To my favorite mouse,

Happy Birthday, Mickey. :)

Mickey's Halloween Party

Well, Halloween has come and gone, but I keep looking at all my fun pictures from Mickey's Halloween Party! Before this year, I had never been to Disneyland for a special event like this one, but I fully plan on going again next year! We didn't go on any rides during the party because we were committed to getting as many photos with characters as possible, and I think this was a good strategy. Since we were just at the park the day before, we were able to satisfy our "ride fun."

My costume this year was inspired by Mardi Gras Girls from the Soundsational Parade. My mom and I spent many hours working on the costume, since we pretty much had to improvise constantly, but it was SO worth it. At least I think so! When we got to the park, Soundsational was about halfway through, but I got to see Tiana's float with her Mardi Gras dancers. Their reactions were priceless! I can't even count how many double-takes I saw, even from the other floats. It was magical, to say the least.



Shortly after seeing the Mardi Gras girls & boys freak out over my costume. So awesome!



Me in my full costume, from head to toe!



You can see the backside of my costume inspiration on the right side. I'm a little bummed that I didn't get a better picture of it!



I saw the giant Mickey pumpkin backstage once without its ears. It definitely looks better this way.



Of course Mickey and Minnie were dressed in their Halloween best.



Bryan was VERY excited to meet some storm troopers!



The Disney villains were a must-see, especially because you don't see the Sheriff of Nottingham too often.



Captain Jack made some minor adjustments to our ensemble.



Pooh-Bear made an adorable bumble bee.



Ended our night with The Pumpkin King!


Now I just have to figure out what I'm going to be next year!

It's almost over.

Somehow, after a long 8-hour shift at the Bountiful Valley Farm today, I came home and wasn't completely exhausted. I thought I would be, but I ended up having a burst of OCD-fueled energy. This resulted in me cleaning up the entire apartment. Now I'm here, sitting on the couch, watching Wall-E, in my super-clean apartment, alone, and thinking about how the college program is almost over. I know I'm going to miss this. Maybe not all of it, but certain things are irreplaceable. Moments with fellow cast members and guests are going to be etched in my brain for a very long time. I love being on the inside with Disney, and seeing things and places that the average guest never gets to see. I wish I could stay with the company, with a few changes preferred. There's just no other place like Disney. Unfortunately, my time with the company is nearly over, at least for now. I hope this isn't the end, but we will see what happens.

Celebrity Sighting!

Paul Rudd! So cool!

I took this!

Isn't this a cute picture?! I don't get to show off any photos I take in PhotoPass (for guests' privacy), but a fellow photographer posted this picture I took to facebook, so here it is!

PhotoPass

I honestly think PhotoPass is an amazing service the Disneyland Resort offers, and I am so happy that this is the position I ended up with in the Disneyland College Program.

Ride Roundup for 6/27

*Disneyland Resort*
Space Mountain
Big Thunder Railroad
Splash Mountain

*Disney California Adventure*
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
California Screamin'

And we took a LOT of pictures. It was a very fun day off!

Ride Roundup for 6/23: BIRTHDAY EDITION!

Not only did I get to work with Mickey Mouse all day, but I got to play at the park after getting off of work early! It was a great day.

Disneyland:
Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters
Jungle Cruise
Big Thunder Railroad
Star Tours: The Adventure Continues
Space Mountain

Photo of The Day!

A lovely couple, celebrating their anniversary, helped me get photo of the day. I was shooting by the castle. They were really sweet.

Celebrity Sighting!

Tony Hawk!

Photo of The Day!

Shot at the Disneyland Main Entrance ALL DAY today. Luckily, it paid off!

Celebrity Sighting

Adam Sandler!

THE Celebrity Sighting

It finally happened....



JOHN STAMOS!

Celebrity Sighting

Tony Dovolani from Dancing With The Stars

Photo of The Week!

That awesome Australian families' grizzly faces made it to photo of the week!

Photo of The Day!

A little boy getting a smooch on the cheek from Minnie Mouse at Condor Flats in DCA got me photo of the day today. He was pretty darn cute.

