I love my job.
That's something I haven't been able to really say before. I have loved the money from certain jobs, the people from other jobs, but this time, most of the time, I really love it. I usually have that nagging feeling when I have jobs that I need to look for what's next and find something better. However as a concierge I am really enjoying myself. There are days where it's tough, and a lot of the time in the beginning I found myself never leaving work happy because I felt like I had to ask for help too often. The thing is, we are asked so many random questions about EVERYTHING all the time. Every single day, every single guest is totally different. I've been asked anything from the best restaurants on and off property, to secret soft opening information, to where to buy cigarettes at 2am, to where can you buy constipation medication. My friend got asked for a 1 cent refund. I've heard incredible stories of love and compassion, of families using this trip to bond back together after tragic events, to celebrating the adoption of their children, to reuniting after deployment. I've seen proposals, set up numerous magical moments, and turned angry guests into want-to-be friends. There is so much empowerment as a concierge to own situations and take the opportunity to ensure lifelong guest loyalty. I know it's a business, and honestly I love that side of it as well. I think the masterminds behind the marketing, the synergy between products and the understanding of low cost, high impact recovery is incredible. Yes a lot of my job is checking guests in and booking reservations. But I'm helping to create memories. I'm helping to create happiness, excitement and fun. I may be checking you in, or booking your Chef Mickey reservation, but I'm also the gateway to hopefully one of the best vacations of your life.
I work a lot. I also am going to university full time. I thought 'oh full time school, full time work - I got this.' But in all honesty if I wasn't so passionate about both it wouldn't be working. It's hard. I have to manage school with work with housework and then throw in some sort of relaxation, fitness, and lets not forget friends. I know that it will all be worth it when I finally get my degree, and I also know that this degree won't be the last schooling I take. I definitely see a Masters in my future; especially if my company at the time will help pay for it.
But that, in a nutshell, is the last couple months of my life. I was a part of the pilot team in the roll out of MagicBands and MyMagic+ as a whole at DisneyWorld. I've gotten to drive a Cadillac and purchase or create amazing gifts for numerous people. I made a family cry from happiness with an upgraded room. I assisted people who had an incredibly tough year, feel like kids again. I've also seen the magic my co-cast work everyday, and the hard work and ridiculous hours they put in to create the experience. I work with amazing cast, and throughout meeting with almost all of them by now, amazing managers. They have been nothing but supportive and hoping to help me get ahead. I appreciate their advice and assistance so much.
We're going to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party tomorrow and I'm SUPER EXCITED. The Halloween parade is the best one at Disney World in my opinion and I cannot wait to see those grave diggers!
Showing posts with label Disney Concierge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Disney Concierge. Show all posts
Monday, September 16, 2013
Saturday, March 23, 2013
More Secrets
I guess they aren't really secrets when I tell you about them...
There are two things that I've been meaning to let out of the bag. First of all a College Program announcement:
I opted out of housing for my Disney College Program. I know that housing 'is an important part of the experience,' however I already pay rent and live in Orlando. Therefore it didn't make sense. For anyone interested in living outside of Disney Housing (you can't on any of the international programs) the process goes like this:
1. Pay $200 housing fee
2. Email housing (I actually had to do this twice because the first time their inbox was full - oops!)
3. Housing emailed back and asked for my candidate ID, full name, address where I would be living.
4. I responded with the needed information.
5. They approved me! After completing my first 30 days of the program successfully I will be refunded the $200. I also found it interesting that I don't get to check in for my program at Vista Way like everyone else, because I opted out of housing I have to check in at casting and they are going to email with further information about it.
