PrincessJulia25
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2014
So this is my first ever trip report/ pre trip report. I'm excited to share my Disney vacation with everyone, but first I want to give a little back story on why this trip is happening.
In the beginning of this year I made the trip from Boston down to Orlando for my third Disney College Program. I was so excited to go back to Disney, which has become my home, and see all my friends and have new magical experiences and make magic for guests. I had been miserable at home, missing everything about Florida, so this was going to be the best program yet. But, the universe had different plans for me. When I got down to Orlando I got news that my grandfather was sick, nothing serious, just a bad cold. At the time I didn't think to much of it, I kept in touch with my family over the next few days and it had seemed like everything was going to be fine. Then, it wasn't. I was walking into Epcot with my roommates, the first time there since I had been back, and got a phone call that changed my world in an instant. My grandfather had declined, and wasn't going to make it. It was the worst phone call I've ever received. My heart shattered. The next few days I began training in my role of attractions at Animal Kingdom's Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. I had let everyone on the team know what was going on and that I may have to return home for a few days. When I got the news my grandfather had passed away it was hard to stomach. Being so far from home was the most difficult thing in the world. The only thing that made it bearable was that I was in Disney World. I had a whole 40 square miles of fun to distract me, which it did. My management was great in working with me to get me the days off to return home. I have really amazing friends, and roommates who helped me stay busy and keep my mind off things. But this was just the first part of my nightmare. My grandfather always told me that I should be a writer, which made me want to begin writing again. Hence why I began this trip report.
The rest of my college program I spent sick, hot, with terrible management, injured, and all of the bad things. I worked outside all day on the trail which was incredibly taxing on my body and I got sick so often, like never before. I fell down my stairs at my apartment complex taking me out of commission for a few days, my management was becoming increasingly difficult to deal with on top of that. But despite all of that I decided to extend my program into the summer and get a new location. I stayed at Animal Kingdom and began working at It's Tough to be a Bug. I know what you're thinking... That's a nightmare. But it wasn't at all. I got some air conditioning, met amazing people, got to dance at carnivale, and do all sorts of fun things. But the sickness kept happening, and the bus schedule kept changing leaving me late and racking up those infamous Disney points for call outs. I had originally planned to move down to Florida permanently this time. Finally make some roots and start my life there. But with all these points I couldn't extend or try and get full/part time. What was I to do? I could apply to another local theme park, or even a third party store at Disney Spring. I was also broke, and to be honest, I had lost a lot of my Disney magic. I wasn't spending much time in the parks, and when I did I wouldn't be there long. It was all losing the fun and magic. I know what you're all thinking... "You are insane! I would kill to live and go to Disney whenever I want." And many people do. But I had done 3 back to back College Programs, which in a way takes the magic out. I had been worked more this program than ever before because of two reasons. One, the trail didn't have that many cast members that worked on it so it wasn't unusual for me to work six ten to twelve hour days. Being in the heat like that takes a huge toll on your body and mind. Second, I was working in Animal Kingdom on the opening month of Pandora, so I was working like a dog. I just wasn't enjoying my time there at all. So I decided to come home to Boston.
I come home hoping my luck would change, but I was wrong. My grandmother passed away not long after my return. It was so hard losing both maternal grandparents within eight months. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Luckily, my job in Boston is so flexible and I have really amazing coworkers who supported me through everything. But my mom, who just lost both of her parents was having a difficult time. The holidays were fast approaching, as was the realization that my grandparents wouldn't be sharing them with us. She had been talking about going away, just to take our minds off everything. I was trying to suggest a cruise or a tropical island, but she was fixed on Disney. I wasn't excited at first, I didn't know if I was ready to go back, if it would still feel unmagical for me. But we booked a trip.
After thinking about the upcoming trip more and more I became excited. We are staying at a deluxe resort, Wilderness Lodge, for the first time and going to the Christmas Party for the first time. New experiences, huh? Maybe these will help bring back the magic. I have been missing the World lately, which is why I got back to watching the Dis and being back on the boards. I kind of took a break from all things Disney when I first got back, a Disney Detox. But now our trip is just 8 days away and I can't wait. I get to reunite with so many of my friends, go back to see my gorillas and Pandora. My dad hasn't gotten to see Pandora so that will be exciting to see how he reacts to it's beauty.
I hope you all enjoyed this sad little backstory. I'm excited to start trip reporting and getting back into writing and Disney. Please feel free to leave any questions and feedback. I would love to know what you all think, if anyone even reads this. Until next time!
