Adventure is out there!

We're on to week two of training!

On Tuesday and Wednesday of last week we started our Presenter (or Wilderness Explorer Troop Leader, which sounds a lot more fun) training. We learned about the different bugs and animals we'd be talking about, the activities we'd be leading, and general information about interpretation. The keepers from Invertebrates and from "The Oasis" areas also came to tell us about their specific animals. It was all really interesting. We also got tours around the park, so we're all sort of starting to get oriented. Tomorrow we get to wander around on our own and try to find important things like bathrooms, first aid, etc.

On Thursday we had a day off, so Emily, Katherine, Ashley, and I went to play at Epcot! We rode Mission: Space and explored The Seas with Nemo and Friends. Most of the other big rides had very long lines and no Fast Passes, so we spent the rest of the afternoon walking through World Showcase. And getting rained on. The one day we don't have our rain gear, of course.

Some of the critters at The Seas with Nemo and Friends.

We ate dinner in the Mexico showcase and then headed to Downtown Disney to go bowling. Except we didn't go bowling, because it's "luxury" bowling and really expensive! So the other girls let me go pin trading. I'm becoming obsessed with pin trading. (Google "Disney pin trading" for more information.)

A Bambi Vinylmation that cost $1,200! ... I still want it.

On Friday we heard from the Primate keepers, finished our tour of the park, did some quick presentations (I did mine on birding), and played "Jeopardy" to prepare for our assessment tomorrow! I'm not really worried about it. :)

Yesterday, Emily, Katherine, and I went to see Monsters University. It was a really cute movie and I do recommend seeing it! We ate lunch in Downtown Disney and then I spent the rest of the afternoon lazing around my apartment.

Today we went to Animal Kingdom to ride the rides and see the shows (basically the stuff farthest removed from our jobs). We rode Dinosaurs (a favorite!), Primeval Whirl, Expedition Everest, and saw Finding Nemo: The Musical and Festival of the Lion King. I also bough giraffe patterned Mickey ears! And we met Russell and Dug from Up!! It was a great day.

Dinosaur!

Katherine, Dug, Emily, Russell, and me! We're doing the Wilderness Explorer call!

I'm going to spend the rest of tonight studying for our assessment tomorrow. We finish up training and start shadowing this week! Yay!

It starts. :)

I'll be honest, everything from the last few days is pretty much a blur. It's a lot of work to move across the country and start a new job and have a whole new set of roommates and coworkers! Unbelievable, I know.

So here are some highlights. :)

On Wednesday, after a two day drive down, Nathan and I headed to Casting for check-in, which was basically turning in a lot of paperwork and reviewing of the most basic policies. And then to the airport for goodbyes. :( It was such a long day.

Thursday and Friday I had off, so I finished unpacking and did grocery shopping, things like that.

Saturday was Disney Traditions. the Walt Disney World (WDW) onboarding class! We got visited by the boss himself, Mickey! Plus a quick trip through part of Magic Kingdom. Overall, another long day but much more fun this time.

Also, my roommate Emily, another intern Ashley, and myself went to play in Magic Kingdom in the afternoon! It was pretty rainy, but that just meant that the park cleared out and lines were short! We got through seven attractions in three hours, including 3 I had never done before and big ones like Pirates and Space Mountain... and my most favorite, Haunted Mansion.
OH and the best part of this little trip was when we were riding Goofy's Barnstormer, a little roller coaster. I was in a seat by myself, and the guy in front of me lost his hat a few seconds after the big drop... Fortunately, it landed right in my lap so I grabbed it and held onto it until the end of the ride. I'm a great Cast Member already. :)

Sunday was onboarding for Animals, Science, and the Environment programs. Lots of sitting, listening, and learning more about how the company works.

Today was "DAKlimation" and onboarding for Conservation Education Presenters, which is my official role here! In the morning we did a walking tour of Disney's Animal Kingdom (DAK) and learned all the stories that go along with each area (one of my favorite things about WDW is that nearly ever detail- and there are lots of little details- is part of a larger, creative story). In the afternoon we started learning more about our role and our coworkers.

Here is the adorable costume I will be wearing:

We're Wilderness Explorers like Russell (and Dug) from "Up"!!

The wilderness must be explored - caw caw- rawr!!

We have a couple more very long days coming up consisting of on the job training, so I'll update when I can. But thanks for reading!

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."

Welcome to my new blog! (Interested in my trip to Africa? Visit ohtotz.blogspot.com to learn more!)

Now, a bit of wisdom from Mr. Walt Disney before I start really updating.

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible."

""Somehow I can't believe there are any heights that can't be scaled by a man who knows the secret of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four C's. They are Curiosity, Confidence, Courage, and Constancy and the greatest of these is Confidence. When you believe a thing, believe it all the way, implicitly and unquestionably."

"When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do."

"Adults are only kids grown up, anyway."

"I don't believe in talking down to children. I don't believe in talking down to any certain segment. I like to kind of just talk in a general way to the audience. Children are always reaching."

"I would rather entertain and hope that people learned something than educate people and hope they were entertained."