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! 

Tuesday's Tips: Weather

Anyone who has ever been to Central Florida for an extended period of time, or even just a few days, knows that the weather here is insane. Clinically crazy. Seriously, a straight jacket for this weather wouldn't be unprecedented. And with summer beginning, things are about to heat up. But, don't let the crazy storms and terrible heat ruin your Disney vacation! You've planned for months and spent hundreds of dollars. Don't let a little icky thing like lightening storms mess up your dream trip. Here are a few tips for battling the weather :)
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I'm back!

Okay, so I know that I have pretty much failed at keeping up my blog these past few months. I am so sorry my dear friends! Life just gets hectic :) But guess what? It's the days of lemonade and pool times, flip flops and shorts(okay, that's pretty much all year in Florida), but for me, summer means keeping up with my blog again! Now that I have publicly declared it, that means I actually have to do it, right? :) Anyway, I have a few really good posts I'm working on, so hopefully we can all get our Disney fixes soon. In the meantime, here's a really cool interview my alma mater did with me about Disney :) In the words of our most favorite mouse, see ya real soon!

Lizzie and Disney

Oh you know, those days when I'm the only person at my favorite castle :)

Tuesday's Tips: Decorating Magic Bands

You know that moment: the white box, roughly shoebox size, lands on your doorstep. The excitement begins to build, you lift off the cover with Mrs. Incredible on it, and inside, there they are. The exact colors you chose, sitting curled up like a cat in the sun, ready to be played with. Yes, there is nothing nearly as fun as walking into the Magic Kingdom, but decorating your Magic Band can begin the fun at home. 

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.

Tuesday's Tips: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

"It's the most wonderful time of the year..." Christmas carols are ringing, cookies are baking, and snow is lightly falling. Which sounds wonderful, except that it's November(isn't it too early to be celebrating Christmas?) we live in Central Florida(so, no real snow. Ever.), and it is too hot to be baking cookies(it was 85 yesterday). It all only means one thing: Christmas has come to the Walt Disney World Resort! And with Christmas comes one of the best nights of the year. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party! 

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.... 

Walt Disney World does two hard ticket events every year. One is the Halloween party, Mickey's Not So Scary. We had a fabulous time at that one last September, so naturally, when November came, and the temperatures dropped from 95 to 80, it was obviously time to celebrate Christmas! We attended Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party last Thursday, and it was a blast! Here is an overview of our experiences :)

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.

To Everyone Who Has Been Cut From An Audition

Dear friends(especially my princesses, but definitely the princes too ;),

You have all been there. I was there a few hours ago. That moment when they call numbers 15 and 45, but you are number 33. The twist in your chest as you realize that once again, you weren't good enough. And now, they expect you to walk out of that audition room, through a crowd still waiting to go in, with your head held high as if nothing was wrong. I was there this morning. And as I was fighting frustration on the bus home, I was thinking of everyone around me, who was just as distraught and just as torn up as I was, if not more so. So, I want you to know: YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.

Don't let a single audition determine who you are. I have been on 30+ auditions, each one the same. My cheekbones are too high, my nose is too big, I'm too fat, or too skinny, or my eyes aren't big enough. But ultimately, what does that really matter? Why do we let a Casting Director have the power to tell us we aren't beautiful, to destroy our self-esteem? They have the power because we let them.

Now, speaking directly to those of us whose biggest goal is to make magic. Guess what? Breaking News: you don't have to be a princess to make magic. I promise! You can make magic every single day of your life, even if you aren't wearing a ball gown. Believe me, I know. Put the same passion and heart that you put into auditions into every aspect of your life, and you will become a magic maker. You might not be followed by crowds of people begging for autographs and photos, but the one little girl who you took the time to sprinkle with pixie dust, she will remember you forever. You might take pictures with her, you might even sign her autograph book, and in that moment, you will do something you can never accomplish in entertainment: You made the magic simply by being you.

So, my dear friends, the next time you walk out of an audition dejected, remember. You are truly a princess(or a prince!). There is a King who loves you more than life itself, and that makes you a real princess. Don't let the enemies of greed and desire destroy your inner joy and magic. Take those sparkling qualities with you, and you will become the person that everyone wants to meet. Because you will truly be a Magic Maker.

Just my two cents ;)
Love,
Lizzie

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. 

Tuesday's Tips: Disneyland Review

Hello everyone! Sheesh, time sure flies here in the Happiest Place On Earth! I hadn't realized how long it had been since I last blogged! ;) Well, today, this is a guest post by my lovely little sister, Gwen. She recently went to Disneyland, and wrote up a nice review of her time. Enjoy! 

In June, I spent almost a full day at Disneyland in California. My family and I had Disney passes for many years, but about two years ago we decided not to renew them. So, finally going back to Disneyland was amazing.

Gwen, my sister Anna, and a really good friend on their trip to Disneyland!

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."