Lizzie In Disney

Totally Random Thursday: The Depths of MK Strollers

2014-06-26T15:48:00.002-04:00

Forget Throwback Thursday, this is the random, thrown together, off-topic-unless-that-topic-is-Disney, thoughts that were running through my head at work today.

A) All of my friends in this photo are amazing. B) Don't we all look dapper?
C) Everyone reading this post should come to Dapper Day this year!

Today, I spent my morning working at Magic Kingdom strollers. Which meant that 4.5 of my 6 hour shift was spent under the train station cleaning strollers. Rubbing them down. Each. And. Every. One. I have a very intimate knowledge of strollers now. :) Don't get me wrong, it was a wonderful morning, even though most of it was under the Walt Disney World Railroad. The huge room with rows and rows of strollers would shake like the thunder from the Apocalypse every time the steam train ran overhead. This being Florida, I simply thought it was a major thunderstorm until I realized that a monster is racing across.

Probably one of my favorite selfies. The photographers had our camera and we all
decided to jump in for a picture. If you CM's ever see this, you are awesome!

Although tedious, it was nice to spend a few hours away making a different kind of magic backstage, magic that impacts the Guests by creating a seamless experience for them. It was a monotonous job that let my thoughts wander to other subjects, such as writing this entire blogpost in my head. And you know what I realized? I really don't take enough time to look around and appreciate all the amazing Cast Members who work here. Magic doesn't always happen on its own, and there are so many Cast Members who spend their days in the tunnels or stockrooms of the Walt Disney World resort, making that magic happen for the guests. Those of us in guest facing roles would never be able to share Disney with the world if it wasn't for these amazing Cast Members.

While most of my day was spent inside, stacking strollers, wearing gloves, and wiping down every stroller(yes, for any parents concerned about whether or not the strollers are cleaned, I can assure you, every stroller is cleaned by hand. Every day. All day long. It's clean. I promise), I really enjoyed a peak into the backstage magic that is needed every day. We had the time to talk while worked, and really get to know my fellow Cast Members in a way you don't usually accomplish while on stage.

Our sun is so cool, can we just talk about that for a second?

Although I wouldn't want to work underneath a roaring steam train every day, this break from my merchandise reality was a wonderful refresher on why I do what I do. Yes, I have a bachelors degree and I am still working an entry level retail position, but guess what? I get to make magic every day. And that is super cool. My walk back to my car also includes a view of a castle, waving at Mickey Mouse, and Disney music dance parties in an above-swamp-land-under-a-theme-park tunnel, none of which I would get anywhere else. Today, I remembered again how awesome that really was.

The Wilderness must be explored!
With a good hat and 110 SPF, of course :)

As a total aside(I warned you this post was super random) Team USA advances into the knockout round of the World Cup!!!!!! I hope to join the loyal fans at the Odyssey Center in Epcot later this week! The Netherlands made it too. I am one happy girl :)

Well, one final thought: I challenge you, each and every one of you to make your own magic no matter what you are doing. Spread a little hope and pixie dust to the people in your life. Whether you are a Disney Cast Member used to going above and beyond, or a police officer, or a secretary, it doesn't really matter. Every one needs a little pixie dust in their life, so I challenge you to be the one who brings it.

I'm wishing.....

And, since I am watching old Star Trek reruns as I write this, in honor of Captain Kirk,

Lizzie out.

Tuesday's Tips: Weather

2014-05-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

Anyone who has ever been to Central Florida for an extended period of time, or even just a few days, knows that the weather here is insane. Clinically crazy. Seriously, a straight jacket for this weather wouldn't be unprecedented. And with summer beginning, things are about to heat up. But, don't let the crazy storms and terrible heat ruin your Disney vacation! You've planned for months and spent hundreds of dollars. Don't let a little icky thing like lightening storms mess up your dream trip. Here are a few tips for battling the weather :)
'

Tip #1: Don't Hate the Rain
Don't do it. So many people go running for the cover of their hotel room when the downpours begin. Don't be one of those people. Instead, know your options. The rain can enhance your vacation if you know your options. Florida storms rarely last all day. They usually roll in about 2pm and head out around 6pm. If you are in Hollywood Studios, check out some of the really neat indoor activities, such as the Animation Academy. Spend an hour learning to draw your own Disney Characters and then go meet Mickey Mouse. If it's still raining, then head on over to One Man's Dream, which is right next door. If you are in Animal Kingdom, why not go to Kilimanjaro Safaris? If the rain is a light sprinkle, this might be one of the best times to see this attraction. The rain brings the animals out of the trees. The most animals I have seen has been during a light sprinkle. Really, the rain can be a valuable asset if you know your options. Many people flee the parks, leaving shorter lines and better experiences. And whatever you do, DONT BUY A PONCHO! Bring a rain coat or poncho from home. Trust me. That $8.50 is better spent on an awesome slice of pizza at Pizzafari.

Okay, I know this isn't a strictly Disney pic,
but I only have a limited amount of rainy day pics

Tip #2: They Have to Shoot Off the Fireworks
There are very few things that will keep the fireworks show from happening. Lighting storms are one of them. Downpours are not. They are not allowed to keep the fireworks in their holding tubes overnight, because it is too dangerous. It is like having a loaded cannon in your bedroom while you are sleeping. If it were to go off.....Therefore, the fireworks will almost always happen, even in a downpour, and most definitely in a light sprinkle. If it is too crazy, they will delay them until the rain stops. And if it is raining in the afternoon, don't assume it will be pouring at 9pm as well. I can count on one hand the amount of times they have delayed the fireworks for rain, in the past year I have been here. I would count on the fireworks show happening, regardless of the weather at 2pm.

See? Fireworks in the rain :)

Tip #3: See the Rainy Day Parade!
When it is raining, the normal day parade cannot continue. Instead, they have a really cute parade of characters called the Rainy Day Parade! All the Main Street vehicles come out, with all sorts of characters on them. You will see everyone you would normally see in the parade. All the dancers are wearing rain boots and coats, singing rainy day songs. If the day is a bit dreary, you don't want to miss this cute cavalcade.

Tip #4: You Make Your Own Magic
Sometimes, the weather is absolutely frightfully insane. That could be 100 degrees with 90% humidity, or it could be downpours so thick you can't see in front of you. I have seen both of them happen here. Last summer, the rain was so insane(and dangerous) that we shut down attractions in Magic Kingdom to open them up as storm shelters. It happens. And here is where the best tip in the whole world comes in: The only thing that can ruin your magic is you. If you insist on being frustrated at the rain, then you are going to have a frustrating day. Instead, look at it as an opportunity to do things you wouldn't normally do at home. Sit in Pizza Planet and play some old school video games while eating yummy pizza. Before you know it, you have had a great hour spending time with your family and the rain has moved on. Because at the end of the day, you are still at Disney.

Enjoy your magical day!

I'm back!

2014-05-16T12:33:00.003-04:00

Okay, so I know that I have pretty much failed at keeping up my blog these past few months. I am so sorry my dear friends! Life just gets hectic :) But guess what? It's the days of lemonade and pool times, flip flops and shorts(okay, that's pretty much all year in Florida), but for me, summer means keeping up with my blog again! Now that I have publicly declared it, that means I actually have to do it, right? :) Anyway, I have a few really good posts I'm working on, so hopefully we can all get our Disney fixes soon. In the meantime, here's a really cool interview my alma mater did with me about Disney :) In the words of our most favorite mouse, see ya real soon!

Lizzie and Disney

Oh you know, those days when I'm the only person at my favorite castle :)

Tuesday's Tips: Decorating Magic Bands

2014-04-15T10:00:00.000-04:00

You know that moment: the white box, roughly shoebox size, lands on your doorstep. The excitement begins to build, you lift off the cover with Mrs. Incredible on it, and inside, there they are. The exact colors you chose, sitting curled up like a cat in the sun, ready to be played with. Yes, there is nothing nearly as fun as walking into the Magic Kingdom, but decorating your Magic Band can begin the fun at home.

I knew I wanted Ariel on mine, because she is my favorite princess. So I grabbed one of my insanely artistic friends, promised to make her brownies, and set her to work on my Magic Band. She is super amazing and willingly painted this beautiful princess on my ocean blue band.

In progress

We just used nail polish for the design and paintbrushes I bought at the Dollar Store. After a bit of sketches, we agreed on a design, turned on Netflix(old Star Trek reruns, of course) and a few hours later, this incredible band emerged. I cannot wait to wear it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She made it sparkle like the ocean and added bubbles! Isn't she the best? :)

There are many things you can do to decorate your band. Nail polish worked the best for me, and I have heard it is better than glitter and Modgpodge. But there are so many amazing things you can do with your band. Make it sparkle, add some crystals, paint your favorite character. Your Magic Band can be a representation of you! And if you are going to wear it for 10 days, make sure you love it ;) I love mine and can't wait to wear it!

