Morning everybody. Had an interesting couple of days so I thought I'd share.
Wow heat. It hasn't rained here for a few days so everything is dry and hot... No 101's at the jungle.. boo.... It's 82º at 9 30 am.. expecting no rain, a high of 94º and a low of 78º. Gotta love Florida.
I witnessed a pain in the butt child get what was coming to him. Mean to say, but we come to hate annoying little kids who do everything wrong on our boats. I was at back unload and the rope boat came up. For the rope boat, we attach a rope to the back of the boat, and then push the throttle all the way to the top, which holds the boat flush against the dock.. This is done for older people and people with disabilities who have difficulties walking. .. Anyways, I attached the rope, and then the boat has to pull forward until the rope is taut... A little child in the back, decided that at the last second it would be fun to slip his fingers between the rope and the boat... thereby making his fingers get crushed as the rope became taught... Screaming child, me yelling at the driver to pull backwards, and the parents of the kid looking very unimpressed. I found out later from the driver of the boat that the kid had been a pain the whole boat ride, and she couldn't understand why the parents weren't controlling him... We filed a report, got medical attention for the boy... and that was it.
Yesterday I had an interesting day too. Was busy all day - steady flow of boats. My shift was supposed to be done at 9 pm... and wouldn't you know it, but at 8 pm I get bit by some bug. Now apparently Florida doesn't have normal bugs, because within a half hour my hand had swelled, was shaking and became numb. I got to sit and talk with paramedics for an hour going through natural home remedies to try since I didn't want to go to the hospital (I don't think it was such a big deal that I needed to go to the hospital). Alka-Seltzer paste, Benydril and icepacks, etc. Good news, I wake up this morning and my hand looks and feels fine. My wrist is a little sore, but no lasting effects. Yay!
Today I work until 2 am. Fun stuff. You gotta love Extra Magic Hours for resort guests. There's never enough people to fill entire boats, which makes it harder for the skipper to do a speech when theres only 2 families on a boat. But we still get paid even if there is nobody around. :)
Can't wait for the parents to come down here. Hopefully they can tape my performance and I can put it up here so everyone can see how corny I can be Haha. Love you guys, miss you too. Ttyl
Friday, June 12, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Ask me for passcodes
I appear in this quick video presentation during Grocery Bingo. Me and my one roomie are in the front row. Ask me if you'd like to see, cuz then I'll have to give you the username and password. I don't really want to post those for everyone in the world to see.
https://enterpriseportal.disney.com/site/wdw/index.jsp?epi-content=GENERIC&beanID=1354560294&viewID=maximized&wsrp-mode=wsrp:view&wsrp-navigationalState=contentId%3D521080%26xslFile%3Dwdpr_video.xsl%26expDepth%3D2%26xslLoc%3Dcommon%26printable%3D1&wsrp-windowState=wsrp:maximized&displayname=Weekly+Broadcast+-+June+3%2C+2009&printable=1
https://enterpriseportal.disney.com/site/wdw/index.jsp?epi-content=GENERIC&beanID=1354560294&viewID=maximized&wsrp-mode=wsrp:view&wsrp-navigationalState=contentId%3D521080%26xslFile%3Dwdpr_video.xsl%26expDepth%3D2%26xslLoc%3Dcommon%26printable%3D1&wsrp-windowState=wsrp:maximized&displayname=Weekly+Broadcast+-+June+3%2C+2009&printable=1
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Sat June 6
I got my marks!! So excited and proud!! Thought I should put this in since there's not really much other interesting news to deliver...
Been working longer days the past few. Last night I worked from 10 30 am til 11 pm (not including the hour before and after for transportation). I know why all the blogs done by other kids in this program say to bring or buy a car if possible. I don't htink I could rely on the bus transportation for more than 3 months. Ouch.
It's thundered every day in the jungle, so we've gone "101" every day. 101 is the term used for being closed mainly due to weather, 102 means we are back up and running. 10-7 means we are closed for some other issue (can't remember reasons), and 10-6 means we're back up. Every day, we've been 101 for roughly 2 or 3 hours. Somewhere on YouTube are videos of us dancing in puddles under the Fastpass roof as the drains started backing up one day because of all the water. I'll have to try and find them for some more entertainment.
