More Than a Dream - My First Days in the DCP

So I've been here for over a month and FINALLY have the chance to post about my first few weeks! I've had a great experience so far - I love my life! I walk into work with a smile on my face, and I walk out with a smile  - though I'll admit after 12 hour shifts, it is a bit more tired of a smile! This post will be about my first few days in the program. I'll put my first few weeks of boutique experience in a separate post!

My first day started early as my mom and I prepared for Day #1. I got a text from my roommate - we were so happy to have been placed together! But it was in Vista Way. Vista is famous for being the party complex - and those of you who know me know that isn't quite my personality! Neither is my roommate's - but we decided to make the best of it because at least we were together!

When I arrived for my arrival time, the first thing I received was a sticker. I didn't realize I would find out my role that quickly - but there it was. I found out I would be working in the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in MAGIC KINGDOM! The thought of working in the castle everyday is such an indescribable feeling. I started crying in line! I then met with someone who checked my license and social security card, and received my rooming assignment (which I already knew). After that, I got my room key and met with another group to fill out paperwork, then someone went over our schedules with us - I'd be going to casting the next day. After that, someone taught us about safety and another about the academic opportunities available. It felt like a college orientation. After that, I was free to go to my apartment and get things ready! I finally met my roommate, Tatiana (we're literally like twin sisters - our personalities are identical!), and the other girls I was hoping to room with (but wasn't able to). After that, we got lunch and my mom picked up cleaning supplies for our apartment.

My first few days in the DCP were not average. I had a problem with my first apartment - mildew all over the floors, and I got sick from it. I got hives, a sore throat and really bad sinus headaches every time I went in the apartment. We tried to scrub it down, but it just wasn't enough! I was still getting sick. After spending the night in a hotel with my mom and Tatiana, we decided to go through health services and see if we could get moved from the apartment. My mom had to extend her stay to help with paperwork.

A picture of the carpeting - Not sure how well you can see it, but the stains were pretty bad. 

My amazing mother scrubbing the apartment with me and my roommate. 

After a few days of stress,  I was finally able to move to a new apartment! My mom and my uncle helped me move into my new apartment in Patterson, and my new place is beautiful. The only sad thing is that my roommate isn't with me =( Tatiana is still in Vista, though she got them to clean the floors and she has a new roommate who is wonderful. We still hang out all the time though, and I'm glad for that!

But backtrack a couple of days! While we were getting all of the paperwork ready, I still had to get things done for the program. I went to casting, which is really just a lot of paperwork. They had trouble reading my fingerprints, so I had to fill out additional paperwork, but it worked out just fine. I also had a housing meeting - when we walked in the lights were out and there were flashing lights and TVs everywhere! The actual meeting wasn't very exciting, though the facilitators really did their best to make it exciting for us!

Okay, now we're all caught up! On Friday, it was time for Traditions, which is a special class all new cast members must take. It teaches you about the history of Disney, and your purpose as a cast member. They emphasize the four keys (safety, courtesy, show and efficiency), and really drill in your brain "we make people happy." There are lots of surprises which I won't post on here because it will ruin the experience for people who have never been and are hoping to become cast members, but let's just say its pretty magical and half the people in the room cried a few times.


And there you have it - my first few days in the program. My next post will be about my time in the boutique and about my training and making the magic happen there! Thanks for reading!