Traditions and Training

Disney's Traditions is the first day of "work" for all Disney Cast Members. This was a day I had been looking SO forward to. For Traditions the participants learn all about the history of the Disney Company and why they hold their traditions so tightly to the experience of visiting Walt Disney World. 

The class was about 4.5 hours long with so many fun and exciting things! When we got into the classroom there was a red box in the middle of the table that we were told NOT to touch. A little later in the class were were finally allowed to open the boxes and they held some Mickey ears for us all!! 

We then got to learn all about the four keys Disney uses for their success in customer service. Safety, Courtesy, Show, and Efficiency (in that order) are the values that Disney prioritizes. Then to see the four keys in action, they took us on a trip to Disney's Magic Kingdom. We got to see backstage for the first time and got to walk in the Utilidors (the underground area of Magic Kingdom) to get from the back of Fantasyland to front of Main Street, USA. We got to watch a few minutes of the castle show, Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire, before heading to Storybook Circus to find the four keys. 

After getting back from Magic Kingdom we got our Blue IDs, which is you're entire life as a cast member. We finished up the day by getting to watch more videos on the Disney Company and the legacy that we are becoming a part of. There were definitely some tears shed realizing that I was working for a company that is so close to my heart. 

The cast members teaching my Traditions class said they had a surprise visit from someone very special for us and in walked our new boss- Mickey Mouse!! And he even had a surprise in his hands... OUR NAME TAGS!!!! Such a surreal moment finally getting that name tag and becoming an OFFICIAL DISNEY CAST MEMBER! 

I don't want to give much more details on traditions because it's just an absolutely incredible day and I don't want to ruin the magic for any future cast members. But hearing the stories from Disney, from other cast members, and personal stories from guests about their vacations gives you such a sense excitement to work for the company. It was a great day that I will never forget! 

The next day was my training day. I had "Welcome to Operations" in the morning then I had "Food and Beverage Core" that afternoon. It was a long day learning about the operational side of Disney but it was another step closer to training on the job! 

After those training days I started on the job training. There's not much to say about those days, just a lot of hands on learning and getting my first taste of guest interaction! 

I'm working on a "month one" blog that I'll hopefully be finishing up here too! It's hard to keep up with all the exciting things happening but this experience is incredible and everyday I feel so blessed to be making magic! 

Have a Magical Day!! 

xoxo, Hannah