Getting Ready, 9 days to go!

So it's down to the wire now. I have 9 days until I leave for Florida and 11 days until I check in for the WDW College Program!


I'm starting to get super anxious and nervous. I'm having so much fun lately with my friends here in Philly it's making me super sad to leave them. The next 2 weeks are going to fly by and yet crawl by at the same time. 


My birthday was the other day, I'm now over the hump in my 20's. It's fitting that my new Disney life is about to start only 2 weeks after I turn 26. 2011 has been fantastic so far, so 26 in general can only mean bigger and better things!

The plan is to leave the Philadelphia area on June 4th in the evening, and arrive in Orlando sometime around dinner time on June 5th. I have to be at Vista Way to check in early June 6th.


I am splitting a hotel on the night of the 5th with two fantastic girls I met on the facebook group, and a bunch of us are planning to get together that night for dinner at Downtown Disney! 


Currently my bedroom is a distaster zone, I need to both pack for Florida as well as clean my room top to bottom because it was a mess to begin with, so it's a process. At this rate, I'll probably end up with 2-3 bags of clothes, 2 plastic bins of misc stuff, a box of cosmetics and toiletries, and my bedding. I also plan to squeeze my push cart into my car as well so that I can easily walk to the grocery store when possible. Hopefully I will have room on the way back for anything new I acquire when down there! I'm glad I am driving because it really does mean that I'm saving a lot of money by being able to bring all my and bedding and stuff and not having to wait until I'm down there to purchase them.


Well that's it for this update! I will be sure to post a picture of my car in a week and a half when it's all packed and ready to go!

Sorry Guys and Special RPS Update!

I have not forgotten about this. Most of the other CP's that might be reading this are in the same boat as me, it's crunch time at the end of the semester. I will return with the rest of my WDW 30 Day and posts about my prepping for Disney by the end of next week!!

Oh, and in the meantime, I do have one little update, Hipster Thrifter is starting to make a name for herself around Philly... in my own odd little way. Heh. I've joined a rock paper scissors league in the time before I'm leaving for FL as a way to spend time with friends that I won't see for 7 months.

I won my first competitive Rock Paper Scissors tournament this week!!

"It was a good night for David Bowie’s Package (maybe not as good as the Championship in 2007, 2008 or 2010 but still pretty good) on Tuesday at Dirty Franks.  Their newest member, Hipster Thrifter (on left), became the newest member to claim a tournament win for the team.  She went up against another rookie player in the Dirty Dozen’s Bootilicious in the finals.  Tired of all the suspense and intrigue that the Championship matches have had so far this season, Hipster Thrifter didn’t want to mess around.  She defeated Bootilicious in the nicest but also meanest of ways, 3 matches to 0 with a total of 0 points scored by Bootilicious."

30 Day Walt Disney World Challenge - Day 11

Day 11: Your Favorite Hollywood Studios Area

I've always had a soft spot for Echo Lake. Plus, Star Tours is over near there!

30 Day Walt Disney World Challenge - Day 10

Day 10: Your Favorite Attraction in World Showcase

I'm an army brat and was born in Germany so I have a soft spot for the Germany Pavilion.

30 Day Walt Disney World Challenge - Day 9

Day 09: Your Favorite Attraction in Future World

New Figment, old Figment, I'm not picky, just give me FIGMENT!

30 Day Walt Disney World Challenge - Day 8

Day 08: Epcot: Future World or World Showcase?

Now that The Wonders of Life is gone, and my beloved Food Rocks, Body Wars and Cranium Command are no more, then World Showcase is numero uno in my book.

30 Day Walt Disney World Challenge - Day 7

Day 07: Your Favorite Attraction in Adventureland

Where else can you see the backside of water?

30 Day Walt Disney World Challenge - Day 6

Day 06: Your Favorite Attraction in Frontierland

If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a sucker for all the original animatronic attractions. No matter how cheesy some of them are.

30 Day Walt Disney World Challenge - Day 5

Day 05: Your Favorite Attraction in Liberty Square

This is a no brainer.

30 Day Walt Disney World Challenge - Day 4

Day 04: Your Favorite Attraction in Fantasyland

I clearly enjoy to torture myself for fun. Seriously though, I love this ride and I can't explain why.

30 Day Walt Disney World Challenge - Day 3

Day 03: Your Favorite Attraction in Tomorrowland

It never gets old. It's an oldie but goodie.

Walt Disney World Quick Service Dining Coupon!