When Guests Are Awesome

2014-02-21T20:39:00.000-05:00

Today, I got the coolest thing in the world: an Excellence Dinosaur. Thank you, kind guest, who gave me this tiny pet :) The guest told me that the Excellence Dinosaur was a thank you for my kind and happy attitude. Sometimes, the days are long and it gets rough, but then you have amazing people like these guests who make your day :) Disney truly is magical.

Looking Back...

2014-01-07T17:13:00.001-05:00

I can't believe I am writing this post. I can't believe my College Program journey is at a close. They say all good things come to an end, but so do all the messy, ugly, stressful, beautiful, amazing, and incredible things too. I have reached the end of my seven months as a Disney intern. I can't believe it. I truly can't believe it.

I don't know what I would do without these girls in my life.

Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. I will still be here, at Disney, in Orlando, writing this blog, updating everyone on life at Disney. I still hope you will be joining me for my next adventures in the World! But this post isn't so much about the future, it is about the past, and about what the last seven months have taught me. All the ups and downs, the muck and the beauty. It wasn't easy, but I wouldn't change it for the world.

My very first day as a CP. So crazy to think that seven months has passed!

To all my dear friends entering the College Program, be prepared. Contrary to what my pictures may describe, it isn't all happiness and pixie dust. You work long hours, usually early in the morning(my alarm goes off at 4am almost daily) after closing at 10pm the night before. Work is tough, you spend most of the time on your feet, and you get yelled at. A lot. But with every difficult situation, there are the magical moments to balance it out. Like making a little girl feel like a true princess, or meeting an undercover Mickey Mouse.

I have met so many good friends and some amazing Cast Members.

Sometimes, you get the chance to encourage current Cast Members, or even future CP's. Then, you have the guests you will never forget about, the ones who change your day and sometimes your life. The guests whose outlook on life encourages you beyond belief. I got celebrate with a woman who found out she was cancer free only a few days before coming to Disney, and I was one of the first people she told. Or maybe, it's embroidering a child's first ear hat, and that might be the only time he comes to Disney. Those are magical moments that make the long hours worth it, the crazy work schedules, and the sometimes strange things you do on stage. It is worth it to know that you are making magic, you are making memories, and you are the reason people come to Disney. You don't get that at any old job. ;)

So many Star Wars Weekend memories!

Then there is the transportation. Let me tell you, if you have the option to bring a car, do it. I have been rescued so many times by sweet friends willing to come out of their way for me(Tabby, Alexis, Holly, and Carri!!!!!) Shooting straight with you, bus transportation isn't always the best. Be prepared to wait long hours and leave for work super early, so you don't get any unnecessary points. Looking back, I can't even count the amount of days I wished I had a car.

But honestly, since I had no choice, when else in my life will I get the chance to rely completely on buses? Not only does it make for awesome stories, but it also means that I have learned what an incredible blessing a car is. And sometimes, when taking the bus, it gives you the option to bless someone else. One time, I helped a bus driver learn his route because it was his first day and he didn't know where to go. While frustrating at first, we began to talk and laugh, and I still remember that day fondly because of those unexpected times we ended up completely in the wrong place. Just be prepared for a little craziness, and take those moments to be a blessing to the people around you.

Finally, there are roommates. You will never learn more about grace, love, and selflessness than living with roommates. There will be fights and yelling, but if you push through, if you work to get to know the people in your apartment, there will be memories you will never forget. I already promised my CP roommate I would come kidnap her for lunch this year, even though we don't live in the same room anymore. Living in CP housing is probably one of the hardest parts about the CP program, but at the same time, I learned so much about myself and what it means to live selflessly.

Standing at the end of my CP program, I can truly say, there has been nothing like it in the world. I spent all my time off at the Disney parks, and when I wanted a little peace and quiet, I went to Magic Kingdom. Who else in the world can do that? It has fostered an incredible love for this company, for the people that come through our turnstiles, and the Cast Members I work alongside. You have the opportunity to change the lives of everyone you interact with. The Guests will remember you forever. There is no other job in the world where you can create magic simply by walking out the door. And I wouldn't change it for anything.

So many memories. I am going to miss those times so much!

If you are thinking about coming to work here at any capacity, whether it is seasonal, CP, ICP, PI, part time, or full time, all I can say is DO IT! Enjoy it. Live it. No other time in your life can you live at Disney. It will truly be one of the most amazing experiences you can ever have.

Tuesday's Tips: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

2013-11-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

"It's the most wonderful time of the year..." Christmas carols are ringing, cookies are baking, and snow is lightly falling. Which sounds wonderful, except that it's November(isn't it too early to be celebrating Christmas?) we live in Central Florida(so, no real snow. Ever.), and it is too hot to be baking cookies(it was 85 yesterday). It all only means one thing: Christmas has come to the Walt Disney World Resort! And with Christmas comes one of the best nights of the year. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas....

Walt Disney World does two hard ticket events every year. One is the Halloween party, Mickey's Not So Scary. We had a fabulous time at that one last September, so naturally, when November came, and the temperatures dropped from 95 to 80, it was obviously time to celebrate Christmas! We attended Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party last Thursday, and it was a blast! Here is an overview of our experiences :)

Main Street is so beautiful with snow :)

We arrived early, because we wanted to do a nice dinner at Tony's Italian Restaurant first. Tip: Use your party ticket to enter the park at 4pm, and then go have a good dinner. That way you don't waste precious party time eating anything but hot cocoa and cookies! It was lovely to sit and enjoy our pasta while watching Main Street come alive as dusk fell. The lights turned on, the street began to clear, and the strains of Christmas carols washed over us. Yes, it was the perfect night for a Christmas Party!

After our lovely dinner, the fun began! Christmas time is here, happiness and cheer, fun for all the children call their favorite time of year! :) Our first stop was the Seven Dwarfs. Tip: If you want to see the Seven Dwarfs, head to their line around 6:30-6:45. We were in line by 6:40 and had met the Dwarfs by 7:30, leaving plenty of party time left. Their line does become very long, by the middle of the party you would have to wait an hour and a half to meet them. Tip: If you happen to be going to both the Halloween Party and the Christmas Party, DO NOT meet the Dwarfs at the Halloween party. Use that time to meet all the other characters that are not at Christmas Party, like Jane and Terk. Then, meet the Dwarfs at Christmas Party.

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me ;)

While waiting in line for the Dwarfs, I did our very first cookies and cocoa stop! Because the cookies and cocoa are complimentary and unlimited, you can send one or two members of your party to get the treats while the rest wait in lines. The Cast Members will give you as many cookies and cocoa as you want :) Seriously, one of my favorite parts of Christmas Party. I love the cookies and cocoa way more than Halloween candy! When we went, the cookie of choice was snicker doodles, but I have heard that sometimes there are different options.

I forgot to take pictures of the cookies....I am a terrible blogger sometimes ;)

Our next stop was to check out Peter Pan and Wendy. I had heard that they did a meet and greet with Mr. Smee and Captain Hook, but tonight it was just Peter and Wendy. While Peter Pan is one of my favorite characters, I knew that I could meet him everyday at Magic Kingdom, so we decided to do a search for more unique characters. Usher in Daisy, Donald, and Scrooge McDuck! These characters were so much fun to meet. They are up by Storybook Circus this year.

I love these ducks! Donald and I had a wonderful conversation about where to purchase one
of his amazing hats, then Daisy compared our hair bows. They are so much fun!

Their line did take quite a while, I believe we were in line for about 25 minutes. By this point, it was about 8:15 and we were on to our next character: the lovely leading lady, Minnie Mouse. Mickey gave her a beautiful new dress to wear this Christmas, and she even has a bracelet to match! Be sure to mention her shoes, they are so sparkly! No wonder that girl and Daisy Duck get along so well... ;)

We had a few minutes after meeting Minnie, so we stopped by A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas. This cute little stage show features a cast of dancing characters, in addition to Stitch, Buzz, and Mike Waceswki. If you have a chance, stop by here during your time.

Okay, so I have no pictures of that either...it was just a fail night!
But doesn't my dear friend Alexis look lovely?

Now, as soon as that ended, we wandered into the Hub for one of my favorite parts of the party: Holiday Wishes! The fireworks show was incredible, and definitely worth getting a spot on Main Street or the Hub. The Christmas carols ring out as the red and green sparkle across a dark sky. There is really nothing like it. The best part? The snow that falls on Main Street afterward! Yes, it does snow in Florida. ;)

Candy Cane Castle!

