We Have Now Reached the End of the Journey

Well....my Disney College Program is officially over. I graduated on Thursday, moved out of my apartment yesterday, spent one last day in the parks, and came home today. It's hard to believe that I no longer live in Orlando, that I no longer work for Disney, and that I'm no longer surrounded by magic pretty much 24/7. What really sucks, though, is not being around the amazing people I got to spend my time with down there. Especially my besties. It's hard knowing that all of sudden I'm going from seeing them on a daily basis to not being able to see them at all. So this whole Post-Disney Depression (PDD) thing is very real. I'm going through such a wide range of motions, usually within a few minutes of each other. I'm happy to be home, back with my family, with my boyfriend, and with my friends here. I'm happy that I won't miss anymore family get togethers, and I get to spend the holidays with them this year. And that's going to be amazing because honestly, Christmas kind of sucked last year because it wasn't what I was used to. So I'm definitely looking forward to being surrounded by my huge, amazing family this year. :) But I'm also very upset about the fact that I'm no longer at Disney. I don't get live with pretty much constant sunshine (something I never thought I would get used to). I don't get to go play in the parks when I want. I don't get to get that wonderful Cast Member discount on pretty much everything. And I don't get to say that I work for the Walt Disney Company. I absolutely loved my life in Orlando, so I am definitely sad that I don't have it anymore. Being back home is definitely something I'm going to have to get used to again. And as sad as I am that this wonderful journey, this dream come true, is over, I am pretty excited to see what my next adventure will be. I've got a job interview lined up next week, and I'm applying for grad school, which if I get in, I will start in the fall. So I definitely have some kind of plan for my life right now. But, no matter how amazing it all turns out to be, nothing will ever truly replace my experiences on the Disney College Program. I had the time of my life, and I'm so glad I did the program. For everyone who kept up with my journey through this blog, thank you. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. And for those of you who are looking into the program, do it! You will never get another experience even remotely close to this. You will make amazing friends, work in the most magical place on Earth, and have the time of your life. It won't always be easy, but it'll be worth it. I promise. :) Well...that's it, I guess. My college program is done, and so is this blog. So, for the final time.... Have a magical day!

It's My Last Full Month!

So it's officially my last full month here in Orlando. I know I said this in my last post, but I really am sad about leaving. However, I know that it's time for me to go back home and settle into a "normal" life there. And as much as I love Disney and Orlando, I feel like I've been missing out on a lot back home, and I don't like that. I can't wait to be around my family and friends, and to be able to do the things that I love doing back home. And I'm also looking forward to being able to be back around my dogs! I miss them!

So since I'm leaving my "dream world" in 37 days, I have started trying to find jobs back home. So far, I've applied for one, and I'm getting my resume ready to send out to other places. I've also applied to go back to school for my Masters' degree. All that's left for me to do is to register to take the GRE. I'm dreading that because (a) I hate taking tests like that, and (b) it's expensive. But it's something that has to be done. To be honest, I'm looking forward to going back to school. I feel like I'll be one of those people who is pretty much always in school because there's just so much that I'm interested in and want to learn about. :)

However, I still have over a month left here at Disney, and I plan on making the most of it. Today, since I'm off, I'm planning on going over to the Grand Floridian and seeing the painted Easter eggs that they have on display. And Monday is my birthday, so Kim, Kelly, and I are planning to drive up to St. Augustine for the day to celebrate. I've always wanted to go to St. Augustine, so I'm excited that we're going for my birthday. :) I also have to start packing stuff up so I won't be rushed to do it all my last week here. Let's hope that for once, I'm actually on the ball about this. :p

Oh! And even bigger news--the boyfriend is coming to visit me!!! He'll be here for just 2 days (next Saturday and Sunday), but I'm so excited that he's coming!! He's never been to Disney before, so I'm very excited to get to share this part of my life with him and show him around the place I love so much. He'll be here in 10 days, and I can't wait!!! I just have to get through some crazy hours at work the rest of this week and next week. But it'll be worth it. :)

Well that's all for now. I will definitely try to update next week because I've picked up a PAC (Parade Audience Control) shift over at Magic Kingdom next Wednesday, and I want to tell y'all about that. I'm looking forward to that experience. :) And now I'm off to get ready and head out for the afternoon!