I guess this could be considered a secret but it wasn't one of the planned ones... the reason I would be paying double rent if I lived in housing is because I'm moving in with my boyfriend! Yup, craziness right?! We pretty much have been co-inhabiting for a while now, and have been paying double rent and maybe going to my actual apartment once every week- two weeks so it's just not making sense financially or logically. It's a really huge step and something we have spent a lot of time talking about. I've never lived with a guy before, and I know we are going to have some things to figure out once everything is moved together. I also know that everyone is different and has different opinions on living with someone before being married (I've been called old-fashioned by 4 different people around this topic!), however for us this makes the most sense and fits us the best. I'm very excited and think it's going to be great! It's not our ideal living situation yet, but not everything happens exactly the way you envision it when you're a little girl. We are taking advantage of the opportunities given to us now to have a better foundation for the future :) Exciting!
Okay on to the actual secrets...
I signed up for the Wine & Dine Half Marathon in November! I'm excited and very, very nervous. I used to run a lot, and love it. I don't exactly love it anymore. I more am excited for it to be over. Not how you want to feel heading into runs that take a couple hours....
However I'm motivated by both myself and my friends who are in the race as well. I don't have a time I'd like to run it in, except that I know the faster I finish the more I get to enjoy the Food and Wine After Party at Epcot. I actually have a bigger goal that this race is a part of. Don't get me wrong, this is a BIG goal! When I finished my half marathon in 2011 I said I would never do another one. And here I am gearing up to do it again. But there is an ultimate goal that has many, many steps along the way. This is one of them.
Ahhh half marathon! It'll be neat to have completed two! :) I'm glad I have friends who are also training and it's kind of awesome to looking forward to activities that are based around healthiness! Who would have thought he part of the Food and Wine Festival I'm looking forward to the most is running? The only thing that could trump it is if some certain family members come for a visit!
Secret number two...
I have an amazing boyfriend. That's not the secret. Okay, it goes like this:
K: Hey babe have you ever been on a cruise?
F: Nope
K: We should go some day, they're so fun and you get an awesome cast member discount.
F: Oh yah? *looks up cast member cruise discounts and options*
F: Look at this one! 14 nights through the panama canal
K: WHAT! So cool!
*Look at cool destinations of cruise. Tell friends they should all go (I should work in sales) while saying there is no way we can but maybe someday. *
*Re-look up cruise and it's gone. Full. Fake fantasy cruise actually gone.*
A month later....
F: Hey Babe, guess what?!
K: What?
F: We're going on a cruise!!
K: WHAT?!
F: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Yup. he secretly looked it up hoping someone else would cancel or not pay, and magical found a spot. AND he got an unbelievable deal!!! Think two week cruise with all your food and entertainment and everything for about the same price as one night at the Grand Floridian! (Well two nights, because there are two of us!) But still...isn't that insane?!!!!
I couldn't believe him. I can't believe him still. I can't believe it's real. Who just goes "Hey babe I bought you a cruise..and it's two weeks long" ?!!!?! This guy apparently. Have a mentioned I really love him?? lol. We even watched the cruise DVD, and looked into all the features and things that happen and ports and I still can't believe it's real. I don't think it'll hit me until we board in Miami and take off.
But wait, there's MORE! One of the reasons this cruise had such a crazy cast price is because it's a repositioning cruise, meaning the ship is being moved from it's winter departure port to it's summer departure port. So it's not a roundtrip. We leave from Miami, and dock in Los Angeles!!! Which means...yup.. PANAMA CANAL!!!
And just when you thought the world couldn't get better... My Grandparents, being the most fantastically AMAZING grandparents on the planet, gave us a resort in ANAHEIM for my birthday which means... DISNEYLAND!!!! DISNEYLAND!!! DISNEYLAND!!! Did I mention I'm going to DISNEYLAND!!!!!!!
FAVOURITE PLACE IN THE WHOLE WORLD!! DISNEYLAND!!!!!!!
I'm a little excited. Also... flight from Santa Ana, Orange County to Orlando? $150 dollars. How is this even possible? We can use Francel's main gate so we aren't paying for park tickets. It's like all the stars in all the universe aligned.
I almost forgot... The cruise leaves May 6th. A week after my exams end for the semester. Two days after my birthday, we arrive back a week before Francel's birthday (double birthday?). And two days after Francel's birthday my College Program starts. The whole thing magically fits together perfectly.
