Say Yes to the Stress

Apparently working in weddings is tough.

Apparently working in Disney weddings can be stressful beyond belief.

Though my two roommates working in Disney's Fairytale Weddings absolutely adore what they do, it is understandable that after a bit of time, some cast members need a change of pace and clientele.

This past week, as we were introducing ourselves to area coordinators and managers in the Youth Programs department, we noticed a picture of Randy in a corner office. Not just a picture of Say Yes to the Dress's star, but a signed picture. With an inscription.

Curious, right?

Though the three of us were left to wonder, we couldn't investigate further until the end of the week. This is when we discovered that the picture owner (who is now a manager) had worked in sales at the wedding side of Disney, and had just recently moved to the Youth Programs a year prior. The best news was this: in working closely with weddings, she was in acquaintance with both Randy and David Tutera. Cherry on top of the (wedding) cake came however when we also found out one of our head directors in Marketing also knows David. Very well. Though David would not sign a copy of his most recent book on Disney weddings because he felt it still had a few steps toward perfection.

I guess this means the next step would be for me to meet them myself. Until that time however,  degrees of separation now complete. Thanks, Disney!

Welcome to My World

Celebration Place

Monday morning, the Celebration interns (the town created by Walt Disney World's corporate headquarters) huddled nervously, waiting for the next step in our new lives. We each had been given a piece of paper that stated a time to meet a coordinator and what to wear. That was it.

We all kept an eye on the overhead clock as 8:30 rolled past, and we sat, waiting in the pristine lobby for the ominous names to appear. The conversation among the dozen interns thinned into a nervous silence as the waiting game continued.

The first set of elevator doors opened with a man beckoning a certain department, causing a couple interns to quickly depart from the group. One by one, the interns climbed into the elevator and disappeared. The three Youth Sales interns waited for a woman named Lorraine. The remaining interns had dwindled to half their populace when a woman came from the doors and called for the Youth Sales department to follow her to the third floor.

With that closing elevator door, the new chapter began.

Disney Magic From the Start

As the new interns, we were greeted with a beautiful sign as we made our way into the Youth Sales department this morning. What a perfect way to start the adventure!

Dancing with the (Blue) Stars

While playing in the park, we encountered this little blue guy showing off his fantastic dance moves. I knew I had to stop and edge my way through swarms of soccer moms and video taping fathers, all with one person in mind. To the person who loves Stitch beyond all else. Except for Elvis.

Colleen, this is for you.

Ohana means Family

Moving back to Orlando was an exciting change. It meant starting a new adventure in life, working for the Big Cheese, and ultimately being in the "happiest place on Earth." Every. Single. Day.

I won't lie. I was nervous. Probably more nervous than I had been the first time I came to Disney last January. I knew the opportunity was limited, so I wanted to take full advantage of it, but not knowing what to expect in the program was daunting.

I missed my friends. And I missed my family. And a 100% surprise factor of who I would share a living space for six months was just short of terrifying. Exciting, but still enough to keep me awake at night wondering.

I moved into the apartment at 8:30 in the morning on Thursday. I think I may have fallen in love with my new roommates by about 8:30 that evening.

There are four of us living in this place we now call home. Four happy voices that share stories from our past and blend them into an exciting future. We all come from different parts of the country, but have an unwavering fascination that will carry us through.

The first roommate is a Pennsylvania native named Dorothy (and yes, the Wizard of Oz jokes have already been set into motion).  She is working in the Animal Kingdom with the stars of the park: the animals. Though she has the odd hours of the bunch (she leaves the apartment before 4:30 in the morning!) she is sure to leave adorable messages on the fridge reminding us to have a good day.

Living with Dorothy is the southern sweetheart of the group, Libby. This little munchkin makes dreams come true with Fairy Tale Weddings. She has a constant smile and infectious laugh, but what can really describe her is her fashion icon: Emma Pillsbury from Glee. Not to mention that when asked about her hair poof (the MUCH classier version than that seen on Jersey Shore) she mentioned "the higher hair the closer to heaven!" Another common phrase that can be heard like clockwork is "Oh my Lanta!" Adorable, right?

A magical ride on Splash Mountain

Last is my own darling roommate, Karen, another dream maker in Fairy Tale Weddings. She is wonderfully amazing beyond words. Karen and I were the first ones to move in, and it was pure luck (and helpful suggestions by our mothers) that we decided to take a room together rather than split off. She provides sage advice from decorating tips, to life conundrums, to wardrobe malfunctions. Karen also has proven to have the unique talent of folding ponchos into nearly impossible sizes. Truly, it is more applicable than any college degree. What is really amazing is that we did not know each other before this program, as we had been on the same College Program together. And lived in the same apartment building. And (wait for it) had been in the same small marketing course. What an example of fate stepping in to see you through!

I am extremely lucky to have such a wonderful family system back home, and now, an amazing start to one here in Orlando. My Ohana keeps growing!