Kelsey's Disney College Program blog
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Thanks :)
I have had many friends in this program and the majority of them would always be jealous of me for one reason. They always hated the fact that my sister was only 2 hours away from me and could come and visit me very frequently.
Having them only 2 hours away made the times I didn’t want to be at Disney more bearable.
And even though they would normally only come up for a couple days they both gave me this opportunity to forget that I was a Disney cast member who only hung out with Disney people and did Disney things.
They did a million wonderful things for me and with out them I would have never seen anything outside of Disney in Orlando, eaten any where in epcot…. Or eaten any where outside of a mile radius of vista, ever had groceries (the walmart bus was on hour long bus ride that I refused to ride)…..
But the best thing they did for me was changing their plans on Christmas to hang out with me instead of going home to Minnesota and Iowa. I am sure that neither one of their families were happy about the situation. But to me it was super important. It was nice knowing that when I got off of work on Christmas that I didn’t have to spend it by myself and that I was able to spend it with a (amazing) family member.
The list could go on and on….
Kassie and John were one of the most important reasons why my Disney experience was as successful as it was. I never would have been able to last 7 months with out seeing any family.
It is also important that I thank Kinsey and kaci for coming to visit me in august (and kaci in December) it was amazing being able to show non-disney people around and really show them how ‘magical’ Disney could be.
And Stephanie for going to a conference she really didn’t want to go to in November just to see me. And I was glad I could be the person she with the first time she meet Cinderella.
… and I guess I need to thank jeff d. (thanks… for playing mini golf with me)
Thursday, January 8, 2009
1) amazing people
I could make a top five list of my favorite memories I have had with my Disney friends… but I think all my memories our great.
The friends that have been here since the beginning (Monique, Erika, Jessica, etc.) They have made the most impact on my life. These are the people who were there to witness the roller coaster experience we have had. And the only ones who will truly understand how hot and stressful and wonderful the summer was and how amazing the fall was when we actually had a chance to play in the parks. The majority of them did not make it all the way to jan. But they were my first true friends at Disney and bc I will never forget them.
My summer friends (Austin dave, derrick buzz, the Canadians, the American etc) these are the only people who will truly understand how amazing it was not to go into work until 5pm and have to work until 1am (people outside of Disney will never understand ). These friends were only in my life for a short period but people like Austin dave will always be remembered for showing me how fun vista could be. My summer friends introduced me to how fun a night out at vista could be and how getting off at 1am could still result in a very long night.

My work friends (Grace, Jeremy, Megan, Michelle, Andrew, Jenny, Kaleb, Maggie, Kyra, Cheyanne, Justine, liz etc.) these were the friendships that evolved after months of complaining to each other about work and guest and the 45 minute bus ride home resulted in me making friendships that would last forever. We all had something in common we hated panty hoes and stopping at pop century for 20 minutes…. We had no choose but to become friends. I will never forget playing in the parks, eating at chick-fil-a, doing the money room , free cokes, dancing to hsm and block party bash, etc…
August friends (Garrett, Derek, Stephen, etc.). the boys across the hall provided me with hours of entrainment. I would spend pointless long hours over at their place watching classic movies (camp nowhere) and trying to prove that everything was political. Even though I hung out in 908 more then I probably should have and I am sure that I wasn’t always welcomed… I always had a blast (well all most always).
Random people I meet when I would go out. Even though I may not always remember there names but I will always remember the stories. Whether it was dave and ryan making me result in having to leave traditions early, Canadian day, going away parties, the random sticker party, Halloween, election night, etc…. these were the nights I meet countless people who will always be remembered since I have countless pictures with them.2) getting in to the parks for free
At Hollywood Studios
I loved the times you could decide to go to animal kingdom an hour before it closed to go on Everest or the dinosaur ride. Or walking through Epcot and making new friends in Italy or Germany (chris). Going to magic kingdom just to get ice cream and watch the fireworks. Or spending an hour trying to convince someone to ride tower of terror telling them it is the easy side and watching them freak out when they are on the ride. (sorry Jessica).
Epcot with Chris
There is not much more I can say about how much fun the parks were you can only imagine what it was like to be able to see Cinderella castle whenever I wanted.
Animal Kingdom

Magic Kingdom
3) meeting snow white.
When I decided I was going to do this program I was excited that I would have 7 months to meet her.
I first meet snow white at studios during the 5 o’clock character greetings.. I told my self I went to the parks by my self to play but I knew that there was a 75% chance she would be out and that I would get to see her.
When I first meet her I became this 5 year old little girl and confessed my love to her (in a non creepy way).
And after that experience I was able to meet her multiple other times and each was as wonderful as the first. (I did learn how to compose my self a little better).
Some where in june or july me and Monique realized the joy of meeting characters and spent a day at magic kingdom looking for characters. The first one we saw together was buzz lightyear and he kissed my hand (we are practically engaged).
Towards the end of my program I now have an autograph book (all most completely full… I know it is a little sad I didn’t finish it). And I meet more characters that I could name and each one has brought a little excitement to my life. The most recent being bolt, rhino, and mittens doing the W-I-L-D wildcat dance with us.
4) working at Hollywood Studios
I had no idea what to expect. I had no idea how horrible or great my costume would be. After my first traditions I went to studios with a group of people and tried to look for where I looked.
But I had no idea where or what “left block merchandise” was.
But after I was finally able to reschedule my traditions and start work the next week. I realized my costume wasn’t that bad.
I mean panty hoes and wearing a pair of short/skirt combination up to my belly button stinks.. but it was still better then what they had to wear at animal kingdom.
On my third day I hated it even more. I had to work the main entrance cart. (all by myself). I caught myself lying to guest. Trying to make it seem like I knew what I was talking about. And I also had to wear the hideous green costume. (and it was really really hot out)
I also started to love and wish it would rain every day.
5) Ladies drink free
When I came to Orlando I only thought “ladies drink free” nights was a myth something that only happened in movies or something that you only heard about on the radio.
But I was wrong I soon found out that on Sunday and Tuesday night it was the reality.
Going out to the House of Blues and Ale house allowed me to meet new people and become closer with my friends and roommates.
I will never forget dancing the night away at HOB or sitting and talking at the ale house.
Whether it was Monique and Erika our first Tuesday in Orlando at the Ale House or going to HOB with new friends (the Canadians). Ladies drink free nights was an excuse to be able to get together and hang out with friends outside of work and Vista.
I also have to remember the nights where I wasn’t so lucky and had to pay for my own drinks. The 10 dollar sand buckets at pleasure island with Monique, Jessica, and Derek. the ridiculously priced drinks at jellyrolls (but that never seemed to bother us considering how fun we realized dueling pianos could be) and the best being the 2 dollar you call it nights at BW3.
bye disney....
Even though there was plenty of times that i did not want to go to work and i wanted to move back to iowa. i can honestly say that i am 100% glad that i stuck with it.
i have decided to do a top 5 reasons why my disney experience was so great.
5) Ladies Drink Free
4) working at Hollywood studios
3) meeting snow white
2) getting in to the parks for free
1) amazing people