Besides that, not a whole lot else to report. People are warming up to me at the Jungle Cruise, I'm making friends, and I have (I think) come up with a decent spiel and "character" that seems to entertain (most) boats of people. Yesterday I was on boats almost all day which really sucked, but I guess it makes the time go by faster.
Oh, I got roasty toasty the other day - worst sunburn I think I've ever had. That was on.. last Monday... And my legs are STTIILLL lobster red. Everything else has turned into a tan (thank goodness only my nose peeled) - so I'm pretty dark. Baking again on Tuesday I think.. or.. I hope.
Oh, and I'm desperate for groceries. I actually took cereal to work yesterday for dinner because I had nothing else left. I'm gonna go make the trek to Walmart hopefully Monday.. the problem is the bus sucks. Every other day it comes at a different time. First bus is 11 am one day, the next is 3 pm.. Then 11, then 3. Well... I've either worked at 10 30 am or 3 pm. So, haha, I have nothing to eat. Fun stuff. I wish the Mouseketeeria (our cafeteria haha) wasn't so far away, because I am in love with their daily pasta dishes. Lots of pasta and a bread stick and a drink for under 5 bucks. The Caf is 15 minute walk to and 15 minute walk from the Jungle Cruise.. and lunch for us is 30 minutes. Damn.
Um... yeah... pretty uneventful. Let me know if there's anything you'd like me to talk about.. I'm kinda drawin a blank!
Love you, ttyl!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
John Pinette. Is. HILARIOUS!!
Ohh MYYY GOOODDD... I haven't laughed this hard in a very long time
.. Let it load and play.... there's two, so that you can get an idea about what he looks like first.. and then hear his comments about Disneyworld in the second. WOW!!
.. Let it load and play.... there's two, so that you can get an idea about what he looks like first.. and then hear his comments about Disneyworld in the second. WOW!!
Monday, May 25, 2009
May 25
As I told you, I've been sick. I actually had to call in sick Saturday, because when I finally had the will to move, my entire body hurt. My throat had swollen shut, and I knew there would be no way for me to squeak out a speech on the boat.. So I called in sick. Now I'll explain the "point" system here. There are three sections: Attendance (number of sick days, number of days missed,etc) Safety and Performance (if I bump another boat, if I hurt a guest, if people hate my performance on a boat, or if I am rude to anyone) and Clock In/Out (clocking in late, forgetting to clock in or out).
Depending on what you do wrong, you get points deducted. Sometimes it's only half a point, in worse situations its 2 points. For every three points, you get one reprimand. Three reprimands and you're out the door on a flight home. But this is the part even I get confused with.... Points stay within their sections. You can have one point in each section and not have a reprimand (they don't combine). Currently, I have one point in Attendance (called in sick) and a half point in Clock In/Out (forgot to clock out on a training day).
Now a cool thing is that points can be erased after a period of time "being good". Points don't stay on my record, reprimands do. So if I am good for the month of June, in July I should have a clean slate again. Take note new recruits!
As for yesterday.. I felt a whole helluva lot better when I woke up... generally only my throat and sinuses were in pain. I took some dayquil and started my day at work. My shift started at 5. At 5 15 we got closed for inclement weather (awesome!). Then we opened for about 10 minutes at like 8 I think, which was about enough time to load two boats and send them off before pissing off every other guest in line when we closed again. I can't remember if I've explained the inclement weather stuff..
Jungle Cruise and all other outdoor attractions close due to high winds, lightning and thunder, and sometimes in heavy rain (but it has to be practically hailing for them to close in rain). Instructions on when to close down rides come from Tomorrowland tower (refer again to the map I posted earlier to see why this is a problem when storms always come left to right)... Generally we have a full 10 boats loaded on the river, with lightning everywhere before we get the call to close. After we close in a lightning storm, the rule of thumb is after ever flash of lightning are 20 minutes of being closed. The countdown starts again at the next flash. If for 20 minutes there is no flash, they will open us again (but sometime like yesterday, we close immediately again because of another flash).
