Being Deployed...

It sure has been a while since I've updated you on my life as a Disney Cast Member. So much has happened since then...

My Mom came and visited me for a bit at the beginning of October. We enjoyed some quality Momma-Daughter time in the parks and even ate our way around Epcot at the Food and Wine Festival! Other than that, my October has been full of working, hanging out with friends, and just chilling (but not literally because the weather down here is still perfect for shorts and a tshirt).

So as you know, I work in the Everything Pop Shop at Disney's Pop Century Resort. At the beginning of October, I found out I was going to be deployed for two weeks. But what does deployment actually mean? If a location needs a little extra help, they can request for other cast members to fill in for a few days or even weeks. Seeing the word 'deployment' on my schedule was initially overwhelming and a little scary. It meant I would need to check out a new costume, learn the ropes at a new resort and interact with new cast members. What I did not realize was that the two weeks I was deployed would be some of the best weeks I have had in my program so far! I was deployed to Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, a moderate resort with a conference center and Spanish Colonial Mexico themed decor.

Life at Coronado was so different than what I was used to at Pop Century, but different in a good way. So thankful for the cast members that welcomed me to Panchito's and helped me through my deployment. They will forever and always be my second Disney home!

Besides work, life at Disney has been a dream come true. I often have guests asking if I'm enjoying my program and what the best part has been...that's an easy question, every single part! Though, one of the best parts I have to say is being able to casually visit the parks after work or on my days off! I'm definitely going to miss this life when my program ends in January. And the other perks of course! To keep you all updated on my life after Disney, the plan is to move back home and start a full time marketing position in the Raleigh area. Currently in the process of applying for jobs and hoping to lock something down before I move home! Prayers appreciated!

As always, thanks for keeping up with my Disney journey!

- KLC -

          

      Mom and I in MK!            Decorated a Duffy!       Breakfast with the Boss!

       

         Celebrating Anna's Birthday at Ohana!             Fun at Epcot with fellow CP's!

A Visitor From Home...

Hands down, this past weekend marked one of my favorite memories of Florida so far...though there have been some close runner's up! My amazing boyfriend used some of his vacation days to come visit me for a long weekend! Needless to say, we had a blast and I am so thankful for his continual love, patience, and support in my life.

The long weekend started off on Friday with me driving to Tampa, FL to pick Ethan up from his hotel (he flew in Thursday night but I had work). We then drove to Indian Rocks Beach (near Clearwater, FL) and rented a two person kayak for a few hours. I had never kayaked in the ocean before so that was a pretty cool experience! After kayaking, we ate at a locally owned restaurant called Keegan's Seafood Grille, which I highly suggest if you are ever in the area! We made our way back to Orlando and went to the AMC Dine-In theater at Downtown Disney (now called Disney Springs) and saw Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials.

Saturday was probably one of my favorite days - we visited the two Disney owned water parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon) and were able to ride basically every ride! The weather was beautiful, lines weren't too long, and hanging out with Ethan all day made my day off absolutely wonderful. I even swam with sharks...yes SHARKS, just for Ethan! Even if I was swimming fast and almost had a mini panic attack in the water, I did it! (Just fyi - the sharks were bottomfeeders or something like that aka they wouldn't hurt me, but still...I was ready to get out of that water!) It was a cool experience though and everyone is able to participate when you go to Typhoon Lagoon! Continuing the Disney fun, we went to the Wilderness Lodge for dinner and enjoyed "The Best Meal Ever" (quote by me) at the Whispering Canyon Cafe. The food was delicious! We ordered the 'All-You-Care-To-Eat' meal which included salad, cornbread, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, baked beans, barbecue, ribs, chicken and beef slices. Planning a Disney vacation soon? Go to this sit-down restaurant - I promise you won't be disappointed!

On day three, Sunday, we woke up early and went to the church I've been attending while down here. Then we went shopping for a bit before visiting Pop Century for lunch and a tour! Being at the resort I work at without my costume on was so weird, but it was neat being able to show Ethan where I spend my days working. Unfortunately we had to part ways for a bit because I had a shift that night but it gave Ethan a little time to relax before he had to leave the next day!

Today, Ethan's last day, seemed like if flew by the fastest. We made breakfast reservations at the Trail's End Restaurant at Disney's Fort Wilderness which consisted of a buffet of fruit, pastries, and warm delicious foods. (If you haven't gathered, the weekend was full of eating all of the foods and stuffing our bellies with pure yumminess) With only a few hours before his plane took off, we went to play putt putt at Fantasia Mini Golf Course, explored the local Goodwill and then made our way to the airport. Overall, this weekend was amazingly wonderful and far better than I imagined! Ethan and I had a great time getting to hang out with one another, go on mini adventures, and not have to worry about a schedule or what other people wanted to do. I thank God every day for bringing this man into my life six years ago. He brings so much joy in my life and encourages me to reach for the stars and always follow my dreams. Praying for us and all that God has in store for our lives.

