The Disney Look

Check In Day/Casting

| Sarah

So the day has finally came! Check in day! You’re giddy with excitement! I know I was. But what really goes on during check in? That is what we are going to be talking about today.

A couple of days before you arrive, you’ll get an itinerary stating your role and location, check in information, including what time you should check in and where. You’ll also find out when you have to do casting, drug testing, and attend the housing meeting on the itinerary.

On Check In Day, you’ll walk up (or more like drive through security) to your housing complex and head to the clubhouse. The person greeting you at the door will hand you a program guide with your information on the back. If you decided to bring your car they’ll hand you a form on how to get your car decal from DORMS.

The next station will be where you take your housing ID photo. Then it gets printed out right then and there. Next you’ll head over to the next station. There you hand in all your forms. During this time they’re hand you a bunch of stuff; bus schedule, a welcome letter from whatever complex you’re living in, things like that.

After that, you’ll take a seat and fill out the forms for your car online via DORMS. Once you completed that, you’ll show that you completed the forms, show your car’s registration, driver’s license, and insurance. Then they’ll do whatever they need to do on their part, hand you your car decal. You’re pretty much done after that.

Depending on what time casting is, you’ll either go to casting or start moving in to your apartment, but let’s take some time and take about casting.

For casting, you would head over to Chatham and wait for the bus that will take you over to the casting building. Before you do head over, make sure you have all your I 9 documents with you!! Once at the casting building, you’ll line up and wait before they take you into an office and go over your I 9 documents, go over all the information, all that. While they are doing that, they’ll give a form to fill out.

After that is done, you’ll go over to the next station with the form you filled out. They’ll ask you if you have any questions about the Disney Look (which by the way if you haven’t read that post “The Disney Look”, you should totally check it out. I went into detail about the Disney Look). They’ll check for the basics: allotted ear piercings, no visible tattoos, if your make up is natural and on point.

Next you’ll go to a different room with different tables set up with different CMs from Disney training services. They will tell you to open up an email you get after check in. The email will contain your training schedule for the three days after Traditions. They’ll go over that and make sure you don’t have any questions.

The next station after that is security. This is where you hand over that form you filled out earlier in casting. Here they go over to see if you are convicted of a felony and do your fingerprints. I remember when they did mine, my pinky fingers would not scan for whatever reason. So I had to write down all the places I lived in. I had to text my parents and my siblings if they knew one of the addresses of the houses we lived in. I was three when we moved so I didn’t know the address.

Once all of that is completed, you are free to go. Just hop back on the bus and head back to your housing complex. Finish moving in and get to know your roommates!

Oh, I should note that depending on your role, you might have to do a drug test. But since how you check in has changed since I was a CP, I don’t know if it’s the same process or not.

Well that is all that I have for you guys. I really hope you enjoyed that. I hope you found this helpful at all. If you did, please give this post a like! If you like what I’m doing, please follow and subscribe to this blog. It would mean a lot to me if you did. It tells me that you actually take the time to read what I have to say and motivates me to keep going.

With that being said, thank you so much for reading. As always, stay magical! Stay safe!

Packing List

| Sarah

Hey you all. What’s going on? I really ran out of witty/cringy things to say as an intro.

So we went over the Disney Look, travel plans, and bucket lists, but we haven’t went over the most important list, your packing list. So let’s jump right into this.

I’ll break it down into if you’re driving or flying and into different subgroups like clothes, bathroom things, etc.

Pro tip for you fall program peeps: wait until places like Target, Kohls, or Bed, Bath, and Beyond do their annual back to school/college dorm move in sale for the following things. You’ll save a lot of money and get really nice stuff. That’s what I did…thank me later…also not sponsored…

Bedroom:

  • Bedding. Bed sheets. Pillow cases. Things like that. Disney does provide you with a twin sized bed.
  • Pillows
  • Comforter
  • Blanket
  • Mattress cover (You don’t no bed bugs)
  • Mattress pad (the mattresses are the same ones they use in actual college dorms. Not super comfy)
  • Small bookbag
  • Step stool (If you’re short like I am)
  • Hamper (my bedding’s packaging doubled as a hamper, with handles and over-the-shoulder cross strap. Found it at Bed, Bath, and Beyond)
  • Bed risers (this will open up more storage space. Try to find ones with an outlet/USB charging area. Also found one at Bed, Bath and Beyond)
  • Hangers
  • Alarm clock/iHome
  • Lock for your locker. Everyone in your apartment gets a locker. They are usually found in the closets.
  • Under bed storage

Bathroom:

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Make up (if you use it)
  • Sunscreen
  • Lotion
  • Hairbrush
  • Shower curtains. Disney provides you with the liner.
  • Shower cady (maybe. I say maybe because I bought one and didn’t use it at all. You can get one if you feel the need to keep your stuff organized and tidy)

Kitchen:

