Check-In, Day #1

On Monday I checked into my third Disney Culinary program and it was definitely a little different from even last year.

Check In happens at Vista Way. When you arrive to Vista whether you're driving or walking, at the security gate you explain that you are there for Check In. Security is well aware of the Check In dates, and usually your luggage is a giveaway! Once you get through the gate you will see all the signs leading you to the welcome center in the back. Once you get to the welcome pavilion you will be greeted by a CM who will hand you your program guide. You will then enter the little building and get in line to find out your housing complex, get your key, and have your ID made. Following the excitement of finding out where you live, you will proceed to the patio outside where you will get you itinerary for the next few days and you will get debriefed on Traditions and what to wear and where to be. The itinerary will disclose your schedule for casting, the housing meeting, and Traditions. You will receive all your other information at Traditions.

What is new with this year is that you go straight to Casting from Vista. In years past once you were done at Vista you grabbed your luggage from where it was stored during Check In, board the luggage bus to your complex and put your stuff down at your apartment before catching a scheduled bus to Casting. Now, you go on the scheduled bus that leaves right outside from the Check In building down to casting. Don't worry, they have fruits and bars out to help tide over the hunger!

Our bus back from Casting. You better believe there was Disney music and trivia!

Once you get to Casting, this is where all the fun paperwork starts, by fun we mean government specifics that aren't really fun. but there's Disney stuff on the walls so who cares! You need to be sure that you have a government issued photo ID, passport, or social security card. This will be used when completing the I9 documents. At Casting you will also be fingerprinted and be given information in regards to signing up for direct deposit and other payment options.

The good news is once you're done with Casting, you're done for the day! All you have left between you and Traditions is a simple housing meeting the next day that is at most a few minutes past an hour, and it's held right at the Commons.

So, you get here and don't have access to the parks, what do you do? Downtown Disney is an option of course!I actually went there first things first to get a new case for my new phone. In case y'all didn't get the memo, my favorite Disney character is Dopey. He doesn't get as much love as he deserves (all the Grumpy merch Disney? Seriously?) But, I love him. So obviously when I saw that you could make a custom phone case at the new D-Tech On Demand shop in the new Co-Op at Downtown Disney, I obviously got it

I mean look at it!

 

Two of my roommates are actually working in DTD so we went and toured their stores and got to know each other a little bit more. It was a fun night to unwind and still have some Disney fun. We grabbed a bite to eat at Earl of Sandwich and I was torn between like 4 sandwiches but was so happy with the vegetarian one that I went with! It had avocado, zucchini (my favorite!), cabbage, tomato, and pesto. SO good

 I've never labeled myself as fully vegetarian or vegan, but I do try to incorporate it when I can. and this was definitely a great choice!

The Sunshine State?

So, a bit of an update. I'm in Florida! I arrived on Sunday after a really emotionally draining day. I had said goodbye to my aunt and uncle and my grandma on Saturday and it takes a lot for me to cry in front of people, and I was bawling. and then I had to say goodbye to my dog, UGH.

 and then I had to get in the car and pull away. We dropped off my brother, and HE cried.

and then there was saying goodbye to my parents. It was different this time. I'm used to staying away from home, I've done the whole leaving thing but there is something so finite about knowing that the next time you come home is only to visit for days to a week at a time, not for months. and I can't even describe the guilt and selfishness that I felt knowing that I was the one making everyone cry, that the only reason we were upset was because I was leaving, it was all my doing and it made me feel horrible.

But, I boarded the plane. I slept through most of it but I landed in Florida safe and sound. and what was it doing? Raining. No, not raining, pouring.

 So things have definitely not changed in that aspect. My plane was a little delayed and we had quite a bit of turbulence but other than that it wasn't too bad. This is an example of why I stress arriving the day before check in. Flying in in the morning and hoping to get there in time is just too much of a hassle in my opinion. And with Mears, it's a shuttle so on the route for all the guests in the van that night, I was the last to get dropped off. At least there's no rush!

I took Mears Transportation over to my hotel, the Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista on State Road. I've preached before about this hotel because it is literally right across the street from Vista Way which is where your check in will take place. I was able to put my things down and cross the street to get dinner (there is an Applebee's in the hotel though if you want!) And I basically just came back and lounged in my big king bed all to myself!

As you can see, Tangled was playing so I instantly felt better. And a Jessie/Dog with a Blog marathon was on after and I have to say, not too bad!

In the morning, make sure you allow for ample time to get across the street. Walking by yourself is different than walking with 2 suitcases, a carry on, and a laptop bag. Keep that in mind when you're packing too. A friend I was with had 3 bags with wheels and it was hard to get them over. My carry on was able to go on top of my suitcase and then I lugged along my others duffel bag like suitcase. We were a few minutes past our check in time of 8 but the line was actually quite long so we were alright. More on actual Check In day in the next post!

So if you need any accommodations before the day of your program check in, be sure to look into Mears Transportation from the airport if you're flying (you can reserve it online or even at the airport) and staying at the Holiday Inn Resort.