Delayed

Due to my classes background checks being held up in the courts my Traditions and Parks Operations classes have been delayed a week. I still made the journey to Anaheim yesterday, everything went smoothly, so much so most of my new room is already set up. I was heart broken Tuesday night when I received the call from Casting letting my know my start date had been delayed; I've since changed my mind a bit. While I am bummed to not be in dress clothes walking around the park today I do have a rare opportunity. One of my favorite podcasters from the DIS Unplugged Disneyland edition is in the parks. Though I won't be able to enjoy the parks with him; he invited me to dine with him and his family at a Whitewater Snacks, a favorite of all of ours. Whitewater Snacks is in the Grand Californian with a great view of Disney California Adventure and they have the best nachos I've ever eaten. So I get to have great lunch with some great company today.

Last night I had the opportunity to hangout with one of my favorite people Carly. She was a sweetheart and drove down from Pasadena after working at Starbucks just to hangout with me; that in itself made me super happy. We tried to go to my favorite sushi place in Orange, sadly Tokyo Cafe was closed, the Old Town Grinder however was open. The Grinder not only has one of the best pastrami sandwiches I've ever eaten, they have tons of bottled sodas, and it's a favorite of mine I haven't had in close to a year. As if eating with one of my favorite people at one of my favorite places wasn't enough we were able to watch the Disneyland holiday fireworks as Carly drove us back to my place. I had my first "I live here now how cool is that" moment when I first pulled off the freeway; seeing the fireworks shattered that first moment and really made me realize this is my life now. I may not start working for the Mouse for a week, but I'm already fully immersed in my noisy neighbors night time activities.

I'd like to send the biggest thank you to my mother, father, and brother right now. With out the love and support I've received from all of you this new beginning wouldn't be happening. Dad thank you for having the faith in my to tow a trailer 400 miles by myself and giving me the knowledge to make it a safe trip. Mom thank you for letting me go, I know I'm your first born, I can't imagine how hard it was seeing me drive off. Smalls, thanks for helping me pack, more importantly thanks for making my last night in the apartment memorable but normal for the both of us.

It's Real

Warning I ramble a bit in this one...

This dream of mine is really happening. I know, I know; Sean it was real when you were offered the job. But it really hit me yesterday, again I know, I know I keep saying that. It was an early 6am wake up call so finish my ironing, shower, gourmet breakfast of S'more Pop Tarts, then on the road. Pops had said he wanted to make the trip with me so we'd be leaving from my parents in Chandler. He also has this thing about wanting to take his M3 over my single cab Ranger. I don't see why, the Ranger has four cylinders, power nothing but steering, and some sweet stickers on the rear window. Whatever if he doesn't want to take my sweet ride I guess we can take his hoopty.

Okay back to the story you folks are here for. We set out and hit the carpool lane as soon as we got on the freeway. Nothing like Pops and I laughing at people as we cruise through town. In the words of Julio sucks to suck nerds. We jam out to some sweet tunes; for a middle age man my father has a quality taste in music, go pops. We continue to chat the whole way, and by chat I really mean me talking my fathers ear off. I kept going on and on about how excited I am about the job, rambling on about Disneyland facts, I think I brought up potential living situations but who can be sure. Five and a half short hours later we pull off on Katella, throw the top down on the M3 and head towards Downtown Disney.

My father has never been to Downtown Disney, heck he's never even stepped foot on Disneyland property since before they built California Adventure. After we parked in Downtown Disney lot we dug into our lunch, shout out to Moms for packing us tasty foods. Then it began, Pops knew I have a wealth of Disney knowledge, but I think I surprised him. We took a leisurely strolled around the Disneyland Hotel; the new E Ticket pool just opened and it looks great. Pops was happy to find there is a Haagen Dazs in Downtown Disney and picked up some over priced ice cream. While Pops indulged his sweet tooth I used the lovely facilities at the Disneyland Hotel to put my dress pants on. Then the fun park started; I had to finish changing in the parking lot of Downtown Disney. I certainly got my fair share of interesting looks as I changed from a tshirt to my dress shirt and shoes. Ladies and gentlemen I have zero shame so those interesting looks had no effect on me.

We head to casting, I grab my paper work and Pops turns the car into his office. There were about ten of us there for Onboarding paperwork and we all made small talk. It was a fun group of people, I'm glad that I get to do Traditions with them next week. Onboarding wasn't anything special, I signed my life away to the Mouse, took a picture for my Cast Member i.d., and went over when and where we need to be for Traditions. I can't wait to see these people again, everyone was super friendly and I'm sure the nine hours we spend together for Traditions will feel like much less.

The housing situation: The one and only thing that I was stressed about was my housing situation. I was making jokes to everyone at Onboarding that if I looked like I slept in my truck the next time they saw me it was because I did. I had a sweet cottage to check out... the sweet cottage turned out to be one step up from my truck. PSA: If a room or house on Craigslist only has photos with awkward angles AVOID IT AT ALL COSTS. This "cottage" was a room slightly larger than my bathroom, it had an outdoor only kitchen, and the bathroom was off the back of the main house without a lock on the door. I should have know that for 500 dollars it was too good to be true.

