My last few days in Disney

I can't believe my time at Disney has come to an end.. I've had the most amazing experience and memories and friends that will last a lifetime. This has been and will always be, one of the best experiences of my life. It really is true that all your dreams come true at Disney.

On Thursday we went to Animal Kingdom early and enjoyed a full day at the park. Followed by coming home and heading to Hooters for dinner...where better hey?! I obviously bought a Hooters t-shirt! Then we went to Magic Kingdom to watch the Main Street Electrical Parade, Celebrate the Magic and finally Wishes fireworks. It was such an emotional evening and was so special to spend it with all my friends. It was horrible saying goodbye to my friends though and an end to our Disney summer adventure together. However, it's never a 'goodbye', it's a 'see you real soon'.

On Friday, Louise, Bryony and I said goodbye to Vista Way and apartment 2109 and went to Disney's All Star Sports resort for the next few nights! We had a relaxing day by the pool and then when Bryony's friend from England, Becky, arrived we went for dinner and headed to Hollywood Studios to use our Disney entrance pass for the last time! We went on our favourite rides; Tower of Terror & Rock 'n Roller Coaster and met up with some of the other girls for a final watch of Fantasmic!

On Saturday it was an early start for our character breakfast at the Yacht & Beach Club! We had a yummy breakfast complete with dining with Minnie, Donald and Goofy! We then headed to Downtown Disney for a wander round! I even dressed up in a child's princess dress as Princess Aurora...casual way to spend a day!

We spent a few hours by the pool in the afternoon and then in the evening headed to Disney's Polynesian Resort for nibbles and cocktails at the bar and then to the beach for a view of Wishes! This was such a lovely day and full of Disney memories <3

Another early start on Sunday and a full day at Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure! It was a jam-packed day and we definitely did all we wanted to do!

I'm just about to board the plane to go to LA and start my travelling adventure! I am SO excited! Sadly I did have to throw away a pair of shorts, a couple tops and some left over vodka to ensure my suitcase was the right weight...but I'm on the way to LA baby!

Graduation!

So I am now officially a graduate of the Disney College program! Last Tuesday we had our Service Celebration event which is basically our graduation. The sun was shining and it was a super hot, beautiful day :) This day was definitely one of the best and full of memories with my friends.

The graduation took place at Chatham (one of the Disney dorms playing field) and the day started by registering and collecting our certificate and a Disney trinket box to put some memories in and most excitingly, our Mickey Mouse graduate hats! We had lots of photos opportunities with our hats, country flags and a backdrop of cinderella's castle. Then we moved on to meeting Mickey and Minnie dressed in their graduate attire! I absolutely love this photo :)

We headed off then to get some food and enjoyed an American BBQ of delights such as burgers, macaroni cheese and hot dogs! It was delicious. We had our photos taken with a cheeky Pluto and Goofy who were also in graduate attire and tried on some funny hats to have some photo booth photos taken! It was such a nice occasion and I loved sharing it with my friends.

After we got back to Vista, we went to Epcot! Myself and some of the girls went to get our graduation hats embroidered; I got Princess Jenn written on mine :) After this myself, Sarah, Shona and Clare headed to China in the World Showcase for our dinner reservation!

It was such a good meal and a nice way to spend our graduation evening by having a lovely dinner out. Then we went to watch Illuminations fireworks. This will be the last time I get to see them so what with the emotions of graduating and my time coming to an end; it was a bit emotional.

Then it was partytime! Tonight was Senior Frogs which is a bar/club where you pay $5 entrance and get free drinks all night! This turned out to be extremely lethal for me, but a very fun night!

Definitely was an amazing graduation day and evening and could not have wished for better! Disney really made an effort to make it such a memorable, special occasion. I can't believe my time is nearly over here, after building up to it and organising for it for so long beforehand! However, all in all, my wishes have come true <3

Last day working for the mouse

So today marks my last day of working for the mouse in Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom.. I can't quite believe the day has come. I don't feel ready to leave the happiest place on earth yet. 

My shift is 16:45-01:45 as they have extra hours tonight as it is the last week the American schools are off for holidays. I'm heading into work a bit early as there is a Minnie Mouse Cheerleader pin that I just NEED to buy before I leave! I did some sorting and packing this morning and some more sunbathing by the pool, before our last meal at Cici's... I'm going to miss an all-you-can-eat pizza and brownies buffet for $5!

