Dan@Disney

Life as a Disney CRP can be pretty crazy. We work hard and then we come home and play hard. I have not got to bed before 2am any night and I am usually up by 10am. Can I complain though? Definitely not – life here is so much fun and there is always something to do whatever you are in to.

I was off last Wednesday and Thursday and did Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom with Craig. We got loads done in both parks since they are really quiet right now and nothing has a crazy wait time.

On Thursday night we had arranged to meet the girls, UK and Canadian, at Downtown Disney to watch American Reunion after they had all finished work. The show was at 10.40. I got there really early and did a bit of shopping before meeting up with Sam Sainsbury and co who were having some drinks in Raglan Road. When Craig arrived we went to AMC to wait for the girls who it turned out were still waiting for a bus from the Boardwalk to Downtown. In the end we cut it really fine and just got into the screen in time for the film to start after we basically threw money and our Disney IDs at the cashier. It was pretty funny and the company wasn’t too bad either! The highlight of the evening has to be Sam running across the DTD parking lot to hold the bus only to get there and find that it was waiting for 10 minutes as it was early anyway.

Friday was my first EMH shift of this program and I was in Chippy. It was really quiet, spring break is over and after the fireworks we barely served any guests. At least EMH in F&B is not too bad and we are done by just after 11pm – much better than the crazy MK times of my last program. After I got home I just went to bed and crashed.

On Saturday I was finally back on podium although I ended up stocking due to call ins – it was a fun shift and I managed to change 14 kegs without any problems which I was pretty pleased about. I did not have too many frantic radio calls which I hope meant I did at least an OK job. During my break I spoke to Whitnie about doing Assigner training so hopefully I will be able to do that within a few weeks, a nice chance to try something new. I finished the night in Chippy as ever and we were out super early, which was a nice surprise. We had planned to go round to Lesley for Chinese but we were too late to order so we resorted to our standard Dominos pizza order – her housemate even commented on our obese eating habits, awkward.

I managed to get back to podium on Sunday and Mr B, one of our coordinators, asked if I would extend to close. A few extra hours pay is always nice so I agreed. I had a really fun shift and spent most of it bussing tables for the servers who were really weeded or just needed a helping hand – most people object to bussing since it is the servers job but I reckon that if we do a bit of bussing for them we get people in faster which makes life on podium nicer for everyone. At the end of the night I got a Great Service Fanatic card from Whitnie for helping my fellow cast members – was pretty pleased with that. We spent the evening at Craig’s for a few quiet drinks.

On Monday I had a nice early shift on Chippy Tills and finished at 6. I had arranged a meeting with a manager from Disney who I knew from my previous programs and those in the know will know the outcome – not something I want to put the details of here at the moment but suffice it to say I had a good evening. I did not get back till late so missed Lads but when I arrived back at my apartment a Mexican party was in full swing – it was broken up by security just as I got back. My apartment was not in too bad a state and by the next day they had cleaned up after themselves pretty well – I was very impressed.

Tuesday was my Friday and I had a closing shift on podium. I met some of the nicest guests I have ever seen. They wanted a table but we were not taking walk-ins so the gentleman said he would wait in the bar and could I wave at him through the window if we started taking them again. An hour or so later I got his attention and got him checked in – he even offered me a $5 tip (which I refused of course). It turned out they had dined at the Rose & Crown on their honeymoon and were now returning for their 28th wedding anniversary. We managed to get them fireworks viewing on Lower Deck and I even managed to seat them myself when Mel took over greeter. They were so nice and patient, if they ever read this, unlikely as that is – guys you made my week! I also got to do the rope for Illuminations, it separated our private viewing area from general viewing, and met a really nice family who wanted to know all about the UK and the program. I had such a nice day and it reminded me exactly why I came back.

Yesterday I went to DAK with Emily and Lesley. It was again super-quiet and we did pretty much everything with no wait including 2 ride of Everest and Dinosaur. In the evening we went to Sam’s apartment where the Norwegians were having pre-drinks for Chillers and then to Emily’s for a few more drinks.

Today we went to Universal and Craig persuaded me to get there early to make the most of it. In the end we managed almost every attraction in both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios with no wait of longer than 20 minutes. It was so much fun and I got to do loads of stuff I have never done before since I have not been to Universal since I went with my family in 2001. I am so pleased to have been here during a quiet time when I can really make the most of my annual pass. Yet another reason to love the Disney CRP life!