Greetings from Patterson Court - my home for the next five months! The past few days have been busy! It's surreal to think I am actually HERE in WALT DISNEY WORLD!
But before I get to excited or ahead of myself let me recap my time since I left Horsham:
Saturday: 3 AM. That is the time we headed to the airport. I'm so happy (and lucky) my Mom, Dad, and Eddie could make the trip down and spend the weekend with me (even if there was the dual purpose of Eddie visiting Florida Institute of Technology aka F.I.T.)! On our way to the airport that the last time I was on a plane was the day I left London...how quickly time flies. I will say I felt like Laura McSherry after being getting pulled aside by security ;) (they asked if I had metal in my right leg - which I don't).
The sun came up right in time for our flight to take off - it was very pretty.
Here I come DISNEY :)
HELLO ORLANDO!!!
We arrived in Orlando before 10 AM and had plenty of time to wander around before heading to our hotel. We stopped for breakfast and figured out where we were staying. Thankfully we were able to enter the hotel grounds and hang out by the pool while our room was prepared. The main pool area was great and we spent some time watching the guests play in games being set up my the hotel staff. We went grocery shopping for dinner. My Mom, Eddie, and I walked to the Orlando Outlets, a place that is in dangerously close proximity to my apartment.Finally, 12 hours after waking up, we were able to settle in our hotel room - a very nice one at that. For the rest of the afternoon we all rested and my Dad and I spent time by the pool and we had a few drinks. I quickly became aware of how much sunscreen I will most likely use during my time here --- A LOT!
Palm Trees :)
At night, the four us had a nice dinner and had dessert in Downtown Disney!
Once we all got home we were so exhausted and went right to sleep.
Sunday: Eddie and I got to sleep in. I went to the hotel's fitness center (aka three machines) to get a work out in. After lunch the family spent some time by the pool - very relaxing - before heading back to get ready so I could get to dinner at Planet Hollywood and meet my roommates!!!
The story of how I came to live with my roommates is short, sweet, simple, and surreal.
My friend Josalyne had a co-worker named Brittany who was also doing the program. Josalyne was able to help us exchange numbers...three text messages and 20 minutes later...I had new five roommates!!!!
My five roommates are: Allie, Alexis, Katie, Lauren, and Brittany. We had plan to meet up at Planet Hollywood the night before we moved in even before we left to come down to Disney!
I wasn't quite sure what to expect coming into a new rooming situation but as soon as we sat down to dinner I knew I would be living with a great group of girls and we were in for an amazing five month adventure! After dinner we all went our separate ways with our families, TOTALLY excited for move in on Monday!
Me and My Roommates (L-R): Me, Katie, Alexis, Brittany, Lauren, and Allie
Monday: Disney Check-in/Move-in Day. In an email from Disney (one of 1,000,000 emails - it seemed) all CPs (College Program Participants) were told not to arrive at Vista Way (the official check in area) before 7 AM. Time check: 7:05 AM and my family and I were in a line of cars that backed onto and down the main road outside of the housing complex. I quickly jumped out of the car and tried to find Allie and Alexis who were already in a VERY long line of new CPs waiting to start the check in process. After some prosessing I stopped to wait for Eddie and my parents so I could grab my luggage from them. After putting my luggage in a holding area my parents and Eddie left to go visit F.I.T. and I returned to enter back in the line and found Lauren! We were together for the whole check in process and it made the long wait in the early morning, muggy, Florida heat and humidity somewhat more bearable. Lauren and I mingled with the other kids in line and after what seemed like a great deal of time we made it into a building with AC! We found out we were living in Patterson, got our housing ID pictures taken, and then went back outside. To our surprise it was at that time we found out where we were working.So where am I working? Wait for it: MAGIC KINGDOM - MAIN STREET! I was SO excited with this news - in my heart of hearts that is/was the location I had truly wished for!!!!
After the entire process was over a few of my roommates had their casting meeting but I was free for the rest of the day and took a bus to my new home with all my bags!
We live in Patterson Court! My room-roommate is Lauren! Our apartment is lovely. I entered to find two families already unpacking. It was at this time I realized all my roommates except me had driven down to Disney - they all had so much stuff!!! I deemed Allie decor decorated guru because she brought so many amazing things for the apartment -- all Disney things of course!!! I was happy I could help out and buy the remainder of the supplies we needed!
While my parents and Eddie were at F.I.T., I unpacked and settled in. I was happy to go with Alexis and her mom to Dunkin Donuts and enjoyed the bagel and cream cheese ever (probably because it was the only real meal I had had up until that point since breakfast - ha)!
My parents and Eddie arrived at Patterson and saw my apartment and were able to take me shopping for some items I needed! We enjoyed a nice dinner at Carrabas. I went back with my family to the hotel to enjoy some dessert before they dropped me back off last night. We said our goodbyes because I knew I wouldn't be able to see them before they left today.
I'll miss them but I can't wait for them to visit!!!
Tuesday: I woke up at 7 AM to make sure I could have a nice breakfast and was at the bus stop on time at 9:30 to head to Casting. Casting consisted of going to the casting building to fill out more paperwork and find out my training schedule!!!
Funfact: The handles on the cast building are from Alice in Wonderland.
Casting Building Front Door handles :)
It was during this time I found out I have off Saturday and Sunday (probably the only weekend that will happen over these next five months)! I can't wait to be able to get into the parks Friday after Traditions! After casting I had the rest of the day off. I took the time to organize my room, Brittany and I went shopping, and I was able to get another work out in (in a fitness center with more than three machines)!
Now a quick explanation of this blog's title/Disney quote. F.Y.I.: we were given a program guide....a Walt Disney quote is at the bottom of every page --- I'm all set :)
To be honest I started to feel a little overwhelmed last night ---- What have I REALLY gotten myself into? Can I cope with it all? Will there really be magic?
I came across Walt's quote and decided I would go about these next five months open minded and ready to take on every challenge! I will not fail to keep dreaming (and neither should any of you)! I will be sure to look at everything at EVERY angle. And I KNOW the magic will happen! If for nothing else - I will be on Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom - I am working at Walt Disney World every day!!! That will be magic enough :)
I'm happy I was finally able to put up this blog post!!!
Keep Dreaming,
Mary-Kate
P.S. - On Saturday I rode a Segway at the Hotel! Yes I did!
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