I had a day off yesterday and spent it with a work friend, going for a walk around the Boardwalk which is one of the Disney resorts set on the water. It is so pretty and relaxed there! I even bought a Princess Aurora cushion- it will fit in my suitcase! Then headed to Epcot where I enjoyed a delicious, yet strong, frozen margarita and enjoying the attractions. Then finishing off at Hollywood Studios for the rides, dinner at the Pizza Planet out of Toy Story and watching Fantasmic for the last time! It was super hot and sunny as well which was loveeeely!

On Friday I move out of Vista and I'm not looking forward to it. Not only because I need to pack, but this place has become my home and I've completely settled here; being near all my friends and just living in a chilled happy atmosphere!

So 10 weeks spent working at the most popular theme park in the world, the happiest place on earth and where all your dreams come true... Yeah, I'd say I'm pretty lucky <3

Seaworld!

On Saturday, Louise and I finally got round to going to Seaworld!! It was a super fun day :) 

We got up really early to make sure we could get one of the first I-rides buses there. This wasn't so pleasant after getting home at 2.30am after work last night. Firstly we headed to the new ride 'Antartica: Empire of the Penguin'. This was always going to be a highlight for me, what with my obsession with penguins! The ride consisted of following a penguin called Puck's journey through Antartica! Then after the ride, we got to see REAL penguins! It was so cold as they obviously tried to keep the temperature as cold as possible for the penguins. They were so cute and if I could have worked out a way to steal one and take it back home to England, I would have!

After this we had another exciting experience of feeding the dolphins! This was something I had done on a previous family holiday... However, before, we had missed the dolphin feeding times, so OBVIOUSLY I threw a tantrum and made my parents take us back there the next morning!..sorry for the tantrum mum and dad! The dolphin feeding was so fun and I got to stroke and touch the dolphins. They're such cute and playful animals and always look like they're smiling.

The rest of the day consisted of going on rollercoasters, visiting the animals, going on the Journey to Atlantis water ride and of course seeing the shows! We watched the dolphin show which was amazing and I loved seeing them perform. Also of course the Shamu show...I LOVE Shamu! The show was spectacular, however, it has differed now after the traumatic story of Shamu attacked a trainer and the trainers no longer get in the water with the whales anymore. However, it was still spectacular! We also watched the Clyde and Seamore sea lion show, which was absolutely hilarious!

We also went on the Wild Arctic ride, which I remember from the first time we came to Florida when I was 5, that I was scared to go on it as I thought we wouldn't be able to get home from the Arctic! Luckily, we made it back in one piece and got to see polar bears, walruses, the cutest, largest, most chilled animals, the manatees and more!

It was an awesome day and I'm so glad we decided to go. I even bought a dolphin pen :) Sadly, I didn't think the super size Shamu and Polar Bear would fit in my suitcase though :( 

Dining at Be Our Guest Restaurant

So on Friday I finally got the chance to go for a meal at the Be Our Guest restaurant at the new Beauty and the Beast Castle in Magic Kingdom! It was definitely one of the top highlights of my time whilst being here.

Bryony and I went into Magic Kingdom early and enjoyed meeting some more characters and going on the Peter Pan's Flight ride before heading to the Beauty and the Beast castle. At lunchtime it is quick service and we only had to queue for about 15mins. The inside of the castle was created so beautifully and looked exactly how you would imagine and know the castle to be like. I ordered vegetable quiche with salad and a strawberry cream cupcake for dessert. We were given a red rose to hold and scan our meal choices onto and then our food was delivered on some ornate food serving trolleys. The food was amazing and the strawberry cupcake especially was delicious! There were two possible rooms to eat in; the grand 2-story ballroom or the mysterious west wing.

We even got to see the enchanted rose in the glass! The castle featured murals inspired by France's Loire Valley, floor to ceiling arched windows with snow details and beautiful mosaics.

This was such a fun experience and definitely one of the best meals I've had during my time at Disney :)

"....Welcome to America"

After super-closing at work on Wednesday, which is finishing at 12.45, my friend gave me and another girl on the college program a lift home. We went en-route to Taco Bell and I had my first ever Taco Bell!! I'm so totes American now!! When asked what I wanted I had no idea! They suggested a particular item and described it as "A dorito stuffed with meat and cheese.... Welcome to America!" That sure is a welcome to America; they certainly don't have anything like that in England... Or if you go by the UK pavilion in Epcot, all we eat is fish & chips! I must say my first ever Taco Bell was SO good though, I had a Double Decker Taco which is a soft tortilla with beans and wrapped with a crunchy corn taco shell with beef, cheese and lettuce!

