Well Hello, Let the shame begin.

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Joined: 05/02/2013
Posts: 18
Well Hello, Let the shame begin.

I just thought I would introduce myself. I'm actually here for a much different reason then most of you. I have lived within an hour of Disney here in Orlando my entire life and I've only been twice. Once when I was very young and another when I was about 20 and took my niece to Magic Kingdom. I came across this site whilst doing some research about Disney. I recently got hired there and will have a Silver Pass which apparently gets me +3 people in for free as often as I like so I wanted to see what the parks had to offer me now as an adult.

So for the past few weeks I've been looking around trying to find what to expect, the best things to do, visit, see and experience. I figure if I'm going to work for them I want to know everything I can and be as knowledgeable as possible for our guests. Any recommendations would be great as most of you seem to be very passionate about something I seem to have taken for granted most of my time here in central florida lol. Thanks in advance!

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Joined: 09/12/2010
Posts: 4703

Hello and welcome!! And congratulations on the job!!! Now that's exciting!!

No shame to be had either - a lot of us did not really discover the joy of Disney until well into adulthood. I may have been nearly 40 when I found out.

For me it's all about the experience of going away from the real world to, well, the happiest place on Earth. Happy friendly cast members really do make a difference. And there is so much to do as an adult, even above and beyond the rides. But the rides are totally fun to do just by themselves.

The food is also a huge draw for many folks - where else can you go and within the confines of such a small area be able to experience such a wide and highly acclaimed variety of food? From quick little counter service to world class dining, it's all right there. And they have some really unique food stuffs you can only find at Disney.

Add to that all the shows (from the Lion King to La Nouba and everything in between), the special tours, the nighttime spectaculars, there's really a lot to see and do Smile

The resort options add another layer to the amazement. From the Value to the Deluxe, you have so many distinct options.

Ad Disney CMs makes me feel like a VIP 24/7 Smile

Now, if you find yourself needing an assistant...... mickey biggrin

lolastardust's picture
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Joined: 04/07/2013
Posts: 375

Hello and welcome to the forum! Congratulations on the new job! We went to Disney every year for many years when I was a child/teenager, and I guess the reason my family kept going back was because you would never be able to find anywhere that would keep us kids happy for that same length of time. I agree with what Jeff said about going away from the real world to the happiest place on earth. The reason Disney appeals to so many is because it offers escapism from mundane life into a completely magical world. The best way to experience the joy of Disney is just to go! If you have the chance to get in free, I'd say you should definitely take it so you can witness the parks from a visitor's perspective. There's nothing quite like it. silly

MrHub's picture
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Joined: 10/29/2009
Posts: 9503

Welcome & congrats on getting the job at Disney. Can you tell us what type of position you got?

It's all about the "Magic" DJMagic, it's all about the Magic. It's the look in the first timers eyes as they come through the tunnel at the train station and see Main Street for the first time. Wether they are 9 or 90 years old, that sparkle that shines so bright in their eyes, the little smile that starts across their face as they see castle rise in the distance. That warm feeling you get watching that happen, that's the "Magic" for me!

When some one see's Mickey Mouse for the first time in person and starts crying, and she or he is 60 years old, that's the "Magic".

When a complete stranger walks up to you and hands you fastpasses for a ride you didn't think you where going to ride because the line was 50 minutes long.

Not everyone feels it, and that's okay, there is nothing wrong with that. But I bet everyone of us on this forum knows exactly what I'm talking about, the feeling might come to them a little differently, but it's all the same. We could all stand in the hub is the Magic Kingdom and know what each other was thinking, "Where in the Happiest Place on Earth"!

Got to go to work or I would keep going, just might when I get done. have a Magical Day!

Allie's picture
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Joined: 06/26/2012
Posts: 5477

Hi and welcome and absolutely no shame! Kudos to you for doing your research and trying to become the best CM you can be! Do you know what area you'll be working in? What made you decide to apply at Disney?

Kristen K.'s picture
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Joined: 09/01/2011
Posts: 23803

welcome Hello DJ and Welcome! welcome

Congrats on the new job with Disney! I hope that it turns out to be everything you want. I also want to take a minute and say thank you for already making a commitment to your guests by wanting to learn all that you can about WDW.

There is a whole world of things to see and do and learn, it can be hard to figure out where to start. I would love to offer you some suggestions of place to hit on your first few visits. Tell us about yourself, so that we can help point you in the right direction. What sort of things do you like to do?

