So work has been pretty hectic the last few weeks. Nearly everyone is working between 40-50 hour weeks over 6 days, because on podium we are short staffed as quite a few people have moved into service but we’ve had people come into podium at a slower rate. However, the exciting news of this post is that a bunch more of the girls from my interview groups have come! Its quite strange to think that we all applied together, and I’ve been here so long while they’re only just starting. Because I’ve been working so many hours and still had class on my days off, I found it difficult to give them the welcome I wanted which was a shame, but now within just a few weeks it feels like they could have been here longer. We had another throw in for them which was a load of fun, especially seeing the difference between how I felt at my own throw in just a few months ago and now how comfortable I feel now. It surprising how much can change in just a few months.
So because of all the hours at work its been a bit of a struggle to find time to do day things. It feels like ages since I’ve been to a Disney Park, but because I didn’t need early nights in order to get up and go to a park I’ve finally started going out at night again which has been a lot of fun. Sammy had her friends from home round, so we decided to take them out to our favourite places and show them a good time, so we of course chose Cowboys, House of Blues, and happy Mondays. House of Blues has definitely become my favourite place, the only downside being that I go on a Sunday so I’m always knackered for my 8:30 am class the next day! Although yesterday was my last exploring session so I won’t have that problem anymore. I’m very pleased to say that for getting through the 8 week course I earned my “Mouseters Degree” in Exploring Cast Engagement and Human Resources! Overall I would definitely recommend doing one of these courses, as I felt that for the small amount of time it requires you get a lot from it. In fact, I’ve signed up to do another one in the summer semester, which is about Exploring Disney heritage and history which I think will be fun. A couple of the girls from work have also signed up to this one so I’m really looking forward to it.
There is still a few weeks left of my collegiate course, and I have to say I’m hesitant to consider doing another one. I am learning from it, but it is quite time consuming, with the reading and assignments, and I already feel like there isn’t enough time here! I have a group presentation coming up, which my be hard as the girls I grouped with all work different shifts which menus it may be herd to meet up. However, they’re all lovely girls who I’m now very friendly with, and I think hat we’ll work well together on this final project! One really worthwhile thing from the classes is that it’ given me a great insight into the differences between the UK and America. My workplace is, obviously, staffed almost entirely with UK CRPs, besides the managers, but the class is full mainly with American Collage Programme participants. It’s been really cool getting to know Americans and it’s given me chance to see what how diverse the opportunities are in Disney, as Collage Programme participants get the chance to work in a wider variety of jobs then CRPs do. Also, in class today we were studying safety in the workplace, and one of the things we covered was what to do if someone entered the workplace with a gun. As a British person I found it shocking that Americans felt that this is a legitimate issue to prep for. Also the whole healthcare thing is real eye opener when we discussed the options Americans have, and made me really appreciate the UK. So yeah, very educational.
I’ve now also had my trainer training class, so I am now an official Disney trainer! I had actually conducted several training sessions prior to my class, but the class is important as it makes you official and you also get the trainer pin. I was so happy to be made trainer as It’s something that really interests me, and I’ve now done quite a few training shifts, which I’ve really enjoyed. It gives me the chance to get to talk to the new people, which can actually be quite difficult when there are so many of them.
Talking of which, SO MANY new people recently. For the first few months of candlelight so few people arrived, I guess because they didn’t want to much training over such a busy period. But we’ve had several large arrival groups recently, as well as lots of people finally moving into service, an some people finishing their programmes altogether. I get the feeling that this consent fluidity is going to be a constant from now on, but I will find it weird as it was so different when I arrived. It’s starting to get harder as well, as people leaving now are those I’ve had more of a chance to get to know, so it’s much sadder than those that left when I’d only just arrived, and there are some people I will be really sorry to see go. We did a last circle last night where everyone gets into a circle and sings with the people leaving in the middle. I’ve been to a few before, but they really mean so much more once you’ve been here a while, and it reminded me that one day baht will be me. Although it is a sad thought, it reminded me to make the most out of every second that I am here!
So other fun, less emotional things that have happened… well I am eating loads of food because there are so many good, cheap restaurants around and there’s always an occasion, even if its just catching up with someone that you haven’t seen much of because of work. Me and a few girls from work also took part in a towel folding class for a laugh, where you learn how to make towel animals! Got to love the opportunities in Disney… I also had a lovely night staying at the Art of Animation resort with. group from work. We’d all been working a lot so it was nice to hang out outside of work, and the resort itself is beautiful. We stayed in the Cars suite, but now I want to stay in all of them!
Another fun thing was the international party, where all the countries from happy Mondays got together for a massive party. It was so much fun and it was lovely to see so many of my international friends in one place.
So yeah, that’s this month! Writing it all down has made me realise how much has actually happened this month, as I felt like I did nothing but work at one point! Much love, will update soon
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Emma's Disney Blog 