Making The Trek To The Magical Mecca

So the last place I left off was when I had been accepted to the Disney Professional Internship of Guest Relations! No entirely too much has happened since that moment until now! As you can probably tell from the title of this entry I am well on my way to Orlando to begin this new and exciting chapter in my life.

First on June 7th I had one of the best Going Away Parties probably ever. haha I miss everyone from home already and hope to visit. This time was extra hard as I am not sure what the end of the next 6 months will hold. Will I stay in Orlando or travel back to Detroit. I do not know. But here are some pictures from that awesome night and other final celebrations at home. Its definitely not everyone I had to say goodbye to.

   

 

I departed from Dearborn Heights on Sunday June 9th at about 10 am and drove for about 12 hours until we got to Charlotte, NC. You may be thinking if you know the direct route down I-75 from Detroit to Orlando..how the heck did you end up in North Carolina. No we didn't make a wrong turn but rather decided to take the scenic route down. We never explored Charlotte just stayed for the night and yesterday morning we woke up and traveled a few hours until we got to Charleston, SC. This is probably one of the most beautiful places in America, in my opinion at least. I will post pictures below. We spent the afternoon exploring the Market area which has tons of vendors selling their various creations. We ate at Hyman's Seafood which is world famous and has tons of celebrities that have chowed down at it. This was my second time eating here but my parents first and it was apparent to them why it was so famous...IT IS SO GOOD. If you ever find yourself in Charleston that is one place that you have to go to. Not only is their food out of this world the southern hospitality that happens in this place is for sure nothing short of mind blowing. 

But moving on from my obsession with that restaurant after walking around we hopped back in the car and traveled a few more hours to Savannah, GA. Which is suppose to be one of if not the most haunted city in America. So what is a better way to see if this is true then taking a ride in a hearse and going on a guided ghost tour. We climbed on board this altered hearse at 9 and the driver took us on an hour tour of the city. It was very interesting! So apparently the CVS in downtown Savannah closes daily at about 5 or 6 pm due to the amount of paranormal activity that happens in the building. There are duplexes that can never be rented out because the the amount of spiritual guests....freaky. Little to say I would never live here, just visit. Haha.

As the sun rises today we are heading out to explore Savannah a little in the day light then we are heading down to Orlando! Where I will be calling my new home. 

Below are a few pictures I took along the way!

First Day of Travels

Our table at Hyman's

Charleston, SC

The Battery. Charleston, SC

The Hearse Tour. Savannah, GA

A local pizza joint. Savannah, GA

That is all for now! I will update more once I get to Oralndo

Dreams Do Come True!

Wowza! I haven't posted a blog since February 20th and it is already the end of April! Well so much has happened since! The last I left this I had just had an interview with the Disney College Program and was waiting to hear back from them as well as my Professional Internship.

On March 25, 2013 I got an email from the Disney College Program telling me that I had been accepted to participate in Merchandise. This would be working in a gift shop someplace on property. I of course accepted this opportunity, paid my fees, and picked an arrival date of May 20th.

Though if I thought life couldn't get any better, it did! On April 15, 2013 I got the best call I could have ever got. It was Disney Recruiting calling me to offer me the Professional Internship of Guest Relations!!! This is an absolute dream come true. Though the check in date isn't until June 19th, a month later but for this internship I can wait. But I had been waiting to hear back about this internship since February 9th which was my first interview.

In the Guest Relations role I would be basically handling any ticketing issues, reservations, questions, comments, and concerns regarding the guests' experiences at the Theme Parks.

I plan on leaving Michigan on June 9th heading down to Florida giving me several days to move in and get comfortable. I am so excited to start this new chapter in my life.

The most common question I get from friends and family is "when does it end?" my response is "hopefully never". Thats right. I am hoping that this move will be my only one and I can land a long term job with the company. It is a great place to work and live!

This is the email that changed everything:

Another Interview? What?

So a few weeks ago I wrote about my first screening interview for the Professional Internships I applied for. I am still in the waiting process for those and have not yet heard anything about them, at this point no news is good news in my book!

What was this interview you had today, you ask? It was for the Disney College Program! Yes, that is right my desire to go back down to Florida has caused me to apply for every internship program Disney has to offer!

I had my interview scheduled for 10:15 but it was a delightful surprise when Disney called at 10:02 this morning. My interviewer was probably the best Disney has, she had the same sense of humor as I do so we were just laughing the entire time. She asked me a majority of my questions about the Concierge role and really didn't bring any other role into the conversation with the exception of a brief mention of hospitality and merchandise. Here is to hoping that I will hear positive Disney news soon!

