Acceptances Are Here

So on the 26th of February, acceptances started to flow out to a few of those that applied. I have yet to hear back, but I'm still in progress and I'm not scared. But I had a great thing happen to me that night. I was at an introduction to a great program at Outlook Development that I won't be able to do seeing that I'll be leaving for Disney before it ends so there is no use. While I was there, two of my best friends Josh and Aubry

Magical Rewards Part 1 (The High Four)

Going with a couple of my latest posts, mainly Creating Magic Moments and Best Advice, I decided to add these few remarks. I assure you this is not a brag fest. Not even an Oktoberfest. (It's February as I write this) This is a chance to show you we I loved working for Disney and why many of you might as well.

I have had great jobs in my life, but none so great as working for a mouse. Quite literally. This first experience of this three part blog is about me working in "The House" or Mickey's house. I didn't get the job very often. Unfortunately! I love it for

Best Advice for Cast Members (or any employee)

This week in time, many of those that applied for the Disney College Program should be hearing back about their status with their application. Many of them (okay, me included) are looking at their application dashboard to see their status change from "In Progress" to hopefully "Accepted" and not "NLIC" (No Longer In Consideration).

For those hopefuls I thought I would give my best advice that wasn't even mine.

I'm a Hacker!

German Translation:
There is no "Right or Wrong",
There is only "Fun or Boredom!

I sometimes feel like a hacker. Over my lifetime I have acquired a particular set of skills. Web searching being one of them. I'm going to teach you two things to toss into your next google search that will allow you to narrow down your findings to some very interesting results. I really shouldn't give away my secrets like this. I have been the go to guy for information, and now I'm letting you in on my magic.

Fonts for Disney

Do you have a blog or vlog or something that is promoting Disney? In my last post I needed a graphic that had a Disney font. I found on

Ringtones

If my blog posts were like ringtones, this one would be classified a notification sound. This is going to be short. Not because I didn't have time. I just

The Phone Interview

On Wednesday night at 9:15 pm, I got my phone interview for the Disney College Program for Fall 2014. I was going to record it via my computer but I wasn't able to get it started in time. In the moment I got a bit flustered and so I didn't write down her name like I should have. It's great to use their name during the call at least one other time than in the beginning and once at the end. But I did remember to do a few things right. Here are some tips and a bit more about what I experienced.

Tips:

Where were you 5 years ago?

I love you, man! This is a shout out to all of my new friends on the Facebook pages for the Fall Disney College Program. Back in 2009 when I was applying and getting accepted, there were very few of us out there that were as social media savvy as there are today. I tried to start a College Program page for just Disneyland. I think I got

Life's Greatest Lesson

Back in 2009, they told us we were not allowed to post this image anywhere. We could show friends, but not to publish it. Back then, this shot was only available to special cast members of the Disneyland Resort. Now this is part of the "Walk in Walt's Footsteps" tour that you can purchase while visiting the parks. This is Walt's Apartment! The one he used to

Favorite Photography

I would like to tell you about the people that have kept my sanity in check these long 4 years. Ever since leaving The Walt Disney Company in January of 2010, I have missed being in the parks on a regular basis. Luckily I have had things like music to help me with my "home sickness". The other thing that has helped is the lovely imagery for some very talented people. While listening to some music on youtube I came across some stunning photos of Walt Disney World taken by Trey Ratcliff. I was instantly

Disney Music Playlists

Ever since I got home from the Disney College Program in January of 2010, I have wanted to go back and visit the parks. At that time I lived in Idaho; a good 15 hours away from Disneyland by car and not able to go as much as I would like. I needed to get my fix of a full Disney immersive experience. The best way for me to feel like I was there was by the music. Luckily, for us G33K5, a couple of great people have placed music from the parks on youtube. Specifically, my favorite is MrThemeParksAudio. Somehow he is able to grab

Creating Magic Moments

Disney Ruined My Marriage! In the spring of 2009 (5 year ago) I applied to the Disney College Program. I was accepted into the Disneyland Program as a Photopass Photographer. I chose Disneyland so I could be close to my wife and kids who would be in Arizona. Turns out that there was a price to pay for that choice. I say this all in jest. Disney didn't really ruin my marriage, but when I got back, people noticed a major different. Not only had I lost over 30 pounds due to starvation (my choice), I had become a Disney Geek!

During my divorce, my mother asked me what was my obsession with

Camera Choice

I had a great discussion yesterday with a gal applying for the Disney College Program. She is interested in getting a new camera for her stay at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. I asked a few questions in a flow chart type fashion to see her needs. She's been interested in getting a DSLR. Now I own one for myself, but I do not recommend them for everyone. Or even for the majority of people. DSLR's, even the cheaper ones are great, but they are for those interested in the trade. As in they are interested in getting paid for their photos.

So what should I get Mr. High and Mighty DSLR owner?

Happy Valentine's Day! Blank

Blank was just released and is super cute. If you're not into vinylmation, neither am I but this is great! Get into the mood of Valentines with this amazing stop motion animation short film. It hasn't got me into the buying them, but I will have a bit more of an appreciation. It's free to download on google play.

Here's the preview:

Fun Things To Do: Tower of Terror

21 people enter, only 20 come out. Or at least that's what they want you to believe will happen. The Tower of Terror attraction in Walt Disney World is one of the stops that is a must. If you have been on the one in Disneyland many times, like I have, you will be happy to know this is voted as one the attractions that is so much better in Disney World than Disneyland. With the elevator moving not only up and down, it travels forward and backwards. (Glass Elevator anyone?)

One of the greatest aspects of the attraction is that the elevator actually pulls you down when you "fall" down the shaft. This allows for some fun. The other aspect that allows for some fun is the photo op that happens on an unknown floor. It's unknown because a computer randomizes the ups and downs your experience. You had better be prepared to look out the open wall to the "World" below. So many things are possible here.

The Coin:

Place a coin on