In the midst of how often current and future CPs discuss the car vs. bus situation, I thought I would make a post about driving vs. flying to Orlando. I will be flying, because taking a car does not seem like it would be worth the cost of taking a car, and to be honest, I'm pretty confident that I can fit everything I'll need in two suitcases and a carry on.
In comparing costs, it makes more sense to me to use the bus system during the program. The buses are free, and gas in a touristy area is very expensive. And since the DCP does not exactly have the highest pay, I'm in no rush to spend my money on gas. I know a lot of people complain about the bus system, but these complaints seem like the same kinds of issues that arise from any kind of public transportation. Basically, I understand that it's crappy that the buses are late sometimes, and that some of the bus drivers apparently drive like maniacs, and that you have to leave for work two hours early, and... well, how is this any different from the MBTA? I don't think it is. If I can handle public transportation in Boston, I think I'll be able to handle it during the DCP.
In light of this, I don't see why I would drive down. It doesn't make sense to bring a car to Florida, and pay insurance on it, if I'm hardly going to use it. The only real advantage I see to bringing a car is that I would be able to pack more. I'm not planning on over-packing, so I'm actually hopeful that this will keep me from bringing things I don't need. For right now, I am planning on bringing 1 large suitcase, 1 medium sized suitcase, a decent sized tote bag (for a carry on) and a purse. The one large suitcase will be for clothes, and the medium one will be for whatever clothes do not fit in the larger one, shoes, electronics, and whatever else I decide to bring that there is room for. Because I'll be flying, I'm not planning on going nuts with things like jewelry, and even shoes. (I'll also be working for most of the time that I'm there, so it doesn't make sense to go crazy bringing that stuff.)
I'm planning on flying down to Florida the day before we check in, and staying with Holly (one of my roommates) near Disney property. Flying down the morning of doesn't seem like a good idea. In the chance that my flight is delayed or something, I don't want to have to check in late.
I was just NLIC'ed (no longer in consideration) for the Yellow Shoes Associate Copywriter position. It would have been nice to move on, but I'm not heartbroken over it since I will definitely be doing the DCP in the Fall anyways.
My first published work, "Brittany Earns her Ears," is set to be released in early 2015. The book will be published by Theme Park Press, and will essentially be my memoirs with regards to the Disney College Program (DCP).
This book is one of many that will make up the "Ears" series. The first book in the series, "Amber Earns her Ears," was written by Amber Sewell. This book, which came out in 2013, follows Amber's journey working for Disney through the DCP, and the now discontinued Career Start program. The success of Amber's book led to the decision by the publishing company to produce more books about DCP participants-- the "Ears" series. (Click here to go to the "Amber Earns her Ears" page on Amazon.)
Theme Park Press is the publishing company for this series. According to their website, "Theme Park Press is the world's largest independent publisher of books about the Disney company, its history, its films, and animation, and its theme parks." The company has been releasing an average of about one book per month, and has also featured some very well known writers in the Disney history realm such as Disney historians, Jim Korkis, and Didier Ghez. You can read more about Theme Park Press on their website: themeparkpress.com.
The publisher and I initially got in touch through Disboards, which is ironically one of the Disney fan sites that I do not spend much time on. I very rarely post anything on there, and to be honest I only made the account this past summer to get in touch with other potential CP's (college program interns.) I began working on "Brittany Earns her Ears" in October, by creating outlines and quick drafts for a chapter describing the first time I applied to the DCP. After some revisions, I sent this chapter to the publisher, who enjoyed reading it and hoped that I would be accepted into the 2014 program so that I would be able to write my book. Now that I have been accepted, I have about 4-5 chapters written of "Brittany Earns her Ears," and I am very excited to continue writing as this process begins to move along. In the coming months, I will be posting some updates regarding my book on here, however I really hope that readers of my blog will be interested in the book, so I am definitely going to make an effort not to give too much away if that makes sense. I will probably have some "behind the scenes-esque" posts, but nothing that would make up for actually reading the book.
As I mentioned above, this book is going to be part of a series. Here are the other authors in the series, as well as their social media:
Emily, Merchandise, Spring 2014
http://earsonemily.blogspot.com
Ema, Housekeeping & Entertainment Performer, 2012-2013
www.whenyourdreamscometrue.tumblr.com
instagram: @emchappie91
Kyla, Main Entrance Operations, Spring Advantage 2014
http://kylajaclyndcp.tumblr.com
instagram: @kylafornication
twitter: @kylajaclyn
www.facebook.com/bornbackwardsxx
Good Reads: @kylajaclyn
Carmela, Concierge, Spring 2014
www.carmelathedisneyconcierge.tumblr.com
Kelsie, Photopass, Fall 2011
www.youtube.com/kelsiedoingdisney
instagram: @kelsieweiser
twitter: @kelsieweiser
www.facebook.com/kelsiedoingdisney
Kaitie, Merchandise, Fall 2011
http://thevirginmindset.wordpress.com/
instagram: @kaitiesue7
twitter: @kaitsue
Sara, Quick Service Food and Beverage, Spring 2013
http://disneyden.blogspot.com
http://thedisneyden.tumblr.com
www.youtube.com/52weekend
http://twitter.com/TheDisneyDen
Nicole, Entertainment/Attendant, Fall Advantage 2013
http://disneylifeofnicole22.tumblr.com
www.youtube.com/disneylifeofnicole22
twitter: @smilenicole22
My own social media:
www.destinationdisneyworld.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/bdicologero
instagram: @brittanyearnsherears
twitter: @bdicologero
snapchat: @bdicologero
Disboards: bdicologero
WDWmagic: BrittanyEarnsHerEars
I received my acceptance email at about 11:30 AM EST, and immediately checked my dashboard (which was already updated to the offer stage.) I forgot my password, supposedly-- By supposedly I mean, I don't think I did, and for whatever reason Disney just wants you to create a new password when you accept an offer. I remember this happening last time I applied too, and I can tell you that at least for this time, I checked my dashboard 7584957483612 times a day, so I definitely knew what my password was. Anyways, I logged into the candidate portal, and saw that I had been accepted for Merchandise, for the Fall 2014 season. This was also about the time when I paid the program fees- which with the processing comes to $304.50. The fees cover your rent for the first couple of weeks before you are paid, and other events that the housing communities put on. After paying the fee I chose my arrival date. I didn't even look at the September ones, and I chose August 4th, because there are a couple of girls I am planning on living with who already chose that day. This was pretty much all I've had to do for now regarding my acceptance, but I assume there will be more paperwork as time goes on.
I also received the contract for my book in the mail today, which I've already signed and will mail back to the publisher tomorrow. I will still be writing on this blog during the program, but this will probably turn into quick updates of the day's events because I will also be writing the book at the same time.
That's all I've got for now, feel free to contact me with questions/comments! & I've changed my instagram name to @brittanyearnsherears to remain consistent with every website I'm on.
I received my acceptance email today for the Disney College Program! I will be in Florida from August to January, and my role is Merchandise!
This also means that I can "officially" announce the publication of my book! "Brittany Earns her Ears" will be published by Theme Park Press, and is due to come out in 2015! In the mean time I will still be posting updates here and on my instagram: @brittanyearnsherears .
I'll post another update when I find out some more specifics! Thanks to everyone who has been congratulating me all morning!
