When I was in the break room in the castle one day, one of the girls who had completed the college program and returned to work in Disney told me that it would feel like a dream after you left, and that my time in Disney would not feel real. I just couldn't believe her, sitting there exhausted after a long week of work. I couldn't be more wrong.
As soon as I came home, my whole time working in Disney really did feel like a dream. You forget so many of the little details. I'm so glad I documented my experience so I can look back. If you are planning on doing the DCP, I highly suggest it. It was hard at the time, but well worth it. Every time had a memory, I put a very condensed version on a post-it and posted it on my apartment cork board with the title "Magical Moments." It made documenting my experience much more manageable.
When I came home, all I wanted to do was talk about my experiences. My mom got tired of it real quick. Some people wanted to hear every detail. Others were satisfied with a "my program was amazing - Disney treated me really well - I loved my program," quick response, which is absolutely fine. I found myself delving into Disney podcasts, helping future college program students, and doing anything I could to bring back some of the magic. Because the truth is, it is really hard to leave that fantasy world and come back to reality. I really enjoyed presenting to fellow classmates about my experiences, and helping them practice interviews.
Motivating myself in school was more difficult that in the past. I just wanted to be back in that castle, making magic, rather than spending endless hours reading textbooks and planning projects. However, it did teach me that if I wanted to have a job that paid enough for me to take frequent Disney vacations with my future family, I would need to get good grades and work hard in school. Coincidence or not, I did the best I've ever done in college, and have received a 4.0 every semester since returning from my program. Plus, it makes me the coolest teacher when my students find out that I worked in the castle. Nothing motivates students to cooperate more than a reminder that I know Cinderella and Rapunzel since I did their hair every morning!
Doing the college program has helped me in so many ways. The first, and most apparent, was when I applied to work at Build-A-Bear. I mentioned that I worked in Disney and they were sold before I said anything else, and everything I did say, they loved because Disney truly teachers you what customer service is all about. Unfortunately, I couldn't continue working there because I was allergic to the fluffer, but I did enjoy my time there because it reminded me of Disney!
Working in Disney also taught me hard work, to appreciate life, find the good in everyone, and how to bring a little magic into everything I do. I always thought that I would miss visiting the parks more than anything after leaving my program, but I was so wrong. What I wish more than anything would be to work again in that castle again, make dreams come true, and make more memories, both heartfelt and comical. Yes, I miss the rides and walking down main street, the sweet taste of cotton candy while watching Wishes fireworks show, chasing down parade floats that carried familiar faces, and riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad on a cool Florida evening five times in a row with a group of friends. That was all amazing, and I loved every second. But what I miss most of all was going to work everyday, as tired as I was. Yes, my feet hurt more than I ever thought possible, and of course there were days that the heat was overwhelming. There were also days that I wanted to crawl back under the covers when my alarm went off at 6am. But I would give anything to watch the Magic Kingdom's welcome show from the back just one more time, watch Main Street USA fill with people, personally welcome people to the castle, find a princess and escort her into the boutique, and say the magical words, "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo, may all of your dreams and wishes come true" and "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo, the magic starts with you, woo!" with the rest of the FGITs every morning to warm ourselves up for a day of creating magic. Gosh, I miss it so much.
Lastly, I miss the amazing friends I made on the program. I talk to my two best Disney friends, Tatiana and Angel, every single day, but it is not the same as spending a day in the parks together or staying in a Disney value resort just to get the extra magic hours. We created so many memories, and I just can't wait for the day we can all reunite in Disney together. Luckily, one of my best Disney buddies, Amanda, lives close to home so we can see each other more frequently. Tatiana lives just a few hours away and we had the chance to get together this January in NYC.
 |
| A magical day with wonderful friends. Tat on the left, then Angel, Belle, me, and a cast member who helped my friends play a prank on me. She said that we made a magical moment in her day. She told me I couldn't see Belle because I joined the line late because I took a nap during the France movie while they went shopping. Then, the CM made a huge deal about someone special there to meet Belle - and it was me! Of course, I was so ecstatic, and we all just laughed and laughed! |
 |
| Four parks in one day with Amanda! |
 |
| Reuniting with Tat in NYC to see "Spring Awakening." |
Overall, it is difficult to put into words how the college program has affected my life. It was such an overwhelmingly positive experience and I would highly recommend every college student applies to take part in such an incredible internship. You will learn so much, make lifelong friendships, and will have the opportunity to make a difference in many people's lives. It is funny, I had so many photos taken of me while in Disney. I wonder how many unflattering photos there are of me on people's Facebook pages and in their photo albums. One of the Make-A-Wish families I worked with told me that my photo was now their Facebook cover photo. That moment was so special to them that it was the moment of their whole magical trip they wished to showcase. That is such a special feeling. I made a difference, and I miss it everyday. Since my DCP experience has come to a close, I will be saying farewell to this blog....for now....Thank you to those who have followed along the way, have read through my terribly long posts, and supported me on this adventure. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at noelleeichenlaub@yahoo.com. There's just one last thing to say. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo - My dreams and wishes did come true.