Snowflake Castle

Christmas version of Celebrate the Magic! This is Giant Present Castle!

There are two showings of the parade, the first is at 8:15 and the second is 10:30. We chose to see the second parade, using the time during the first to meet characters. In between the fireworks and the parade is a castle show called Celebrate The Season. Whatever you do during the Christmas Party, DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW. It was easily the highlight of our night! If you ever wanted to see Donald do ballet, Goofy accomplish the splits, or two chipmunks Russian dancing, this the the place for you! It is easy to do the 10:05 castle show and then get a spot for the 10:30 parade.

After the amazing show, it was on to the parade! I knew I wanted to watch it from Main Street, because of the falling snow. If you have never seen the Once Upon A Christmas parade from Main Street, do yourself a favor and try it this time! I picked up some cookies and hot chocolate from the Crystal Palace right before the parade.

Look at the snow!

There is truly nothing like sitting on Main Street, listening to Christmas music, eating cookies and hot chocolate, and watching the snow lightly fall. Nothing truly says Christmas is here!!!!!

Cinderella's Carriage pulled by a team of miniature horses

By this point, we were exhausted, so we had just a few more stops before heading home. We popped into the Diamond Horseshoe to see Woody and Jessie, then wandered through Agrabah. Aladdin and Abu meet here during the party. Finally, it was a few last pictures on Main Street before our Christmastime had come to an end.

Dance party in the Horseshoe!

We had an amazing time at the Christmas party. I loved it! My mouth is watering thinking about the cookies and hot cocoa. If I didn't work all week, I was seriously tempted to go again. The tickets are not cheap, but if this is your only chance to experience Christmas at Disney, you should go! However, if your trip falls after December 20th, then all the party things become part of everyday life. The shows, parade, and fireworks are the normal routine for the week of Christmas. So, besides the unique characters and the treats, everything else will be included in your park ticket.

Let's fly away....

Merry Christmas everyone!

Magical Moments: Princess Edition

2013-11-04T09:38:00.000-05:00

I sat down to update my Facebook page last week, realized that my status update would be extremely long. After considering the pros and cons of a novel length status, I finally remembered I could update my blog instead! Last Tuesday was a truly magical day at work. It was a day I was dreading, because I have a bad cold and a headache. I knew it would take some serious magic and prayer to gat me though the day. Not only was my night truly magical, I had a wonderful time as well! So here is a recap of those magical moments :)

One last fall day at the Magic Kingdom before Christmas begins!

Magical Moment #1: Knighthood
Sadly, we were completely out of stock of my favorite hat in the whole wide world: my Jessie hat. Without that fine and dandy red hat, I really didn't know what to do. My solution? Don a pink princess cone hat! With streamers waving down my back, a multicolored wand in my hand, and a Sleeping Beauty necklace draped around my neck, I was ready to greet the royal guests of my kingdom. So I placed myself at the Test Track facing door, and began my princess duties for the night. I decided to greet all the little boys(and the big ones, too) who walked in as knights . Most of them just turned red and bashful before smiling shyly at me. One boy, he was about 9 or 10, walked in my door. I greeted him with a "Why, hello Sir Knight!" He took off his hat and bowed to me. I curtsied and then he continued on his knightly adventures. It melted my heart.

Goofy taught me to hoedown :) He was awesome at it!

Magical Moment #2: The Tiny Knights
As I was waltzing in front of the door, I had a queen stop her stroller of knights right before me. After conducting the usual formalities of bowing and curtsying, this little knight and I began our conversation. He told me all about his knighthood training, he was just starting the level called kindergarten. He also told me he had been on a knightly quest. His quest took him many miles, over rivers and through woods, before being shrunk by magic to a size small enough to fit Ina ball and travel on a time machine! After giving me instructions for my own quest, it was, alas, time for him to complete his journey. He promised me he would defeat the dragon in a neighboring kingdom called Hollywood Studios, then he was on his regal way, blonde towhead curls flying, his queen pushing him majestically along in his blue carriage.

Throwback to where my love for Disney began: Disneyland and Ariel!

Magical Moment #3: My Rescuing Knights
These two knights are both from different royal families, but I believe they must be from the same knighthood order, because they both have a knack for rescuing damsels in distress. The first one was about 8 years old and in line for my register with his queen and princess. When I questioned him on whether he had rescued any damsels in distress lately, he shyly answered yes. He had rescued his mother, the queen, from an evil golf ball that was shooting right at her after she had been kidnapped by an evil villain named Soarin'. His queen was profoundly grateful, and decreed him a knight of the highest order.

I got to work the Halloween Party this year! It was SO much fun!

The second knight arrived at my register with a royal entourage consisting of the queen and king, along with the little brother who considered himself the prince, but the knight said he was a squire. I couldn't quite get his role straight ;) When I inquired of my knight as to whether or not he had rescued any damsels in distress lately, he causally leaned against the counter and said, "none this month." I laughed and asked if he was taking a break. "Of course," he answered, "Everyone needs a vacation., even knights of the realm. I'll go back to rescuing princesses soon." We chatted about his recently knightly exploits before the king and queen swept away, knight and squire in tow.

Don't know where I would be without this group of people on my life.
Breakfast at Tusker House!

Along with being a princess comes the unfortunate curse of being hunted and thwarted by an evil villain. For me, that was Ursula. A little into my shift, I lost my voice. There could be only one explanation: the evil sea witch. I was convinced she must have gotten Ariel and me confused, and stole my voice instead! I spent the rest of my night greeting guests in a whisper and explaining that Ursula got us mixed up and stole my voice, and if you see her could you please kindly get it back for me? As they left my cash register with smiles and nods of agreement, I knew that it was possible to make magic even when I couldn't speak.

I finally met up with this little lady at her new home in Hollywood Studios!
We had a great conversation about dresses and polka dots.

It truly was a regal day indeed. Which begs the question, how are you going to make magic today? :)

Taking Magic For Granted

2013-10-16T14:37:00.001-04:00

When I sat down to write this post, my mind was drawing a blank. I haven't written a magical moments post for a long time, but I hadn't realized it. And when I went to write this one, I finally recognized why: because lately, I have felt like the magic of my day to day life had been lost.

Sometimes. I decide to ride the Astro Orbitor with Merida hair ;)

I went back and read some of my previous posts, and saw a common pattern. So often, those moments that I had deemed magical then, were everyday and commonplace to me now. I sew first time ear hats and hand out Mickey stickers everyday. Those moments that used to be magical have been woven in to the fabric of my everyday life, and instead of sparkling with color, they have become dull and lifeless.

Know why? Because I have started to take making magic for granted. It is no longer a new adventure I embark upon everyday. And the worst part? It took me until now to realize it.

So today, I am heading into work with a different perspective. The little princess who walked into my toys section to cuddle a plush Mickey might be the 145th princess I have seen today. She might be messing up my plush wall I just took the last 45 minutes to fix(my fellow Cast Members understand the terrors of the plush wall ;) ). But you know what? None of that really matters, because this might be the only time in her life she can come to Disney. This might be the one chance she will get today to snuggle with Mickey. And I might be the one Cast Member who gets to make her day magical.

Our 6 am Toy Story crew! :)

Today is going to be different from the past few weeks. Today, I am going to infuse my time with magic. I am going to give out more Mickey stickers, make more smiles, and talk to more little characters than I have in a long time. And at the end of my night, I can stand before my Boss confident that I have done my best, and hear him say "Well done."

You know what else is pretty magical? Amazing friends.
Don't know where I would be without each of these beautiful women! :)

Let's go make some magic! :)

To Everyone Who Has Been Cut From An Audition

2013-10-02T22:17:00.001-04:00

Dear friends(especially my princesses, but definitely the princes too ;),

You have all been there. I was there a few hours ago. That moment when they call numbers 15 and 45, but you are number 33. The twist in your chest as you realize that once again, you weren't good enough. And now, they expect you to walk out of that audition room, through a crowd still waiting to go in, with your head held high as if nothing was wrong. I was there this morning. And as I was fighting frustration on the bus home, I was thinking of everyone around me, who was just as distraught and just as torn up as I was, if not more so. So, I want you to know: YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.

Don't let a single audition determine who you are. I have been on 30+ auditions, each one the same. My cheekbones are too high, my nose is too big, I'm too fat, or too skinny, or my eyes aren't big enough. But ultimately, what does that really matter? Why do we let a Casting Director have the power to tell us we aren't beautiful, to destroy our self-esteem? They have the power because we let them.