Oh, and before I started work, I realized I forgot my nametag (still attached to my jacket in the laundry). So I had to go to the office and the secretary traded me a "Pat" from Florida nametag for my very important Disney ID. At the end of my shift, I found out that only a manager has keys to that drawer to give me back my ID. There is one manager for all of Adventureland and Liberty Square. I had to wait for him to finish clearing guests from his areas before he could get my ID.
We were open until 2am last night (12 til 2 were Magic Hours for hotel guests).. which means it's pretty slow. I clocked out at 2 15.... and promptly waited (unpaid) for the manager until roughly 3. I was in my door and in bed round 4 30, 4 45 after the bus rides. Yesterday also kinda sucked because guests were very unhappy. Its hard to remain in character and happy when the guests are staring at you wide mouthed and picking their noses, wondering why they just waited 45 minutes in line to stare at me and listen to my lame jokes. A lot of skippers were reporting that people were gettin on the boats, and leaning back and falling asleep. Talk about rude. Kids, take note.
Depending on what you do wrong, you get points deducted. Sometimes it's only half a point, in worse situations its 2 points. For every three points, you get one reprimand. Three reprimands and you're out the door on a flight home. But this is the part even I get confused with.... Points stay within their sections. You can have one point in each section and not have a reprimand (they don't combine). Currently, I have one point in Attendance (called in sick) and a half point in Clock In/Out (forgot to clock out on a training day).
Now a cool thing is that points can be erased after a period of time "being good". Points don't stay on my record, reprimands do. So if I am good for the month of June, in July I should have a clean slate again. Take note new recruits!
As for yesterday.. I felt a whole helluva lot better when I woke up... generally only my throat and sinuses were in pain. I took some dayquil and started my day at work. My shift started at 5. At 5 15 we got closed for inclement weather (awesome!). Then we opened for about 10 minutes at like 8 I think, which was about enough time to load two boats and send them off before pissing off every other guest in line when we closed again. I can't remember if I've explained the inclement weather stuff..
Jungle Cruise and all other outdoor attractions close due to high winds, lightning and thunder, and sometimes in heavy rain (but it has to be practically hailing for them to close in rain). Instructions on when to close down rides come from Tomorrowland tower (refer again to the map I posted earlier to see why this is a problem when storms always come left to right)... Generally we have a full 10 boats loaded on the river, with lightning everywhere before we get the call to close. After we close in a lightning storm, the rule of thumb is after ever flash of lightning are 20 minutes of being closed. The countdown starts again at the next flash. If for 20 minutes there is no flash, they will open us again (but sometime like yesterday, we close immediately again because of another flash).
Oh, and before I started work, I realized I forgot my nametag (still attached to my jacket in the laundry). So I had to go to the office and the secretary traded me a "Pat" from Florida nametag for my very important Disney ID. At the end of my shift, I found out that only a manager has keys to that drawer to give me back my ID. There is one manager for all of Adventureland and Liberty Square. I had to wait for him to finish clearing guests from his areas before he could get my ID.
We were open until 2am last night (12 til 2 were Magic Hours for hotel guests).. which means it's pretty slow. I clocked out at 2 15.... and promptly waited (unpaid) for the manager until roughly 3. I was in my door and in bed round 4 30, 4 45 after the bus rides. Yesterday also kinda sucked because guests were very unhappy. Its hard to remain in character and happy when the guests are staring at you wide mouthed and picking their noses, wondering why they just waited 45 minutes in line to stare at me and listen to my lame jokes. A lot of skippers were reporting that people were gettin on the boats, and leaning back and falling asleep. Talk about rude. Kids, take note.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
May 23
So after a long deviation from writing, I figured I needed to post an update.
I was home for 3 days for my grandfather's funeral service. It was nice being home, and the service was beautiful. I loved seeing everyone, but I wish it could have happened under more happier circumstances (obviously). The flight there was good, nothing special.. But the flight home yesterday was horrible. Turbulence and the roller coaster drops made me feel quite queasy... And to add a cherry on top, I'm sick... I think the lack of sleep and two plane flights gave me these flu-like symptoms... I'm being teased that it's swine flu... and mom is telling me to take my Oinkment. (haha mom!)
