That statement has never been truer than it was today. I just got home after my traditions class and I don't know if I should laugh, or cry, or smile, or jump up and down. I'm just so overcome with emotion because my dream HAS come true.
As most of you read this post, you're going to probably laugh a little (mom, you'll cry) and probably think I'm cute but the truth is, this is my dream. I've dreamt about working for the Walt Disney World Company since I can ever remember. I think it's the only place I've ever truly wanted to work and now that I'm here, I can't believe it. But it really is real. I'm here. I work for the mouse. I'm part of making the legacy and instilling the love of Disney into some little child (and maybe some adult) just like hundreds of cast members did for me throughout my lifetime. This truly is a magical place where dreams come true.
It all started this morning with a buzz on my alarm clock at 5:30AM. I gladly rolled out of bed and got dressed in that Disney look I keep talking about. Bubbling with excitement (yet still quite sleepy) I went down to the bus at 6:30. There we boarded buses that took us to Traditions Class held at Disney University. Yes...It exists. Disney University, a place that most only dream about where everyone is happy and pictures of Splash Mountain, Cinderella Castle and Spaceship Earth adorn the wall. Where a smile cures everything and Mickey comes to visit just because. It sits right outside the Magic Kingdom in a place that most people are never allowed to see. And as the bus drove into the "undiscovered" Disney World, my eyes lit up. Although nothing more than some extra props and lots of buildings are back there, I knew there was more to come and that this was just the beginning. Boy was I right...
We entered Disney University and were checked for our Disney look before receiving our IDs. These are the fun ones. The keys to the Kingdom that get us into the parks, give us the discounts and pretty much let us do what we please. We were then put into a classroom where we got a lecture about keeping stuff confidential and the culture of integrity and all that fun stuff. Unfortunately for you all, this means I can't tell you everything that goes on. But I wouldn't do that anyway. I want you to have the magic right like you're supposed to. This was the boring part of the presentation. I honestly almost fell asleep. But then, we met our 2 traditions leaders Maggi and Alicia who ensured us that it was ok to yell and scream and cheer and be happy because that's what Disney is about. It's about FUN! And if we have fun, the guests will have fun too. So we had a character naming competition (my group came in 2nd...missing by 3 characters), learned about Disney and Safety and all sorts of other fun stuff when about an hour into the class, Maggi said that we were going to take a field trip to see the Utilidors! I honestly couldn't contain my excitement. Really? Right now? We're going there? I get to see them? The number one thing on my bucket list is going to be crossed off less than 48hrs after I get here?! I was so excited. So we gathered our things (we had a little project we had to do while we were there) and boarded a bus to get to the entrance to the Utilidors. It was amazing!! No details here other than they're huge and amazing and have pretty much everything you could need. Cafeteria, costuming (we got a peek...very neat), medical services. If you need it, it's under there. So we walked through those and were brought up some stairs which led right to Main Street USA! We walked down Main Street starring at the castle in amazement. It's never any less exciting no matter how long you've been there or how many times you've seen it. It's just magical. We proceeded to Mad Hatter's Tea Party (for all of you that know your way around the Kingdom) and stopped where we were let go in our groups to find examples of some "Disney important" things. It is there that I ran into another "must see" item from my Disney bucket list. PUSH! Ok...for all of you that have no idea who PUSH is, he is a talking garbage can that can easily be found around Cosmic Ray's Cafe in Tomorrowland. He is a working garbage can but he can move around and talk to you. Hey, this is Disney. So naturally, I knew what it was and when we spotted it, me and my 3 teammates stopped to look at it. It was then that he rolled on over and started talking to us. After poking fun at us (we were wearing earpieces and probably looked like FBI agents) we attracted quite a crowd both of fellow group CPs and of guests. One little boy was quite taken a back from him but it was really cute and all in good fun. After about 10min. of searching around Mad Hatter's Tea Party, we were led through a secret entrance in Fantasyland back to the Utilidors where we walked back to the backstage entrance and got on the bus to go back to class. The whole experience was awesome! On the bus ride back, I also got to see where the new Fantasyland expansion is going to happen. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, google it. Very exciting stuff.) :)
Back in class, we did more learning about all sorts of Disney stuff when there was a knock at the door. Maggi opens the door and who else but MICKEY walks through it!! And he was holding a present. Seriously, where else on earth does Mickey come to class and bring you presents?! And these weren't just any presents. This was the best present of all...Our Nametags!!! So with some hi's, hugs and hi-fives, Mickey was off to see the other classes and we continued on with class. It was so much fun and we even got to hear about some new stuff Disney is getting ready to do. At the end of class we finally got our nametags where we were instructed to put them on as we left the building because we all were now, officially Disney Cast Members. We boarded the buses back to Chatham and when we got off I found the rest of my apartment (they all got the afternoon class) and without giving away any hints of what was to come I just said, "It's amazing. Have Fun. I'll see you later" and went back to my apartment. I wanted them to discover all the magic for themselves because it was amazing. Actually, it was more than amazing. It was my dream come true.
So that was this morning. I'm not sure if a day could be better than today but I guess I'm just going to have to find out. I'll probably post again later. Magic Kingdom tonight with my apartment!! Can't wait to finally get to play!!
Love Forever and Always,
Jess