Have a magical day!
-Amanda

Signs That I Was Always Meant To Work At Disney Part 2

For my 1st birthday, my parents decided to go with a Mickey Mouse theme. I've told them that they should have realized then that I was going to work at Disney someday. :)

My cake. See? My parents started this. :p

Pretty sure I was telling my mom to leave me alone.

My uncle stole some of my cake. I was not happy. Notice the look on my face.

My daddy and me the day after. Still eating cake. :)

I still think cake is one of the greatest things ever invented. And Disney cakes are the best. :)

Disney has been apart of my life since I can remember. I think it's only fitting that I get to work there now. :)

Day 30!

Day 30: A picture that always makes you think of Disney.

 Rain and waiting on parades. :)

 The reverse waterfall at Epcot.

 My cousin getting attacked by Captain Hook at the bus stop at Coronado Springs. :p

 Getting Leslie her first ear hat. :)

Mickey celebration cupcakes. :)

Wow! I'm done with the challenge already! Meg was right....these do make the time go by a little faster! :)

But if you liked seeing my challenge, don't worry. I'll start a new one tomorrow. :)

Day 27!

*10 Weeks!!!!*

Day 27: A picture of the person you most love sharing Disney with.

I love, love, love sharing Disney with my brother's 3 kids. :) They make the experience even more magical for me. ♥  

Day 25!

Day 25: A picture of your favorite childhood Disney memory.

It's not my childhood memory, but it's a childhood memory. :p When we went to Disney last month, we got to go with my siblings and their families. My sister and her family had been to Disney several times before, but my brother and his family hadn't. This was their first visit. And it was so awesome to get to be there with them for that, and to see his 3 kids take in everything. They all absolutely loved Disney World, and they can't wait to go back! :)

Message To My Wonderful Disney Family

Hey D-Fam!

I know that I haven't met any of you yet, but I just want to say that I feel like I have. The past few weeks that we've all spent talking to each other on Facebook, sharing ideas, talking about our interests, and just getting to know each other, have been some of the best times I've had. There are quite a few of you that I already feel close to, and I can't wait to meet ya'll.

Our D-fam is special. I think we've already proven that. I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of such a wonderful group. We've already proven that we're there for each other, and that we'll support each other in whatever we want to do. And the fact that I'm going to be down there with people who love Disney as much as I do...that excites me!

I am looking forward to getting down to Orlando and checking in to Disney on August 8 and finally meeting all you wonderful people. And I look forward to Living, Learning, and Earning alongside you and making memories that will last a lifetime.

Have a magical night!

-Amanda

Day 15!

Day 15: A picture of what you do when it rains in the park.

We put on ponchos and keep on keepin' on. Seriously. Rain has never stopped us.

And just in case you were wondering, that is my mom and I sitting on Main Street, U.S.A in the rain waiting on the parade back in 1997. And if there is one thing my mom became an expert at, it was getting on the parade route about 2 hours early and sitting there. It's how we got awesome spots for the parades.

Day 3! :)

Day 3: A picture of your favorite Disney memory.


My latest trip to Disney was about a month ago during Spring Break/my birthday week. In fact, our last day in the parks was my birthday. :) Anyway, this was also the trip that both my brother and sister and their families joined us. My sister and her family had been to Disney before, but my brother and his family never had. So getting to be with them for their first trip (especially since he's got 3 kids under the age of 10) made the trip so much more magical.

But anyway, on to the picture. This was taken on my birthday, our last night. The day was pretty magical already (breakfast at Chef Mickey's, visit to Epcot to finish up World Showcase--my favorite part of Disney World). I loved people wishing me a happy birthday (I was wearing the birthday button and the birthday ears). But the best part came at dinner. We had dinner at Mickey's Backyard BBQ at Fort Wilderness (omg...real southern food. I was in heaven!!). We were sitting there after eating watching the kids (including my 6 year old niece and 3 year nephew) dance on the dance floor when all of a sudden, this huge Mickey cake appeared in front of me. My parents ordered it and didn't tell me. The word surprised is an understatement to how I felt. I was literally overwhelmed with several emotions, including an immense amount of love for my wonderful family. This picture has me (in the middle with the cake), my 9 year old niece, my brother, and my parents. This was seriously the best birthday I've ever had. :)