May All Your Dreams Come True!: 2011

Saturday, December 24, 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

7 months ago I committed to a 5 month internship with Disney for the Fall Program of 2011. With it came all of the decorations of the holidays and it's been an amazing thing to see every time I go to the parks on a day off! Thanksgiving here was PACKED, and I heard that Magic Kingdom was at MAX capacity at 10am. Today, Christmas DAY, I'm fully expecting the same thing. The boutique was slow the first 2 weeks of December, but as the teens hit, guests started arriving from all over the world. Yesterday, I had a whole family from Egypt! It was pretty shocking. On Christmas day we have 185 reservations for Princesses and Knights in the boutique, and I will be there pretty much all day! I'm very excited to be able to watch the Disney Christmas Parade on tv before heading into work though! The one thing I've loved about being here for the Fall program is all of the discounts that go into effect. We've had 40% off for the last month I want to say. We got a holiday coupon booklet with 3 different coupons for breakfasts/lunches/dinners at select restaurants all around property (50%, 40%, & a 30%), 6 different coupons for a free soda OR a free popcorn, free round of mini golf, and a free pass to Disney Quest! Plus, at my work location we've been given (so far) free cookie sticks (you know, those really really good ones that are swirly), free christmas cactus, cupcake, ornament, and ice cream! Tomorrow it continues, and so does the reveal to my secret santa in the boutique =) Oh, we also had our CP Formal earlier this month... it was SO much fun!

There are a total of 12 days left on this program. It has been an incredible journey and I've made lifelong friends and met the love of my life... it's been such a fairytale come true! Around the same time the program ends, I will be moving into Chatham and starting a whole new CP program and I'm so excited =)

I OFFICIALLY passed my last class (STATS, with an "A") for my AA Degree!!!! Waiting for the new year to roll around so I can call Valencia and have that transferred to BC back home! I also got an "A" in my Disney course, Advanced Studies in Hospitality, earning me my "Ducktorates Degree".... get it?? AND on December 14th I graduated with my Disney family and earned my ears!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU & YOURS!!!!!

Osborne Family Lights at Hollywood Studios

Chip & Dale Campfire Sing a Long at Fort Wilderness Campground

roasting mallows at Chip & Dales Sing a long

CP Formal with one of my sides to my Disney Family!

graduating the College Program!

My other Disney family, graduating!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Andy, and what he meant to me.

December 2, 2011-- In a state of shock and complete disbelief. There are no words to describe the feeling of loosing someone very close to you. Suresh "Andy" Dias you were such a talented man to have graced the corporations you did. It is because of you that I pursue the life and career at Walt Disney World. You've given me the backbone and motivation I have now to be able to manage and plan events on my own. I've learned so much through your successes and as your assistant, and hope I can make you proud by becoming half the leader you were. May God hold you tight in his arms, biffle. Rest your lovely soul in peace ♥

At the age of 16 (in 2006), I walked into a building/construction site of what would become "Laser Fun Zone"-- a family entertainment center that would grow within the 2 1/2 years it remained open. I applied for a job there unknowing what role I would be placed at. Within two weeks I was called back for an interview where I met Jennifer Brancato (now Cohen) and Suresh "Andy" Diaz. They asked me a series of questions, a lot of which I had to have Andy repeat because I couldn't understand through his thick Sri Lankan accent. Another week passed and then I was called and told I would be working as a Birthday Party Hostess for the business. Shortly after, we began training and soon opened our doors to the public. Our birthday parties were phenomenal, but it seemed that there was no structure. After about 2-3 months, our Birthday Party Manager was let go and I was asked to replace her position. I took up the responsibility and held that title (Birthday Party Manager---at 16!) until the doors closed in mid 2008. I saw a lot of change in our parties and strategized many ways to improve our parties and increase revenue. With all that I changed, we saw an increase in party bookings, which also sparked a craving for more. In 2007, I attended the IAAPA Convention in Orlando, FL with Andy to get a better outlook on new attractions we could add into the business. Within months, we added Bumper Cars, an airsoft cannon shooting range, and a jousting arena to join the family center which already housed Laser Tag, a full service cafe, arcade, and something similar to Build A Bear.

All of this would have never happened without Andy. Andy and I worked closely together in the office to improve the functions of the business. He was my first boss, became my best friend, and impacted my life like a father would to a daughter. We shared many stories and created lots of fun memories while working together. He was there for me through thick and thin. He's seen me grow up in the last 5 years into someone who made him proud. His advice to me was always spot on and truthful and I never doubted him. My advice to him sometimes he wouldn't take which got him into trouble, but men are always stubborn! =)

In 2008, LFZ closed and we both moved on to different jobs. I started working for Sweet & Sassy, and he began working as the Operations Manager for Wannado City. He and I visited each other monthly and kept in touch daily. In 2010, he left Wannado City and began working for Jungle Island as their Operations Manager. Through busy schedules, we kept in contact about our lives and what was new. Because he was in Miami, visiting was difficult to do, but before my program at Disney started, I made an effort to visit him and I am SO glad that I got to see him and spend time with him in August before moving here. I am also comforted that I've spoken to him numerous times while being here, as well as on Thanksgiving and a day or two afterwards, but heartbroken that it was almost yesterday that I talked to him........and now he's gone forever.