Celebrity Sighting

Kevin McDonald!




...who has his own personal connection to Disney History.


(On Left: Pleakley from Lilo and Stitch)

Photo of The Day!

Thanks to a very excited little boy paying Princess Belle a visit. It was adorable.

Photo of The Day!

Frightened family faces by the Hollywood Tower of Terror!

Photo of The Day!

An Australian family's grizzly expressions by the Grizzly River Run drop won me photo of the day! They were my favorite family encounter so far!

Photo of The Day!

A hilarious Australian man's creative poses by the castle got me photo of the day today!

Ride Roundup for 3/9

Today was an especially fun day because my awesome friend, Karly, came to visit for her birthday! A group of us went to Disneyland and California Adventure. Karly hadn't been to Disneyland since 4th grade, so it was a big day!



*Disneyland:

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Big Thunder Ranch
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Haunted Mansion
Indiana Jones Adventure
Mad Tea Party
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Pirates of the Caribbean
Space Mountain x2



*California Adventure:

California Screamin' x2
Grizzly River Run
Soarin' Over California
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Celebrity Sighting

Pierce Brosnan!

Ride Roundup for 3/4

*Disneyland:

Haunted Mansion
"It's a Small World"
Space Mountain

(It was really crowded at the park.)

SPECIAL EDITION: Ride Roundup for 2/28

This Ride Roundup is a SPECIAL one because this experience was a cast member exclusive! What did we get to do? We got to....... drum roll...... RIDE SPACE MOUNTAIN WITH THE LIGHTS ON! Oh my GOSH it was AWESOME! We rode it once with the normal lighting, and the second time around all the lights were on. I was afraid seeing everything lit up would ruin the magic, but it was pretty darn sweet!

Ride Roundup for 2/21

*Disney California Adventure Park:

California Screamin'
Golden Zephyr
Heimlich's Chew Chew Train
Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
Silly Symphony Swings
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Celebrity Sighting

Most relevant celebrity sighting for me yet! CAM from MODERN FAMILY. Oh my god I love him! Not as fanciful in real life, and his name is actually Eric Stonestreet, but still very exciting. He walked right by me!

Fantasyland Ride Roundup for 2/9

Alice in Wonderland
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
"It's a Small World"
King Arthur Carrousel
Mad Tea Party
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Peter Pan's Flight
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Snow White's Scary Adventures
Storybook Land Canal Boats

Today is the 2 year anniversary of my grandma's passing, and I cannot think of a better way to have spent the day. My favorite memory with her is our trip to Disneyland in 2005, and Fantasyland was her favorite place in the park. Today was a beautiful day with lots of sunshine, and I know she would have loved it.

Celebrity Sighting

Sarah McLachlan!

Week 4 Recap!

So I'm a little late with this one... BUT it's because I've been sick for about 5 days.

Not much to recap here. I worked a couple days, and the next thing I knew... BAM! Totally sick.

I sill love working at the happiest place on Earth, and being sick has sucked so bad.

I'm hoping to be back in action tomorrow!

Ride Roundup for 2/1 and Celebrity Sighting!

The Ride Roundup is a little small, but there it is:

*Disneyland Park:
Alice in Wonderland
Casey Jr. Circus Train

*Disney California Adventure Park:
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

And on to the real treat!
Bryan and I saw.... Michael Buble! It was so cool!

Rain, rain, go away! + Celebrity Sighting (Possibly)

Today I was taking photos at the park, but due to rain, that fun was cut short. I was even set to take a group photo for the popular Disney Fan community, Mice Chat. That would have been so cool!

During this time I think I MIGHT have seen a semi-celebrity. Ryan Dunn. This name would really only sound familiar if you're into the whole "Jackass" movement. I don't know for sure if it was him, but I'm pretty sure.

Week 3 Recap!

This was a pretty big week! Here's why:

1. I started WORKING! I am officially a working PhotoPass Photographer :) The first day was an exciting learning experience, and I don't think I will ever forget it. The people I work with are so awesome. Plus, I got to wave to guests as the park opened at 9am. That was so fun!

