Interview for ICP- in depth

I realized in my introductory post I didn't really speak of the interview process in detail, so I've decided to do that right now!

Disney did the interview process differently this year. In the past, Yummy Jobs did the interview process up until the face to face interviews. This year, Yummy Jobs wasn't involved at all. The only major difference was that we did not have to go through phone interviews, but face to face interviews were given based on resumes and cover letters.

I submitted my resume and cover letter application back in September 2013, I believe. I knew I wanted to do another International College Program since my last program in 2012 but I spent summer 2013 in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. I had the opportunity to be the Vice-President Communications for the Acadia Students' Union- a job I had my heart set on since first year of university and couldn't turn it down (and I am so happy I didn't turn it down!)

I found out I had a face to face interview for Disney in January 2014, I believe. I was very excited to get away to Toronto for a little vacation! I chose Toronto for my interview location because I was most familiar with Toronto, it fit the best with my schedule and my friend Alexandra from my 2012 program was going to be attending that interview!

I flew out early, early on a Monday morning. Let me tell you- I hate flying. I really, really do. This flight was a bit of a nightmare too because it was my first time flying Porter and we were scheduled to stop in Ottawa. All was good until we took off from Ottawa, destined for the Toronto Island airport. Around 15 minutes into that flight, they turned the plane around to go back to Ottawa. I was sitting next to a very lovely lady and she definitely calmed me down but I was freaking out! I just HAD to be in Toronto before the next day for this interview!!

The good news is that once we landed in Ottawa once again they said that the snow had passed through already and we were good to go to Toronto! And so we were!

I took a taxi from the island airport to the hotel. It was so nice to land in downtown Toronto and not have to worry about getting from Pearson to downtown. Alexandra and I booked a hotel room in the hotel our interviews would be in, which was very convenient!

After happily being reunited with Alexandra, we walked around Toronto- we hit up the Eaton Centre, and just walked around and around. Urban Outfitters was a highlight for me because we don't have those stores in Nova Scotia. We had dinner at Chipotle which was also nice because we don't have THOSE in Nova Scotia either.

I remember Alexandra and I being super excited for our interviews but also super curious- what would they ask? What roles did we want?

The next morning was a blur- the two of us ate breakfast and got ready for our interviews. The interviews always start with a presentation about working at Disney.. which is always super exciting. It made me want to drop everything and move to Florida right then and there! They talked about how the program is a living, learning and earning experience (and it really, really is.. maybe a little easy on the earning part though).

My interview was the very, very first of the day coincidentally. There were 3 interviewers- I had the gentleman interviewer, and the other two were ladies. He didn't ask me a whole lot of questions and it went super quick- we actually had a mutual friend so that was a neat connection.

And just like that it was over....

I had to wait for Alexandra to finish her interview and we basically just hung out around the hotel that day. I remember being super anxious and wishing my interview was longer- I wish I could've talked more. I was also stressed about missing school.
I flew out of Pearson that night and got into Halifax around midnight, and in my bed in Wolfville around 1am.

It was a whirlwind trip with a lot of emotions but it was exciting to be back in the Disney bubble and to see my good friend Alexandra again. It was also cool to get away and have a little trip to Toronto in the middle of the semester (becoming somewhat of a tradition with me).

It seemed like a LIFETIME waiting to hear the results of the interviews. The scariest thing happened- they sent the emails out in waves which was different than past years. Alexandra found out she was going to be a character attendant- an AMAZING role!! I was so happy for her but also so, so scared- why hadn't my email come?

My email ended up coming 24 hours later... 24 brutally long hours... and I was accepted into the program as an attractions cast member!
I was eating at Paddy's Pub with Coltan, Andrea, Matt, Ian and Darcy (some of my very favorite people) at the time which was really nice.

I am very excited to be working attractions. It was one of my top picks. As a Disney history buff, I am very hopeful to get one of the 1971 original rides or even a classic Epcot ride. I'm open to working in any park, really, because I've had the Magic Kingdom experience (although I'd love to have it again!). I'm also enamoured with Disney costumes- I love them! I want the most obnoxious costume! I might regret saying this later though...

My top picks for attractions to work would be:
1. Haunted Mansion
2. Peter Pan/It's a Small World
3. the new Little Mermaid ride in New Fantasyland
4. Journey into Imagination with Figment
5. Spaceship Earth

But like I said, I'd be happy anywhere! I can't WAIT to find out!

Get to Know Me/Disney Q&A

1. The meaning behind my URL: rivercountrybears? River Country is an abandoned park at Walt Disney World that I am incredibly interested in and Country Bears is one of my favorite shows!

2. A picture of me: 

(I’m on the right..)

3. Tattoos I have: None.

4. Last time I cried and why: Hehe, I’m an emotional person! Probably over a TV show!

5. Piercings I have: Ear lobes two times each, cartilage in both ears. I will have to remove both my cartilage piercings and my second lobe piercings while at work. 

6. Favorite Band: Frightened Rabbit, The Arkells

7. Farthest Travelled: Scotland, England and SOON Los Angeles, California 

8. Education: I will shortly have a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Math and Philosophy! 

9. Tattoos I want: See my Pinterest. 

10. Religion: Baptist

11. Age: 21 (22 soon)

12. Languages: English and French-ish

13. Life goal(s): Run for public office, go to a curling national, go to all Disney parks, be a mum

14. Name some friends: I love my friends! Shout outs to Lidia, Darcy, Kristi, Patty-Sue, Nicki, Alexandra, Shelby, Lisa, Katerina

15. Relationship status: Single

16. Favorite movie: To Kill a Mockingbird

17. A fact about my life: I met Tom Cruise!

18. Phobia: Stickers.. ew.

19. Middle name: Katherine Esther

20. Siblings? I have an older brother Jake and a sister-in-law named Molly!

Disney World Questionnaire

1. What was the first year you visited Disney?

It was during Spring Break of my first year of university, so 2011. I was with my mum! 

