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

Osborne Family Lights at Hollywood Studios

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!

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