Now, speaking directly to those of us whose biggest goal is to make magic. Guess what? Breaking News: you don't have to be a princess to make magic. I promise! You can make magic every single day of your life, even if you aren't wearing a ball gown. Believe me, I know. Put the same passion and heart that you put into auditions into every aspect of your life, and you will become a magic maker. You might not be followed by crowds of people begging for autographs and photos, but the one little girl who you took the time to sprinkle with pixie dust, she will remember you forever. You might take pictures with her, you might even sign her autograph book, and in that moment, you will do something you can never accomplish in entertainment: You made the magic simply by being you.

So, my dear friends, the next time you walk out of an audition dejected, remember. You are truly a princess(or a prince!). There is a King who loves you more than life itself, and that makes you a real princess. Don't let the enemies of greed and desire destroy your inner joy and magic. Take those sparkling qualities with you, and you will become the person that everyone wants to meet. Because you will truly be a Magic Maker.

Just my two cents ;)
Love,
Lizzie

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party: Tips!

2013-09-28T18:17:00.002-04:00

This might just be my favorite night of the year. Everyone gets to dress up and go to the Magic Kingdom. You just combined two of my favorite things, playing dress up and Magic Kingdom! But, if Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is on your fright list this year, here are thirteen frightful tips to the have the scariest time imaginable! Believe me, it's a scream!

I decided to dress up as Ariel. It was so much fun!

Tip #1: Scare up some good costumes.
Yes, even the grownups need to spend some time playing dress up! Moms and Dads, don't let your kids have all the fun on this one. Jump on in there! We were a group of all adults, and you'd better believe that every one of us dressed up! Some awesome families all dress in the same theme, such as Incredibles or Snow White and the Seven Dwarves(if you have seven kids, this is an adorable idea!). Whether you are matching your kiddos or everyone doing their own thing, everyone needs a costume. When else are you going to take pictures in front of a castle dressed as a princess and a space ranger? Never, is the answer ;) Which leads us directly to our next tip...

I want to be...where the people are....

Tip #2: Don't hesitate to take photos!
Take pictures. Lots and lots of them! That is all. ;)

Princess twirls!

Tip #3: Go Early!
You can get in the parks as early as noon in your costumes, as long as you have a valid entrance. If you only have your Not So Scary ticket, than you enter Magic Kingdom at 4pm. Embrace this early time! Get some good photographs, and if your little Belle absolutely needs a picture with Gaston, then this would be the time. Want to get a nice dinner but don't want to sacrifice party time? Book a 4:30 ADR and use your early entrance. Then whip out your camera for some nice pictures while the sun is still up!

Tip #4: DON'T Do The Attractions
I know, it seems odd. Why would you go to Magic Kingdom and not do the rides? Well, if you paid $60 for a MNSSHP ticket, then it is a smart idea. If you have other days at Magic Kingdom, then use those days for hitting the attractions. Take the time at the party to do party specific things, and don't ride rides!

These guys were the cutest! Don't you just love their costumes?

Tip #5: Watch The Second Parade
The first parade is always crowded and crazy. The second parade is a lot calmer. Go to Frontierland for an almost private view. Keep your camera ready for the Headless Horseman!

The Haunted Mansion dancers were awesome!

Tip #6: Get Your Favorite Characters Early
If you will simply die without a picture of Flynn and Rapunzel, then don't save them for last. The character meet and greets end about a half hour before the party does, so make sure to find your favorite characters first.

Daisy and I definitely had a princess connection.

Tip #7: Skip Jack and Sally
Especially if you live near the West Coast and have the opportunity to go to Disneyland, skip Jack and Sally's Meet and Greet. It really is not worth the 3 hour line. Just hop on over to Disneyland, where they wander around New Orleans Square every September and October. Seriously, this line will be hours long. If you simply must meet them, then either be in line around 6pm or get in line at 11:30pm, so you sacrifice the least amount of party time. Be prepared to wait a minimum of an hour for your photo op!

Cinderella, Ariel, and Belle.

Tip #8: Candy Trails!
Find the candy trails. Walk down them with open treat bags. Thank the Cast Members profusely. Go on your merry-not-so-scary way. That is all. :)

Tip #9: Make Sure To See HalloWishes
These fireworks are awesome. If you aren't able to be in Magic Kingdom on 4th of July, then these almost-360-fireworks will blow your mind. I loved them. The music isn't my favorite, but Disney can sure put on a show. Of course, my favorite place to see them is the Hub, right in front of the Partners statue(the statue of Mickey and Walt). I always feel like fireworks were designed to be seen in front of the castle...

This is Halloween, this is Halloween....

Tip #10: If You See Some Merchandise You Want, BUY IT!
All the MNSSHP merchandise is party specific. So, if you want the pin, the t-shirt, the souvenir popcorn bucket, or anything else that is MNSSHP, buy it the night of your party! The other stores on Disney property do not carry party stuff. Believe me, I know. And I have had several disappointed guests who were not able to get their souvenirs. Don't be a bummed out guest! Prepare in advance, and buy when you get there. :)

Tip #11: Take Advantage of Photopass
There are several party photos on Photopass. If you have Photopass +, definitley take advantage of these special magic shots. Because who doesn't want the Hitchhiking Ghosts in their photos?

This is one tip I didn't even take advantage of, but now I would love to see those photos....

Tip #12: Plan, Plan, PLAN
We kind of just winged it for our party night, because we knew the parks so well. However, there were still things we missed that we could have made time for had we a better evening plan. So, sit down with your travel party and map out your night as best as you can beforehand. Have a good idea of what everyone wants to do, so no one misses out. As soon as you enter the park, pick up a special MNSSHP map. If you have any Cast Member friends, ask them if they can find out what times and where the special character meet and greets will happen. This will help you come up with a good park plan!

I love the fall decorations!

Tip #13: Above All, Have A Frightfully Good Time!
Even though we managed to accomplish half of what we wanted to do, our time at MNSSHP was amazing. Enjoy yourself! Give Mickey and Minnie a big hug, get some candy, and have an amazing time at the most magically frightening place on Earth! Really, Disney is the one place you can be a kid again, and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is the perfect place to become the princess or ghoul you always wanted to be.

The boss, his lady, and our group!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

For more photos, check out my Facebook page! :)

Follow me on Facebook!

2013-09-22T15:53:00.001-04:00

Hello everyone! As you must know, sometimes I am terrible at updating my blog :) So, I created a Facebook page where I can post quick updates, such as tips of the day, live blogging, and my daily magical moments. I will still be updating my blog, it will be just the same as usual, the longer posts about my life and WDW tips. :) Check it out here: facebook.com/lizzieindisney
Hope to see you all there! :)

Magical Mondays: My Own Disney Character

2013-09-16T20:44:00.004-04:00

I love working for Disney. I never want to work anywhere else ever again. There are a few things that can be changed, obviously, but as a whole, I get to work for a Mouse and my office is a theme park. Oh, and the fact that on my days off, I can visit the most magical kingdom in the world. But one of the coolest things about my job is that I can become my own character, create my own world of magic for the guests.

In Disney retail, there is this really cool job called door greeting. For avid performers like me, this is about as close as you can get without really being on stage. Door greeting is just like it sounds. Stand at the door and greet everyone who comes through. I love to take this position to the furthest it can go by dressing up completely in character and using themed language to chat with the guests. Really, what could be better?

Merchantaining! Best job on the Disney retail planet.

My favorite is to be twins with the best cowgirl there is in the toy box, Jessie. After donning my red hat and saddling up a Bullseye pillow pet, it is off to the Breezeway door to greet people in style. My hours calling "Howdy!" and dancing the how-down usually end with a few pictures. But one of the coolest parts is when the little kids walk up to me, I get down on their level, and we have some incredible conversations about anything you could think of. And every once in a while, I get to sign autograph books, just as myself, as my own character. It amazes me that my autograph, my humble name, is amongst those such as Mickey Mouse and the Disney Princesses. That what I do has enough impact on a guest's vacation that they want to remember those moments forever.

Sometimes, I get to door greet with these awesome people, our Toy Story crew. Other times, I am on my own.

Whenever those families walk away clutching their autograph books all the hardships of the day seem to melt away. I can't believe that I could be someone they wanted to remember, that I could be in the same league as Mickey Mouse. All I am is me. No one special, definitely not on the same level as royalty or the mouse that started it all. But, I, like every other Cast Member, have the ability to change a guest's life. To my fellow Cast Members, I implore you to never forget this. Walk on stage with a smile on your face, because believe me, there is no moment more special than knowing that a child will always remember you because you took the time to get down on one knee and treat them like the unique princess or space ranger they are.

My cowgirl autograph.

