Keep Moving Forward

In my last post, I mentioned that there was a hiccup with my application to return to Walt Disney World. There was an issue with Costuming. Their records showed me having a costume piece still issued to me. However, I did not have this costume piece. I was told that if I did not pay for or return this item, I would never be allowed to work for any branch of The Walt Disney Company again. I paid for it to clear my name. Unfortunately, my first payment was not received, so I was still shown as unavailable for rehire when I completed the application a few weeks ago. Lucky for me, Casting was willing to work with me and after sending the money again, my name is now clear. I received an invitation on Tuesday to set up a phone interview! I set up the interview and on Thursday, I finally got to move forward again with the application process.

Last year, when I was contemplating finishing my program or coming home early, everyone told me that I would still be able to come back to work at Walt Disney World, even if I quit. Even managers and college program recruiters told me this. Some managers even suggested I just leave early because there was no way my allergy issues were going to be resolved. I was told there would be no consequences other than a six month no-rehire period. I couldn't apply to work for a Disney company within six months of leaving. I know now that this was very wrong. Almost my entire phone interview consisted of questions like, "Why did you leave early?" "How many jobs have you had since you left?" and my favorite, "Your file says that you terminated employment because you were unsatisfied with your role. Why is this?" I had to do a lot of explaining in that interview. A lot more than I expected. It went okay though. It wasn't as magical as I thought it would be. They mostly just wanted to make sure that I don't bounce around from place to place often, which makes sense. Following the interview, Casting had to submit a request for approval of my rehire. Since I quit, I am now under Restricted Rehire. It is possible to be rehired under these conditions, I just don't know what the likelihood is for me. Whoever the request was submitted to will look at my performance during my College Program. They will see any attendance notations, my audition scores, my costuming issues, what characters I was approved and disapproved in, and what feedback I received during evaluations with Casting Directors. This is what it all comes down to. I am so close, but everything is weighing on this decision. I am so desperately hoping that I get approved.

I did get some exciting news during the interview though! Remember how I said I was identified as a good friend for Tinker Bell? Well, it got approved! So IF I get rehired, Tink and I WILL be friends! Not only would I get to go back and join all of my old friends, but I would get to add Tink into the mix! I am so nervous and excited for this. I just hope Casting understands that I am serious about coming back and gives me the opportunity. I also learned that the job I will be offered, if I get approved, is for full-time.

Now for something super awesome. The Disney Store closest to my house was recently remodeled. To celebrate the transformation, the store had a Grand Opening. Guess who showed up? Mickey and Minnie, of course! So guess who had to go be a part of all of this? Me, duh! I woke up after about 4 hours of sleep, picked up some friends, and headed to the mall to wait in line for the opening of the store. It upsets me that I had forgotten how much energy Disney Cast Members have at 8 AM. But it was so much fun. There was even a Frozen Sing Along! After spending way too much money in The Disney Store, we headed downstairs to get in line to meet Mickey and Minnie. While waiting, we learned that you would meet one or the other, not both. This was to keep the line moving. We were in line for over an hour, probably closer to two. Believe me, I recognize the irony of it all. There I was, someone with at least a dozen photos with Mickey, waiting in line for multiple hours in a shopping mall just to get a photo with Mickey. It was so great though. The children in line around me had never seen Mickey or Minnie before. They would get so excited and say, "Mickey Mouse!" with their little voices. This is why I want to go back.

I really do believe that magic exists. Do I think that pulling a rabbit from a hat is magic? No. That's a trick. Magic is what happens when someone is on the Monorail for the first time, and they get that first glimpse of Cinderella Castle, and suddenly they forget all the bad and they focus only on that beautiful castle. Or walking down Main Street, USA and seeing a little girl's face light up when the balloon man calls her, "Princess." I saw magic happen every day. Sometimes, I even helped make it happen. And that is something I will always cherish.

One Year

It's been a year. A year since I made the phone call to say I would no longer be working for the Walt Disney Company. A year since I packed up everything I could fit in my car. A year since I said goodbye to some of the nicest people I have ever met. A year since I said goodbye to the most wonderful place. A year since I left behind all of the memorable character friends I had made. A year since I closed the door on this magical journey. It's been a year.

A lot can happen in a year.

