Magic Kingdom fun with Josh!

Hello everyone! It's time for my very first DCP update!
Today is day 2 of my program and so much has already happened!

Josh and I arrived in Orlando on Saturday to absolutely GORGEOUS weather - mid to high 70s and very little humidity.  I was itching to get on Disney property, so after a minor fiasco with the Orlando public bus system (let's just say they're changing the bus routes and Google maps hasn't updated them yet) we made it to Downtown Disney! I basically started skipping around like a 5 year old and ran to Guest Services where we got our Magic Kingdom tickets for the next day! We ate at Cookes of Dublin for dinner and it was delicious. It's just a quick-service place, but the food is wonderful and there's cute seating inside! While we were there it started pouring in typical Florida fashion, so we made our way over to get lost in World of Disney. After mentally making a list of everything I wanted to buy once I get my Cast Member discount, we went back to the hotel to prepare for a full day in Magic Kingdom!

Sunday in the Magic Kingdom was perfect. We ran off the monorail right at rope drop when they started singing the good morning song and obviously I sang along with every word while Josh laughed at me. We walked into the park and were greeted by this beautiful sight

The park was essentially empty all morning; we walked on multiple rides and met Alice and the White Rabbit, Ariel and Gaston with not long waits at all! We managed to do essentially everything in the park, and stayed until park close with a wonderful ending to the day by watching Wishes! Here are some pictures from the day!

Meeting Alice and the White Rabbit

Outside Gaston's Tavern in Fantasyland

Gaston was beyond perfect. It was like he was straight out of the movie.

Just hanging out under the sea with Ariel.

My favorite castle-picture spot.

For more pictures, you can check out my Flickr here! My next few posts will be more DCP relevant; about my apartment complex, Casting and Traditions, roommate adventures, and my first "restaurant review!" :)

xo Sarah

The time has come, the walrus said...

"You see, the most fantastic, magical things can happen, and it all starts with a wish!"

- Jiminy Cricket

Almost 17 years ago, at 4 years old, I experienced the magic of Disney for the very first time.  While I don't remember much from that first trip other than what I see in pictures, that was when my love for all things Disney began.  As I got older, I only fell in love with it more, and I wanted more than anything to be a part of the magic.  Now, I finally get to do that as a part of the Disney College Program.  

Today is my last day at home here in Massachusetts. It feels like yesterday I was applying and, but now my countdowns are all down to 1, and my bags are (almost) packed and ready to go.  Tomorrow morning, I leave for Florida.  What I've been dreaming of for so long is finally happening, and I'm both terrified and excited. It's a scary thing, moving 1,000+ miles away from home, even if it's only for 4 months.  I'm going to miss everything about home SO MUCH (except of course the cold and snow), but I know this experience is going to be an amazing one!  I'm so thankful for the chance to be a part of this program, and for the chance to experience Disney World through the eyes of a Cast Member. 

To my friends and family at home, and to anyone else who wants to follow my journey through the DCP, I'll be posting here as often as I can!  I'll be doing updates throughout my program about work and all the different things I'm doing!  I'll also be including as much information as I can about the program itself for anyone who's interested!  Beyond this blog, I'll also be attempting to vlog (a video blog, for those of you who don't know) and I'll be posting as many pictures as I can on my tumblr; both the links to my YouTube channel and my tumblr can be found in the navigation bar at the top of the page! :)

Thanks to all of you who have been supporting me! I can't wait to start this magical journey!

As Princess Tiana sings;

                    I'm almost there, I'm almost there 

                   People down here think I'm crazy, but I don't care. 

                   Trials and tribulations, I've had my share 

                   There ain't nothing gonna stop me now 'cause I'm almost there!

xo Sarah

Packing, Packing and more Packing

Hello friends!

So I woke up this morning to find my countdown to my flight to Florida at 7 days so you could say I am extremely excited! ONLY ONE MORE WEEK UNTIL DISNEY!

Since my time at home is getting short, I decided that it's time for me to start packing for my big adventure! The only large packing experience I have is for school, but that doesn't really help me much because it's a 45 minute car ride away, so I can basically pack whatever and however I want.  With Florida, I have SO much more to pack, but I'm limited to suitcases since I'm flying.  Luckily enough, I'm flying Southwest, which allows each passenger to have 2 free checked bags (yippee, money saver right here!), plus a carry on and a personal item, and since my boyfriend is only bringing a carry on I have the ability to use 4 suitcases!

I've been searching through DCP blogs and vlogs to compile different packing lists to make one that seems to make the most sense for me.  If you're wondering, my two favorite packing lists come from blogger Kaela and vlogger Amy.  You can find their packing lists here and here, respectively.

