So, now that I’ve earned my ears and graduated from the Disney College Program, what more is there for me to do here? Extend my program, of course!
There multiple ways that a cast member can finish his/her college program. Some stay on with the company as “seasonal” and agree to work a certain number of hours per year. Some even become campus reps at their home schools. Others, like me, choose to extend their college programs. Those who wished to extend their programs could apply during the first week in November. After a few glitches were worked out with the computer system, the application process was pretty simple. I chose to extend in a different area than DinoLand. On the application, I was able to select a few of my top choices, including attractions and full service food and beverage. I also mentioned on the application that I would like to work in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the one park in which I have never worked.
On November 11, I received an email telling me to check the status of my extension request. I learned that I was accepted in attractions, but I didn’t know where yet. I told a few of my managers, and one suggested that I watch my record card on the HUB (Dinsey’s intranet system), because she said they would update my location on the HUB before telling me. I kept checking, but with no luck. As per some other suggestions, I started checking my training schedule and looking for myself in the address locator portion on the HUB. Eventually, I found out that I was scheduled for property orientation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I was pretty excited, since this location was what I had requested. Sometimes, you don’t get what you want when it comes to program placements, so things were looking good.
One day in December, while I was stocking the floor in Chester and Hester’s, someone from deployment (the people who tell people where to go, for lack of better words) came by my work location with a new training sheet for me. It featured designs from my new park and information on my first day of training. I learned that my first day in Hollywood Studios would be Jan. 10, but I still didn’t know where I would go from there.
Finally, on Sunday, January 10, my schedule for the week of my training came out and I learned that I will be working at (drum roll, please) Toy Story Mania! I’m pretty excited. The ride is pretty popular, as in constant 1-2 hour wait lines popular, so I’m sure it will come with ups and downs. I can’t wait to see what it’s like! I’ve ridden the ride of course, but working it will be a whole new adventure! Stay tuned for more details.
Also, with extending, comes the new apartment. The powers that be gave us three days in mid-December over which we could stop by the Vista Way Welcome Center and reapply for housing. I was working the first two days, so I had to go on the third day. By then, the apartments were pretty picked-over. I ended up with a three-bedroom apartment in Chatham Square. At least my rent will be lower, and I got to stay in the same complex. This came in handy later on in the moving process. Somehow, I managed to move the contents of my apartment across the complex in approximately 2 hours (with the help of my roommate, of course.) It was a tight time frame, but everything worked out OK in the end. And I still managed to put in over 58 hours in DinoLand for my last week in the area! What can I say? It’s been a hectic couple of weeks.
So, farewell, DinoLand! It’s been real. Dig ya later, cousins! And hello, Andy’s Room!
workingforthemouse 