James' career with The Walt Disney Company

Test Results

2010-09-11T22:23:00.000+01:00

Well I found out today that I passed my medical examination :D

They have sent me the original forms that I filled in and the other copies have been sent to the agency and to Disney too I think.

Medical Exam

2010-09-11T22:17:00.000+01:00

Hey everyone.

Well on Tuesday I had my medical examination in London. Nothing too much to report here.

When me and my Grandma got to London we found out that the underground trains were all on strike, so we had to get the bus... This made me get to Harley Street a bit later than I should have been there (as they ask you to arrive 20 mins before your appointment in order to fill out forms).

After running down Harley Street to find number 127, I arrived and checked in. I went though all my forms and got asked to go upstairs to see the doctor.

The doctor was a lady... BINGO!!! :D Ha ha. She was very nice.

I had to do the usual things to do with medical tests. I got checked on my eye sight. She took my height, weight, blood pressure, flexibility, and joint reflexes. She also checked my chest and looked in my ears.

As I had to run to make my appointment my blood pressure was sky high! I explained and she agreed but told me to just watch it in the future incase it stays high.

I then went down the road to number 111 to have my blood taken. She filled 4 tubes of it (which she told me equalled to 4 tea spoons).

This is me after my tests with some cotton on my arm ha ha. Sorry for the blurriness in the photo. Thanks Grandma :p

That's basically all that happened. Me and Grandma went to Leister Square for dinner (which I liked because thats where they have all the UK movie premiers).

I will find out soon if I have passed my tests.

Here are a few photos from the day :o)

Toy Story 3 :D

Grandma took this photo so it is a bit blurry :p

Buckingham Palace.

Wellington Arch.

Wicked :D

I seem to take this photo every time I come to London ha ha.

Vaccination records!

2010-09-01T20:51:00.000+01:00

Well today I got my vaccination records from my doctor. I have to take these with me to my medical examination on Tuesday!

I never realised that I've had so many shots! Looks like I'm very healthy. But I guess I'll be finding out on Tuesday just how healthy I am. Ha ha.

One day closer :o)

LIGHT SPEED TO ENDOOOOOOOOOOOOOR!!!

2010-08-31T18:19:00.001+01:00

G'DAY GAVNOR!!!

Well I have my medical examination booked for Tuesday 7th of September. :D It feels sooooo good to start getting things done finally.

I've heard a bit about what I'm going to do during my medical. But until I actually have it I can't say for sure. I've heard it's just the usual medical type stuff... With tubes and needles ha ha. Nice :D

In other news, it was "the last tour to Endor" recently at Disney's Hollywood Studios. So in this post I would like to include a photo I found on google...

Happy Tuesday!!!

Well well...

2010-08-14T01:38:00.001+01:00

I got an email today with info on obtaining my US criminal record check... I haven't got any black marks thankfully :op

I will be sending that off tomorrow along with my UK Criminal Background Check :D

Feels like I'm getting closer every day...! Which I am :op

And to make you smile... Here is a picture of the chimp brothers! :D

Hey hey hey!!!

2010-08-12T21:15:00.003+01:00

Well today has been fun. I emailed the agency that represent DCL in England to tell them that due to a change in circumstances would I be able to have an earlier start date with Disney? They emailed back saying that it would be no problem and to start applying for my medical and CBC certificates now, but to hold off on applying for my visa for the moment.

So, great! I will be keeping you posted when I make an appointment to have my medical check in London and when I get my CBC back.

See ya real soon!

Oh P.S. I found this really cool blog online, that is really helping me out with what to expect when I get there :D

http://allears.net/cruise/issue389.htm <--- you can read it here.

2010-08-11T23:08:00.002+01:00

Okaaaay... Wow I haven't been here in a while but seen as though I got some very interesting news recently I guess I should start posting again...

My news is as follows...

Hello,

RE: Disney Cruise Line interview

Congratulations! You have been successfully recommended for employment on board Disney Cruise Line vessels as MERCHANDISE HOST/ESS.

In order to move forward you will need to successfully complete and pass a DCL Medical examination, Criminal Background Check and C1/D Visa application. We will contact you to get you started on these, so please continue working until we do. Based on the number of vacancies we anticipate opening up onboard and your own availability, you have been marked you as a ‘wait’ for the time-being. When DCL ask us to get you started on your process, we will call you.

We greatly appreciate your patience! If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Once again… Congratulations! I look forward to speaking with you again soon.

As you can probably imagine i am over joyed!!! I plan on taking a little trip in October to see my good friend Tracey Brown (yes she is related to Charley) and then going to meet my family in Florida for Halloween Horror Nights :D Woop woop!

After that I'm coming home to start my visa and medical applications :D

I am soooo glad that I've finally got my head into gear and am continuing to follow my dream to continue the work of Walt Disney.

If any one is still following this thank you so much and I promise to keep you more posted on my adventures than I did in WDW ha ha.

I'm back...

2009-06-22T19:02:00.003+01:00

OK. So I'm really sorry I haven't posted an update for like... 6 months! It's been really busy here!

I've became a Disney trainer, and a floorstock for the UK.
I had a backstage tour of tower of terror.
Got into the Encore cast choir and orchestra, and got a solo with them this year.
Casey left for home earlier this month, and I'm going to see her for 6 days on the 9th of July.
Family are coming out to see my show at the end of July... Going home for a week... Then coming back for two weeks lol. Rich? No no... Just incredibly poor!
We have a whole set of new managers now.

I'll keep updating when I can!
Nice to see you all.

! ! ! H A P P Y C H R I S T M A S ! ! !

2008-12-25T17:10:00.002Z

Happy Christmas everyone.
Today was really good!

From Lyns I got PIRATES MONOPOLY!!! Great fun!
From Julian I got Kingdom keepers 2! and a huuuuge Disneyland train set!
And from Casey I got loads! I got a Pluto teddy, a mickey cap, a Disney drawing kit, a tower of terror towel (to match my dressing gown), a jack monkey (from pirates), a giant gobstopper, some jelly mickeys, two pins, and an orange, all in a Pluto stocking with my name stitched into it!!!