It's things like this
There are two things that I've been meaning to let out of the bag. First of all a College Program announcement:
I opted out of housing for my Disney College Program. I know that housing 'is an important part of the experience,' however I already pay rent and live in Orlando. Therefore it didn't make sense. For anyone interested in living outside of Disney Housing (you can't on any of the international programs) the process goes like this:
1. Pay $200 housing fee
2. Email housing (I actually had to do this twice because the first time their inbox was full - oops!)
3. Housing emailed back and asked for my candidate ID, full name, address where I would be living.
4. I responded with the needed information.
5. They approved me! After completing my first 30 days of the program successfully I will be refunded the $200. I also found it interesting that I don't get to check in for my program at Vista Way like everyone else, because I opted out of housing I have to check in at casting and they are going to email with further information about it.
I guess this could be considered a secret but it wasn't one of the planned ones... the reason I would be paying double rent if I lived in housing is because I'm moving in with my boyfriend! Yup, craziness right?! We pretty much have been co-inhabiting for a while now, and have been paying double rent and maybe going to my actual apartment once every week- two weeks so it's just not making sense financially or logically. It's a really huge step and something we have spent a lot of time talking about. I've never lived with a guy before, and I know we are going to have some things to figure out once everything is moved together. I also know that everyone is different and has different opinions on living with someone before being married (I've been called old-fashioned by 4 different people around this topic!), however for us this makes the most sense and fits us the best. I'm very excited and think it's going to be great! It's not our ideal living situation yet, but not everything happens exactly the way you envision it when you're a little girl. We are taking advantage of the opportunities given to us now to have a better foundation for the future :) Exciting!
Okay on to the actual secrets...
I signed up for the Wine & Dine Half Marathon in November! I'm excited and very, very nervous. I used to run a lot, and love it. I don't exactly love it anymore. I more am excited for it to be over. Not how you want to feel heading into runs that take a couple hours....
However I'm motivated by both myself and my friends who are in the race as well. I don't have a time I'd like to run it in, except that I know the faster I finish the more I get to enjoy the Food and Wine After Party at Epcot. I actually have a bigger goal that this race is a part of. Don't get me wrong, this is a BIG goal! When I finished my half marathon in 2011 I said I would never do another one. And here I am gearing up to do it again. But there is an ultimate goal that has many, many steps along the way. This is one of them.
Ahhh half marathon! It'll be neat to have completed two! :) I'm glad I have friends who are also training and it's kind of awesome to looking forward to activities that are based around healthiness! Who would have thought he part of the Food and Wine Festival I'm looking forward to the most is running? The only thing that could trump it is if some certain family members come for a visit!
Secret number two...
I have an amazing boyfriend. That's not the secret. Okay, it goes like this:
K: Hey babe have you ever been on a cruise?
F: Nope
K: We should go some day, they're so fun and you get an awesome cast member discount.
F: Oh yah? *looks up cast member cruise discounts and options*
F: Look at this one! 14 nights through the panama canal
K: WHAT! So cool!
*Look at cool destinations of cruise. Tell friends they should all go (I should work in sales) while saying there is no way we can but maybe someday. *
*Re-look up cruise and it's gone. Full. Fake fantasy cruise actually gone.*
A month later....
F: Hey Babe, guess what?!
K: What?
F: We're going on a cruise!!
K: WHAT?!
F: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Yup. he secretly looked it up hoping someone else would cancel or not pay, and magical found a spot. AND he got an unbelievable deal!!! Think two week cruise with all your food and entertainment and everything for about the same price as one night at the Grand Floridian! (Well two nights, because there are two of us!) But still...isn't that insane?!!!!
I couldn't believe him. I can't believe him still. I can't believe it's real. Who just goes "Hey babe I bought you a cruise..and it's two weeks long" ?!!!?! This guy apparently. Have a mentioned I really love him?? lol. We even watched the cruise DVD, and looked into all the features and things that happen and ports and I still can't believe it's real. I don't think it'll hit me until we board in Miami and take off.
