Thursday, November 14, 2013

Goodbye Florida!

Thursday, November 14, 2013

As many of you already know, I have decided to come home. I am done working for Disney. I don't necessarily need to explain my reasoning; however, I've been very personal in this blog and intend to finish it out the same way. I worked a dirty job for three and a half months. Although I did get a lot of guest interaction, I picked up trash and cleaned bathrooms. And while I was at Magic Kingdom, I worked awful hours. I don't think it's worth it to be away from my family during the holidays and be here doing something that I don't enjoy. My family is very important to me. Also, this internship didn't help my career path at all. I came to Florida for personal reasons. I came here to build myself back up, to get my spirit back, and to completely find myself without the help of family and friends. I needed to find strength in myself to make this experience beneficial for me. And I'm very excited to say that I've accomplished that! I learned more than I ever thought I would! I feel at peace with myself and enjoy being on my own, without a guy or someone changing who I am. 

Also, I know that everyone goes through hardships and can feel lost, like I was, but today I feel genuinely happy! I know that I have so many GREAT opportunities ahead and so many more things to learn. And because of all this, I feel that my time at Disney has come to an end. I feel comfortable with where this experience has brought me and I don't want to lose that by overstaying my time. This is one of those things that is better left unfinished. My friend, Jojo, explained how this is like a relationship. Some relationships don't work out and aren't worth staying in if you're miserable. On a personal note, I sure wouldn't want to be with Patrick anymore! That relationship (and him) killed my spirit and I'm resentful of that. I would never want to be in a relationship like that again. (You can probably tell that he isn't one of my favorite people today, so I don't mind getting my comments in)! So with this, I definitely don't want to have that relationship with Disney. I want to look back at this experience with positive memories! I understand that this is cheesy, but this experience changed my life. I mentioned in one of my first posts that this was going to be my Eat Pray Love journey (without the love). It was! Breaking free from my old ways and doing something different was hard, but very rewarding. Today, I feel excited to face Colorado! I've joked around about my love for Katy Perry throughout this blog, so it is only right that I bring her back today. Like most of you know, her new album is about "letting the light in". That's what this experience has been for me. I really feel that I've let the light into my life and now see things with a different perspective. I know who I am and that's the best thing I could have received from my Disney adventure. 

On a few funny notes, I am incredibly glad that I no longer have to live with the world's nastiest roommate! She could probably win an award for being the most disgusting girl on the planet. To anyone who thinks they have crazy and awful roommate stories, talk to me…I think I can top them. (Most of the stories did not go on my blog because they are too inappropriate and/or I didn't want to get kicked out of this program). Also, this experience has taught me a lot about dealing with people. There were times that I thought my parents were going to have to pick me up from jail for strangling a roommate (or two). And there were times that I had absolutely NO IDEA what my Haitian coworkers were telling me. Oh, and there were definitely times that I wanted to yell at guests for being inconsiderate. But through these experiences, I have become much more patient and better at handling situations. So for the people that don't understand why I'm leaving the "happiest place on earth", you come work for Disney (doing what I did) for 3.5 months and tell me if you still think it's the happiest place on earth. I do still love Disney, but as a guest ONLY. Never again as a cast member or employee. If I were to do it all over again, I would want to work for Ghirardelli in Downtown Disney. I will definitely miss the desserts here! 

The hardest part about this decision was leaving my friends. Like any new experience, there are always going to be people that you connect instantly with and people that you don't like (in this case, my stinky roommate). I have made some great friends while I've been here, friendships that are going to last for years and years! I couldn't be more thankful for that! 

So what's next? I'm going back to work at The Egg and back to school! With everything that I've mentioned earlier, I couldn't be more excited to go back to this life. Also, I'm pretty sure that Disney brainwashes people, so I'm glad to break free. When one door closes, another door always opens. Bring it on, Colorado! 

To bring Ally's Disney Adventure to a close, thank you to everyone that followed my journey. It was WILD, but totally worth it! And you never know, maybe a new adventure is just around the corner! 

(All last pictures are posted under my profile)





Friday, November 8, 2013

Jessica and Bee

Friday, November 8, 2013

Fun day at the mall and Hollywood Studios with Jessica and her roommate, Bee! Can you find me on Tower of Terror?





Right now, I don't have a lot of exciting things to post about…I'm exhausted and it's hard to go out all day when I work all night! I work till 3:00 am these next 3 days. Does that sound fun?


Sunday, November 3, 2013

Month #3

 Sunday, November 3, 2013

I haven't posted recently because my family has been in town. It's been a wild week! We started the vacation off in Clearwater and ended at Disney, of course. We ate around the world in Epcot, climbed Everest in Animal Kingdom, and rode Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster too many times to count! It was one BUSY and TIRING week, a typical week at Disney World. In addition to our week at amusement parks, we also made a stop at Universal's Islands of Adventure! For those of you who don't know much about Universal Studios, that is the park with Harry Potter world, Dr. Seuss land, and Marvel superheroes. I enjoyed a change from Disney parks; however, I am completely DONE with amusement parks for a while. NEVER ENDING PEOPLE. A girl just needs her space! Overall, it was great to see my family! I really missed them…2 more months to go! Check out all of our pictures under my profile.