I just rang home and everyone is ok. Not fighting. THEY GOT A BLOODY X BOX 360!!! Nick has only just let Peter on it at 4:00) lol. They got the games lost, fifa 08, and others.

I'm just about to go to work so I will leave it here.

See you in the new year!

SUNDAY MONDAY HAPPY DAYS!!!

2008-12-01T15:08:00.001Z

I'm soooo happy today!!!
I moved apartments and moved in with a french guy and two other UK lads who i am good friends with.
I now have two days off so I am thinking about going to the beach or sea world as Julian has rented a car for the month.
Everything is going great out here. It's going by soooooo fast!!! Thanksgiving was big but black Friday was immense!!! We have the Christmas ball/ formal tomorrow evening. That should be fun... As in FREE FOOD HA HA!!!

Ok bye bye...

The boys are back in town...

2008-11-28T04:18:00.003Z

Hey, I'm back from a break of bloggage it seems!
Haven't really had time to post anything on here much recently.
To start with...
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
Yep that's right. It's my first ever thanksgiving I've celebrated. It was well good. I got a full dinner for a dollar, and tried pumpkin pie for the first time.
Everyone is getting in the Christmas spirit! It feels really good.
Today I was feeling a bit down at work so I went over to give Tyler some stickers and he decided to find some kids and play Rugby to cheer me up. It worked very well lol.
Tomorrow is meant to be REALLY busy! And we also open half an hour later than usual... So I now am staying until 1 o'clock in the morning tomorrow!!! WOAH!!!
Kirsty is getting here soon. It's gonna be soooo good. I'm excited :o)
Most of the Christmas shows are going to kick off tomorrow. The Osbourn Christmas light shows, and most of the world showcase shows.
Anyways I have a meeting in the morning so I'm gonna get to bed.
Nighty night!!!

I'm walkin' right down the middle of main street USAAAAAYY!!!

2008-11-06T16:56:00.003Z

Ok... Where to begin...
Sunday morning Casey tells me to go to EPCOT. It's like 8 or something. And remembering that it's the night after cowboys...? I'm like WHY would I do that? I need some sleep!!!
So I decide to go anyways. She gets me excited about getting 50% off for our Christmas discount. So she takes me outside the turnstiles at the park entrance. I'm really confused by this point. She explains that she wanted to see something in the gift shop outside the park.
Then she says we are going to meet someone. I'm like "OOOOHHHH GOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDD!!!" I'm sooo tired and I just want to sleep lol.
Then from behind I get attacked by a small child I like to call... Well... MY BROTHER!!! I turn around to see my mum grandma and peter all stood there. Turns out they had called Casey on the morning to surprise me. It felt GREAT to see them all.
We spent the next few days in the parks, went to Pirates dinner adventure, and then they went home on Friday.
We've just been getting all our stuff with the discount lately. Life is good. Can't complain. Me and Ty swapped costumes randomly one night. That was fun lol!
Anyways I think I'm gonna go for an ice cream from main street. Byes!

Grim Grinning Ghosts Come Out To Socialise!!!

2008-10-25T17:52:00.002+01:00

OH MY GOD!!! Last night was amazing!!! So Casey Ty Heather and I all went to fort wilderness campground by boat.
We went to this Davy Crocket restraunt for n all you can eat buffet. They had mash potatoe, GORGEOUS chicken, sausage, sweetcorn, salad, pissa, gravy, and an ice cream factory!!! IT WAS AMAZING!!! AAAANNNNDDDDD we all got discount!!!
Then we went to the campfire and there was this guy with a guitar singing country songs and chip and dale were there and it was MINT!!!
He started playing you got a friend in me and I was sooo overwellmed (I know I didn't spell that right). THEN... We went down to the beach to watch Hallowishes over the water in the Magic Kingdom! They played the music on the beach and everything. It was amazing!!!

Today everyone is working. So I'm going to go see finding nemo the musical and then go on TOT and Rock 'n' rollercoaster and then go see wishes! I'm kinda excited to spend some time alone as I've been on the go since I got here and it will be nice to chill out a bit.

See ya later mator!!! :o)

Back from work.

2008-10-17T19:44:00.003+01:00

OK so I just have to work extra magic hours and then I'm off for the weekend :o)

I worked two full days on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday I went to Caseys for dinner and had meatloaf for the first time. It was really nice.
Thursday we all went to Bennigans. It was awesome, just because Tracey went. It was great to hang our with her and her roomies again.
Tomorrow I plan to go to the parks with Julian, we don't get many days off together so that should be fun.
And Sunday I think I might go to mickeys retreat to see if their pool is open so I can start swimming again.
Talk to you later.

Still my guitar gently weeps...

2008-10-15T02:49:00.002+01:00

OK so there has been a lot going on recently.

I have been getting a lot of great service fanatic cards. This is great as it goes on my record with Disney.
Food and wine i going well, everyone i drunk by 6 o'clock, so that's always fun... NOT!!!
My co-worker lee got terminated. That was really sad, because he was like a role model to me. He was the magical moments rep and was amazing working with guests.
On Saturday Casey and I went to Universal studios for the day. We got chance to see some of the Halloween horror nights theming. It looks really good. Not too sure when I'll get chance to see it on the nights though.
We then went to the Pirates adventure dinner show. It was AMAZING! The food was OKish... But the show was absolutely fantabuliosis!!! It started with the pirates taking over and kidnapping the princess. Then each pirate lead us to our table area. We had the red pirate... Who we thought was drunk at first... But was clearly just in character because he was sword fighting later... Very well in fact!
The opening of the main show was brill!!! All of a sudden the music swelled in... Now when I say music... I mean the music from HOOK!!! My most favourite film EVER!!!
Towards the end of the show the orange pirate came near us... Walked behind me... But he didn't keep on walking... SHITE... He shouted, "Get up!" So I stood up. Then he tied a rope around my hands and lead me onto the pirate ship. I was soooo nervous ha ha. I looked over to our table and saw Casey laughing! She took some photos so they will be on facebook soon.
It all ended in a great sword fight and a disco at the end! It was a GREAT night and I had sooooo much fun!!!

