The Obsession Grows.....

I dread to think how many blogs I will have completed before I actually go away, but nevertheless here I am again!

As the title suggests, my obsession is growing with all things Disney; spending long hours on relevant Facebook groups, reading my new trivia book and ordering a Vacation Planning DVD to get me some real life footage of the Magic!

I'm working as much as possible at the moment under the proviso that early planning = more time to save up and more money for the trip! :-)

It's official though: I am obsessive. I'm doing lots of research (which if you are sceptical you might call escapism from the week of revision I am facing next week) and it is doing nothing more than exciting me!

You see WDW is more than a theme park (or many theme parks!), its more than the experience of a lifetime (although that's exactly what it is!); its a dream and the product of a dream and a place of dreams. That's where I'm going to go and that's what I am going to be a part of. That thought just makes me want to smile.
Other people's dreams may be to trek through Central America or backpack around Asia or spend a year working and partying in Australia - don't get me wrong, each to their own - but when the day comes that I go to Gatwick having passed my interview and got my visa and planned my travels and saved my money and more than likely spent some of that money on new clothes then that will be the day that my Disney dream comes true.

So now that little rant is over (!) what more can I say? "Goodbye clouds of grey, hello skies of blue" in the words of High School Musical 2. Because that's what it will be.... a whole year of amazingness.....

Thought to end with: Working at Disney is not my only dream, so I wonder if the playing out of one dream will lead to the formulation of another? Maybe I'll have decided on my future by the time 2010 comes around.....

Note to self: really must do some academic work between then and now or I won't be going anywhere..... error!

The Parents Approve!

Well I guess the title says it all really. But I want this to be a complete account so I'll give a few more details, because believe me, if they hadn't, it would've been game over!

Mum didn't seem that excited at first but now I think she realises, possibly from the amount of time I go on about it, that it is a highly sought after job. She's impressed by the benefits and I've been careful to not only go on about Mickey Mouse etc but the finances and practicalities too.

Dad was told by Mum and when he mentioned it to me, it didn't seem as if Mum had spoken ill of it, so that's the first good thing. Secondly, Dad approves in his own right and that's saying a lot, especially from a man who has seen so much of the world. Dad was with the Navy for 20yrs and has probably seen more of the world than the Mir Space Station!
He shares my view that there's nothing that special about Asia or Africa - don't get me wrong I'm sure that if I went to either of those continents it would be an experience of a lifetime, but I'm not that bothered and I'm certain I couldn't spend a year there.

Besides parents it's nice that when I've spoken to my friends - whose opinions I also consider tremendously important - that they're genuinely interested and happy for me. Most of them - no, all of them - have never heard of the Cultural Representative Programme and I've quite enjoyed telling them of it

Other things to report are that I've been thinking about the interview itself, not that I want to but needs must, and whenever I come up with things that I might need to demonstrate or that I would need to make me look good, it seems as if I have them! Yay!

Things I need to think about are that I need to decide when ie what time of year, I want to go. If I work through the summer and go in September/October time, that means I'll be travelling at that time the following year and I doubt that by that point, my wardrobe will be suitable for NY in Autumn.
On the other hand, if I need to raise more money then I'll have to work for as long as possible to fund myself. I need about $1300 which is about £700 for my initial costs; flights, insurance, visa, fees etc and to live off for my first or so, including the initial shopping that'll be quite a bit.

Hmmm...... lots to think about. AND TO BE EXCITED ABOUT TOO

That's why I've started this blog so far in advance, because if it all happens, then I want a record of the build-up, the planning and the excitement of all my dreams and fears etc recorded to look back on, two years down the line.

All of this doesn't really answer the years old question though: what will I do with the rest of my life post-graduation? I'll have to wait and see - 6 months ago I had no idea I would be doing this!

I suppose I had better end, in typical me fashion, with a Thought for the Day: Remember, it (Disney) all started with a mouse. If Walt can start with a mouse and end up with everything there is today, then I can start with a crazy idea and have an amazing year out. Right????

Call me obsessive if you will, but I bought a Disney Trivia Book Today and I am stupidly excited about receiving it and reading up on the place that I love so much and where - one day in the not so distant future - I Will Earn My Ears. YAY!!!!

The Plot Thickens....

Well, because I'm really sad, it's only a few hours since my last blog. Oh well.

