"Patterson Court" Chapter 4.

Patterson was the idillic apartment for me. On the second floor I had the view of two palm trees from my bedroom window at the foot of my bed. The very first time I woke up in my new room I was reminded of where I was thanks to the shadows of those spear like branches. The beds weren't very comfortable my first night in there in Patterson. The mattresses looked like floatation devices now filled with bed springs instead of air. Beside the bed was a quaint little nightstand for anything you needed immediately beside the bed. I would keep medicine, toiletries, and books in its drawers, a lamp and the dreaded alarm clock on top. We had one dresser divided in two halves with three drawers for me and three for the roommate. My closet had a locker for keeping valuables but I would have to supply the lock with my own combination. Mine was building one; easy enough to remember, right next door to the clubhouse and the pool. My biggest regret is never having utilized the pool more often but I was very busy with work and during the winter months swimming wasn't the first thing on my mind. Even though it would typically stay at 50 degrees, once you've been used to the Florida weather being 90 or 80 any lower difference can feel drastically cooler.

(*Disney provides a coat for work that fit with your costume theme. They also issue rain coats for the rainy fall season. And if you lose the rain coat, don't worry. It's a four dollar replacement fee. I can't say the same for the winter coat unfortunately, just keep track of it.)

(WORD OF ADVICE: As a cast member you may find yourself wearing costumes with more than one layer. For example: pirates wear a long sleeved shirt, vest and a coat during the winter season. Some prefer to own multiple name tags for their costume to eliminate the need to change one tag from coat to vest, from vest to shirt, etc. Nametags cost about 5 dollars, and I believe you can order as many as you need.)

"Visiting Vista Way" Chapter 3.

My check in date was June 15th, 2009.

It seemed like hundreds were checking in about the same time. People left their suitcases under a tent, being guarded by security just outside the check-in office. Inside the office was a maze of blue dividers that wove around stopping at the individual stations. There was a station to pick up the information packets, a place to pick up the apartment key and your housing I.D. Once you were done filling out basic information you had to find a bus pronto that would take you to your apartment complex. (I chose 'Patterson Court' which is the newest of the four. There other three are Vista Way, The Commons, and Chatham Square.)

(*Guide books are provided to give you every bit of information you would need during your stay in Florida. Items found in the book include: Maps of each complex, a list of acceptable ways to personalize your individual space, a list of different restaurants and shopping centers, etc. You may also find a list of services personally recommended by the company such as transportation, dentists offices, optometrist, and different hospitals/clinics in the area.)

One of the three different aspects of the program is 'Living. You will have the option to stay in one of the four apartment complexes provided by Disney. That also means you will be assigned a roommate. There are one bedroom apartments out there, but you may still be sharing with one other person so it's crucial that you and your roommates get properly acquainted and find some common ground. Everyone pays for their portion of the rent out of each paycheck, which is flat rate and all of the utilities; water, cooling, pest control, and electricity are included in the rent.

(*'Flat rate'-means that the cost of rent will not increase or decrease. So you can allow the AC to run constantly and not worry about throwing away any extra cash. You do have the ability to live 'off campus', but you would be responsible for finding your own means of lodging. Considering that the rent should cost no more than $350 a month without extra expenses, I would highly recommend it as the simpler option.)

After all the boring paperwork and tiresome traveling around Vista, Patterson and The Commons, I had met all of my roommates. Most of them were great and we got along pretty well over the next 6 months. All I can say is that communication is crucial. One only needs to address the issues and confront the offending roommate with them. Again, find your common ground and work together to reach a happy solution. If one cannot apparently be reached, then please seek the help of a Housing Manager.

"The First Night" Chapter 2.

I strolled into the tropically themed hotel lobby and checked in at the front desk, asking for a wake up call at 8 o'clock a.m. to be bright and early for check in with Disney housing. Later, I found myself reclined on a queen bed at the Holiday Inn Sun Spree directly across the street from the Vista Way complex outside Little Lake Bryan. My television was on, and I was utilizing the free wifi service to update my facebook. I didn't quite have the energy to view or test the swimming pool, nor could I see it from my window, which overlooked a gas station next door. Not the most luxurious of accommodations, but I was too busy concerning myself with the tasks ahead, where to find food.

(I had no cash on me because I neglected to check on which airport I would be landing in. It was The Orlando/Sanford and it was located almost 45 minutes from my hotel. There was no shuttle so I had to hail a taxi. The cost was incredibly bad and it's too embarrassing to talk about. I'm ashamed of myself.)

I decided to walk to the Wendy's across the street which was packed full, FULL of people. It was one of the most humid evenings I'd ever experienced and by far it wasn't the last I would see in Florida. The trek there from my room was one of the longest and most awkward walks I'd ever taken. There was no sidewalk for a good portion of the way and several guys chilling in front of the Seven Eleven were watching me. Luckily they were uninterested in where I was going and resumed their muddled conversation amongst themselves while I got further away. I maneuvered through the cross walk and made it there to see all the long line comprised of fellow College participants and regular folks waiting for their order. I waited a total of one hand a half hours to get my lukewarm food. *Added to my incredible luck, the machine was totally out of ice* So I ate my late room temperature dinner in the tranquility of my suite. After a shower, I retired to bed. Tomorrow was definitely going to be a better day.

"It Begins Here" Chapter 1.

I drove over a hundred miles to attend what Disney called an E-Presentation. Watching a video montage of the collective theme parks and different classic films and listening to the different cast members past basically filled up the whole of an hour. There are several places to end up in the Disney company when you apply for and internship. There are positions at many rides and resort hotels, jobs in the restaurants and beverage carts, or selling those famous Mickey ears at merchandize locations. I knew where I wanted to end up. I wanted to be a character dancing around in a parade or on a float. I wanted most of all to be placed in The Magic Kingdom.

After the presentation I was interviewed by a pleasant woman from the casting office in Florida and talked for what seemed like forever about random things. 'Where did your interest in Disney begin?', she asked. 'What is your dream role with us at the Disney World Resort? Do you have a special skill? Have you ever been away from home before?' There was far too much to say. I would talk about every thing and any thing I could to sway her decision to let me in. I poured on the charm and the magic to make my eloquent speech more and more heartfelt. Once the conversation had ended I struggled to catch my breath. I felt like I might've said too much and thought that I blew my chances forever. That's it. Now I'll never fulfill my dream.

Six weeks passed, then another few days. I was told that I would hear back from her (my recruiter) in less time than what had already passed. I called again and was told that she was just coming back from vacation. She seemed groggy and uninterested in my reason for calling. But still, I chimed into the receiver with a cheery attitude in a typical 'cast member way'. I told her that I still didn't get confirmation and after a brief pause.....'Okay, you're in.' And even though the gift came wrapped in a sulking tone and piled high with jet lag, I celebrated like I had won the lottery. My purple folder came in the mail shortly after and I studied up on the necessary paperwork that would need to be done and saved up the cash.