Tonight we went to Downtown Disney to go for dinner and a movie. We had dinner at Bongo - a Cuban restaurant. After dinner we ended up going to see V for Vendetta - which was T for Terrible. Candice, Gary, and myself decided to leave halfway through the movie to go explore, which was a lot of fun.

Today started out with a presentation from Vista Credit Union, but most people in the room were not happy with what was offered, so decided to leave. Most people choose Sun Trust.


A group of us decided to go check out Mickey's Retreat where we relaxed on the beach, played beach volleyball, went swimming and played basketball. It's a great place and is only about a 10 min walk from my apartment.




We are all planning on going out tonight to Downtown Disney for dinner and a movie. Tomorrow we start early at 7am for Traditions - where we get basic training that every cast member goes through, as well as recieve our IDs and name tags.

Today began at 915 am, meeting at the Club House. We all boarded a bus that took us to Social Security (just over a half-hour drive east), where everyone was processed to get a social security card. We then returned to the Commons to continue presentations - this time from Disney, and not Price Management (who oversees the Commons). This is where we were given a mickey booklet and a special WDWIP pen. After the presentation we took the special pen, and tapped ourselves on the head and announced that we are now Cast Members! :D




After the presentations Candice, Tessa, and I walked over to the Orlando Premium Outlets (less than 10 min). The main place we went to was the Disney outlet store. I managed to pick up 2 t-shirts, 2 ties, and a Pirates of the Carribean blanket and banner.




After the mall we all went to Wal-Mart - where we joined Sun Trust - a Florida bank, and purchased groceries. I would highly reccomend this bank and this branch - the guy who helped us was awesome. He used to play for the gators when they won #1, and knows several guys in the NFL. Tommorow is a banking presentation for Vista! banking (Disney's Bank) - which I might sign up for as well. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Then we should have the rest of the day off.

Last night was the "throw in" which allowed me to meet everyone who works in the Canadian pavilion. It started out with a BBQ/meet & greet, and then the the tradation of the throw in ceremony began...........

Anyways, this morning I had to be up and at the Club House for 830. There we were served breakfast. Followed by presentations, and the filling out of tons of forms. We had our photos taken for our resort and Disney ids. There was trivia at the end of the presentation, and I ended up winning a WDWIP beach towel. Both Candice and Tessa won prizes as well (must be the Canadian in us). We had the rest of the day to ourselves; Me and Tessa decided to go for Downtown Disney for lunch, we ate at the Rainforest Cafe (stopping at Vista Way on the way back). After lunch we also decided to make a trip to Wal Mart, where we picked up tons of stuff.

Tomorrow will be another day like today; update to follow in the next few days.

My flight from Victoria to Seattle left 15 minutes early, and took only 30 minutes from gate to gate. The plane was less than half occupied (only 9 people), and everybody was instructed to sit towards the back of the plane. Upon arrival in the United States, I had trouble trying to get my Q-1 visa authorized. It took about an hour, and I had to deal with 4 different border guards and their superiors. At first I was told that I would not gain entry because my name was not on the actual petition, but finally someone higher up said that the letter correcting the visa was acceptable. After I was cleared customs I had to pick up my 2 suitcases, and drop it onto the connecting belt, the only problem was that there was nobody there to operate it. They had assumed that everybody had already passed through. So that was another 20 minute wait while I had to wait for somebody to show up to press a button. I then had to travel via train and foot to the other satellite terminal on the other side of the airport. I decided to stop for dinner in the new food court because I had a couple of hours to wait. On my way back to the gate, I just checked one of the flight boards, and to my surprise the gate had actually been changed to another terminal, so I then had to walk another fair distance.

I boarded the plane, sitting in an exit row, and then about 30 min into the flight, the person in the seat next to the other 2 offered to switch with me. The flight was going well (and I was starting to fall asleep) when I was awoken by an elderly lady and several others who basically fell onto me – she complained of breathing problems, so the flight attendant pressed the call button above my seat several times fast to get all the staffs attention. They got her oxygen and everything was alright. One of them had a headset who talked to someone on land, and then the lady had to sign some forms. Everyone who tried to help her got a free plane ticket voucher (which I didn’t get). She said she had chest pain on a scale of 9/10 before boarding the plane!!

Anyways, landing went well, got bags, and then the 3 of us got a shuttle to the commons. We were the first of 38 to arrive (the next being after 1pm). We each were moved into existing places - which has its advantages and disadvantages. I got a 2 bedroom, 4 person apartment. Its building number 5 (in Beverly Hills) which is a short walk compared to building 28. My bed/room overlooks Mickey’s Retreat and International Drive. Room 532 – which is on the 3^rd floor.

We went to the outlet mall for lunch – which has a Disney and Universal outlet. As well as the Publix we went to next door.

Anyways, ive met 2 of my 3 room mates – 1 is Tibo from France and the other is Matt from the UK, the other guy who I haven’t met is from Norway. I am the only new guy in the room.

Anyways, the weather is warm, not hot, and there is basically no humidity! Earlier in the week they were 1 degree off the all time low for temp in Orlando! But it’s supposed to get warmer from here on.

Tomorrow everyone meets for breakfast at the clubhouse, and then we fill out various stuff for the next few days. Traditions starts on Saturday.

Anyways, I am off to the pool right now.

Click here to view photos

This past week has been extremely busy. My Q-1 visa arrived from Florida on Tuesday, and my "You're Hired" package arrived on Wednesday.

While searching the internet I came accross some great Disney press pictures, as well as pictures of Walt Disney's Florida project (below).

Not too much to report. Today I went to the police station to pick up my background check for Disney. I officially have no criminal background. :)

Also for those interested; I have posted all of the pictures I took in Montreal (342 pictures) - I went on a sightseeing tour, met up with friends, and traveled to Olympic Park to ride the funicular.

It's amazing at how fast time is going. It was only a week ago that I was being interviewed in Montreal expecting to start in either September or December.



But now I'm starting to pack, and am getting ready to leave in 14 days! I'm starting to get really excited! (If you can't tell) :D