Whats That?? SIngle Digits you say?

Hi All,

Yes that is correct,
WE have hit the SINGLE DIGITS
9 days
Just 9 days until I hop onto a plane and fly to America!

I have such much planned in the next 9 days, I have a feeling it is going to be Thursday week in nooo time.

Ohh Disney sent us an email,

"Greetings!

We look forward to your arrival Saturday, Aug. 4!
To help us prepare for your arrival, please click the link below to indicate your housing preferences. 
This is your opportunity to let us know which complex you prefer to live in, as well as unit size and floor level preferences. You may also list the names of any roommates that you would like to request. Please note that any roommate request must be of the same gender and departure date as you. 
To complete your housing registration, proceed to the following link: xxx
 The placement team will do their best to accommodate all of your requests, however please note that your requests are not guaranteed and will depend solely on available inventory on the day of your arrival. 
The deadline to complete this form is Friday, July 27. Once the deadline has passed, you will be pre-placed into a unit based on remaining inventory.
Please note, The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity company and cannot discriminate according to race, color, origin, religion, sex or sexual orientation.
Thank you in advance for completing the next step in your housing process. Please feel free to email us at xxx with any additional questions.

We look forward to meeting you soon!
Disney Housing Operations"

So a bit weird, we are yet to hear of them asking for preferences prior to our arrival before.
It makes our check-in (11am & 12pm) seem more reasonable as we do not have to fight for good complexes.

So they asked for a preference of Complex (Vista Way, Chatham Square, Patterson Court & The Commons), Number of Bedrooms (taking into consideration two people share a bedroom) (2, 3 or 4 Bedrooms), Floor Level (No Elevators) (1st, 2nd or 3rd Floor) & Lastly we could name two other participants we would like to Room with.


They also gave you the Current Room Rent to help in your decision process!


Mm I think that is all for now...


Until my next Blog,
Natalie :)

American Bucket List

So after careful consideration I have decided to make a post with my bucket list and slowly update and cross off if I happen to complete the task :)

ENJOY!

• Go on Every Ride in Magic Kingdom
• Go on Every Ride in EPOCT
• Go on Every Ride in Hollywood Studios
• Go on Every Ride in Animal Kingdom
• (Lame) Drink from a red cup at a party (& take photographic proof for Gabby)
• Have Butter Beer
• Visit Harry Potter World 
• Visit all Resorts in WDW
• Collect all Fastpasses
• Visit Miami
• Visit NYC
• Go to a Baseball Game
• Have a Photo Adventure in the Parks (MK, EPCOT, HS, DAK)
• Give a Guest a Magical Moment
• Get a Great Service Fanatic Card
• Receive a Guest Letter
• Eat at Cinderella's Royal Table
• Spend a day in the Parks without going on any rides
• Drink around the World (Canada, UK, France, Japan, Morocco, America, Italy, Germany, China, Norway,  Mexico)
• Eat around the World (Canada, UK, France, Japan, Morocco, America, Italy, Germany, China, Norway, Mexico)
• Go to a Shooting Range
• Go to Disneyland
• (Much more to come...)

EDIT: 15 March 2013

Less than TWO WEEKS!

Hi All,


Time feels like it is flying by! I am sure to everyone else it isn't, but to me, my oh my there is only 13 days left!!


I just purchased Travel Insurance for 2 days before the program, I cannot remember if I talked about it in my last post,


But one of the ladies on the Facebook Group rang the insurance people and discovered that it covers us in and out of work and for doctors visits etc! Stoked! means I don't need to fork out the $400 bucks for Insurance :)


I had a mock pack yesterday and I failed, badly! 


So I decided two medium sized bags would be better than one overweight bag :)


I am very excited to get these two weeks on the way! should be nearly in LA this time next week! yippppeee


also I went and watched Brave a little while ago now with some Sydney girls and it was Ahhmazing! the animation was stunning, her hair was just beautiful!

Until my next blog,
Natalie :)

SO.. How did you get this?

Hi All,


Generally when I inform people that I am leaving to go and work at Walt Disney World for 5 months I get the same question;

'So How did you find out about this?' 


The story starts back in July last year when I was participating in a short program in Tours, France. Across from my dorm room was a girl named Lauren, she lived on the Gold Coast and was going to America to work at Disney in the following January for 6 months. We of course became friends through the experience in France and on returning home continued our friendship.


Unfortunately Lauren was unable to go to America and at the end of last year I was thinking about what I could do with my gap year from University.


So I jumped online and researched the Walt Disney World International College Program and found out all about the program, based in Florida, where millions of International and Domestic Students travel to participate in the program. 


https://www.disneyinternationalprograms.com/

The Link provided tells you all the information you need to know in order to submit your application.


After months of tossing up whether I would really apply for the Program around the end of February I sent in all my paperwork and received an invitation for a Skype interview.


Once I interviewed with the lovely Jeni, I received my offer of employment from Disney, and I was off!


