Thought I should start with one of my main reasons for starting this blog... dun dun dun
DISNEY WORLD
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| Insert cliche Disney castle image here |
In first year I noticed an ad on the back of Canta advertising the Disney Australia/New Zealand International Program. I'm not a token Disney freak, but I dunno, who can resist fairytales, magic and ummm rollercoasters? Basically I decided that at some point in my uni life I would do it. So I am!
For those who don't know, the AU/NZ Disney program involves taking on a role working at Walt Disney World for either 5 or 12 months (mine is currently 5, but I'm hoping to extend if I enjoy myself). There are lots of different roles to choose from, varying from performer to lifeguard to merchandise (me!). Work is full time, though you can request more. Pay is minimum wage and goes towards your accommodation.You can also take Disney courses. I got excited when I heard you could do Harvard/Disney courses. but apparently they've scrapped them. Unfair! I wanted THAT on my cv. The perks of the program are discounts on a lot, along with free entry to the parks and for 4 others for 6 days (or something). There are also lots of social activities and it's just incredibly social in general. One of the main accommodation complexes Vista Way is apparently known as Vista Lay, and it is supposedly one of the top places to party in the US. I wasn't planning on being much of a partier on the program and then I found out about this.. Oops. I'm also hoping to do trips to Cancun, Mexico and a Carribean cruise along with some travel around the country. YES.
All of the American Disney program bloggers seem to have done a play by play of their Disney program acceptance/experience so I might as well start with that! May even do a few vlogs at some point (haha oh god - look forward to that one).
First of all, last year I was kind of waiting for that ad to pop up in Canta again, but I started frrreaking out when it was getting later and later on in the year and I had yet to hear/see a peep. I had a google around and eventually emailed someone and ohhh shivers - the presentations were that week and the next. What's more, post-earthquake, all Christchurch presentations had been cancelled. Oh noeesss.
Very quickly a flight to Wellington was booked and I went off to the presentation in my good impression outfit and heard a bit about it. Then it was all ohh scheizenhaben because interviews were the next day! Fortunately I was leaving the next afternoon as it was a cheaper flight and I shnaffled one of the last earlyish timeslots, so karma was with me. Harry and Adam were there too, so we got food. Adam is joining me on the program.
Next day, I had a new makeshift good impression outfit on (didn't know I'd need two damnit). I had done most of my forms, except for the student status one, which I had to email in at a later date. It was a little bit disastrous really. I somehow managed to leave the house without the documents and so had to quickly rush and get them, and then didn't have time to walk so I had to drive. No coinage to pay for parking, so had to risk it gah! So basically I turned up a smidge late and shweaty. It wasn't too bad overall though! I told the interviewer about how I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, how I enjoyed babysitting and that my favourite Disney character is Pocahontas. A few days later I received my acceptance email. I do think flying up from Christchurch helped to be honest! This was followed by emailing in various documents and acquiring a new passport.
The latest stage, after receiving a pack of documents, involved flying up to Auckland for my visa interview. Adam coincidentally had his on the same day at the same time, so we hung out in Aucks, then went to the interview together. Highlight of the day was Adam singing 'It's a Small World' to the US consulate waiting room, not realising that the interviewer was joking! At least the interviewer was in a good mood for me haha.. He was literally still laughing and told me to have a good trip. VISA ACHIEVED.
My general plans are Hawaii for a week, LA for a few days, then Orlando for a few as well before my program starts on the 4th of August.. exciting!/scary? After doing the program for however long I'm planning on travelling around the US for a month before flying to Europe and doing a Contiki tour or similar. Weeeee!
I am now at the booking-flights-and-accommodation stage. Grah! I currently only have a flight to Hawaii on the 21st of July, arriving the day before I leave. Flights to Los Angeles and Orlando will depend on the cost of my hotel in LA. I'm currently struggling to find a cheap place in Hollywood that isn't in a dodgy area, "gay friendly" or prone to giving visitors scabies.
So, that is the Disney program up to now just about summarised! Apologies for the weird highlighting.. I don't know how it happened and it won't go away! Now just to pressure myself in to updating this soon, stay tuned for blogs on: LIFE, MAKEUP and ISSUES.
[EDIT: Hopefully solved highlighting issue: sort it out Blogspot.]
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