Tuesday, August 12, 2014

'All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them' -Walt

I have such exciting news for everyone, I'm going to be a Cast Member at the Disneyland Resort!!!!
AJDKDWAEJqwelklrj2j3RJSAF(JQ1i3j!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I cannot even explain my excitement.

But. I need to go back and explain.

So Felicia went back to Utah and my new roommate Ashley and I unpacked and got settled into our new apartment.
My secondary interview was last Thursday, August 8th. It was with the manager of the Photopass department. At the same location, I went to the casting center and arrived at about 9:40, my appointment was for 10 AM.

Oh and by the way, while I was walking in, I looked up at a window just next to the doors of the building and I was startled by a life-size Sully peaking out the window! Since Felicia had just left, and we had just gone to Disney as Sully and Mike I just knew it was a sign. She was still there with me, cheering me on!

 This time, when he called my name, he also invited another girl to come into the same room with us. So I suppose it was a type of double interview, group session thingie. She and I were asked a series of questions pertaining to what experience we have with cameras, our past job experiences, our favorite character, our favorite ride, etc. I answered to the best of my ability, and I'll be honest, although I am pretty tech-savvy, I don't have a ton of experience with those big ol' fancy cameras. I just smiled, tried to answer the questions as promptly as possible and spoke clearly. At the end of the interview, he informed us that we would know either the next day (Friday) or the following Monday. He also said that if he didn't see us fit for the photopass position he would send our information back to the regular casting members and they might be able to find another spot for us. We were excused, and the waiting game began!

At this time, I was also called in for an interview at a hotel just down the street. I figured if I got the position at Disney, it was only a part time and everyone knows how the cost of living is here in Cali. I had a secondary interview at the hotel right after I had finished the one at Disney :)

I didn't hear anything on Friday, which didn't surprise me, but still frustrating! Ashley and I had a wonderful weekend though, decorating our apartment and going to the beach :)
Before...

Shoot that's really blue....!!!
AFTER!!! Isn't it charming. I can't stop staring at it. We're so awesome.
Beach day :) We went to Huntington and TK Burgers. SOOO good.
And then we painted our entertainment center as well!!! Our apartment is going to be so cute. We have more crafts in the process.. :)
So she kept me pretty busy and preoccupied. Thanks Ash for not letting me go nuts :)

Sooo Monday came around!! I waited all day, since I have nothing else to do at the moment, and at about 4:15 I called the hotel, left a message for the manager, then called Disney casting center and was on hold for about 20 min. I hung up, and called back and was on hold for another 25 or so minutes. While I was on the phone, it turned 5:00 and at 5:04 it said they were closed and I would have to try tomorrow. Disappointed, I thought "I'll call them first thing in the morning". I won't lie though, I haven't worked for two weeks. I'm starting to get concerned about money and plus I'm bored just sitting at home. Netflix is my life right now people. Well.... at about 6 pm when I wasn't expecting any calls because everyone was closed down for the night.... I got a call from Margee!!!!!!! That was my first interviewer by the way. And she offered me the position!!!!! I WAS SO EXCITED. No that's not even the word, I can't explain my happiness. She gave me all sorts of information about paperwork and emails and blah blah and I was just ecstatic. I don't start until September 5th but that's ok! I'M A CAST MEMBER!!!!!!! We set up a day next week to go in and do all the paperwork, and at the end of the call I was thanking her profusely. She congratulated me and that was it! :) Guys. DREAMS DO COME TRUE. I'm going to get all cheesy for a minute but oh my goodness it's so surreal!!
So I would like to let you know, I have seen so many videos, blogs, instagrams etc about auditions and Cast Members and such and I know that pay is a personal thing, but for me, when people just said "It doesn't pay the best but it's definitely enough.." Well that just didn't cut it for me, it's hard to make such a crucial decision to drop your life and move out of state not knowing if you're gonna be able to pay rent. Or even eat. So yes, I will let you know that when I first applied for the food position, the pay was somewhere in the 10/hour range and the photo pass position was 9 something. I applied for the food position for the pay, who wouldn't if you had the choice... (unless, in my case, there was a position for the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique because it's my dream to work there). After Margee told me I was better suited for the photo pass position I wasn't disappointed at all, but just knew I would have to get another job (I already would have to do that anyway, haha) When she called me back to offer me the position it was offered in the ten range instead! Which is wonderful!! I can't guarantee that pay for anyone else of course, and I'm not sure how they determined it, but I'm so happy that it's even better than I thought:) And of course I'm going to be paid riches in experience, happiness and magic. :)

Today is Tuesday, I called the hotel this morning and was offered a position there as well, wonderful things are happening! I hope it only goes up :) As usual, if anyone has any questions, please talk to me! I wanna help in any way I can.

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Tell everybody I'm on my way!

