Actually working

Today I had my first full day of actually working as a cast member, in costume (sorry, no photo's yet, but hopefully soon!). I start inside the restaurant as a seater. Lots of things to learn, but I tried to keep up, and by the end of the day I was seating guests by myself in various areas of the restaurant.

Met lots of canadians today, they were all very very nice to me, as it took me a little while to get going on everything. But I had a good time, chatting with guests about their stay, and getting them ready to eat in the restaurant.

It's one of the busiest restaurants in all of Disney, and was fully booked all day. Things got a bit crazy at some points, but the cast was very good at keeping things going and helping each other out.

I even got to trade pins for a bit today, which was fun. Although for some reason I kept getting princess pins in return...

I'm really enjoying things so far, it's nice to finally get into work and start meeting people, seems like a really great group. I've got plenty more training to go through before I start working shifts on my own.

I also spent my day off at Epcot, riding Test Track and Soarin, and visiting the many different countries represented. I do hope to get to see more of the parks, but I don't get another day off until next Thursday.

Hope all is well back in Ontario!

-Dano

I've been Traditioned

Yay, I now have a Disney ID, and a Disney name tag (which says Dan and not Daniel, phew! Not that Daniel would be bad, but I'm not used to it). Haven't received my costume yet, that should be Friday.

So what is Traditions? It's your first day of work at Disney, where you learn about the history of disney, the business standards that you are expected to uphold, and various policies that make Disney the place it is. It takes a long time, but the Tradition team tries to make it fun. (they give out little figurines for participation, I got 3. I'm awesome). It wasn't my original Traditions group, so I was there with a different kind of group, lots of security guards in training, costuming and entertainment people. Who knows, having friends in security might be a good thing down the line.

So now that I have an id, that means I can start going to the parks on my days off. Sweet. It'll be good to get into the swing of things. Falling behind hasn't been fun, so I'm looking forward to getting to Epcot, and starting my training for real. I still have a bit of classroom stuff to get through, but I have a schedule now, so it's kind of exciting.

I'll make some more posts, once I get more training, and get a costume. Stay Tuned!

-Dano

I thought this would make Lisa jealous. The Publix near my apartment has Coconut Milk Yogurt. I haven't tried it yet, but I will let you know how it is.

Tink, Stormtrooper and Mickey like my new TV.

Tink was helping me cook up some grub. They've got earth balance here too, phew!

Stormtrooper knows I need to shave before I head off to traditions early in the morning.

Mickey says that 5:30 is too early to get out of bed. I tend to agree, but didn't want to miss Traditions again.

The problems with being a hippy.

First I lost my beard, then I lost my hair. I look weird.

So here's the story, when working for Disney, the first day of work is a training class called "Traditions" it's a pretty big deal, they tell you all about the history of the company, and how to treat the "Guests".

However, I was not allowed to attend.

When I arrived, I was told to stand to the side, and a manager came and told me that I didn't have the Disney Look. My hair was too long...

So I was sent home and told I had to get a hair cut and come back for the next available class. Hopefully on Tuesday. Until then, I can't do much of anything (no working until you do Traditions!).

There was one other guy that wasn't allowed in, Stefan from Norway, so we went and got a hair cut, and hung out for a bit. He's a good guy, and in the future he'll help introduce me to some of the lovely ladies from Norway.

So it's been a pretty uneventful couple days. I'm watching movies, playing games, and relaxing until I get to do Traditions.

Once that happens, I should have some more things to post about.

I did get out to see Inglorious Basterds (great movie) and District 9 (cool sci-fi flick). so that's something. But I'm looking forward to starting to work (I know, that's weird coming from me, right?). Living in a dorm room can get boring, and I'd like to get to know more of the Canadians.

Thrown In, the DMV and movie time

Ok, I'm going to try to add some pictures to this post. So we'll see how that goes.

The other night we had our "Throw-In", we were invited to a pre-party where we spoke to some current Canadian cast-members about their experiences here, and where they tried to scare us about what the "Throw-In" would entail. We were told to where something Canadian, so of course I sported a Leafs Jersey.

I can't reveal too much about the throw-in, as future canucks might read this. But it was a lot of fun, we met a lot of people, were assigned an elder sibling to watch over us (my big sister is 10 years younger than me...). And enjoyed some beverages. There was also a rousing singing of Oh Canada.

The next day was more training about what can get us terminated and deported. Those seem to be important details. We ended the night visiting the family (Mom and Matt) before they headed home. And went to have a fantastic dinner at Kouzzina's (by Cat Cora) on the Boardwalk. The chef made a great vegan meal for us. It was awesome.

Also, the tiny tv has been replaced (having your mom in town is a good thing). I now have an HDTV that while small is full HD capable. excellent...

Today was my first day off since moving in, and I took complete advantage by spending about 5 hours at various DMV's or driving too and from. I forgot a form with my new address the first time, then the computer system went down, then they didn't know if I could register my car, all very confusing.

In the end, I have a Florida Driver's License (just a temp right now, the real one is coming in the mail.) and was able to get a parking sticker so I can have my car where I live. The security guards are much friendlier now.

After a nap, Jeremy, Alana and I went to downtown Disney to the AMC to see Inglorious Basterds, which was great, very graphic and funny. I recommend it to all, especially Tarantino fans.

Tomorrow (really early), I head over to Disney University for "Traditions" which is the main Disney training course. Should be interesting once I wake up. I also will be getting my Disney Pass (free access to all parks!) and Disney nametag. I'll be sure to take some pictures of those.

Miss you all, hope all is well. I heard there were some tornados in the Toronto area the other night. I think the Hurricane that is nearby here is going to miss us, but it's been really rainy down here. And hot!

