My First Wintery Christmas

Hi all,

So New Fantasyland was FINALLY revealed on December 6th with a massive stage show and even Dumbo made an appearance.. so rare.

This month has been crazy, the past week with Christmas has been INSANE, they have put me on nearly 14 hour days, and Next week is the same.

but let me start by saying Merry Christmas. It feels like it has been Christmas for like 2 months though, but you know. To celebrate our apartment stayed up until 2am on Christmas morning to have our Dinner as it was the only time we could exchange our Secret Santa presents and enjoy a feast before we all had to work all day long.

after working Christmas and Boxing Day I had the day off and went to the Mall where I induldged in a massage and pedicure, unfortunately that night I got a stomach bug and had the call in the next day and now today I had the day off and haven't really done much, just got a few things at Walmart and got some pizza to watch some movies with before two 14 hour days, in which I miss the New Year's countdown by 45minutes... bloody work!

So I better back track for a moment,
at the start of the month I randomly decided it was time for me to take a trip somewhere,
I got four days off and so I booked a trip to New York.

I had soo much fun,

I arrived about 3pm on the 12th and I had booked a Hotel right in Times Square and I went to the ticket booth and brought a ticket to Newsies, The Musical. Not really knowing what I was in store for, it was amazing, like absolutely amazing, the dancing and singing was just... ahh hahha..
oh and New York is so bloody COLD.. and I went when they kind of had a heaat wave... hah!

The next day I decided to do some exploring, I got up and went to Rockefeller Center and I got my face on National TV on the Today Show, then I headed up to the Top of the Rock, I didn't want to leave! but it was so cold! My next stop was the Radio City Music Hall to watch the Rockettes perform... that was a very interesting and different show, which I later found out is classed as a Broadway show.

After the show I decided to head up towards Central Park, it didn't seem like that much of a walk to get there, but Central Park is massive, so I would suggest to bring your walking shoes if you intend to walk it, I made the mistake of wearing a slight heel... and didn't I regret it!

I had many mixed emotions walking through Central Park.. See I have always wanted to go to New York, and I was finally there.. It was a huge moment.

After walking half way, I gave up and sat at the MET steps for awhile and then started walking down fifth avenue to get back... this was possibly the longest walk of my life. I then decided I wanted to try out the famous HIMYM inspired pub, so I headed to McGee's and had a small feast before heading back to Times Square. 

 On my way back I was all like what the heck and brought another Broadway show ticket, this time to, 'Bring It On: The Musical' and I am darn glad I did! This show is amazing, unfortunately it is closing, but golly gosh, it deserves to stay!

Afterwards I headed to bed, as once again IT WAS COLD!

The next morning I woke up for my first adventure on the Subway! I headed to City Hall so I could walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and head to the 9/11 Memorial.This was possibly the coldest day so far and so I had to head back instead of trying to go to Battery Park and see the Statute of Liberty.

That night as it was my last night, I was still all like what the heck and brought another Broadway ticket, well actually an Off-Broadway ticket to 'Bare: The Musical'
The Theater was so tiny, it was like smaller than the lecture hall in my High School... crazy

All though the set design was amazing, and the cast were superb  I could see what was coming, and I think if they re-giged the storyline a bit, it would hit Broadway... But I am no expert! 

This ended my beautiful run of Broadway shows and I wish I had a job that sent me to shows every night!

The next day I spent walking around Bryant Park and Rockefeller again, places I wish I could stay forever.. sigh

Then I headed back to the warm Orlando, and back to work, sigh

Until next time,
Natalie :)

Is it really December??

Hi all,

I cannot believe it is December, the last two months have absolutely flown by!

I honestly do not even know when to start, maybe in dot points and I will try and bring it together;
So my last post stated BEST SHIFT Ever, well that has been topped by working on Halloween & even Thanksgiving.
So on Halloween I worked a little on Rotation and then was on Hallowishes and went to Castle Front, which means I got to watch the Villain's Stage Show and the Parade :) Captain Jack Sparrow waved at me =)
All in all the Halloween Parties were pretty amazing, there was only one which sucked a bit because of the weather.
Jump to Thanksgiving, I was initally doing a 7 hour shift in the day time but we were soooo understaffed I got asked to extend and do Wishes, it meant I was going to do a 12 hr shift, I said yes and well I was put on Castle Front and got to watch the new projection show "Celebrate the Magic". was quite amazing.

Within all this craziness the opening of New Fantasyland has been an ongoing event. First there was Dress Rehearsals of the area, and then Cast Previews, and then Annual Pass Holder Previews, and then it has been in a Soft Open Phase for a few weeks with the Grand Reveal on December 6th. We are having the Press come in on the 5th and we are actually closing up early but are still open for them with even a special firework show to take place. May be painful or amazing, who knows?

Lastly on the festivities that happen at Walt Disney World, is the Holidays around the World at EPCOT with the Candlelight Processional taking place every night 3 shows a night until January. The list of speakers can be found on the Disney Website. This year Neil Patrick Harris was speaking for 4 nights and every day he would come and visit Magic Kingdom in the morning with his husband and two children, I of course missed them everytime :)

I lie the last and most recent thing to happen was my attendance to a Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. It was rather magical, I met a few characters, and watched "Snow" fall on Main Street U.S.A.

Apart from the Festivities I have pretty much worked,, A lot I got to work a Treat shift during the Halloween Parties which was fun and the other night they were filming on the Carousel for a new Commercial.

