This is my story...

So I'm still sort of trying to figure this out. But I'll just sort of mess with it as I go along.

So without further ado, hello there and welcome to my blog. My name is Hayley.  I'm 21, and a senior at a small state school in New Jersey. I'm graduating in May and I absolutely cannot wait to be finished.  I've been accepted to the Disney College Program at the Walt Disney World Resort for Fall 2012.  This blog will be devoted to my adventures both prior to my arrival at WDW and afterwards.  So let the memories begin!

First things first, I've been accepted as an attractions cast member.  All I know about that as of now is that I'll be working either rides or show operations.  Basically, I'm going to push the "go" button.  I've heard in the past you've been able to request locations, but are no longer able to do so. Which bums me out a little bit.  I may shoot Disney Recruiting an e-mail anyway just to see if it helps or not.  I really would like to work in the Magic Kingdom, but so would everyone else, so I'm not sure if that would happen or not. But one can always hope!

I wanted to do a basic timeline for those who have not applied yet or are waiting to hear a response.  I applied for the program the day applications dropped, which was January 23, 2012, around 1pm.  I waited about a half hour after I finished the application and was then invited to the Web Based Interview.  This took me about twenty minutes to a half hour to complete, and I found out immediately afterwards that I passed and had to wait for an e-mail prompting me to schedule a phone interview.  This e-mail arrived about an hour after I finished the WBI, and I scheduled it for the next day.

My phone interview was on January 24, 2012 at 1:45pm, and it went quite well.  I had Lindsay, and she called exactly 17 minutes late (trust me, I was staring at the clock the whole time waiting). I was definitely freaking out. But at 2:02pm, my phone rang and Lindsay and I had a lovely 28 minute conversation about the program and myself. She asked me questions about my top role choices, which were Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Hostess, Charter Performer, Attractions, and Character Attendant.  We first talked about Character Performer because she said it had the most information we would have to go through.  She asked about any stage experience I had, and once I explained to her my dance, acting, and gymnastics background, she signed me up for the Philadelphia Character Performer Audition.  She then asked about any experience I had with hair and make up for BBB, which wasn't much, so I wasn't too surprised I didn't get that role. Then she explained CA and Attractions and asked me some questions about both of those roles (was I comfortable talking in front of people (spieling), having to close lines, with uncomfortable experiences with guests, etc).  Then she had me explain my work experience, which is a lot of experience in retail, so I was kind of nervous I would get Merchandise even though I only had a moderate interest in it from my application.  She also explained that I could end up in ANY role that I put ANY level of interest in on my application.  I would not be considered for a role that I put no interest in, however, which was reassuring. After we went through all of this, she asked if I had any questions (and trust me, ASK QUESTIONS!) and then we were done!  I thanked her by name and we ended our conversation.

I then joined the many people on the Disney College Program Fall 2012! Facebook group in waiting for our responses from Disney.  Our e-mails arrived informing us that we would know "within two weeks" but many of us were quite sure it would be a little bit longer. On Day 15 of waiting, February 8, 2012, people began to receive acceptance e-mails.  They began around 9am EST.  I spent the whole day staring at my e-mail and dashboard waiting for something to change, but nothing happened. After watching wave after wave of people receive their acceptances, I began to lose hope. It looked like I was not getting an acceptance that day.

But I did! Around 4:45pm on February 8, I received my Congratulations! e-mail. I screamed and probably scared the hell out of my roommate before calling my mom and crying a little bit. I had been waiting for that e-mail for longer than the fifteen days post-interview. That was the e-mail I had been waiting for since I was 11-years-old and realized that one day, I could work at the Most Magical Place on Earth. I always knew I wanted to work for Disney, I just never imagined it would actually happen.  But it is going to happen.  In 162 days, I'll be leaving my little town in New Jersey and embarking on one of the grandest adventures of my life. On August 8, 2012, I'll be arriving at Vista Way and checking in to begin the experience that started as a dream in an eleven-year-old's heart.  A dream that I never believed would actually happen is going to happen. I'm going to be a Disney Cast Member!

I may not be Eli Manning, and I may not have just won the Super Bowl, but I've got my own dreams coming true now.  I'm going to Disney World!!

First Post!

I have no idea what I'm doing. But I made a blog. I'm going to try and figure this out. I'll post introducing myself soon!