Then on Sunday I went to magic kingdom with Kim. She showed me round Tom Sawyer island, something that I've never done before. I was really fun. In the tunnels I hid from her and jumped out and made her jump! I guess she got me back later on. She then gave me a driving test on the Indy Speedway to see if I was good enough to drive her car in December... Now I thought she said it was a stunt driver test... Obviously not. She still said I passed thought, so I shall look forward to it.
We then used our fast passes for space mountain and then went to Hollywood Studios and went on Toy Story Mania... WOW!!! It was soooooooooo good!!! It's a 3D ride where you look at screens and play carnival games. I scored really high... As per!
And finally we did tower of terror and went to see Fantasmic, before getting a pizza at home and falling asleep to Oceans 11. It was a really good day :)
Anyways it's late so I should go.
Nice seeing ya!

It's gonna be a long long time!

2008-10-03T17:33:00.002+01:00

Ok sorry been a bit distant the past few days.
I got three guest service fanatic cards yesterday.
I have the weekend off so I plan to go see finding nemo the musical with ty tomorrow and I don't know what on Sunday.
I might have to stock up on Ben and Jerrys because I'm getting low on supplies! lol!
Gonna go shopping now anyway,
Talk to you all later!

OOPSIE DAISY!

2008-09-28T21:19:00.003+01:00

So I've been really busy doing other stuff than updating my blog... Lol clearly!
I've just been working, and making magic at EPCOT lately... You know... Just the usual lol!
I'm going to see the fireworks tonight at Hollywood Studios!
Gonna do a big update soon so watch out!

In the big blue world!!!

2008-09-23T00:08:00.002+01:00

Saturday I worked all day and then went to cowboys. I really didn't wanna go until I got in and got bored lol. Me and Colin were line dancing all night it was REALLY fun!
Yesterday was my day off. It was Kims birthday so me and Julian took her to Hollywood Studios. We also got her a birthday pin and she got some free stuff through out the park. We then went home and got ready to go to House of Blues... I'm sooooo glad I went... Just so I could say "I'm NEVER going again!" It was soooo slimey and all the guys were perving on the girls. It was horrid.
Today I woke up and rang Casey to arrange going to Animal Kingdom. We saw festival of the lion king and finding nemo the musical. It was amazing! I think that FNTM is the best thing in WDW!!! We have come home and got a chinese! It's sooooo nice :D It poured down today. But I'm dry now so I don't care lol!
Have a magical week!

Come my little friends as we all sing our happy little working song!

2008-09-20T05:58:00.002+01:00

Yesterday was my first day of work. My trainer is Lindsay! She is really good! She keeps saying I pick up things really easy... But I reckon it will get harder when I'm on my own in three days time! There is quite a bit to know about all the ways guests can pay and how they can get their items shipped to their resort hotel gift shops or to the front of the park.
I finished off by closing cart and watching a little bit of illuminations! I learnt how to count the tills up. Its easy as pie! And pie IS easy lol!
Today I started at 9am! Woo hoo!!! I learnt how to open. And at morning meeting I got given a pin to give away to a guest. It was fun!
I learnt more about refunding items and exchanging items, and I got to serve a few people. Its nice to share your culture with guests. I had a guest say that his parents were from Middlesbrough (which is just over the river from Stockton-on-Tees).
I finnished at half 5 and went to see Tracey, Ashley, and Julia and we went to the olive garden. Then we came home and watched all but the last ten minutes of Juno... Now that Traceys laptop has frozen we are waiting for it to load.
See ya soon folks!

Tonight was most probably the best night of my life!

2008-09-18T06:10:00.002+01:00

So we went to Hollywood Studios. We walked down to the cafe outside the theatre of the stars where beauty and the beast plays... We grabbed some food and then went to see this amazing band I like to call... RETURN 2 ZERO!!!
We were watching them and it all felt real! The fact that I could watch them play for the next 10 some odd days!
Anyways, I'd been talking to Marshall on facebook so he kinda knew I was coming, and when he came over our side of the stage I waved frantically at him. He looked... took a while to register... And said "Hi James!" I felt like a screaming fan! lol. It was AMAZING!!!
Then I managed to get Casey on tower of terror! It was really good and I was sooo proud that she went out of her comfort zone to ride it with me.
Next we went on rock 'n' rollercoaster! We went in the single rider line and I sat next to some CPs! It was cool.
Went to see Fantasmic next! It was cool but the boat still didn't come round :o( boo!!!
We went to say goodbye to grandma as she is going home tomorrow... I'm really going to miss her LOADS!!!
Then we walked round to the boardwalk... We watched a juggler... And then went to the place where beaches and cream is, and walked along the beach and watched a movie on a big screen n sat on deck chairs. It was sooo beautiful sitting there looking across the water. I left like I was home!
Now we are at home watching south park and Casey is falling asleep lol. I'll try to update soon!
Chow for now!
TOTALLY!!!

We goin' straight tooooo the wild wild west!

2008-09-17T17:49:00.002+01:00

Ok sorry for the late update I've been mega busy over the past few days.
Sunday I had Merchentainment. It was good to start with... We learnt more about the currency and which presidents are on the different notes. And then we used computerized cash registers. They seem pretty easy to use. Then I went to for some "real canadian" food with my canadian girls, it was nice. Kinda like cheese and chips... But not lol. Then I went to sleep.
Monday I had my discovery day. We basically went round EPCOT and got told some trivia. My trainer asked the group how many pannels were on space ship earth... I was like... 11 thousand, 2 hundred, and... Well I mixed up the 4 and the 3 lol. But thanks Skipper Lou if you read this :D
We rode on space ship earth after that. It was a good day... I went to UK Lads... But I won't be talking about that on here lol.
Tuesday I met grandma at Scuzz Mall and showed her round my appartment. Then we went to EPCOT to go around world showcase. Casey met u after work at Norway. And I took grandma on Maelstrom lol... It wasn't even that bad!!!
Then when we were in the UK my trainer from yesterday spotted me and asked if we wanted VIP seating for Illumination. I was like... YES!!! lol. So we watched the fireworks and then went home.
Today (Wed) I'm going to meet grandma at MK and go to EPCOT to pick up Casey, and then go to MGM to meet tyler and see 4 for a $ and maybes do TOT and see Fantasmic.
See ya later

Starlight, starbright, first star I see tonight...

