Im not sure where to even start...
I survived check in, casting and the housing meeting... it has been an amazing 2 days :)
So for those of you that are curious how the process works, ill start at the beginning with check in
The way i wrote this its kinda for people who havent arrived yet, so ignore all the "you's" if your just reading this out of curiosity haha
My roomates and I stayed in the Holiday Inn Resort RIGHT across from Vista Way (where check in happens). At around 1am we started walking across the street to get in line since we wanted a dorm that is in super high demand this season. When we got there, we lined up right by the security guards who wouldnt let us in, so we just lined up on the sidewalk. There were people in front of us, about 3 or 4 groups, and they had gotten there at MIDNIGHT. So we sat around and waited forever, around 5:30 they let us actually move up into Vista where we had to wait until 7am to actually go on to the check in process. Below is a picture of the line, right at the start where we were
The check in process is super organzied and fairly quick if your up close in line... the people behind us probly had to wait many hours to even get into the building for check in, but we did our waiting from 1am to 7am :) They do have a nice room thats guarded for your luggage, which is really convenient later on because there is a bus that stops right there to take you, and your luggage to wherever you live! But you start by just giving them your name and verifying your address at little stations. You then get your program guide!! then you move on to find your role and when you do traditions, they sort this by last name. you used to find out your role at casting, but now they put it on a sticker that goes into your program book. Im working in Hollywood studios!!! :) Below is a picture of the start of the check in process
During this time, you may get separated from your roomates, but its ok, they accommodate if you want to try and get a room together. Then you go into little groups around a table where a cast member talks to you about what is to come, and basic things like no alcohol, and other basics. Then you move into the next room, where you say where you want to live! if your roomates already went before you and got the room, they will have that on file, just tell them the name of one of the roomies that already went through, you are able to still see them and such within the room, so dont panic if you get seperated! then you get your housing key, and then you sign some papers agreeing to the housing thing. after that point, you give them your car info, and get your Housing ID!!! be prepared for a picture :)
After this point, you go to a table where they ask you if you set up direct deposit or if you need a pay card. Then you move onto another table with a group and a cast member talks about the education program, traditions, the disney look and other things! then you go down to some tents outside, where you talk to someone from the education program and you learn about safety at Disney. Then you get a cool bag with some stuff in it, and a snack to eat, cause at this point, your starved.
From here, you board a bus to CASTING (i got to be the first bus) and its really fun. a cast member talks the whole way and does trivia and you learn a little bit about the area. when you arrive at casting, take the time to take pictures, because this place is AWESOME, and once your in, its busy work from here! its all kind of a blurr, and the order they do things in changes, but you go through your role a little bit, when to be for your traditions, where to be for your orientation, what to wear and at this point you have to have your identification (passport, id and soc, etc). They put all your info in the system, you sign some more documents, you get finger printed and then your done! thats the order mine went in... but it does change for those of you who havent arrived yet :) the building was super cool, i took my time walking thru the halls because the pictures everywhere, were amazing. Just to be in the building was wonderful! So enjoy it
Below is a picture of the start of the casting process
From here, the bus takes you right back to vista, and you can either go back to your car if you have one, and move in, or theres a bus that takes you and your luggage right to your apartment! you then get to move everything in! Below is a pic of the building i live in, Chatham!
Housing was the next day (tuesday) and it was actually really fun. For us, there were 3 different times, but they give you what time you need to go at checkin. There is lots of loud music, flashing lights and they go over all the fun basics of housing! like rules, things that get you termed, allll the things you need to know about living in the apartments! it lasted an hour, and then the rest of the day is yours!! I did all my shopping yesterday, but if you dont get a chance, this is a good time to go shopping! Below is a pic of what the housing meeting was like.
So thats all I have done so far, its now tuesday afternoon, and i dont have anything till thursday morning, which is my traditions!!! I will definently make a post on how that goes, because thats when i become an OFFICIAL employee!! Saturday is my orientation, which im SUPER excited about.
But besides that, my roomates are WONDERFUL, i LOVE living in Chatham. We requested a place right by the bus stop... and they gave us the building RIGHT in front of the bus stop! We also have a laundry room right across from us. The pool, fitness room, mailbox and such is less than a few minute walk. Chatham 9202 all the way <3
Everything is so amazing here... seeing disney cast member walk outside my window all the time is so strange, in their uniforms and name tags headed to work... thats going to be starting next week :) im seriously enjoying every minute of this... these next 4 months will go so fast. I cant wait to go to the parks!! As soon as im done with traditions, i can go there!! Unfortunately all my other roomates have a different traditions time in the afternoon, so I will go to the parks without them, then meet them there once they are finished :) im sure ill be there allll weekend, because my orientation on Saturday is only till 2! i cant wait to see everything...
I will update again after traditions and orientation :) thanks for reading!!!