PSA #2: HAVE A BACK UP PLAN! I had emailed several other people regarding rooms off Craigslist and none of them had got back to me. Not wanting to waste time Pops and I hit up a local gourmet dinner, McDonald's I think it was called, so I could get back on Craigslist. I found two rooms that looked promising and set up a meeting for them both. Folks there is someone upstairs looking after me, I have positive karma, however you would like to say it, I have good luck when I need it. The first room was amazing; only slightly smaller than my current room, private bathroom, and in a sweet townhome that has been overhauled in the last month. I feel like I'm forgetting something, oh two cool guys as my landloards and roommates.... Still there should be something more... oh it's on a street called Walnut. You don't know where Walnut is? Walnut is the street that borders the west end of the Disneyland Resort property. That's right I will be living within walking distance of work, I see plenty of theme park time in my days off. Pops and I wrapped up things at the new place and hit the road. We stopped at another one of those classy McDonald's for some sodas and ate some meatball sammiches, another shout out to Moms. The drive home was much quieter than on the way to Anahiem. In fact I passed out a few times; I ended up getting back to my apartment around 2:30, unpacked only my phone charger and passed out.

Yesterday was a long day, but it was a very rewarding one. My paper work is filed, I have a start date for work, an amazing place to live, and I start my dream job a week from Saturday. For those in Arizona please lets spend sometime together before I move next Friday; for those in California get ready. It's real, I'm chasing One Dorks Dream.

Welcome!

My name is Sean S. from Tempe, AZ, how can I help you today?

This is my blog documenting my adventures and experiences through out my journey from Disney Dork to Cast Member. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I'm sure I'll enjoy writing it.

It Happened

I got an interview with the Walt Disney Company for an Attractions position at the Disneyland Resort. I couldn't have been more excited about it; I was so excited I'm pretty sure some of my friends got sick of hearing about my interview and my excitement.

I could hardly sleep the night before, my generous estimate is two hours of sleep. So by the time my alarm went off at 6am I was already on my computer and eating some breakfast. That's a pretty normal morning for me; most of the time I'd get my cycling clothes on and head out for a ride, this day was different. I was about to embark on an adventure to Anaheim for my interview. I knew that leaving at 7am for a 4pm interview would leave me plenty of time for any problems that might arise as well as the battle against Phoenix rush hour and LA traffic. I had a worry free drive and in just a little over five and a half hours I was in Anaheim around 11:30 local time.

My luxurious room at the Extended Stay America wouldn't be ready for me until 1pm so I did what any weary driver would do, seek nourishment. Sticking with the trips theme of luxury I went to the McDonald's across from the park and ordered a McRibb. As you can see I was clearly going all out on this trip folks. After my five star lunch I headed over to Downtown Disney to take some photos, walk around, and kill some time. It may be early November, but in true Disney spirit Christmas decorations are already popping up in Downtown Disney and the entrance gates at Disney California Adventure. So I took some photos of the decorations and random shots of the DTD, the esplanade between the parks, and Disney's Grand California. It was shortly after 1pm, so I headed to my classy hotel.

Normal check in stuff, the room wasn't anything special, and the wifi was horrible; again I am the 1%. Nothing memorable or blog worthy happened between 1pm and 3:30pm. After my shower I headed to "The Big Green Building" as it's referred to by anyone who has ever been to it. It's the home of Casting (Disney term for HR) at the Disneyland resort. What I felt was the best mix of nerves, excitement, and anticipation. I after I entered I was told to have a seat in the lobby and wait until a Cast Member called my name. I have to give it to Disney, even the interior of the Casting Building is wonderfully themed. From Disney Characters on the walls, the names of rooms, to Disney movies on the many TV's. My name as well as five others was called and we entered a "Cast Member Theater" to watch a movie about working at the Disneyland Resort. It covered things like the "Disney Look", pay schedule, ect; most things I knew, but it was a nice refresher. As soon, I mean I didn't even have a chance to sit back down in the lobby, my recruiter Wendy greeted me and invited me into her office. I remembered the many tips I had received; I smiled, made eye contact and was my normal bubbly self. A few minutes of chit chat later (Wendy said it was my interview) I found out that I would not be receiving the job I had interviewed for. However Wendy insisted that she had a job she felt was much better suited for me and I would enjoy much more. I was offered a position as a CM at Innoventions; Innoventions is a combined walk through and interactive attraction in Tomorrowland. Wendy said I would have my more guest interaction than at other attractions and it is a higher pay scale. I was SOLD! We went over the next steps for me, instructed to wait for emails so I could accomplish those next steps, and I was on my way. I did it I was offered a position as a Cast Member at Disneyland. I forced myself to contain my excitement until I was in the privacy of my own truck, once there I let out a cheer and called my parents and told them the great news. A quick 10 minute drive back to my baller hotel room and I began the many calls letting friends and family members the good news.