Are you or anyone you know going to be visiting WDW during April 17-23? If so, make sure to take this coupon with you to save 25% on your bill in select Disney Parks QSFB locations.


The coupon is good for during non-peak hours. So make it an early lunch or late lunch/early dinner and avoid the crowds and save some $$! (Before 11:00 a.m, and between 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.)


(Thanks Moms Need to Know)

2 months!!

2 months from today I will be checking in at Vista Way! June 6, 2011!

30 Day Walt Disney World Challenge - Day 2

Day 02: Your Favorite Land in the Magic Kingdom

Pirates? Jungle Cruise? Dole Whip? Tiki Birds? Yes Please!

30 Day Walt Disney World Challenge - Day 1

Day 01: Your Favorite WDW Park

This one is a crossover from the previous 30 days. Epcot. Always. Forever.

30 Day Walt Disney World Challenge - List of Days

Day 01: Your Favorite WDW Park

Day 02: Your Favorite Land in the Magic Kingdom

Day 03: Your Favorite Attraction in Tomorrowland

Day 04: Your Favorite Attraction in Fantasyland

Day 05: Your Favorite Attraction in Liberty Square

Day 06: Your Favorite Attraction in Frontierland

Day 07: Your Favorite Attraction in Adventureland

Day 08: Epcot: Future World or World Showcase?

Day 09: Your Favorite Attraction in Future World

Day 10: Your Favorite Attraction in World Showcase

Day 11: Your Favorite Hollywood Studios Area

Day 12: Your Favorite Hollywood Studios Attraction

Day 13: Your Favorite Animal Kingdom Area

Day 14: Your Favorite Animal Kingdom Attraction

Day 15: Your Favorite WDW Resort

Day 16: Your Favorite Snack to Grab in the Parks

Day 17: Your Favorite Restaurant

Day 18: What Attraction do you Wish They'd Bring Back?

Day 19: Your Least Favorite Attraction

Day 20: Your Favorite WDW Dessert

Day 21: Your Favorite Character to See in the Park

Day 22: Your Favorite Parade

Day 23: The Scariest Ride

Day 24: Your Favorite Face Character

Day 25: Your Favorite Activity Outside of the Parks, but Still in WDW

Day 26: Your Favorite Souvenir

Day 27: Your Favorite WDW Breakfast

Day 28: Your Favorite Fireworks Show

Day 29: Your Favorite Monorail Color

Day 30: your Favorite Statue, Fountain, or Anything Eye-grabbing in the Parks

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 30

Day 30: Your Favorite Theme Park Show

Love. Love. Love. So pretty. So fun.

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 29

Day 29: Your Favorite Theme Park Attraction

It's an old attraction, but will always be one of my favorites.

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 28

Day 28: Your Favorite Theme Park

Always and forever.

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 27

Day 27: Your Favorite Quote

"There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow, Shining at the End of Every Day"

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 26

Day 26: Saddest Death

This messed me up so much as a kid, I still burst into tears.

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 25

Day 25: Your Favorite Scene From Your Favorite Movie

I adore how beautiful this scene is. As well how innocent it is.

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 24

Day 24: A Movie That Makes You Cry

Every time.

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 23

Day 23: A Movie That Makes You Laugh

I pretty much only watch The Rules of Engagement because of the fact David Spade and 

Patrick Warburton are on it together.

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 22

Day 22: An Overrated Movie

I just don't get the obsession.

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 20

Day 20: Your Favorite Sequel

A perfect middle to a perfect trilogy.

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 19

Day 19: Your Least Favorite Pixar Film

In all honesty, I've never seen either film. I saw the tail end of Cars and that's about it. I just have no desire to. I may give The Incredibles a shot eventually but I dunno. Neither film just looks visually appealing to me.

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 18

Day 18: Your Favorite Pixar Film

It's just about my favorite movie ever, so naturally it would be my favorite Pixar movie.

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 17

Day 17: Your Lease Favorite Classic

I could just never get into this one.

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 16

Day 16: Your Favorite Classic

While I grew up absolutely obsessed with The Little Mermaid, recently I've fallen madly in love with The Aristocats. I blame that on my impending spinsterhood.

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 15

Day 15: The First Movie You Saw

This may not be the first Disney movie I ever saw, but it's the first I can remember. Mainly because watching this scarred my childhood forever. There were lots of tears and screaming involved. I've yet to watch the entire thing to this day.