2. I met my roommates! Their names are Heather and Sarah, and I freaking love them already. They are both so happy and funny. Definitely enjoyable to be around.

3. I got "Icon Photo of the Night" at Tower of Terror! Super cool!

I love my job!

Roomie Disney Day + Ride Roundup for 1/26

Today was the first time I went to Disneyland with my AH-MAZING roommates, Sarah & Heather. They are so awesome, and I can already tell the next 7 months are going to be filled with fun adventures. Love it!

Ride Roundup:

Disneyland Park:
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Big Thunder Ranch
Indiana Jones Adventure
Jungle Cruise
Pirates of the Caribbean
Space Mountain

Disney California Adventure:
California Screamin'
Soarin' Over California
Toy Story Mania!

Exciting News!

I got "Photo of the Night" at Disney California Adventure tonight! I was taking guests' photos in front of the Tower of Terror, and one of them ended up being chosen! Pretty cool!

Week 1 & 2 Recap!

I guess I forgot to make a "Week 1 Recap." Now I can see why so many college programmers disappear once the program starts. I've been so busy, busy, busy!

Well, the new roommates are here, and they are both SO nice. The 3 of us fit surprisingly well in the one-bedroom apartment.

Tip to people thinking about joining the program: BRING AS LITTLE AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN!

Packing light is so essential, but I would recommend bringing your own dishes and utensils. Not much is provided in that department.

Also: MATTRESS PAD! Bring one!

I don't want to ruin any of the magic for possible readers, so I won't really be talking about "work" on here. I will say that I feel very fortunate to be working at such a magical place! It's going to be an exciting 7 months!

This past week has been FULL of new experiences, and I have a feeling this upcoming week will be too!

Ride Roundup for 1/16

Disneyland Park:

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters (I lost to Bryan pretty bad)
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Snow White's Scary Adventures

Job Training in 7 Hours!

I should probably be asleep right now.

Nervous!

Ride Roundup for 1/14 + Celebrity Sighting

Disneyland Park:

Autopia
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad x2
Haunted Mansion x2
Splash Mountain (NEVER again in January!)
Pirates of the Caribbean
Indiana Jones Adventure
Jungle Cruise
Innoventions
"It's a Small World"

Disney California Adventure Park:
Soarin' Over California
California Screamin'
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

We saw someone kind of famous today! I don't know her name, but she's on some entertainment show. I think. I'll look into it later.

UPDATE: So I finally looked into it (it's 3/11/11) and her name is Lauren Sánchez. She is a former correspondent from the show "Extra" with Mario Lopez. BAM!

Disney Housing

I must say, the Disney College Program Housing maintenance staff is AMAZING! They have gone above and beyond to make sure every door locks, every window locks, the refrigerator works, and everything else is working the way it should. I am impressed.

UPDATE:

As I began typing the above paragraph, maintenance came knocking at my door to fix a few extra things today. AMAZING!

It's Official!

Today was a pivotal day with the Disney College Program. Everyone woke up early, drove to Team Disney Anaheim, and attended Traditions. Traditions is basically a great "Welcome to the Walt Disney Company! Here is what you need to know." It lasted 8 hours, was completely informative, and at the end, we received our Disney IDs and name tags! I can't describe how awesome it is so see your own face on a Disney ID, and an official Disney name tag with your name and hometown on it. It's like getting your driver's license and realizing, "Hey, I can drive now! Who wants to go on a road trip?!" Definitely a cool feeling.

Of course, the Disney ID has some perks as well. One of which is getting free admission into the parks! My boyfriend, his roommate, and I did not waste time getting some use out of this amazing privilege. I have a feeling this will be a perk I use a LOT.

I'm trying to keep track of the rides I go on during the internship, so here's the list for today!

Disneyland Park:

Space Mountain
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Disney California Adventure Park:

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Soarin' over California
Toy Story Mania

"The time has come!" the Walrus said.

Officially in Anaheim!

Hello Orange County!

I will try very very hard over the next 7 months to regularly update this blog with DCP details. Hopefully it will be a weekly thing, possibly with extra posts here and there.

TTFN