In the beginning of this year I made the trip from Boston down to Orlando for my third Disney College Program. I was so excited to go back to Disney, which has become my home, and see all my friends and have new magical experiences and make magic for guests. I had been miserable at home, missing everything about Florida, so this was going to be the best program yet. But, the universe had different plans for me. When I got down to Orlando I got news that my grandfather was sick, nothing serious, just a bad cold. At the time I didn't think to much of it, I kept in touch with my family over the next few days and it had seemed like everything was going to be fine. Then, it wasn't. I was walking into Epcot with my roommates, the first time there since I had been back, and got a phone call that changed my world in an instant. My grandfather had declined, and wasn't going to make it. It was the worst phone call I've ever received. My heart shattered. The next few days I began training in my role of attractions at Animal Kingdom's Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. I had let everyone on the team know what was going on and that I may have to return home for a few days. When I got the news my grandfather had passed away it was hard to stomach. Being so far from home was the most difficult thing in the world. The only thing that made it bearable was that I was in Disney World. I had a whole 40 square miles of fun to distract me, which it did. My management was great in working with me to get me the days off to return home. I have really amazing friends, and roommates who helped me stay busy and keep my mind off things. But this was just the first part of my nightmare. My grandfather always told me that I should be a writer, which made me want to begin writing again. Hence why I began this trip report.
The rest of my college program I spent sick, hot, with terrible management, injured, and all of the bad things. I worked outside all day on the trail which was incredibly taxing on my body and I got sick so often, like never before. I fell down my stairs at my apartment complex taking me out of commission for a few days, my management was becoming increasingly difficult to deal with on top of that. But despite all of that I decided to extend my program into the summer and get a new location. I stayed at Animal Kingdom and began working at It's Tough to be a Bug. I know what you're thinking... That's a nightmare. But it wasn't at all. I got some air conditioning, met amazing people, got to dance at carnivale, and do all sorts of fun things. But the sickness kept happening, and the bus schedule kept changing leaving me late and racking up those infamous Disney points for call outs. I had originally planned to move down to Florida permanently this time. Finally make some roots and start my life there. But with all these points I couldn't extend or try and get full/part time. What was I to do? I could apply to another local theme park, or even a third party store at Disney Spring. I was also broke, and to be honest, I had lost a lot of my Disney magic. I wasn't spending much time in the parks, and when I did I wouldn't be there long. It was all losing the fun and magic. I know what you're all thinking... "You are insane! I would kill to live and go to Disney whenever I want." And many people do. But I had done 3 back to back College Programs, which in a way takes the magic out. I had been worked more this program than ever before because of two reasons. One, the trail didn't have that many cast members that worked on it so it wasn't unusual for me to work six ten to twelve hour days. Being in the heat like that takes a huge toll on your body and mind. Second, I was working in Animal Kingdom on the opening month of Pandora, so I was working like a dog. I just wasn't enjoying my time there at all. So I decided to come home to Boston.
I come home hoping my luck would change, but I was wrong. My grandmother passed away not long after my return. It was so hard losing both maternal grandparents within eight months. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Luckily, my job in Boston is so flexible and I have really amazing coworkers who supported me through everything. But my mom, who just lost both of her parents was having a difficult time. The holidays were fast approaching, as was the realization that my grandparents wouldn't be sharing them with us. She had been talking about going away, just to take our minds off everything. I was trying to suggest a cruise or a tropical island, but she was fixed on Disney. I wasn't excited at first, I didn't know if I was ready to go back, if it would still feel unmagical for me. But we booked a trip.
After thinking about the upcoming trip more and more I became excited. We are staying at a deluxe resort, Wilderness Lodge, for the first time and going to the Christmas Party for the first time. New experiences, huh? Maybe these will help bring back the magic. I have been missing the World lately, which is why I got back to watching the Dis and being back on the boards. I kind of took a break from all things Disney when I first got back, a Disney Detox. But now our trip is just 8 days away and I can't wait. I get to reunite with so many of my friends, go back to see my gorillas and Pandora. My dad hasn't gotten to see Pandora so that will be exciting to see how he reacts to it's beauty.
I hope you all enjoyed this sad little backstory. I'm excited to start trip reporting and getting back into writing and Disney. Please feel free to leave any questions and feedback. I would love to know what you all think, if anyone even reads this. Until next time!
