Now that I've passed my lifeguard training, I can now move on for my orientation days. I had two orientation days: one at the Polynesian and the other one at the Grand Floridian. They show you the resort and you learn about the disney company. After those two days, I got 3 days of training. One day was 8 am until 5pm at the Polynesian and the other day 3pm until 11pm at the Grand. You basically meet some of your co-workers and learn what you have to do depending on the stand you're on. My first pm shift was really fun, we had the chance to watch the electric water parade and the fireworks !! My third day of training I was tested. They asked me some questions and put a VAT while I was on stand at the Grand Floridian. I PASSED!
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Last Friday, I started my lifeguard training at Mickey's Retreat.
An American Company, Jeff Ellis & Associates, is training future lifeguards that might not be familiar with rescues and CPR. The training was awesome. Nothing negative to say about it. Our class was kinda fun too. The first day, you will learn about Artificial Breathing and CPR on an adult and child. In the afternoon, you will learn some ways to rescue a person in the water. The second day, you will learn about Artificial Breathing and CPR on an infant. Plus, you will learn how to rescue an unconscious person and how to rescue someone who hurt their neck. You will also learn First Aid. On the last day (it's 3-day training), if you arrive early which I recommend (because practice makes you perfect), you will practice CPR on child, infant and adult. You can ask questions and review the sheet with 60 questions. (50 of those questions will be in the exam). On the exam day, you will have an exam of multiple choices, than what to do on unconscious infant, child AND adult. You will also be evaluate on 3 scenarios our was a VAT, infant chocking and goes unconscious and a person who hurt their neck. I PASS !!! Keep in mind, to communicate with your teammate it's easier. If you do a mistake just fix it! I forgot to put my gloves on for the scenario than I put them as soon as I realized it. They asked me what would I have change and told them I would have put my gloves sooner. And our group passed. Days off are my favorite time of this journey. Why? Being in the parks for free with friends is so much fun. Yesterday, I went to Typhoon Lagoon with 2 of my friends. It was real fun. We went there really early so during the morning the lines were so short. Today, I went to Epcot and Magic Kingdom. It's so hot today. I think it was the hottest day since I arrived. We went to see all the countries which is really long. I need to go back to see them because we spent more time in Canada, Morocco, Mexico and we ate in China. When you arrive into the program, basically the first days are only meetings and orientations. It's long days and you will notice soon enough that the days go really fast here.
A few days ago, I had my orientation at the Polynesian Resort. I found out that I will be working at the Polynesian and Grand Floridian Resorts. I'm really excited about it because I have two resorts. They showed us all parts of the resorts. After that day, I went to get my costume. I'm so happy!! There was this big pool party at Chatham it was really fun. There was so many people there. Today was not that exciting. This morning and afternoon we completed some immigrations documents. Between those meetings, I bought a sim card and now I have an american number!! At 18h30, I had my swim and vision test. Let's talk about the vision test. There's some letters, you are kinda far and you have to say what are those letters. If I remember you only have to read 6 letters. If you need glasses you can totally do the test with them but while you guard you have to wear them. For the swimming test:
SHALLOW WATER: - 2 laps (50 meters) - 10 lbs brick (you have to get this brick feet first, it's not deep like 5'') DEEP WATER: - 8 laps - 10 lbs brick which is deeper than shallow water - tread water with hands out of the water for 2 minutes As you can see it's not that difficult. After the swimming test, I went to Chatham's pool with friend. This pool is really big and pretty. Today, I woke up at 7h45 to take my shower because I had a drug test at 10h00 and I didn't want to be late. People who are lifeguard, or in attractions/operations must pass this test. You have to pee in a cup. I had to go to the bathroom so I drank a water bottle and ate cereal with milk so I have liquid in my system. We wait in line for more than 2 hours and than when it was my turn I COUDN'T pee, so I wait but after it wasnt enough. The lady from Disney told us (because I wasn't the only one who couldn't pee) that if we were not taking the drug test today we will miss traditions and we would have done it next week. But after more than an hour, I filled that cup with success.TIP: DO NOT GO TO THE BATHROOM BEFORE THE DRUG TEST. Because I had to wait so long, I was late for the housing meeting. I might have to attend it again next week. After, I went to wal-mart with Marie-Ève and Allison. Did some shopping, got lost (I couldn't find my apartment). When I came back it was already 5h30. Time passes so fast here. I connected to Facebook than found out that Laurie and Anne were going to watch the hockey game (bruins vs habs) so I decided to join them and the bus was at Chatham at 6. We got lost, we went to the ESPN complex but we had to go somewhere else also called ESPN. The complex was really big and it was really pretty. After, we went to the right place to watch the game but the restaurant was full. We aren't the habs #1 fan so we didnt mind that much. Instead, we walked nearby and went inside some shops. We had the chance to see fireworks it was really pretty. Can't wait to be able to enter into the parks. May 13th was the day I left for a wonderful journey. On my last night in Quebec City, I went to bed around 23h20 and I gotta say it was an awful night. I was sooooo nervous that I couldn't sleep. I got up of my bed at 3h30 than left for the airport at 4h20. I was the last one getting at the airport but seriously no stress. Quebec city's airport is the smallest. I got on my first flight which was Quebec City - Montreal (46 mins). The flight went great but the pilot must practice is landing. Seriously, it wasn't good at all. After that, we went to our gate. Montreal should definitely be more clear about the gates, it wasn't that clear but we made it to customs than our gate. Ann-Sophie and I went to bathroom and changed in my summer outfit. We met 3 other Canadians. After the flight, I got internet and one of my roommate told me that we were in CHATHAM, 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, 6 people. It was our first choice, I was so happy. After claiming our luggage, we took the shuttle together and it was really fun because we talked a lot with the other Canadians and they were sooo friendly. The shuttle made 3 stops before us and I couldn't wait to be ''home''. I arrived at Vista Way for check-in. There was some water bottles, fruits, candies etc. I was really hungry. I think we arrived around 13h30 and the only thing I ate since I woke up was carrots on the plane. After, we got a tour of each complex: Vista, The Commons than CHATHAM. When I arrived, my roommates (actually 2 of them because the other one weren't arrive yet) came to see me on the balcony:) The apartment is really big. I talked with the girl, I met their parents, I choose my bedroom which is nice and big. The girls and Kim's mom came with me at the stores to buy my stuff which was sooooo nice of them because Kim's mom rent a car. We got back and it was super late and I was too tired to go see the fireworks (Canadian Traditions). I unpack all my stuff, made my bed etc. I ate dinner super late, I only ate a salad but it was delicious. After, our other roommates came in at the same time, we talked and I went to bed pretty early. I was too tired to finish this post yesterday so...