2008-09-14T05:47:00.002+01:00

Today was traditions. It was really really really... Good! We got on the privet bus from the commons. and headed to the Disney university. This was situated behind the magic kingdom. I've seen photos of the building before but it looked much nicer being there in person.
My trainer was called Jessica. She was an amazing cast member, and I'm so glad I had such an enthusiastic character to plant the seed in my career.
I'm sworn to secrecy so I can't tell you much about the class. We had a few videos and you could answer questions to win little disney figures. I got a Tink and a Daisey Duck. I filled up A LOT during this class. During the 4 breaks that we had, not including lunch, I got talking to Jessica. I explained that I had a particular interest in the companies history, and that out of the whole Disney experience I was looked forward to traditions the most! We shared facted about Walt, Walt Disney World, and The Disney Company. She said, "I like you James. If you are ever in the break room at EPCOT, and want an interlectual conversation just find me." I felt amazing that someone thought I was interlectual. I'm so glad that I found my passion in Disney as I can finally be really good about something that I love doing.
We got a special traditions cast member exclusive pin, and finnished with a video of the whole of Walt Disney World.
As I picked up my pin, and walked out the door, I gave a big wave goodbye to Jessica. She said "Goodbye James!" I then said, "I went all through school, feeling very bored in class, and never paying attention... But THAT was the best class I've ever had!"
We had gotten our cast member passes so we went to Magic Kingdom to see wishes... After the show I turned to Tracey and said, "Did you cry?" To which she replied, "Yes, because my wish has now come true." And I cried.

BE... CAUSE... YOU... DON'T... NOTICE IT ALL...

2008-09-14T05:34:00.002+01:00

Today I woke up and got ready to go to MK with Tracey and Casey. Casey signed us both in as we didn't have our passes yet. We met grandma and went on monsters inc. laugh floor... Where I got to dance on the big screen... And I must admit... I knew the moves ;o)
Then we went on space mountain. It was REALLY cool!!! Casey had to leave because she was working soon, so Tracey, grandma, and myself went to meet the UK girls to go on the haunted mansion, but we got caught up in the parade... Another magical moment!
After haunted mansion we went to Phillarmagic which was also amazing! Then we went on Splash Mountain and I didn't get that wet as per usual, so it was really funny to see everyone else soaked!!!
After this we headed to... One of my personal favourites... AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH... That's right... PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN!!! I was in my element, it was AMAZING!!!
Then for my first ever ride on aladdins magic carpets... It was extremly fun and I got kinda wet from a spitting camel.
We headed to the exit and went on the bus to Hollywood Studios, I got a slush from the potions shop on sunset blvd. and went to see fantasmic! This was awesome... But they didn't bring the boat round... I felt robbed!!! It was a great way to end the day though... How many other people can say they see fireworks at Walt Disney World EVERY NIGHT?!?!?!

Pictures to follow

GOOOOOOD MORNIN' GOOD MORNIN'!!!

2008-09-11T22:45:00.002+01:00

Casey made me some breakfast this morning... Which didn't go to plan lol. We were shit at cooking :op I didn't have any milk to make scrambled eggs so they went shit... And Casey did something wrong with the hash browns... I dunno what like ha ha. I ate the bacon that was lush!!! And headed off to the clubhouse. Here I went with a woman who worked out how much disney would pay for me to get home. I gave her my reciepts for my train and flight, and it worked out at around $690 which is REALLY good! We then had a talk with a special agents guy who told us about drinking and got all the under 21s to stand up... I stood up pretty fast as other kinda crawled out of their seats... I'm really not that bothered about it lol. We got told about us not drinking and we would be termed for it and all that stuff I already knew... They were just reminding us though.
Then the good people from "Partners," which is the disney bank for Cast Members, came in and gave us a little pressentation about banking with them. I decided to go with them as they seemed my best option. I made plans with the mexicans to go for wings tonight with Tracey and some other UKers. I have tomorrow off so I'm hoping to go to MGM and meet grandma there.
I will leave you with some photos from the past week or so... Have a magical day! :D

Welcome to our happy to be time!!!

2008-09-11T22:44:00.000+01:00

So I had my first sit down kinda class today. We had a few talks about sercurity and stuff. The company that owns the cast member housing complexs are called Price Management. They seem really cool and I feel safe that no-one can really get into the housing without being signed in or having a CM ID... But they still told us to lock our stuff in our lockers just incase lol.
We then got the bus over to Vista Way, to get our ID cards... With a big fuck off "UNDER 21" on it! Nice :op lol. Everyone said my photo was a really good one... And I have to agree ha ha! I do look sexy on it! :op lol.
We then went to walmart with tino to get some food and shopping. I got cerial, milk, fruit, soup, fries, and a pizza... WOOO :op lol I had other stuff but I forget now lol. I kept saying that I was really scared but everything was ok. I also got some ice pops and eggs and bacon that Casey asked me to get for her.
We got back... AND HAD TO CHUG ALL MY BAGS BACK TO MY APP! Damn! Jullian helped with mine so it wasn't that bad. I put all my stuff in my cupboards and fridge and then went to see Ashley (who lives at Traceys). I walked in and they had RENT all ready set up for me... Just lucky I guess ha ha! Then Casey called me and we all trecked up to mine to get her food, only to bring it all back to hers lol. Today was really fun. It's starting to feel more real now.