But wait, there's MORE! One of the reasons this cruise had such a crazy cast price is because it's a repositioning cruise, meaning the ship is being moved from it's winter departure port to it's summer departure port. So it's not a roundtrip. We leave from Miami, and dock in Los Angeles!!! Which means...yup.. PANAMA CANAL!!!
And just when you thought the world couldn't get better... My Grandparents, being the most fantastically AMAZING grandparents on the planet, gave us a resort in ANAHEIM for my birthday which means... DISNEYLAND!!!! DISNEYLAND!!! DISNEYLAND!!! Did I mention I'm going to DISNEYLAND!!!!!!!
FAVOURITE PLACE IN THE WHOLE WORLD!! DISNEYLAND!!!!!!!
I'm a little excited. Also... flight from Santa Ana, Orange County to Orlando? $150 dollars. How is this even possible? We can use Francel's main gate so we aren't paying for park tickets. It's like all the stars in all the universe aligned.
I almost forgot... The cruise leaves May 6th. A week after my exams end for the semester. Two days after my birthday, we arrive back a week before Francel's birthday (double birthday?). And two days after Francel's birthday my College Program starts. The whole thing magically fits together perfectly.
It's things like this
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
The Aftermath
Fun Fact of the day: When everything seems awesome, something is going to go wrong.
I'm really excited about the college program, but I'm a little realistic too, and it seemed to good to be true. So I emailed international services at my university. I was a bit worried (okay..almost had a mini melt down) when they said I had to be taking classes to be able to participate.
I don't have a scholarship for summer courses.
Que: freakout.
After a few emails back and forth I figured out I could take just the internship course, which is a one credit course and the adviser said I get to pay instate for it...soooo it seems like I'll only have to foot out an extra $100+ to work this summer.
There are 10000+ stipulations when you are going to school on a visa, I have to make the government happy, the scholarship people happy, my school happy and now soon Disney happy.
Oh, and myself :D
I also then thought I could take an internship as my fourth class in the fall....however it's only 1 credit. So I have to rework my schedule and fit in another class to make it to 12 credits, aka full time. I get to pick my classes for the next three semester next Monday so that'll be good. I know it's silly, but choosing classes always seems exciting to me. This time will be a little different because a lot of the classes I have to take, especially in the spring semester are General Education classes (science, math, socials etc) and I have to do them all on the main UCF campus. An hour from home. At least it'll only be twice a week if I work it out correctly.
So long story short, I'm really excited to work concierge! Every time I tell someone I just get the hugest grin on my face and I feel so, so happy! Everytime I'm in lodging class learning about the PMS system and PBX and all that jazz, I get excited because it's what I'll be doing.
Those of you who know me well also know I'm obsessed with making reservations, and I've eaten at pretty much every Disney restaurant, and done a lot of the other extra neat recreation offerings so I think I'll be able to help guests out! A lot to learn, but it'll be amazing!
And I get to do Traditions again!!! I may be one of the few people excited to do it three times! Can't Wait!
In totally different news I had an amazing weekend! A bunch of friends and I participated in the Highlander IV Mud Run! It was 5km/3m with like 30 obstacles along the trail including A LOT of crawling through mud! Some people had to be pulled out with ropes! It was craziness!! I'll get some photos added! We actually already signed up for our next race in September, and I honestly am so excited for it! My thighs were killing me from yanking my legs up out of the mud, climbing over walls and all other general ninja-ry.
Sunday I made an epic dinner for Francel! Since we aren't eating out but we like to, especially at Disney, I made different courses from different restaurants!! I made Pineapple-Coconut bread from Ohana with Macadamia nut-honey butter from Kona Cafe. I've never made bread before!! It was soo yummy!
Then I did a cheese plate (France ..really i just love cheese).