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 14

Day 14: Your Favorite Kiss

Wall-E and Eve are not just my favorite Disney couple, but probably my favorite fictional couple in general.

Tokyo Disney Update

The 2 Tokyo Disney theme parks have been closed since the earthquake and tsunami happened on the 11th but Disney has officinally announced to keep them closed until further notice. 
Disney is actually suspending all of their administrative and store operations in Tokyo as well. 

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 13

Day 13: Your Least Favorite Song

I cannot now, nor have I ever been able to tolerate Miley Cyrus even the tiniest bit.

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 12

Day 12: Your Favorite Villain Song

It's only fitting that my favorite villain song comes from the same source as my favorite love song.

When Im gone for 7 months...

...I'm going to miss the fun chaos that is my neighborhood bar.

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 11

Day 11: Your Favorite Love Song

I spent a lot of nights as a kid listening to this entire soundtrack over and over and singing along in my bedroom.

BREAKING NEWS!

I was originally going to arrive in Orlando and check in on August 10th and participate in the Fall program. Well I decided not to take Summer classes after all and instead not extend from August into the Spring but rather switch from Fall to Fall Advantage and come home in time for the Spring semester. This way I don't kill myself all summer with school work since it would be two 5 week sessions of class instead of a spaced out 15 week session.


Well what does this mean? It means that I will now be arriving in Orlando for my check in on June 6th! 

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 10

Day 10: Your Favorite Song

Not as epic as some of the other Disney songs I could have chosen, but it's the simplicity of this one that I love.

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 9

Day 09: Your Favorite *Original* Character (Mickey, Minnie, Donald ect.)

He's a huggable trouble maker with a heart of gold. Stitch hugs are the best hugs. True story.

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 8

Day 08: Your Favorite Villain

Disney Imagineers were starting my Love of Divine at an early age. Everything makes sense to me now...

Inside Tokyo Disneyland During and After the Earthquake

Thanks to this POST as well as the uploaders of the videos.

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 7

Day 07: Your Favorite Sidekick

Ray's love for Evangeline made me cry.

WDW College Program Live Presentation Recap

Even though I have already been accepted I decided to go to a live recruitment presentation anyways, out of curiosity. While I'm glad to have the option to view the E-Presentation instead and get the whole application process done earlier, I did find the live presentation to be more interesting and engaging. 


I took notes during it so here is the recap:
Tuesday March 8th @ Rowan University in Glassboro NJ
3pm (There was also a 5pm and 7pm presentation) 
There were about 35 or so people in attendance from not just Rowan but a few other local schools. (I go to CCC, a nearby community college)


The CM running the presentation, his name was Jeff and he started off with asking a few questions about the Disney Company and gave out pens for the correct answers.
One of the questions was what the first full length feature was. (Snow White)
Trivia: Snow White grossed 1,000,000.00 at the box office compare to recently, Toy Story 3 grossed over 1,000,000,000.00
Another question was about where Disney Parks are located outside of the US. (Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong)
Trivia: Shanghi is the next park location in development.


He also informed us that the WDW CP is celebrating it's 30th anniversary this year and since 1981 over 100,000 participants have correctly completed the program.
Trivia: 4,700 participants in the Disney World CP / 350 in the Disneyland CP
Mentioned that Rowan has 6 people in the program currently and CCC (my school) has 9. 


Next up was a video hi-lighting the various Disney brands and ventures. (Pixar, ABC, Marvel, ABC News, ESPN, Muppets, Music, Internet, Video Games, Live Theater and Ice Shows)


Jeff then introduced himself a little further. He went to Rowan. He's been with the company for 13 years and a college rep for 7 of those years.


He then went into more info about the program. 

"What's in it for me?" 

• Personal and profesional development
• Disney on your resume / resume development

Living, Learning and Earning

Living

• WDW has 4 apartment complexes
• (Vista, Chatham, Patterson, The Commons)
• WDW also has it's own transportation
• About 50/50 with who brings a car and who does not
• DL has one apartment complex
• You use public transportation but DL pays for it for you
• Housing ranges 82-137 a week (137 being in DL)
• A campus rep (there were about 6 or 7 others there to answer any questions) spoke briefly about her living experience from 2004

Learning

• WDW offers 8 classes
• DL offers 2
• Types offered: Collegiate, Seminar and Self Paced
• Also mentioned backstage tour opportunities for College Program participant
• Another college rep spoke about their "Learning" experience 