  • Tuber ware
  • Water bottle
  • Lunch box

Electronics:

  • TV (decide among you and your future roomies who is bringing one)
  • DVDs/DVD player
  • Video games
  • Phone/phone charger (duh)
  • Headphones
  • Laptop/laptop charger
  • Camera (for taking pics/vlogging)
  • Lamp

Personal/check in documents:

  • Blank check
  • DORMS registration forms
  • Valid passport OR
  • Social Security with valid government ID (ie driver’s licence. You’ll need it regardless if you’re bringing your car with you)
  • Car registration (for your car)
  • Insurance card stating that you’re on the policy (for your car)

Clothes:

  • T shirts
  • Pants/leggings
  • Shorts/skirts
  • Long sleeve shirt (believe it or not it does get a bit chilly during the winter months, especially during the night)
  • Sweaters
  • Business casual, Disney Look approved, clothes for Traditions (I went over this in my “The Disney Look” post. If you haven’t read it or forgotten (Remember me, though I have to say goodbye) take a look for a refresher)
  • Dress shoes
  • Casual shoes
  • Flip flops/sandals
  • Bathing suits

Tips/tricks for those who are FLYING:

  1. Use space bags. You’ll have more room in your suitcases for the more bulkier stuff.
    • Insert dryer sheets with your clothes. It’ll keep your clothes fresher, longer…thank me later
  2. For the clothes you’re going to be wearing during your travels, fold your clothes into thirds or roll them up. Another space saver. Don’t forget about the dryer sheets!
  3. Spring for the second checked bag. Let’s get real for a second guys. Listen, listen Linda, before you get all mad. Hear me out. You’re not paying for a semester’s worth of classes, dorms, meal plans, textbooks, parking, etc. I know you paid a good amount in your fees (trust me, I know. I seen the price), but still. You can pay 50 dollars for another suitcase. The more space the better. You’ll have two suitcases, a carry on, and a personal.
  4. If you can’t get some of the stuff on this list, go on a Walmart run and get them on Check In Day. I get it. You can’t fit everything in a suitcase. Just hold off until Check In Day and buy it then.

Tips and tricks for those who are DRIVING:

  1. Place all your stuff into reusable bags. If you use reusable bags, for packing, you can use those same bags to do grocery shopping later. Save the planet and all.
  2. While you’re stuffing your reusable bags, fill them with toiletries and other dry foods! Fill them lots of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, cereal, pasta/pasta sauce (just don’t get lost in the sauce), mac and cheese, and things of that nature. You won’t be paid for the first, like, three weeks. This way you’re not hurting too terribly the first couple of weeks. Get things like milk once you arrive.
  3. You might want to invest in Sunpass. Florida has a lot of toll roads. I learned that the hard way. So if you’re planning to take trips outside of Orlando/Lake Buena Vista you might want in getting a Sunpass for your car. I guess the best way to explain it is that it’s Florida’s EZ pass, if your state does EZ pass. I know in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia, it’s our cute way of saying our regional area) area we have EZ pass.
  4. Don’t be afraid to pack more! Having your own car means you’re not as limited. So don’t be afraid to pack a little more.
  5. Finally, if your carless roommates ask you (nicely) for a ride to the store, do it! Help each other out. It’s to get along with all your roommates so you help them out with going to the store, they’ll help you out when you need it. Or at least I hope they would return the favor.

That is all I have for today. Thank you so much for reading. I hope this helps in all your packing needs. If you have any more questions, let me know down in the comments. I’ll do my best to answer them!

Again, thank you all so much for reading. If you like what you saw, please be sure to give this post a like. While you’re at it, you might as well follow/subscribe so you don’t miss out on when I post. It would mean so much to me. Knowing that you like what I’m saying motives me to keep going.

I have so much more that I want to do share with you all. More interviews. More stories. More tips and tricks of the trade. So be on the look out for that!

I will see you in the next post, But until then, stay magical and also, stay safe guys!

Slacker out!

It’s 3:17 in the morning…wtf is wrong with me? Why do I insist on writing so late at night?

The Disney Look

| Sarah

What is up everyone? It’s been a couple of days since I posted anything. I was off playing Where in the World Showcase is My Brain? (aka cleaning out my closet).

As you can tell by the title of this post, we are talking about the Disney Look that everyone keeps talking about.

The Disney Look? What is that?

I’m glad you asked! The Disney Look is…well in simple terms the set of standards of which Disney has for their CMs. Let’s start from top to bottom.

