Decades Dining

After Thursday's phone debacle, we needed a break from reality. From the office. From people. From being blamed for not knowing how to use a pager. What did we do?

Took the best (and tastiest) time machine offered in Disney's Hollywood Studios, of course! Eating at the Sci-Fi Diner was as good as entering the fabulous fifties! The dim lighting sets the mood as you are placed in the compact seats of a car while watching a few science fiction movies on the large overhead drive-in lot. Of the three car rows, we sat in the last one, being the "hitchhikers" of the car.

The room was silent as guests watched the overhead movies flash before their eyes. Kristin and I were amazed by the constant need for the vintage story lines to entail people either from outer space, from the deep blue sea, a fifty foot human, or, better yet, all three.

Our lovely server, Martha, made our evening fabulous with a dessert courtesy of Mickey Mouse. Magic happens every day, and this day was one where we could have used all the help possible!

Apocalypse Now

Picture this scenario:

It's a calm, collected, quiet Thursday afternoon, with the Orlando breeze rustling through the trees. A storm is brewing outside.

Along with inside the halls of the Youth Sales department.

It seems to be a normal day. Interns scurrying about in an attempt to look occupied. Managers restlessly watching the clock until the prearranged event for all Marketing departments in the late afternoon away from the office.

The prearranged event that changed everything. It was meant to be a celebration of what the company had accomplished, as well as a look toward the future goals. Instead, it left a horrid path in its wake.

At least in the eyes of the three new interns.

During the normal day, one person watches the youth phone hotline in the morning, and one in the afternoon. It's never been a painful experience before. Sometimes it is actually quite cheery (where else can you end a call with "Have a magical day!" without sounding insane?!) Until, that is, all the supervisors and managers leave for the afternoon event thinking that the two other departments we worked with were staying behind from the event.

However, these other two departments were gone, with the others, to enjoy the festivities, leaving all their potential phone calls to funnel into the Youth Sales Hotline.

And the Youth Hotline was manned by three lowly interns, in a state of panic, as call after call rolled in with impossible questions and few solutions.

Three hours later, and countless phone messages to every Manager blackberry on our list, we managed to survive. Excruciating? Yes. Terrifying? Yes. Downright memorable? Oh Yes.

We survived!

Ugly Ducklings

Swan Family in Downtown Orlando

Like a Bolt out of the Blue

I absolutely love working in Disney World. Where else do you have the option to go sit on the beach with friends and watch a gorgeous fireworks show every night?

Terrible Two: fun and fancy free

On Monday evening, after a long day of filing papers and taking magical phone calls, it was decided that the perfect end to the evening needed to take place at the Poynesian Resort. So off we went, getting lost along the way, until we sat in the comfortable beach chairs, pineapple drinks in hand, waiting for Jiminy Cricket's spiel.

The fireworks show, Wishes, is one of my favorite things in Disney World. Whether it is the first time seeing it, or the hundredth, it is breathtaking. How the Magic Kingdom continues to amaze with this spectacular event every night is beyond me. I think what makes such an impact on my viewing of the show is how it affects others. During the show young and young at heart alike watch in wonderment, and listen with rapt attention (not to mention the many tears that are shed during the 15 minute show!)

Nothing can ruin Wishes. The only downside to our time on the beach was the music did not play (though I have heard it usually does, so this may have just been a singular malfunction). We were on beach chairs that partially obscured the already tiny castle (Cinderella lives on the other side of the Lagoon), but really nothing can block the fireworks that lit up the entire sky.

Take a night to make a wish, and do as dreamers do-- and all your wishes will come true!

Winnie Weekend

Every single one of us, once upon a time, watched Winnie the Pooh. And cherished every moment of it. We loved his antics, his friends, his constant obsession with honey. It was the best toy story before Pixar came along and changed the game.

What's a girl to do when Winnie completes a new installment to the animated collection? Go see it with the 5-year-olds of course!

I have to admit. It was beyond adorable. There was a short film featuring Nessie the Loch Ness Monster that tugged at the heartstrings, and then the audience was taken for a lovely adventure with Christopher Robin and friends. The plot is constant, with Pooh always searching for honey, but showing importance of friendship at the same time. Personally, I think Piglet stole the show (he is so pint-sized and cute!)

Winnie...Professional and Attempted

We had played in Hollywood Studios for the day, and when running into Animation Studios to escape a torrential downpour, discovered that we arrived just in time to take part in the animation class. And who did we draw?

Winnie. Of course.

In this half hour art class, we were taken step by step through completing an animated character from beginning to end. Whoever guessed the character, kept the instructor's drawing.

With Kristin's help, I won a much better drawing than I could ever manage. Let's just say I should never leave my profession to become an artist.

Chip and Dale Dancers

Friday night usually means dancing somewhere. Anywhere. Why not at the Magic Kingdom, with some of your favorite characters? Children and adults alike joined the chipmunks (and Stitch) in Tomorrowland to get their dance on!

CAUTION: They WILL be better dancers than you, and are not afraid to prove it. Don't tempt them with a dance off!

The Mighty Cubicle Mascots

Pierre and Stuart, like their owners, always hard at work

Let me introduce you to Kristin and my personal muses. Meet Pierre and Stuart. We stumbled upon these adorable dinos as we were searching for additional writing instruments. When we opened past intern desks, we discovered these little guys and felt it necessary to rescue them from cruel abandonment.

We hurriedly transported them into our cubicles, where they now reside on our bordering wall, the constant communicators between us, as there is still a ban on indoor carrier pigeons.