Earning

• Started with a video, mostly DL employees though all had started in the WDW CP and worked their way up to bigger full time roles
• Talked about how it's challenging but fun
• Discussed the Role Checklist 
• The slide on the display listed: Housekeeping, Quick Service Food and Beverage (QSFB), Custodial, Attractions, Entertainment and Merchandise
• Mentioned there was over 20 roles to choose from
• WDW alone has over 500 restaurants (both QSFB and Full Service combined)
• Informed us of when the Philly character audition was being held
• Pay rate: 7.25-11.50/hr (With the higher end of that being the DL pay rate)
• Full time position while in the CP

Discussed Disney's "Corporate Culture"

• Entertainment lingo - "Cast Member" "On Stage" "Role in the Show" ect.
• "Disney Look" - Family riendly, conservative 
• Tattoos are OK for CM's as long as they are covered while in Costume
• Briefly mentioned the Magical Moments CM's get to make with guests
• Another rep spoke, this time about her "Earning" experience in Spring 2010 (All the reps, while interesting to hear talk, were all very general and broad. Nothing specific really that I took any notes on)
• Endless possibilities - Professional Interships - CP Alumni only

All the Rest

• Free theme park admissions
• Mickey's Retreat
• Activities - Grocery Bingo ect.
• Discounts
• CM only previews
• Also went over the interview process
• Wrapped up

http://www.disneycollegeprogram.com

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 6

Day 06: Your Favorite Animal

"Ladies don't start fights, but they can finish them!" - Marie

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 5

Day 05: Your Favorite Hero

These guys saved the day to finish off the perfect ending to a perfect trilogy. I've loved them since day one, and couldn't have been prouder for them. 

Toy Story 3 Cookies

I found this image while surfing around the interwebs. I must attempt to make these at some point in time. It needs to happen. 

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 4

Day 04: Your Favorite Prince

Eric, simply because I was addicted to the Little Mermaid. I'm generally not big into the Princes.

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 3

Day 03: Your Favorite Heroine

Ellie. If you have to ask why, then I don't think we can be friends.

Campus Presentation

Even though I'm already accepted I've decided to check out the campus presentation that is today on Rowan's campus. Since I chose to do the web presentation to speed up the process. I don't want to feel like I've missed out on anything! That, and I don't have anything else to do this afternoon anyways. I'll update later on anything I may have found interesting or noteworthy!

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 2

Day 02: Your Favorite Princess 

Tiana is still pretty brand new but I've totally fallen in love with her. She's strong and independent and totally has the best dress of all the princesses hands down.

Purple Folder!

I was accepted about 2 weeks ago, but my purple folder came on Friday. He's the obligatory picture. My check in date in August 10th!

30 Day Disney Challenge - Day 1

Day 01: Your Favorite Character

Figment. Hands down. Without a doubt is my favorite Disney character. He marches to his own imaginary drum and I love him for that. 

30 Day Disney Challenge - List of Days

Day 01: Your Favorite Character
Day 02: Your Favorite Princess
Day 03: Your Favorite Heroine
Day 04: Your Favorite Prince
Day 05: Your Favorite Hero
Day 06: Your Favorite Animal
Day 07: Your Favorite Sidekick
Day 08: Your Favorite Villain
Day 09: Your Favorite *Original* Character (Mickey, Minnie, Donald ect.)
Day 10: Your Favorite Song
Day 11: Your Favorite Love Song
Day 12: Your Favorite Villain Song
Day 13: Your Least Favorite Song
Day 14: Your Favorite Kiss
Day 15: The First Movie You Saw
Day 16: Your Favorite Classic
Day 17: Your Lease Favorite Classic
Day 18: Your Favorite Pixar Film
Day 19: Your Least Favorite Pixar Film
Day 20: Your Favorite Sequel
Day 21: An Underrated Movie
Day 22: An Overrated Movie
Day 23: A Movie That Makes You Laugh
Day 24: A Movie That Makes You Cry
Day 25: Your Favorite Scene From Your Favorite Movie
Day 26: Saddest Death
Day 27: Your Favorite Quote
Day 28: Your Favorite Theme Park
Day 29: Your Favorite Theme Park Attraction
Day 30: Your Favorite Theme Park Show

First Post!

So while I'm still working out all the kinks for my little pet bloggy here, I'm going to be posting a 30 day Disney challenge that I hope you guys can enjoy and learn a little about me and my favorite parts of the House of Mouse.