Some Silliness, and "Florida, Here We Come!"

Welcome back, readers! And now for the exciting conclusion of "Indecision Sucks!"

When we last left our heroine, she had been trapped by the monstrous QSFB. She was tied to the tracks, struggling to break free when..."Toot, Toot!" She heard the train barreling towards her. Faster and faster it came, as our heroine tried to make her fateful decision: Should she continue to struggle, possibly wasting her strength for nothing and looking quite foolish in the process, or should she simply wait, and hope the train was diverted onto the other track?

"Oh, whatever shall I do?” she wailed.

Finally she made her choice. Our heroine decided...to do absolutely nothing. She would wait, and just hope that the train loaded with burgers, french fries, churros, and popcorn did not hit her.

Tune in next week to find out if our heroine will survive her ordeal!

In case my little Penelope Pitstop-style narrative confused you, dear reader, I have decided that I will not call to try to take QSFB off of my role checklist. I've decided to simply trust to God and chance, and, if I do get QSFB, to make the best of it and take what I can away from the experience.

But on to more fun topics. My friends and I will be making a trek this next weekend to the promised land...sun, sand, and Splash Mountain. That's right: we're going to Florida! The friend who is applying to the WDWCP with me, Emily, is also looking at schools for next semester. And one of her choices is in Lakeland, Fl. So Tiffany, another good friend, and I will be accompanying her. The three of us have been thick as thieves since High School, and so this will be a fun road trip with two of my best buds.

Although we're going to Florida, chances are we won't be going to WDW. We are, after all, poor college students, and, besides, Emily and I are hoping to get in plenty of times for free next semester. (fingers crossed!). We will, however, be going to the beach, Downtown Disney, and...wait for it...IKEA! :D

That's right--Ikea is a big deal for us. The closest one to home is 8 hours away, so its understandable why I've never been, even though, as an interior design major, I spend hours slobbering over their catalog when I'm supposed to be picking out furniture for projects. But hopefully I'll be able to remedy this next week. Emily still doesn't know that Tiffany and I have decided to go, but maybe we'll just go while Emily is at her college visit if she doesn't care to join us.

So we'll be spending three full days in Florida, with a full day on either side for travel. It's about an 18 hour drive each way, so I'm sure we'll probably be really sick of each other before the trip is over. (just kidding, girlies! You know I love you!)

The reason I'm blogging about this trip here is, well, first of all it's my blog, so I can post about whatever the crap I feel like. :) And secondly, I'm wondering what this trip will do to my excitement index. (See the graph in the 3/11 entry, if you don't know what this "excitement index" silliness is all about). It's going to be really hard being in Florida, and right outside of WDW, without knowing whether or not I've made it into the program. My mother already has strict instructions: If, while I'm gone, a BIG envelope comes, she should call me--that will be an acceptance letter. If a small envelope calls, she should definitely NOT tell me about it, because it's either a processing letter ("We're still trying to decide, and we'll let you know soon") or a rejection letter, and while the first option would only be frustrating, the second option just might ruin my vacation. I'm not going to REALLY start looking for an acceptance/rejection letter until two weeks after my interview, so I'll be back before then, but you never know. And, thirdly, I'm really excited because the fact that there's an Ikea in Orlando means I'll be shopping there a lot next fall if I get into the WDWCP. Orlando really is a magical town--Disney and cheap furniture, my two greatest loves, all in one place!

So, dear reader, keep checking back for more updates. I will be posting lots of pictures and stories of silly hijinks during our trip. And please just pray that that train doesn't squish out heroine flat before her adventure even has a chance to begin!

My Interview, and the Art of Indecision

Whew! So, my interview is over. It was actually over last night, but I guess I'm just not a true blogger because I decided to wait until this morning to write about it.

I was super nervous all day yesterday, but, after a call from my friend who went with the presentation with me, and a little time spent with my wonderful, reassuring boyfriend, I was feeling somewhat more relaxed. My friend's interview was at 3:00, just a couple of hours before mine. It sounded like hers went pretty well, so it made me feel more confident knowing that she had successfully been there, done that.

So at 5:21 (Running late? Shame on you Disney. That's one point on your record.) my phone rang. The interview started out with some yes or no questions ("Have you ever been arrested?" "Can you prove that you can legally work in the U.S.?") and that part went pretty well. Actually, there was one small exception, but I'll get to that in a minute.

Next, we moved on to the part where I really got to talk. She asked me why I wanted to do the Disney College Program, which I was totally prepared for. She then asked me questions about which roles I would like to do, and I gave PhotoPass Photographer, Attractions, and Merchandise as my first three choices. She asked me a specific question about each role. For PhotoPass, she asked how I would sell more pictures and packages to guests, and if I would be okay with carrying around 10 pounds of camera equipment outside all day. For Attractions, she asked me what I would do if a child wanted to ride Space Mountain but was too short. And for Merchandise, she asked how I would handle it if a guest wanted a product that we didn't carry. All of these were fairly easy to answer, as I was already sort of expecting these kinds of questions.