It's been a difficult few days coping with disbelief that my dear friend and close father figure passed away. I still don't know any details and it's the worst feeling in the world. Hold your loved ones close to you and ALWAYS.... ALWAYS tell them what they mean to you. You'll truly never know when time will be up.

Staying strong and moving forward because he can't, but would want me to. My future will be because of you Andy, thank you for being such a huge part of my life. I miss and love you so much Andy... watch over me from Heaven.

-Erika

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Program EXTENSION & my AA!!

Being part of the Disney College Program, you are offered many different things. There's becoming a Campus Rep, Extending, a Professional Internship, a Management Internship, and going Part Time or Seasonal. About a month and a half to two months into my program (so, end of September early October) CP's were allowed to apply for Professional Internships in the program. These are geared more towards your career path and limited spaces are offered. Tons of CP's freaked out about deadlines, meetings, meet and greets, and interviews. I decided to skip this step in my Disney Career because I'm not finished with school yet, and I've heard you have an easier time moving up when you are done with school. So, I applied to UCF in Orlando in October thinking I was going to move up here with a few other girls on the program, and become seasonal or part time while going to school. When the chance to extend my program became available, I applied for it just to see what I would be offered.

In November, I went away on my very first cruise to Mexico with my Prince Charming and his family. With no technology, we spent a lot of time together, talking, and weighing out different options. I decided that coming home would be my best option as I was missing my family, puppy, and didn't want to be away from my first boyfriend who lived in the same city! When we got off the ship, I checked my extension and found out I was offered my same role and location through May =) I was VERY excited, but faced with some decisions!

I could either come home in January at the end of this current program to no job and no school (because I had missed the deadline to apply for the University close to my home in Miami)

OR I could stay another 4 months with my same job, save money, and start my BA degree in the summer when I am finished

When I put it all into perspective, choosing to go home would have put more stress on me and my relationship by not having a job or school to occupy my time, whereas being in Orlando I atleast have this job/program for another 4 months and then when I get back I would start school. So, I decided to accept the extension!!! I'm really excited! The girls that I'm moving in with I've known this whole program.... we all started single and now we all have boys in our lives =) It's going to be a ton of fun and I'm looking forward to it SO much! I will miss my man while were apart, but Disney is slower in the Spring and we have lots of things planned together, so the time will fly by and make us that much stronger! Plus, I'm so proud that he has this next semester to finish and then he will be a college graduate and can start looking for his DREAM JOB! YAY!

As December approaches, school is also winding down. In September, my last class for my AA started at Valencia. My Disney class also began later that month. Both are coming to a close these first few weeks of December and I'm soooooo excited to have things under my belt. I just got out of my 4 hour Disney class today and found out that our Group Business Plan (54 pages) got us a 92% and my Park Audit I did at Epcot's Food and Wine Festival got me a 94%!!! The class is no joke at all and took a lot of work to get completed, but it was worth every minute! I'll be receiving college credit for it too =) At the end of my class at Valencia, I will also officially have my AA!

Tis the season and Happy Holidays from DISNEY!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Living The Dream.... & Forgetting About My Blog lol

So, as I said back in August.... I've completely transformed into the CP I told myself I would never be. However, I will say this.... THE PROGRAM IS WORTH EVERY SINGLE MINUTE!!!!! I don't even know where to begin with the things that have happened since I've been here. From work to personal life, everything has changed for the better and I'm the happiest I've ever been! At work, I had the opportunity to be part of Extreme Makeover Home Edition and the 4 princesses they brought into the boutique to tape as part of the show. The little princess I had ended up falling asleep in my chair once I finished, and she rested her head in my hands until the other 3 girls finished their makeovers. The episode will air last this season and will be titled "Joplin Family." I've also had the pleasure to meet some amazing little girls from Make a Wish and Give Kids the World Foundations. I feel like my role is one of the most rewarding roles in Disney and I'm so grateful to be part of the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique's magic =) On a personal note, I met a boy here about a month into the program and we instantly connected. We've been inseparable ever since and I couldn't imagine my life without him now that he's become such a big part of mine. We just spent a week in Mexico on my first cruise ever (his like 20th) and we celebrated our whopping 2 month anniversary on the 19th this month =) He's the most amazing man to have ever graced my life and I'm so thankful that God put him in my path at the time he did! So here are 50 something pictures to SORT OF summarize the crazy last 4 months... ENJOY!!!