one month.

it has been about a month since i've been here and i realized i haven't posted much, or at all?, in the past month. it has been a crazy, exciting, fun month and it's about time i shared it with you!

My internship is a sales position at the Disney Institute. When I first applied for the role, I honestly didn't know much about DI, i had researched it, but didn't quite grasp the whole idea. Now, i can tell you so much about it. For those who don't know, Disney Institute is Disney's professional development company. They offer programs that range from 90 minutes to 3 and a half days, as well as tours and other training. The programs range from inspiring creativity to quality service and others. They teach company's to think the Disney way, and learn Disney's approach, so that they can apply it to their own business and be successful. i have a attended a couple of programs and it is truly a program I stand by and believe in.

Our office is in Celebration, which is a cute little town right outside of Orlando. I even get my own cubicle! Everyone i work with is so nice and they all have such different backgrounds and unique experiences with Disney. I am already learning so much from each of them! It is so interesting how everybody's different journey's have led them there. There are a few other interns, some have had previous experience working for Disney, while others are completely new to the company. They are all so nice and we get along so well! Great people to work with and great people to know.

So what is it that I do? Each of us interns were assigned to a sales manager who we are working directly under. It is great because we are all doing similar but not the same things. We all get to do things on our own, but work together at times. Some of our responsibilities include creating contracts, doing turnovers, invoices, etc. We also get to help our Sales Managers with special projects they are working on. We essentially hold the same responsibilities as the sales assistants and sales coordinators do.

I absolutely love it here!

AugustAugustAugust

I'm not sure if I can contain my excitement of the fact that August has finally arrived.
This whole Disney Internship process started back in February and I had to do everything in my control not to count down the days or even weeks because it was just too many.

It's so crazy to think that in just a few weeks I'll FINALLY be in Orlando and working for Disney.
I don't want to leave my home and friends, but i have so much to look forward to.
I've been talking to a few CPs and everybody is so excited.
Lots to look forward to!

If only I could get started on the packing...

Professional Internship!

If you read my last post, I mentioned there was a chance that i would have a different role than the one I intended on pursuing. Originally, I was accepted to the College Program as a Merchandise cast member. However, i just accepted an offer for a Professional Internship. I will be a Sales Intern for the Disney Institute.

A friend of mine, who is currently doing a Professional Internship, received an e-mail about the position. I was interested in the role so she forwarded my resume. After about a week of e-mails and phone calls, I was offered the role. Although it means I am no longer doing the college program, I am SO excited for this role.

In a way, it is mixed feelings. I had a roommate, I was going to be working in the parks (most likely - unless I was at a resort or Downtown Disney), and it was an experience I had prepared for for months. I'm sure it involved more guest interaction and I would have gained more knowledge about the parks and history. I wish I could still have that experience, but I am so excited I have accepted this internship. It will be a more professional role, I'll gain more skills and knowledge, and it could potentially lead to a job. Either way, I am ecstatic and looking forward to it!

3 week countdown!

It has been almost 6 months since this whole process began. I'm finally reaching the 3 week countdown until I leave for Orlando! My sister and I are heading down on August 15th and staying at Pop Century. We've never stayed at this resort and got an amazing deal so I'm pretty excited about it. We requested a 90s room so if we get it, that will be even better! We are flying down on the 15th but don't check in until the 18th. It'll be fun to just relax before the craziness begins. We already know some people down in Orlando so hopefully it will be a chance for us to get to see them before the program starts.

I am also waiting on some important phone calls this week which will hopefully bring some good news! I don't want to say too much in case it doesn't turn out how I'm hoping, but I'll just say that I might have a different role when I arrive than what I am intending on doing...

Keep your fingers crossed for me?

4 Parks, 1 Day!

Although I've been to Disney several times, I've never gotten a chance to go to all 4 parks in one day. It's pretty crazy, plus there's no way to do everything. However, I know some people who have been able to go to all 4 parks in the same day and still get plenty done. I've never been to more than 2 - maybe 3 - parks in a day. I think just for the fun of it, I want to plan a day where I can get to all 4 parks and do plenty of things in each of them!

50 days

Last night I bought my plane ticket and today marks the 50 day countdown until I move to Orlando! It's getting closer and finally feeling so real.

I bought a one-way ticket to Orlando. At this point, I have no idea when I will be coming back home. It is so exciting! I also have begun to realize how many people I will know down there. Of course I can't wait to make lots of new friends, but it's comforting and reassuring to know that I'll already have friends in Orlando. I have friends at UCF, friends currently doing CPs/PIs, my sister is going down with me, friends of friends who live in FL, as well as everyone I have talked to and have yet to meet.

There is so much I am looking forward to and I already know I am going to love it! I try not to set my expectations high so that everything exceeds my expectations, but this is an adventure that I know is going to be amazing.

Disney Dining

One of my favorite things about Disney is Disney Dining! There are so many different types of restaurants, each which feature different environments and different menus. While I have had the pleasure of Dining at many of these restaurants, there are still many more I need to visit. As of right now, my favorite is Ohana, at Disney's Polynesian Resort. Although I've only been once, it easily is on the top of my favorite Disney dining list.

Two restaurants, among many others, that I want to eat at while on my CP are ...

Cinderella's Royal Table - How amazing is it that guests are able to dine in Cinderella's castle? Of course my ultimate dream would be to stay in the suite in the castle, but since this is as close as I'll get, I want to try it!

Coral Reef Restaurant - Although I'm not the biggest seafood fan, this seems like one of the coolest places to eat. Plus, it's not all seafood so there are other options. The environment is so cool and it reminds me of the Disney episode of Full House. Rumor has it that Mickey can occassionally be found scuba diving by the restaurant

Kusafiri Bakery - Located at the Animal Kingdom, this bakery has a few new desserts, including cupcakes! My weakness is cupcakes so I really want to try the two newest ones! "The zebra cupcake (yellow cake with buttercream icing and swirls of white and chocolate shavings) and the elephant cupcake (chocolate with German chocolate filling, buttercream frosting and a white chocolate elepant on top)." (http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/05/a-little-vacation-indulgence/)

Campfire Sing-A-Long with Chip and Dale at Fort Wilderness - Just edited the post to add this one! I've heard about this but don't know anybody who has been but basically it's making S'mores with Chip and Dale and having a sing a long. How cute??? It must be so much fun!! I want to go!

What are your favorite places to eat at Disney?