Extra Tragic Hours

DCP – Day 15 – August 27, 2012

My shift today was from 5 PM until 1:30 AM, thanks to Extra Magic Hours.  Or as Cast Members call them, Extra Tragic Hours.  I worked in the Gallery tonight and I really liked it.  There was just one other person working at the Gallery tonight with me.  Her name was Cathy and she was so fun to work with.  Since Gallery is a slower pace store, I wasn’t rushed to complete a transaction and I got to interact with the guests more.  I also got to wear this snazzy new costume.

 

 

 

Floor Stock Shift

DCP – Day 14 – August 26, 2012

With Tropical Storm Isaac making his way up the Florida panhandle, it should be no surprise that I got soaked on my way to the bus stop thanks to a random downpour.  My little polka dot umbrella was no match for the strong winds and heavy rain.  I made it to work a wet mess and headed to costuming to get my new costume.  I worked a floor stock shift tonight so I got to wear this little beauty.  And this pic was taken at the end of my shift so ignore my slouchy appearance. 

The stocking shift was monotonous.  I just had to take stuff from the backroom and put it in the show room.  There was little guest interaction, or interaction with anyone for that matter, which made the shift go by slower.  However, later in my shift, I got to talk with some of my managers and network a little so that was really good.  I closed up Villains in Vogue by myself and that was kind of fun. 

As I wait for my bus to arrive, the rain and winds are slowly stating to pick up.  Time to batten down the hatches and crawl into bed.

 

 

First Day Without a Trainer

DCP – Day 13 – August 25, 2012

Despite the fact I was a little nervous about my first day without a trainer, it turned out to be a great day.  I went in to work at 6:30 so the crowds were steady but not overwhelming.  However I worked in Villains in Vogue so as time for Fantasmic neared, we got really crowded.  People weren’t really buying anything, they were just passing through on their way to the show, so I got to mingle with people and talk.  Pin Trading is a huge deal to a lot of people and it’s so fun to trade with the kids who get ridiculously excited when they see a pin they want. 

After both shows of Fantasmic were done and the crowds were gone, we stocked the shelves and straightened everything up to make it show ready for the next day.  My manager, Brenden, showed me how everything should look when I leave for the night.  He also gave me a Four Keys Fanatic Card, which is given to the employees who demonstrate one or more of the Four Keys.  The Four Keys are Safety, Courtesy, Show, and Efficiency.  Mine was for Show, since I made the store show ready for the next day.  Needless to say, I was quite excited when Brenden gave this to me.

I also signed up tonight to work one of the Hurricane Shifts.  These are the shifts where you go in to work before, after, or during the hurricane to help with whatever they need done.  With Isaac fast approaching, it’s going to be interesting to see if they actually use me in one of these shifts.  And by interesting, I mean kind of scary.  We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto.

 

 

 

 

Last Day of Training

DCP – Day 12 – August 24, 2012

I’m officially done with training!  My trainer today was Sherry and she was hilarious.  We didn’t really do anything but wonder around Sunset Boulevard and Animation Courtyard.  I learned how to open the little kiosk thing outside the Beauty and the Beast show and I where all the stockrooms are.  I also learned that I’ll be wearing our different costumes next week.  Oh what fun that will be at costuming.  We are allowed to rent five costumes at a time which means I’ll have to wash or return them and get a new one.  It’s just a lot of carrying clothes around and changing at the Studios.  Nothing that I can’t do.

I also passed my merchandise exam today!  It’s an 58 question assessment about everything I've learned this week.  I was worried about passing it because if you fail you have to do training all over again.  But thankfully I passed!  But that means I start running the register by myself tomorrow.  Which is as intimidating as it is exciting.  It’s not that crowded right now, only 1,300 people at Hollywood today, so that will be helpful so I’m not slammed with people on my first day.  And of course, tropical storm Isaac will keep the crowd away for a few days.  But no worries.  Disney has everything under control.

 

 

 

 

Cast Connections and Property Conrol

DCP – Day 11 – August 23, 2012

I finally made my way to Cast Connections and Property Control today.  Cast Connections offers out of date and overflow merchandise to Cast Members at a slightly discounted price. 

Property Control is where they have discounted Disney merchandise for Cast Members to buy.  A lot of the merchandise is damaged but I was about to get three t-shirts, a scrapbook, autograph book, and a lanyard for thirty bucks.  And I now have a t-shirt from almost all of the different Disney Cruises.

 

Closing Sweet Spells

DCP – Day 10 – August 22, 2012

Basically closing Sweet Spells is just as exciting as opening it was.  Just more mindless cleaning while the villains soundtracks plays over and over.  But at least I worked with more people tonight so that made the night go by a little faster.  But midnight was in no hurry to arrive.

Hollywood Studios - After Hours

 

I got to work more on the registers today although the store wasn’t that busy.  When Fantasmic let out, a lot of people came into the store on their way out which made the traffic flow increase and I got to mingle with the guests.  I also got to make cotton candy, which was very interesting.

Well, my midnight bus ride is almost over.  I’ll be sure to post about my adventure tomorrow to Cast Connections.

 

 

 

 

Day Off

DCP – Day 9 – August 21, 2012

So I had today off and I did nothing exciting.  I woke up about nine, ran some errands, and cleaned the apartment.  I had a mini Gilmore Girls marathon and watched some of the bonus features on my newly purchased Hunger Games DVD.  Like I said, I did nothing exciting.  But it was very nice to have a day to myself and not do anything.  Especially since next week I only have one day off.  So that means laundry day is predetermined for next week.

When my roommates got off work, we headed to Hollywood Studios.  Erika rode the Tower of Terror for the first time.  Our picture is classic.

 Me, Abby, Erika, and Jeannine

After that, we ate dinner at 50’s Prime Time Café.  And yes, I did have French fries and mashed potatoes as my sides.  Mom’s not here to tell me no.