While home, everyone asked about my Disney job. I had to tell the story probably 20 times.. and almost everyone was so surprised that I had the courage and the opportunity to do it. Pretty cool. While home, I also realized that I am getting a lot of confidence from my job... I feel empowered driving the boat myself, and that it is solely my job to entertain a boat of 20+ people. I make the Disney ride for them, and that is so very cool.
My roommates are starting to be very clique-like. They are also bringing people over at all hours of the day for parties and games and dinner. My "home life" here is kinda strained (different from when we first started out right).. but I figure I only come home to sleep, and my bedroom mate is still great.
I'm worried about work today and tomorrow. Being sick, I have sore throat, raspy voice and the sneezies... I wonder if they'll try and send me home... I am also worried that doing a boat cruise might ruin it for the guests if I sound like I have swine flu or something. Wonderful. I think that if I can get thru today and tomorrow ok, I have monday and tuesday off to recuperate. Fingers crossed right?
While I was home, I also talked to dad and my uncles about Property Control here at Disney. They are shocked and amazed at golf carts for 350 bucks, and 125 dollar watches for 75% off for employees. Pretty neat stuff, and I was getting "orders" for cameras, shoes, Oakley glasses and x-l shirts. Haha.
My shift today is from 6 30 til 1 am Tomorrow is from 5 30 til 2. According to my Disney bank account, I've made 400 bucks so far (in what, 2 weeks?) .. I'm not sure yet if that is good or bad, considering I know I have already spent that much on groceries, a phone and phone cards, and shopping at Property Control. I guess I need to make a paper record and try to track my expenses!!
Love you guys, miss you too... I also found out at the service how many people are actually following my blog. I am... scared? Haha, no pressure right? I'm going to try and figure out if I can put a view counter and a countdown tracker. Mom tells me its 58 days until they come down to Florida. :)
Talk to you guys soon!
I was home for 3 days for my grandfather's funeral service. It was nice being home, and the service was beautiful. I loved seeing everyone, but I wish it could have happened under more happier circumstances (obviously). The flight there was good, nothing special.. But the flight home yesterday was horrible. Turbulence and the roller coaster drops made me feel quite queasy... And to add a cherry on top, I'm sick... I think the lack of sleep and two plane flights gave me these flu-like symptoms... I'm being teased that it's swine flu... and mom is telling me to take my Oinkment. (haha mom!)
While home, everyone asked about my Disney job. I had to tell the story probably 20 times.. and almost everyone was so surprised that I had the courage and the opportunity to do it. Pretty cool. While home, I also realized that I am getting a lot of confidence from my job... I feel empowered driving the boat myself, and that it is solely my job to entertain a boat of 20+ people. I make the Disney ride for them, and that is so very cool.
My roommates are starting to be very clique-like. They are also bringing people over at all hours of the day for parties and games and dinner. My "home life" here is kinda strained (different from when we first started out right).. but I figure I only come home to sleep, and my bedroom mate is still great.
I'm worried about work today and tomorrow. Being sick, I have sore throat, raspy voice and the sneezies... I wonder if they'll try and send me home... I am also worried that doing a boat cruise might ruin it for the guests if I sound like I have swine flu or something. Wonderful. I think that if I can get thru today and tomorrow ok, I have monday and tuesday off to recuperate. Fingers crossed right?
While I was home, I also talked to dad and my uncles about Property Control here at Disney. They are shocked and amazed at golf carts for 350 bucks, and 125 dollar watches for 75% off for employees. Pretty neat stuff, and I was getting "orders" for cameras, shoes, Oakley glasses and x-l shirts. Haha.
My shift today is from 6 30 til 1 am Tomorrow is from 5 30 til 2. According to my Disney bank account, I've made 400 bucks so far (in what, 2 weeks?) .. I'm not sure yet if that is good or bad, considering I know I have already spent that much on groceries, a phone and phone cards, and shopping at Property Control. I guess I need to make a paper record and try to track my expenses!!
Love you guys, miss you too... I also found out at the service how many people are actually following my blog. I am... scared? Haha, no pressure right? I'm going to try and figure out if I can put a view counter and a countdown tracker. Mom tells me its 58 days until they come down to Florida. :)
Talk to you guys soon!
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