We were up dark and early and off to get the bus. Once at the meeting point there was no one there except our apartment. A few minutes later others started flowing in and then two staff members arrived. It was 2 degrees and we were all standing half awake in a line outside. We had to file through and get paper work for the Social Security office and then go and wait outside again for the bus which had not arrived. Eventually it pulled up and we raced on board with the hope of thawing out. I was extremely aware of my long day ahead so tried to sleep on the ride to the office which was in another area of Orlando. However half way there the driver made an announcement that some people had been left behind and we had to turn back. That news did not go down very well. The driver tried to blame it on us which also didn't go down well. Upon our return to VW we discovered it was the staff member who had been left behind. Why he hadn't got on with us in the first place I don't know. I napped on the way back to the Office and then once there we all lined up and met with an officer each who went through our paper work and signed off our details. Back on the bus to Vista.
Once back I got straight into bed with the hopes of getting an hour or so of sleep before work. I fell asleep instantly.
Once back I got straight into bed with the hopes of getting an hour or so of sleep before work. I fell asleep instantly.
Our internet was not working at the apartment so I took my iPad off to work as I knew the bus would get me there early.That is where I posted yesterdays blog from! I was officially in the system thank goodness. I started my first official day without my 'earning my ears' flag.
Parts of it were quite daunting but I felt comfortable and excited to actually be working. I got to move around on rotation which means we go from one role to the other. I got to try out all the positions on my own.
Bruce Willis has been in the park today and also yesterday. He came on our ride- through the exit! VIP right there! I didn't get to see him as I was on break but everyone else was very excited to have spotted him. There is another kiwi who works on the ride called Natasha. She is from Rotorua. I got the bus home with her tonight and she was talking to me about the celebs she has seen while here. She got to Neil Patrick Harris and the twins, Mariah Carey and her clan and various others.
Parts of it were quite daunting but I felt comfortable and excited to actually be working. I got to move around on rotation which means we go from one role to the other. I got to try out all the positions on my own.
Bruce Willis has been in the park today and also yesterday. He came on our ride- through the exit! VIP right there! I didn't get to see him as I was on break but everyone else was very excited to have spotted him. There is another kiwi who works on the ride called Natasha. She is from Rotorua. I got the bus home with her tonight and she was talking to me about the celebs she has seen while here. She got to Neil Patrick Harris and the twins, Mariah Carey and her clan and various others.
I particularly enjoyed listening and watching the Beast roars which were sent to me on Snapchat. Dad's one gave me a massive fright.
I got a four keys card at work today. I didn't know what they were at first so I had to ask why my name was written on this card on the wall. Turns out they are given out when people see you doing something good. I couldn't believe it- first day and already I got one from my co-coordinator! You can get your manager to sign it and then put it in a competition to win a $75 gift card. Woohoo.
I had one man get onto the ride today and instead of stepping into the clam shell he stepped between one and the next. Goodness gracious I wasn't sure what to do. Thankfully his family caught him before he stepped onto the track. I think that would have needed a ride stop.
After we have closed up for the night we have to go through and sweep out the track and clam-shells. I had a lovely girl explain to me what to do as I hadn't done this before. We found a quarter and an autograph book on the track (so sad). And also a whole lot of rubbish. And this really odd brown furry monster toy. It was gross.
They have a track talk at the end of the night and this involves all those who have been on closing going to talk to the coordinator and the manager about how the day has gone. We get to walk past Belle's Village to get there and at night when everyone has left the park it is super magical. Gaston's fountain looks amazing with the lights on.
I got to Westclock to get the bus home after my shift but there were hundreds of College Programmers waiting to get the bus. Another group had just graduated from the program so they had spent the evening at the park. I had to wait about an hour before I could actually get on one of the buses home.
I did it! I made it through my first official day at work, and also through an 11 hour shift! At one point we had to load and unload the Wheelchair Access Vehicles 3 goes in a row. That means take one person off and put another on in one turn. It meant I got to practice and get over my fear of the Wavs! Only intrusions to go now- and I think I will ask someone else to come in with me if that is the case.
The other people who were closing the ride with me were really lovely. There were 5 of us and they were very good at explaining things to me. Yay.
There are a series of Timon and Pumba safety posters on the buses. This is one of them. They make me smile.
After we have closed up for the night we have to go through and sweep out the track and clam-shells. I had a lovely girl explain to me what to do as I hadn't done this before. We found a quarter and an autograph book on the track (so sad). And also a whole lot of rubbish. And this really odd brown furry monster toy. It was gross.
They have a track talk at the end of the night and this involves all those who have been on closing going to talk to the coordinator and the manager about how the day has gone. We get to walk past Belle's Village to get there and at night when everyone has left the park it is super magical. Gaston's fountain looks amazing with the lights on.
I got to Westclock to get the bus home after my shift but there were hundreds of College Programmers waiting to get the bus. Another group had just graduated from the program so they had spent the evening at the park. I had to wait about an hour before I could actually get on one of the buses home.
I did it! I made it through my first official day at work, and also through an 11 hour shift! At one point we had to load and unload the Wheelchair Access Vehicles 3 goes in a row. That means take one person off and put another on in one turn. It meant I got to practice and get over my fear of the Wavs! Only intrusions to go now- and I think I will ask someone else to come in with me if that is the case.
The other people who were closing the ride with me were really lovely. There were 5 of us and they were very good at explaining things to me. Yay.
There are a series of Timon and Pumba safety posters on the buses. This is one of them. They make me smile.