Tuesdays goooooone with the wind... bam bam bam bam dun dun dun dun duuuuun (that's the song from happy gilmour :op lol)

2008-09-11T22:43:00.000+01:00

Well I moved in today. It was pretty cool. I am in appartment 2828 which is right over in the side they call the getto... I wanna move... lol but I wont be able to until 90 days or something. It's not THAT bad... The I4 goes right past my bedroom window... Ok maybes it is a little bad. I went to the premium outlets (Scuzz Mall) with Casey to get some food. And I met a very nice young lady I like to call... Well... Grandma I guess lol! Then we ate and went round the shops. I came back to the commons and went in the pool. I met tino, a friend who I've spoken to online for a while, he's cool, and Nathan who I havn't met before but he is class. We went to find Tracey but she told us the wrong app. number. I later found out that she is sharing with Ashley who I've spoken to from WDWIP and msn and that shiz. Then we went to Bennies. I had a humongous BBQ bacon burger with chips! It was nice.
I came home and we spotted Colin... Colin is a guy who I had my interview with. I said to Casey all Saturday and all today, "As soon as I see Colin... That's when it will start feeling real!" And now... It feels real! He dragged me to the UK Throw out and I got given a big snugly blanket thing... Which I am glad I did as it was cold that night :op and a welcome gift bag with a little teddy n stuff inside. I could clearly see that it was going to be REALLY hard for me to leave at the end of my programme! Then I said I would stop by at Caseys on my way back to my apartment so I did. I went back to my app. at 1... I got to sleep at half 3! FUCKIN' ROAD!!!

Tell me why I really really really LOVE Mondays!!!

2008-09-11T05:46:00.002+01:00

Because it means I have one day left until I move in with Disney :D yey lol. Today we got the I-ride trolley all the way down to publix which is just next door to the premium outlets... and that's next door to the commons. I got some cheesy sticks, and grandma got some hair condish. and some rice pudding type things. We then went to mc donalds. Next we came back to the hotel and went to the pool... Then some dobbers came along and jumped in... I turned to grandma and said, "You know how you wanted to see shamu? Well she's in the pool!" How rude of me... But it was funny. :op We came in and I watched friends. Grandma is asleep now. I'm not sure what we are doing tonight, but I might go crazy golfing! Oh which reminds me... Earlier on we went to check out how much it was to play crazy golf and we saw about 15 gators in the pond. They were only small but I wouldn't climb over the edge and swim with them :op lol. Talk to you when I've moved in tomorrow. Chow for now ;o)

That's walmart price!

2008-09-11T05:46:00.001+01:00

Today I went to walmart to get a cell phone. I got a $15 one and a $15 phone card... Yes thats right... We buy phone cards still here... Well they probs have personal top up cards but I havn't heard of that yet. I have to ring customer services to activate my phone too. The good thing about the phone is that I can get on a plan where I can ring all other people with the same one, and it calls internationally. I plan to go to the hotel pool later on today and just chillax to the max!

Don't tell me ma, she'll only tell me pa, and then they'll take me telley out me room!

2008-09-11T05:45:00.000+01:00

Ha ha a very good day today. So I got on the shuttle bus to universal studios today at 9:05am. I planned to meet Casey at 10:30... So as I got into city walk at around 9:30 I thought I'd pass some time by looking around the shops. After this I went to meet her only to find out that she had also been there since 9:30ish 8-) As if!!! :op
We got our anual passes from the islands of adventure kiosk, and then headed over to universal studios. We went on all the rides including the updated version of Earthquake which is now very funny :op and the simpsons ride which is also great. While we were at men in black Casey had put her bag... erm... I mean puuurse 8-) in a locker, we came back after the ride and the system was down so we had to wait 10 minutes or so. One of the guys working there gave us two express passes each to use on any of the rides at the two parks, so we used them for the simpsons and the hulk later on.
After doing most of the attractions at universal studios, we headed over to islands of adventure to do the hulk and spiderman. We then went to dueling dragons but saw that the queue was an hour so we decided against it. We went for some chow and then got a taxi to the i-trolley bus stop, and then headed tooooo... The commons baby!!! Well exciting that I was there. I really hope I get put in this complex because most of the people I've spoken to are there. I went to Caseys appartment and met her room mates, and I also used her laptop to check my facebook and send messages home.
Then some of her friends came and we went to get the minibus to cowboys. On the way to the minibus though Casey took me to a random appartment and said I'm taking you to see someone... I was like... Ok who? Lol and she wouldn't tell me. A girl answered the door. Casey asked for COLIN!!!!!!! I was well excited. This was the guy who I had my interview with. But alas, he had gone to Walmart or somewhere. I was well disapointed but I will still no doubt see him and everyone else on Tuesday. We headed to the minibus and went off to cowboys. Cowboys was Englands vision of a real american bar. It was a one price for unlimited beers thing. I didn't drink though... Obv! They had line dancing and a miss rocky mountains contest (I think they called it) I think you can all guess what that was about :o) Hello America!!!
Well tonight was fun. It was WELL different from going out back home. I guess I will get used to it but it's nice to go... Where everybody knows your naaaaa aa aaaame! lol.
I got dropped off at my hotel and went straight to bed.

AMEEEERICA!!! AMEEERICAAAAAAA...! AMERICA YEAAAAAH! HERE TO SAVE THE MOTHER *** DAY YEAH! lol

2008-09-11T05:44:00.000+01:00

I got here ok. It took us some time to find our hotel from the airport. We got two busses, but could have got one, but the transfer was free so it wasn't really a problem :op
I'm just about to go to subway and ring Casey to go to Universal tomorrow, if I can work out how to use the pay phones here lol.