When my parents visited we also got to go to the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island.

On a much sader note I have had to say goodbye to two close friends here and I don't know how I will do it in January when a lot more people leave :(


Well if I think of anything else, I will post, hopefully

Happy Holidays,
Natalie :)

The BEST shift at work so far..

Hi all

So I ended up driving around Walt Disney World on Monday with Elizabeth ending at Magic Kingdom for some photos and Character Hunting, and then we went with her roommates to watch Finding Nemo 3D, which I didn't think would but it made me miss Sydney!

 Elizabeth on the Ferry Boat in front of the Polynesian

 Seven Seas Lagoon 

 Classic Kodak Moment

 Chillin' in line

 PLUTO!

 Princess Aurora

 Princess Belle

 Cindy

 Halloween Decorations

 IT WAS TOO WINDY!

 Cinderella's Castle

 Elizabeth learnt all about the camels...

 Princess Jasmine & Aladdin

One of the Cutest Couples

This is My Work... If you could call it that

Tuesday Chloe, Justine and I planned on going to the Boardwalk to explore and relax, but as we were about to leave, of course the Thunderstorms started and we looked at the weather which informed us that it would be like this all day, so we decided to go to the Mall, which meant getting the Walmart Bus to Walmart and then catching a Taxi to Florida Mall! hahah it was hectic.

But we had some fun and I brought a new bag finally!

That night we got home and had a few drinks before heading over to Chatham for Casino Night.. I started feeling quite ill and so I didn't really want to be there but I got a photo with Cruella De'Ville (or however it is spelled)

Yesterday was time to go back to work :( I got all the way to the busstop and when the bus pulled up I realised I left all my id's and money in the apartment, and so I raced back home as there was another bus in 10 minutes!

But I got to work and got food before I clocked in, and when I got my assignment I got the Sword in the Stone magical Moment, *loveeeee*  I was soooo happy! then I ended up being in the theatre for a good portion of my shift and had some fun, then I went to the Carousel at the end and I actually ENJOYED the Carousel! it was a major surprise, so I had a great night that reminded me why I am working at Disney :)

And it brings us to today, doing the same shift, so hopefully it as at least half as good as yesterday :)

Until my next Blog,
Natalie :)

Today is my Saturday (but really it is Monday)

Hi All,

So on Saturday I closed the Carrousel again as tamara was finishing at 15 past and got my position at Greeter, there ended up being a mix up in the Theatre in which 4 Guests got left outside in the final show and so we had to run another one, which meant we were pretty late in getting out.

Yesterday I was sitting around after doing my washing and a swim in the pool watching "Awkward." and when I was finished getting ready I looked at the time and my bus was leaving! ahhh so I had to catch a later bus in which I ran to the West Clock bus and then to CDS to clock in 4 minutes before I started! nerve racking! but all good. and then I was meant to be the 15 past person and there was a bus at 12.15pm so I hoped to get out and to the bus stop in time! I started off my shift in the Carrousel with no Grouper and having pretty much a full load, it was hectic and I was still all sweaty from my run to clock in, so I didn't start my shift off in  good mood, but about half way through this little kid dropped the end of his icecream and I ran to get a No Strings Attached form for another one and gave him some stickers and it made my night do the complete 180! I was much happier after it.

Then I somehow ended up being in Friggin Exit Glasses, which is the last person to usually finish doing their job!, so I was quite annoyed and got one of the workers to tell a Coordinator that I wanted to leave.

Today starts my two days off, yay, and I have not done much this morning, but am hoping to go on a photo adventure this afternoon in the parks :)

Ohh I also discovered that they have enrolled me in the Finance course without telling me I was off the Waitlist! grr so Hopefully I get some communication on that soon

Until my next blog,
Natalie :)

The Mad Dash for the Buses

Hi all,

So the other night I was what is called "Castle Back" in which I hang around after the fireworks when the park has closed to make sure no Guests enter into Fantasyland, I also was in Exit Glasses for the majority of the night.

Yesterday was Melanie's Birthday and so I had booked a reservation at '1900 Park Fare" a character dining experience within Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. She had no idea where we were eating just what time to catch the bus :) so it was a nice suprise and we got lots of photos with the characters and also got them to sign next to the photo of the four of us.

We then dashed home so Melanie could Skype her Mother and the rest of us could nap before work.

I started work at 6.30pm and at 7p
m the park officially closed and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party began!

The best thing about the party was that we got to listen to music other than instrumental Disney music, but it was a long long long long night, the Party finished at Midnight and so I got out at 12.45pm, I closed the Carousel for the first time, was quite easy. 

But then that is when the fun really began :\ I quickly caught the Bus to West Clock and as i was walking to the CP bus stop I saw our bus pull in, and when I turned the corner there was a massive crowd with many many people already on the bus.

Now Magic Kingdom has the most workers and also the most Guests visit and as you can guess the busses are ALWAYS packed. I picked a spot and luckily the bus stopped in front of me, but I got squished from behind! it was CRAZY. 

After working all day the majority of CP's are rather tired and they get angry when people who have had the day off and have just played in the parks do not even offer up a seat to those who have been working.. 

It can get pretty intense on the bus... It is moments like these I wish I could have brought a car.

I do not start until 4.45pm today and do not plan on doing much before hand just watching tv and eating :)

Until my next blog,
Natalie :)