The whole day it didn't stop raining as we had Tropical Storm Debby coming our way so we wore our lovely see through ponchos. Our trainers were really nice and we just did some e-learning on the computers and looked around at the different shops we would be working in. It's really well themed with a Tudor style section, Hampton Court style building and Regency style buildings with a square park and bandstand and even a little maze There's a Sports shop (football stuff, Olympics, Wimbledon), Crown and Crest (UK stuff) Toys (including Beatles stuff), Queens (jewellery including a lovely Diana engagement ring), Tea (Twinning Tea and English chocolate) a cart outside and Kidcot. Kidcot is at the back of the toy store next to where kids meet Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. They can pick up a Duffy Bear and colour him in and get it stamped at every country they visit and we also draw the UK flag (it took me a while to draw it quickly but now I'm a pro when the Brazil tour groups hit and throw 20 at you demanding 'flag!') . Some kids also have passport books that you stamp and write a message in. There's a computer that we clock in on and then we get an assignment and work at one of the shops or do tasking such as stocking and collecting hangers. We rotate throughout the day so we're usually only in one shop for an hour or two until about 7ish then your usually at your position until the park closes at 9. Was quite a lot going on as we were being shown around a lady had slipped in the Sports shop and they had to call an ambulance. You also get used to seeing the cast who are 'friends with the characters' coming in and out of our break room so that was amusing at first!
On Monday we had more E-learning at Disney University and in the afternoon it was time for Merchentainment! Which as you can guess is Disney name for merchandise and entertainment as they don't want us to just stand behind the cash register all day we are supposed to chat with the guests and have fun! So we went into a room with loads of cash registers lined up and had some great trainers. Using the registers was quite simple but counting the Disney way is hard! I can do it in theory but as soon as I started serving guests for real I did it the normal way! Basically if the total is $12.22 and the guest pays with a $20 you have to count the change from $12.22 and back up to $20! So your looking to get the the nearest quarter quickly then the dollar. So you would count 3 cents to take you to $12.25 then 3 quarters to $13 then 2 dollar bills to $15 then a $5 bill to $20! So in theory it's quite easy but as soon as I was on a cash register in a shop and busy I couldn't do it but noone does so it's ok! The important thing is that you do everything else right and give them the right change and then if you can count the Disney way thats an added bonus.
Tuesday was our last day of business attire and we all went to Epcot to learn about the park. We watched a video on Walt Disney and the Florida Project which is touched on in'One Mans Dream' at Hollywood Studios but this video had way more stuff I hadn't seen before and was really interesting. For anyone that actually wants to know the history of Walt Disney World basically Walt bought a load of land in Florida under different names so no one knew what he was doing. The Magic Kingdom park was to be built and help to fund his EPCOT project - Environmental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. This would be a place that people worked and lived and there would be a separate World Showcase representing the different countries and an area showcasing new technologies. However Walt died and so his brother continued the project and built the Magic Kingdom and then made Epcot putting the World Showcase and Future World together. We then took a tour of the park and rode Spaceship Earth, a ride about how technology and communication has evolved, and we went on a boat around the World Showcase lagoon to see the different countries. Kerry and I finished at 12 but everyone else had their training day so we headed home and back to Magic Kingdom with everyone in the evening again to watch Wishes and the Main Street Electrical Parade.
Monorail to Magic Kingdom
Wednesday and Thursday were my days off so I made the most of the weather and sunbathed with Laura. Then we headed to Panera Bread with Natalie for lunch. Panera Bread is my new favourite place. They have really tasty salads, soups and pastries plus a huge range of bagels and toppings and the best iced green tea (free refills) It's so close to us (literally behind my building) but takes ages to walk to.
Thursday me, Natalie and Paulina headed to Animal Kingdom as we really wanted to go to a park. We watched the Lion King and Finding Nemo which were amazing, Finding Nemo had us in tears, think it was the whole loosing his son thing and us missing our families!! We had a pic with Minnie and they had loads of street entertainment including a Bhangra DJ and dancers so me and Paulina dance with them! Went on Kilamanjaro Safaris and saw the parade so had a really good day.
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