The Day of Dreams

11.11.11

The day of wishes and dreams come true. Close your eyes, and do as dreamers do, and all your wishes will come true!

Don't worry-- if you forgot to make a wish on this day of ultimate magic (bonus points if you took a minute at 11:11 to do so!) We are lucky enough to have another "wish day" coming up on 12.12.12.

You have a year to think about that perfect wish, so get that thinking cap on!

Honor the Pirate Code

Ahoy, ye scurvy dog!

Today celebrates "Talk Like a Pirate Day!" Hope you have been practicing those "arrrghs," "ahoys," and "yo-hos!"

In order to best prepare for the best possible pirate, we are joined by Mac, Jack Sparrow's trusty second, who sheds light on proper pirate conduct.

It's a Pirate Life for Me!

To the Kingdom. Come.

Christian Music. Praise Jesus, am I right?

Once a year, the Magic Kingdom hosts the Christian Rock festival known as Night of Joy. While overlooking the technicality that the event is actually two nights (so which one is filled with joy, and what, we may beg to question, is the other night?) it was quite the event.

The Youth Sales team kept busy this year rounding up the troops and guarding the door leading into the group leader lounge. We hustled, we bustled, and we had fun too (except for being eaten alive by bugs). Friday I worked with the Guest Relations cast members to ensure tickets had been properly filled for youth groups. Saturday, I assisted leaders into the exclusive lounge where they were able to listen to a personable acoustic performance. If only I knew who these artists were!

Three stages were set throughout the Magic Kingdom, granting the guests of the special event an opportunity to play and praise no matter where they were at the moment.

It was nice to be back in the parks with guests, though I am still working on the Big Man Upstairs granting me powers to turn off the rain. Sorry, disgruntled guests.

But while I am working on that, I hear ponchos work miracles.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

The Christmas Season. The time of year that is called so many names: season of hope, season of miracles, simply THE season, merriest time, Yuletide, etc.

The season, regardless of name, usually begins with the same marked day on the calendar: Black Friday. The day that is circled and crossed out of each calendar. The day that, unless a death wish has been issued, is avoided at all cost.

We get Cast-Only pins!

Here at Disney, however, the Christmas season has already begun. Without pomp and circumstance, without ceremony, without trees lining the streets glittering with crisp snow.

It begins with song.

This Tuesday and Wednesday marked the first Candlelight Processional practices. The large room in the Disney Event Group building was filled with around 150 cast members itching to let loose the vocal pipes. And let me tell you, those pipes were put to use, no matter how rusty they might have been. Just ask the sopranos reaching for the High B.

Young and young at heart both gathered to practice the traditional songs. There were many members that had been part of the cast choir for 15+ years, and then there were those that were new to the experience (and we proudly raised our hands when asked!)

The practice was led by a former Voices of Liberty singer, who is now in charge of the Dapper Dans of Main Street. We worked on songs ranging in styles and languages, all in the name of creating the Christmas feel.

Christmas? In September? You bet!

Surf City, Here We Come

Holiday weekends: the young professional's gift from above.

This weekend was filled with lazy days, sleep-in mornings, shuffling around in bathrobes and mickey mouse slippers, crazy and snarled hair, and ice cream breakfasts. The days were perfect.

When those moments quickly fade away and we realize we need to end the (near creepy) lurking in the apartment and face the daylight every once in a while, what do we do?

Enjoy the sunlight and warm weather at the water park!

On Sunday, Kristin, Naomi and I ventured to Typhoon Lagoon. We packed in a day filled with naps, snacks, water rides (well, Kristin and I did. Naomi had a date with Mr. Sandman), and my favorite of all activities, the lazy river. We went around on the lazy river at least four times, only ending when it was so jammed with people that moving was no longer an option. I was relieved towards the end of the day: I had successfully evaded the sun with little to no burn (with the help of Kristin and Naomi's constant motherly care and spray down technique of SPF). It was luck.