New friends and new places to see
With blue skies ahead, yes I'm on my way
And there's no where else that I'd rather be
Tell everybody I'm on my way
And I'm loving every step I take
With the sun beatin' down, yes I'm on my way
And I can't keep this smile off my face
'Cause there's nothing like seein' each other again
No matter what the distance between
And the stories that we tell will make you smile
Oh it really lifts my heart
So tell 'em all I'm on my way
New friends and new places to see
And to sleep under the stars and who could ask for more
With the moon keeping watch over me
Not the snow not the rain can change my mind
The sun will come out wait and see
And the feeling of the wind in your face can lift your heart
Or, there's no where I would rather be
'Cause I'm on my way now
Well and true, I'm on my way now
I'm on my way now
I'm on my way now
I'm on my way now
Tell everybody I'm on my way
I just can't wait to be there
With blue skies ahead yes I'm on my way
And nothing but good times to share
So, tell everybody I'm on my way
And I just can't wait to be home
With the sun beating down yes I'm on my way
And nothing but good times to show
I'm on my way
Yes, I'm on my way
**************************************************
So I have news for everyone!! I applied for a food position last week on disneycareers.com I know I said I wasn't gonna apply again until October but I was sitting at work one day and since I was moving in about a week I thought I might as well try. I applied first for a photopass photographer position and when I got to the end I cancelled it. I then saw a position for food and beverage steward and went for that one just because of the pay. I applied on Friday afternoon so I didn't expect a response till at least Monday. If not later on. 
I did get a response on Monday :) I got asked to an online interview. I completed that and then got asked to schedule my in person interview! My friend Felicia and I were planning on going on vacation to Disneyland the 28th- August 1st already and since I would be moving at that time as well it would be perfect timing if I got the job. 

Saying goodbye to my puppy :( 

We got to Fullerton Monday morning and moved into my new apartment. My interview was at 2:20 that day at the Disneyland casting center. This is the same building I went to for my last interview and the same area as the last audition I went to for parade performer. It's 700 West Ball Road right behind Disneyland. 
I checked in with the front desk and sat down. There were 3 nice guys waiting for their interviews as well.
When my name got called I realized it was the same woman I had interviewed with last year! We sat down and began the interview and about 10 minutes in she pointed out that we had met before :) it made me smile that she remembered me! She said she wanted me to be a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique hostess and she would try everything to get me in. Unfortunately there weren't any positions open:( but in the end she gave me a secondary interview next Thursday with the manager!!:) she told me I had more to offer as a photopass photographer and that is what my interview would be for. I owe so much to her. She's helped me immensely along the way. 

What I wore:  

I decided to wear that red dress I wore to my first audition. It's kind of 40's-esque but not too much and has pockets so it's not too dressed up. I wore my hair straight and I wore sparkly vans to add a little flare :) 

My advice: if there's anyone else out there that is striving to be a cast member as much as I am, please don't give up. Apply for anything you can with your qualifications and after four months you'll earn your ears and can transfer to something else, or stay in your current position if you end up loving it! The only thing you can't transfer to is entertainment but they do hold 'in house' auditions for cast members so you have a better chance!!! If you have any questions about anything don't hesitate to ask. 



Sunday, August 3, 2014

Seems like only yesterday we were ... Both little girls, dreaming our fairy tales dreams.

Princesses are my favorite. And I got to be Charlotte Labouf for a day!! Charlotte is Tiana's best friend in the movie Princess and the Frog. We disneybounded as these two on the third day. :) 


This is inside the Blue Bayou restaurant. You may have noticed it while riding Pirates of the Carribean! While pricey, this restaurant is AMAZING and the atmosphere was even better! We enjoyed the Monte Cristo sandwich since we had reservations for lunch time. You can also get the monte cristo sandwich at Cafe Orleans. The dinner menu at Blue Bayou will differ and I don't believe they serve the sandwich at night. I would suggest making reservations just in case you happen to go on a busy day. And if you do happen to go, on the left side of the restaurant, facing the water, find a small firefly floating in the bushes. Say hi to Ray for me!


This is my honorary citizen of Disneyland button! I saw them around the park and knew I needed one. You can get them at city hall, however you have to answer some trivia questions! It's super fun and it tests your knowledge. The cast member couldn't think of a hard enough question for me!! 

What a wonderful trip we had :)

 

I wouldn't have nothing if I didn't have you

Day two we disneybounded as Mike and Sulley!! We got so many comments, one lady even took a picture of us! Disneybounding is so much fun, do it whenever you have the chance! 
Ah the turkey leg. I, being the Disney freak I am, had surprisingly never had a turkey leg. I made it a goal to have one no matter what. Now everyone is different but I'll just tell ya... I wouldn't do it again :) no further comments haha. 


Classic World of Color shot. 
We sat closer this time (stood, actually there are no sitting areas for World of Color) and I'll warn you now. When they say you will get wet. You WILL get wet. We were in the second tier and there were moments when the mist was so strong we were getting soaked!!! But it added to the fun:) 
So I got a picture of that last orange spurt!! This is the one that represents Walt Disney that I mentioned in a previous post! Another little fun story, while we were waiting, a custodial cast member was talking to us. He said when they were testing the fountains to see how high they could go, a smaller fountain named squirt wanted to audition. The other fountains laughed and said no way. He's much too little. Squirt begged and pleaded and finally they said fine it won't matter anyways because he won't be seen over our stong fountains. He'll get drowned out! Well, the director liked squirt so he gave him a very special part at the end. This is the orange spurt! So whenever you watch World of Color say hi to Squirt!







It all started with a mouse..

My friend Felicia and I have been planning this trip for 6 months now! I thought you guys would enjoy our pictures. 
The first day we disneybounded as Mickey and Minnie! 

This was my first time seeing these two so I pretty much died. 


This is at Cafe Orleans in the New Orleans area. We chose gumbo and pomme frites and man was it delicious. It's a sit down restaurant but not too overpriced (for Disney that is :) ) so I would definitely recommend it! Get a break from those corn dogs ;)

Aladdin 💚💚💚💚

It's ok to cry over these pictures. I did :)


These are the famous dole whips! Located at the front of Adventureland they're a wonderful cool off treat. The line can be pretty lengthy.. But hint! There's a shorter line on the other side if you enter the Tiki room que. It's basically a miracle to not have to wait 20 minutes in a treat line. The ones we have here are the pineapple floats but they also have pineapple ice cream, pineapple juice or a fresh pineapple spear. All delicious!!!