I had my first animal stop yesterday. And by "my" first animal stop I mean I've stopped for animals numerous times, but my truck hadn't been stopped directly by an animal until yesterday.
The first one was while I was being show op'd. So I had to show my evaluator just how I know how to call it in. I did it all right, even the stopping ten feet away thing, which I hate. I prefer to stop more like thirty feet away. But I called in when the rhino was in front of my truck and the warden asked me, "How far away are you?" So I was honest, "About twenty feet..." "Okay make sure you're just ten feet away, don't worry, he's not gonna do anything. Then call me back when you're ten feet away." "Oooookay."
So I pulled up closer to the rhino and as I did so my guests started freaking out. "Is it okay to be this close?" "What if he attacks the truck?" "Will he attack?"
No worries though. I was able remain calm. Unlike the other time I came around a corner and there was a white rhino in the road and my spiel went something like this:
"And coming around this corner here, take a good look up there at those rocks. That seems to be a kopjeohmygosh!" (coupled with me slamming the brakes... from like 4 MPH, so it wasn't really too dramatic)
Yeah... I got laughed at that time.
Anyway, we only made the entire ride shut down for less than five minutes with my animal stop. Which is good because sometimes the animal stops have lasted upwards of fifteen minutes. And that's not much fun when you're on a truck in an animal safe zone (no animals within sight, even) with crying children who wanted to see crocodiles.
But all has been well so far. Every animal stop I've ever had, I've always had wonderful, happy, excited, patient guests. I love my job!
In other news, I started my first class today. Organizational Leadership. And I'm super excited. The teacher is great. He's an old man teacher which, in my past experience, means he's either really really good, or really really bad. This one is really really good. But then I always think that about teachers after the first day of class... so we'll see how this goes. :) There will only be like four assignments in the whole class, a project, two papers, and a final group presentation.
I have to say it's very, very different than any class I've ever taken before, since it's through Disney and I went to college in Mormonville. The rules are stricter than any class I've ever been to before, too, though. For example, you miss two classes no prob. You miss three, you automatically fail and they notify your work location. Every class is business attire and you have to wear a nametag. And there's pictures of Mickey and the parks all over the walls of the classroom. That has nothing to do with being strict... just something random.
There are also two big screen TVs on either side of the classroom that play the news before class and during breaks. During class he uses those as his powerpoint. So funny.
Anyway, I think it'll be fun. I can't wait to start the Disney Heritage class. I love my job!
Showing posts with label Disney Class. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Disney Class. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Classes
I signed up for two classes yesterday. This was either a very good decision, or a very bad decision.
Yes, I'm still set to graduate in July, for all you worriers (even though I'm probably the only one who reads this who's truly freaking out about something coming up making it so I can't).
Disney sent me an email reminding me about the classes they offer during the College Program. I took one my first year, "People Management." I didn't learn a whole heck of a lot. I was given a lot of networking opportunities, though, that I didn't take because I'm so stinking shy and I didn't see the point because I didn't actually plan on staying with Disney this long.
So I didn't take any classes last year because I wanted more time for play and relaxation.
But now I'm on this "You are more than you have become" kick (see The Lion King... the part where Simba sees his dad in the clouds... I love it!). And I'm trying to be more productive with my life (which is why I totally slept in until 11am this morning... we'll just skim over that fact. In my defense I've been up by 8am each day this week).
So, anyway. I signed up for "Disney Heritage." It's a super fun, and free, class where we go around the parks and learn about all the inside fun facts and stuff. There's so many rumors about "fun facts and trivia" in Disney World that I don't even know what to believe anymore. If I don't see it with my own eyes, I don't believe it. But taking a class registered through Disney is probably the best way for me to get my fun random knowledge through a reliable source. I'm excited! Four out of the five classes were actually already filled up when I went online to register. And that was the first day of registration!
The second class is actually a real class. Meaning it's accredited through ACE and most colleges will give you 3 credits for it (except my school cuz my school's dumb, but I had a LOT of friends last year who took these classes and got all kinds of credit from their schools) I think it was called "Organizational Leadership" or Management or something kind of class. I don't actually remember. But this class will have homework and projects and group work and stuff. It cost $30, but to have an intense class like that on a resume through Disney for only $30 (and that includes the textbook and "materials", which we all know are always super expensive)... I'd say that's a pretty good deal. It used to cost over $150 for any of the collegiate classes. That's why I didn't take any my first year. This class includes field trips to the parks as well. I think. (I know the Heritage class does). And, at the end of my program, if I pass, I'll get my Ducktorate!
I already have my Mouster's from my first year in the program... cheesy, I know. But that's Disney for ya!
So yeah. I'm teetering on the edge of how stressed out I want to be next program, and if I want to actually have fun, but I think I can do it. Both classes are on the same day each week... I think it's Tuesday? Maybe Wednesday? And I go from 8:30-12:30am and then 4pm to 6pm. And, I'm allowed to change my mind all the way up til the end of the first week of classes (September 23) and still get a full refund, so that's extremely convenient.
Gotta love Disney! I can't wait!
Yes, I'm still set to graduate in July, for all you worriers (even though I'm probably the only one who reads this who's truly freaking out about something coming up making it so I can't).