Want Classic Disney? Start at the beginning with the Magic Kingdom
Foodie? Head right to Epcot
Nature Lover? Start out at Animal Kingdom
Thrill Seeker? Hollywood Studios has the rides for you

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Joined: 05/02/2013
Posts: 18

I appreciate the warm welcomes, I certainly intend on visiting very often now that admission is free and getting to know it from a guests perspective as well as possible. As far as the position, I work with the resorts reservation center and their live chat systems. I can definitely understand the food being a huge draw, I'm quite the foodie myself and am ecstatic to go to the Food and Wine festival at epcot!

As far as personal preferences, I always tended to steer towards Islands of Adventure by Universal simply because I've always been a roller-coaster person. Sadly I'm unfamiliar with most of the rides offered throughout the parks at Disney, It's such a large environment there with so much to offer its a bit intimidating to try and get to know it all lol.

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Kristen K.'s picture
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Joined: 09/01/2011
Posts: 23803

You're a foodie, awesome! You fit right in. laugh

You certainly don't have to wait until Food & Wine Festival to be able to experience some fantastic Disney food! First things first, The Disney Food Blog is a wonderful website that covers all things Disney Food, have a visit and check them out! Our fearless leader (site owner) Brad co-hosts the Disney Food Blog Podcast. http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/

I'll start with some Magic Kingdom Area recommendations!

The Magic Kingdom area includes Magic Kingdom, Grand Floridian Resort, Polynesian Resort, Contemporary Resort, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. All of which are situated on the shores of Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon. The first four of hose are connected by monorail. Many fans like including a "Monorail Crawl" into their vacation plans. It's a great way to see the area and get a taste of what's available at several of the resorts. All of them offer unique shopping, dining and drinking experiences. I like to do a monorail crawl on my arrival night with a stop to have a bite to eat and a drink at each of the resorts.

http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/articles/great-lounges-walt-disney-worlds-magic-kingdom-monorial-loop

In the Magic Kingdom some of the snacks with a cult following - especially something called the Dole Whip. This cold and creamy soft serve treat has it's own fan following. Many people wouldn't dream of going to WDW and not indulging in a Dole Whip. There are also big fans of the massive Turkey Legs you can find there.

http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/articles/pineapple-reigns-supreme-walt-disney-world
http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/articles/top-5-magic-kingdom-snacks

JoAnn C's picture
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Joined: 05/20/2011
Posts: 6757

welcome to the forum and congrats on your new job.

If you like roller coasters, there are some great ones at Disney:

Expedition Everest - Disney's Animal Kingdom (my favorite)
Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom
Rock 'N Roller Coaster - Disney's Hollywood Studios

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Vettelover's picture
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Joined: 03/28/2009
Posts: 4658

Hi! DJ and welcome to our little corner of the Disney loving universe. You have heard from a few of our members and anything I could add would be duplication but I did want to wish you welcome and hope you enjoy your newly chosen profesion.

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Joined: 08/01/2012
Posts: 2037

welcome DJ and congratulations on your new job at the House of Mouse. I'm with VetteLover I can't add anything more to what has already been said. Just enjoy and as you work there you will experience all the Magic that Disney brings. stars

taratru's picture
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Joined: 06/26/2012
Posts: 556

Welcome and congrats on the new job! clapping

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Joined: 12/29/2011
Posts: 499

Hey, welcome, and what kind of gig did you get at the world?

twilightsparrow's picture
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Joined: 05/16/2012
Posts: 337

Hello DJ and Welcome!!...congratulations on your new job!

stars

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Joined: 05/02/2013
Posts: 18

Thanks to everyone, I will not be working on site at the parks. I'm working with the reservation center to support the resorts doing Live Support for those having a tough time navigating the site while booking their holidays. I am really looking forward to seeing as much as I can with the new pass they provide for us and making the most of the opportunity for both selfish and professional reasons Smile .

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Nancy D's picture
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Joined: 05/29/2012
Posts: 754

Welcome, DJ Rapid!

Well, hopefully by now, you have gotten the impression that these folks know what they're talking about! There's so much to learn on this site, and hopefully much, much more for you to learn in the parks once your feet have hit the pavement a few times!

Please check back in to let us know how your job is going, and let us know what you think about Rock 'n Roller Coaster and Expedition Everest!