In that year, I learned how to talk to people. Not just speak words, but listen to what they say in return. I lost a love that I thought would be there forever. I went on a date with a stranger for the first time ever. I went to parties with friends. I saw Frozen about 8 times in the theater. I lost touch with people I probably shouldn't have. I reconnected with friends from my high school years. I became friends with some of the most incredible people. I had trials at work. I had victories at work. I went to Hawaii. I learned that Hawaii is unbelievably beautiful. I learned to snorkel. I learned that 18 really is a young age. 16 is even younger. And 13, don't even go there. I purchased cowboy boots! I watched relationships blossom. I watched relationships crumble. I ate crawfish. I now love crawfish. I learned that some people just want you around when it is convenient. I learned that some people just want you around. I discovered the diamond that is the infinity scarf. I realized that people are in your life for a reason; whether it be to make you laugh, to give you a hug, to teach you a lesson, or just to listen. I saved a lot of money. I spent a lot of money. I went back to Disney twice. I learned to pour the perfect beer. I gave second chances. I took second chances. I bought an Ugly Christmas Sweater. I found the most adorable kitten. I now share a home with the most annoying cat. I started taking better care of my hair. I stopped drinking soda for 2 days. But most importantly, I grew 6 inches in 3 months.

Kidding! But I did go through a lot in this last year. In the end, I came full circle and on March 15, I found myself in Dallas... auditioning to be a Character Performer at the Walt Disney World Resort. Let's not pretend we didn't see this coming. Yes, I was miserable at the end of my College Program and was so relieved when I returned to Texas. Deep down though, we all knew my love for Disney and my character friends would win out in the end.

The audition was such a wonderful experience. Somewhere between 250 and 300 people showed up, which the Casting Directors were not expecting! The dance studio was definitely not big enough for all of us! Since there were so many people auditioning, the Casting Directors decided to take us about 40 at a time, teach us 2 short 8-counts of a dance. I say dance, but it was mostly walking. We learned the dance in about 2 minutes, did it a few times to make sure we had it, then did it across the floor in groups of 4 or 5, I can't remember. And that was it! They cut over half of the people auditioning from there! Luckily, I made it through to the next round! The next round consisted of learning an animation exercise and another dance routine. The song we danced to is "When Can I See You Again?" by Owl City. This song plays during the end credits in the movie Wreck-It Ralph. If you haven't heard the song, go listen to it. It's cute. It also plays at the set location for Ralph and Vanellope in Hollywood Studios, which was one of my favorite places to work. If anyone remembers, I LOVED Vanellope! Hearing that song brought back so many happy memories which only helped me to perform better. After learning the dance, we were separated into groups of 8.  We were told that after performing for the Casting Directors, the audition would be over and everyone could leave, but they would be asking a few people to stay after that. I was in the first group of 8. We performed and when we were done, I stood there smiling at the judges. And guess what? They said, "Okay, thank you, everyone! Number 24, we would like you to stay until we are finished with the auditions." Guess who was number 24? The girl next to me, duh. Just kidding! IT WAS ME! They asked me to stay! I was so beyond excited. I waited in another studio for what seemed like forever, wondering what they could possibly want from me. We ended up with 28 people being asked to stay until the end. When we all returned to the studio with the Casting Directors, they called the numbers of about 15 people. They took extra photos of these people, myself included. Once we were finished with that, they asked 5 people, myself included again(eek!), to join the other group who wasn't photographed. Everyone else was free to go. The people left over were divided into groups of 2 and 3 and we performed the dance again, only this time the Casting Directors recorded us performing. After that, we were finally done! All in all, I was there about 5 hours. And let me tell you, I was on cloud nine. And starving! I was so excited about how the audition went, but I had no idea if I would hear anything ever. I certainly didn't expect to hear from them within the week.

I received an email saying that I was being given a Callback! I was being considered for a potential friendship with Tinker Bell and Alice! I was given instructions for the next part of my audition. I completed that step and then last Thursday, I received a phone call saying that the next step for me is to fill out the application and have a phone interview and that I have been identified as a good friend for (can you believe it?) TINKER BELL! I was so excited when the man on the phone uttered those words. I have run into a little hiccup with my application, but I am working to get it fixed so we can get the ball rolling again! Until then, all good thoughts, vibes, and prayers are welcome and appreciated! I am so incredibly blessed to have even gotten this far. I just hope this situation is resolved soon. Wish me luck! Hopefully this blog will have some more new posts soon! :)