Thanks for reading! Keep an eye out for more updates on my Disney adventure!

- KLC -

 

                   Having a blast at Disney's Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon with my man!

 

Taking a tour of Pop Century!            After lunch pic at Keegan's! 

Spreading the (Disney) Magic...

It's official...I have been living in Florida and working at Disney World for a month now! Feels like it has been so much longer but maybe that's because life is so busy down here! Nothing much has changed for me. I work about 35-40 hours a week and on my days off try to go in the parks with friends and coworkers. Work is going very well though! I never realized how important my role was in spreading Disney magic to the guests that visit our shop. I love making guests (both young and old) feel special and bringing smiles to their faces. Whether I am giving out free stickers with characters on them or waving at tired guests coming in from a long day in the park with a Mickey glove on, I would not trade this experience for the world. Every once in a while, I have families or individuals who recognize me, come over to say hey and tell me about their day. They may not realize this, but those little interactions make my day!

Besides work, the most recent news of my Disney adventure is my night at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. If you have no idea what this is, go research it right now (and then book your tickets for next year). My roommate Anna and I went last night to this special ticketed event in Magic Kingdom where we saw the park transformed into a Halloween spectacular! Our number one priority was meeting characters that normally don't make appearances (Jack and Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas, the Seven Dwarfs, Genie and Abu, Jafar, Jane and Turk, Lotso and Cruella Deville). We also went Trick-Or-Treating (and got two full bags of candy), watched Happy Hallowishes (a firework show), saw Mickey's "Boo To You" Halloween Parade and ended the night with the Hocus Pocus Villian Spectacular! Even though I had a 5:30am shift that morning and my feet were killing by the end of the night, it was TOTALLY worth every penny we spent on the ticket and every second we spent running around trying to do all of the things!

Thanks for reading! Like we say at Pop Century, have a 'groovy' day!

- KLC - 

P.S. - Also, BIG thanks to everyone who has sent me letters! I love writing and receiving snail mail and you all have made me feel so special!

                      Experiencing Mexico at Epcot!                  Surprise trips home are the best!

                              R2-D2 and the Stormtrooper ready for Mickey's Not So Scary!

Learning the Ropes...

After a week of training and 'Earning My Ears' at Pop Century, last night marked the first night I handled a register on my very own! Woohoo! And let me just tell you...I had an absolute blast! Talking with guests, handing Disney stickers out to kids (and adults), and trading pins are a few of the small things that make my 'job' worth the long hours on my feet! I even was able to help out with a hula hoop activity we set up in the lobby for guests to enjoy while listening to fun dance music! Needless to say, I am loving my role as a Cast Member and am so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and moved 10 hours away from home to work Disney!

So what does a typical day look like for me? Lately I have been scheduled for night shifts, starting around 4:30pm until 1:00am. I try to sleep in and take it easy until my shift so I have plenty of energy for the entire night. I receive my schedule two weeks at a time and typically get two days in a row off. On my days off, I would like to say I go into the parks all day (since I get in for free) but I'm getting over a cold so I have been chilling and resting at my apartment. But don't worry, once I get better, those parks won't know what's coming! My roommates and I all have pretty different schedules, with different days off and different shift times. We still find plenty of time to hang out either by staying in and watching a movie or heading to Magic Kingdom a few hours before the park closes and immediately hopping on rides because there is no wait! (The new mine train ride was a 5 minute wait the other day!)

Well, T-2.5 hours till my next shift! Thanks for reading!

- KLC -

   

                 Traditions with fellow CP's          Roasting Marshmallow's with Becky & Amy!

Meeting Rafiki at Epcot with Amy!

Disney Here I Come...

Ever since I can remember, the idea of working at Disney World has been a dream of mine...and that dream is finally coming true! I will be starting my first post-college adventure as a participant of the Disney College Program, in the role of merchandising, for the next four months! My hope is to keep you up-to-date, through this blog, on my life as a Disney employee!

So where to begin? Let's see, I checked in on Monday, August 17th to find out my Disney role, housing location, and roommates! I will be working at a resort that feels like home called Pop Century! It's one of Disney's value resorts located near Hollywood Studios and has a 1950's - 1990's pop culture theme throughout the resort property. My family and I have visited Pop Century several times and enjoyed every second we spent there...including the oh-so-delicious tie dye cheesecake! (fits my 'tie dye' wearing, peace loving, hippie personality perfectly) Needless to say, I am super pumped to start training and begin working at Pop Century!

Other than that, life in Florida and working for Disney, has been amazing! My roommates are so sweet and I can tell (by our mutual loves for Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, movies, etc) that we are gonna have the time of our lives! With my Disney Bucket List created and my training days beginning next week, I'm ready to start this magical once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

Thanks for reading! Until next time...have a marvelous day! 

- KLC -

The awesome roomies!

                  Visiting Pop Century!              Showing my roomie the ropes to pin trading!