2. How many times have you been since your first visit? 

The second time I went to Disney World was for my first college program, so three months in the summer of 2012. I could not tell you how many times I've been to each park- Magic Kingdom the most for sure, and then probably Studios, Epcot, DAK. 

I also went in the summer of 2013 on a vacation with my friend Alexandra. 

3. What is your favorite WDW resort, and why?

I have only ever personally stayed at All Star Movies, Pop Century, Coronado Springs and Wilderness Lodge but I have explored them all (with the exception of Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter, Animal Kingdom Lodge).

My favorite is the Polynesian, followed by the Boardwalk and Grand Floridian. 

4. Have you stayed at a DTD resort? If so, which one is your favorite, and why?

I have never stayed at a Downtown Disney resort, nor have I been to them!

5. What is your favorite ride at Magic Kingdom, and why? 

Splash Mountain. I love Song of the South (which may be a controversial statement, but I’d love to talk about it!) I also love the music- and it’s fun!

I have a huge honorable mention for Haunted Mansion. I love the Mansion - it's a 1971 original and it is sooooo detailed. 

6. What is your favorite restaurant at Magic Kingdom, and why? 

I have to say Cinderella’s Royal Table. I worked there, I know it, I love it. 

Honorable mention: Crystal Palace. Also worked there a bit, and loved it. 

7. What is one thing you MUST do while at Magic Kingdom, and why? 

I always go visit the castle, to see if anyone I know is working at the podium of Cinderella’s Royal Table. 

8. What is your favorite ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and why?

Tower of Terror because.. Tower of Terror. No explanation required. 

9. What is your favorite restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and why? 

Personally, Hollywood Studios is my least favorite park in terms of food. My favorite restaurant would probably be Sci Fi, I suppose. 

Honorable Mention: Pizza Planet

10. What is one thing you MUST do while at Disney’s Hollywood studios, and why? 

Fantasmic!

11. What is your favorite ride at Epcot, and why? 

Journey Into Imagination. I’m a huge Epcot traditionalist and wish they’d bring back the Dreamfinder, but I still love Figment. 

Honorable Mention: Horizons.. oh wait..

12. What is your favorite restaurant at Epcot, and why? 

Epcot is the best for dining! I really liked the Garden Grill.

Honorable Mention: Le Cellier

13. What is one thing you MUST do while at Epcot, and why? 

Journey Into Imagination, strolling around world showcase (I love the Japan gift shops!). I also like Maelstrom. 

14. What is your favorite ride at Animal Kingdom, and why? 

Dinosaur!!!! It’s fun, scary, exciting and the wait times are pretty short. 

15. What is your favorite restaurant at Animal Kingdom, and why? 

Yak & Yeti, I think.. Oh and Flame Tree BBQ because chocolate mousse. 

16. What is one thing you MUST do while at Animal Kingdom, and why? 

Avoid It’s Tough to be a Bug at all costs because its’ terrifying.

19. What is your favorite WDW Resort Restaurant, and why? 

1900 Park Fare- I love the Grand Floridian and the characters are an absolute blast!

Honorable Mention: Chef Mickey’s because the Contemporary 

20. What is something that you must do every time you visit WDW, and why? 

Watch Wishes. Wishes means so much to me and a trip wouldn’t be the same without it!

Disney Survey: 

1. What is your favorite Disney Movie?

Beauty & the Beast

2. What are your top 5 Disney Movies?

Beauty & the Beast, Dumbo, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Frozen, Pocahontas

3. What is your least favorite Disney movie?

I don’t like the early 2000s years- Home on the Range, Chicken Little, etc. I’m also not a fan of some of the older ones like Aristocats.

4. Who is your favorite hero/protagonist & why?

Hmm probably Quasimodo. He overcomes a really tough situation and tries to do the right thing despite being treated poorly his whole life. 

5. Who is your favorite prince?

Prince Naveen with an honorable mention to Flynn Rider

6. Which princess is your favorite?

Snow White with an honorable mention to Belle

7. What Disney princess do you relate to?

Belle!

8. If you could live in any Disney movie, what would it be?

Maybe the ending of Frozen? Arandelle seems nice! The Winnie the Pooh movie might be cute too. 

9. Which character do you look like?

Some say Belle, some say Snow.

10. Favorite Disney love song?

At Last I see the Light, Tangled

11. Favorite non-movie character?

Figment!

12. Favorite Villain?

Frollo

13. Favorite Villain Song?

Hellfire

14. All Time Favorite Disney Song?

Out There- Hunchback of Notre Dame

15. Favorite Character to Meet at the Parks:

Mickey I think! He’s so much fun to hug! 

16. Who have you yet to meet at the parks?

PETER PAN!!

Hello & Welcome

My name is Lindsay!

I am so excited to be writing this blog post, you have no idea.

I’m currently in my last year of study at Acadia University. I’m taking a bachelor of science in math & philosophy and I’m currently the Vice-President Communications for the Acadia Students’ Union (a job I love with my whole heart!)

During the summer of 2012, I worked at the Magic Kingdom as a hostess at Cinderella’s Royal Table. You can read all about my experience at my old blog here: http://disneylindsay.blogspot.ca/

In February 2014 I flew to Toronto for another interview with the Walt Disney Company, and a few days later (but what seemed like a lifetime), I was offered another job at the place where dreams come true! This time I will be working in Attractions at one of the parks!

Thank-you for following me as I pursue an adventure!