Dream Job...Day 3-training

Welcome to the Jungle

Day 3 began the official start of our job training.  Again, no cameras were allowed so I'll just stick in some random jungle cruise photos throughout this post to keep you from boredom.  I'm also breaking day 3 into two parts--training and the Nemo party.  I lucked out on the waking up thing with the Dream Job.  The skippers didn't have to be in the lobby until 7ish for costumes and makeup.  The princesses had to go in at about 5am or earlier.  We were the last group to go over.  We were shuttled over to the backstage area where we were put in a room for a continental breakfast and introduced to our camera crew that would follow us around for the day and again tomorrow.  Each group was assigned a crew.  Joan was great.  She was from Celebration, Florida.  The guys got their costumes first and were filmed, asked to say something witty about getting them.  Each of us had to "get our costumes twice," to make sure they  got a good shot and audio.  Our costumes were taken out of the main wardrobe building warehouse and brought over to the parade costume area.  

the African Bull elephant

 Across the hall from the "checkout" were rows and rows of lockers.  I Went into a large changing room to change-- no one else was in there since the earliest parade was still a few hours away.  There were photos and mirrors everywhere of what colors and how the parade make-up should look.   I was ready to be a skipper... but no, all cast members wear makeup.   Makeup was crazy.  Usually the cast does their own makeup but we were getting special treatment.  After what felt like forever (half an hour) I was all makeup-uped with a camera in my face asking how I felt.  I wanted a spatula to scrape it off my face. I had mascara, eyeshadow, blush, gooey foundation stuff, powder, the works, while the guys just had the "fluff and puff" (just powder to reduce shine).  We were given gold colored locks to lock up our stuff. 

oh the jokes here...

Rock on, we were ready.  Off to traditions class where we learned the Disney way.  Each group was assigned a character to escort them into the theatre for class.  Ours was a safari dressed Donald Duck.  Class was mostly be friendly and helpful.  Smile at everyone and don't lean, always stand up straight.  There were four basic guides to follow-- safety, courtesy, show and efficiency.  Safety always came first, being nice to people and helpful, putting on a show and lastly making sure things were efficient.  People are willing to wait in line if the show is good.  Perhaps the most interesting was never point, always use two fingers or an open palm.  (Now a habit I've formed).  We were given a team project to name as many disney animated characters in one minute.  After we were presented with our honorary cast member name tags from the one and only Mickey Mouse!  

hippos that wiggle their ears and blow bubbles

Off to lunch at the Eat Ticket backstage.  We were given smocks to wear so our costumes didn't get dirty and boxed lunches.  The cafeteria was decorated with old ride props (a Timothy mouse from Dumbo in the corner, some boat hanging from the ceiliing and dozens of photos).  After we were escorted to the Castle for a dream job cast photo.  We were Pirates, Princesses, Parade Performers, Haunted Mansion Caretakers and Jungle Cruise Skippers.  All these people stopped to take pictures of us and there were security people keeping the crowd away so it was just the castle in the background. 

After our photo came the actual job training 101.  Randy and Jordan took us on the Amazon Belle for our trip through the various rivers of the world.  Each drove the boat and gave their spiel.  Then Randy went and pointed out where sensors were that triggered motion and noise and explained how the boat runs on a track and there were C and S curves that can cause deraialment.  If there is a derailment then it will be about an hour delay and you will hear 6 cap gun shots fired.  There are all sorts of codes at Disney.  For example if you have a guest who is really sick and needs medical attention you don't call and say "i have an undesireable guest in front of me" you say "I have a "some number."   Well, after about 3 trips through the jungle we were each given three shots to practice our spiel.  We sat on the boat while one another practiced with a fifteen minute break.  I feel like I am one with the jungle after being on that boat nearly 5 hours.  The dock felt like it was moving when I finally did get off the boat.  A few of the skippers wanted to try out their own jokes  and wander away from the script we were given.  A few were acceptable and others were a big "No, I will take the mic from you and that will be the end."  

Trader Sam--Head Salesman of the Jungle

Back to costumes where we returned our costumes and dressed before taking a shuttle to return to the hotel.  A quick shower, and much scrubbing of my face,  then back to the park with my family to the finding nemo media launch party.