Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Disney Dance

I just got back from a Disney dance workshop! It was so much fun and made me miss dancing everyday. We did jazz across the floor and a cute combo. I recognized the one across-the-floor combo from Disney's Electrical Parade, so I put the charm on (not that I didn't do that the entire time) and one of the instructors said "Thank you for smiling!". Our center combo was video taped in small groups and we had to say our names like an audition. They said that it wasn't going to talent casting, but I'm almost certain that they are casting parades off of this workshop. So, cross your fingers that I get into something!!

Now my search for a decent studio has begun so I can stay in shape while I'm down here. I wish that PAA could just pick up and move to Florida, but I don't think that will happen any time soon. (Miss you guys!)

Monday, July 12, 2010

Disney Magic

I have been out of training for two weeks now, which feels really good. I am finally getting into the swing of things and have become a pro at pulling costumes. (We have to get our own costume every morning, making sure we have everything before we go to our location) Training was just about as awesome as training could get. I was with an amazing group of people, and our trainers, Bill and Amanda, clearly have a passion for what they do. They made it so easy to look like a fool and their encouragement made me feel like I could actually do what I do today. It was interesting when someone said that they thought the trainers were being kind of mean by singling people out. I thought nothing of it because I knew that they were just trying to make us better. I guess all those dance classes made it easier to accept corrections. After all, if they correct you it means that they care. I love when all my life lessons from dance sneak up on me like that. So anyway, the last day of training we were all in tears because it had been such a wonderful experience and we were all so eager to get out their and make the magic happen for ourselves.


It's rare to find this many characters hanging out together in the park! Donald is quite handsome, if I do say so myself.

I'm not going to sugar coat it; my job is hard. I have mostly early and long hours. It gets hot sometimes, but its not unbearable. Some days I just want to call in and sleep for the rest of the day. I don't because I also have the coolest job in the world! Seeing the smiles on the kids faces is such a reward. I have the most fun when I get a little bit more time to interact with people who are excited to interact with me. That's when I get to play around with them: dance with some kids, sneak up on guests. That's when the magic happens.

I love that I get to work at every park. Yes, I have already worked at all four. Each one is slightly different than the other. I need a map at Magic Kingdom because the tunnel is a maze. Not really, but it can get confusing. Epcot shuttles you around everywhere so you don't actually have to know where you are going. MGM (Studios) is still new to me, only having worked there once. Animal Kingdom is also new, and bigger. I'll be working there a lot next week. Most of my days are spent at Magic Kingdom, which is fine. I have come to like Epcot a lot though so hopefully I will work there more often. I shared a break room with Mary Poppins and Alice the other day. Today, at Magic Kingdom, I rode the elevator with Princess Tiana and Jack Sparrow. Yea, I have a cool job.

Since I work in Entertainment, I get to express interest in various shows and parades based on the color code I received at my audition. The color codes are a way for management to assess our skill level. I am quite pleased with my color code. So, I have expressed interest in the Halloween and Christmas parades, a parade at Magic Kingdom called 'Move it, Shake it, Celebrate it', a parade at MGM called 'Block Party Bash', and Fantasmic, a show at MGM. Hopefully I get to do at least one of these. I love doing what I do now, but I'm a stage performer. I'm a dancer. I need that in my life. Plus, it looks really fun!

I'm sure everyone is wondering what exactly I do down here. Well, I can't tell you. It's a secret. But, I can say that I am becoming very good friends with some of the characters. My friends list includes Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Stitch, and Piglet. I spend a lot of my time with Mickey. He's such a cool guy. Donald is also one of my favorite friends. Next week I get to meet Thumper, and I'm sure we will become fast friends as well.


My roommates got to visit with Mickey and Minnie! Those lucky ducks! Minnie is so cute!

If you think I don't get head-over-heels excited when I see characters out in the park on my off days, you are mistaken. The other day, my roommates and I went to play at MGM and we all squealed like school girls when we saw them. Magic.