It is those things that keep me going sometimes. But, honestly, what more do I need? This is why I work for Disney. Because something as simple as my daily assignment can change a life. And what better job is there than sprinkling pixie dust? Thanks, Mickey, for giving me the opportunity to work alongside you in spreading a little magic. I promise you won't regret it. And neither will I.

Tuesday's Tips: Disneyland Review

2013-08-27T09:01:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone! Sheesh, time sure flies here in the Happiest Place On Earth! I hadn't realized how long it had been since I last blogged! ;) Well, today, this is a guest post by my lovely little sister, Gwen. She recently went to Disneyland, and wrote up a nice review of her time. Enjoy!

In June, I spent almost a full day at Disneyland in California. My family and I had Disney passes for many years, but about two years ago we decided not to renew them. So, finally going back to Disneyland was amazing.

Gwen, my sister Anna, and a really good friend on their trip to Disneyland!

There had been many renovation since I had last visited. Our first stop was California Adventure. One place I went that I had never been to was Cars Land. Cars Land was amazing. They really capture the ambiance of the film. We went on a ride called Radiator Springs Racers that takes you through Cars Land and then at the end, you race the person next to you. When we went, the line was about 2 hours long. We did not want to wait that long, so we decided to go in the single rider line. The single rider normally cuts the wait down by half. So, if you are okay with not riding next to someone in your party, I would suggest going into the single rider line to cut down the time. Next we hit the Arial ride, which was new to me as well. I loved it.

Image courtesy of greentleaf. Click here for original.

Later in the day, we headed over the Disneyland. I have always loved the atmosphere of Disneyland. It is nice and friendly. We got Fastpasses for Indiana Jones first. It is smart to get Fastpasses for Indiana Jones in the summer because the line is almost always about 2 hours long. When we started to get a little hungry for something sweet, we decided to go to Poohs Corner in Frontierland. Pooh Corner is one if my favorite sweet places in Disneyland. It always has lots of options and unique treats. We got a small chocolate truffle, which was amazing. The rice krispie treats are wonderful there as well.

Seriously, one of the best rides in Disneyland.
Image courtesy of lori05871. Click here for the original.

For the rest of the day we strolled around and went on some rides that did not have a long line. We managed to hit the Star Tours ride, which was incredible. Disneyland reconstructed the StarTours ride so that there are almost 19 different movies that play in the ride. That means that every time you go on it, it will probably be one you have not seen. Later that evening, we decided to get a pretzel. The store had a couple different options, but I chose to get the cream cheese filled pretzel. It was delicious. After I finished that I was full. For the rest of the night we walked around the park looking at different things and going on little fun rides. We were all so tired that we chose to head home. I had a great time going back to the Happiest Place on Earth. I wish I could go more often!

Image courtesy of hyku. Click here for original.

Thanks Gwen for your wonderful review! :)

Magical Mondays: I Got Locked In A Tea Cup By A Cowgirl

2013-08-15T11:39:00.001-04:00

Sorry for this extended break from blogging! I have been so busy lately, even my playing in the parks time has been cut down :) But, without further ado, here is the next Magical Mondays post, albeit not on a Monday. But hey, Disney schedules never follow the correct days of the week, so it doesn't really matter, right?

I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain....

Merchandise was never my first choice when I was dreaming of working at Disney. Please don't misunderstand me, I am so grateful for my job and I love the people I get to interact with on daily basis. It's just that merchandise isn't my passion and every day I spend here I realize that. All that goes to say, sometimes I just have to look even harder for those magical moments. These past few weeks have been like that. But the deeper I dig for those magical moments the stronger they are.

Somedays, you just have to play charades with a bear :)

Two little cowgirls come to mind when I think over this past month's magical moments. I was having an especially long day. I had been at work since 6am, and at 14:30 I was ready to go home. As I was working on stocking ear hats(I LOVE hats, by the way :) anyone who works with me knows that!) two little girls entered my store with their parents. I don't know how the conversation started, but we began playing dress up with the hats. Come to find out one of the little girls had my same name! After we both got really excited about this random fact, it was on to the games!

Ohmmmmmmm......a little meditation time with Rafiki.....

In the space of that half hour, we went from being cowgirls on a ranch, to princesses, to one of them being the Mad Hatter and locking me in a teacup and the other the princess to rescue me. We tried on more hats and played more characters than I had in a long while. After their parents had bought their purchases, my little namesake brought me her brand new autograph book, stating that she wanted me to be the first person to sign it, on the very first page. Of course, we had to take pictures to go with this autograph too! I gave that little cowgirl a big hug, and then she skipped out of my life.

Mike and Sully taught me the "scary feet" technique so I wouldn't be so clumsy!

I never expected to see either of those two girls again, but the very next day, I was working hats again when they came into my store. It was just the littlest cowgirl and her mom, but she was all smiles and kept calling me. I ran over and gave her a big hug. Her mom told me that it was their last day, and they couldn't leave without stopping by my store to say goodbye. We played one more game of the-Mad-Hatter-locks-Lizzie-in-the-tea-cup-to-be-rescued-by-the-fairy, and then I gave her one more hug and blew her a kiss goodbye. I will never forget those adorable little cowgirls who couldn't leave Disney without saying goodbye to me.

We celebrated Harry Potter's birthday at the UK.

It is those magical moments that make my job so worthwhile. Sometimes, I just don't want to stock another Goofy t-shirt, but that doesn't matter. What matters is the magic that I get to make everyday, the little princesses and space rangers that I get to see smile, the ability I have to keep the magic alive for each and every guest. Because, that is what working for the Mouse is all about.

Disney Birthdays!

2013-08-10T19:00:00.001-04:00

So sorry for the delay in posting! I have 5 million dining reviews to post, including some recent ones, like Via Napoli and 1900 Park Fare. I also have some more Magical Mondays and Tuesdays Tips posts. But, I am going to take a break in our usual programing for this special post and to share some awesome pictures from my absolutely fantastically magical birthday celebration!

The really fun throne in Castle Couture.

I started off the day in the Magic Kingdom. Personally, that is the only perfect place to celebrate birthdays. First stop, Uptown Jewelers for a birthday tiara! I love this store. They have so many beautiful tiaras and I found the perfect one!

Just me and the castle. I will truly never get tired of this view!

Then, it was on to breakfast at 1900 Park Fare. I have heard so many negative things about this place. Don't them discourage you from going! It was so yummy and we had an amazing time. I will get a full dining review up soon about it, I promise!

We are all just a bit mad here...seriously, one of the best interactions with the Mad Hatter I have ever had!

My cupcake and souvenir placemat, signed by all the characters.

Me with my birthday cupcake!

After our incredible breakfast, it was back to the Magic Kingdom for the afternoon. I was so full, but that didn't stop me from enjoying my favorite place in the world. We did some things I haven't had a chance to do yet, like meet Woody and Jessie. Friends and guests at work are always telling me I look like Jessie, so I had to go meet her.

Howdy Partner!

Just the princess and the cowboy....

Then, where better to celebrate a birthday than at Beaches and Cream with the Kitchen Sink? Oh. My. Goodness. Talk about incredible! It was so yummy, but we couldn't even finish it. Again, I will have a full Beaches and Cream dining review up soon!

I don't know where I would be without each of these people. You guys have no idea how grateful I am for you!!!

Yep, we totally ate this. I wish I could say we finished it all!

I decided there was no where I would rather finish off the night than watching Wishes from Fantasyland. After the amazing fireworks, we rode Little Mermaid, then did a quick photo shoot in front of the castle before letting my birthday balloon go. The last stop on this amazing day was Guest Relations, so I could personally thank each and every Cast Member who made my day amazing.

Sorry for the demon eyes, pale people problems...but, this is a pic of me with Walt, one of the amazing Cast Members who made my night!

Me, my birthday balloon, and a castle. NBD ;)

A special thank you to all of my friends who celebrated with me. You all have a special place in my heart, and I can't imagine my CP journey without you. Thank you for celebrating with me!

The door that started it all

Trails End Buffet

2013-07-29T09:35:00.001-04:00

Howdy partners! Pull up yer steed and tip your hat to the best breakfast buffet around! Trails End Buffet at Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground is an incredible deal and wonderfully tasty! For a reasonable price, you get a full buffet and a drink, which includes all the Mickey Waffles you could eat! Tip: Cast Members, you currently get 40% off, which means the buffet, drink, and tip is less than $15. Seriously, it's wonderful.

The atmosphere will make you long for the good old days back on the homestead. Whether its the old tin plates or the yogurt parfaits in mason jars, the feel of this restaurant will bring you back home. Everyone here is family, and you are welcomed immediately.

