Another question to answer

So what has been your most enjoyable/memorable positive thing you've seen from guests?

I'm very happy to say that in the 5 weeks so far, I have yet to deal with one of "those" guests. Everyone has seemed happy to be there. Today, I was working at a register when a guest asked if I had a tissue, I reached for a paper towel under the counter when another guest walked up to the counter and pulled one out of her purse for him. SHE was feeling the magic and that made me warm and fuzzy. I've also seen guests in the Dinorama games hand children their unused vouchers b/c they've "won enough" or they'll give one of their prizes to a child. Or there have been guests who see a little one pin trading with me and just go give the child one of their pins. In training today, we talked about the ripple effect and how our actions as CMs impact the guests and I can honestly say that I see it happen all the time.

Random thoughts and what Walt said

Call me crazy, but...I actually had a twinge of missing the Ohio cold today! It was a warm, beautiful day here, but I saw the weather back in Ohio and kinda missed being able to wear my sweaters and socks and curl up with my knitting whenever I felt like it. Yeah, then I got over it and enjoyed the sunshine!!!

I had a class from 2-4 today and I'm sorry, but all these videos they show us during training sessions MAKE ME CRY (and I think I'm the only one). Today was Walt talking about WDW. I love hearing his voice, it's like your favorite Grandpa talking to you, but here is the clip of him they left us with, "They [CMs] will be the people who give, who like to bring delight to other people, and therefore gain pleasure and satisfaction for themselves." Wow. Simply wow. He nailed it, at least for me.

One of the things I'm trying to do right now to be a better CM is to learn enough Spanish to be able to conduct a transaction and give directions (mainly to "el bano") I was so proud of myself for "talking money" today in Spanish several times! One guest even pointed to my "Deutsch" on my name tag and said, "German AND Spanish?" I laughed and said that I could only say VERY little, but he gave me 2 thumbs up anyway. I'm pretty sure I'll never be conversational (my brain can't think as fast as they speak!), but it makes me happy that I can make a tiny part of their visit less stressful.

I have another paper due tomorrow night that I've been struggling with. Then, I just realized I've been working on the wrong assignment for next week, too. It's my own fault for not reading the syllabus more carefully; it's a bummer that all of my thoughts/research have been geared to the wrong thing. I have to admit, I'm very burned out on school. I'm more than halfway now, but am feeling an intense need of a break.

Answering a question about the College Program

How many hours do you work?
As CPs, we are guaranteed 30 hours per week (which happens to be just enough to cover the Disney rent for students who live there, food, and a little extra). We have to have "full availability" which is one of the reasons I was very glad to get AK, since it rarely stays open late. If you are taking Disney or distance learning classes, they are supposed to block out 4 hours those days from your schedule. Because I'm at AK, it gives me those days off, but if I were at MK, I might have to go in for a shift from 6pm-2am on a class day. Any time off blows out the window during "labor exception" periods (holidays, Spring Break, etc)

Anything over an 8hr day/40 hr week is overtime, so they try not to do that, at least in my area, but I've heard of some CPs (MK quick service) who really rack up the hours/$$$. The program is designed for single college students who have nothing else to do but work and play, so showing it can work for non-traditional CPs is one of my goals while I'm here, as well as helping the CP leadership see that it's to their benefit to have more non-traditional CPs around, so some flexibility with scheduling could be a good thing.

Someday...

I get a LOT of feedback from people who tell me that I am living their dream both online and in person. Let me share a t-shirt I saw the other day:
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday...
See??? There is no "someday".

PLEASE follow your dreams. I passionately wish for everyone to find that kernel of courage in their own hearts to be able to take that first step toward their dreams. Is it a lot of work? Absolutely. Is it the singularly most rewarding thing I've ever done (besides rearing children)? YES. Listen to Wishes. You CAN make your dreams happen.

The view from my "office"

While I was stocking yesterday, one of our new CPs was getting quite a line, so I hopped on register to help out. One of my guests said, "It must be nice to work in a place where everyone is so happy all the time." I told her that it was great to be able to look out of "my" door and see Pluto and Goofy every day and I'm still a bit awestruck by the whole thing.

Magical Moments...even backstage

I wish I could tell you all of the things that make me smile, but since some of them are backstage, some of those are off limits. Let's just say it's a lot of fun when the characters create magic for US backstage, too. There was a LOL moment with Brer Bear today...

Wishes

There is a fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom called "Wishes". If you ever need a pixie dust booster shot or to get your Mickey Mojo back, let me tell you, folks, this is the show you need to see. Here are a few excerpts:

"You know, any wish is possible. All it takes is a little courage, to set it free"

"Wishes can come true, if you believe in them with all your heart.
And the best part is, you'll never run out of wishes.
They're shining deep down inside of you.
'Cause that, my friends, is where the magic lives"

How marvelous that I am privileged to get paid to go to a place every day where dreams come true. Dreams of little girls who become a Princess in their tiaras. Dreams of little boys whose faces light up when they toss a ball and win the BIG dinosaur. Dreams of parents who see their children dancing with abandon in celebration during a Magical Moment. Magic lives here and I get to be a part of it. Like the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom, the joy in their faces takes my breath away.