Hiya Mouseketeers! I just wanted to let you all know that I have officially earned my ears! This means that I have completed training at both the bakery and ice cream shop on Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom. I have yet to train at Casey's Corner (next week), but I am official.

Hello, Mouseketeers! I know I haven't been updating much, but I have been super busy. Today's post is going to be about training. So far, I have had three days: Traditions, Food and Beverage Basics, and Once Upon a Time... Is Now!

I've already talked about Traditions, so let's talk about Food and Beverage Basics. Food and Beverage Basics is a four and a half hour training session for people doing food and beverage. If you are not food and beverage, you will have training in whatever your field is, and it will be roughly the same amount of time. Food and Beverage Basics starts out with everyone gathering in a room and discussing what it means to be a member of the Food and Beverage team at Disney. 1/3 of all Disney employees are part of the Food and Beverage team, so it is quite an important role. After the discussion, there was a question and answer period. Following that, we all went to the computer lab and watched e-learning videos about guest relations, food and beverage preparation and storage, and other things. Quite a painless day.

Once Upon a Time... Is Now! is a walking tour of the Magic Kingdom. Again, if you do not work in Magic Kingdom, you will have a walking tour of your facility, but it will not be called Once Upon a Time... Is Now! During our tour, we learned secrets about Magic Kingdom (Notice the windows on Main Street that say M.T. Lott next time you visit!), toured the Utilidor again, had a meeting in a conference hall over Casey's Corner on Main Street, rode the Haunted Mansion and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, watched more e-learning videos (this time about workplace safety, etc), and got our costumes.

I start on location training tomorrow. I can't wait!

As some of you know, I have been training for the last two days (more about that later). Today, I received one of my costumes: the bakery on Main Street, USA in Magic Kingdom. Just in time for Fashion Friday! So, without further ado, outfits based on the bakery!

Main Street Bakery by simplyallison featuring Theory tops

Zelphia cashmere-blend sweater, $200
Twist striped lace top, $200
Jaeger Piping Bow Shirt, White, 18, 60 GBP
Giambattista valli jackets CREAM, 1,048 GBP
BY MALENE BIRGER 3/4 length skirts - Item 35129237, $128
Fab Smocked Skirt, $11
Fred Flat - Navy, $595
Lio Suede Mary Jane Flats in Noir, $290
B STORE EDIE3 LION/NEVOLA LEATHER/SUEDE -, 179 GBP
Donna ballerina, 119 EUR
Häagen-Dazs® | Products | Häagen-Dazs Light Ice Cream | Details: Mint...
Chocolate Desserts - CHOW’s Intense Brownies - Photo Gallery - CHOW
Pancake Meow - Chocolate croissant charm
Geoff & Drew's Silver Pink Box of 8 Fresh Baked Brownies: Amazon.com:..., $19
Costuming
Muffin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Traditions!

Yesterday was Traditions, and it was a lot of fun!  My roommate and I got up at 5:45, got ready, and boarded the bus to Disney University at 6:45.  When we reached the University, we were divided into groups and placed into classrooms. Upon entering the classroom, we received our official Disney employee IDs.  We heard lectures about corporate culture, Disney's legacy, and giving back to the community.  We even got to walk through the Utilidor, Disney's system of tunnels under the Magic Kingdom (hint:  if you're taking Traditions, wear comfortable shoes so that you can walk!).  Sorry, no pictures--they're not allowed!  After our romp through Magic Kingdom, we returned to the classroom and had a visit from a very special guest:  none other than the star of the show himself, Mickey Mouse!  That's right, folks, THE Mickey Mouse!  He came to check on us and welcome us to the Disney family.  He also quizzed us on a few things, such as the Disney motto:  We create happiness!  I answered correctly, and Mickey gave me a special award (the Donald Duck figurine that you see above) and a huge mouse hug.  As he was leaving the room, he gave us all a very special present:  our name tags!  I'm so excited!

After Traditions, Michele and I went over to Magic Kingdom to bum around our new home.  We went on a few rides and scoped out the costumes on Main Street.  Now I'm even more excited!  After that, we met up with Michael and his group of friends at Hollywood Studios and saw Fantasmic!  It was a great day.

Today is Training Day 1 for me.  I have Food and Beverage Basics, so expect an update about that later!