Then a tomato and gin soup from Raglan Road. It was cool, it went from 2 1/2 pounds of tomatoes..to soup!
For the main course we had Le Cellier's Filet Mignon with Mushroom risotto and a white truffle butter sauce (Francel cooked the steak, we took a 6 minute break! lol).
Next we had double dessert! Mini chocolate Lava cakes from California Grill and...
Walt's Favourite Lemon Meringue Pie! It was soooo yummy if i do say so myself!
Francel knew I was making dinner, but didn't know it was special! I met him at the door in a dress and heels and a glass of champagne and a card that I have been saving since Canada. He showered and got dressed up too, and we ate at the dining room tale with the fancy dishes, it felt like we went out for this crazy nice meal! It was such a fun day/evening! Francel does a ton of incredible things for me, and with me, and I just wanted to show him how much I appreciate him in return.
I'm kind of completely in love :)
That's all for now kiddos, I'm off to make some quinoa + veggies. Yum!
I'm really excited about the college program, but I'm a little realistic too, and it seemed to good to be true. So I emailed international services at my university. I was a bit worried (okay..almost had a mini melt down) when they said I had to be taking classes to be able to participate.
I don't have a scholarship for summer courses.
Que: freakout.
After a few emails back and forth I figured out I could take just the internship course, which is a one credit course and the adviser said I get to pay instate for it...soooo it seems like I'll only have to foot out an extra $100+ to work this summer.
There are 10000+ stipulations when you are going to school on a visa, I have to make the government happy, the scholarship people happy, my school happy and now soon Disney happy.
Oh, and myself :D
I also then thought I could take an internship as my fourth class in the fall....however it's only 1 credit. So I have to rework my schedule and fit in another class to make it to 12 credits, aka full time. I get to pick my classes for the next three semester next Monday so that'll be good. I know it's silly, but choosing classes always seems exciting to me. This time will be a little different because a lot of the classes I have to take, especially in the spring semester are General Education classes (science, math, socials etc) and I have to do them all on the main UCF campus. An hour from home. At least it'll only be twice a week if I work it out correctly.
So long story short, I'm really excited to work concierge! Every time I tell someone I just get the hugest grin on my face and I feel so, so happy! Everytime I'm in lodging class learning about the PMS system and PBX and all that jazz, I get excited because it's what I'll be doing.
Those of you who know me well also know I'm obsessed with making reservations, and I've eaten at pretty much every Disney restaurant, and done a lot of the other extra neat recreation offerings so I think I'll be able to help guests out! A lot to learn, but it'll be amazing!
And I get to do Traditions again!!! I may be one of the few people excited to do it three times! Can't Wait!
In totally different news I had an amazing weekend! A bunch of friends and I participated in the Highlander IV Mud Run! It was 5km/3m with like 30 obstacles along the trail including A LOT of crawling through mud! Some people had to be pulled out with ropes! It was craziness!! I'll get some photos added! We actually already signed up for our next race in September, and I honestly am so excited for it! My thighs were killing me from yanking my legs up out of the mud, climbing over walls and all other general ninja-ry.
Sunday I made an epic dinner for Francel! Since we aren't eating out but we like to, especially at Disney, I made different courses from different restaurants!! I made Pineapple-Coconut bread from Ohana with Macadamia nut-honey butter from Kona Cafe. I've never made bread before!! It was soo yummy!
Then I did a cheese plate (France ..really i just love cheese).
Then a tomato and gin soup from Raglan Road. It was cool, it went from 2 1/2 pounds of tomatoes..to soup!
For the main course we had Le Cellier's Filet Mignon with Mushroom risotto and a white truffle butter sauce (Francel cooked the steak, we took a 6 minute break! lol).
Next we had double dessert! Mini chocolate Lava cakes from California Grill and...
Walt's Favourite Lemon Meringue Pie! It was soooo yummy if i do say so myself!