For drinks, you get them in a Mason jar. Of course, I had to have a Diet Coke, regardless of the fact it was breakfast. You can also get coffee, tea, other soft drinks, several juices, and hot chocolate with whipped cream!

Then, on to the important part: the buffet!

After your server brings your drinks, it is on to the buffet. There is so much food here, you could feed a whole ranch of cowboys. My personal favorite were the Mickey Waffles, and guess what? They had chocolate chip ones!!!!!!

I had never had chocolate chip Mickey Waffles before, and they rocked my world. Yum! There is also a make your own parfait station, eggs, hash browns, eggs benedict, croissants, breakfast pizza, pastries, donut holes, and more food than I can even think of at the moment. It was spectacular!

I tried everything and most things I loved. The eggs with the pulled pork had a little too much pork for me, but other than that everything else was so good!

The croissants were moist and fresh, the salmon tender, and the hash browns amazing. I stopped taking pictures after my first plate, because I was too hungry.

My mouth is watering just thinking about it. For the cost of this buffet, it is a ton of food and an incredible deal. I can't wait to go back again!

Liberty Tree Tavern

2013-07-18T11:57:00.002-04:00

When the 4th of July was quickly approaching, I couldn't think of a better place to celebrate than WDW. I also couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than by lunch at the Liberty Tree Tavern! This place is really neat, you feel as if you have been transported back into the 1700s. If you listen closely, you can almost hear the fife and drum beating as the troops march by in red, white, and blue to defend our freedom.

Liberty Tree is in Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom. It is right down from Haunted Mansion and across from the Rivers of America. The strong white columns are reminiscent of a familiar American sight, the White House.

One of the nice things about Liberty Tree is the huge lobby. With a fireplace taller than me and strong oak tables, it feels as if the lady of the house just nipped out back to check on the wash. Look around and really take in the little details. If you have antsy little ones, there is a table full of coloring supplies.

We checked in right at the time of our reservation and waited about 10 minutes before we were called to our table. The town crier will announce your family with a strong "Hear hear, now calling the Smith family from the great territory of South Dakota!"

Aren't these lamps the coolest?

Paul Revere himself

The Paul Revere Room

Then you follow your mob-capped server to one of several themed rooms. We were seated in the Paul Revere room. Even though each room has its own theming, it also closely follows the old colonial feel. Ask your server what room you are in and keep your eyes out for some of those special details.

This was sitting on the cabinet in the photo above, with the plates.

We were really hungry so decided to forego the appetizers and jump right into our entrees. First came the drinks, and I loved the patriotic touches.

I ordered the Angus Burger, because honestly what better way to celebrate the 4th than with a cheeseburger and fries? It was delicious, and I ate the entire thing . The meat was tender, juicy, well cooked and excellently spiced. It hit the spot for me!

The Angus Beef Burger! Photo credit to my friend Mallory.

Some of my dining partners tried a few different dishes. The Pilgrims Feast was Thanksgiving on a plate, with turkey, gravy, potatoes, and beans.

Yum! It's Thanksgiving every day here!
Photo Credit: Mallory

The other dish was a BLT sandwich. The consensus around the table was that the food was very yummy, there wasn't anything that didn't really hit the spot.

Bacon, Lettuce, Tomatoes, and a whole lot of yummy!
Photo Credit: Mallory

Of course, no meal would be complete without dessert! I had read online about the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake they served here for dessert, so I knew what I wanted before she even brought the menu out. Oh. My. Goodness. It was incredible!

Photo Credit: Mallory

A warm vanilla cake, sprinkled with melted toffee, topped with vanilla ice cream, hot caramel and more toffee pieces was the perfect conclusion to a delightful meal.

I've been dreaming about this ever since...

My dining companions tried two different desserts, the Martha Washington Chocolate Cake and the Johnny Appleseed Cake. The chocolate cake was thick and moist with an amazing chocolate ganache. My friend with the apple cake pronounced it fit for a patriot. It was yummy!

Johnny Appleseed's Cake
Photo Credit: Mallory

Martha Washington Chocolate Cake
Photo Credit: Mallory

Overall, we had a wonderful experience at Liberty Tree Tavern. The service was excellent, the food yummy, and it was the perfect location to celebrate our nation's birthday. While lunch is al a carte, dinner is a full Thanksgiving meal, served family style.

On your next jaunt through Liberty Square, pull up your horse and tip your tricornered hat to the Liberty Tree Tavern. And like the last ride of Paul Revere, the experience will be unforgettable.

Happy 4th of July!

Tuesdays Tips: The Animation Academy

2013-07-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

There is so much to do at Walt Disney World, that often, there are hidden experiences that get overlooked. The Animation Academy was one of these for me. I knew we had something similar in California, but I did not realize we had one here too! If you have always wanted to learn to draw the classic Disney characters, meander on to Hollywood Studios Animation Academy!

The experience runs all day long, so just show up whenever you are looking for a nice seat and some cool air conditioning In the same building as the Academy you can also meet Sorcer Mickey, Frozone and Mr. Incredible, Wreck It Ralph and Venelope.

Wander on in and head for the Animation Academy. If you are there early enough, you should be able to grab a seat at the desks. Otherwise, you will be in the back with a lap desk, which is still fun.

The room is darkly lit, but each desk has its own light. Surrounding the desks are pictures of characters in various stages of animation. Look around and you will see the process many of our beloved characters, such as Winnie the Pooh and Stitch, went through.

A blank sheet of paper just waiting for a drawing

You will be seated at a desk with a large piece of paper and a pencil. In this drawing class, erasers are not allowed! The animation instructor will ask the class what characters they would like to draw.

The instructor's desk

Each instructor has over 50 characters he or she can teach, so you never know which one you will end up with. That makes it fun, because you can take the class several times and draw a different character each time.

Our group voted on Chip the chipmunk. I had never drawn Chip before, so this was exciting! With our pencils up, our desk lights on, the class began. Over the next 15 minutes, I learned the basics of drawing that cute little chipmunk. It was really easy, even for someone hardly artistic, such as myself.

I love this chipmunk! :)

At the end of the class, I had a lovely drawing and a new appreciation for the art of Animation. If you are looking for a unique character greeting, bring your drawing to the characters for them to autograph. I have done this with several characters, and it is always fun to see their reaction to the drawings! And, you have a character autograph with a personal flair.

So if you are in Hollywood Studios and looking for something to do, wander on over to Art of Animation and learn to draw your own Disney Characters!

Magical Mondays: Jessie, Captain Hook, and a Special Assignment from Mickey

2013-07-15T11:41:00.003-04:00

I was having a tough week at work. My magical moments quota was virtually non-existent. And for a Disney Cast Member, that is completely unacceptable. So when I was assigned to stock Kids Toys on Friday, I knew I needed to make some magic and fast, otherwise I was going to lose all my pixie dust!

Magical Moment #1:
There is a giant wand above the kids toys section in our store. Every few minutes, the wand will spin in a slow circle. This is Mickey's special wand. There are also random wheels and gears all over the store, contributing to the theme. A little boy in my section began spinning one of these wheels. He turned to look at me with big blue eyes and asked what that wheel did and why he should turn it. I looked at him, thought about it for a split second, and responded.

"Why, that wheel spins the wand!"

His eyes got really big as he looked at me.

"Really?"

"Of course! It's Mickey's special wand, and that wheel keeps it going."

For the next half hour, anytime that wand started spinning, he would run over and spin the wheel. Finally, it was time for him to leave. I got down on my knees and looked him in the eye.

"You know, Mickey called me this morning, wanting to know if I had found anyone to spin his wand yet. I told him I hadn't, but I would be on the lookout today for that special person. And I found you! Mickey is going to be so excited when I tell him you were his special wand spinner!"

His eyes got big and he has a huge grin on his face. We talked about Mickey and his special wand for a few more minutes, before his dad called him away. As they left the store, I heard him telling his dad all about how he was Mickey's special help today. After a long week, that moment made it all worth it. :)

Puppy Dog Kisses

Magical Moment #2:

While on a register shift the other day, I was assigned to fitting rooms. Now, this isn't the most exciting position, because all I really do is stand there with a key and ask if people need to try things on. I knew I had to do something to make it fun. So I mustered all my energy and threw it into fitting rooms.

While on that shift, I had a beautiful little blonde toddler, with curls falling in her eyes and the biggest smile. She wasn't shy at all, so I got down and greeted her like the princess she was. She looked at me with her big eyes, and said she was not a princess. Her mom interjected, saying they had been watching Jake and the Neverland Pirates lately. Well, that made sense. She must be a pirate!