I also started working at Magic Kingdom (I'm stationed at Tomorrowland and Fantasyland)…and I'm not sure how it is going to go. For starters, other cast members refer to Magic Kingdom as Tragic Kingdom. So far, I agree with them. However, I'm trying to remain positive and avoid ALL tragedy. Secondly, there is a giant tunnel under the kingdom for all cast members, including all characters and princesses, to exit and enter. Fun fact: Magic Kingdom is actually on the 2nd level, or 2nd story. The cast member tunnel is on ground level. This tunnel is TERRIFYING. It's huge, smelly, and confusing! It's basically another Magic Kingdom underground (or on the 1st floor). I'm frustrated because I get lost EVERY time I'm in it. Thirdly, I work awful hours. All college kids work the night shift, where I could get out of work as late as 4 am. I'm a morning person, so this will be a struggle. As of now, I'm not very excited about this new experience and I've lost a lot of motivation. I already miss my family, I'm very unsure about my new job, and it's going to be hard to miss the holidays! But right now, I'm really trying to remember to enjoy the journey!

My friend Brandon and I also went ice skating! I escaped the Disney bubble for a few hours! Although outdoor ice skating isn't an option here, it felt more like fall/winter…I had to wear a sweatshirt! Brandon lives near Dayton, so I made a trip to the coast!

I've officially lived in Florida for 3 months! Here's a list of things I've learned after month #3:

1. Inspections are terrible and are bound to cause problems between roommates. After month #2, I wrote that I wasn't sure if I lived with pigs or not…it's decided, I live with two pigs.
2. Disney is one BIG company. Although everyone expects it to be magical and full of happiness, big businesses can be mean! Things can definitely be covered up.
3. I NEVER want to live in Florida. Being close to my family is too important and I HATE the weather here. Although it has dropped to the 70s a few times!
4. I'm convinced that I've become a worse driver here in Florida. Florida drivers SUCK, so I have absolutely no patience for how terrible they drive. It's a miracle that I haven't gotten into a car accident.
5. When you see Mickey's without heads or princesses without dresses on in the Magic Kingdom tunnel, the magic is LOST.
6. No one is as ready for Christmas as Disney! Lights are already hung and lit!
7. Katy Perry's new album is GREAT! I find it very relatable and I really love how she "lets the light in". I need that kind of positive energy to finish out this experience!
8. I miss home, I'm exhausted, and I need encouragement!
9. Disney World has room to build 3 more amusement parks!
10. The Halloween fireworks (from Mickey's Not So Scary Party) are better than Wishes (the normal firework show) at Magic Kingdom!
11. Right now I feel done; however, I also know that I'm stronger than people give me credit for/used to be and can finish out this experience in an enjoyable manner.
12. There's a Subway in the Magic Kingdom tunnel! That's how big it is. Even though the tunnel confuses me every time I'm there, I'm eating good sandwiches!

This is definitely an unforgettable experience…with positives and negatives! I'm constantly learning new things about Disney, but also about myself! Two more months to go! I can do it!

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Typhoon Lagoon Fun!

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

I only have two more days at Typhoon Lagoon! To end the fun, my coordinators recently threw us, the college kids, a going away party...with authentic Puerto Rican food! Even though there are times I don't like my job and times that I get frustrated (like when communicating to foreign coworkers through the radio), I worked with a wonderful group of people! Everyone was incredibly helpful! Although my time at Typhoon is about to end, I'm looking forward to meeting new people and creating new memories at Magic Kingdom. And plus, I'm excited to see my Egg family in January!!

In addition, my roommate Alexis's family is in town, so I was invited to attend the Boyz II Men concert in Epcot! Not only did we listen to some emotional and joyful music, but we also made a stop at the Florida Local Food & Wine booth! I ate a Florida grass fed beef slider...YUM. It wasn't very "international", but totally worth $3.25! The quest to try food from every country continues! More pictures are under my profile!

Today, Jessica and I carved a pumpkin at work! Every department at Typhoon decorated a pumpkin to compete in the park Halloween contest. Jess and I volunteered to represent the cast members in guest services! We spent 2.5 hours, on the clock and making money, carving our pumpkin! Can you tell what it is? It's Disney related!

It's the dancing broom from Fantasia, with Mickey ears! Dad, you were our inspiration for the pumpkin ears!

Two other things!
1) MY FAMILY COMES IN 3 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2) If you haven't already done so, check out Katy Perry's new album, Prism! AMAZING!







Monday, October 21, 2013

Fun with work friends!