-Dano

Some current lumberjacks offering us warnings of what's to come. And pizza.

My big sister with her new adopted brothers.

My bedroom, fancy eh?

Here's the kitchen, not too shabby. Stove, dishwasher, fridge.

The common room. See the tiny TV I was dealing with? That is actual size.

Moved in and settling.

Well, here I am, sitting in my apartment in Florida. It still seems a little odd just saying that.

First, I'll apologize for the lack of pictures, I'm still charging my batteries (literally, not figuratively), so the camera won't be back in business until later tonight. But I wanted to get a post up anyway.

On Tuesday, Jeremy and I (my brother who is also in the program), left pop century and headed over to the Vista Way complex to check in. There we got our welcome package, met a couple other Canadians, and a key to each of our new apartments. We weren't put in an apartment together, but we aren't far.

We ended up at "The Commons" which is only for international rep people, with about 1000 people total.

I helped him move his stuff in, and he helped me move mine.

The apartments are decent, nothing spectacular, a basic dorm style layout, two bedrooms, with two beds each, a common area and a small kitchen. The kitchen has a stove, fridge and dishwasher. The apartments also include a washer and dryer, which is awesome. No dragging my laundry down to some common area for me!

Jeremy met a few of his roommates when he first moved in, while my apartment was empty of people, there were signs directing me to my room and my bed. Later on I met two of my roommates from France, Max and Injen.

After a trip to Wal-Mart (I know, it sucks, but it's really really close... wasn't my choice, I'll probably stick to Target when I can), to buy some necessities, with Robert (Canadian) and Alex (UK). We stopped in at Benny's (Bennigans), which is the place to go for international program members apparently (it's just down the street from us, so it makes sense). I unpacked as much as possible.

The only bad thing, the tv in my apartment is ridiculously small. Like tiny. While I left a beautiful HD tv at home... and my blu-ray player doesn't have a connection for a non-hdtv... grr.

On Wednesday we rose early to start our training. meeting at 8:50 for some Housing meetings, to learn about all the things that can get us terminated, and signing our lives away for a year. I think the Mouse gets my first born now. After a quick lunch at a nearby food court, we went over to the Vista Way to get our Housing ID's made. The picture looks ok, but I still miss my beard.

Then hit up Publix to get some groceries, I was glad to find a decent size "Organic" section, with some vegan options, though expensive, look pretty good. I got some greens, bananas, and pasta and beans. As well as a collection of spices.

Also picked up a pay as you go cell phone, so I have a way of being contacted by others. I'll start passing out my info soon, when I've got some more time.

Tonight, we have the Canadian "Throw-In", which is a meet-and-greet-and-drink with the current Canadians to welcome us to the fold. Should be lots of "Oh Canada" singing and such. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have some pictures to add to the blog.

Ok, that's all for now. Tonight should be a good night, luckily training doesn't start until noon tomorrow.

-Dan

Leaving on a jet plane (minus the jet plane)

So tomorrow I take off to the great not-white south.

That would make this Dano'sLeaving Eve.

20 hours of driving later, I'll be in Florida, ready to start work as a Canadian Representative, for the Cultural Representative Program.

Now I know what you're saying "Why Dan, you are a perfect representative of Canada, it's about time you were recognized for that. Also you are smart, attractive and quite funny." You are too kind, really, stop, you're making me blush.

You may also be saying "I've heard they don't pay much, are you insane for leaving your well paying job to do this?" Ok, no need for name calling. Yes I may be a little crazy, but you only live once, so I figured hey, what better way to spend a year than being paid (not very much) to work at the Happiest Place on Earth(TM).

To show I'm not crazy, here are 5 things I'm excited about.

1. The Costume: I get to dress up as a lumberjack, that's right, a lumberjack. Jealous?

2. The People: The coolest thing is that for each pavilion at epcot, they hire people from those countries to work there. I'll get to meet people from all over the world in one location. There aren't many places you can do that (the internet doesn't count as a place). Hopefully by the end of the year, I'll have plenty of places to go and visit, and I'll have to change the name of the blog.

3. The Mouse: Let's face it, getting to put "Walt Disney World" on my resume will be pretty damn cool.

4. The Weather: While I'll miss the snow, ice and dark days soo much, I'll struggle through. It'll be tough, playing golf in mid-January knowing all my canadian friends are golfless. so very tough.

5. The Visits: I expect many people to come down and visit me during my year there. Probably more than anybody comes to visit me back in Guelph.

Of course, I'll miss many things too

1. My Family: My Family is awesome, so it'll be strange to be so far away from them. My nephews and niece will change soo much before I see them again, and with another niece/nephew on the way, it'll be hard to be away.

2. My Friends: My Friends are awesome too, and I'll be sure to raise many pints to them from down south. I'm hoping many of them get a chance to come down and say hi while I'm down there. Though I know it's not always possible.

3. My Beard: (My Friends and Family should be happy that I put my beard 3rd, it was challenging for #1). Part of the contract states I have to have "The Disney Look", which meant I had to say goodbye to my old friend. Luckily, a good friend sewed me a fake beard, so when I don't feel like myself, I can put it on.

4. My Theatres: For the past 5 years I've been doing a lot of acting, and backstage stuff at various community and dinner theatres. I'm gonna miss that, though from what I can tell, everyday will be acting down in FLA.

5. The Weather: Ok, how can this be on both lists... While I may not miss the cold cold weather, it'll be quite an adjustment to hit Florida in mid-august. I'm going to have to bath in SPF 50 or higher to stop from burning. Damn my fair skin.

So, it should be quite an adventure, and hopefully a ton of fun. I'll have my laptop there though, so I plan to keep this blog going as a way of keeping everyone back home informed on how I'm doing.

Talk to you all soon!

-Dano