But when I asked her if she was a pirate, she smiled and said "I'm the crocodile!" She proceed to raise her little arms really high and show me exactly how a crocodile acts. Then sound affects were included, with her little voice going chomp, chomp, chomp. If Captian Hook had been around, he would have been very frightened of this little Tic Tock! We were having so much fun pretending to be crocodiles, that a guest waiting for the fitting room even asked her to do it again, which she quickly obliged. She walked away, chomping like a crocodile, scaring all the pirates ahead of her.

Deep in the Hundred Acre Wood, where Christopher Robin plays....

My Friend Jessie

One of my all-time favorite parts of my job is when I get to door greet. Door greeters stand outside the doors and literally just talk to the people walking by. I always have a blast with this. Usually, I have on my Jessie cowboy hat, a Bullseye pillowpet, and a Mickey glove or Buzz Lightyear hand. The last time I was door greeting, I had an entire tour group stop outside my store to take pictures with me. It was hilarious! The one redhead the middle of a group of 50 Brazilian tourists. I am sure that picture is in a photo album somewhere, and I would love to see it. :)

Freedom, Apple Pie, and Fourth of July!

While door greeting, I had a older couple walk up to me with an autograph book. They told me their granddaughter in Pennslyvania hadn't been able to make it on the trip, so they were collecting autographs. They said I was enough of a character on my own, I didn't need to be an official Disney character, and would I please sign their autograph book just as myself? So of course, I couldn't say no! With a smile, I signed my name and added a few Mickeys just for fun. Grinning, they walked away. My autograph was now in the same pages as some of the greats, even Mickey Mouse himself! These are just two of the countless magical moments I have experienced while door greeting. Seriously, it is my favorite part of my job! :)

The wonderful thing about Tiggers is Tiggers are wonderful things.

There have been so many magical moments these past weeks that you would be reading for hours if I tried to explain them all. I hope to do better at blogging this week, so that eventually you will be all caught up in magical memories! Have a magical day! :)

Happy 4th of July!

2013-07-04T19:20:00.001-04:00

Celebrating 4th of July with my boss today ;) I want to thank each and every person who has served our great nation in the armed forces. I would not have the chance to live in this beautiful country if not for your sacrifice. I love my country and am incredibly proud to be an American. God bless America, my home sweet home. Happy Independence Day!

Be Our Guest

2013-06-28T12:29:00.002-04:00

Put our service to the test. Tie your napkin around your neck and we provide the rest.

Be Our Guest

On Monday, I got to experience the most magical night of my Disney career to date. That was the night I had a chance to experience the power of fairytales as I dined with the Beast in Be Our Guest. This restaurant is a magical story come to life. I think I may have broken a Disney history record by making it to Be Our Guest twice in 48 hours, once for dessert during lunch hours and once for dinner. After doing it both ways, quick service lunch and full service dinner, I can recommend that you go for your first time at dinner. The magic is more real, you can almost feel hear Lumiere and Cogsworth dancing in the background, and the Beast actually wanders the room.

The talking suits of armor. This is where the lunch line heads through.

Welcome to the Master's Castle.

I tried and tried to get reservations to Be Our Guest, but there was nothing open until November. Not to be deterred, Monday night I finally decided to try for a walk up. Tip: If you really want to go for dinner, and do not have a reservation, check around 8:45 pm. If they have nothing, go ride Dumbo and see New Fantasyland, before returning around 9:15. That is what I did, and when I returned at 9:15, they were able to seat us. You must have your entire party there, otherwise they will not give you a reservation. My poor friend came running up after I called her, saying they could get us in, but only if she was there NOW! And I had left her on the other side of Fantasyland ;)

Tale As Old As Time

These talk and grumble to each other. It is fantastic!

You recive your pager, and are shown to the bridge. This was the moment we began to freak out. You will reach the entrance of the castle, with the palace glittering above you. The water below the bridge is creating a soundtrack for your magical moment, as your host, dressed in regal purple, escorts you the door. As the Enchanted Rose looks on, you are welcomed.

"And now, in the words of Lumiere, Be. Our. Guest!"

And like magic, the double doors open and you are whisked into the ballroom, and into your own fairytale. You have been literally transported into the movie. The cherebum dance on the ceiling, the chandeliers (directly from Italy) sparkle above you, and the Beast is greeting guests in the study. In awe, we walked around the ballroom, unable to believe that I was inside one of my favorite Disney movies. I couldn't imagine what could be more magical. Then we arrived at our table.

My mouth dropped as we were seated. Our napkins were folded delicately into roses. It was gorgeous and absolutely perfect. Our table was toward the back of the ballroom, so my dining companion and I both sat on the same side of the table, so we could take in the view. The giant picture windows look out onto the balcony where the Beast brought Belle after they danced. Snow is gently falling outside, creating a warm and cozy feeling inside.

Aren't these napkins beautiful?

Our server let us keep the menus! I was so excited :) Mine is now sitting on my dresser.

The first course is a bread service. The rolls were warm and delicious sourdough. The bread was fantastic, and the perfect beginning to our meal. Ice water is brought to your table immediately and neither of us ordered other drinks. First up was appetizers, and I decided to try the French Onion Soup. The cheese topping was fantastic, but the soup was good. The cheese was thick and stringy, and even though I don't terribly enjoy cheese, I really loved the topping on this soup. The soup had a thinner broth with a very strong flavor. Alongside the bread, I thought it worked well, however, it is a very strong taste. Overall, I enjoyed the first course.

Next was our meal! I decided to be a little adventurous and try the ratatouille. It was amazing! I enjoyed it immensely. The roasted vegetables with the fried leaf on top of the quinoa was incredible. The flavors burst in my mouth, and when paired with the bell pepper garnish, was magical. Literelly. I loved it. The dish was thick and hearty, and I was stuffed after finishing it. For a vegtable based dinner, it was incredible. Perfectly seasoned and wonderfully cooked.

My dining partner got the salmon with potatoes. That was also lovely. The salmon was moist and tender. The potatoes were seasoned beautifully, pairing the salmon in a delectable combination. She greatly enjoyed her meal as well.

We had incredible service at Be Our Guest. Our server asked us if we were celebrating anything. Well, the only thing we were celebrating was a chance to try Be Our Guest, but that was enough for us to try the Grey Stuff! The Grey Stuff is a special dessert for those who celebrating, such as a birthday or anniversary. We were lucky enough to try it! Let me tell you, it's delicious! If you don't believe me, ask the dishes. It was a cookies and cream mousse, with candy beads on top. The perfect conclusion to our incredible meal.

Try the Grey Stuff, it's delicious, don't believe me, ask the dishes!

When I returned to Be Our Guest a few days later, I had the chance to try the lemon meringue cupcake. The meringue was spongy and worked nicely with the vanilla cake. The lemon curd filling was heavenly, and I was very happy with my choice. Really, I don't know if you can go wrong here. Everything I have tried is fantastic!

Food is one thing, but the atmosphere definitely contributes to the meal. For dinner, only two rooms are open: the ballroom and the West Wing. We ate in the ballroom, and afterward, explored the West Wing. This is my favorite room of the three. It is dark, with ripped up walls and destroyed curtians hanging from the ceiling. On the balcony is the Enchanted Rose. Every seven minutes, a petal falls from the rose as lightening strikes the castle. The portrait of the prince changes to the Beast for a split-second.

Until the last petal falls...

It is not nearly as dark as the pictures make it look, there is still plenty of light for eating and socializing,
should you be seated in the West Wing.

We finished off our incredible night in an unbeatable way. Every person dining here has the opportunity to meet the Beast. You can retire to his study at any point for a chance to meet the Master and get pictures with him. If you are like us, and the very last people in the ballroom, you may have the chance for a little more quality time. The Beast found us in the ballroom, still in awe over the experience. He gave me a hug, before putting his arm around my shoulder, and together, we walked through the ballroom. Seriously, it was the best way to finish off the night.

We walked out of that restaurant unable to believe the time we had. There is no better place in Disney for magic to happen. It was incredible. If you have the chance to eat at Be Our Guest, I highly recommend it. If you want a truly magical experience, go for dinner. If you want to see the restaurant and try some good food, head over for lunch. If you delay your lunch until about 2ish, you will waltz right in. Regardless of what experience you choose, Be Our Guest will be a meal you will never forget.

The Grand Floridian Cafe

2013-06-20T12:55:00.002-04:00

I am seriously behind on my dining reviews. We have been to so many amazing restaurants lately, its about time I get updating! :) This review is for a lovely little spot called the Grand Floridian Cafe. One of the best things about living at Disney is the wonderful food options. After church last week, we needed somewhere to go for lunch, so I suggested the Grand Floridian cafe. It was wonderful!

