Totally Random Thursday: The Depths of MK Strollers

Forget Throwback Thursday, this is the random, thrown together, off-topic-unless-that-topic-is-Disney, thoughts that were running through my head at work today.

A) All of my friends in this photo are amazing. B) Don't we all look dapper?
C) Everyone reading this post should come to Dapper Day this year!

Today, I spent my morning working at Magic Kingdom strollers. Which meant that 4.5 of my 6 hour shift was spent under the train station cleaning strollers. Rubbing them down. Each. And. Every. One. I have a very intimate knowledge of strollers now. :) Don't get me wrong, it was a wonderful morning, even though most of it was under the Walt Disney World Railroad. The huge room with rows and rows of strollers would shake like the thunder from the Apocalypse every time the steam train ran overhead. This being Florida, I simply thought it was a major thunderstorm until I realized that a monster is racing across.

Probably one of my favorite selfies. The photographers had our camera and we all
decided to jump in for a picture. If you CM's ever see this, you are awesome! 

When Guests Are Awesome

Today, I got the coolest thing in the world: an Excellence Dinosaur. Thank you, kind guest, who gave me this tiny pet :) The guest told me that the Excellence Dinosaur was a thank you for my kind and happy attitude. Sometimes, the days are long and it gets rough, but then you have amazing people like these guests who make your day :) Disney truly is magical.

Looking Back...

I can't believe I am writing this post. I can't believe my College Program journey is at a close. They say all good things come to an end, but so do all the messy, ugly, stressful, beautiful, amazing, and incredible things too. I have reached the end of my seven months as a Disney intern. I can't believe it. I truly can't believe it.

I don't know what I would do without these girls in my life. 

Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. I will still be here, at Disney, in Orlando, writing this blog, updating everyone on life at Disney. I still hope you will be joining me for my next adventures in the World! But this post isn't so much about the future, it is about the past, and about what the last seven months have taught me. All the ups and downs, the muck and the beauty. It wasn't easy, but I wouldn't change it for the world.

Magical Moments: Princess Edition

I sat down to update my Facebook page last week, realized that my status update would be extremely long. After considering the pros and cons of a novel length status, I finally remembered I could update my blog instead! Last Tuesday was a truly magical day at work. It was a day I was dreading, because I have a bad cold and a headache. I knew it would take some serious magic and prayer to gat me though the day. Not only was my night truly magical, I had a wonderful time as well! So here is a recap of those magical moments :)

One last fall day at the Magic Kingdom before Christmas begins! 

Magical Moment #1: Knighthood
Sadly, we were completely out of stock of my favorite hat in the whole wide world: my Jessie hat. Without that fine and dandy red hat, I really didn't know what to do. My solution? Don a pink princess cone hat! With streamers waving down my back, a multicolored wand in my hand, and a Sleeping Beauty necklace draped around my neck, I was ready to greet the royal guests of my kingdom. So I placed myself at the Test Track facing door, and began my princess duties for the night. I decided to greet all the little boys(and the big ones, too) who walked in as knights . Most of them just turned red and bashful before smiling shyly at me. One boy, he was about 9 or 10, walked in my door. I greeted him with a "Why, hello Sir Knight!" He took off his hat and bowed to me. I curtsied and then he continued on his knightly adventures. It melted my heart.

Goofy taught me to hoedown :) He was awesome at it! 

Taking Magic For Granted

When I sat down to write this post, my mind was drawing a blank. I haven't written a magical moments post for a long time, but I hadn't realized it. And when I went to write this one, I finally recognized why: because lately, I have felt like the magic of my day to day life had been lost.

Sometimes. I decide to ride the Astro Orbitor with Merida hair ;) 

I went back and read some of my previous posts, and saw a common pattern. So often, those moments that I had deemed magical then, were everyday and commonplace to me now. I sew first time ear hats and hand out Mickey stickers everyday. Those moments that used to be magical have been woven in to the fabric of my everyday life, and instead of sparkling with color, they have become dull and lifeless.

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party: Tips!

This might just be my favorite night of the year. Everyone gets to dress up and go to the Magic Kingdom. You just combined two of my favorite things, playing dress up and Magic Kingdom! But, if Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is on your fright list this year, here are thirteen frightful tips to the have the scariest time imaginable! Believe me, it's a scream!

I decided to dress up as Ariel. It was so much fun! 

Tip #1: Scare up some good costumes.
Yes, even the grownups need to spend some time playing dress up! Moms and Dads, don't let your kids have all the fun on this one. Jump on in there! We were a group of all adults, and you'd better believe that every one of us dressed up! Some awesome families all dress in the same theme, such as Incredibles or Snow White and the Seven Dwarves(if you have seven kids, this is an adorable idea!). Whether you are matching your kiddos or everyone doing their own thing, everyone needs a costume. When else are you going to take pictures in front of a castle dressed as a princess and a space ranger? Never, is the answer ;) Which leads us directly to our next tip...

Follow me on Facebook!

Hello everyone! As you must know, sometimes I am terrible at updating my blog :) So, I created a Facebook page where I can post quick updates, such as tips of the day, live blogging, and my daily magical moments. I will still be updating my blog, it will be just the same as usual, the longer posts about my life and WDW tips. :) Check it out here: facebook.com/lizzieindisney
Hope to see you all there! :)

Magical Mondays: My Own Disney Character

I love working for Disney. I never want to work anywhere else ever again. There are a few things that can be changed, obviously, but as a whole, I get to work for a Mouse and my office is a theme park. Oh, and the fact that on my days off, I can visit the most magical kingdom in the world. But one of the coolest things about my job is that I can become my own character, create my own world of magic for the guests. 

