't spoken to her all week, before it's time for bed to rest up before my 6 hours at JTA again. Today is the last day of Star Wars Weekend before we go back to normal for 4 days before all the madness strikes us again for 3 days. HOORAY.

So until next time, which will more than likely be the end of May beginning of June,
Stay Magical.
xx

OH BIG NEWS ALSO!
I found out the day I move locations.
July 7.
That's all.