Monday, October 21, 2013

Life at Disney has continued to be full of fun! The other night, I met some work friends at Epcot! I usually just hang out with my friends in guest services, but that night we also hung out with food and beverage cast members. Here's a picture of my FRIEND Brandon. He lives in Florida, so he's going to show me around! Also, this is my last week at Typhoon Lagoon! Every cast member is deployed to another park, so we are all going to be separated! However, all of the college program kids in guest services are transferred to Magic Kingdom...together! So I start at the BIG park on Halloween! It's exciting because I'll be around all the REAL magic for Christmas, but it's also terrifying! I'm nervous! It's scary starting over, but I'll get comfortable once I get there and get in the groove!

I also recently went to the mall! It was actually like normal life, a night outside the Disney bubble. Kevin, Jessica, Miguel, and I had a relaxing night walking around the Florida Mall. We had Pumpkin Spice Brûlée tea from Teavana! Not as good as pumpkin spice coffee from Dunks, but it was still good!  We also made a stop at M&M World! Check out all the pictures under my profile!

And to celebrate our last week at Typhoon, the work crew and I had a park filled day! We spent the morning at Magic Kingdom, where we met Mickey, the boss! Typhoon Lagoon is known for doing the "hang loose" hand sign, so we included Mickey on the fun! We also went to Typhoon, as guests, in the afternoon! I got to swim with sharks, stingrays, and fish that looked like Dori from Finding Nemo. The Shark Reef is definitely a cool attraction at the water park, so check it out if you're visiting! And to finish out the night, we hit Epcot! I bought a souvenir, a lucky owl from Japan. They had all different colors, but I chose white! A white owl will bring me good luck and happiness, so we'll see if it works! I'm excited about my purchase!


Did anyone notice that I'm wearing my Broncos jersey? Supporting Denver all the way from Florida!

People say that Disney is the happiest place on earth? Yeah, not when it's 90 degrees with 1000% humidity. That was today's weather. NOT FUN. People at work are telling me that this is irregularly hot weather for October, so I don't think I'll go a day without sweating while I'm here!

Best News of the Day: MY FAMILY COMES IN 5 DAYS!!!!!!!! I couldn't be more excited!





Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Polynesian Fireworks


Wednesday, October 16, 2013
 
I recently enjoyed a night at Disney's Polynesian Resort! My roommate, Ashley, my friend, Allison, and I watched fireworks on the beach. The Polynesian Resort is one of the Magic Kingdom Resorts, so it is right across the water from the park. It was a relaxing night watching the Halloween fireworks (from Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party), wearing our Halloween Mickey ears, eating dull whip, and laying on the beach! Good news, we finally need light jackets at night! The weather has dropped to the 70s and I LOVE IT. I'm finally not sweating my brains out. Something funny also happened the other day...one of my friends saw a Floridian wearing a parka and scarf, while smoking a cigarette! I'm not so sure this is winter jacket weather, but the Floridians think so! It's winter for them! Make sure you check out firework pictures under my profile. 

Today, I went to Magic Kingdom with Jessica! I got to meet Peter Pan, Wendy, and the Fairy Godmother from Cinderella. I hope she makes all my wishes come true! I also bought a slice of pumpkin fudge...to go with my Dunkin' Donuts pumpkin coffee! Still OBSESSED. 

In other news, I think our apartment needs more Halloween decorations! Another funny story! Shelby, my roommate, and I were in the Dollar Store today and Shelby said, "Instead of buying Halloween decorations, we could stick our roommate outside". We are both scared of her (she will remain unnamed). Anyway, Halloween is fast approaching and I still need a costume! 



Sunday, October 13, 2013

Mini Golf

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Not only am I good at mini golf in Colorado, but I also dominate in Florida! My work friends and I went to Winter Summerland Miniature Golf, the courses owned by Disney! There are two seperate courses, one covered in snow and one along the beach...just like Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon!  We did the Winter course! And I won, obviously. It was a great time! I even got to play in the snow...fake snow, from a snow machine. I miss REAL snow! So yes, I still hate the HOT weather here. NOTHING here feels like Fall! Check out all the pics!



We also had Saturday empanada night! Again, Alexis showed me around the kitchen…which I loved! It was really cool to learn how to make empanadas; however, I don’t think I’ll do it again. With all the folding, stuffing, and fork pinching, my hands were about to fall off! Saturday empanada night could have fed an army! We made beef empanadas for dinner and mango/cream cheese empanadas for dessert! Don’t they look good? In the picture: Allison, Steph, Ashley, Alexis, and me!


Also, I visited Typhoon Lagoon as a guest! Isn't it weird that I'm swimming in a water park in the middle of October? Or weird that I'm still dying of heat/humidity in the middle of October? It's not right. But I do work in paradise! I definitely have a better view here than of the retirement housing across the street from The Egg!

Aside from the fun, I spent the morning in Urgent Care. I have strep throat. There's only one person (or is it a thing?) to blame...
Actually, there are two things to blame: 1) half of my apartment is overcome by disease (Alexis jokes that we are all going to die of Sepsis, haha), or 2) I'm around A LOT of people 24/7.


Either way, I'm now on the road to recovery!

MY FAMILY COMES IN 13 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!