Magical Mondays: I Got Locked In A Tea Cup By A Cowgirl

Sorry for this extended break from blogging! I have been so busy lately, even my playing in the parks time has been cut down :) But, without further ado, here is the next Magical Mondays post, albeit not on a Monday. But hey, Disney schedules never follow the correct days of the week, so it doesn't really matter, right? 

I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain....

Merchandise was never my first choice when I was dreaming of working at Disney. Please don't misunderstand me, I am so grateful for my job and I love the people I get to interact with on daily basis. It's just that merchandise isn't my passion and every day I spend here I realize that. All that goes to say, sometimes I just have to look even harder for those magical moments. These past few weeks have been like that. But the deeper I dig for those magical moments the stronger they are. 

Disney Birthdays!

So sorry for the delay in posting! I have 5 million dining reviews to post, including some recent ones, like Via Napoli and 1900 Park Fare. I also have some more Magical Mondays and Tuesdays Tips posts. But, I am going to take a break in our usual programing for this special post and to share some awesome pictures from my absolutely fantastically magical birthday celebration! 

Trails End Buffet

Howdy partners! Pull up yer steed and tip your hat to the best breakfast buffet around! Trails End Buffet at Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground is an incredible deal and wonderfully tasty! For a reasonable price, you get a full buffet and a drink, which includes all the Mickey Waffles you could eat! Tip: Cast Members, you currently get 40% off, which means the buffet, drink, and tip is less than $15. Seriously, it's wonderful.

Liberty Tree Tavern

When the 4th of July was quickly approaching, I couldn't think of a better place to celebrate than WDW. I also couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than by lunch at the Liberty Tree Tavern! This place is really neat, you feel as if you have been transported back into the 1700s. If you listen closely, you can almost hear the fife and drum beating as the troops march by in red, white, and blue to defend our freedom.

Liberty Tree is in Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom. It is right down from Haunted Mansion and across from the Rivers of America. The strong white columns are reminiscent of a familiar American sight, the White House.

Tuesdays Tips: The Animation Academy

There is so much to do at Walt Disney World, that often, there are hidden experiences that get overlooked. The Animation Academy was one of these for me. I knew we had something similar in California, but I did not realize we had one here too! If you have always wanted to learn to draw the classic Disney characters, meander on to Hollywood Studios Animation Academy!

The experience runs all day long, so just show up whenever you are looking for a nice seat and some cool air conditioning  In the same building as the Academy you can also meet Sorcer Mickey, Frozone and Mr. Incredible, Wreck It Ralph and Venelope.

Magical Mondays: Jessie, Captain Hook, and a Special Assignment from Mickey

I was having a tough week at work. My magical moments quota was virtually non-existent. And for a Disney Cast Member, that is completely unacceptable. So when I was assigned to stock Kids Toys on Friday, I knew I needed to make some magic and fast, otherwise I was going to lose all my pixie dust!

Magical Moment #1:
There is a giant wand above the kids toys section in our store. Every few minutes, the wand will spin in a slow circle. This is Mickey's special wand. There are also random wheels and gears all over the store, contributing to the theme. A little boy in my section began spinning one of these wheels. He turned to look at me with big blue eyes and asked what that wheel did and why he should turn it. I looked at him, thought about it for a split second, and responded.

"Why, that wheel spins the wand!"

His eyes got really big as he looked at me.

"Really?"

"Of course! It's Mickey's special wand, and that wheel keeps it going."

Be Our Guest

Put our service to the test. Tie your napkin around your neck and we provide the rest.

Be Our Guest 

On Monday, I got to experience the most magical night of my Disney career to date. That was the night I had a chance to experience the power of fairytales as I dined with the Beast in Be Our Guest. This restaurant is a magical story come to life. I think I may have broken a Disney history record by making it to Be Our Guest twice in 48 hours, once for dessert during lunch hours and once for dinner. After doing it both ways, quick service lunch and full service dinner, I can recommend that you go for your first time at dinner. The magic is more real, you can almost feel hear Lumiere and Cogsworth dancing in the background, and the Beast actually wanders the room.

The Grand Floridian Cafe

I am seriously behind on my dining reviews. We have been to so many amazing restaurants lately, its about time I get updating! :) This review is for a lovely little spot called the Grand Floridian Cafe. One of the best things about living at Disney is the wonderful food options. After church last week, we needed somewhere to go for lunch, so I suggested the Grand Floridian cafe. It was wonderful!

Tuesday's Tips: Club Cool

The days are longer, the pavement is beginning to simmer, the crowds expand, and heat bares down. Welcome to summer days at Walt Disney World. The summer sun beats down on tired families, wandering aimlessly through the streets of Disney. Don't let this be you this summer! Look for ingenious ways to cool down, enjoy the long summer days, the hours of entertainment, and the joy that a summer at Disney brings. One of the ways to do this is Club Cool!

Magical Mondays: Undercover Mickey Mouse

Sometimes, I don't feel like I am making any difference in my job. I get parents who are tired with screaming children trying to buy useless things. I just don't see how I am helping make anyone's vacation better or more magical. And then I have moments like these next three that make my job more worth it, and reminds me that every Cast Member has the opportunity to create magic for every person they encounter. And what better job could exist!

Cinderella's Carousal 

Sanaa

Welcome home! That is the greeting you will receive the moment you step into the warm, rich lobby of the Animal Kingdom Lodge's Sanaa restaurant. This beautifully themed restaurant has incredible food, wonderful service, and giraffes walking outside the window. What could be better?

Tuesday's Tips: WDW Transportation

I am so sorry it has taken me forever to update with another Tuesday's Tips. I have been so busy with work I haven't even had a chance to work on these posts. Tuesdays are usually my busiest days, and I do have to leave for work soon. But I will get this done first! I have two tips for you today: transportation and Wi Fi.

These tips will help your vacation go smoother and make this a little more magical.  :)