Hair. Your hair has to be clean cut. No wild colors: green, purple. No colors you would see at a gender reveal party (aka pink or blue). Basically if your hair color isn’t a color that can naturally grown out of your head, it needs to go. Your hair can’t partially shaven. Streaks/highlights or ombre hair, has to all be one natural looking hair color. Roots can’t be showing. No uneven haircuts. No mohawks. Basically nothing experimental haircuts

Guys, your facial hair game has to be on point! All even. If you have that mustache/beard combo it MUST connect together (we’re all in this together, and it shows, when we stand hand in hand, make our dreams come true). Nothing too overly bushy (you don’t want to giving off them Santa vibes). More on the 5 ‘o’ clock shadow look. Lastly you can have a shaven, clean cut look.

Guys: your beard/mustache is patchy or uneven/messy. You will be asked to go shave or come back when it’s more clean cut. Ladies, if your hair doesn’t look natural or still has highlights in them, you will be asked to come back when its more consistent.

Face. You have to have a natural looking face. With that being said, your make up has to look natural. It has to compliment your face. No colorful eye shadow. Eye shadow can’t extend up to the eye brows. Nothing like that. It basically has to match your face. Make up as to be blended.

Eye wear. If your role is an outdoor role (like I was in parking attendant), you are allowed to wear sunglasses. But you have to be able to see your eyes. Your sunglasses can’t be completely blacken out. If you wear glasses (like me), your glasses can only be black, brown, or metal rimmed. It has to be solid colored and can’t have any brands on them.

Piercings. Oh boy. Women can only have the traditional ear studs, one on each ear. So no multiple earrings on each ear. No nose, eye brow, tongue, or gauge/spacers of any kind. All of that needs to removed. Guys can’t have any piercings of any kind (from what I seen guys can have studs but I would check with your leaders just in case. But I would take them off anyway. Better safe than sorry!)

Tattoos. Tattoos are tricky. Yes, you can have tattoos, BUT they need to be covered up. YOU NEED TO BE UP FRONT ABOUT YOUR TATTOOS. DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT TRY TO HIDE THEM. On Traditions (more on that in a later post), you need to tell the leaders that you have tattoos and how you hid them. Some people can get away with putting on the normal costumes (the tattoos are on the upper arms, shoulders, back, and upper thighs). Some wear longer pants/skirts and sleeves (the tattoos are on the lower arms and legs). People with just wrist tattoos can get away with covering up the tattoos with make up as long as it matches your skin tone. Your leaders will call you out if you try to lie about your tattoos. Honesty is the best policy…I stated that in my “How to Apply for the Disney College Program” post. Go read that if you haven’t already.

Nail polish/hands. If you are in a food role (Quick/Full Service Food & Beverage, and certain merchandise roles, peep my interviews with both Rachels for more information on that), you cannot have nail polish at all. The only thing you can have is a ring band with no gems. Basically if your role has you handle food on the daily: no nail polish or rings with gems. All other roles you can have a ring on your ring finger. Your nail polish has to be clear or match your skin tone. No colors or designs. No painting them like one of french girls, Jack (no french tips). No dirty fingernails. No *toy aliens voice from Toy Story* the claaaww fingernails (no super long acrylic nails that look like cat claws).

Clothes (general). Be sure to keep you clothes classy. Business casual. Iron/steam out your clothes. Don’t show up to Traditions in clothes that look like they’ve been slept in. No wrinkly clothes. Form fitting. Nothing too tight or too loose. No wild prints or patterns. Make sure your clothes are free of any stains. Keep it clean. Keep it classy. Keep it professional. Keep the club clothes at home.

Clothes (guys). No t shirts. Plaid shirts are okay. Khakis (Jake from State Farm approved). Slacks. Polo shirts. A nice dress shirt and pants are best.

Clothes (girls). No short skirts or dresses. Nothing too revealing. No spaghetti straps. Nothing strapless. Straps need to be thicc (you have to able to fit 3 fingers on the strap, 4 if you have smaller hands like I do). The closer to the shoulder the better. Your best bet is something with sleeves. If you think the straps won’t be long enough, you can always bring a nice jacket or cardigan just in case. Girls are allow to wear pants, but make sure their business slacks or those business suit type pants.

Shoes. No tennis/running shoes. No open toed shoes. Dress shoes. Girls, as a heads up, in Traditions and a lot of your orientations, there’s gonna be a lot of walking around. If you’re someone like me and you’re not used to walking in heels, please bring flats. I’m not gonna stop you if you want to wear heels. If you slay in heels and love them, more power to you. But you will be doing a good amount of walking. So if you think you can handle that, more power to you. You do you boo. I’m just warning you now.

I hope this clears up any confusion about the Disney Look. I know it can be daunting with all the rules. If you have any more questions about the Disney Look. Please leave it down in the comments. I’ll try to get back to you as soon as I can.

If you found this helpful at all, please leave a like on this post. You might as well subscribe while you’re at it. It really helps out a lot by letting me know that you’re actually reading (and caring) about what I’m saying. It makes me feel good and gives me the motivation to keep going. I still have much more to share with you and I can’t wait to tell to you all.

Thanks for being here, and remember, stay magical guys!