So many exciting things have been happening in the past few days! Over the weekend I was one of twelve students from across the state of Florida to receive the 2007 Hospitality Excellence award.  Along with the award I had friends from home and from Lynn in town for a few days.  Also, I was able to get a backstage look at how Playhouse Disney Live on Stage! Works.  I got to see how the stage works, how Disney’s most expensive costume on property operates, and many other production aspects that goes into the show.  Yesterday, the happy haunts returned to the haunted mansion as it reopened on lucky number 13.  This newly renovated attraction features new scenes, updated techniques, and amazing audio enhancements.  This past week has been filled with plenty of exciting adventures, these are only some of the many things that have happened in the last few days, and with exciting events such as Mickey’s not so scary Halloween party ahead, I’m sure there’s plenty more to come!

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Yesterday I left the Walt Disney World resort for the weekend to return home to visit family and friends. I have gone through the Orland international airport several times, but this time things were a bit different. In the past I always traveled to Orlando as a guest, but now as a resident, and Disney Cast Member, I noticed how many travelers carried Disney merchandise, and were obviously impacted by their visit. I noticed families that seamed as if they had a great time on their vacation and I found myself being able to notice who else around me is a Cast Member. To top it all off, just before I was about to board, I noticed one guy from a family of four looking at me as if he had met me before. He continued to look t me trying to figure out where or if he had seen me. Then I heard him talking to the rest of his family to ask them if I seamed familiar. It turns out they had recognized me from one of my shows. Although I don’t specifically remember them they remembered me. I hear it all the time but I guess it never really hit me until then that I interact with guests every day that I may not ever even see, but to them I have created a memory that will last a lifetime!

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Today I went back to the Give Kids the World Village.  It was pretty fun; this time volunteers were given one or two kids to watch for “parents night out.”  It was so great being with these kids who have so many problems they are fighting at home, but when they’re here, their biggest worry is which costume should I try on? Or Should I have ice cream or a slurpee?  It was a really great feeling being able to spend some time with these kids and hopefully make their week one of the best weeks ever.

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Another out of the ordinary event that occurred this weekend was what Disney likes to call one mighty party. This month is gay and lesbian pride month, as such, various gay and lesbian organizations get together for what is know as gay days. For about a week, I believe, gay and lesbian couples, singles, and family members from across the nation gather at Orlando’s attractions to celebrate gay pride. Participants are easily recognizable because they are all wearing red shirts. On Saturday night, all of the participating organizations grouped together to have a private party only for those who had purchased tickets at Disney’s MGM Studios. Highlights included musical acts & celebrities such as Cathy Griffin, who hosted “Lights, Motors, Action!” (An extreme stunt show). While I was not scheduled to work for this event, I do know of some who did and helped out during the fireworks for some extra cash. It must have turned out to be a very successful event because all Cast Members where asked to park at a different location to make room for all guests participating in the event.

On another note, on the opening day of hurricane season 2007, Florida was already victim to tropical depression Barry. While many of Orlando’s residents take advantage of the tax free hurricane supply week, all begin to prepare for the estimated above average hurricane season.

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These few days have been pretty busy with work starting and getting into the swing of things. Even before I started work at my assigned location, I started a different kind of work; volunteer work. One of the many organizations Disney is partnered with is a group called “Give Kids The World.” This organization is created to give families of children with a life threatening illness an all expense paid vacation to Orlando’s premiere attractions, not to mention a stay at the Give Kids the World Village which has anything a kid could ever want. Some of the great things in the village include all you can eat concessions, ice cream, and soon to be pizza, huge decorations of chocolate covered strawberries, cookies, and favorite classic characters surround the park. Well, twice a week, Disney Cast Members get the opportunity to volunteer as a group to interact with kids that have had their Make-a-Wish to come to this village in hopes of making their week just a little bit more special. This time, I was paired up with another Cast Member, and together we took care of face painting. Although some of our attempts to recreate our requests may have turned out better than others I think the kids still had a great time. One little boy that stood out is a big baseball fan and decided he wanted baseballs all over him, by the time I was done he had baseballs all over his legs, arms and face, he left feeling so happy to be the proud baseball fan that he is.

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