Pierre and Stuart's main diet consists of Worther's and coffee, with Pierre preferring blackest black and Stuart wimping out and pouring countless Mini Moo creamers into his coffee.

All in all...welcome to the productivity that is Kristin and my morning "desk time."

Two guys, two pianos...a whole lot of Billy Joel

This past weekend, we journeyed over to the Boardwalk's Jellyrolls, a dueling piano bar in the area. By the time we arrived, it seemed that every available inch of space was taken up, with both tourists and area locals alike.

The pianists were talented beyond belief, one minute having the audience sing along to power ballads of Journey, and the next minute the room teemed with laughter at their attempt to spew as many TV theme songs possible in under five minutes.

Nervous music purveyors ventured towards the pianos and deposited slips of napkins that revealed song requests (and often a bit of green) before being reviewed by the pianists. Of course, this all happened while they continued playing and singing without pause. Or, in the case of many songs, the piano men were also apt to beat box and play the tambourine. Maybe they should try some more cowbell?

Off to Jellyrolls

I knew we would be off to a good night when we entered to a rendition of "The Wild Rover" (Get your Irish on!) and then a bachelorette party proceeded to send the soon-to-be bride up on stage to show off her Irish dance skills.

Though there may have been an overabundance of Johnny Cash and Jimmy Buffett that night (I can only take Ring of Fire so many ways) it was a fun evening from beginning to end.

Recommendations: get there early. Keep an eye out for tables. Don't trust the popcorn. And if a 45 year old man asks to buy you a drink, promptly leave the vicinity.

The Randy Saga: Part II

We thought it was over.

We thought the chapter of our lives involving Randy was complete.

We thought wrong.

When the three interns entered the office in the early morning (no one really talks before the third or fourth cup of coffee) we were greeted by the cheerful manager that had previously mentioned her friendship with Randy (click here to read the first Randy newsflash). She exclaimed that after we put our bags down, she had something to show us.

We knew. Oh, we knew. It was Randy news.

And what news it was. We were shown her wedding album, which, when opened, revealed the manager's personal photos of the dress, her ceremony, her reception. It was all extremely lovely, but I was a bit confused why she was showing it to us. I mean, of course, beautiful pictures, but confused nonetheless.

But then, she pointed it out. One of her guests was a much younger and long-haired Randy. Not just Randy though, but a Randy that looked like he had just finished gracing the latest romance novel cover. It was AMAZING. I wish with my entire heart I could have taken a picture of it. I would never have believed it otherwise.

Another Randy secret: complete. The only step to be completed next would be to meet him in person. Cross your fingers!

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!

Disney Motivation

There are so many random moments that I would love to share, but never sure quite the right context. That said, this marks the start of Disney "Photos of the Week." Enjoy!

The Team Disney building

Roller Coaster Regulations

Many do not realize that the man that led us through memorable roles in Family Guy and The Emperor's New Groove has also led a safety regulation tape for Disney's attraction Soarin'.

But then. It gets better. There is now a spoof. And it is marvelous.

99 Bottles of Boston on the Wall

Boston has reached Orlando! After work, interns from the Wedding department, Disney Institute, and Youth Programs met at a nearby Celebration tavern.

The most astounding part was not the 99 different types of beer to be ordered, or the wonderful not-so-spicy wings to be shared, but that it was decked from floorboard to ceiling in Boston paraphernalia. Boston pictures, Boston signs, Boston jerseys.

Boston. Now all we need is a Dunkies next door for some wicked ahsome cahfee tahk!

Grade School Mix and Mingle

Think back to your eight grade or freshman year of high school. All the way back in time. Now hone in on the first dance you had. What was that like?

My first school dance (end of eight grade, oh my!) was basic awkwardness with boys on one side of the room and giggling girls on the other. You would think things change.

Ten years later, and the awkwardness ensues. Our apartment complex and Disney housing organized the first "Meet and Greet" event last night, where about thirty college students met by the apartment pool to get to know each other. In theory, it's a great idea, since we will be getting close to each other in the next six months.

Wonderful example of good ideas gone bad. Especially when these said kids are getting off eight hours shifts from work and half are still in business attire and half are wearing board shorts and oversize shirts. Or, better yet, things will get worse when water guns and field games are brought into the picture. As Kristin explained, many proposed games were those also found at Bible camp.

Let's just say, at least there was free food. And Miss Colleen, news flash: ca-caw!

Date Night

Some of us type-A folk over analyze everything. We need everything down to a science, whether it is a schedule of events, a plan for the vacation, or the perfect outfit for a business meeting with the head CEO.

All too often, our expectations fall short.

Epic Winning

Date night outfits constantly cause enormous stress. It always changes depending on the venue, the person, and usually will be completely different in the last 10 minutes due to weather or a wrinkle. It's more stressful than the date itself.

I have now taken it upon myself, and the discount Disney store, to plan the perfect Date Night outfit. Stress...gone. Who wouldn't be drawn to the Mickey boxer shorts or the iconic shoes? It beats 4 inch heels that only result in blisters! Plus, I think the yellow shoes will especially bring out my eyes. This is sure to draw attention my way. Hot, right?

The only thing that could really make this fantastic outfit choice complete is the Disney snuggie, presented by the Lovely Lady Nally. Truly, the combination would be dazzling. Unfortunately for all Orlando men, the snuggie remains tucked away in Chicago, and I am sure due to the heat, that may be the best thing.

Get ready, Prince Charming!

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!

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.