All my bags are packed and I'm ready to go

2008-09-11T05:43:00.000+01:00

I am now at the airport in departures. We got through all the sercurity checks ok. Our gate hasn't been displayed yet so we are just watching the screens. The staff at Virgin were lovely... After watching airline and airport I had bad expectations. Both me and grandma have got ourselves free refils. Grandma has got a coffee and I've got a coke. I went to ask at the customer help desk about the T-Mobile Wifi hot spot here, but the young lady a the desk said she didn't have a clue... YOU ONLY WORK HERE!!! Ha ha. This has taught me a lesson which I am going to do at disney, to know everything that I can about everything. I heard that we get a little book saying what time shows, parades, and character greeting are for all the parks. I hope this is true because it would really help. And if I still don't know an answer to a question I can say to the guest, "I'm really sorry I don't know the answer to that question... But I can find someone who does. :D" Complete with The Disney GRIN! lol.
Anyways I'm going to get going and get some more coke. Grandma has just got back with a big bar of chocolate for us to share... YEY! :P
Catch ya before I go to sleep hopefully :D

I walk the line

2008-09-11T05:42:00.000+01:00

As I can't get online on the train I'm going to write this up on word and then publish it when I can. So sorry if it's late.
Well I'm on the train to manchester airport. It's 6:17am. I've just said goodbye to mum, dad, Peter, and Nicholas. Grandma got the train wrong ticket, but found it in the end.
I think I'm too tired to feel sad about leaving home. I am going to miss it, but here begins a MAGICAL year :)

It's time to meet the muppets on the muppet show tonight :D

2008-09-02T12:09:00.000+01:00

It's here :D

Good Mornin'! GOOD MORNIN'!!!! It's GREAT to stay up late!!!

2008-09-02T10:58:00.003+01:00

Well how do you do? (do do do do do do dum) Fine how are you? (dun dun dun dum dum) How you come on? (dooby do do do do) Pretty good sure as you're born! :D

So today I shoooould get my visa through the post... Please *crosses fingers* I'm so excited :D and I keep lookin' out my window every time a car goes by :op

I'm listening to Inside the magic now and I've got flutterflies in stomach! I honestly can't wait now. All the nervous feelings are going and I feel amazing!

The fact that I have a job in Walt Disney World is an outstanding achievement for me, and I can't wait to become a part of WEDs great plan for an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow! :o)

OOOHHH and before I forget... I had the best night ever. *Mator voice* My best friend decided to surprise me with some presents for when I leave... They were amazing and made me feel most excellent! Then... She showed me some cakes she made during the day... And then ate them all and never gave me any :op lol.

Thanks Kirsty :o)

Have a magical day friends :o)

Permission GRANTED!!!

2008-08-28T00:23:00.004+01:00

So I went to London... And went to the US Embassy... AND GOT MY VISA APPROVED!!!!!!! YEEEHAAAWW!!!

I was so scared. I don't know why because it was easy as!

I started queuing outside the embassy at half 7 as my appointment was for 8am. I got to the front of the first queue and handed stuff like my wallet and other things (belts, coins, etc.) to the lady and she put them in a clear bag.

Then I waited in another queue to get my passport checked. I got called forward and he didn't ask me any questions just sent me to the next line.

Then I waited and got called through to the security checks. This was just like going through customs at the airport. You put your stuff on a belt that goes under a scanner (the kinda thing dad put us on at the airport when we broke bones cause he didn't have the money to pay for x-rays! ha ha) and you walk through one of those detector things, "all clear go through sir." ;o)

Then I walked out of the security booth and round the side of the building to the main entrance. I got given a number... 1013 :D and got told to wait in the main room.

They had big screens with numbers on them (like in Argos) and you just listen for your number to be called and which booth you need to go to... I got booth 5... Then the guy asked for all my documents and passport... Then the system crashed... Yey! Ha ha, then I got told to go down to booth 7 to try their computer... There was a total hottie there! Ha ha. She told me to take a seat near by and that she would call me back up when they sorted them out.

I got called back up in about a minute and a half. She took my finger prints, gave me a form to fill out about where to send my visa to after it had been stamped, and told me to take a seat again. I sat back in my old seat but got bored after I filled my form out and went to the snack bar to see how much things were... I wasn't hungry ha ha. No it wasn't expensive stuff I just knew I was gonna have a picnic after with mum :D

I went to sit by the window and I watched people going through security to entertain myself lol.

After what seemed a long time (but not as long as people had told me) my number got called... Well actually it didn't... Because all the computers weren't workin' properly they kept calling numbers out from their booths... and over the automated voice that was gonna call my number... Luckily I saw my number on the screen and double checked where I needed to go... Off to booth 22 round the corner.

This lady was an American. She took my finger prints again to double check I was still me (ha ha). She said, "So you're going on one of the Disney programmes then?" I said... "Yes." lol and She asked me how I found out about the job. I told her that I'd been on holiday and found out about our countries representatives for the company, and that I applied through them.

BAM! She said, "Right well you're all set then." Stamped my documents and told me to go over to the desk to pay for my passport to get back to me. I stood in line and then got to the desk, booked it, packed it, f**ked off! :D

Here are some photos from the trip...

WWWWAAAALLLLEEEEEE!!!

I will finally leave you with one last photo. When I went for my interview in Hammersmith I had a photo taken outside the Apollo where Wicked is showing at the moment... This is me 11 months on... And still lookin' guuuuurd! :op

And that's when I saw it, that's when I heard it... Callin', Callin' meeeeeee...

2008-08-26T22:41:00.002+01:00

So it's about 10:43pm... The night before my visa interview. I'm travelling down on the night bus at 12:15am. I'm absolutly brickin' it! I have my appointment at 8am. When, and if, my visa gets accepted I'm gonna do the "jump on it" dance! ha ha!
Well I guess I should start gettin' ready to go. Pray for me please! :op
Goodnight neeeeverlaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand!!! :o)

Meeeeeee and Mrs. Joooooones!!!

2008-08-23T17:24:00.002+01:00

Well... I finally got my final form that I need to go for my visa... I have moved the appointment forwards to make sure I get it back on time to fly on the 5th. So I will now go for my visa on the 27th of August.

On another note I'm going to Alton Towers tomorrow n stayin' over and going to the park again the day after :D I am SUPER excited about that.