Francel knew I was making dinner, but didn't know it was special! I met him at the door in a dress and heels and a glass of champagne and a card that I have been saving since Canada. He showered and got dressed up too, and we ate at the dining room tale with the fancy dishes, it felt like we went out for this crazy nice meal! It was such a fun day/evening! Francel does a ton of incredible things for me, and with me, and I just wanted to show him how much I appreciate him in return.
I'm kind of completely in love :)
That's all for now kiddos, I'm off to make some quinoa + veggies. Yum!
Friday, March 15, 2013
Accepted!
This morning while having a casual Friday lay in (veggie omelets! YUM) I picked up my phone to check my messages and came across an email from Disney. I opened it and....
Dear Kate,
Congratulations!
You have been selected to participate in the Disney College Program at the Walt Disney World® Resort! This is a valuable résumé-enhancing experience for all students, and we are proud to offer this opportunity to you.
You can find out additional details regarding your offer, including your role and program season, by following the instructions below. You must complete all three steps listed below in order to fully accept your offer.
I got accepted into the College Program! We were having such a laid back morning it took me a moment to actually realize what I was reading! I freaked out and told Francel! Then I had to know what position they were offering! I had said I would do a bunch of different roles, so I impatiently opened the email on my computer and freaked out in excitement again...
Dear Kathryn,
Congratulations! On behalf of Disney Worldwide Services, Inc., which is part of a business segment we call Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, we are pleased to let you know that you have been selected to participate as a/an Concierge cast member on the Disney College Program at the Walt Disney World ® Resort for the Fall Advantage 2013 season. This is a valuable résumé-enhancing experience for all students, and we are excited to offer this opportunity to you! This program will allow you to gain academically-oriented work experience - the kind that provides participants in any major with the tools they need to compete effectively in today's job market.
Please review your major responsibilities below:
Responsibilities may include completing check in/check out process for concierge club-level guests by inputting and retrieving information from resort computer system; proactively greeting guests, exhibiting the expected high level of Disney show quality, often times interacting with VIP's, celebrities, and executives; creating individualized ticket packages; being comfortable in a strong sales environment; making reservations and handling any special requests from guests; handling cash and other forms of payment, including foreign currencies exchange; maintaining cleanliness of common guest living/dining areas within concierge club-level; assisting with luggage and other deliveries to guest rooms; working concierge buffet line which can include maintaining overall cleanliness of buffet area and replenishing food, washing dishes, serving alcohol, maintaining inventory of liquor, and partnering with culinary team to ensure food quantity; partnering with property VIP tour guides.
CONCIERGE!!!! I can't quite believe it's real still! Concierge was definitely my top choice! I can't believe I'm going to be doing a Disney College Program!
Step one was accepting the offer, then paying program fees. I am planning on opting out of housing (that's a whole other post :) ) but still had to pay a housing fee. Once they approve of me not living in housing, then I have to work in the program for a month, then I'll get the fees back. There is also a $100 program fee and a $4.50 processing fee. Bye Money! Hello Disney!
Step three was my arrival date!!
JUNE 3RD, 2013!!! I start June 3rd!!! June 3rd until January 3rd 2014!!!
I can't believe this is real!
It also will count as my internship for my degree and I'll be able to go to school during the fall still of course! It's so exciting. I'm on cloud 9 :)
I don't get to know which resort I'll be in until my start date. Of course I'd like a deluxe because they have club levels and I'd get to deal with the club lounge and such, but any resort will be incredible! It's just so neat to think that I'll be working for Disney somewhere other than Canada!!! I LOVE Canada (the pavilion and actual country) but as I can't be a server at Le Cells, the fact that I can work somewhere else is SOOOO COOL! And my name tag will say my university instead of my hometown. Kind of neat! Costuming will be somewhere else! I won't have Discovery Day! Gosh, it'll be so different!
I love that I get to go to Traditions again too!!! I LOVE Traditions! It's so magical!
So my day has been full of excitedly tell my family then friends then the world! I'm going to be a cast member again! I get to go to the parks! I'm SO excited!!!!!!
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