Big ass fans....

So, yesterday was my first proper day off, so naturally I headed to a park. Went with my room-mate Katherine so we drove and got the car park tram. Loved it!! We started off at Animal Kingdom, did Everest twice then Dinosaur and then Rafiki's planet watch, where we met my other room-mate Kristin! We did the safari, and the animals were really active. Saw lots of cute babies...and I don't even like animals...

After that we rode everest again (yes, there were no queues in the park) before heading to Hollywood to ride Tower and Rock n roller coaster. In the evening Daniel Tori and I headed to Santa Fe (again) where we had margheritas again...highlight of my evening was when a group of fit girls walked in and stood next to us before moving somewhere else. Meanwhile I was listening to a conversation about how much a pitcher of beer cost (tori was in the middle so got both sides). So I said to Daniel "you should have got a pitcher". To which he answered, "really?" "a picture of the boobs"...so funny!

The others came to join us after work and we had a really good night chatting!! We got a taxi back as we couldn't get the bus because we couldn't get into vista that time of night!!

Today we are off to Blizzard Beach to get a bit of sun!! Have to move tomorrow though, and then have a closing shift...going to be a long day!! x x x

Chicken Fried Steak

Wooo! Ok, so just had a JAR of margaritas and a chicken fried steak (that, as I have now been informed, is not cooked inside a chicken)!! Currently watching the texas rangers playing!! Yeah, I'm so into this whole baseball thing, well, in as much as I nod and agree when they score...

So, yesterday Discovery Day at Epcot was good! Got to know the park quite well! Then last night we did mickey's not so scary. It was awesome. We rode thunder and space mountains' twice. And hallowishes were the best fireworks I have ever seen! Oh, and the enchiladas courtesy of Becca's parents were amazing on Monday night. As was dancing on the wii, with the blinds open.

Today was in work for more training! Was fun but again there was loads of information. My trainer Luke is great though (have to say that incase he reads this!!). Tomorrow...if not too hungover from the wine we are currently devouring...heading to animal kingdom and maybe hollywood studios! Very much looking forward to it.

Just got my rota for next week. All late shifts though....although at least I get a lie in!!

x x x

Embracing the cheese...

Ok, so again, sorry for delays in being able to write, but finally I’ve got a little bit more time to myself (although not for long). So I’ll go back to Saturday; Traditions. I don’t want to spoil it for people who are coming out soon, but the morning part gets REALLY GOOD. Then the afternoon was drumming in the Disney Basics!! It was a really early start though. Met at the commons at 6.30am to get the bus. There was a talk on the union before we started and one woman started to have an argument with the guy doing the talk. Fun times. Anyhoo, after, we got the bus back to Chatham, quickly changed then got the bus to Hollywood Studios.

For Daniel, we did Tower of Terror, which was AM-A-ZING. Then we did the Great Movie Ride and had a newbie person doing the ride so she was really enthusiastic!! Loved it. Then we headed over to Magic Kingdom. I wish we hadn’t. Because it was Extra Magic it was rammed. So we got some food, then went on Splash mountain which was as awesome as ever. Then we did it’s a small world before stepping out to watch the fireworks over our heads in fantasy land for wishes. We kind of missed a lot of them, but Jenna and I moved to a pretty good spot to watch them.

So Sunday “the family” all had to go our separate ways. So for myself and Charlotte this meant going to Epcot for our first day of merch training. My trainer is Luke and Charlotte’s is Jack; they are both really friendly (as were all the other cast members we met). Training consisted of getting our costumes, going through paperwork/ e-learning backstage and then having a tour of the pavilion and shops as well as a meeting with one of the managers. A particular highlight for me was when we were walking the pavilion and a “person who uses a wheelchair” (Disney’s correct phrasing) asked to see my pins. We traded one and she said how pin trading was so exciting for her. I told her that it was also exciting for me being my first pin trade. It was really cool, as a man who she was with said that he was also a Cast Member and welcomed me to Florida!! It was such a good moment seeing the smiles on their faces...just from trading 2 pins with them. We worked 10-6.30 so quite long for someone not used to working...think I have similar hours on Wednesday.

Last night we went round to Emily’s apartment for dinner and a chat to catch up on the day’s activities and then I came back here (we live in the same block ; not far!!). My roommate had bought a large Duffy teddy which is the new replacement idea for Kidcot; it’s kind of like the bears kids have at school and take when they go on holiday!! Might get a little one myself so I can dress it in the camp sailor outfit!!
Today was another early start; bus at 6.45 to got to Merchantainment class. This was a mixture of presentations/ practicals...there were loads of tills set up in the corner for us to practice on! Then this afternoon we had to do e-learning again...so now I know the different types of fire extinguisher and what they are used for!! Having a nap now as tomorrow is discovery day, then might head to Epcot later with the others and I know that my roommates are having a night in with enchiladas/ playing on the wii so I’ll stay up for a bit of that and then hit my bed for another 6am start!

So, to sum up. I’ve been really busy. Training is fun?!?
Kat x x

Big wheels keep on turning...