I have nearly finished the kingdom keepers... Maleficent doesn't sound too happy heh heh heh :P

See ya later people... Yeah I hope not sporadically! Ha ha :P

Put on your sunday clothes when you feel down and oooooooout...

2008-08-22T12:27:00.002+01:00

Well I saw Wall-E... It was good :op
I also received notice from yummy jobs that my Visa petition has come through. I have booked my visa appointment for Friday, 29th of August. I am super scared, but I know that it will all go OK :D
My mum is now cryin'... And planning crazy schemes about giving Pete and Nick sick notes for school, and going on the sick from work and just coming to Florida for a while...
On our second holiday to Florida I saw a lad in front of us at the airport and he was with a man and a woman. They were queuing to go through to customs. When they got to the front of the line the man and woman stepped out and said goodbye to the boy. They then all burst into tears and hugged each other. All the way through customs the lad was cryin' his eyes out...
I never thought that boy could be me in a few years time.

I'm leaving on a jet plaaaane!!!

2008-07-23T10:30:00.002+01:00

LAST WEEK OF WORK!! LAST WEEK OF WORK!! I can safely say I'm glad to be leaving! lol

I booked my flight too:

Passenger: James Hare
Manchester International Apt (MAN) To Orlando International Apt (MCO)
Airline: VIRGIN ATLANTIC (VS)
Flight Number: VS 0073
Departure Terminal: 2
Departing: 13:30 Fri 5 Sep 2008
Arriving: 17:40 Fri 5 Sep 2008

GET IN MOTHER FUDGE CAKE!!!
Feels like I've just got a load off my back.

Should be going down for my visa soon, so watch this space... No not that space... Over here... Hey... You... Yeah over here... WOW WAH WEE WAH!!! :o)

His bed is on fire with passion and love, the neighbours complain about the noises above... (Nothing to see for Disney here) When she's on top ;o) eey

2008-06-19T18:02:00.009+01:00

DEE YUPPIE MATES!!! :D
Ok so... What have I been up to recently?
Well first off I learnt to make cookies

Yeah, they were nice :D lol.
I've also been to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. It was a great day and I got to see many ride opps create the worst customer service I've ever seen lol. But I guess that's one of the worse side effects of going to work for Disney. You notice all the other companies down falls.
Anyway I found this piece of theming outside Trauma Towers and just had to take a photo...

Erm... Yeah lol.

I went to my grandmas house to cut her garden hedges and trees down a bit, and ended up carving mine and my brother initials into one of the trees.

You can kinda see J, P, and N in the trunk.

I went to the beach with my brother Peter and my mum and we acted like pirates, poked little sea creatures and nearly got pooed on by seagulls lol.

I got a new bag for Florida. It's pretty big and only cost £9 so it was a GREAT buy! :D

I ordered a fantasy book from Amazon called "The Kingdom Keepers" that came the other day... and what I've read so far is AMAZING! It's set in Walt Disney World, and it's cool to read about them getting chased through The Haunted Mansion by Disney security dressed as regular guests.

And finally I got a new top. I like it.

So basically I'm just gathering some money and getting stuff together for Florida at the moment. Everyone is being really positive about the move, which makes me more confident about following my dream.

Until next time my friends...

Run for the sun, little one, you're at outlaw once again... rest of the song... The land of make belieeeeeeve!!! :D

2008-06-11T19:42:00.004+01:00

Ok. So as were getting closer to my move, I'm starting to look into special events and things that I can take part in whilst I'm at Orlando.

One of these is... DUN DUN DUN DUUUURRRR... The Walt Disney World Marathon! Special?! I think so! lol.

I signed up yesterday for the Circle of life 5K run at Animal Kingdom which will take place on the 9th of January 2009... And I also think we have to be up early... Like to start at 7... YYYEEEEYYY!!!!! lol

Anyway here is some info on it:

REGISTRATION
Adults, teens, and tweens will enjoy a fun-filled and exciting 5K. Everyone in the family can be a part of this official WALT DISNEY WORLD® Marathon Weekend event.

CIRCLE OF LIFE 5K

DATE: Friday, January 9, 2009

TIME: 7:00 AM

LOCATION: Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park

ENTRY FEES

Entry into Circle of Life 5K is $40.00.Registration includes:
Disney theme t-shirt
Personalized Disney theme bib
Goody bag
post-race refreshments
5K Finishers receive a Disney theme medal
Event Weekend Transportation for WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort guests
More Disney Characters - coming in 2009!

LIMITED EDITION CIRCLE OF LIFE 5K COMMEMORATIVE PIN
As a participant, you have the opportunity to purchase a Circle of Life 5K Commemorative Pin! Pins can be purchased during registration or you can purchase now!

*Pins will ONLY be distributed at Packet Pick-up. Pins not picked up at Packet Pick-up will not be mailed and will not be refunded. Quantities are limited.

5K PACING REQUIREMENT

All 5K participants will be required to maintain a 15-minute per mile pace in order to receive the finisher medal. Any participants unable to maintain this pace will be picked up and transported to the finish.

ELIGIBILITY

All ages are welcome to compete. There are no restrictions. Strollers, baby carriers, and baby back packs are not allowed on the course. Each participant must be able complete the 5K on their own.

PACKET PICKUP

Packet pickup for Circle of Life 5K will take place at the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Marathon Expo from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, January 8.

COURSE MAP

So yeah, that's about as much as I can tell you. Really excited about everything so far.

And now back to At worlds end... YAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!! ;o)

Surfin' USAAAAYYYYEEE ;o)

2008-03-26T11:56:00.004Z

Wellerty Wellerty Wellerty lol
I've been to get my swimming shorts today. :o) And I must say... My ass looks fabulous in those lol. I've also seen a pretty nifty suitcase bag thingy, which I think I'm gonna buy for florida... Although its pretty plain :o/ and I wanted some flowers or something daft on it lol.

Anyways theres only what...? 5 AND A HALF MONTHS LEFT UNTIL I LEAVE!!! Yeah I'm so excited and totally not bored of waiting :o/ lol.

