You all probably thought I was dead didn't you? And by you all I am of course refering to the one or two people who even know of this blog's existence. I digress. I have much to discuss and inform the interweb about, so let's get this gig rolling.

My last entry was March. Wow time has flown by. You are probably asking why I have gone silent these last several months well, i've been fairly busy. March was the start of Spring Break down in WDW which blended with Easter and then quickly turned to summer travel with the flood of tourists and Brazil dissolving it's title as a country. (Cast Member humor. You'd understand if you were there)

My college program was filled with so much fun and experiences that I honestly can not do it justice in paraphrasing. I'm met so many wonderful friends and shared so many memories with them that it was incredibly hard to walk beneath the train station on the final day of my program in August. I liken it to my final concert with Madrigals in 2005. Thankfully, I choose to create a series of videos on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/avsfan3721)so that i could remember all the good times and also as a means of showing my friends back in Utah what I had been doing with myself.

You may ask why I would give up the magic and return to reality. Sadly, prior obligations the biggest being school and I needed to come home to work at my old job so that I could make some money. I was the only person in my apartment (9102 will always be my apartment.) to actually recieve an extension to my program which would have allowed me to stay from August through January. Believe me: Every day I changed my mind on whether I would accept or decline it. In the end the obligations outweighed my wishes this time but I was able to stay with the company as a Campus Rep for the U of U. So while i'm stuck in inversion filled Utah, I am still in my heart working for a mouse.

I'll do more than just this cursory blog next time, for which there will be a next time and not before 2012.

Peace

The DCP Challenge

What exactly are Disney challenges? They are simple events that are set up by either college programees or devoted Disney travellers. They can range from endurance challenges (Riding a specific ride X number of times in one day), Hidden Mickey Hunts, to the strong livered Drinking Round the World Challenge.

Since I am down in WDW for this internship, i've crafted my own challenge if you will. I've combined together a grouping of WDW objects into a unique treasure hunt that hide behind the doors of riddles. Each riddle is a challenge, and your overall goal is to get them all completed within one day.

Single Rider lines and Fastpass lines are out of the question. This is a challenge that will also test your time management.

Pictures or video proof are required to prove you did the challenge on the same day.

Also, you may breeze through these challenges, but the inclusion of a hidden mickey hunt will also test your deductive skills.

Good luck!

Rules:
-Able to devote a full day to the challenge
-No FASTPass or Single Rider lines
-Camera/Vlog proof
-Find 10 Hidden Mickeys

Challenges:
-Stamp the Serling Letter
-Unearth the Hyperion Resort
-Sacul Egroeg's Wild Ride
-Over the Falls, around the riverbend
-Bryce
-Pray to the Mythical God
-Defeat the warlord with over 200,000
-to the forum
-Mangiano un gelato a venezia
-Seven....oh ya Seven
-Hold Earth on your shoulders
-Adorn the Sorcerer's hat
- Lt. Dan would be proud
-Grissom would disapprove
-That is my golf ball!
-Always the Groomsmen, never the groom
-Castilla del Mare
-Blood on the Walls
-Life and the wonderment about it
-The Stroke of Midnight

So we have 16 rides, 4 pictures and 10 hidden mickey requirements.

Summer Surprises

By Derek Prior

            After making it’s final parade down the sweeping shops of Main Street U.S.A. on April 1^st 2001, the Main Street Electrical Parade paved the way for the return of Spectro Magic.  Now, the roles are reversing this June, when Spectro Magic steps to the wings and allows The Main Street Electrical Parade to return for The Magic Kingdom’s Summer Nightastic.

            But what changes do we have to look forward to with this new iteration of the classic Electrical Parade?  For starters, the introduction of three new floats, Tinkerbell, Pinocchio and a new version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be integrated within the parade as Tink lights the festivities each and every night as the lead float.  An additional improvement to all those twinkling floats are LED lighting and new audio technology set to make this classic parade fit for the new and old.

            Also to be added to the Walt Disney World Resort for the Summer Nightastic, guests at The Magic Kingdom will be able to witness a new fireworks display.  The Tower of Terror over at Hollywood Studios will also be getting a few tweaks:  new thematic lighting and a new addition…one can only wonder what has crossed over from the Doorway of our imaginations this time.

Almost a month

Hello world, I realized that my busy world needs to take a momentary stand still to let everyone know about my progress.  Currently i'm about to round the one month mark of being not only a Florida resident, but also the one month mark of being a Cast Member at Walt Disney World.  I've got to say that it has been one of the most memorable experiences of my life. 

A recap:

My mom and I drove down from snowy Salt Lake and spend the night at the Luxor in Las Vegas and were lucky enough to enjoy Disney's The Lion King musical at The Mandalay Bay Casino.  Phenomenal show.  We then drove to El Paso, coming within a couple hundred feet of Mexico.  After a day and a half drive, we finally got out of Texas only to drive with pride through Alabama with my Sugar Bowl Champions U of U license plate bracket proudly affixed to my car and spent the night in Talahassee. 

From there, it has been Disney, Disney Disney. 

I entered the program on the 20th and after enjoying the constant que known as housing, payroll, casting, security and a complex meeting, I was officially a Disney Company Cast Member.

My role is that of a Greeter at the Contemporary Resort's Chef Mickey.  Chef Mickey is a buffet style eating experience where you will have the pleasure of enjoying a morning or evening with Chef Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald and Goofy.  My co-cast members are all great i'm learning the system and codes well.  The best part is that for almost every shift I will be working the dinners which means that I can enjoy sleeping in, doing a quick load of laundry then making my way over to whichever park or attraction I have a desire to see that day.

Living the Disney life style is well worth it with an unlimited entry pass card to the parks during my stay which doubles as a fast pass and discount card and free parking.  What can be better?

I've made a ton of friends down here and have been pleased with my decision to take a break from schooling for this once in a lifetime opportunity that who knows...may lead to something further within the company.

That's all i've got for right now blog universe.  To know more about me and what i'm thinking, follow my twitter @ www.twitter.com/utedcp