My first day of training at Disney's Animal Kingdom (DAK) was called DAKlimation. I and many other new CP's met backstage at the Cast Services building which had the small elephant that used to be a part of the Kilimanjaro Safaris' finale trumpeting at us outside the front doors. After spending some time in a room learning about the history of the park and it's strong message of conservation (the perfect place for a Geocacher) we were rewarded with a trip into the park itself! Walking through one of the Cast Member only entrances, I again felt like a V.I.P. as many Guests turned their necks to see what this group of well-dressed young folk were doing.
Our first stop was the Kilimanjaro Safaris. The Safari is an attraction that takes Guests through many different terrains and ecosystems (cleverly designed and maintained by Disney) and exhibits many types of animals. The best time to ride this attraction is early in the morning as the animals are just waking up. Not only were we riding this at around 9 a.m.., but a light drizzle of rain was just starting to fall; an even better indicator that we would be seeing lots of wildlife. Some of the highlights of the ride include seeing the mother Bongo with her just days old baby walking beside her, a giraffe walking just a couple of feet from the truck, and a congregation of hippos trying to see who could hold their breath the longest. It was a great way to start the day.
After this, we spent a lot of time exploring the different lands of this beautiful park and learning about the different conservation messages each one had to offer, along with each land's designated greeting ("Jambo!" in Africa, "Howdy, cousin!" in Dinoland). Throughout the tour, I was hearing many things that I had already known about the park (how the Tree of Life was created using an oil rig), but I ended up learning a couple of new things along the way, most importantly being DAK's love of wildlife and nature.
I had known that the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund had existed, but had never learned much about it. Disney basically matches every dollar that is donated to the fund, while covering all of the operating costs on their own. The fund helps to preserve nature, ecosystems, and animals. Through Good Counsel Camp (the summer camp I've attended for 14 years) and Geocaching I have developed my own love and appreciation for nature and it was great to see that I would be working for a company that feels strongly about preserving and protecting it.
After eating lunch at Pride Rock Cafe and watching some more videos back in the classroom, we ended our day on a strong note, with a visit to the Costuming building! Earlier in the day I had been given a sheet of paper with pictures of the two costumes I would be wearing, both the epitome of a goofy (not the character) Disney costume.
As we entered the building, we were told that we were about to go on "the shopping spree of our lives". One in which everything was free. We turned a corner and all of our eyes widened at the rows and rows and rows and rows of costumes that seemed to stretch infinitely through the warehouse. Bright pastel colors, stripes, and polka dots mixed together to create a wardrobe that would be laughable if not for the fact that it was Disney. We were each sent off into the jungle of fabrics and material to search for our five sets of costumes. We were able to mix and match each set with either pants or shorts (yes, I did grab one pair of pants). What followed was the un-manliest locker room experience that I had ever had. Fifteen or so other guys and myself took turns changing behind curtains and then checking out what we looked like in the mirror. Each groan grew progressively louder (but none louder than the complaints traveling all the way from the women's locker room). After modeling our costume to a CM to make sure everything looked alright, we were sent to grab our accessories, like belts, jackets, gloves, and raingear for those bound-to-happen Florida rainstorms. It was a really cool experience getting to see all of the costumes. I now wish to visit the Magic Kingdom Costuming, which has to be at least four times bigger and has 2nd-story conveyor-belt type mechanisms that bring in the costumes Monster's Inc style.
Here's a look at the costume I will mostly be wearing: (Have you ever seen shirts pockets that big?)
After DAKlimation, I have spent two whole days with actual on-the-job training. I received a lanyard that came equipped with pins (pin trading has become a huge part of a CM's job) and I have already had many great experiences of pin trading with Guests of all ages. It's a great way to get conversation started and really gives the Guest a personal interaction. I have learned that Stroller Rentals really means so much more than it sounds! I would classify myself as more Main Entrance Merchandise. Although I have learned how to clean, unstack, and distribute strollers, I have also learned how to work the registers at the lockers and other nearby stores and carts.
Every single person that I have met that works in my area has been the nicest, most welcoming person and has really helped me learn the ropes. It's an area of the park that requires a lot of great teamwork and I can already tell that this group of people can definitely get the job done.
While Stroller Rentals may sound like an unimportant job, I have learned that my position is quite the opposite. We are the only group of CM's in the whole entire park that will see all 100% of the Guests every single day. We are the first interaction that they have, so we have to set the bar high and send them adventuring further into the park with smiles on their faces so that at the end of the day we will see them leaving with the same smiles.
I have a couple of more days of training to go and I am excited to finally be working all on my own. I can't wait to make Magical Moments for the Guests everyday that I work. This is definitely one of those jobs where you get back what you put into it, and I'm going to give it my all.
See ya,
P.W.
Here's a look at the costume I will mostly be wearing: (Have you ever seen shirts pockets that big?)
After DAKlimation, I have spent two whole days with actual on-the-job training. I received a lanyard that came equipped with pins (pin trading has become a huge part of a CM's job) and I have already had many great experiences of pin trading with Guests of all ages. It's a great way to get conversation started and really gives the Guest a personal interaction. I have learned that Stroller Rentals really means so much more than it sounds! I would classify myself as more Main Entrance Merchandise. Although I have learned how to clean, unstack, and distribute strollers, I have also learned how to work the registers at the lockers and other nearby stores and carts.
Every single person that I have met that works in my area has been the nicest, most welcoming person and has really helped me learn the ropes. It's an area of the park that requires a lot of great teamwork and I can already tell that this group of people can definitely get the job done.
While Stroller Rentals may sound like an unimportant job, I have learned that my position is quite the opposite. We are the only group of CM's in the whole entire park that will see all 100% of the Guests every single day. We are the first interaction that they have, so we have to set the bar high and send them adventuring further into the park with smiles on their faces so that at the end of the day we will see them leaving with the same smiles.
I have a couple of more days of training to go and I am excited to finally be working all on my own. I can't wait to make Magical Moments for the Guests everyday that I work. This is definitely one of those jobs where you get back what you put into it, and I'm going to give it my all.
See ya,
P.W.
Really enjoyed reading this dude. (:
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rosalie, for reading and commenting!
ReplyDeleteWell done Patrick!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mrs. Decorte!
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