Packing was really hard. Here is my list before doing the program, I might add some stuff during my experience. I'm almost done packing, leaving after tomorrow. I wonder if my suitcase is overweight but I don't think so.
Bedroom In your suitcase: - Sheet Set x 2 (Twin+ pillow cases) - Pictures - Lock (for lockers) - Dvds To buy at Wal-Mart in Orlando: - Comforter - Blanket (optional) - Pillows - Mattress Cover - Hangers - Laundry Basket Bathroom In your suitcase: - Bath Towels (2) - Hand Towels (1) - Washcloths To buy at Wal-Mart in Orlando: - Shower Curtain - Shower Curtain Rings - Bath Rug - Air Freshener - Soap Toiletries In your suitcase: - Toothbrush - Toothpaste - Hair Care Products (including brush, hair ties, straightener) - Aloe Vera Gel - Sunscreen!! - Shampoo - Conditioner (small bottle) - Soap - Deodorant - Q-tips (vacation pack) - Make up - Make up remover - Chapstick - Razors - Advils -Band-aid To buy at Wal-Mart in Orlando: - Sunscreen - Q-tips - Toilet Paper Kitchen/Living Room In your suitcase: - Napkins - Refillable Water Bottle To buy at Wal-Mart in Orlando: - Dish Towels (2-4) - Pot Holders - Tupperware Containers - Ziploc Bags (snack size, sandwich size, quart size and gallon size) - Paper Towels - Toaster - Blender - Dish Soap - Dish Sponges Cleaning To buy at Wal-Mart in Orlando: - Clorox Wipes, Windex, Magic Erasers - Kitchen Trash Bags - Toilet Bowl Cleaner Electronics In your suitcase: - MacBook/Charger - Digital Camera /Charger - Cell Phone & Charger - Headphones To buy at Wal-Mart in Orlando: - Surge Protector - Wireless Router Miscellaneous In your suitcase: - Backpack - Pens - Check-In Paperwork - Passport, Drivers license etc - Umbrella - Earrings, bracelet etc. - Raincoat - Reusable Shopping Bags (for groceries) Packing is SOOOOOO hard. Seriously. The thing is I'm flying. So, I can't bring everything that I want like people who takes their cars. Plus, my program is only for 11 weeks but still I wanna bring everything. Basically this is my problem: it is cheaper to have two checked baggages than one overweight bag. Disney Exchange Program doesn't provide pillows and sheets so you have to bring it in your suitcases or buy it down in Orlando which means more money to spend there. I'm going to try to fit all my stuff in one suitcase and if I can't I might pay for a second bag. I wish I could bring all my clothes / shoes but I need to make tough decisions. I'm bringing sunscreens and others stuff that I have so I won't spend money for something I already have. I'm trying to not overpack which is a big challenge for me but I think I'm gonna be okay. I'm leaving sooooo soon, I can't believe it. I'm waiting for this moment since February 4.
I bought a new carry on baggage :) which is bigger so I can put more stuff inside. I had this small suitcase for 11 years and I used it for every trip so it was time I change it. Yesterday I ate dinner with the girls at St-Hubert. It was so much fun to see them again !! They are all so nice and can't wait to have a blast this summer with them. We talked a lot about Disney obviously and it was really fun to share this moment with people that actually understand this excitement. Our reservation was at 19h and we left past 22h so we talked a looooot. When we left we were like: Bye see you at the airport :) that was really exciting and one girl is arriving on May 20th so we were like: see you in Orlando. It is getting real. During our dinner, Laurie (who did the program last year) said that she found out were she will work this summer because one of her friends is still working at Disney World and she has access to the systems and knows where future cast member will be place. So Guess What I Ask? Of course I ask her if she could ask her friend to check my position !! THIS MORNING, I FOUND OUT I WILL BE A LIFEGUARD AT GRAND FLORIDIAN!!!!!!!!! As you can see, it's GORGEOUS!!!
I'm so excited to have this view for 3 months. I'm hoping this will be my location and they won't switch me for another place (I read some blogs and one girl got switch). I really wanted to lifeguard at a Resort and that is what I have. I'm so glad and happy :) I'm gonna do everything in my power to pass the lifeguard tests. I'm going to be a lifeguard in shallow water!!! I heard the swim test is much easier... it doesnt bother me because I was ready to swim 8 laps so if they switch me I will be ready for lifeguarding deep water. But it sounds good to me after a day of flying only 2 laps to swim :) yeahhh DISNEY WORLD OR SHOULD I SAY GRAND FLORIDIAN I'M COMING!!!!!!! Can't wait to be there :) |
AuthorHi! I'm Florence. I'm French Canadian and I will be a cast member again at Walt Disney World during May-August 2016. I'm doing the Cultural Exchange Program. I did the same program in 2014 and 2015. I hope this blog will help you :) enjoy xx Archives
February 2016
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