I’m here!! It is amazing! We have done SO much since getting here. We arrived at the Vista Way housing at about 6.30pm and got given out welcome pack etc then were driven to our rooms. We’ve been temporarily placed in Chatham Square as The Commons and Patterson Court are too full. But, my apartment is great! I live with 7 American College Program people and they are all lovely- my room-mate is also called Katherine, who is from Texas and she’s brought loads of stuff across so the room is really homely!
On Wednesday we had to be up around 8.30 to go to The Commons for the first of our form filling sessions. It was ok, but a bit slow when we were clearly all really tired out. Afterwards we all gathered and headed to Walmart. I hate it. It’s just too big and sells loads of really pointless stuff. I managed to get some bits though, and I have a cell phone. I got a cheap one for now that I can just text from although calls aren’t too bad- it just costs to receive calls and texts here so it’s much more expensive. As well as out UK arrival group, we’ve also found a Canadian to hang out with, also called Katherine (athough we’ve nicknamed her Canada)!!
Then Weds night we headed to DTD which was great cos we went to RAINFOREST CAFE. Although we were under the mushroom so missed out on the rain part!! Then went to look round the shops which was pretty cool!!
Thursday we had a lie-in and met later on for tea at Charlotte’s apartment, before heading to sessions on immigration and pay. They basically told us to behave ourselves and not lose anything!! After that we headed to our pool for a swim which was great. Then we decided to cook in Tori’s apt and then we had the most epic of nights. At 8 we ran for the A bus to magic kingdom TTC so we could get the ferry boat across to the entrance.” Canada” has never been to WDW so it was all new for her and awesome! We all loved it. Then we headed via monorail to Grand Floridian, had a mooch and then got the monorail back to the Magic Kingdom. We saw some bits of hallowishes but not anything that will spoil it for later on. We then decided to go to Wilderness Lodge’s quick service restaurant where I had far too much frozen yoghurt because I had a special moment with the machine and my inability to turn it off.
Today we had a lazy morning again and then went to the mall to buy Halloween costumes for when we go to Mickey’s Not So Scary. Can’t wait. We have 3 cats, a bumble bee, a fairy and a ladybug. Just got back and we’re heading for a pizza evening before going to Traditions early tomorrow.
It’s weird, I actually can’t believe that we’re here. We already have a Florida song: Proud Mary, hence the title of the post. We’re so cool! Will have time for more in depth stuff soon, hopefully, but we’ll have our gate passes tomorrow so maybe not!!
X x

THIS IS IT.

Oh my, I LEAVE TOMORROW! This is so surreal. I don't know what to write. I'm so excited I feel that if I stand up right now I will fall over. Have almost* got everything ready, but I can't finish as I have to wait for the boiler man to come...

Exciting news, Emily got the seat next to Jenna and I on the plane so we will officially be taking over row 17. This time tomorrow I'll be 3 hours into the flight, probably opening the foil lid of my food and closing it moments later before producing some kind of sugary snack from my bag!

Now, normally when I've read people's blogs they have had a list of what they want to happen in the year. And yes, I kind of have some things that I want to achieve, but they are really boring. Therefore, instead I'll post a link to my favourite piece of WDW park music. The Innoventions music at Epcot. Please listen; it gets good about 6 minutes in. It's so 80s it makes me want to backcomb my hair and buy pink legwarmers. I hope they haven't changed it since I last went or I'll be very disappointed!

Anyway, this is my way of signing off from the UK.
See you across the pond!
Katherine x x x

*except for Ipod and dock.

Saying goodbye...

With 2 days to go things have got a bit manic here. Luckily I did most of my packing throughout the week so can have a bit of time to chill out before Tuesday. The past week I've been saying bye to people. It's really hard, because I don't think it's quite sunk in that I'm not going to see people for a whole year. It feels like I'm just going for a couple of weeks then coming home again.

It's a weird feeling right now, like starting a new school combined with Christmas and going on holiday. It's very surreal. I think it'll sink in when I print my boarding pass tomorrow. Need to tidy my room up a little bit and leave things for mum to sort out or bring with her when my family come out at Christmas.

What I find most strange is that it's hard to know what it's actually going to be like out there. It's not like starting a job where you've seen the work location or been there for interview or an open day, everything's going to be so different even from what I've seen on the internet! I've heard good things from the people I met at interview who are already over there, so I hope it lives up to what they have been telling me!

I can't believe it's been 8 months since I interviewed- I walked past the Waterloo Chez Gerrard the other day and it made me think that my whole "journey" (to use a particularly bad reality TV phrase) started there. Actually, it started in my bedroom at xmas, when I wrote CV/cover letter...

Anyway, I better get off my computer and go and start making my last ever Sunday night tea...for a year! Hopefully I'll have time for a quick post tomorrow before I head across the pond!

Kat x x x x

Packing vs Panicking

Well, with only 11 days until I start my magical/ fun/ awesome year at Disney I thought I'd give a little update post. Today I started packing properly...this involved wrestling my duvet into a vacuum bag, sorting my jewellery and looking with a dazed expression at the amount of clothes that I want to take!!

On Wednesday I had my hair cut, really cut. As in 6 inches lopped off the bottom (see picture). Still abides by the Disney Look though. Then I enjoyed a belated birthday curry with my friends which was fun!! Got a cool postcard from Polly that will be winging its way to Florida for my wall. Dad has been home this week which has been so nice...can't believe it'll be the last time I see him before Christmas though.

Now for the panicking bit. I was doing ok with it until today...mainly because I got a phone call from the doctor saying that my thyroid blood test looked a bit dodgy and he thinks I could do with some more bloods. Hopefully I'll be able to know what I'm meant to do while away; I just hope it doesn't cost lots as my insurance doesn't cover pre-existing...so all this happens just as I think things are going smoothly. Luckily Hannah from yummy jobs is looking into it for me, in terms of the Disney insurance I can get after so long working there.

Other than that, I'm nervous about going but really, really excited. It's something I'll only ever get to do once, so I'm going to take every opportunity while out there! I've joked of having an "I'm not going to say no" policy, although this could get abused so I'll say within reason I'll do anything....

Otherwise I've pretty much got everything sorted- printed out my "mears shuttle coupon" earlier for my airport transfer. I literally just need to buy sweets and magazines for the aeroplane (and pack) and I'm ready to go!

x x x x