fish out of water.

wcecil01:

Cast previews of the New Fantasyland are going on while I’m honeymooning…

I need to find a castmember to be friends with for a week. haha

CAST MEMBERS ASSEMBLE!

Whitney is a former cast member, and will be in Florida for her honeymoon like way soon.

Would anyone be able to get her and her hubs into the preview with them?

On this very day two years ago, I left Whitney to freak out and solve her document problems at the hotel (poor Whitney) while I waited in line at Vista Way to secure an apartment for us. I got there at like, 8:30am, which felt late compared to all the other freaks who got there at 5am.

I waited and waited and walked and walked and maybe spoke to a person or two in line, but I wasn’t feeling friendly because I was too nervous and excited and worried (about Whitney). The one thing that stood out to me was just how EFFICIENT everything was. Disney really is so efficient.

I got out apartment in Patterson, which was exactly what we wanted, and I got my ID picture taken

in which I look like a very happy lady, because I really was.

And then we got on a bus and went to casting where I got to see those really cool doorknobs, but didn’t take a picture like other people did because I was SO NERVOUS. But the building was lovely and cute and made me so excited.

And then I found out I’d be working Photopass in Magic Kingdom, which is basically the best location known to man. And then I got these pictures taken

and then the rest of the day gets fuzzy from there.

I went to meet my dad at the apartment (which I would not live in for the entirety of my program for reasons)

But this was 2 years ago.

2 long years.

Disney was one of the best things that ever happened to me. It taught me so many things: about how to be responsible, treat guests/customers, take portraits, be kind, have dreams…

It was some of the most fun I’ve ever had. I made amazing friends and had wonderful adventures. I spent almost every single day for 6 months inside a Disney park. And when I wasn’t at a park, I was at the beach, or at Universal, or hanging out with friends.

I miss it all the time. For about a year after the program, I thought about it every day. I was a little obsessive. Over time my PDD (post-Disney Depression) began to wane. I still have days where all I want to do is listen to area loops and look at pictures of the parks. Mainly Main Street USA.

But I know I’ll be back to visit.

Disney will forever be a part of my life.

And it’s not just the movies or the parks or the merchandise. It’s an overall feeling. (And it’s not the “magic and pixie dust” feeling, either.) Just knowing that a place so happy and wonderful was mine for a little while. It’s a place I feel like I know inside and out, but there’s still so much I haven’t seen of it. The company has many flaws, and I readily acknowledge that. But there’s still something about it.

Anyway.

2 years.

Alex and I have tentative plans to go after the madness of the Fantasyland Expansion dies down a bit.

So

See ya real soon, Disney World.

natfish:

I’ve been busy working and having fun.

Life is good, and weird.

Whitney is still gone (LAME) and I have a new roommate.

But all is well.

And I think my managers at work like me, which is good. I was in the Entertainment office (on Disney’s third floor) yesterday talking to one, and she was like “Hey, wanna see something cool?”

So she took me through a sketch looking door and had me look out a window.

And I was looking down onto Main Street USA. From a window above Emporium.

So. effing. cool.

The magic is still here, folks.

I was just thinking about when this happened, and I knew I must have posted about it.

I don’t know why I wasn’t more excited about this when I relayed the story. It’s really, incredibly cool.

Here’s the full story:

I was called to the Entertainment offices on the third floor (the Utilidor is floor one, Magic Kingdom is floor two, and the offices are floor three. That’s the easiest way to describe it, I think. So, if you look up when you’re on Main Street USA at the fake windows, there are offices tucked back there).

I was TERRIFIED that I’d done something wrong. Like…I hadn’t heard of anyone getting called up there ever. DPI (Photopass) is part of Entertainment, so I was sent up to meet with like, the Head Manager of DPI, I think. I wish I could remember her name. She was so sweet.

Anyhoo.

So I was sitting there, sweating bullets, and she calls me back to her office. And I’m looking around at her nondescript little corner. She has all these figurines in a case: ones she got for working there a certain amount of time, plaques, etc. She even had a glass slipper from CRT, so I assume her husband proposed to her there. So cute.

So she starts talking to me and says “So, I hear you got stung by a bee while on shift a few weeks ago?”

Immediate relief.

Yes, I had gotten stung by a bee on-stage. They had to call paramedics in the tunnel, because I’d never been stung by a bee before, and therefore didn’t know if I was allergic. It was pretty neat, overall. Disney is SO EFFICIENT.

So we just discussed how I felt everything went, and if I thought I was treated well, blah blah. Because they need to report all that stuff and keep in on record.

Then she was just being nice and chit-chatting with me about my program and how I was liking everything.

Then she stopped.

And listened.

And said “Do you hear that?”

It was the 3 o’clock parade.

And I said “Why is that so loud?”

And she said “Follow me.”

And all of a sudden I was BEHIND THE WALLS of Main Street USA. Above the street itself. Looking down on the parade.

I was standing on top of the Emporium.

It was all plywood and unfinished.

But we literally pulled back a curtain, looked out a fake window (the next window over had a cleverly disguised speaker in it) and watched the parade.

It was incredible.

If I had to rank my memories from working at MK, this would be in the top 3. I don’t know anyone else who has been able to do that.

So, when anyone starts to tell me that Disney treats their cast members like shit, I fondly remember this tale. Because she made me feel so special, and gave me a magical moment even though she didn’t have to. (And I can’t even remember her name. I’m so awful.)

So that’s a story.

Enjoy.

So far I’m super pleased with it.

I also just feel good painting. I’ve been wanting to paint something for a few weeks now, but didn’t know what to do.

Anyway.

Art is nice. Disney is nice. Because I’m an obsessive 5-year old.

Anybody want this painting when it’s done?

Bidding starts at $1,000.

Go.

Is anyone else as sad as me that it DOESN’T EXIST ANYMORE?!

FAQ’s

1. Cost: There is no typical cost. I think 30 bucks is pretty fair. I’d take shipping costs out of that and keep whatever is left for my mason jar. But if you REALLY REALLY want shoes and are strapped for cash, I can work with you.

2. You gotta send me shoes to begin with.

3. I don’t have many examples, because I’ve only painted the Snow White pair for Nicole, and a pair for myself (that are now dirty). But I have a minor in art and I do other art frequently, so I’m not shitty if that’s what you’re wondering.

4. I don’t just do Disney. I’m not keen on people, but I’ll try that too. But I’ll paint whatever the hell you want.

5. The shoes must be made primarily of some sort of fabric.

6. I don’t know how quickly I can get them back to you, so don’t send me your only pair of shoes! I don’t want your feet to get cold while you’re waiting.

So if you think you’re interested, message me with

-Your name

-what shoes you want painted

-a picture or idea

-how much you can afford to pay me

and we’ll work something out. :)

Thanks!