Location, Location, Location!

Basically since the moment I accepted my role as a custodial CP, I've spent my free time thinking of pros and cons for all of the places I could be working at. It was something to do while I waited to learn my location, and I figured that if I thought about it early, I would be able to put a positive spin on things more quickly when I got the news. This is a little bit of what I came up with:

Magic Kingdom

Pros: 

• It’s the MAGIC KINGDOM
• Wishes Fireworks Show
• Brand New Parade
• Lots of happy kids
• Lots of hours=Lots of $

Cons: 

• Highest attendance
• Greatest # kids= greatest # messes
• SEAGULLS
• Lots of hours=No Sleep
• Crowded streets= hard to clean

Animal Kingdom

Pros: 

• Closes early
• Not as heavily trafficked
• Lots of nature
• Nemo/Lion King shows

Cons: 

• Not as many hours
• Early EMH
• Animal poop becomes my responsibility

Hollywood Studios

Pros: 

• Normalish hours (not open as late as MK)
• Fantasmic!
• No seagull drama
• Lots of happy kids

Cons: 

• Probably 2^nd most frequented by kids=messes
• Midway Mania crowds=hard to sweep
• Fantasmic shift

EPCOT

Pros: 

• Favored by adults=less messy
• Decent hours (not too late, not too early)
• Less heavily trafficked in Futureworld (easier to clean)
• Illuminations!

Cons: 

• World showcase=drunk adults and puke
• Mexican food bathrooms……

Resorts

Pros: 

• Won’t get sick of parks
• Different costumes
• Not as messy
• Continued guest interactions
• Lots of hours= lots of $

Cons: 

• 24/7 operations means potential crazy hours
• Not a park
• No fireworks

My location: Futureworld EPCOT

Of all the parks, I think that Futureworld at EPCOT will be one of the best places to work custodial. EPCOT is the kind of park that you really grow into when you’re a little older and less likely to puke, miss the toilet, or poop on yourself. Little kids can dig it for a while but it’s not their favorite, so they don’t get it too messy. I mean let’s be real, when little kids love something it gets TRASHED. For proof of this theory see Exhibit: the ratty blanket from your childhood that you never let you parents wash.

Being in custodial was important to me because of the great amount of guest interaction we can have. Even though Futureworld isn't always as busy as other parks, I think there will still be plenty of chances to make a guests’ day.

For example, just a few days before I got down here, I saw a video on Youtube of the EPCOT custodial team playing ball with guests in Futureworld. Seeing videos like that makes me SO excited to be part of that team. I’m sure I’ll have some dirty jobs while I’m here, but it’s a small price to pay for the chance to spend a semester at Disney making connections and preparing for a future with the Mouse. 

Can’t wait to get started!

Check-In Recap

Were you standing in a line at 7:00 in the morning? Did you have nightmares about forgetting your passport? Have you lied about what time you were supposed to show up? 

Yes, you have? Are you at Vista Way? Because if so, then chances are, you’re at check in day on the Disney college program!

Here’s a little info about how the rest of check-in day went for me.

Check in started at 7:00. Technically the process begins at 8:00, the earliest check in time emailed out to participants, but lines are forming and parking space is dwindling by then. So, if you have a car and want a spot, 7:00 is a good time to go park in the lot across the street. After doing that, I found two of my newmies (new roomies) in line and settled in for a long wait.

Fun fact: It was in that line that I experienced the first torrential downpour of my dcp experience! Little pink bear is still drying off 

That said, check a couple different weather sources before you get to Vista Way. The iPhone predicted clouds and warmth. We got cold and wet. At least the rain was a good motivator for the check in staff. By 8:30AM I knew my work location, apartment # and traditions date, and I was boarding the bus to Casting!

Piece of Advice #1: 
Bring an expanding file or clipboard to check in. You will have DORMS papers, your I-9 documents (passport, SS card, etc.), an I-9 form, and a program guide when you head to Casting. It might not sound like a lot right now, but those are some important documents, and some of them (like your drivers license) are small and easy to drop. Plus, you will be given further paperwork AT Casting. Folding papers in half and shoving them into my program guide kept them safe and dry, but it didn't give off the most professional vibe. It also didn't help me find specific documents easily.

The ride to Casting is pretty short, and it’s on a very nice coach bus. A program alumni talks you through some trivia and up and coming changes to different areas of the parks. (Downtown Disney-->Disney Springs? Whaaaaaat?) Before you know it, you’re approaching the Walt Disney World main entrance. Hooting and hollering are required upon entry! 

Casting itself isn't all that grueling. There are a lot of steps to becoming a cast member, which means that there are a lot of lines. But don’t worry. The steps themselves went pretty quick, even if the overall process took some time.

After Casting, I rode the bus back to Vista to get my mom from the parent area and move into my apartment.

Piece of Advice #2: 
If you have a parent with you at check in, you might want to give them your car keys before getting in line. You probably won’t see them until you move into your apartment since they aren't allowed to go through the check in process with you. So, if you have Casting right away like I did, your poor parent will be waiting for you indefinitely. I didn't see my mom at all between 7:15 and 12:30.

If, unlike me, you move in between check in and Casting, your parent will be fine waiting through check in. It’s all dependent on your schedule that day.

Well, that was my personal check-in process. Other people didn't have Casting until the next day, or stood in longer lines, or had role specific drug tests on this day. Some check –in days also had more arrivals than mine did. But at least in my case, it was a pretty smooth transition!