Then she asked me about my best work experience and my worst. That was a little more difficult. My best work experience is my current job--it's challenging, fun, and the sort of work that not many college students get to do. My worst work experience...well, it was kind of hard to talk about my worst work experience without sounding like I was bashing on my past employers, or was a hopelessly negative person. But I managed an answer and put a positive spin on it at the end, saying that my experience at the earlier job allowed me to work at the great place I'm at now.

All in all, I felt like the interview went pretty well...except for one part. She asked me if I would be willing to do Quick Service Food and Beverage. Now, on my role checklist, I didn't check this box. I didn't feel like I wanted to spend my time in Florida flipping burgers. But last night (before my interview, I must admit) I decided that, if asked, I would say that working QSFB wouldn't be my first choice, but that I would do it if that was the only way I could get in the program. Well, now I'm regretting that choice. I'm worried that my "maybe" answer was recorded as "yes", and that now I've cheated myself out of a job that I might have loved in exchange for a job in QSFB.

I'm trying to decide now if I should call my recruiter, talk to her about it, and maybe change my answer. But I'm a little afraid that this would make me look wishy-washy and might reflect poorly on me when they're making their decision (probably not a real concern--just me being overly anxious). I'm also worried that if I give QSFB a definite "no", then I might not get in. Agreeing to do QSFB is basically a guaranteed spot in the program, because they're so desperate for people for that position. But if I do get this role, I'll always wonder if I could have gotten a role I would have really loved.

Gah! I hate indecision!

Another part of me is saying just to leave it alone, and see what comes. I believe that God has his hand in everything, knows the desires of my heart, and that, if I get QSFB, something great could still come of it. But I just don't know what to do!

Whatever I do, I've got the weekend to think and pray about it, as they're only open Monday-Friday. So, readers! What do you think I should do? Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated...anyone?...anybody got any thoughts?...helloooo?

Campus Presentation: or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Mouse

Today was the first of three big days in my application process: the on-campus presentation. My good friend, who I think I've almost conned into doing the program with me, kept me company while we watched cheesy videos, tried to answer trivia questions, and showed off our best Disney smiles in hopes of getting a star next to our names denoting that we'd be good candidates for the program.

I don't know if the recruiter has any say in the selection process, but I wasn't taking any chances. From the moment I walked in the door I was friendly, smiley, energetic, and everything that Disney looks for in their employees. I was careful not to come across as over-eager or fake, but I also tried to show how interested I was. Even if this doesn't have any impact on the final decision, it's good practice at least for the days ahead if I'm accepted--my cheeks need to be conditioned for 'round the clock smiling! :)

The presentation started at 5, with cookies shaped like Mickey Mouse. Although they were a little stale, the magic ingredient (which happens to be magic!) made them amazing. Ok, not really. I'm not THAT brainwashed. They were just stale cookies with tons of frosting on them. But cute nonetheless.

Our recruiter, Anne, then stood up and began the presentation. She started off with a broad overview of the Disney parks, distinguishing between Disneyland and Walt Disney World, etc., and then moved on to a few trivia questions. She had the cutest Mickey Mouse pens for prizes, and, even though I knew (almost) all of the answers, I wasn't quick enough on the draw, and was only called on for the one question that nobody knew: "How many cast members does WDW employ?". I didn't know, but I had a ballpark idea. So I guessed 50,000. The answer was 60,000. So close!

Next she showed a few videos, featuring a couple of hosts who must have had two or three Red Bulls a piece before recording their parts. Seriously--these two were so happy and peppy, it was actually making me a little exhausted just watching them. But that's kind of what you expect from Disney, I guess.The videos covered the Living, Learning, and Earning portions of the program, which, since I've been doing research for a couple of months now, was nothing new to me. But it was still fun to watch.

Anne then introduced our campus reps, who are students from area schools who have been through the program in the past. They gave us all a sheet with information about applying to the program (which I've already done--look at me being all prepared!) and setting up an interview, and with contact numbers for Anne and the campus reps.My friend and I then went out for dinner at Chipotle (OMG! Yum!) and I called to set up my interview. It's on Friday the 13th (A bad omen? *sinister music*) at 5:20. A minor embarrassing moment when the lady asked what time zone I was in, and I said I was pretty sure central, but asked her to confirm what time it would be in the central time zone, just to be sure. I promise I know what time zone I live in! But I'm just so anxious about the whole thing; I wanted to double check myself.