I believe the next and probably most important step is to try and find the Disney AU/NZ group on facebook! this group has been amazing in helping each other and also connecting with each other before we leave on our adventure.


I am so grateful for all the opportunities that have been presented to me and so fortunate to be able to take these opportunities.


17 days!


Until my next blog,
Natalie :)

Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock

Hi All!


So it's ummm ONLY 20 DAYS UNTIL I LEAVE!


time is just ticking by... I think it is moving slowly but I am sure in two weeks time I will be all like "Where the hell did time fly too?"


Disney decided that we all needed a little freak out before we left and sent us an email stating we had to pay an insurance premium of nearly 80 USD a month, and if we were arriving 7 days before we started we had to call them and tell them or we would not be allowed to participate in the program :O

and so by the time we all woke up and tried to call, it was past office hours in America.


BUT, that night a few gems stayed up and called and got Cameron the Australian Recruiter to sort out what was going on and send us all a loveeely email saying that it was incorrect information and that we have already paid our Medical Insurance . YAY


I decided to book an extra leg room seat on the flight to LAX, I just hope they wont decline me at the airport because I will not get the money back I paid for it.. bummer


My beautiful Nephew was born yesterday at 3.32am 12/07/12, Isaac Ian, I wish I had some more time with him before I leave! Sad Sad :(


I believe that is all for now!


Until my next Bog,
Natalie :)

26 Days!!!

Hi All,

It is only 26 days measly days until I hop onto a plane and hopefully do not see Australia until January!

Time has absolutely FLOWN BY!!

I am getting sad about leaving work! I have soo much fun there! hopefully my workmates in Disney will be able to fill the void.

All the Fees are paid (Housing and Medical).

Still contemplating Travel Insurance, I know I should get it, but argh what one to get?????

 (Mum will have to help with this! hahaha)

I just have a few things to grab from the shops in the next few weeks, and then I am READY!

I got a Multi Currency card from Travellex the other day, 900 AUD into 870.30 USD - CHEERING!!

The Nerves are kicking in as I write this, but man I am so excited as well! 

Hopefully I will be there in NO TIME! :)

Until my next Blog,

Natalie :)

Visa Visa Visa Visa (US Consulate)

Hi All,

So the Visa Application process is a confusing one,

You got your Disney pack with instructions as to how to pay your SEVIS fee (mandatory to gain entry into the US on the Visa and need proof of payment at interview) and your MRV fee (Mandatory to make appointment)

this website; www.ustraveldocs.com    is super helpful and where you go to submit your online DS-160 form

**NOTE: Please have a computer with a printer attached and ready and once each payment is processed you need to print your receipts, not only needed to book appointment but at the interview you need all your receipts! **

You may upload a passport style photo on your DS online form, or take one with you to the interview

Once you have paid your MRV fee you have to wait a few days for it to process and then book your interview on the website (you need your MRV receipt number to book!)

Once you book your interview, i suggest to print the interview confirmation, I didn't but I luckily didn't get asked for it, the girl sitting next to me did! so be careful!!!

I went to the Sydney Consulate, the Building is a little confusing but get to Level 10, that is where the reception for the consulate is

Only arrive 15 minutes before your appointment, otherwise they will turn you away and you will be told to come back.

If you take a handbag etc, you will have to leave it at security with any electronics and you will be given a number to keep, and on return hand over the number to collect your belongings

It is best to have a folder with all your documents, I used the Disney folder from my pack but of course you can use anything.

You will then stnad in a line at the reception and a officer will check your documents and passport etc to make sure you have everything, and then they will tell you to wait before going up the elevator.

Once you get upstairs you will wait in a line on the left and get your fingerprints taken etc and documents checked again, and then get told to take a seat and wait for your number to be called. This is the longest wait of your life! hahah there was two interviewers with lots and lots of people waiting, so it took its time!

But once your name is called, you go to the window and this is the interview.... now my interview was not really an interview at all, the lady asked what my student status is (this is where some people have trouble) I have just graduated, she asked whether it was a Bachelors, I said yes, and I said I had proof and she said that is was fine and didn't need to see it.

Then she asked whether I had been to the states before.. I said no

And that was it, we then went and talked about what I was going to do and how EPCOT doesn't have an Australian Pavillion and it should hahah

after that you will pay your Issuance Fee (best to bring the $105 in cash as if it is credit it will be processed in US and you pay fees etc, not worth it!)

and they will then say it wil be back within the week.

That night or the next day you will get an email with a tracking number and you will be able to track your passport with Visa inside all the way to your place :)

And I think that is all there is to it, a few people on facebook have been declined as they were at Tafe but have not doen tertiary education, however were completing year 12 at Tafe instead = visa declined, another was part time at uni = visa declined. The last one seems odd, but we have not had word on whether hers has beeen fixed.

It is sad when they are declined :( I would hate that feeling!

Anyway I hoe this helps anyone applying and worrying about there Visa Interview (If you could call it an interview hahaha)

Until my next Blog,

Natalie :)