So besides working and eating Taco Bell, Monday was another day off and I went jet skiing! It was SO FUN! It was such a pretty picturesque location as well and being beautiful sunshine, for once, made it perfect! Then a lot of sunbathing took place to make the most of the hot sunshine! Followed by a trip to Florida Mall! Definitely better shops than England and I bought a cute crop top from Victoria Secret. This was then followed by Cici's and a trip to Paradiso 37 at Downtown Disney! The cocktail was huuuuge and only $10 as we had the glasses from before. 

I treated myself to a trip to the Outlet Mall at the Commons and bought a Calvin Klein purse which was only $44, which is $30. We headed to Mickey's Retreat but sadly it started to rain so no chance to take out pedalos today! Before work on Wednesday, I went to Epcot with a friend and I had my first ever Funnel Cake!

This is typically American and I'm glad I tried it because it was delicious! We also went on some rides and had a walk around the world showcase :) The Canada video is one of my favourites as it reminds me of all the places we visited on our holiday there! Yesterday consisted of more food before work and a trip to Ihop! I'll never get bored of the American pancakes - they need these in England!!

Today I'm heading to Magic Kingdom before work to go on some rides, meet some characters and most importantly, a trip to the Be Our Guest restaurant for lunch! IM SO EXCITED!

Time is flying!

So I am sad to announce after my last post about the Kitchen Sink Dessert Challenge, we did not manage to finish it all! It was huge but tasted SO GOOD! It was full of ice cream, squirty cream, brownies, mars bar slices, peanuts, sauces; generally all deliciousness! We had a good go at it though!

I enjoyed a early finish last Saturday and spent it by watching the parade, celebrate the magic and wishes fireworks in the evening.. Pretty special being able to just finish work, get changed and be able to enjoy the park :) Sunday and Monday were my days off and Sunday was spent at Univeral Studios and Islands of Adventure for a day full of rides! 'Rip ride rocket' has got to be one of my favourite rides!...being able to pick a music track to listen to whilst going on a roller coaster is pretty fun! After the parks we took a trip to Publix to get the ingredients for our lasagne night! It was about time we had a home cooked meal and luckily Louise is a pro chef at lasagne! So us girls and three of the guys enjoyed a delicious lasagne! Promptly followed by the weekly House of Blues night out! I really wish England would take up the concept of free drinks for girls before midnight!

On my day off on Monday it started with a gym session after 3 and a half hours sleep...standard! Then we went to Ihop for more yummy pancakes!

This was followed by an afternoon at the Polynesian resort sunbathing by the beach...sadly it was a bit cloudy, but was so nice to chill by the beach, accompanied with a dole whip and cocktail of course! When it started to rain we headed to Magic Kingdom for an hour or so then went to Bahama Breeze for dinner! It was sooo goood!... As you can tell my food over here consists of either sandwiches at work or eating out..no cooking!

On Wednesday we went to Miami!!!!! It meant meeting for a coach at 4am after only 2 hours sleep! Sadly the weather wasn't what you would call great or sunbathing weather... But we made the most of it by looking round the iconic shops such as Miami Ink and the Kardasian's Dash shop, as well as doing some shopping, drinking cocktails and having a meal at TGI Friday's! Sod's law that the weather brightened up just as we were leaving but I can say I've spent a day in Miami now, after only stopping through there before a flight home after a Disney holiday before!

Friday was my first trip to cast connections! This is a store which sells damaged or cheap Disney merchandise, exclusive for cast members! I got a set of Minnie Mouse ears - the ones I've wanted since day 1 for only $6, key chains for 10cents, a postcard and a Minnie Mouse cheerleader Christmas tree decoration for only 50cents! Buzzing!! We then headed to Magic Kingdom for a few hours before work!

I finished work at 2.45 yesterday so went to Epcot to meet some more Disney princesses, including my 'lookalike' princess aurora!

I had a coconut and white chocolate ice cream in the France part of the world showcase and can honestly say it was the best ice cream I've tasted! I went to a party at my friend's flat at Patterson and it was simply the craziest, drunkest night!

Today is my day off so I'm at Hollywood studios after recovering from last night then TGI Friday's and house of blues tonight! :)