First off, anything in the Grand Floridian is wonderful. Just walking through the lobby made me feel elegant. We entered the cafe, which looks like it came out of the ballroom scene of a beautiful movie. The draperies are pulled back to reveal a gorgeous view of the Grand Floridian grounds. We were seated immediately with no reservations. There were very few people there, and our party of four had a lovely round table right next to a window. Our server was a sweet lady who took very good care of us.

The view from our table

We sat down, and the first thing I noticed was the bright red roses on every table. I had fun feeling classy. After perusing the menu extensively, I finally decided on the Grand. And let me tell you, it is grand!

There was a white cheese sauce accompanying the sandwich, and our lovely waitress suggested we request extra sauce on the side. She was right!

The sandwich comes with fried onion straws on top, and I just dipped those in my cheese sauce, before pouring the rest of it over the sandwich.

The bread was toasted and crunchy, working perfectly with the tender meats. I couldn't even finish it all! It was amazing, and a very good choice.

For dessert, there was no other choice but to go with the dessert sampler! We split this between three people, and it was a perfect amount. Granted, I could always go for more lemon cheesecake, but I felt like it was a good compliment to our filling meal.

We had a key lime tart, lemon cheesecake, berry almond tart, and Boston cream pie, with a solid chocolate Mickey in the center.

Key Lime Tart

The key lime tart was also a good choice, and I really liked the chocolate crust.

Boston Cream Pie and Almond Berry Tart

The berry almond tart was a favorite of mine because anything almond is going to be at the top of my list. The Boston cream pie was good, but I could have gone with more lemon cheesecake.

Lemon Cheesecake

The cheesecake was smooth, creamy, and heavenly. It had a great lemon taste without being overbearing.

My personal Sampler plate

And to finish it all off, we had a solid chocolate Mickey. What could be better than to finish a meal by eating Mickey's ears! ;)

Overall, the Grand Floridian was a wonderful choice. It was the perfect afternoon meal. I wouldn't suggest taking theme park time to come here, but if you are in the area and looking for a nice Sunday afternoon lunch, I wouldn't hesitate to suggest the Grand Floridian Cafe. Put on a sundress, your favorite heels, and enjoy an afternoon in the sunroom at the Grand Floridian. While dressing up isn't a requirement for me, it added to the classy experience. Get the Grand Sandwich and extra sauce on the side. You won't regret it!

Tuesday's Tips: Club Cool

2013-06-18T17:29:00.002-04:00

The days are longer, the pavement is beginning to simmer, the crowds expand, and heat bares down. Welcome to summer days at Walt Disney World. The summer sun beats down on tired families, wandering aimlessly through the streets of Disney. Don't let this be you this summer! Look for ingenious ways to cool down, enjoy the long summer days, the hours of entertainment, and the joy that a summer at Disney brings. One of the ways to do this is Club Cool!

I had not heard about this place until after my first trip to Disney. And honestly, many people I talk too on a daily basis have no idea there is a place to get a cool, free, refreshing drink in Epcot. Let me tell you, ladies and gentlemen, it exists! Wander over to Club Cool, right next to the Epcot Character Spot and on your right as you head under Spaceship Earth(the giant golfball).

The groovy interior

Club Cool is a safe haven for the broke, over-heated tourist who is looking for a cool drink. You can sample Coke Cola from all over the world in small, three-gulp, cups. The drinks are small, but you can have as many as you want, and it is nice and cold.

Try flavors from Mozambique, Costa Rica, Italy, Germany, Japan, Israel, Mexico, and China!

Sometimes Club Cool is packed full of people. If that is the case, work your way to the back of the store. The columns in the center all have several machines on them, and sometimes the ones in the back only have a few people waiting. Don't let your thirst overcome you and cloud your vision! Look in the back and see if there are less people.

This drink from China tastes like Watermelon Jolly Ranchers. It is really good!

Some of the flavors are really good, some are not. But try them all! It is free and doesn't cost anything. You can have as much as you want! Usually, I grab two or three cupfuls and then head out. It is the perfect refresher and I am ready for another adventure!

Next time you are in Epcot and looking for a cool drink, stop in Club Cool. If the small sodas don't do it for you, you can purchase frozen Cokes and bottled drinks as well. And who knows, you may end up as Mickey's special guest! ;) Have an amazing day of discovery in Epcot, and try soda from around the world!

Magical Mondays: Undercover Mickey Mouse

2013-06-17T12:35:00.003-04:00

Sometimes, I don't feel like I am making any difference in my job. I get parents who are tired with screaming children trying to buy useless things. I just don't see how I am helping make anyone's vacation better or more magical. And then I have moments like these next three that make my job more worth it, and reminds me that every Cast Member has the opportunity to create magic for every person they encounter. And what better job could exist!

Cinderella's Carousal

Undercover Mickey Mouse
I had the big boss in my store yesterday and didn't even know it! He was disguised as a little blonde boy named Broady. His head barely reached the counter, but enough to see the Mickey Mouse ears that topped his head. I called him a space ranger, because every little boy who walks through my door is a space ranger, just like every girl is a princess. He looked at me, and smiled, and said "I'm not a space ranger, I'm Mickey Mouse."Of course! There was no other explanation for it. He was Mickey Mouse undercover! He was buying a little Pluto, which makes sense. We had a whole conversation about how he wanted no one to know he was here, and his mother agreed, saying that the autograph hunters would be after him if they found out. As he walked away, I called after him, "Good bye Mickey, say hi to Minnie for me!" He smiled really big, and attempted to tip his Mickey ears to me before continuing on his merry way.

My Autograph Book

Princess Jasmine and Snow White
When I was younger and going to Disneyland, I vividly remember a Cast Member with a notebook full of little princesses autographs. She would stop the little princesses in her store and ask for their autographs. That moment never left me, and I knew if I was to one day be a Cast Member, I wanted to do the same thing. So last week, I finally picked up a tiny notebook to keep in my pocket in case I encounter any princesses. The other night, I was working the register and coming up the register next to me was a tiny little Snow White. The girl working the counter with me was as excited as I was, and asked for her autograph. I knew I couldn't be left out of this party, so I jumped up and down, excited as can be for a princess! We talked about the seven dwarfs, and which one was her favorite. I asked if she had breakfast with Prince Charming this morning, which she did not. He must have been traveling. She signed my piece of paper(I had forgotten my autograph book that day) and floated away, her yellow skirt swirling.

Yesterday, I had Princess Jasmine in my store. I was so excited to see her, I had been waiting all day for a princess to come! I asked her if she had flown here on her Magic Carpet, which of course, she had. But she didn't bring Abu with her, because he makes too much trouble on the long flight. Besides, we had a strict no monkeys policy thanks to the last time he was in our store. I also learned that Morocco was a good representation of her home, Agrabah. That was good news to hear! I asked for her autograph, and she smiled shyly. Then, she asked if she could sign her real name. Of course she could! She was a princess, she could sign whatever name she wanted. I passed her my autograph book and a pen, and we talked of princes and magic as she signed her name. I took my book back, and saw her name perfectly and beautifully written on my little notebook. She glided away with a royal flair and I blew Princess Charlotte a kiss.

The Loving Princess
This princess didn't even realize she was a princess. She was confined to a wheelchair and couldn't really speak. I got down on my knees and asked her for a high four with my pink Mickey glove. She smiled at me, gave me a high four, and in her broken speech, asked me what Epcot meant. I told her, Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow(or at the end of a long day, Every Person Comes Out Tired ;) She was so excited, her mom explained that their goal for the day was to find five Cast Members who knew what Epcot meant. I was number 13. She was so excited that she gave me a hug and a kiss. Her mom was so embarrassed and apologized, but I loved it. It made her day that she could find that many people who knew what Epcot meant! I gave her a Mickey Mouse sticker, which she put right on her wheelchair. With big smiles, she rolled away.

If you need any magic done, this is the gal to talk too! She was giving me lessons ;)

There were so many magical moments this week. Several people were here for a first visit. And regardless of how old you are, if it is your first visit, you deserve a Mickey sticker! It was fun giving a 19 year old guy Mickey Mouse stickers simply because it is his first visit! :) Or the older man wearing a Happy t-shirt, who just happened to be one of Snow White's seven dwarves. Or maybe it was the couple celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary who told me I was Jessie in human form. I had her looks, her personality, and her sense of adventure. They left calling "To Infinity and Beyond!"

Under the sea! :)

Each week is full of magic if I just open my eyes enough to see it. With a boss like Mickey Mouse, what else do you expect? :)

I never get tired of this. :)