Cya on the next update pals :o)

Welcome to the programme... :o)

2007-11-01T18:09:00.000Z

Well I got my Disney Welcome Pack a few days ago but havn't had chance to update this asI've been very busy working to save up some dosh for Florida :o) reading my pack got me VERY exited about going and I am now counting down the days :o)

Shall soon be there :o)

Call me James

2007-10-04T16:33:00.000+01:00

Hey everyone. Names James and I shall be posting and keeping you updated as I go on my journey to Disney for a year :D

Firstly I would like to tell you about my interview and the process I had to go through before I was offered a place...
It was a dark stormy night long long ago in 2006 lol. We were actually at Tower Of Terror at the newly named Disney Studios in Orlando. My mum got talking to the girl working in the exit shop and found out that she was from a town just down the road from our home town. She told us about the programme which she was on and how to apply for it. We had to contact Yummy Jobs (http://www.yummyjobs.com/) with a CV and Cover Letter. As I was 17 I had to wait until I was 18 to apply.

I then became a member of http://www.wdwip.com/ and left a few messages on the forums. I found loads of great information on here to do with the work, living, and the Disney experience. As well as the programmes that I was eligible to take part in. The only one that I was really interested in was The Cultural Representative programme. In this I would be working at EPCOT in the UK Pavilion of the World Showcase, in Food and Beverage or Merchandise. As well as making magic for guests I would be expected to tell people about my home town and (as it says on the tin) my culture. I figured I wanted to do Merchandise the most as I worked in a restaurant before and just felt that it wasn't for me, but if it came to it I always expressed that I would do absolutely anything to work with The Walt Disney Company.

After sending my CV and Cover Letter to Yummy Jobs, I received an email within a week or so asking me to confirm a date and time to arrange a phone call interview. This was a short way of checking that I wasn't a complete lunatic or something I guess :op but even so I had to work my hardest and be well prepared for it. My interviewer was a lovely woman called Michele, and I felt really comfortable talking with her. I also got tipped to write down some mock questions and answers on a piece of paper and have it with me by the phone. This paid off as I got an email a week later saying I was to attend the final stage of the interview process at The Disney Attractions Office in Hammersmith, London.

Before I went to this I had another family holiday to Disney World :D I thought it would be very useful to look more at the working side of Disney and spoke to many people already taking part in the programme to try and find out their views on it (which I got some really great tips and information).

And so Wednesday the 26th of September 2007 (my interview date) grew closer. We (my mum and I) booked our train tickets and accommodation for the Tuesday night (as my interview was at 9a.m.). On the morning of the 25th I woke up stone cold nervous about my interview I was physically unable to move because I didn't know what to expect.

We arrived at Darlington train station to find out that our train was cancelled and we should board an earlier train. We jumped on our new train and sat in someone else's seats for as long as possible, but I knew that with the train getting even more crowded that we should find some seats that hadn't been reserved. I only had to walk one cabin to find our seat to Kings Cross. When we arrived there was police everywhere and I thought that there was a bomb or something, however there was not. They weren't letting people into Kings Cross underground station so we walked along to the next station to get to Turnham Green (where our B and B was). Having our train being canceled and not being able to get into Kings Cross, we thought that we were getting weird signs about the trip. But never the less we checked into our B and B (which was a room no bigger than a cupboard (not literally)) and went into London for and adventure. We were looking for a MnS to get some crisps and dip (which is now a ritual when we visit London). We came out of an underground station to find the shop closed... or at least we thought lol. Well actually... Mum thought. It was wide open so we went in and got some food. :o) We then found a nice chinese take away place which I had the best noodles that I've had so far...

As you can see...

Nice huh? :op anyways we got back to our B and B and went to sleep. Well Mum went to sleep. I was far to nervous and couldn't sleep with Mum's SNORING!!! Grrr! Finally, around 2ish I nodded off.

I awoke the next morning took a quick snap shot of our dump... *cough* Erm... I mean B and B, and we hit the road.

We got to Hammersmith station around half 8, with me feeling even more nervous, and went into McDonald's to pass the time. We also visited the Disney store which was pretty cool.

Finally I arrived at the Disney attractions office.

To find that I was in the wrong place lol. I needed to be at phase B, which was at the other side of the building, so I quickly got my stuff over there.

I walked in to see a giant Mickey statue with a silver studs all around. I got escorted up to waiting suite, filled out my application form, met some of my friends from the WDWIP forum, and went into the presentation room. We were shown a short presentation about the working, living, and learning experience whilst on the programme and had a short question and answer session (which included me getting an international programmes pin for forgetting the names of Happy and Grumpy when asked who could name all seven dwarfs, which I still can't get over). I then got my interview time and decided to go and have some dinner with Mum.

I returned half an hour before my interview time as the Yummy Jobs people wanted to go over our application forms before we went in. I was to be interviewed with a very cheerful guy, who really settled me down before I was interviewed. He had already taken part in the International Summer Programme last year and shared my enthusiasm for Disney. In my interview, I expressed my passion for The Walt Disney Company, spoke briefly about my home town and culture, where I had travelled to, and my previous work experience. The guy who interviewed us said that what the company is looking for is people who are passionate about what they do, and that he enjoyed the interview and would really look forwards to seeing us again. I thought I knew what this meant... But I didn't want to get my hopes up. I then returned home and started the wait to hear the outcome.

One week later everyone was going crazy on the boards saying they had been accepted and many people got advised to ring Yummy Jobs to find out... So I did.

The woman who I rang said that she was just getting round to ringing me and said she could proudly say that I had been accepted. I would be working in Merchandise and will be starting in September... Well obviously my emotions got the better of me as she arranged to call me back within the next few days. I immediately phoned my Mum and through tears of joy told her that I had been accepted.

Over all I think that the interview process was a long series of waiting. And now I have just another looooong wait to go lol. I shall update this blog closer to the date that I fly and will close this post off with a few pictures from London.