The good thing about packing is that a lot of things on my list can be shared apartment wide, and some of my roommates are already bringing things!  I highly suggest to discuss with your roommates shared items ahead of time so you don't bring duplicates of anything and waste space! My roommates and I created a Google Doc so we could freely edit and share what we were bringing that everyone could use!

For anyone who's interested, here's my whole packing list! There'll probably be some things I end up adding or removing as I go, but this is what I'm starting with! Also, a lot of the things on this list, especially those that are being bought there can be shared!

My DCP Packing List

* - buy in Florida

** - roommates are bringing

BEDROOM

Bedding

• sheets 
• blankets - probably 2, I like blankets!
• comforter
• egg crate
• mattress pad
• pillows - praying I can fit 2 in my suitcases
• pillowcases
• stuffed animals - cause everyone needs their best buds with them when they move 1,000+ miles from home

Storage

• space bags  -- use to pack
• accessory storage?
• closet organizers - the cloth hanging ones if I have space

Clothing/Closet/Laundry

• shirts 
• tank tops
• shorts
• skirts/dresses
• jeans - only one pair
• sweatshirts - one or two
• a rain coat
• socks
• shoes - sneakers, flip flops, work shoes and dressy shoes
• swimsuits
• bathrobe?
• lots of underwear
• pajama tops and bottoms
• sweatpants/yoga pants
• professional clothes
• belt
• clothes hangers (I have no idea how I'm going to pack these)
• iron/ironing board (hopefully someone brings this)
• laundry bag/basket
• laundry detergent *
• dryer sheets **

Mousellaneous (this is a fun word and I blame Kaela and her blog post for getting me into it)

• alarm clock
• camera and batteries/charger, extra SD card
• ethernet cord if you don’t have a router
• extension cords **
• headphones
• ihome/speakers?
• laptop & charger
• lock for your locker
• phone charger
• photos/decor from home
• picture frames
• surge protector(S) **
• pushpins
• pens
• notebook
• agenda
• post its
• park backpack
• purse

BATHROOM

Shower, Toilet & Sink

• bath/beach towels
• hand soap **
• hand towels 
• face cloths
• shower curtain & liner *
• shower organizer? *
• toilet brush *
• toilet cleaner *
• toilet paper *
• toilet plunger  *

Toiletries

• aloe vera gel *
• bug spray *
• chapstick
• glasses
• deodorant
• face wash
• hair stuff - brush, bobby pins, hair ties, headbands, hair dryer, straightener
• makeup
• makeup remover/wipes
• nail clippers
• body spray
• razors/shaving cream 
• shampoo/conditioner
• soap/body wash
• sunscreen
• tampons/pads
• tissues *
• toothbrush/toothpaste
• band-aids **
• ibuprofen
• meds

Mousellaneous

• air freshener *
• bath mat/rug **
• over-the-door hooks for towels and stuff **

KITCHEN

Appliances and Utilities - You obviously don’t necessarily need all of this, it’s just what I found in other packing lists, plus it totally depends on how much you think you'll want! Since I'm flying, I can't pack any of this, so if we need it and no one else is bringing it, most of it will be bought there!

• baking sheets
• toaster **
• blender **
• extra bowls
• coffee maker **
• crock pot **
• muffin tin
• cups and mugs **
• silverware **
• measuring cups **
• mixing bowls **
• napkins **
• oven mitts **
• place mats
• extra plates **
• extra pots and pans
• sharp knives
• wooden spoon
• spatula
• waffle iron (hopefully getting this shipped down)

Storage, Cleaning and Other Supplies

• all-purpose cleaner *
• dish soap *
• dish towels **
• dishwasher soap *
• Clorox/Lysol wipes **
• paper towels *
• sponges/dish scrubbers **
• Swiffer? *
• trash bags **
• Windex *

Mousellaneous

• tinfoil *
• saran wrap *
• wax paper *
• magnetic calendar for fridge **
• other magnets
• tupperware **
• ziplock bags **
• Pyrex baking/storage dishes **

LIVING ROOM

• TV (apparently it must be digital) **
• DVD/blue ray player
• MOVIES!
• coasters
• coaxial cable (so you can get cable) **
• a Roku ** (my roomie is bringing this; I have no idea what is is but it seems AWESOME)
• wireless router
• throw pillows (gonna make some of these yeahh)
• throw blankets **

So that's my list! There's a LOT of stuff and it would definitely be easier if I were driving, but I'll make it work! I can't wait to be in FLORIDAAAAA!!! I'll be sure to post a final pic/outline of what I ended up packing to take with me on the plane, and what I'll be having shipped down!

xo Sarah