So, as I told someone yesterday, I expected for this presentation to be slightly boring for me. I mean, I'm obviously excited, but it was basically all review. And, like I anticipated, I didn't learn anything new. But I got even more excited than I was at 4:59 today, if that's possible. Basically, every day the program gets closer, I get more keyed up (and more nervous, but more on that later!). If this trend continues, I think I'll burst before August! And, as you can see by the following incredibly scientific graph, that's a very real possibility.

No Escaping Disney...Even for Astrophysicists

After months of thinking, planning, and driving everyone I know crazy talking about the WDWCP, the presentation and interview are finally just around the corner. I received an email this morning from Disney, reminding me about the presentations coming to campus, and there were brochures laying on the counter at Domino's when I got my lunch today in the student union. Disney's everywhere!

So here's the deal: Next Wednesday and Thursday, a recruiter will be doing their presentation on campus (I plan to attend the Wednesday session). At the presentation, I will sign up for an interview time, which usually takes place a couple of days after the presentation and is, unfortunately, conducted over the phone. So I'll probably try to schedule my interview for Friday, after my classes. Then, if all goes according to plan, I should be getting that acceptance letter just a couple of short weeks later!

Then the waiting game will really begin. :)

To keep you, my imaginary, loyal readers occupied while you're biting your nails with anticipation for my next entry, here's a funny news story. See, this is why I love Disney--even astrophysicists and their crazy planet classification systems aren't immune to the company's affect on our culture.

Astrophysicist: Love of Pluto the dog led to fury over planet’s demotion

Quote from the article: In his new book, “The Pluto Files,” [Neil deGrasse] Tyson asserts that Americans’ love for Walt Disney’s Pluto the dog caused the public outrage that greeted the planet’s demotion in classification to a dwarf planet.

Another quote (And the best part of the article): In response to the outcry at the planet’s demotion, the Disney company issued a press release:

Although we think it’s DOPEY that Pluto has been downgraded to a dwarf planet, which has made some people GRUMPY and others just SLEEPY, we are not BASHFUL in saying we would be HAPPY if Disney’s Pluto would join us as the 8th dwarf. We think it’s just what the DOC ordered and it’s nothing to SNEEZE at.

You gotta love Disney. :)

Why I Want to Be a Lowly Servant for a Talking Mouse

I submitted my application for the program on Friday, and, now that I've taken that big step, I've been reflecting on why exactly I want to do the program. And because I have now joined the illustrious ranks of bloggers, I decide that I would share all of my thoughts, logic, hopes, dreams, and fears on the subject with you, my legions of dedicated readers. (At this point, I think I'm the only reader I've got. lol.)

The name of this program is pretty misleading. It sounds so glamorous--it's a "college program", and a "paid internship". The website talks about things like valuable networking opportunities. But what it really all boils down to is this: I'm going to be taking a semester off from school, and working full time at a theme park.

Doesn't sound so glamorous now, does it? Crying kids, whiny tourists, and "protein spills" will probably make up a majority of my day. But I'm still dying to do this program. You might be asking, "Gee, Bethany!" (Oh, come on. You know that's how you talk.) "If you have such low expectations of the program, why are you doing it?" The answer is that I don't have low expectations: just realistic ones. The other answer is that working at a theme park is exactly what I want to do, for now, anyway.

In just a few short semesters, I'm going to be rudely and irrevocably thrown in to the real world: bills, responsibilities, and no spring break to relieve the monotony. So I see this as an opportunity to do what I have been promising myself to do more often: procrastinate. The WDWCP is really going to allow me to kill two birds with one stone. Not only will I be able to indulge my love for Disney, but I'll put off all of the decision making and stress for a little longer. I'm in no real hurry to finish up school. The way I look at it, I'll be finished with school in just two more years. And after that, I've got a good 40 years in the workforce, more than likely getting sick of my job long before I'm old enough to retire (hopefully not, but there's that realistic expectations thing again). So what's a short 4/5 month delay? Not much in the long term, but, in the short term, maybe just the thing to help maintain my sanity. And after I'm done with school, opportunities like this aren't going to present themselves very often. In all likelihood, this could be my last chance to just drop everything and go gallivanting off for a season. Plus, I'll get paid and have something very unique to add to my résumé, two points which the responsible person within me really responds to. So this is a chance to indulge both sides of my nature--the adventurer and the achiever.

The reservations I have, while less numerous than the advantages, are equally as compelling. These deserve a post of their own, and I’m sure one day between now and August, when I’m feeling like the cons not only outweigh, but completely crush the pros, I’ll write one. But for now I’m merely focusing on the positive, and pursuing the adventure, even if it does essentially amount to indentured servitude to a rodent.