I've spent a ridiculously huge amount of time today planning post-Disney travels!!!!!!

At the moment the plan looks like this:

1. Leave Orlando when my work contract is over and FLY to Washington DC. Whilst there visit; White House/Capitol Building, Vietnam Memorial Wall, Arlington National Cemetary, the Lincoln Memorial etc

2. Leave Washington DC on the GREYHOUND COACH for Boston which is a 10hour journey, but will be worth it methinks......

3. Is the Big Apple - New York, New York. Planning to see; Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero and Central Park. AS WELL AS SERIOUS SHOPPING!
My plan is to use New York as a base for further travel to Niagara Falls (another 10hrs on the coach but well worth it!) and elsewhere in the state.

Other exciting news is that the mild heart attack I was foreseeing over air fares may not happen.
EXPEDIA THE LIVING LEGENDS can do a multi-trip ticket for £450 max! That's London > Orlando, Orlando > Washington DC and New York > London all in one!!!!!
Whilst I know that 400 quid is still a lot of money, its a lot cheaper than what I had been seeing and is personalised for all of the random places I want to see.

I'm seriously considering finding a TravelBuddy on Gapyear.com when the time comes. Even if it is just for NY or chilling in FL for a few days after work finishes. Mum would have kittens, and I think I would too, about me going solo for a month in a foreign country.

Other coolness to report is that there seems to be a couple of good discount cards out there that will be useful for discounts on the Greyhound/Train and elsewhere hopefully!

So the plan is: save up, work, save up, work, save up, work, save up etc.
Budget wise, I would hope to break even and not incur any actual debt from the trip. As ever, we can but hope!

Thought to end ALL OF THESE PLANS WILL BE TOTALLY POINTLESS UNLESS I GET ON WITH SOME WORK AND ACTUALLY PASS MY DEGREE!

But to myself and anyone else reading this, whether it be 2008, 2009 or 2010 - never give up on your dreams. They may change over time, but they're never out of reach.

The plan emerges...

:D
I know that when you have an essay to do, you always find something more interesting to do with your time; tidy your room, hoover, bake a cake etc. But this has to be the biggest time wasting operation I've ever embarked on. It's also one that I hope will prove to be the opposite of a waste of time.

So.... the plan is: get through second year (not long to go!), get through all the scaryness of third year eg dissertation, finals and all that jazz, GRADUATE and then set off for a year in Florida. Whoo hoo!

I want to take part in the Disney Cultural Representative Programme at Epcot. Thus, I would work at Epcot for a year, representing the United Kingdom, getting paid, getting free entry + staff discount on all things Disney and living like a Uni student - which I have down to fine art!

Potential problems:
1. Money or lack of, including large student debt and overdraft!!!
2. It costs even more money to go; flights, visas, travel, food etc
3. I've heard they work you very hard (min 40 hr week) and the wages are not fantastic ($6.67 p/h)
4. You have to share a room with a stranger from another country - for a year. As well as potentially sharing a flat with 6 additional strangers from other countries.
5. They'll all want to get drunk and stay out until 4am every day, then they'll still manage to get up for work....I won't!
6. It's a whole year: what if I don't like it?
7. Will I have to resign from Argos/find a job when I get back?!?!?!?!
8. Missing all of my friends and losing touch with all my Uni mates :(

Ok enough problems. I'm sure the good will outweigh the bad. It's Disney after all! So now to the good points;

1. Get to spend a year abroad - always wanted to do that
2. Get to spend a year in Florida, at Disney, with all sorts of discounts
3. Will have a tan at the end of it everyone will be jealous of!
4. Delays my needing to look for an actual job and will look good on a CV when I do
5. Get almost a month to travel afterwards - so much to see
6. Opportunity to make friends from all over and then visit them!!!!
7. Get paid whilst over there
8. PIN TRADING! Plus the possibility to set up my own e-bay business selling stuff!

All in all, I'd be amazing methinks. Or am I so keen to avoid doing Uni work that I've actually retreated to a fantasy land????

The great thing is, I have lots of time to think about it. A year and a half in fact.

Though to end with Every day is another journey.... Where will tomorrow take me?
(Well, it will take me to a group presentation. But what I mean is; as one door closes, loads more will open. We'll just have to see if my dream pans out.)
Hope so.....