That is all for now as I now have to dash off to get to class on time which is a challenge for me most days! haha


I leave you with this. No matter how old or how young we are Disney is a place where we can all be excited to explore.

Wishes

So before I get this blog started let me just say this isn't a Disney related post. Sorry! I wish I also had exciting news to share but my stomach has been churning since my interview in hopes of a positive response. Trust me, you will be the first to know if something happens!

As many of you may or may not know my birthday is right around the corner on March 6th and I want nothing. Thats right I don't want anything for my birthday except for you to make a contribution to one of the following organizations! Together we can make a difference in the world we live in just one selfless act at a time. I not only ask you to make a donation no matter the denomination but also for your birthday to forgo gifts and ask for donations to support your favorite charity.

1. Give Kids The World  Donate Here

This is my 3rd year participating in the Gingerbread Run 5K at Give Kids The World and I hope you will support me as my goal is $1,000!

2. Relay For Life Donate Here

We all know someone who's life has been touched by this terrible disease. Though with your help the American Cancer Society can continue to help make more birthdays happen every year through research, patient support, and caregiver resources.

3. Detroit Zoological Society Donate Here

We only have one Earth and the Detroit Zoo is on a mission to save it. Through innovative education programs, world-class animal care practices, and global outreach conservation efforts the Detroit Zoo is making a difference and you can be a part of it!


Please make a donation today!


I leave you with this..slightly non-Disney quote.

Phone Interview, CHECK!

Today was the day! I had my phone interview this morning and it last about 20 minutes and went unbelievably well. These are the types of questions they asked:

1. What do you think a leader is?

2. Describe a time that you had to resolve a conflict with a guest, coworker, or manager.

3. What do you think Guest Relations is about?

4. Do you have any leadership experience?

5. Describe a time where you had so many tasks to do and you had to prioritize the tasks.

6. Describe a project that you had a positive influence on.

7. Anything else you would like to add?

These are the questions that I remember but there might be more, I was just so nervous. I answered them extremely well, I believe! My interviewer, Dina, said that they have to notify me by April 24th but because it is so early in the season that I may hear even sooner, I hope so! She also indicated that this interview goes directly to the hiring managers and they decide from there. I hope the Disney gods are in my favor. After the interview it finally set it. The fact that I might have the opportunity to go back to Disney and I couldn't be more excited.

I am going to call it the Quest For The Vest, which for those of you that may not know Guest Relations is most famous for their plaid vest they wear and thanks to Katrina for giving me that catchy phrase.

Doesn't this look like a perfect fit?

Also, I cannot thank everyone enough for your support! It leaves me speechless and I am so grateful for everything and to know each of you. Make sure you follow my blog and stay up to date on everything! 

I leave you with this! We all have to start somewhere no matter where or when it is that is our beginning.

Phone Screening!

I am living up to my promise of doing a better job of keeping this blog up to date! So now it is time to share the exciting news. I received an e-mail on Friday afternoon from Disney asking for me to complete a phone screening. Which they said in an e-mail was an interview...could this be true?! Have I just been asked for a phone interview from Disney? It is, I will be waiting anxiously by my phone on Wednesday morning to speak to whomever is on the other end to share my excitement.

I will do a blog with the types of questions they asked me for any future applicants, that is if I can remember them after I hang up the phone.

Anyone done the phone screening for Guest Relations? I would be happy to hear any tips you have!

I leave you with this video!

Another Disney Journey

It is true, I am setting out on another journey with the Walt Disney World Resort! As many of you know I completed a Professional Internship at Disney's Animal Kingdom as a Conservation Education Presenter which was an experience that literally changed my life. After being home and going to school over the last year since that internship came to close I haven't been able to think of anything else but going back.

Yesterday I took the leap and submitted my application to move back to Disney, my homeland. I completed applications for the Guest Relations Professional Internship and the Theme Park Ops Management Internship. Both of these opportunities would be an absolute dream to do!

I am restarting the blog that I used for my previous internship to keep it all in one single blog though many of the images that I uploaded prior are apparently not showing anymore. The first time around I didn't do so well at keeping this blog up to date but this time I hope to keep you more than well informed.

Like I said, I have submitted my applications so I am now in the waiting stages of first interviews. Just a lot of good vibes and positive thoughts would be much appreciated.

I will continue my previous tradition and leave either a Disney photo, quote, or video!

I chose this video because every time I hear this song I immediately think Disney.