Disney sent me an email reminding me about the classes they offer during the College Program. I took one my first year, "People Management." I didn't learn a whole heck of a lot. I was given a lot of networking opportunities, though, that I didn't take because I'm so stinking shy and I didn't see the point because I didn't actually plan on staying with Disney this long.
So I didn't take any classes last year because I wanted more time for play and relaxation.
But now I'm on this "You are more than you have become" kick (see The Lion King... the part where Simba sees his dad in the clouds... I love it!). And I'm trying to be more productive with my life (which is why I totally slept in until 11am this morning... we'll just skim over that fact. In my defense I've been up by 8am each day this week).
So, anyway. I signed up for "Disney Heritage." It's a super fun, and free, class where we go around the parks and learn about all the inside fun facts and stuff. There's so many rumors about "fun facts and trivia" in Disney World that I don't even know what to believe anymore. If I don't see it with my own eyes, I don't believe it. But taking a class registered through Disney is probably the best way for me to get my fun random knowledge through a reliable source. I'm excited! Four out of the five classes were actually already filled up when I went online to register. And that was the first day of registration!
The second class is actually a real class. Meaning it's accredited through ACE and most colleges will give you 3 credits for it (except my school cuz my school's dumb, but I had a LOT of friends last year who took these classes and got all kinds of credit from their schools) I think it was called "Organizational Leadership" or Management or something kind of class. I don't actually remember. But this class will have homework and projects and group work and stuff. It cost $30, but to have an intense class like that on a resume through Disney for only $30 (and that includes the textbook and "materials", which we all know are always super expensive)... I'd say that's a pretty good deal. It used to cost over $150 for any of the collegiate classes. That's why I didn't take any my first year. This class includes field trips to the parks as well. I think. (I know the Heritage class does). And, at the end of my program, if I pass, I'll get my Ducktorate!
I already have my Mouster's from my first year in the program... cheesy, I know. But that's Disney for ya!
So yeah. I'm teetering on the edge of how stressed out I want to be next program, and if I want to actually have fun, but I think I can do it. Both classes are on the same day each week... I think it's Tuesday? Maybe Wednesday? And I go from 8:30-12:30am and then 4pm to 6pm. And, I'm allowed to change my mind all the way up til the end of the first week of classes (September 23) and still get a full refund, so that's extremely convenient.
Gotta love Disney! I can't wait!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Lesson Learned
Don't leave your brand new box of dryer sheets in the laundry room even if you're only gone for fifteen minutes. They'll be stolen, however if your robber is nice enough, he/she may leave a single dryer sheet so that at least you can finish your laundry (thank you robber).
Fortunately, I had the sense of mind to bring my phone, keys, and card w/ money on it with me because I knew that anything and everything I left unattended was subject to being stolen. But dryer sheets? Really? Jerk...
In other news we played in Animal Kingdom all day yesterday. I called Gina, my friend from Idaho who worked in Animal Kingdom and she became our personal tour guide practically telling us where to go and how to get there. We did "It's Tough To Be A Bug" in the tree first. Natalie and Kelly had never seen it and even though I had, it was still hilarious and I was glad they enjoyed it. We did the Kali River Rapids ride and Kelly and I were the only two on the entire boat of eight that got totally soaked to the bone. So not fair! But at least we were cooled off. We also rode "Dinosaur" which I'm embarrassed to say actually scared me. We rode Everest and I screamed the whole time because it was fun. We rode Dinosaur and I screamed the whole time cuz I thought I would die. So amazing!
Then I came home and was so tired I just collapsed on my bed and slept for almost two hours. I had been texting a friend and I actually heard the phone go off a couple of times while I was laying there, but I didn't have the energy to answer it.
The I got up and ate too man cheez-its and felt sick. I did laundry and went to my friends apartment because I didn't want to go upstairs to my apartment. It was a fun night. My body woke up at 7 this morning and I couldn't get back to sleep and my bus doesn't leave for another half hour. I get to work all day today AND it's my first day actually in costume! Yay!
Fortunately, I had the sense of mind to bring my phone, keys, and card w/ money on it with me because I knew that anything and everything I left unattended was subject to being stolen. But dryer sheets? Really? Jerk...
In other news we played in Animal Kingdom all day yesterday. I called Gina, my friend from Idaho who worked in Animal Kingdom and she became our personal tour guide practically telling us where to go and how to get there. We did "It's Tough To Be A Bug" in the tree first. Natalie and Kelly had never seen it and even though I had, it was still hilarious and I was glad they enjoyed it. We did the Kali River Rapids ride and Kelly and I were the only two on the entire boat of eight that got totally soaked to the bone. So not fair! But at least we were cooled off. We also rode "Dinosaur" which I'm embarrassed to say actually scared me. We rode Everest and I screamed the whole time because it was fun. We rode Dinosaur and I screamed the whole time cuz I thought I would die. So amazing!
Then I came home and was so tired I just collapsed on my bed and slept for almost two hours. I had been texting a friend and I actually heard the phone go off a couple of times while I was laying there, but I didn't have the energy to answer it.
The I got up and ate too man cheez-its and felt sick. I did laundry and went to my friends apartment because I didn't want to go upstairs to my apartment. It was a fun night. My body woke up at 7 this morning and I couldn't get back to sleep and my bus doesn't leave for another half hour. I get to work all day today AND it's my first day actually in costume! Yay!
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