R.I.P. Dorothy's swim top

That luck did not continue when Dorothy and I headed towards the other Disney water park, Blizzard Beach. There, we went on each water slide. They had luges, rafts, and slides that are complete drops at 65 mph. The last slide marked the death of Dorothy's swim top as she flashed the unsuspecting crowds on the high speed attractions. Needless to say, we licked our wounds by rounding the lazy river a few times.

I thought we returned home unscathed. Safe for another day. I was clearly mistaken. Before I went to Kristin and Naomi's apartment with Karen for a holiday barbecue, I noticed a bright red chest and pair of shoulder blades. Turned around. Yes. New definition of lobsterback.

You win again, sun. Touche. Say hello to my little friend, aloe vera!

Happy holiday with your loved ones!

Do you hear the people sing?

The last time I worked in Disney World, I felt that I did not take advantage of all the opportunities offered. I told myself that if given another chance, I would do more with the company. Volunteer more. Play more. Laugh more. Do more.

And that chance came to fruition.

For the past two months, it has been quite the endeavor. I go to grocery bingo, I battle endless crowds at Wal-Mart, I play in the parks until 2 o'clock in the morning. Somewhere in between there I do work as well.

And...I attempt to be part of the Candlelight Processional Cast Choir, which I knew it would be a challenge. There are about 300 vocalists chosen per voice part, and the coveted spots are extremely limited.

This past Tuesday morning, two Youth Sales interns screamed with delight as they discovered they were both selected to partake in the cast choir this holiday season. This honor means that Kristin and I will be singing along with the guest narrator (as previously mentioned, will be Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi, Susan Lucci, to name a few) and will instill the Christmas spirit into every guest within hearing at the park.

The Cast Choir sings in the center of Epcot's stage, creating a tree of green robes. Each emerald-clad cast member solemnly holds a flickering candle. On either side of the tree formation are guest student choirs from across the country (all draped in a differentiating gold robe). Funnily enough, I help organize these group trips with Youth Sales!

NPH of Christmas Past

Each performance holds about 50 cast vocalists to create the tree, meaning that all of us will rotate shows. We should each sing in four to six performances, depending on voice part. Rumor has it we can have a top three choices for the shows we would be part of, and you can bet NPH will be number 1, number 2, and number 3 on my slot sheet.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the 2011 Candlelight Processional. Though details are sparse at the moment, prepare for several updates as they become available!

An example of a past Candlelight Processional

Challenge Accepted!

The holidays are almost here! Kind of.

At Disney, it is never too early to begin planning for the upcoming holiday season. In the Disney Youth Programs, we are already prepping for events happening in March. It's the norm. With that in mind, it is no surprise that news for the Christmas events has finally been announced.

Disney welcomes the holiday season each year at the end of November with an event known as the Candlelight Processional. This event is held in Epcot and includes a cast choir and a guest narrator, the list which has just been published. One of the narrators this year happens to include the wonderful Neil Patrick Harris, who will be visiting December 10-12.

Click here to see the list of all guest narrators!

A Tribute to All Nations...But Mostly America

Past Fourth of July traditions have included watching people stay behind yellow lines, being a mosquito's main dinner entree, collecting garbage in large black bags, and waiting for supervisors to drive off in their mini golf carts before resuming ongoing conversations.

Though painful, this is decidedly a lost tradition that for the first time in five years has been broken.

I was able to finally enjoy fireworks as a guest (what a concept!)

We met at the Polynesian Resort (a waterfront hotel that faces the Magic Kingdom) and sat, Dole Whip in hand. For those that may not know, Dole Whip is a God-send. It is pineapple and vanilla ice cream, and was self- served at the hotel's quick service restaurant. AMAZING DISCOVERY.

With Dole Whip in hand, we sat on the beach, waiting for the fireworks. When they began, it was instantly awe-inspiring. The Magic Kingdom boasts a wonderful fireworks show nightly called Wishes, so for this holiday, they needed to outdo even their own grandeur.

Mission accomplished, Disney. The fireworks were shot from all around the Magic Kingdom's lagoon to give an astonishing scene. Every person in the audience was reminded what a proud point it is to be an American.

Happy Fourth of July! And for those of you in Glenview, stay behind the yellow tape!